Patent ID: 12256365

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

First, a communication system to which technical solutions provided in this application are applicable is described.

The technical solutions in embodiments of this application may be applied to various communication systems, for example, a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 5th generation (5G) communication system, a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, a system obtained by integrating a plurality of communication systems, a future evolved communication system, or another network system that may be used to provide a communication service. This is not limited herein.

FIG.1shows an example of a schematic diagram of a structure of a possible communication system. The communication system includes at least one core network device (where a first core network device110and a second core network device120are shown in the figure), one or more access network devices connected to the core network device (where a first access network device130and a second access network device140are shown in the figure), and a terminal device150connected to the access network devices. The terminal device150shown inFIG.1is a DSDS terminal device, and the terminal device may support two SIM cards.

FIG.2is a schematic diagram of an example of a possible architecture of a communication system. As shown inFIG.2, a network device in a radio access network (RAN) is a base station (for example, a gNodeB or a gNB) with an architecture in which a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) are separated. The RAN may be connected to a core network (for example, an LTE core network or a 5G core network). It may be understood that the base station is divided into the CU and the DU from the perspective of a logical function. The CU and the DU may be physically separated or deployed together. A plurality of DUs may share one CU. One DU may alternatively be connected to a plurality of CUs. The CU and the DU may be connected through an interface, for example, an F1 interface.

Optionally, the CU and the DU may be obtained through division based on protocol layers of a wireless network. For example, functions of a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer are deployed on the CU, and functions of a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access control (MAC) layer, and a physical (PHY) layer are deployed on the DU. It should be understood that division of processing functions of the CU and the DU based on the protocol layers is merely an example, and the processing functions of the CU and the DU may alternatively be divided in another manner.

Optionally, the CU or the DU may alternatively have some processing functions of the protocol layers through division. In a possible design, some functions of the RLC layer and functions of a protocol layer above the RLC layer are deployed on the CU, and remaining functions of the RLC layer and functions of a protocol layer below the RLC layer are deployed on the DU. In another possible design, division of functions of the CU or the DU may be performed based on a service type or another system requirement. For example, division may be performed based on a latency. Functions whose processing time needs to satisfy a latency requirement are deployed on the DU, and functions whose processing time does not need to satisfy the latency requirement are deployed on the CU. A network architecture shown inFIG.2may be applied to a 5G communication system, and may alternatively share one or more components or resources with an LTE system. In another design, the CU may alternatively have one or more functions of a core network. One or more CUs may be disposed in a centralized manner or a separated manner. For example, the CUs may be disposed on a network side for ease of centralized management. The DU may have a plurality of radio frequency functions, or the radio frequency functions may be disposed remotely.

Optionally, functions of the CU may be implemented by one entity, or may be implemented by different entities. For example, the functions of the CU may be further divided. For example, a control plane (CP) is separated from a user plane (UP), that is, a CU control plane (CU-CP) is separated from a CU user plane (CU-UP). For example, the CU-CP and the CU-UP may be implemented by different function entities. The CU-CP and the CU-UP may be coupled to the DU to jointly implement functions of the base station. In a possible implementation, the CU-CP is responsible for control plane functions, and mainly includes an RRC and a PDCP-C. The PDCP-C is mainly responsible for data encryption and decryption, integrity protection, serial number maintenance, data transmission, and the like on the control plane. The CU-UP is responsible for user plane functions, and mainly includes an SDAP and a PDCP-U. The SDAP is mainly responsible for processing data of a core network and mapping a data flow to a bearer. The PDCP-U is mainly responsible for encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, serial number maintenance, data transmission, and the like on a data plane. The CU-CP and the CU-UP are connected through an E1 interface.

It may be understood that embodiments provided in this application are also applicable to an architecture in which the CU and the DU are not separated.

In this application, an access network device may be any device having a wireless transceiver function. The access network device includes but is not limited to: an evolved NodeB (eNB or e-NodeB) in LTE, a base station (gNodeB or gNB) or a transmission reception point (transmission receiving point/transmission reception point. TRP) in new radio (NR), a base station that subsequently evolves in 3GPP, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, a wireless relay node, a wireless backhaul node, or the like. A base station may be a macro base station, a micro base station, a picocell base station, a small cell, a relay station, a balloon station, or the like. A plurality of base stations may support the aforementioned networks using a same technology, or may support the aforementioned networks using different technologies. The base station may include one or more co-site or non-co-site TRPs. The network side device may alternatively be a radio controller, a CU, and/or a DU in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. The network side device may alternatively be a server, a wearable device, a vehicle-mounted device, or the like. The plurality of network side devices may be base stations of a same type or base stations of different types. The base station may communicate with a terminal device, or may communicate with the terminal device via a relay station. The terminal device may communicate with a plurality of base stations using different technologies. For example, the terminal device may communicate with a base station supporting an LTE network, may communicate with a base station supporting a 5G network, or may support a dual connection to the base station supporting the LTE network and the base station supporting the 5G network.

The terminal device may be user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless terminal device, a user agent, or a user apparatus. The terminal device may alternatively be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a handheld device having a wireless communication function, a computing device, another processing device connected to a wireless modem, a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer having a wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a vehicle-mounted terminal device, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in telemedicine (remote medical), a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city: a wireless terminal in a smart home, a wearable terminal device, a terminal device in a future 5G network, a terminal device in a future evolved PLMN, or the like. Alternatively, the terminal device may be fixed or mobile, and the terminal device may be deployed on land, on water, or in the air.

In addition, the terminal device in embodiments of this application may alternatively be a terminal device in an internet of things (IoT) system. IoT is an important part of future information technology development. A main technical feature of the IoT is connecting things to networks using communication technologies, to implement an intelligent network for interconnection between persons and machines, and between things. The terminal device in embodiments of this application may alternatively be a terminal device in machine type communication (MTC). The terminal device in this application may alternatively be a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted module, a vehicle-mounted component, a vehicle-mounted chip, or a vehicle-mounted unit that is built in a vehicle as one or more components or units. The vehicle uses the vehicle-mounted module, the vehicle-mounted module, the vehicle-mounted component, the vehicle-mounted chip, or the vehicle-mounted unit that is built in the vehicle, to implement a method in this application. Therefore, embodiments of this application may be applied to an internet of vehicles, for example, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), long term evolution-vehicle (LTE-V), and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V).

It may be understood that an application scenario of the terminal device is not limited in embodiments of this application.

In a wireless communication network, the terminal device may be used in an application scenario in which a plurality of SIM cards are supported, and there may be a paging conflict between the plurality of SIM cards. For example, two SIM cards (for example, a SIM A and a SIM B) in a DSDS mobile phone share one transceiver. If paging occasions of the SIM A and the SIM B overlap, that is, calculated paging frames or paging occasions conflict, paging messages of the SIM A or the SIM B cannot be received in a timely manner. Therefore, how to effectively implement paging of the DSDS mobile phone becomes an urgent problem to be resolved. It may be understood that, in this application, an example in which a terminal device supports two SIM cards is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application. The technical solutions are also applicable to a scenario in which the terminal device supports three, four, or even more SIM cards.

In a method provided in this application, at least one SIM card of the terminal device is in a non-connected state (where the non-connected state includes an idle state or an inactive state). The terminal device receives a paging-related message or paging-related information in a cell corresponding to a single SIM card (for example, a SIM A), to monitor paging to a plurality of SIM cards of the terminal device. For example, after a network side device A corresponding to the SIM A and a network side device B corresponding to a SIM B complete association, when the network side device B needs to page the SIM B, the network side device A sends paging information to a cell corresponding to the SIM A, to page the SIM B. Using this method can avoid frequent transceiver switching for the terminal device, and avoid a consequence that a paging message of a SIM card always fails to be received when paging occasions overlap. It is easy to understand that two SIM cards supported by the terminal device may be referred to as a first SIM card and a second SIM card in this application. This is not limited in this application.

It may be understood that the method provided in this application is also applicable to the scenario in which the terminal device supports three, four, or even more SIM cards. For example, the terminal device receives a paging-related message or paging-related information in a cell corresponding to a single SIM card (for example, a SIM A), to monitor paging to a plurality of SIM cards of the terminal device. After network side devices corresponding to the plurality of SIM cards complete association, when a network side device corresponding to another SIM card other than a network side device corresponding to the SIM A needs to page the another SIM card (for example, a SIM B, a SIM C, or a SIM D), the network side device corresponding to the SIM A sends a paging message to a cell corresponding to the SIM A, to page the another SIM card.

In a possible manner, the network side device may be a core network device (which may be referred to as a core network element or a core network node). Optionally, in an NR system, the core network device may be an access and mobility management function (AMF) entity, or a device including the AMF entity. Optionally, in an LTE system, the core network device may be a mobility management entity (MME), or a device including the MME entity. In another possible manner, the network side device may be an access network device, or may also be referred to as a base station. Optionally, the access network device may be an LTE evolved NodeB (eNB or e-NodeB) in a 4th generation (4G) communication system, and the access network device may be a gNodeB, a gNB, a transmission reception point (TRP), or the like in a 5G system.

The following describes technical solutions of this application in detail by using specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments and implementations may be combined with each other, and same or similar concepts or processes may not be described repeatedly in some embodiments. It should be understood that a function explained in this application may be implemented by using an independent hardware circuit, software running in combination a with processor/microprocessor or a general-purpose computer, an application-specific integrated circuit, and/or one or more digital signal processors. When described as a method, this application may alternatively be implemented in a computer processor and a memory coupled to the processor.

In the following embodiments, an example in which the terminal device supports both a first user identity (a user identity corresponding to the first SIM card) and a second user identity (a user identity corresponding to the second SIM card) is used for description. In embodiments of this application, the terminal device receives a message or information in a cell corresponding to a single user identity, to monitor paging information of a plurality of user identities.

For example, in an implementation, the terminal device is in a connected state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in an idle state or an inactive state by using the second user identity. The terminal device receives, in a cell corresponding to the first user identity: paging information corresponding to the second user identity. It may be understood that when the terminal device changes to the idle state by using the first user identity, the terminal device accordingly receives, in the cell corresponding to the first user identity, paging information corresponding to the first user identity.

In another implementation, the terminal device is in an idle state by using both the first user identity and the second user identity, or the terminal device is in an inactive state by using both the first user identity and the second user identity. A cell corresponding to either of the first user identity and the second user identity of the terminal device may be used as a cell (where the cell may be referred to as a first cell or a primary cell) in which paging information corresponding to the two user identities is received. For example, the terminal device may monitor a paging message in a cell corresponding to the first user identity, to monitor the paging information of the first user identity and the second user identity. That the cell corresponding to either of the first user identity and the second user identity of the terminal device is used as the cell in which the paging information corresponding to the two user identities is received may also be understood as that either of the first SIM card and the second SIM card is used as a SIM card (for example, the SIM card may be referred to as a primary card) for receiving the paging information corresponding to the two user identities.

In still another implementation, the terminal device is in an inactive state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in an idle state by using the second user identity. The terminal device receives a message or information in a cell corresponding to the first user identity: to monitor paging information of the first user identity and the second user identity.

It may be understood that a specific card that is determined as the foregoing primary card may be predefined. For example, it is predefined that a SIM card supporting a high-level standard is the primary card. For example, if the first SIM card is a card supporting 5G. and the second SIM card is a card supporting 4G, the first SIM may be used as the primary card as predefined. Alternatively, it may be predefined that a SIM card supporting a specific standard is the primary card. A predefinition manner is not limited in embodiments of this application.

In another possible manner, the primary card may alternatively be selected by the terminal device and indicated to one or more network side devices. For example, the terminal device may select the primary card based on a preset condition, or may randomly select the primary card. A manner in which the terminal device selects the primary card and a manner in which the terminal device indicates a selection result to the network side devices are not limited in embodiments of this application.

The following separately describes a process of a possible communication method with reference to a specific scenario.

For example,FIG.3is a schematic interaction diagram of a communication method300according to an embodiment of this application. InFIG.3, an example in which schematic interaction is executed by a terminal device, a first network side device, and a second network side device is used to illustrate the communication method. However, an execution body of the schematic interaction is not limited in this application.

It may be understood that, inFIG.3, steps or procedures implemented by a network side device (for example, the first network side device or the second network side device) may alternatively be implemented by a chip, a chip system, a processor, or the like that supports the network side device in implementing the method. InFIG.3, steps or procedures implemented by the terminal device may alternatively be implemented by a chip, a chip system, a processor, or the like that supports the terminal device in implementing the method.

The terminal device in this embodiment of this application is a dual SIM dual standby terminal device, and the terminal device supports both a first user identity (a user identity corresponding to a first SIM card) and a second user identity (a user identity corresponding to a second SIM card). The first network side device provides a service for the first user identity, and the second network side device provides a service for the second user identity. In this embodiment of this application, that a network side device provides a service for a specific user identity may be understood as that a network side device corresponding to the specific user identity of the terminal device is the network side device, that is, a service corresponding to the specific user identity of the terminal device is implemented by the network side device.

In this embodiment, both the first network side device and the second network side device are access network devices.

As shown inFIG.3, the method300in this embodiment may include the following operations.

Operation310: The terminal device sends first information to the first network side device by using the first user identity.

Accordingly, the first network side device receives the first information.

The first information may indicate first identification information corresponding to the second user identity. In a possible manner, the first identification information may be allocated by the second network side device to the terminal device corresponding to the second user identity. It may be understood that the second network side device may be an anchor base station that configures the terminal device to enter an inactive state by using the second user identity. In this case, the first identification information may include an inactive radio network temporary identifier (I-RNTI). Herein, that the second network side device configures the terminal device to enter the inactive state by using the second user identity may also be referred to as that the second network side device configures the second SIM card to enter the inactive state. Optionally, the first identification information may alternatively include an I-RNTI, an identifier of a physical cell to which the terminal device is connected by using the second user identity, and an identifier of the second network side device. Optionally, the first identification information may alternatively include an I-RNTI and a cell global identity (CGI) of a serving cell. It may be understood that, in some scenarios, the first information may alternatively be replaced with the first identification information.

After receiving the first information, the first network side device may determine, based on the first information, that both the first user identity and the second user identity correspond to the terminal device, that is, the first network side device learns that the first user identity is associated with the second user identity.

It may be understood that, in this embodiment of this application information (for example, identification information or other information) corresponding to a user identity may also be understood as information corresponding to a SIM card. Implementing an operation (for example, sending information or a message) by using a user identity may also be understood as implementing an operation by using a SIM card. Descriptions are not provided below repeatedly.

In the operation310, there may be a plurality of different implementations in which the terminal device sends the first information to the first network side device by using the first user identity. For example, the terminal device may send the first information to the first network side device when the terminal device enters a connected state by using the first user identity. Alternatively, the terminal device may send the first information to the first network side device after the terminal device is in a connected state by using the first user identity for a period of time. Alternatively, the terminal device may send the first information to the first network side device when the terminal device obtains the first identification information in the first information by using the first user identity. Alternatively, the terminal device may send the first information to the first network side device when the terminal device establishes a connection to the first network side device by using the first user identity.

It may be understood that the terminal device supports both the first user identity and the second user identity, and the terminal device may obtain an identifier of the second user identity by using the first user identity through internal interaction.

In the foregoing implementations, in a possible manner, interaction between the terminal device and the second network side device may be performed using a Uu interface message. For example, when an RRC connection is released, the second network side device sends the I-RNTI to the terminal device using an RRC connection release message. An occasion on which and a manner in which the terminal device sends the first information to the second network side device are not limited in this embodiment of this application.

Optionally, the terminal device may further send paging conflict indication information to the second network side device by using the first user identity, to indicate, to the second network side device, that a paging conflict may occur. It may be understood that the indication information is optional. In an optional solution, the terminal device may send the first identification information, to implicitly indicate that there is a paging conflict.

Optionally, the terminal device may further send terminal monitoring indication information to the second network side device by using the first user identity, to indicate, to the second network side device, that the terminal device monitors paging information by using the first user identity (or by using the first SIM card). It may be understood that the monitoring indication information is optional.

It may be understood that the first information, the paging conflict indication information, and the monitoring indication information may be sent via a same message. For example, the first information carries the paging conflict indication information and/or the monitoring indication information. Alternatively, the first information, the paging conflict indication information, and the monitoring indication information may be sent via different messages. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

According to the foregoing operation310, the terminal device sends, to the first network side device, information indicating that the first user identity of the terminal device and the second user identity of the terminal device are associated with the terminal device. This helps complete association between a plurality of user identities of the terminal device on a network side.

Operation320: The terminal device sends second information to the second network side device by using the second user identity.

The second information may indicate second identification information corresponding to the first user identity. In a possible manner, the second identification information may be allocated by the first network side device to the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity. It may be understood that the first network side device may be an anchor base station that configures the terminal device to enter the connected state by using the first user identity. In this case, the second identification information may include a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), an identifier of a physical cell to which the terminal device is connected by using the first user identity, and an identifier of the first network side device. Optionally, the second identification information may alternatively include a C-RNTI of the first user identity and the CGI of the serving cell. It may be understood that, in some scenarios, the second information may alternatively be replaced with the second identification information.

In another possible manner, the first network side device may be an anchor base station that configures the terminal device to enter the inactive state by using the first user identity. In this case, the second identification information may include the I-RNTI, an identifier of a physical cell to which the terminal device is connected by using the first user identity, and an identifier of the first network side device. Optionally, the second identification information may alternatively include the I-RNTI of the first user identity and the CGI of the serving cell.

After receiving the second information, the second network side device may determine, based on the second information, that both the first user identity and the second user identity correspond to the terminal device, that is, the second network side device learns that the first user identity is associated with the second user identity.

In the operation320, there may be a plurality of different implementations in which the terminal device sends the second information to the second network side device by using the second user identity. For example, the terminal device may send the second information to the second network side device on an occasion before the terminal device enters the inactive state by using the second user identity, that is, when the second user identity is in the connected state. Alternatively, the terminal device may send the second information to the second network side device via a message (for example, a resume request message) in the inactive state by using the second user identity.

Optionally, the terminal device may further send the paging conflict indication information to the second network side device by using the second user identity, to indicate, to the second network side device, that the paging conflict may occur. It may be understood that the indication information is optional. In an optional solution, the terminal device may send the second identification information, to implicitly indicate that there is the paging conflict.

Optionally, the terminal device may further send the terminal monitoring indication information to the second network side device by using the second user identity, to indicate, to the second network side device, a user identity (or a SIM card) used by the terminal device to monitor the paging information. For example, in an optional solution, the monitoring indication information may carry an identifier of the first user identity, to indicate that the user identity used by the terminal for monitoring is the first user identity. It may be understood that the monitoring indication information is optional. In an optional solution, the terminal device may send the second identification information, to implicitly indicate that the terminal device monitors the paging information by using the first user identity (or by using the first SIM card).

It may be understood that the second information, the paging conflict indication information, and the monitoring indication information may be sent via a same message. For example, the second information carries the paging conflict indication information and/or the monitoring indication information. Alternatively, the second information, the paging conflict indication information, and the monitoring indication information may be sent via different messages. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

It is easy to understand that both the operation310and the operation320may be performed, only the operation310may be performed, or only the operation320may be performed. In addition, a sequence of the operations310and320is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

According to the foregoing operation320, the terminal device sends, to the second network side device, the information indicating that the first user identity of the terminal device and the second user identity of the terminal device are associated with the terminal device. This helps complete the association between the plurality of user identities of the terminal device on the network side.

Operation330: The first network side device and the second network side device complete association between the first user identity and the second user identity.

It may be understood that, the operation330may have different implementations in a scenario in which the operation310is performed and a scenario in which the operation320is performed.

For example, in the scenario in which the operation310is performed (only the operation310may be performed, or both the operation310and the operation320may be performed), a possible implementation of the operation330may include: The first network side device determines, based on the first information received in the operation310, that the anchor base station corresponding to the second user identity is the second network side device. The first network side device requests to associate with the second network side device. Optionally, the first network side device may send the first identification information to the second network side device, to request the second network side device to complete the association between the first user identity and the second user identity, so that the second network side device can learn that related information may be sent through the first network side device. Further, it may also be understood that the second network side device learns that the first user identity and the second user identity belong to the same terminal device. Optionally, the first network side device may also send the second identification information to the second network side device.

Optionally, the second network side device may indicate, in response to a request of the first network side device, to the first network side device, that the association is confirmed. It may be understood that the response step is not necessary. It may alternatively be considered that the second network side device completes the association operation after receiving the first identification information sent by the first network side device, or the first identification information and the second identification information sent by the first network side device.

In the scenario in which the operation320is performed (only the operation320may be performed, or both the operation310and the operation320may be performed), a possible implementation of the operation330may include: The second network side device determines, based on the second information received in the operation320, that the base station corresponding to the first user identity is the first network side device. The second network side device requests to associate with the first network side device. Optionally, the second network side device may send the second identification information to the first network side device, to request the first network side device to complete the association between the first user identity and the second user identity, so that the first network side device can learn that related information may be sent through the second network side device. Further, it may also be understood that the first network side device learns that the first user identity and the second user identity belong to the same terminal device. Optionally, the second network side device may also send the first identification information to the first network side device.

Optionally, the first network side device may indicate, in response to a request of the second network side device, to the second network side device, that the association is confirmed. It may be understood that the response step is not necessary. It may alternatively be considered that the first network side device completes the association operation after receiving the second identification information sent by the second network side device, or the first identification information and the second identification information sent by the second network side device.

In the foregoing implementations, interaction between the first network side device and the second network side device may be performed using an Xn interface message or an X2 interface message. A name of a message used in the interaction between the first network side device and the second network side device and an occasion on which the interaction is performed are not limited in this embodiment of this application. In addition, in the foregoing implementations, the operation330is implemented by sending the identification information of the terminal device, or the operation330may be implemented in another manner. For example, indication information A is sent, so that the second network side device learns that the second network side device can page the terminal device through the first network side device. The indication information A only needs to enable the second network side device to learn that the second network side device can page the terminal device through the first network side device, and content of the indication information A is not limited.

It may be understood that, in this embodiment, the method300is described by using an example in which the terminal device receives a message or information in the cell corresponding to the first user identity, to monitor paging information of a plurality of user identities. However, this is not limited in this application.

According to the foregoing operation330, the first network side device and the second network side device complete the association between the first user identity of the terminal device and the second user identity of the terminal device. This helps the terminal device receive a paging message of a single user identity, to implement a function of monitoring the paging information of the plurality of user identities.

Operation340: The second network side device sends paging indication information to the first network side device, where the paging indication information is used to indicate that the second user identity corresponding to the terminal device is to be paged.

If the second network side device needs to page the second SIM card, (that is, page the second user identity corresponding to the terminal device), the second network side device may implement the paging through the first network side device. The second network side device sends corresponding paging information to the first network side device, so that the first network side device learns that the second network side device needs to page the second SIM card.

Accordingly, the first network side device receives the paging indication information.

Optionally, before the second network side device sends the paging indication information to the first network side device, the second network side device determines to page the second user identity corresponding to the terminal device through the first network side device.

In a possible manner, after the operation330is completed, the second network side device determines to page the second user identity corresponding to the terminal device through the first network side device.

Another possible manner in which the second network side device determines to page the second user identity through the first network side device may include: The second network side device receives connected-state indication information from the first network side device, where the connected-state indication information indicates that the terminal device is in the connected state by using the first user identity.

Still another possible manner in which the second network side device determines to page the second user identity through the first network side device may include: The second network side device receives the paging conflict indication information from the terminal device, where the paging conflict indication information indicates that the paging conflict may occur between the first user identity and the second user identity. Optionally, the paging conflict indication information may further include information indicating that the second network side device needs to page the second user identity through the first network side device. For example, the conflict indication information further carries the identifier of the first network side device.

Yet another possible manner in which the second network side device determines to page the second user identity through the first network side device may include: The second network side device receives the monitoring indication information from the terminal device, where the monitoring indication information indicates that the terminal device receives the message or the information in the cell corresponding to the first user identity, to monitor the paging information of the plurality of user identities. For example, the monitoring indication information carries the second identification information.

According to the foregoing operation340, the second network side device pages the second user identity of the terminal device through the first network side device. That is, when the second network side device needs to page the second user identity, the second network side device determines to page the second user identity of the terminal device through the first network side device.

Operation350): The first network side device indicates, to the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity, that the second user identity is to be paged.

That is, when the second network side device needs to page the second user identity of the terminal device, the second network side device pages the second user identity of the terminal device through a network, the cell, a channel, or a link corresponding to the first user identity:

It may be understood that, for different scenarios in which the terminal device is in a state by using the first user identity and the second user identity, the operation350may have different implementations.

For example, in a scenario in which the terminal device is in the connected state by using the first user identity and the terminal device is in the inactive state by using the second user identity, a possible implementation of the operation350may include: The first network side device sends a radio resource control (RRC) message to the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity, where the RRC message includes information indicating that the second user identity is to be paged, and the information indicating that the second user identity is to be paged indicates that the second network side device is to page the second user identity of the terminal device. For example, the RRC message may include content in the paging indication information. Alternatively, the RRC message may include paging information, and the paging information may be paging information processed based on the paging indication information. In this embodiment of this application, content of the RRC message is not limited, provided that the terminal device can learn that the second network side device is to page the second user identity.

The terminal device receives the RRC message by using the first user identity, and the terminal device learns, based on the RRC message, that the second network side device is to page the second user identity, so that the terminal device attempts to enter the connected state by using the second user identity. That is, after the second user identity of the terminal device is paged, the terminal device attempts to restore a connection to the network side device. If the connection is successfully restored, the terminal device may enter the connected state by using the second user identity.

Optionally, the RRC message may include the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the second user identity, or include the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity and the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the second user identity. In a possible manner, the terminal device determines, based on the identification information of the terminal device in the received RRC message, that the RRC message indicates that the second network side device is to page the second user identity.

It should be noted that the terminal device is in the connected state by using the first user identity, that is, the first SIM card of the terminal device is in the connected state, and the terminal device is in the inactive state by using the second user identity, that is, the second SIM card of the terminal device is in the inactive state.

In a scenario in which the terminal device is in the inactive state by using the first user identity and the terminal device is in the inactive state by using the second user identity, a possible implementation of the operation350may include: The first network side device sends a radio access network paging message to the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity, where the radio access network paging message includes information indicating that the second user identity is to be paged, and the information indicating that the second user identity is to be paged indicates that the second network side device is to page the second user identity of the terminal device. For example, the radio access network paging message may include content in the paging indication information. Alternatively, the radio access network paging message may include paging information, and the paging information may be paging information processed based on the paging indication information. In this embodiment of this application, content of the radio access network paging message is not limited, provided that the terminal device can learn that the second network side device is to page the second user identity.

The terminal device receives the radio access network paging message by using the first user identity, and the terminal device learns, based on the radio access network paging message, that the second network side device is to page the second user identity, so that the terminal device attempts to enter the connected state by using the second user identity. Optionally, the radio access network paging message may include the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the second user identity, or include the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity and the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the second user identity. The terminal device determines, based on the identification information, that the radio access network paging message indicates that the second user identity is to be paged.

In the method300, after the first network side device and the second network side device complete the association, when the second network side device needs to page the second user identity, the second network side device sends the paging indication information to the first user identity, to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged. Using the foregoing implementation method resolves a potential conflict that occurs when the terminal device monitors a paging message initiated by a network side device, and ensures that the terminal device can receive the paging message of the network side device in a timely manner by using two user identities.

Optionally, in the embodiment shown inFIG.3, an example in which the first network side device and the second network side device are different network side devices is used for description. It is easy to understand that the first network side device and the second network side device may alternatively be a same network side device. When the first network side device and the second network side device are a same network side device, as shown inFIG.3A, an embodiment of this application further provides a communication method301. The method301may include an operation310A, an operation320A, and an operation350A.

Operation310A: A terminal device sends first information to a first network side device by using a first user identity.

Accordingly, the first network side device receives the first information. For the operation310A, refer to the descriptions of the operation310in the method300.

Operation320A: The terminal device sends second information to the first network side device by using a second user identity.

Accordingly, the first network side device receives the second information. For the operation320A, refer to the descriptions of the operation320in the method300. Further, different from the operation320in the method300, the operation320A in the method301is sending the second information to the first network side device.

It is easy to understand that both the operation310A and the operation320A may be performed, only the operation310A may be performed, or only the operation320A may be performed. In addition, a sequence of the operations310A and320A is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

For example, in a scenario in which the operation310A is performed (only the operation310A may be performed, or both the operation310A and the operation320A may be performed), the first network side device determines, based on the first information received in the operation310A, that an anchor base station corresponding to the second user identity is the first network side device. The first network side device learns that the first user identity and the second user identity belong to the same terminal device.

In a scenario in which the operation320A is performed (only the operation320A may be performed, or both the operation310A and the operation320A may be performed), the first network side device determines, based on the second information received in the operation320A, that an anchor base station corresponding to the first user identity is the first network side device. The first network side device learns that the first user identity and the second user identity belong to the same terminal device.

Operation330A: The first network side device sends paging information to the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity, where the paging information is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged.

Compared with the method300, the method301does not have a step of related interaction between the first network side device and a second network side device on completing an association operation. When the first network side device needs to page the second user identity of the terminal device, the first network side device pages the second user identity of the terminal device through a network, a cell, a channel, or a link corresponding to the first user identity. For a specific manner of paging the second user identity of the terminal device, refer to the descriptions of the operation350in the method300.

In the method301, the first network side device provides services for the first user identity and the second user identity of the terminal device. When the first network side device needs to page the second user identity, the first network side device sends the paging information to the first user identity, to page the second user identity. Using the foregoing implementation method resolves a potential conflict that occurs when the terminal device monitors a paging message initiated by a network side device, and ensures that the terminal device can receive the paging message of the network side device in a timely manner by using two user identities.

It should be noted that the foregoing methods300and301are implemented through interaction between a network side device that provides a service for the terminal device and the terminal device. In another possible solution, there may be a third node (or a third device). The node may interact with the first network side device and the second network side device. For example, both the first network side device and the second network side device may send related information (for example, an identifier of the network side device and an identifier of a user identity) to the third node, so that the third node associates the first user identity with the second user identity. Therefore, when the second network side device needs to page the second user identity of the terminal device, the second network side device may send corresponding paging information to the first network side device through the third node, so that the first network side device can learn that the second network side device needs to page the second user identity, to complete a subsequent procedure of paging the second user identity of the terminal device.

FIG.4is a schematic interaction diagram of a communication method400according to an embodiment of this application. InFIG.4, an example in which schematic interaction is executed by a terminal device, a first access network device, a first network side device, and a second network side device is used to illustrate the communication method. However, an execution body of the schematic interaction is not limited in this application.

It may be understood that, inFIG.4, steps or procedures implemented by a network side device (for example, the first network side device or the second network side device) may alternatively be implemented by a chip, a chip system, a processor, or the like that supports the network side device in implementing the method. InFIG.4, steps or procedures implemented by the first access network device may alternatively be implemented by a chip, a chip system, a processor, or the like that supports the first access network device in implementing the method. InFIG.4, steps or procedures implemented by the terminal device may alternatively be implemented by a chip, a chip system, a processor, or the like that supports the terminal device in implementing the method.

The terminal device in this embodiment of this application is a dual SIM dual standby terminal, and the terminal device supports both a first user identity (a user identity corresponding to a first SIM card) and a second user identity (a user identity corresponding to a second SIM card). The first network side device provides a service for the first user identity, the second network side device provides a service for the second user identity, and the first access network device serves the first user identity. In this embodiment of this application, that a network side device provides a service for a specific user identity may be understood as that a network side device corresponding to the specific user identity of the terminal device is the network side device, that is, a service corresponding to the specific user identity of the terminal device is implemented by the network side device.

In this embodiment, both the first network side device and the second network side device are core network devices. Therefore, the first network side device may also be referred to as a first core network device, and the second network side device may also be referred to as a second core network device.

It may be understood that the first SIM card and the second SIM card of the terminal device are registered with respective corresponding core network devices. For example, the terminal device sends, by using the first user identity, a globally unique identifier (for example, a first international mobile subscriber identity IMSI) corresponding to the first user identity to the first core network device, the terminal device sends, by using the second user identity, a globally unique identifier (for example, a second IMSI) corresponding to the second user identity to the second core network device, and the first core network device and the second core network device respectively allocate, to the first user identity and the second user identity of the terminal device, a terminal device identifier that can identify the terminal device within a core network range. For example, in an LTE system, the terminal device identifier may be a system architecture evolution temporary mobile subscriber identifier (S-TMSI). In a 5G system, the terminal device identifier may be a 5G system architecture evolution temporary mobile subscriber identifier (5G system architecture evolution temporary mobile subscription identifier, 5G-S-TMSI).

As shown inFIG.4, the method400in this embodiment may include the following operations.

Operation410: The terminal device sends first information to the first core network device by using the first user identity.

Accordingly, the first core network device receives the first information. The first information may indicate first identification information corresponding to the second user identity.

In a possible manner, the first information may be sent by the terminal device in a registration process, and the first information may include the globally unique identifier corresponding to the second user identity. That is, in the process in which the terminal device is registered with the first core network device by using the first user identity, in addition to sending the globally unique identifier corresponding to the first user identity to the first core network device, the terminal device may further send the globally unique identifier corresponding to the second user identity and an identifier of the second core network device to the first core network device.

In another possible manner, the first information may be sent by the terminal device after the terminal device has been registered with the second core network device. For example, the terminal device may send, to the first core network device, the terminal device identifier allocated by the second core network device to the second user identity of the terminal device. Optionally, in this manner, the terminal device may further send the globally unique identifier corresponding to the second user identity and an identifier of the second core network device to the first core network device.

It may be understood that the terminal device sends information or a message to a core network device through an access network device.

After receiving the first information, the first core network device may determine, based on the first information, that both the first user identity and the second user identity correspond to the terminal device, that is, the first core network device learns that the first user identity is associated with the second user identity.

In the operation410, there may be a plurality of different implementations in which the terminal device sends the first information to the first core network device by using the first user identity. For example, the terminal device may send the first information to the first core network device by using non-access stratum (NAS) signaling when the terminal device enters a connected state by using the first user identity. Alternatively, the terminal device may send the first information to the first core network device after the terminal device is in a connected state by using the first user identity for a period of time. Alternatively, the terminal device may send the first information to the first core network device when the terminal device obtains the first identification information in the first information by using the first user identity. It may be understood that, in some scenarios, the first information may alternatively be replaced with the first identification information.

According to the foregoing operation410, the terminal device sends, to the first core network device, information indicating that the first user identity of the terminal device and the second user identity of the terminal device are associated with the terminal device. This helps the first core network device and the second core network device complete association between a plurality of user identities of the terminal device.

Operation420: The terminal device sends second information to the second core network device by using the second user identity.

Herein, a manner in which the terminal device sends the second information may be similar to a manner in which the terminal device sends the first information. Details are not described herein again. The second information may indicate second identification information corresponding to the first user identity. It may be understood that, in some scenarios, the second information may alternatively be replaced with the second identification information.

Optionally, the terminal device may further send paging conflict indication information to the second core network device by using the second user identity through the access network device, to indicate, to the second core network device, that a paging conflict may occur. It may be understood that the indication information is optional. In an optional solution, the terminal device may send the second identification information, to implicitly indicate that there is a paging conflict.

Optionally, the terminal device may further send terminal monitoring indication information to the second core network device by using the second user identity through the access network device, to indicate, to the second core network device, that the terminal device monitors paging information by using the first user identity (or by using the first SIM card). For example, in an optional solution, the monitoring indication information may carry an identifier of the first user identity, to indicate that a user identity used by the terminal for monitoring is the first user identity. It may be understood that the monitoring indication information is optional. In an optional solution, the terminal device may send the second identification information, to implicitly indicate a user identity used by the terminal for monitoring.

It may be understood that the second information, the paging conflict indication information, and the monitoring indication information may be sent via a same message. For example, the second information carries the paging conflict indication information and/or the monitoring indication information. Alternatively, the second information, the paging conflict indication information, and the monitoring indication information may be sent via different messages. This is not limited in this application.

It is easy to understand that both the operation410and the operation420may be performed, only the operation410may be performed, or only the operation420may be performed. In addition, a sequence of the operations410and420is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

According to the foregoing operation420, the terminal device sends, to the first core network device, the information indicating that the first user identity of the terminal device and the second user identity of the terminal device are associated with the terminal device. This helps the first core network device and the second core network device complete the association between the plurality of user identities of the terminal device.

Operation430): The first core network device and the second core network device complete association between the first user identity and the second user identity.

It may be understood that, the operation430may have different implementations in a scenario in which the operation410is performed and a scenario in which the operation420is performed.

For example, in the scenario in which the operation410is performed (only the operation410may be performed, or both the operation410and the operation420may be performed), a possible implementation of the operation430may include: The first core network device determines, based on the first information (for example, the terminal device identifier (for example, the 5G-S-TMSI) allocated by the second core network device to the second user identity of the terminal device) received in the operation410, the second core network device corresponding to the second user identity. The first core network device requests to associate with the second core network device. Optionally, the first core network device may send the first identification information to the second core network device, to request the second core network device to complete the association between the first user identity and the second user identity, so that the second core network device can learn that related information may be sent through the first core network device. Further, it may also be understood that the second core network device learns that the first user identity and the second user identity belong to the same terminal device, that is, the first SIM card and the second SIM card share the same terminal device. Optionally, the first core network device may also send the second identification information to the second core network device.

Optionally, the second core network device may indicate, in response to a request of the first core network device, to the first core network device, that the association is confirmed. It may be understood that the response step is not necessary. It may alternatively be considered that the second core network device completes the association operation after receiving the first identification information sent by the first core network device, or the first identification information and the second identification information sent by the first core network device.

In the scenario in which the operation420is performed (only the operation420may be performed, or both the operation410and the operation420may be performed), a possible implementation of the operation430may include: The second core network device determines, based on the second information (for example, the 5G-S-TMSI of the first user identity) received in the operation420, the first core network device corresponding to the first user identity. The second core network device requests to associate with the first core network device. Optionally, the second core network device may send the second identification information to the first core network device, to request the first core network device to complete the association between the first user identity and the second user identity, so that the first core network device can learn that related information may be sent through the second core network device. Further, it may also be understood that the first core network device learns that the first user identity and the second user identity belong to the same terminal device. Optionally, the second core network device may also send the first identification information to the first core network device.

Optionally, the first core network device may indicate, in response to a request of the second core network device, to the second core network device, that the association is confirmed. It may be understood that the response step is not necessary. It may alternatively be considered that the first core network device completes the association operation after receiving the second identification information sent by the second core network device, or the first identification information and the second identification information sent by the second core network device.

According to the foregoing operation430, the first core network device and the second core network device complete the association between the first user identity of the terminal device and the second user identity of the terminal device. This helps the terminal device receive a paging message of a single user identity, to implement a function of monitoring paging information of the plurality of user identities.

Operation440: The second core network device sends paging indication information to the first core network device, where the paging indication information is used to indicate that the second user identity corresponding to the terminal device is to be paged.

If the second core network device needs to page the second SIM card, (that is, page the second user identity corresponding to the terminal device), the second core network device may implement the paging through the first core network device. The second core network device sends corresponding paging information to the first core network device, so that the first core network device learns that the second core network device needs to page the second SIM card.

Accordingly, the first core network device receives the paging indication information.

The paging indication information carries the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the second user identity, for example, the IMSI or the 5G-S-TMSI of the second user identity.

Optionally, before the second core network device sends the paging indication information to the first core network device, the second core network device determines that the second core network device needs to page the second user identity corresponding to the terminal device through the first core network device.

In a possible manner, after the operation430is completed, the second core network device determines to page the second user identity corresponding to the terminal device through the first core network device.

A possible manner in which the second core network device determines to page the second user identity through the first core network device may include: The second core network device receives connected-state indication information from the first core network device, where the connected-state indication information indicates that the terminal device is in the connected state by using the first user identity.

Another possible manner in which the second core network device determines to page the second user identity through the first core network device may include: The second core network device receives the paging conflict indication information from the terminal device, where the paging conflict indication information indicates that the paging conflict may occur between the first user identity and the second user identity. Optionally, the paging conflict indication information may further include information indicating that the second core network device needs to page the second user identity through the first core network device. For example, the conflict indication information further carries an identifier of the first core network device.

Still another possible manner in which the second core network device determines to page the second user identity through the first core network device may include: The second core network device receives the monitoring indication information from the terminal device, where the monitoring indication information indicates that the terminal device receives a message or information in a cell corresponding to the first user identity, to monitor the paging information of the plurality of user identities. For example, the monitoring indication information carries the second identification information.

According to the foregoing operation440, the second core network device pages the second user identity of the terminal device through the first core network device. That is, when the second core network device needs to page the second user identity, the second core network device determines to page the second user identity of the terminal device through the first core network device.

Operation450: The first core network device sends a first message to the first access network device, where the first message is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged.

It may be understood that, for different scenarios in which the terminal device is in a state by using the first user identity and the second user identity, the operation450may have different implementations.

For example, in a scenario in which the terminal device is in the connected state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in an idle state by using the second user identity, a possible implementation of the operation450may include: The first core network device indicates the first access network device to send an RRC message to the terminal device, where the RRC message is a message sent to the first user identity of the terminal device, and the RRC message indicates that the second user identity of the terminal device is to be paged, that is, indicates, to the terminal device, that the second core network device is to page the second user identity of the terminal device.

For example, in a scenario in which the terminal device is in an idle state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in the idle state by using the second user identity, a possible implementation of the operation450may include: The first core network device indicates the first access network device to send a first paging message to the terminal device, where the first paging message is a message sent to the first user identity of the terminal device, and the first paging message indicates that the second user identity of the terminal device is to be paged.

For example, in a scenario in which the terminal device is in an inactive state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in an idle state by using the second user identity, a possible implementation of the operation450may include: The first core network device indicates the first access network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, where the second paging message is a message sent to the first user identity of the terminal device, and the second paging message indicates that the second user identity of the terminal device is to be paged. In this scenario, another possible implementation of the operation450) may include: The first core network device indicates the first access network device to send a radio access network paging message to the terminal device, where the radio access network paging message is a message sent to the first user identity of the terminal device, and the radio access network paging message indicates that the second user identity of the terminal device is to be paged.

In the foregoing implementations, interaction between the first core network device and the first access network device may be performed using an SI interface message or an NG interface message. A name of a message used in the interaction between the first core network device and the first access network device and an occasion on which the interaction is performed are not limited in this embodiment of this application.

Operation460: The first access network device sends the paging information to the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity, where the paging information is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged.

It may be understood that, for different scenarios in which the terminal device is in a state by using the first user identity and the second user identity, the operation460may have different implementations.

For example, in a scenario in which the terminal device is in the connected state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in the idle state by using the second user identity, a possible implementation of the operation460may include: The first access network device sends the RRC message to the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity. The paging information used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged may be included in the RRC message, and the paging information used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged indicates that the second core network device is to page the second user identity of the terminal device. In this embodiment of this application, content of the RRC message is not limited, provided that the terminal device can learn that the second core network device is to page the second user identity.

Optionally, the RRC message may include the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the second user identity, or include the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity and the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the second user identity, for example, include the S-TMSI or the 5G-S-TMIS of the second user identity. The terminal device determines, based on the identification information, that the RRC message indicates that the second user identity is to be paged.

Optionally, the RRC message may include access indication information, and the access indication information indicates the terminal device to initiate random access in a current cell by using the second user identity.

Optionally, the RRC message may further include either or both of the following: an access type and a core network domain. The access type is used to indicate that the paging is performed due to a non-3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) session. The core network domain is used to indicate whether the paging is circuit switched (CS) domain paging or packet switched domain paging. Optionally, the information included in the RRC message may be sent by the second core network device to the first access network device.

Accordingly, the terminal device receives the RRC message by using the first user identity, and the terminal device attempts, based on the RRC message, to enter the connected state by using the second user identity. That is, after the second user identity of the terminal device is paged, the terminal device attempts to restore a connection to the network side device. If the connection is successfully restored, the terminal device may enter the connected state by using the second user identity.

For example, in a scenario in which the terminal device is in the idle state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in the idle state by using the second user identity, a possible implementation of the operation460may include: The first access network device sends the first paging message to the terminal device. The paging information used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged may be included in the first paging message, the first paging message is a message sent to the first user identity of the terminal device, and the first paging message indicates that the second user identity of the terminal device is to be paged.

Optionally, the paging information that is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged and that is included in the first paging message may be the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the second user identity, or may be the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity and the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the second user identity. The terminal device determines, based on the paging information used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged, that the first paging message indicates that the second user identity is to be paged.

The terminal device receives the first paging message by using the first user identity, and the terminal device learns, based on the first paging message, that the second core network device is to page the second user identity, so that the terminal device attempts to enter the connected state by using the second user identity. That is, after the second user identity of the terminal device is paged, the terminal device attempts to restore a connection to the network side device. If the connection is successfully restored, the terminal device may enter the connected state by using the second user identity.

For example, in a scenario in which the terminal device is in the inactive state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in the idle state by using the second user identity, a possible implementation of the operation460may include: The first access network device sends the second paging message to the terminal device. The paging information used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged may be included in the second paging message, the second paging message is a message sent to the first user identity of the terminal device, and the second paging message indicates that the second user identity of the terminal device is to be paged.

Optionally, the paging information that is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged and that is included in the second paging message may be the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the second user identity, or may be the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity and the identification information of the terminal device corresponding to the second user identity. The terminal device determines, based on the paging information, that the second paging message indicates that the second user identity is to be paged.

The terminal device receives the second paging message by using the first user identity, and the terminal device learns, based on the second paging message, that the second core network device is to page the second user identity, so that the terminal device attempts to enter the connected state by using the second user identity. That is, after the second user identity of the terminal device is paged, the terminal device attempts to restore a connection to the network side device. If the connection is successfully restored, the terminal device may enter the connected state by using the second user identity.

In the method400, after the first core network device and the second core network device complete the association, when the second core network device needs to page the second user identity, the second core network device indicates the access network device serving the first user identity to send the paging information to the first user identity, to page the second user identity: According to the foregoing implementation methods, the terminal device receives the message or the information in a cell corresponding to a single user identity, to monitor paging messages of the plurality of user identities, and ensure that two user identities of the terminal device can receive the paging messages in a timely manner.

Optionally, in the embodiment shown inFIG.4, an example in which the first core network device and the second core network device are different core network devices is used for description. It is easy to understand that the first core network device and the second core network device may alternatively be a same core network device. When the first core network device and the second core network device are the same core network device, as shown inFIG.4A, this embodiment further provides a communication method401. The method401may include an operation410A, an operation420A, an operation450A, and an operation460A.

Operation410A: A terminal device sends first information to a first core network device by using a first user identity through a first access network device.

Accordingly, the first core network device receives the first information. For the operation410A, refer to the descriptions of the operation410in the method400.

Operation420A: The terminal device sends second information to the first core network device by using a second user identity.

Accordingly, the first core network device receives the second information. For the operation420A, refer to the descriptions of the operation420in the method400. Further, different from the operation420in the method400, the operation420A in the method401is sending the second information to the first core network device.

It is easy to understand that both the operation410A and the operation420A may be performed, only the operation410A may be performed, or only the operation420A may be performed. In addition, a sequence of the operations410A and420A is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

For example, in a scenario in which the operation410A is performed (only the operation410A may be performed, or both the operation410A and the operation420A may be performed), the first core network device determines, based on the first information received in the operation410A, that a core network device corresponding to the second user identity is the first core network device. It is easy to understand that the first core network device may determine that the first user identity and the second user identity belong to the same terminal device.

In a scenario in which the operation420A is performed (only the operation420A may be performed, or both the operation410A and the operation420A may be performed), the first core network device determines, based on the second information received in the operation420A, that a core network device corresponding to the first user identity is the first core network device. It is easy to understand that the first core network device may determine that the first user identity and the second user identity belong to the same terminal device.

Operation430A: The first core network device sends a first message to the first access network device, where the first message is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged. Compared with the method400, the method401does not have a step of related interaction between the first core network device and a second core network device on completing an association operation. When the first core network device needs to page the second user identity of the terminal device, the first core network device pages the second user identity of the terminal device through a network, a cell, a channel, or a link corresponding to the first user identity. For a specific manner of paging the second user identity of the terminal device, refer to the descriptions of the operation450in the method400.

Operation440A: The first access network device sends paging information to the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity, where the paging information is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged.

For the operation440A, refer to the descriptions of the operation460in the method400.

In the method401, the first core network device provides services for the first user identity and the second user identity of the terminal device. When the first core network device needs to page the second user identity, the first core network device indicates the access network device serving the first user identity to send the paging information to the first user identity, to page the second user identity. Using the method401resolves a potential paging conflict, and ensures that two user identities of the terminal device can receive paging messages in a timely manner.

It should be noted that the foregoing methods400and401are implemented through interaction between an access network device and a core network device that provide services for the terminal device and the terminal device. In another possible solution, there may be a fourth node (or a fourth device). The node may interact with the first core network device and the second core network device. For example, both the first core network device and the second core network device may send related information (for example, an identifier of the core network device and an identifier of a user identity) to the fourth node, so that the fourth node associates the first user identity with the second user identity. Therefore, when the second core network device needs to page the second user identity of the terminal device, the second core network device may send corresponding paging information to the first core network device through the fourth node, so that the first core network device can learn that the second core network device needs to page the second user identity, to complete a subsequent procedure of paging the second user identity of the terminal device.

In the foregoing methods, the terminal device sends, to the network side device, the information indicating that the first user identity of the terminal device and the second user identity of the terminal device are associated with the terminal device, and the network side device completes the association between the first user identity of the terminal device and the second user identity of the terminal device. The terminal device receives the paging-related message or paging-related information in the cell corresponding to the single user identity, to monitor the paging information of the plurality of user identities of the terminal device, so that the plurality of user identities of the terminal device can be effectively paged.

Apparatuses provided in embodiments of this application are described below in detail with reference toFIG.5andFIG.6. It should be understood that descriptions of apparatus embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the method embodiments. Therefore, for content that is not described in detail, refer to the method embodiments. For brevity, some content is not described herein again.

FIG.5shows a communication apparatus500according to an embodiment of this application. The following describes a structure and a function of the communication apparatus500with reference toFIG.5. It should be understood that the communication apparatus500may implement any function corresponding to the communication device in the embodiment shown in any one ofFIG.3toFIG.4A. The communication apparatus500may be the terminal device mentioned in the foregoing embodiments, or may be the first network side device, the second network side device, or the first access network device. The communication apparatus500includes a receiving unit510and a sending unit520. Optionally, the communication apparatus may further include at least one processing unit530. Optionally, the communication apparatus may further include a storage unit540. The storage unit may store data and/or instructions (or may be referred to as code or a program). The receiving unit510, the sending unit520), and the processing unit530may interact with the storage unit540. For example, the processing unit530may invoke the data or the instructions in the storage unit, to enable the communication apparatus to implement a corresponding method.

It should be noted that the processing unit in this embodiment of this application may be referred to as a processing module or a processing circuit, the receiving unit may also be referred to as a receiving module, and the sending unit may also be referred to as a sending module. Alternatively, the receiving unit and the transceiver unit may form a transceiver unit, a communication interface, an input/output circuit, or the like.

In a possible design, the communication apparatus500may correspondingly implement corresponding operations of the terminal device in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the communication apparatus500may be the terminal device, or may be a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system) configured in the terminal device.

Specifically, the communication apparatus500may correspondingly implement corresponding operations of the terminal device in the foregoing methods300to401, and units or modules in the communication apparatus500may be configured to perform the methods performed by the terminal device in the methods300to401. In addition, the units in the communication apparatus500and the foregoing other operations and/or functions are respectively used to implement corresponding procedures in the methods300to401.

For example, when the communication apparatus corresponds to a corresponding operation of the terminal device in the implementation method300, the sending unit520is configured to send first information to a first network side device by using a first user identity, where the first information may indicate first identification information corresponding to a second user identity. The first identification information may include an I-RNTI. Optionally, the first identification information may alternatively include an I-RNTI, an identifier of a physical cell to which the terminal device is connected by using the second user identity, and an identifier of a second network side device. Optionally, the first identification information may alternatively include an I-RNTI and a CGI.

Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send paging conflict indication information to the second network side device by using the first user identity, to indicate, to the second network side device, that a paging conflict may occur. It may be understood that the indication information is optional. In an optional solution, the sending unit520may send the first identification information, to implicitly indicate that there is a paging conflict.

Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send terminal monitoring indication information to the second network side device by using the first user identity, to indicate, to the second network side device, a user identity used by the terminal for monitoring.

It may be understood that the first information, the paging conflict indication information, and the monitoring indication information sent by the sending unit520may be sent via a same message. For example, the first information carries the paging conflict indication information and/or the monitoring indication information. Alternatively, the first information, the paging conflict indication information, and the monitoring indication information sent by the sending unit520may be sent via different messages. This is not limited in this embodiment of this application.

Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send second information to the second network side device by using the second user identity. Optionally, the second information may indicate second identification information corresponding to the first user identity. The second identification information may include a C-RNTI, an identifier of a physical cell to which the terminal device is connected by using the first user identity, and an identifier of the first network side device. Optionally, the second identification information may alternatively include a C-RNTI of the first user identity and a CGI of a serving cell.

Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send the paging conflict indication information to the second network side device by using the second user identity, to indicate, to the second network side device, that the paging conflict may occur. It may be understood that the indication information is optional. In an optional solution, the terminal device may send the second identification information, to implicitly indicate that there is the paging conflict.

Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send the terminal monitoring indication information to the second network side device by using the second user identity, to indicate, to the second network side device, the user identity used by the terminal for monitoring.

Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive an RRC message from the first network side device. The communication apparatus500is in a connected state by using the first user identity and is in an inactive state by using the second user identity.

The processing unit530may implement a corresponding control or processing function, for example, is configured to learn, based on the RRC message, that the second network side device is to page the second user identity, and control implementation of a corresponding operation, so that the terminal device attempts to enter the connected state by using the second user identity. That is, after the second user identity of the terminal device is paged, the terminal device attempts to restore a connection to the network side device. If the connection is successfully restored, the terminal device may enter the connected state by using the second user identity.

Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive a radio access network paging message from the first network side device. The communication apparatus500is in an idle state or an inactive state by using the first user identity and is in the inactive state by using the second user identity. The processing unit530may implement a corresponding control or processing function, for example, is configured to learn, based on the radio access network paging message, that the second network side device is to page the second user identity, and control implementation of a corresponding operation, so that the terminal device attempts to enter a connected state by using the second user identity.

When the communication apparatus corresponds to the terminal device in the method301, the sending unit520is configured to send first information to a first network side device by using a first user identity. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send second information to the first network side device by using a second user identity. The receiving unit510is configured to receive a paging message sent by the first network side device, where the paging message is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged. Optionally, the processing unit530may implement a corresponding control or processing function, for example, is configured to learn, based on the paging message, that the second network side device is to page the second user identity, and control implementation of a corresponding operation, so that the terminal device enters a connected state by using the second user identity.

When the communication apparatus corresponds to the terminal device in the method400, the sending unit520is configured to send first information to a first core network device by using a first user identity. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send paging conflict indication information to a second core network device by using a second user identity through an access network device. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send terminal monitoring indication information to the first core network device by using the first user identity through the access network device. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send second information to the second core network device by using the second user identity.

Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive an RRC message from a first access network device, where the RRC message is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged, and the communication apparatus500is in a connected state by using the first user identity and is in an idle state by using the second user identity. Optionally, the processing unit530may implement a corresponding control or processing function, for example, is configured to learn, based on the RRC message, that the second network side device is to page the second user identity, and control implementation of a corresponding operation, so that the terminal device attempts to enter the connected state by using the second user identity.

Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive a first paging message sent by a first access network device, where the first paging message is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged, and the communication apparatus500is in an idle state by using the first user identity and is in the idle state by using the second user identity. Optionally, the processing unit530may implement a corresponding control or processing function, for example, is configured to learn, based on the first paging message, that the second network side device is to page the second user identity, and control implementation of a corresponding operation, so that the terminal device attempts to enter a connected state by using the second user identity.

Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive a second paging message sent by a first access network device, where the first paging message is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged, and the communication apparatus500is in an inactive state by using the first user identity and is in an idle state by using the second user identity. Optionally, the processing unit530may implement a corresponding control or processing function, for example, is configured to learn, based on the second paging message, that the second network side device is to page the second user identity, and control implementation of a corresponding operation, so that the terminal device attempts to enter a connected state by using the second user identity.

When the communication apparatus corresponds to the terminal device in the method401, the sending unit520is configured to send first information to a first core network device by using a first user identity. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send second information to a second core network device by using a second user identity. The receiving unit510is configured to receive a paging message sent by a first access network device, where the paging message is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged.

Optionally, the processing unit530may implement a corresponding control or processing function, for example, is configured to learn, based on the paging message, that the second network side device is to page the second user identity, and control implementation of a corresponding operation, so that the terminal device attempts to enter a connected state by using the second user identity.

In another possible design, the communication apparatus500may correspondingly implement corresponding operations of the first network side device in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the communication apparatus500may be the first network side device, or may be a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system) configured in the first network side device.

Specifically, the communication apparatus500may correspondingly implement corresponding operations of the first network side device in the foregoing methods300to401, and the communication apparatus500may include units configured to perform the methods performed by the first network side device in the methods300to401. In addition, the units in the communication apparatus500and the foregoing other operations and/or functions are respectively used to implement corresponding procedures in the methods300to401.

When the communication apparatus corresponds to the first network side device in the method300, the receiving unit510is configured to receive first information from a terminal device. Optionally, the processing unit530is configured to complete association between a first user identity and a second user identity with a second network side device. Optionally, the processing unit530is further configured to determine, based on first identification information, that an anchor base station corresponding to the second user identity is the second network side device. Optionally, the sending unit520is configured to send the first identification information to the second network side device, to request the second network side device to complete the association between the first user identity and the second user identity. Optionally, the sending unit520is configured to send second identification information to the second network side device. Optionally, the receiving unit510is further configured to receive the second identification information sent by the second network side device. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send association complete indication information to the second network side device. Optionally, the receiving unit510is further configured to receive paging indication information sent by the second network side device, where the paging indication information is used to indicate that the second user identity corresponding the terminal device is to be paged. Optionally, the sending unit520is configured to send connected-state indication information to the second network side device.

Optionally, the sending unit520is configured to send an RRC message to the terminal device, namely, the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity, where the terminal device is in a connected state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in an inactive state by using the second user identity.

Optionally, the sending unit520is configured to send a radio access network paging message to the terminal device, namely, the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity, where the terminal device is in a connected state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in an inactive state by using the second user identity.

When the communication apparatus corresponds to the first network side device in the method301, the receiving unit510is configured to receive first information from a terminal device. Optionally, the receiving unit510is further configured to receive second information from the terminal device. Optionally, the processing unit530is further configured to: determine, based on first identification information, that an anchor base station corresponding to a second user identity is the first network side device, and learn that a first user identity and the second user identity belong to the same terminal device. Optionally, the processing unit530is further configured to: determine, based on second identification information, that the anchor base station corresponding to the second user identity is the first network side device, and learn that the first user identity and the second user identity belong to the same terminal device. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send a paging message to the terminal device, namely, the terminal device corresponding to the first user identity. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send related information (for example, an identifier of a network side device and an identifier of a user identity) to a third node. Optionally, the receiving unit510is further configured to receive association confirmation indication information from the third node, namely, information indicating that association between the first user identity and the second user identity is completed.

When the communication apparatus corresponds to the first network side device in the method400, the first network side device is a first core network device. The receiving unit510is configured to receive first information. Optionally, the processing unit530is further configured to determine, based on the first information, that a first user identity and a second user identity correspond to a same terminal device. Optionally, the sending unit520is configured to send first identification information to a second network side device, to request the second network side device to complete association between the first user identity and the second user identity. Optionally, the receiving unit510is further configured to receive association confirmation indication information from the second network side device.

Optionally, the sending unit520is configured to send a first message to a first access network device, where the first message is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged.

Optionally, the processing unit530) is configured to indicate the first access network device to send an RRC message to the terminal device, where the terminal device is in a connected state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in an idle state by using the second user identity.

Optionally, the processing unit530) is configured to indicate the first access network device to send a first paging message to the terminal device, where the terminal device is in an idle state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in the idle state by using the second user identity.

Optionally, the processing unit530) is configured to indicate the first access network device to send a second paging message to the terminal device, where the terminal device is in an inactive state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in an idle state by using the second user identity.

Optionally, the processing unit530) is configured to indicate the first access network device to send a radio access network paging message to the terminal device, where the terminal device is in an inactive state by using the first user identity, and the terminal device is in an idle state by using the second user identity.

When the communication apparatus corresponds to the first network side device in the method401, the receiving unit510is configured to receive first information. Optionally, the receiving unit510is further configured to receive second information. Optionally, the processing unit530is further configured to determine, based on the first information, that a first user identity and a second user identity correspond to a same terminal device. Optionally, the processing unit530is further configured to determine, based on the second information, that the first user identity and the second user identity correspond to the same terminal device. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send a first message to a first access network device, where the first message is used to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged.

Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send related information (for example, an identifier of a core network device and an identifier of a user identity) to a fourth node, so that the fourth node associates the first user identity with the second user identity.

Optionally, the receiving unit510is further configured to receive paging information from the fourth node, and the processing unit530is further configured to learn, based on the paging information, that a second core network device needs to page the second user identity.

In still another possible design, the communication apparatus500) may correspondingly implement corresponding operations of the second network side device in the foregoing method embodiments. For example, the communication apparatus500may be the second network side device, or may be a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system) configured in the second network side device.

Specifically, the communication apparatus500may correspondingly implement corresponding operations of the second network side device in the foregoing methods300and400, and the communication apparatus500may include units configured to perform the methods performed by the second network side device in the methods300and400. In addition, the units in the communication apparatus500and the foregoing other operations and/or functions are respectively used to implement corresponding procedures in the methods300and400.

When the communication apparatus corresponds to the second network side device in the method300, the receiving unit510is configured to receive second information from a terminal device. Optionally, the processing unit530is configured to determine, based on the second information, that both a first user identity and a second user identity correspond to a terminal device. Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive paging conflict indication information from the terminal device. Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive monitoring indication information from the terminal device. Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive first identification information from a first network side device. The processing unit530) is configured to learn, based on the first identification information, that related information may be sent through the first network side device. Further, it may be understood that the second network side device learns that the first user identity and the second user identity belong to the same terminal device. Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive second identification information from the first network side device. Optionally, the sending unit520is configured to send association complete indication information to the first network side device. Optionally, the processing unit530is configured to determine, based on the received second identification information, that a base station corresponding to the first user identity is the first network side device. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send the second identification information to the first network side device, to request the first network side device to complete the association between the first user identity and the second user identity. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send the first identification information to the first network side device. Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive the association complete indication information from the first network side device.

Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive connected-state indication information from the first network side device. Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive the paging conflict indication information. Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive the monitoring indication information. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send paging indication information to the first network side device, where the paging indication information is used to indicate that the second user identity corresponding the terminal device is to be paged.

When the communication apparatus corresponds to the second network side device in the method400, the receiving unit510is configured to receive second information. Optionally, the receiving unit510is further configured to receive paging conflict indication information, and the processing unit530is configured to learn that there may be a paging conflict. Optionally, the receiving unit510is further configured to receive monitoring indication information. Optionally, the receiving unit510is further configured to receive first identification information from a first network side device. The processing unit530is further configured to learn, based on the first identification information, that related information may be sent through the first core network device. Further, it may be understood that a second core network device learns that a first user identity and a second user identity belong to a same terminal device. Optionally, the receiving unit510is further configured to receive second identification information from the first network side device. Optionally, the sending unit520) is configured to send association complete indication information to the first network side device.

Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send the second identification information to the first network side device, to request the first network side device to complete association between the first user identity and the second user identity. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send the first identification information to the first network side device. Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive the association complete indication information from the first network side device.

Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive connected-state indication information from the first network side device. Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive the paging conflict indication information. Optionally, the receiving unit510is configured to receive the monitoring indication information. Optionally, the sending unit520is further configured to send paging indication information to the first network side device, where the paging indication information is used to indicate that the second user identity corresponding the terminal device is to be paged.

In a possible implementation, when the communication apparatus corresponds to the second network side device, the sending unit520is configured to send association-related information (for example, an identifier of a core network device and an identifier of a user identity) to a fourth node, so that the fourth node associates the first user identity with the second user identity. The sending unit520is configured to send the paging indication information to the fourth node, to indicate that the second user identity is to be paged.

In a possible design, corresponding to the foregoing possible implementations, the processing unit530may be a processor. Alternatively, the sending unit520) and the receiving unit510may form a transceiver apparatus, for example, a transceiver apparatus603shown inFIG.6. Alternatively, the sending unit520) and the receiving unit510may form a communication interface. A storage unit640may be a memory, for example, a memory602shown inFIG.6.

Based on a same technical concept, an embodiment of this application further provides a communication apparatus, configured to implement functions performed by the terminal device, the first network side device, or the second network side device in the foregoing method embodiments.FIG.6is a schematic block diagram of a possible communication apparatus600according to an embodiment of this application. The communication apparatus includes at least one processor601and a memory602. Optionally, the communication apparatus may further include a transceiver apparatus603and a system bus604. The bus604may be a PCI bus, an EISA bus, or the like. The bus may be classified into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, or the like. For ease of indication, the bus is indicated by using only one bold line inFIG.6. However, it does not indicate that there is only one bus or only one type of bus. The transceiver apparatus603is used by the communication apparatus600to perform communication interaction with another communication device (for example, a radio access network device or a terminal device, which is not limited herein), for example, exchange control signaling and/or service data. The transceiver apparatus603may be implemented by using a circuit having a communication transceiver function. The memory602is configured to store required program instructions and/or required data. When the at least one processor invokes and executes the program instructions stored in the memory, the communication apparatus is enabled to implement a function of the terminal device in any design of the methods300to401. Alternatively, when the at least one processor invokes and executes the program instructions stored in the memory, the communication apparatus is enabled to implement a function of the network side device (the first network side device or the second network side device) in any design of the methods300to401. The at least one processor601, the memory602, and the transceiver apparatus603are coupled through the system bus604.

The processor and the transceiver apparatus described in embodiments of this application may be implemented on an integrated circuit (IC), an analog IC, a radio frequency integrated circuit RFIC, a hybrid signal IC, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a printed circuit board (PCB), an electronic device, or the like. The processor and the transceiver may alternatively be manufactured by using various IC process technologies, for example, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), an n-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS), a p-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS), a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), a bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), and gallium arsenide (GaAs). Optionally, the processor may include one or more processors, for example, include one or more CPUs. When the processor is one CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU. The transceiver apparatus is configured to: send and receive data and/or a signal, and receive data and/or a signal. The transceiver apparatus may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is configured to send data and/or a signal, and the receiver is configured to receive data and/or a signal. The transceiver may also be a communication interface. The memory includes but is not limited to a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The memory is configured to store related instructions and/or data.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions used to implement the method performed by the terminal device or the method performed by the network side device in the foregoing method embodiments.

For example, when the computer program is executed by a computer, the computer is enabled to implement the method performed by the terminal device or the method performed by the network side device in the foregoing method embodiments.

An embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product including instructions. When the instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is enabled to implement the method performed by the terminal device or the method performed by the network side device in the foregoing method embodiments.

An embodiment of this application further provides a communication system. The communication system includes the network device and the terminal device in the foregoing embodiments.

For explanations and beneficial effects of related content of any communication apparatus provided above, refer to the corresponding method embodiment provided above. Details are not described herein again.

All or some of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented by using software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When software is used to implement the foregoing embodiments, all or some of the embodiments may be implemented in a form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or some of the procedures or the functions according to embodiments of the present application are generated. The computer may be a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a computer network, or another programmable apparatus. For example, the computer may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, or the like. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or may be transmitted from a computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from a website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center in a wired (for example, a coaxial cable, an optical fiber, or a digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (for example, infrared, radio, or microwave) manner. The computer-readable storage medium may be any usable medium accessible by the computer, or a data storage device, such as a server or a data center, integrating one or more usable media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk, or a magnetic tape), an optical medium (for example, a DVD), a semiconductor medium (for example, a solid-state drive (SSD)), or the like. For example, the usable medium may include but is not limited to any medium that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disc.

A person skilled in the art may understand that first, second, and various reference numerals in this application are for distinguishing only for ease of description, and are not used to limit the scope of embodiments of this application. A specific value of a numeral (which may also be referred to as an index), a specific value of a quantity, and a location in this application are merely used as an example, but are not unique representation forms, and are not used to limit the scope of embodiments of this application. First, second, and various reference numerals in this application are for distinguishing only for ease of description, and are not used to limit the scope of embodiments of this application.

In this application, unless otherwise specified, an element represented in a singular form is intended to represent “one or more”, but is not intended to represent “one and only one”. In this application, unless otherwise specified, “at least one” is intended to represent “one or more”, and “a plurality of” is intended to represent “two or more”.

In addition, the terms “system” and “network” are usually used interchangeably in this specification. The term “and/or” in this specification describes only an association relationship for describing associated objects and represents that three relationships may exist. For example, A and/or B may represent the following three cases: only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists. A may be singular or plural, and B may be singular or plural. The character “/” generally indicates an “or” relationship between the associated objects.

The term “at least one of” in this specification indicates all or any combination of listed items. For example, “at least one of A, B, and C” may indicate the following six cases: A exists alone, B exists alone, C exists alone, A and B coexist, B and C coexist, and A, B, and C coexist. A may be singular or plural. B may be singular or plural, and C may be singular or plural.

It may be understood that in embodiments of this application, “B corresponding to A” indicates that B is associated with A, and B may be determined based on A. However, it should be further understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined based on only A. B may alternatively be determined based on A and/or other information.

For same or similar parts in embodiments of this application, refer to each other. In embodiments of this application and the implementations/implementation methods/implementation methods in embodiments, unless otherwise specified or a logical conflict occurs, terms and/or descriptions are consistent and may be mutually referenced between different embodiments and between the implementations/implementation methods/implementation methods in embodiments. Technical features in the different embodiments and the implementations/implementation methods/implementation methods in embodiments may be combined to form a new embodiment, implementation, implementation method, or implementation method according to an internal logical relationship thereof. The foregoing descriptions are implementations of this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this application.

The foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of this application, but are not intended to limit the protection scope of this application. Any variation or replacement readily figured out by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application may fall within the protection scope of this application.