A positioning service charging method and apparatus

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of communication, and discloses a positioning service charging method and device, which are used to solve the problem that the existing positioning service charging scheme does not charge for positioning which refuses to send the result of positioning of a terminal device to a positioning client, does not conform to the business strategy, and causes the loss of an operator. The method comprises the following steps: a gateway mobile positioning center network element refuses to send the result of positioning of a terminal device to a first positioning client according to a first indication; the gateway mobile positioning center network element generates positioning charging information, wherein the positioning charging information comprises an event of the positioning; and the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning charging information to a charging function network element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Embodiments of the present application relate to the technical field of communication, and in particular, to a positioning service charging method and device. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the prior art, when a positioning client wants to locate a terminal device, two privacy checks of a core network are required. After the privacy checks, the positioning result is sent to the positioning client. The first privacy check is that, after receiving a positioning request of the positioning client, a gateway mobile location center (GMLC) network element accesses a privacy profile of the terminal device in a unified data management (UDM) network element to determine whether the terminal device agrees to be positioned by the positioning client. The second privacy check is that, because the terminal device can have different privacy settings for different areas, after the core network performs a positioning process and the GMLC network element obtains a positioning result of the terminal device, the GMLC network element inquires whether the terminal device allows the positioning result to be returned to the positioning client.

[0003] According to a positioning service charging scheme defined in the current protocol, the GMLC network element records positioning charging information of this positioning only when the terminal device allows the positioning result to be returned to the positioning client, and then sends the positioning charging information to a charging function (CHF) network element to generate a charging data record (CDR). When the terminal device refuses to return the positioning result to the positioning client, the GMLC network element only returns an error cause to the positioning client and then ends this positioning, without charging the positioning service of this positioning. However, for an operator, in the case that the terminal device refuses to return the positioning result to the positioning client, a complete positioning process has been performed, and network resources (such as core network resources and air interface resources) are consumed, but the positioning service of this positioning is not charged, which does not conform to a business strategy. SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments of the present application provide a positioning service charging method and device to solve the problem that the prior positioning service charging scheme does not charge a positioning that refuses to send a positioning result of a terminal device to a positioning client, which does not conform to a business strategy and causes loss of an operator.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a method for charging a positioning service, the method comprising: a gateway mobile location center network element rejecting, according to a first indication, sending a result of positioning a terminal device to a first positioning client; the gateway mobile location center network element generating positioning charging information, the positioning charging information comprising an event of the positioning; and the gateway mobile location center network element sending the positioning charging information to a charging function network element. Optionally, the method further comprises: the gateway mobile location center network element determining, according to the first indication, to reject sending the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client.

[0006] With the above method, when the result of positioning the terminal device is rejected to be sent to the first positioning client, the gateway mobile location center network element can still record the positioning charging information of the positioning service and report (i.e., send) the positioning charging information to the charging function network element. The charging function network element can generate a charging bill according to the positioning charging information, and charge the first positioning client, so that the positioning service charging scheme is more in line with the business strategy, and the loss of the operator is avoided.

[0007] In a possible design, the first indication comprises area information, the area information being used to indicate an area in which the result of the positioning is allowed to be returned; or the area information being used to indicate an area in which the result of the positioning is not allowed to be returned. The area in which the result of the positioning is allowed to be returned does not comprise the result of the positioning; or the area in which the result of the positioning is not allowed to be returned comprises the result of the positioning.

[0008] In the above design, the gateway mobile location center network element can determine whether the result of positioning the terminal device is rejected to be sent to the first positioning client according to the area in which the result of the positioning is allowed to be returned or the area in which the result of the positioning is not allowed to be returned, which is beneficial to the protection of the privacy (e.g., location) of the terminal device.

[0009] In a possible design, the method further comprises: the gateway mobile location center network element receiving the first indication from the terminal device; and the first indication being used to indicate that the terminal device rejects sending the result of the positioning to the first positioning client.

[0010] In the above design, the gateway mobile location center network element can also reject sending the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the indication that the terminal device rejects sending the result of the positioning to the first positioning client, which is beneficial to the protection of the privacy of the terminal device.

[0011] In a possible design, the number of the results of the positioning is one or more.

[0012] In the design, the network element mobile positioning center network element reports the positioning charging information to the charging function network element after rejecting sending the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client one or more times, which is beneficial to meeting different positioning service charging requirements and saving signaling overhead.

[0013] In a possible design, before the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning charging information to the charging function network element, the method further includes: determining, by the gateway mobile positioning center network element, that the number of the results of the positioning reaches or exceeds a number threshold.

[0014] In the design, the gateway mobile positioning center network element reports the positioning charging information to the charging function network element when the number of the results of the positioning rejected to be sent to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds a number threshold, which is beneficial to meeting different positioning service charging requirements.

[0015] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving, by the gateway mobile positioning center network element, the number threshold from the charging function network element.

[0016] In the design, the gateway mobile positioning center network element reports the positioning charging information according to the number threshold indicated by the charging function network element, which is beneficial to meeting the requirement of the charging function network element on the charging of the positioning service.

[0017] In a possible design, before the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning charging information to the charging function network element, the method further includes: determining, by the gateway mobile positioning center network element, to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the second positioning client according to the second indication.

[0018] In the design, the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of rejecting to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client to the charging function network element after successfully sending the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the second positioning client, which is beneficial to meeting different positioning service charging requirements.

[0019] In a possible design, the method further includes: receiving, by the gateway mobile positioning center network element, a third indication from the charging function network element, where the third indication is used to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to generate the positioning charging information for the positioning of rejecting to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client.

[0020] In the design, the gateway mobile positioning center network element generates the positioning charging information for the positioning of rejecting to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the indication of the charging function network element, which is beneficial to meeting the requirement of the charging function network element on the charging of the positioning service.

[0021] In a possible design, the third indication includes a first positioning charging information reporting rule and / or a second positioning charging information reporting rule; where the first positioning charging information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send the charging function network element the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning after the gateway mobile location center network element refuses to send the first positioning client the result of the positioning of the terminal device; and the second positioning charging information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send the charging function network element the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of refusing to send the first positioning client the result of the positioning of the terminal device after the gateway mobile location center network element determines to send the second positioning client the result of the positioning of the terminal device.

[0022] In the design above, the gateway mobile location center network element can report the positioning charging information according to the positioning charging information reporting rule indicated by the charging function network element, which is beneficial to meeting the requirement of the charging function network element on charging of the positioning service.

[0023] In a possible design, the event of the positioning includes one or more of the following: the result of the positioning service, the positioning service time, the positioning service accuracy, the requester of the positioning service, the object of the positioning service, and a fourth indication of refusing to provide the result of the positioning.

[0024] In the design above, the fourth indication of refusing to provide the result of the positioning (such as the number of times) in the event of the positioning is beneficial to the identification of the event of the positioning of refusing to provide the result of the positioning to the first positioning client by the charging function network element, and charging of the positioning service.

[0025] In a second aspect, the present application provides a positioning service charging method, which includes: a charging function network element receiving positioning charging information from a gateway mobile location center network element, where the positioning charging information includes an event of positioning of a terminal device, and the event of the positioning includes a fourth indication of refusing to provide the result of the positioning; and the charging function network element generating a charging bill according to the positioning charging information.

[0026] With the method above, the fourth indication of refusing to provide the result of the positioning (such as the number of times) in the event of the positioning is beneficial to the identification of the positioning of refusing to provide the result of the positioning to the positioning client by the charging function network element, and charging of the positioning service.

[0027] In a possible design, the method further includes: the charging function network element sending a number threshold to the gateway mobile location center network element, where the number threshold is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send the charging function network element the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of refusing to send the first positioning client the result of the positioning of the terminal device after the number of times of refusing to send the first positioning client the result of the positioning of the terminal device reaches or exceeds the number threshold.

[0028] In the design, the charging function network element can indicate the number threshold to the gateway mobile location center network element, which is beneficial to the gateway mobile location center network element to report the location charging information according to the number threshold indicated by the charging function network element, and meets the requirement of the charging function network element on the location service charging.

[0029] In a possible design, the method further includes: the charging function network element sending a third indication to the gateway mobile location center network element, where the third indication is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to generate location charging information for a location that refuses to send the result of the location of the terminal device to the first location client.

[0030] In the design, the charging function network element can instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to generate location charging information for a location that refuses to send the result of the location of the terminal device to the first location client through the third indication, which is beneficial to meet the requirement of the charging function network element on the location service charging.

[0031] In a possible design, the third indication includes a first location charging information reporting rule and / or a second location charging information reporting rule; the first location charging information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send the location charging information corresponding to the location to the charging function network element after the location that refuses to send the result of the location of the terminal device to the first location client; and the second location charging information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send the location charging information corresponding to the location that refuses to send the result of the location of the terminal device to the first location client to the charging function network element after the location that determines to send the result of the location of the terminal device to the second location client.

[0032] In the design, the charging function network element can instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to report the location charging information, which is beneficial to meet the requirement of the charging function network element on the location service charging.

[0033] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a location service charging apparatus, which has a function of implementing the method in the first aspect or any possible design in the first aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units (modules) corresponding to the above functions, such as a transceiver unit and a processing unit.

[0034] In a possible design, the apparatus can be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0035] In a possible design, the apparatus includes a processor and a transceiver, where the processor is coupled to the transceiver, and is configured to implement the functions of the method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect. The apparatus can further include a memory, where the memory stores a program executable by the processor, and the program is configured to implement the functions of the method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect.

[0036] In a possible design, the apparatus can be a gateway mobile location center network element.

[0037] In a possible design, the apparatus can be a gateway mobile location center network element.

[0038] In a possible design, the apparatus can be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0039] In a possible design, the apparatus includes a processor and a transceiver, where the processor is coupled to the transceiver, and is configured to implement the functions of the method in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect. The apparatus can further include a memory, where the memory stores a program executable by the processor, and the program is configured to implement the functions of the method in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0040] In a possible design, the apparatus can be a charging function network element.

[0041] In a possible design, the apparatus can be a charging function network element.

[0042] In a possible design, the apparatus can be a charging function network element.

[0043] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, which comprises a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or the method in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect can be implemented.

[0044] In an eighth aspect, the present application further provides a chip, which is used to implement the method in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or the method in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect.

[0045] The technical effects achieved by the third aspect to the eighth aspect can refer to the technical effects achieved by the first aspect and the second aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0046] Figure 1 An architecture diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0047] Figure 2 A positioning service charging scenario diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0048] Figure 3 An existing positioning service charging process diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0049] Figure 4 One of positioning service charging method process diagrams provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0050] Figure 5 Another positioning service charging method process diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0051] Figure 6 A third positioning service charging method process diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0052] Figure 7 One of positioning service charging device diagrams provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0053] Figure 8 Another positioning service charging device diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0054] Figure 9 A third positioning service charging device diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown;

[0055] Figure 10 A fourth positioning service charging device diagram provided by an embodiment of the present application is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] The technical solutions provided in the present application can be applied to a fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) communication system, and future communication systems such as a 6G system, etc.

[0057] Specifically, the architecture of the 5G communication system to which the embodiments of the present application are applied can be as shown in Figure 1 As shown in the figure, taking a terminal device as an example of user equipment (user equipment, UE), the architecture includes a location management function (location management function, LMF) network element, a charging function (charging function, CHF) network element, a UE, an access and mobility management function (access and mobility management function, AMF) network element, a gateway mobile location center (gateway mobile location center, GMLC) network element, a location retrieval function (location retrieval function, LRF) network element, a radio access network (radio access network, RAN) device, and a location service (location services, LCS) client, etc. For example, the location service client can also be referred to as a location client, the AMF network element can be connected to the UE through an N1 interface, connected to the RAN device through an N2 interface, connected to the LMF network element through an NL1 interface, and connected to the GMLC network element through an NL2 interface, the GMLC network element can be connected to the CHF network element through an NL4 interface, and connected to the LCS client through an Le interface, and the LRF network element is connected to the LCS client through an Le interface. It should be understood that, Figure 1 The architecture of the communication system shown in the figure is only an example and does not limit the network elements or interfaces included in the architecture of the communication system to which the method of the present application is applied. As shown in Figure 1The network architecture shown can also include one or more of a unified data management (UDM) network element, a network exposure function (NEF) network element, an application function (AF) network element, a policy control function (PCF) network element, a session management function (SMF) network element, a user plane function (UPF) network element, and a data network (DN), etc. The functions of some of the network elements or devices in the communication system are briefly described below.

[0058] A terminal device is a device with wireless transceiver function, which can communicate with a core network through a RAN, and exchange voice and / or data with the RAN. The terminal device can be deployed on land, including indoor or outdoor, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on water surface (such as ships, etc.); can also be deployed in the air (such as airplanes, balloons and satellites, etc.). The terminal device can be a mobile phone, a pad, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc. The terminal device can include a user equipment (UE), a wireless terminal device, a mobile terminal device, a device-to-device (D2D) terminal device, a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) terminal device, a machine-to-machine / machine-type communications (M2M / MTC) terminal device, an internet of things (IoT) terminal device, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote station, an access point (AP), a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, or a user device, etc. For example, it can include a mobile phone (or called “cellular” phone), a computer with mobile terminal device, a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, built-in mobile device of computer, etc.For example, personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc. Also included are limited capability devices, such as devices with lower power consumption, or devices with limited storage capability, or devices with limited computing capability, etc. For example, information sensing devices such as bar code, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, global positioning system (GPS), laser scanners, etc.

[0059] By way of example and not limitation, in embodiments of the present application, the terminal device can also be a wearable device. The wearable device can also be referred to as a smart wearable device or a smart wearable device, etc. It is a general term for devices that are designed and developed by applying wearable technology to daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes, etc. The wearable device is a portable device that is directly worn on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. The wearable device is not only a hardware device, but also a powerful function achieved through software support and data interaction, cloud interaction. The broad sense of wearable smart devices includes full-featured, large-sized devices that can realize complete or partial functions without relying on smart phones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, etc., and devices that focus on a certain application function and need to be used with other devices such as smart phones, such as various smart wristbands, smart helmets, smart jewelry, etc.

[0060] And various terminal devices as introduced above, if located on a vehicle (for example, placed in or installed in the vehicle), can be considered as vehicle-mounted terminal devices, which are also referred to as on-board units (OBU).

[0061] The terminal device can establish a connection with the operator network through an interface (such as N1, etc.) provided by the operator network, and use data and / or voice services provided by the operator network. The terminal device can also access the DN through the operator network, use the operator services deployed on the DN, and / or third-party services. Among them, the third party can be a service party other than the operator network and the terminal device, and can provide the terminal device with data and / or voice services. The specific form of the third party can be determined according to the actual application scenario, and is not limited here.

[0062] The RAN is a subnetwork of the operator network and is an implementation system between the service nodes and the terminal devices in the operator network. To access the operator network, the terminal device first passes through the RAN and then can be connected to the service nodes of the operator network through the RAN. The RAN device in the embodiments of the present application is a device that provides wireless communication functions for the terminal device, and the RAN device is also referred to as an access network device or a network device. The RAN device includes, for example but not limited to: a next-generation base station (5g nodeB, gNB) in 5G, an evolved nodeB (eNB), a radio network controller (RNC), a nodeB (NB), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a home base station (for example, a home evolved nodeB or a home node B, HNB), a baseband unit (BBU), a transmitting and receiving point (TRP), a transmitting point (TP), a WiFi access point (AP), a world interoperability for microwave access (WiMax) base station (BS), a mobile switching center, and the like.

[0063] The AMF network element is mainly responsible for authentication of the terminal device, mobility management, and the like, and can be specifically responsible for registration, location update, and management of mobile state switching of the terminal device.

[0064] The SMF network element is mainly responsible for session management (including establishment, modification, and release of the session) of the terminal device, such as allocation of an internet protocol (IP) address for the terminal device and selection of a UPF network element that provides a message forwarding function.

[0065] The PCF network element is mainly responsible for policy control decision, and can be used to provide policies such as quality of service (QoS) policies and slice selection policies to the AMF network element and the SMF network element.

[0066] The CHF network element is mainly responsible for charging issues, such as issuing charging policies, collecting charging information, and generating charging bills.

[0067] The UDM network element is mainly responsible for storing user data such as subscription information and authentication / authorization information.

[0068] LMF network element, mainly responsible for positioning request management and positioning resource allocation when positioning service.

[0069] UPF network element, mainly responsible for processing messages (or data packets) of terminal devices, such as forwarding, charging, etc.

[0070] GMLC network element, mainly responsible for positioning request processing of positioning service, such as selecting appropriate AMF network element for positioning service, or performing positioning service authentication, etc.

[0071] DN refers to an operator network that provides data transmission services for terminal devices, such as IP multimedia service (IMS), Internet, etc.

[0072] In addition, it needs to be understood that the above-mentioned network elements can be functional modules (software) or hardware entities.

[0073] Figure 2 The charging scenario for the positioning service based on the 5G network architecture is shown in FIG. 1, and the function introduction of the network element can be referred to Figure 1 The function introduction of the corresponding network element in the charging scenario for the positioning service based on the 5G network architecture is not repeated.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 2, it is an example of a flow of the existing positioning service charging, which includes the following steps: Figure 3

[0075] S301: The GMLC network element receives a location request message from the positioning client, and the location request message is used to request positioning of the terminal device (such as requesting positioning of a certain terminal device or specific terminal device).

[0076] S302: After the first privacy authentication is passed, the GMLC network element sends a charging data request message to the CHF network element.

[0077] Specifically, after the GMLC network element receives the location request message from the positioning client for the terminal device (taking UE as an example), the GMLC network element accesses the privacy profile of the terminal device in the UDM network element, identifies whether the terminal device is allowed to be positioned by the positioning client, and if the terminal device is allowed to be positioned by the positioning client, the first privacy authentication is passed, and the GMLC network element sends a charging data request message to the CHF network element.

[0078] ​The charging data request message is used to initiate a positioning service charging request to the CHF network element. In the charging data request message, the requestor of the positioning service, the object of the positioning service (i.e., the target to be positioned, such as a terminal device to be positioned), the positioning request type, the positioning request accuracy, and the like can also be included.

[0079] S303: The GMLC network element receives a charging data response message returned by the CHF network element.

[0080] S304: The GMLC network element sends a location provide request message to the AMF network element.

[0081] The location provide request message is used to request the AMF network element to provide the location information of the terminal device.

[0082] S305: The AMF network element acquires the location information of the terminal device.

[0083] The AMF network element selects an LMF network element for the positioning service. The LMF network element is the real execution subject of the positioning service. After receiving the location provide request message sent (or transparently transmitted) by the AMF network element, the LMF network element selects a suitable positioning method. The positioning method represents a positioning calculation method or algorithm. After selecting the positioning method, the LMF network element notifies the RAN device(s) and the terminal device of the positioning method to be used. Then, the terminal device sends a sounding signal. The RAN device(s) measures the sounding signal sent by the terminal device, such as measuring the signal strength of the sounding signal sent by the terminal device. The RAN device(s) sends the measurement result to the LMF network element. The LMF network element calculates the location information of the terminal device in combination with the used positioning method, and feeds back the location information of the terminal device to the AMF network element.

[0084] S306: The AMF network element sends a location provide response message to the GMLC network element.

[0085] The location provide response message includes the location information of the terminal device, i.e., the result of positioning the terminal device.

[0086] S307: The GMLC network element sends a location verification request message to the terminal device.

[0087] S308: The GMLC network element receives a location verification response message from the terminal device.

[0088] The GMLC network element can perform second privacy authentication by sending a location verification request message to the terminal device and receiving a location verification response message from the terminal device. The location verification response message returned by the terminal device contains whether the terminal device allows the result of positioning to be sent to the positioning client. If it allows, the GMLC network element proceeds to S309A. If it refuses (i.e. does not allow), the GMLC network element proceeds to S309B.

[0089] S309A: The GMLC network element sends a positioning response message to the positioning client, which contains the result of positioning the terminal device.

[0090] In addition, when the terminal device allows the result of positioning to be sent to the positioning client, the GMLC network element generates positioning charging information and can send the positioning charging information to the CHF network element by sending a charging data report message carrying the positioning charging information to the CHF network element, so that the CHF network element generates a charging bill and charges for the positioning service.

[0091] S309A: The GMLC network element sends an error cause to the positioning client and ends the positioning service.

[0092] In the prior art, if the terminal device refuses to return the result of positioning to the positioning client, the GMLC network element does not return the result of positioning to the positioning client, but only returns an error cause, such as the terminal device refusing to provide the result of positioning, to the positioning client, and then ends the positioning service, without charging for the positioning service.

[0093] However, for the operator, in the case where the terminal device refuses to return the result of positioning to the positioning client, the entire positioning process has been performed, network resources (such as core network resources and air interface resources) have been consumed, but the positioning service is not charged, which does not conform to the business strategy.

[0094] The application aims to improve the positioning service charging scheme, charge for the positioning that refuses to send the result of positioning of a terminal device to a positioning client, so that the positioning service charging is more in line with the business strategy and avoids the loss of the operator. In addition, it should be understood that in the embodiments of the application, at least one can also be described as one or more, and the plurality can be two, three, four or more, which is not limited by the application. In the embodiments of the application, " / " can represent that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship, for example, A / B can represent A or B; "and / or" can be used to describe the existence of three relationships of associated objects, for example, A and / or B, which can represent three cases of A alone, A and B together, and B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In order to facilitate the description of the technical scheme of the embodiments of the application, in the embodiments of the application, "first", "second" and the like can be used to distinguish functionally identical or similar technical features. The "first", "second" and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order, and the "first", "second" and the like do not necessarily mean different. In the embodiments of the application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to represent examples, illustrations or descriptions, and any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be interpreted as more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. The use of "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concept in a specific manner and facilitate understanding.

[0095] The embodiments of the application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0096] Figure 4 A flowchart of a positioning service charging method provided by the embodiments of the application is shown in the figure, and the flow includes:

[0097] S401: The gateway mobile positioning center network element refuses to send the result of positioning of a terminal device to the first positioning client according to the first indication.

[0098] In the embodiments of the application, if the positioning service charging method is applied to a 5G network architecture, the network element mobile positioning center network element can be a GMLC network element in the 5G network architecture, and the charging function network element can be a CHF network element in the 5G network architecture; if the positioning service charging method is applied to other network architectures, such as a future 6G network architecture, the gateway mobile positioning center network element can be other network elements with the same or similar functions as the GMLC network element in the network architecture, and the charging function network element can be other network elements with the same or similar functions as the CHF network element in the network architecture.

[0099] Because the terminal device can have different privacy settings in different areas, for example, the terminal device allows sending the positioning result to the positioning client for positioning located in Pudong New Area of Shanghai, and the terminal device refuses to send the positioning result to the positioning client for positioning located in areas other than Pudong New Area of Shanghai. Therefore, after the gateway mobile location center network element receives the positioning request for the terminal device from the first positioning client and obtains the positioning result of the terminal device, privacy authentication (or judgment) needs to be performed on whether the terminal device allows the positioning result to be returned (i.e., sent) to the first positioning client.

[0100] For example, the first indication can be received from the terminal device, or can be locally configured by the gateway mobile location center network element. The first indication can be first indication information or a first indication message.

[0101] In a possible embodiment, the first indication includes area information, which is used to indicate the area in which the terminal device allows the positioning result to be returned (i.e., sent), or is used to indicate the area in which the terminal device does not allow (i.e., refuses) the positioning result to be returned. When the gateway mobile location center network element obtains the positioning result of the terminal device, it can determine whether to allow the positioning result to be returned to the first positioning client according to whether the positioning result is in the area indicated by the area information included in the first indication.

[0102] For example, taking the case in which the area information included in the first indication is used to indicate the area in which the terminal device allows the positioning result to be returned as an example, when the first positioning client initiates positioning of the terminal device (for example, the gateway mobile location center network element receives a positioning request message sent by the first positioning client, and the positioning request message is used to request positioning of the terminal device), the gateway mobile location center network element obtains the positioning result of the terminal device (for example, the gateway mobile location center network element obtains the positioning result of the terminal device through the location providing response message of S306 in the method), and then determines that the area in which the terminal device allows the positioning result to be returned does not include the positioning result of the terminal device, and determines to refuse to send the positioning result of the terminal device to the first positioning client. Figure 3

[0103] In another possible implementation, when the gateway mobile location center network element obtains the positioning result of the terminal device, the gateway mobile location center network element can inquire whether the terminal device allows the positioning result to be returned (i.e., sent) to the first positioning client. If the gateway mobile location center network element receives a first indication from the terminal device, the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device refuses to send the positioning result to the first positioning client, and it is determined to refuse to send the positioning result of the terminal device to the first positioning client.​

[0104] As an example, after the gateway mobile location center network element obtains the result of the positioning of the terminal device, the gateway mobile location center network element can send a location verification request message to the terminal device (e.g. Figure 3 S307), wherein the location verification request message can include the identification information of the first positioning client and the result of the positioning of the terminal device, etc. After receiving the location verification request message, the terminal device replies a location verification response message to the gateway mobile location center network element, wherein the location verification response message carries a first indication that the terminal device refuses to send the result of the positioning to the first positioning client. Then, the gateway mobile location center network element determines to refuse to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the first indication carried in the location verification response message.

[0105] S402: The gateway mobile location center network element generates positioning charging information, wherein the positioning charging information includes the event of the positioning.

[0106] For example, the event of the positioning includes one or more of the result of the positioning service, the positioning service time, the positioning service accuracy, the positioning service requester, the positioning service object, and a fourth indication, etc. The fourth indication is used to indicate the refusal to provide the result of the positioning. For example, the fourth indication can be the number of times of the refusal to provide the result of the positioning.

[0107] S403: The gateway mobile location center network element sends the positioning charging information to a charging function network element, and the charging function network element receives the positioning charging information.

[0108] Different from the existing positioning service charging method, the positioning that refuses to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client is not charged, and only an error reason is returned to the first positioning client to end the positioning service. In the embodiments of the present application, for the positioning that refuses to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client, the gateway mobile location center network element generates the positioning charging information including the event of the positioning and sends it to the charging function network element for charging the positioning service. As an example, the positioning charging information can be sent to the charging function network element through a charging data report message.

[0109] As an example, after the gateway mobile location center network element receives the positioning request of the terminal device from the first positioning client, obtains the result of the positioning of the terminal device, and refuses to send the result of the positioning to the first positioning client according to the first indication corresponding to the terminal device, the gateway mobile location center network element can generate the positioning charging information including the event of the positioning and send it to the charging function network element.

[0110] S404: The charging function network element generates a charging data record according to the positioning charging information.

[0111] The charging function network element receives the positioning charging information sent by the gateway mobile location center network element, generates a charging data record according to the positioning charging information, and realizes charging for the positioning of refusing to send the result of the positioning to the first positioning client. The charging data record can be sent to the billing domain to charge the first positioning client.

[0112] As an example, the charging data record (CDR) can include record type, such as the first positioning client requesting the gateway mobile location center network element to perform positioning on the terminal device, identity information of the gateway mobile location center network element (GMLC identity), such as the IP address of the gateway mobile location center network element, identity information of the first positioning client (client identity), type of the first positioning client (client type), type of the requested location information (location type), record time (record time), and the like.

[0113] In the above Figure 4 solution, the corresponding positioning charging information is reported to the charging function network element after the gateway mobile location center network element refuses to send the result of the positioning to the first positioning client each time, and the charging for the positioning service of refusing to send the result of the positioning is completed. Alternatively, the gateway mobile location center network element can also report the corresponding positioning charging information to the charging function network element after refusing to send the result of the positioning to the first positioning client one or more times, and complete the charging for the positioning service of refusing to send the result of the positioning.

[0114] In a possible implementation, the gateway mobile location center network element can report the corresponding positioning charging information to the charging function network element when the number “N” (N is a positive integer) of refusing to send the result of the positioning to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold, and complete the charging for the positioning service of refusing to send the result of the positioning.

[0115] For example, the positioning service charging method flow is as shown in Figure 5 , which includes:

[0116] S501: The gateway mobile location center network element refuses to send the result of the positioning to the first positioning client according to the first indication.

[0117] S502: The gateway mobile location center network element determines that the number of the results of the positioning reaches or exceeds the number threshold.

[0118] Unlike the gateway mobile location center network element reports the corresponding location charging information to the charging function network element each time it rejects sending the result of the location of the terminal device to the first location client, the gateway mobile location center network element can also report the corresponding location charging information to the charging function network element when the number "N" (N is a positive integer) of times of rejection of providing the result of the location of the terminal device to the first location client reaches or exceeds the threshold number.

[0119] Specifically, the gateway mobile location center network element, each time after the first location client initiates the location of the terminal device and the result of the location of the terminal device is obtained, can refer to the related description of the above Figure 4 to implement the rejection of sending the result of the location of the terminal device to the first location client according to the first indication, and the repeated parts will not be described herein.

[0120] In a possible implementation, the gateway mobile location center network element can indicate that the flow of the location of the terminal device has been successfully performed once but the result of the location is not returned to the first location client by taking the flag number + 1 each time the gateway mobile location center network element rejects sending the result of the location of the terminal device to the first location client.

[0121] In addition, it should be understood that if the first indication includes area information used to indicate the area in which the terminal device is allowed to return (or send) the result of the location or used to indicate the area in which the terminal device is not allowed (or rejects) to return the result of the location, and the first indication is obtained by the gateway mobile location center network element from the terminal device, the gateway mobile location center network element needs to obtain the first indication only once from the terminal device to determine the rejection of sending the result of the location of the terminal device to the first location client N times according to the first indication; if the gateway mobile location center network element inquires whether the terminal device is allowed to return (i.e., send) the result of the location to the first location client after obtaining the result of the location of the terminal device, the gateway mobile location center network element needs to obtain the first indication from the terminal device M times (M is a positive integer not less than N) to determine the rejection of sending the result of the location of the terminal device to the first location client N times according to the first indication.

[0122] S503: The gateway mobile location center network element generates location charging information, and the location charging information includes the event of the location.

[0123] For example, the positioning charging information includes one or more of the following: the N positioning events, the positioning service result, the positioning service time, the positioning service accuracy, the positioning service requester, the positioning service object, and a fourth indication of the number of times of the result of the positioning service being refused, etc. For example, the positioning requester is "first positioning client", the positioning service object is "terminal device", the positioning service time of the N positioning services, the positioning service accuracy of the N positioning services (when the positioning service accuracies of the N positioning services are the same, one positioning service accuracy can be used), the number of times of the result of the positioning service being refused is "N times", etc.

[0124] S504: The gateway mobile location center network element sends the positioning charging information to the charging function network element, and the charging function network element receives the positioning charging information.

[0125] When the number of times (N) of the gateway mobile location center network element refusing to provide the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold, the gateway mobile location center network element generates positioning charging information and sends it to the charging function network element for charging the positioning service. For example, the positioning charging information can be sent to the charging function network element through a charging data report message.

[0126] As an example, the number threshold can be predefined by a protocol or the like and configured in the gateway mobile location center network element, or determined by the charging function network element according to the charging needs or requirements of the positioning service and sent to the gateway mobile location center network element.

[0127] S505: The charging function network element generates a charging bill according to the positioning charging information.

[0128] The charging function network element receives the positioning charging information sent by the gateway mobile location center network element, generates a charging bill according to the positioning charging information, and charges the N times of the positioning service of refusing to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client. The charging bill can be sent to the billing domain to charge the first positioning client.

[0129] In another possible implementation, after the gateway mobile location center network element determines to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the second positioning client, the gateway mobile location center network element sends the corresponding positioning charging information of the positioning service of refusing to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client to the charging function network element, and completes the charging of the positioning service of refusing to send the result of the positioning.

[0130] For example, the positioning service charging method flow is as shown in Figure 6 , which includes the following steps:

[0131] S601: The gateway mobile location center network element rejects sending the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the first indication.

[0132] S602: The gateway mobile location center network element determines to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the second positioning client according to the second indication.

[0133] Unlike the gateway mobile location center network element reporting the corresponding positioning charging information to the charging function network element each time the gateway mobile location center network element rejects sending the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client, the gateway mobile location center network element can also report the positioning corresponding to the result of the positioning of the terminal device rejected to be sent to the first positioning client to the charging function network element after determining to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the second positioning client. The second positioning client can be the same as or different from the first positioning client, and the result of the positioning sent to the second positioning client can be the same as or different from the result of the positioning rejected to be sent to the first positioning client.

[0134] The second indication can be the same as the first indication, for example, both include area information, the area information is used to indicate an area in which the terminal device is allowed to return (i.e., send) the result of the positioning, or is used to indicate an area in which the terminal device is not allowed (i.e., rejected) to return the result of the positioning. For example, the area information included in the second indication is used to indicate an area in which the terminal device is allowed to return the result of the positioning, the gateway mobile location center network element determines to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the second positioning client after the second positioning client initiates the positioning of the terminal device, and the gateway mobile location center network element obtains the result of the positioning of the terminal device (for example, obtains the result of the positioning of the terminal device through the location providing response message in S306). Figure 3

[0135] The second indication can also be an indication that the terminal device is allowed to send the result of the positioning to the second positioning client. For example, the gateway mobile location center network element can send a location verification request message to the terminal device after obtaining the result of the positioning of the terminal device, and the terminal device is allowed to send the result of the positioning to the second positioning client after the terminal device receives the location verification request message. Figure 3 ​S307), wherein the position verification request message can include identification information of the second positioning client and information of the result of positioning the terminal device, and after receiving the position verification request message, the terminal device replies to the gateway mobile positioning center network element with a position verification response message, wherein the position verification response message carries a second indication that the terminal device allows the result of positioning to be sent to the second positioning client, and then the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the second positioning client according to the second indication carried in the position verification response message.

[0136] In addition, before the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the second positioning client according to the second indication, the gateway mobile positioning center network element can increase the flag number by 1 each time the result of positioning the terminal device is refused to be sent to the first positioning client, to indicate that the process of positioning the terminal device has been successfully performed once, but the result of positioning is not returned to the first positioning client.

[0137] In addition, the gateway mobile positioning center network element can refuse to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the first indication each time the first positioning client initiates positioning of the terminal device and the result of positioning the terminal device is obtained, and the implementation can refer to the related description of the above Figure 4 or Figure 5 , and the repeated parts will not be described again.

[0138] S603: The gateway mobile positioning center network element generates positioning charging information, and the positioning charging information includes the event of refusing to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client.

[0139] After the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the second positioning client, the gateway mobile positioning center network element generates positioning charging information, and the positioning charging information includes the event of refusing to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client S times, wherein S is a positive integer not less than 1.

[0140] For example, the positioning charging information includes one or more of the following: an event of the S positioning, including a result of a positioning service, a positioning service time, a positioning service accuracy, a positioning service requester, a positioning service object, and a fourth indication of a result of a refusal to provide positioning, which can be a number of times of the result of the refusal to provide positioning. For example, the positioning charging information includes the following: a positioning requester "first positioning client", a positioning service object "terminal device", a positioning service time of the S positioning, an S positioning service accuracy (when the accuracy of the S positioning services is the same, one positioning service accuracy can be used), a number of times of the result of the refusal to provide positioning "S times", and the like.

[0141] S604: The gateway mobile location center network element sends the positioning charging information to the charging function network element, and the charging function network element receives the positioning charging information.

[0142] S605: The charging function network element generates a charging bill according to the positioning charging information.

[0143] The charging function network element receives the positioning charging information sent by the gateway mobile location center network element, generates a charging bill according to the positioning charging information, and realizes charging for the S times of positioning that refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client. The charging bill can be sent to the billing domain to charge the first positioning client.

[0144] In a possible implementation, in order to meet different positioning service charging requests, the charging function network element can further send a third indication to the gateway mobile location center network element, and the gateway mobile location center network element only starts to generate positioning charging information for the positioning that refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client after receiving the third indication.

[0145] The third indication is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to generate positioning charging information for the positioning that refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client.

[0146] As an example, the third indication can be sent to the gateway mobile location center network element through a charging data response message. As shown in Figure 3 After the gateway mobile location center network element sends a charging data request message to the charging function network element, the charging function network element can carry the third indication in a charging data response message returned to the gateway mobile location center network element.

[0147] In a possible implementation, the charging function network element can also carry the first positioning charging information reporting rule and / or the second positioning charging information reporting rule in the third indication sent to the gateway mobile location center network element, to indicate the rule of charging information reporting of the gateway mobile location center network element, so as to meet the charging requirement of different positioning services.

[0148] The first positioning charging information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of the terminal device to the charging function network element after the gateway mobile location center network element refuses to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client, to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to perform the positioning service charging according to the scheme shown in FIG. 6. Figure 4 The second positioning charging information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of the terminal device to the charging function network element after the gateway mobile location center network element sends the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the second positioning client, to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to perform the positioning service charging according to the scheme shown in FIG. 7.

[0149] The second positioning charging information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of the terminal device to the charging function network element after the gateway mobile location center network element sends the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the second positioning client, to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to perform the positioning service charging according to the scheme shown in FIG. 7. Figure 6 The number threshold is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of the terminal device to the charging function network element after the number of times of refusing to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold, to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to perform the positioning service charging according to the scheme shown in FIG. 8. The second positioning charging information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of the terminal device to the charging function network element after the gateway mobile location center network element sends the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the second positioning client, to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to perform the positioning service charging according to the scheme shown in FIG. 7.

[0150] Figure 5 The second positioning charging information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of the terminal device to the charging function network element after the gateway mobile location center network element sends the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the second positioning client, to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to perform the positioning service charging according to the scheme shown in FIG. 7.

[0151] The above mainly introduces the schemes provided by the present application from the perspective of the interaction between the gateway mobile location center network element and the charging function network element. It can be understood that, in order to implement the above functions, each network element includes the corresponding hardware structure and / or software module (or unit) for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed in the present application, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or the combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a certain function is implemented in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical scheme. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present application.

[0152] In the case of using integrated units (modules), Figure 7A possible exemplary block diagram of a positioning service charging apparatus involved in embodiments of the present application is shown, which can exist in the form of software. The apparatus 700 can include a processing unit 702 and a transceiver unit 703.

[0153] In a possible design, the processing unit 702 is configured to implement corresponding processing functions. The transceiver unit 703 is configured to support communication of the apparatus 700 with other network entities. Optionally, the transceiver unit 703 can include a receiving unit and / or a sending unit, which are respectively configured to perform receiving and sending operations. Optionally, the apparatus 700 can further include a storage unit 701 configured to store program code and / or data of the apparatus 700.

[0154] The apparatus 700 can be a gateway mobile location center network element in any of the above embodiments, or can also be a chip or the like disposed in the gateway mobile location center network element. The processing unit 702 can support the apparatus 700 to perform actions of the gateway mobile location center network element in the above method examples. Alternatively, the processing unit 702 mainly performs internal actions of the gateway mobile location center network element in the method examples, and the transceiver unit 703 can support communication between the apparatus 700 and a charging function network element or the like.

[0155] Specifically, in one embodiment, the processing unit 702 is configured to reject sending a result of positioning of a terminal device to a first location client according to a first indication;

[0156] The processing unit 702 is further configured to generate positioning charging information, where the positioning charging information includes an event of the positioning.

[0157] The transceiver unit 703 is configured to send the positioning charging information to a charging function network element.

[0158] In a possible design, the processing unit 702 is further configured to determine to reject sending the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first location client according to the first indication.

[0159] In a possible design, the first indication includes area information, where the area information is used to indicate an area in which the result of the positioning is allowed to be returned, or the area information is used to indicate an area in which the result of the positioning is not allowed to be returned. The area in which the result of the positioning is allowed to be returned does not include the result of the positioning, or the area in which the result of the positioning is not allowed to be returned includes the result of the positioning.

[0160] In a possible design, the first indication is used to indicate that the terminal device rejects sending the result of the positioning to the first location client.

[0161] In a possible design, the number of results of the positioning is one or more.

[0162] In a possible design, the processing unit 702 is further configured to determine that the number of results of the positioning reaches or exceeds a number threshold before the transceiver unit 703 sends the positioning charging information to the charging function network element.

[0163] In a possible design, the transceiver unit 703 is further configured to receive the number threshold from the charging function network element.

[0164] In a possible design, the processing unit 702 is further configured to determine to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to a second positioning client according to a second indication before the transceiver unit 703 sends the positioning charging information to the charging function network element.

[0165] In a possible design, the transceiver unit 703 is further configured to receive a third indication from the charging function network element, where the third indication is used to indicate that the positioning that refuses to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client generates positioning charging information.

[0166] In a possible design, the third indication comprises a first positioning charging information reporting rule and / or a second positioning charging information reporting rule, where the first positioning charging information reporting rule is used to indicate that, after the positioning that refuses to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client, the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning is sent to the charging function network element; and the second positioning charging information reporting rule is used to indicate that, after it is determined to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the second positioning client, the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning that refuses to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client is sent to the charging function network element.

[0167] In a possible design, the event of the positioning comprises one or more of the following: a result of a positioning service, a positioning service time, a positioning service accuracy, a positioning service requester, a positioning service object, and a fourth indication that refuses to provide the result of the positioning.

[0168] As Figure 8As shown, the embodiment of the present application further provides a positioning service charging apparatus 800, which comprises a processor 810 and a transceiver 830, and can further comprise a memory 820. In a possible design, the memory 820 stores instructions or programs or data, and can be configured to implement the function of the storage unit 701 in the above-described embodiments. The processor 810 is configured to read the instructions or programs or data stored in the memory 820. When the instructions or programs stored in the memory 820 are executed, the processor 810 is configured to perform the operations performed by the processing unit 702 in the above-described embodiments, and the transceiver 830 is configured to perform the operations performed by the transceiving unit 703 in the above-described embodiments.

[0169] In the case of using integrated units (modules), Figure 9 A possible exemplary block diagram of another positioning service charging apparatus involved in the embodiment of the present application is shown, which can exist in the form of software. The apparatus 900 can comprise a processing unit 902 and a transceiving unit 903.

[0170] In a possible design, the processing unit 902 is configured to implement corresponding processing functions. The transceiving unit 903 is configured to support the communication of the apparatus 900 with other network entities. Optionally, the transceiving unit 903 can comprise a receiving unit and / or a sending unit, which are configured to perform receiving and sending operations respectively. Optionally, the apparatus 900 can further comprise a storage unit 901, configured to store program codes and / or data of the apparatus 900.

[0171] The apparatus 900 can be the charging function network element in any of the above-described embodiments, or can also be a chip or the like component arranged in the charging function network element. The processing unit 902 can support the apparatus 900 to perform the actions of the charging function network element in the above method examples. Alternatively, the processing unit 902 mainly performs the internal actions of the charging function network element in the method examples, and the transceiving unit 903 can support the communication between the apparatus 900 and the gateway mobile positioning center network element.

[0172] Specifically, in one embodiment, the transceiving unit 903 is configured to receive positioning charging information from a gateway mobile positioning center network element, wherein the positioning charging information comprises an event of positioning of a terminal device, and the event of positioning comprises a fourth indication of a result of refusing to provide positioning; and the processing unit 902 is configured to generate a charging bill according to the positioning charging information.

[0173] In a possible design, the transceiver 903 is further configured to send, to the gateway mobile location center network element, a number threshold, where the number threshold is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send, after a number of times of rejecting sending of the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold, the positioning corresponding charging information corresponding to the positioning of rejecting sending of the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client.

[0174] In a possible design, the transceiver 903 is further configured to send, to the gateway mobile location center network element, a third instruction, where the third instruction is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to generate the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of rejecting sending of the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client.

[0175] In a possible design, the third instruction includes a first positioning charging information reporting rule and / or a second positioning charging information reporting rule, where the first positioning charging information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning after rejecting sending of the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client, and the second positioning charging information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to send the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of rejecting sending of the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client after determining to send the result of the positioning of the terminal device to the second positioning client.

[0176] As shown in FIG. 10, Figure 10 The embodiment of the present application further provides a positioning service charging apparatus 1000, which includes a processor 1010 and a transceiver 1030, and can further include a memory 1020. In a possible design, the memory 1020 stores instructions or programs or data, and can be used to implement the function of the storage unit 901 in the above embodiment. The processor 1010 is used to read the instructions or programs or data stored in the memory 1020. When the instructions or programs stored in the memory 1020 are executed, the processor 1010 is used to perform the operation performed by the processing unit 902 in the above embodiment, and the transceiver 1030 is used to perform the operation performed by the transceiver 903 in the above embodiment.

[0177] As another form of the embodiment, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores instructions, and the instructions, when executed, can perform the positioning service charging method suitable for the gateway mobile location center network element or the charging function network element in the above method embodiment.

[0178] As another form of the embodiment, a computer program product including instructions, which when executed, can perform the positioning service charging method suitable for the gateway mobile location center network element or the charging function network element in the above-mentioned method embodiment is provided.

[0179] As another form of the embodiment, a chip, which when running, can perform the positioning service charging method suitable for the gateway mobile location center network element or the charging function network element in the above-mentioned method embodiment is provided.

[0180] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present application can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0181] The present application is described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and the combination of flows and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus generate a means for implementing the functions specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. Figure One one or more flows and / or blocks Figure One an apparatus that carries out the functions specified in one or more flows and / or blocks.

[0182] These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a manufactured product including instruction apparatus, which implements the functions specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. Figure One one or more flows and / or blocks Figure One an apparatus that carries out the functions specified in one or more flows and / or blocks.

[0183] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, so that a series of operation steps are performed on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus provide a process for implementing the functions specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. Figure One one or more flows and / or blocks Figure One an apparatus that carries out the functions specified in one or more flows and / or blocks.

[0184] While the preferred embodiments of the application have been described, additional variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments by those skilled in the art once they learn of the basic inventive concepts. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to encompass within their scope all such variations and modifications as are included within the scope of the application.

[0185] It is clear that many modifications and variations of the present embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, it is intended that the application encompass all such modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A location-based service billing method, characterized in that, include: The gateway mobile positioning center network element refuses to send the positioning result of the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the first instruction. The positioning result includes the location information of the terminal device. The gateway mobile positioning center network element generates positioning billing information, which is used to bill positioning services. The positioning billing information includes the positioning events. The gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning and billing information to the billing function network element.

2. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first indication includes area information, which indicates an area where returning location results is permitted; or, the area information indicates an area where returning location results is not permitted.

3. The method as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The area where location results are allowed to be returned does not include the location results; or, the area where location results are not allowed to be returned includes the location results.

4. The method as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first instruction is used to instruct the terminal device to refuse to send the location result to the first location client.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The number of positioning results can be one or more.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Before the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning and billing information to the billing function network element, it also includes: The number of positioning results determined by the gateway mobile positioning center network element reaches or exceeds a certain threshold.

7. The method as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The gateway mobile positioning center network element receives the number threshold from the billing function network element.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, Before the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning and billing information to the billing function network element, it also includes: The gateway mobile positioning center network element determines, according to the second instruction, to send the positioning result of the terminal device to the second positioning client.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The gateway mobile positioning center network element receives a third instruction from the billing function network element. The third instruction is used to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to generate positioning billing information for refusing to send the positioning result of the terminal device to the first positioning client.

10. The method as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The third instruction includes a first location billing information reporting rule and / or a second location billing information reporting rule; wherein... The first location billing information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to refuse to send the location result of the terminal device to the first location client and then send the location billing information corresponding to the location to the billing function network element. The second location billing information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to send the location billing information corresponding to the location to the billing function network element after determining that the location result of the terminal device is sent to the second positioning client.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The events located include one or more of the following: The results of the location service, the location service time, the location service accuracy, the location service requester, the location service object, and the fourth indication of refusing to provide the location results.

12. A location-based service billing method, characterized in that, include: The billing function network element receives location billing information from the gateway mobile positioning center network element. The location billing information is used to bill the location service. The location billing information includes events related to the location of the terminal device. The location events include a fourth indication that the location result is refused. The location result includes the location information of the terminal device. The billing function network element generates billing call detail records based on the location billing information.

13. The method as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The method further includes: The billing function network element sends a number threshold to the gateway mobile positioning center network element. The number threshold is used to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element that, after the number of times it refuses to send the location result of the terminal device to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold, it sends the location billing information corresponding to the location that refuses to send the location result of the terminal device to the first positioning client to the billing function network element.

14. The method as described in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: The billing function network element sends a third instruction to the gateway mobile positioning center network element. The third instruction is used to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to generate positioning billing information for the location that refuses to send the positioning result of the terminal device to the first positioning client.

15. The method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The third instruction includes a first location billing information reporting rule and / or a second location billing information reporting rule; wherein... The first location billing information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile location center network element to refuse to send the location result of the terminal device to the first location client and then send the location billing information corresponding to the location to the billing function network element. The second location billing information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to send the location billing information corresponding to the location to the billing function network element after determining that the location result of the terminal device is sent to the second positioning client.

16. A location-based service billing device, characterized in that, include: Processing unit and transceiver unit; The processing unit is configured to refuse to send the location result of the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the first instruction, wherein the location result includes the location information of the terminal device. The processing unit is further configured to generate location billing information, which is used to bill location services, and includes the location events. The transceiver unit is used to send the location billing information to the billing function network element.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, The first indication includes area information, which indicates an area where returning location results is permitted; or, the area information indicates an area where returning location results is not permitted.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that, The area where location results are allowed to be returned does not include the location results; or, the area where location results are not allowed to be returned includes the location results.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that, The first instruction is used to instruct the terminal device to refuse to send the location result to the first location client.

20. The apparatus according to any one of claims 16-19, characterized in that, The number of positioning results can be one or more.

21. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16-19, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to determine, before the transceiver unit sends the location billing information to the billing function network element, that the number of location results reaches or exceeds a number threshold.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that, The transceiver unit is also configured to receive the number threshold from the billing function network element.

23. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16-19, characterized in that, The processing unit is further configured to determine, according to a second instruction, to send the location result of the terminal device to the second positioning client before the transceiver unit sends the location and billing information to the billing function network element.

24. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16-19, characterized in that, The transceiver unit is further configured to receive a third instruction from the billing function network element, the third instruction being configured to instruct the generation of location billing information for the location that refuses to send the location result of the terminal device to the first location client.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 24, characterized in that, The third instruction includes a first location billing information reporting rule and / or a second location billing information reporting rule; wherein... The first location billing information reporting rule is used to indicate that after refusing to send the location result of the terminal device to the first location client, the location billing information corresponding to the location is sent to the billing function network element. The second location billing information reporting rule is used to indicate that after determining to send the location result of the terminal device to the second location client, the location billing information corresponding to the location is sent to the billing function network element, indicating that the location result of the terminal device is refused to be sent to the first location client.

26. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16-19, characterized in that, The events located include one or more of the following: The results of the location service, the location service time, the location service accuracy, the location service requester, the location service object, and the fourth indication of refusing to provide the location results.

27. A location-based service billing device, characterized in that, include: Processing unit and transceiver unit; The transceiver unit is used to receive location billing information from the gateway mobile positioning center network element. The location billing information is used to bill the location service. The location billing information includes events related to the location of the terminal device. The location events include a fourth indication of refusing to provide the location result. The location result includes the location information of the terminal device. The processing unit is used to generate billing call details based on the location billing information.

28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, characterized in that, The transceiver unit is further configured to send a number threshold to the gateway mobile positioning center network element. The number threshold is used to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to send location billing information corresponding to the location of the terminal device that it refuses to send the location result of the terminal device to the first positioning client after the number of times it refuses to send the location result of the terminal device to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold.

29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27 or 28, characterized in that, The transceiver unit is further configured to send a third instruction to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, the third instruction being configured to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to generate positioning billing information for the location that refuses to send the positioning result of the terminal device to the first positioning client.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that, The third instruction includes a first location billing information reporting rule and / or a second location billing information reporting rule; wherein, the first location billing information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to refuse to send the location result of the terminal device to the first positioning client and then send the location billing information corresponding to the location. The second location billing information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to send the location result of the terminal device to the second positioning client, and then send the location billing information corresponding to the location that refuses to send the location result of the terminal device to the first positioning client.

31. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by the location service billing device, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12-15.

32. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing a computer program, and when the processor executes the computer program, it implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12-15.

33. A communication system, characterized in that, The system includes a gateway mobile positioning center network element for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-11 and a billing function network element for performing the method as described in any one of claims 12-15.

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