Device positioning method, system, device, communication device and storage medium

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device positioning method, system, device, communication device, and storage medium. The device positioning method is executed by a first network function and includes: in response to receiving a positioning request for an Internet of Things device, returning location information of a user equipment (UE) bound to the Internet of Things device; wherein the UE is within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is within a predetermined range of the UE.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication technologies, but is not limited thereto. In particular, it relates to a device positioning method, system, device, communication device, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] In related technologies, the location information of a user equipment (UE) in a network can be determined by obtaining standard format information such as geographical coordinate information, etc., so that the location information can be provided to users, management entities (MEs), network operators, service providers, or public land mobile networks (PLMNs), etc. for tracking or positioning. However, Internet of Things (IoT) devices do not have the ability to provide location information, and thus cannot be used for tracking or positioning. For example, IoT devices cannot support the tracking or positioning of packages or goods in logistics. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device positioning method, system, device, communication device, and storage medium.

[0004] In a first aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a device positioning method is provided, which is executed by a first network function. The method includes:

[0005] In response to receiving a positioning request for an IoT device, return the location information of a user equipment (UE) bound to the IoT device; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the IoT device.

[0006] In a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a device positioning method is provided, which is executed by a second network function. The method includes:

[0007] In response to receiving a request from a first network function for obtaining the location information of a UE bound to an IoT device to be positioned, return the location information of the UE; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the IoT device.

[0008] In a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a device positioning method is provided, which is executed by a third network function. The method includes:

[0009] Send a positioning request for an IoT device, and receive the location information of a UE bound to the IoT device returned by the first network function; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the IoT device.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a device positioning system, the system including: an Internet of Things device, a UE, and a network function set;

[0011] The Internet of Things device is used to establish a connection with the UE;

[0012] After establishing a connection with the Internet of Things device, the UE is used to send a connection report to the network function set; the connection report at least indicates the device identifier of the Internet of Things device that establishes a connection with the UE;

[0013] The network function set is used to establish a binding relationship between the UE and the Internet of Things device based on the connection report, and determine the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device based on a positioning request for the Internet of Things device; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is within a predetermined range of the UE.

[0014] A fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a device positioning apparatus, applied to a first network function, the apparatus including:

[0015] A first processing unit, configured to return the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device in response to receiving a positioning request for the Internet of Things device; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device.

[0016] A sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a device positioning apparatus, applied to a second network function, the apparatus including:

[0017] A second processing unit, configured to return the location information of the UE in response to receiving a request from the first network function for obtaining the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device to be positioned; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device.

[0018] A seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a device positioning apparatus, applied to a third network function, the apparatus including:

[0019] A third processing unit, configured to send a positioning request for the Internet of Things device and receive the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device returned by the first network function; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device.

[0020] An eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a communication device, including a processor, a memory, and an executable program stored in the memory and capable of running on the processor. When the processor runs the executable program, it executes the device positioning method provided in the foregoing first aspect, second aspect, or third aspect.

[0021] A ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure provides a computer storage medium storing an executable program; after being executed by a processor, the executable program can implement the device positioning method provided in the foregoing first aspect, second aspect or third aspect.

[0022] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, in response to receiving a positioning request for an Internet of Things device, returns the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device; wherein, the UE is located within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device. In this way, when it is necessary to position the Internet of Things device, by obtaining and providing the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device, and the UE is located in the adjacent position of the Internet of Things device, so the location of the UE can be used as the approximate location of the Internet of Things device, improving the tracking or positioning ability of the Internet of Things device. In addition, it is more convenient to obtain the UE location information, which can reduce the resource occupation for positioning the Internet of Things device, and by binding the UE and the Internet of Things device, the positioning management ability of one or more Internet of Things devices can be improved.

[0023] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The drawings here are incorporated into the specification and constitute a part of this specification, showing embodiments consistent with the present invention and used together with the specification to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a wireless communication system shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of a device positioning method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a device positioning method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart of a device positioning method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0029] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart of a device positioning method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0030] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a device positioning method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0031] Figure 7 is a schematic architecture diagram of a device positioning system shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0032] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of a device positioning method shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0033] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a device positioning apparatus shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0034] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a device positioning apparatus shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0035] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a device positioning apparatus shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0036] Figure 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal shown according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0037] Figure 13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed implementation manners

[0038] Here, the exemplary embodiments will be described in detail, and the examples are shown in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements. The implementation manners described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementation manners consistent with the embodiments of the present invention. On the contrary, they are only examples of devices and methods consistent with some aspects of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. The singular forms "a", "the" and "said" used in the present disclosure are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0040] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used in the embodiments of the present disclosure to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first information may also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when" or "while" or "in response to determining".

[0041] Please refer to Figure 1, which shows a schematic structural diagram of a wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 1 shown, the wireless communication system is a communication system based on cellular mobile communication technology. The wireless communication system may include: a plurality of terminals 11 and a plurality of access devices 12.

[0042] Among them, the terminal 11 may be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user. The terminal 11 may communicate with one or more core networks via a Radio Access Network (RAN). The terminal 11 may be an Internet of Things (IoT) terminal, such as a sensor device, a mobile phone (or referred to as a "cellular" phone), and a computer with an IoT terminal. For example, it may be a fixed, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-integrated, or vehicle-mounted device. For example, a Station (STA), a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a mobile, a remote station, an access point, a remote terminal, an access terminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, or a user equipment (terminal). Or, the terminal 11 may also be a device of an unmanned aerial vehicle. Or, the terminal 11 may also be a vehicle-mounted device, such as a vehicle computer with wireless communication function, or a wireless communication device external to the vehicle computer. Or, the terminal 11 may also be a roadside device, such as a street lamp, a traffic signal, or other roadside devices with wireless communication function.

[0043] The access device 12 may be a network-side device in the wireless communication system. Among them, the wireless communication system may be a fourth-generation mobile communication technology (4G) system, also known as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system; or, the wireless communication system may also be a 5G system, also known as the new radio (NR) system or 5G NR system. Or, the wireless communication system may also be the next generation system of the 5G system. Among them, the access network in the 5G system may be referred to as the NG-RAN (New Generation - Radio Access Network, new generation wireless access network). Or, an MTC system.

[0044] Among them, the access device 12 may be an evolved access device (eNB) adopted in a 4G system. Alternatively, the access device 12 may also be an access device (gNB) adopting a centralized distributed architecture in a 5G system. When the access device 12 adopts a centralized distributed architecture, it generally includes a central unit (CU) and at least two distributed units (DUs). The central unit is provided with a protocol stack of the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, and the Media Access Control (MAC) layer; the distributed unit is provided with a Physical (PHY) layer protocol stack. The specific implementation manner of the access device 12 in the embodiments of the present disclosure is not limited.

[0045] A wireless connection may be established between the access device 12 and the terminal 11 through a wireless air interface. In different embodiments, the wireless air interface is a wireless air interface based on the fourth-generation mobile communication network technology (4G) standard; or, the wireless air interface is a wireless air interface based on the fifth-generation mobile communication network technology (5G) standard, such as the new air interface; or, the wireless air interface may also be a wireless air interface based on the standard of the next-generation mobile communication network technology of 5G.

[0046] Optionally, the above wireless communication system may further include a network management device 13. A plurality of access devices 12 are respectively connected to the network management device 13. Among them, the network management device 13 may be a core network device in the wireless communication system. For example, the network management device 13 may be a Mobility Management Entity (MME) in an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). Alternatively, the network management device may also be other core network devices, such as a Serving GateWay (SGW), a Public Data Network GateWay (PGW), a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), or a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), etc. The implementation form of the network management device 13 is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] As Figure 2 shown, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device positioning method, which is executed by a first network function. The method may include:

[0048] S110: In response to receiving a positioning request for an Internet of Things device, return the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device; wherein, the UE is located within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is located within a predetermined range of the UE.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the Internet of Things device may be a device accessing the Internet of Things. For example, it may be an Internet of Things device based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). For example, in a logistics transportation scenario, the Internet of Things device may be an electronic tag or a sensor device, etc., for identifying different packages or goods, etc. Exemplarily, the Internet of Things device may be installed on the surface or inside of a package or goods.

[0050] The UE may be a user equipment bound to at least one Internet of Things device to manage the Internet of Things device. Exemplarily, in a logistics transportation scenario, the UE may be a device loaded in a container or vehicle where the package or goods are located, such as an intelligent device on the vehicle or a handheld device of an operator in the vehicle, etc. The UE bound to the Internet of Things device may be a neighboring UE connected to the Internet of Things device, where the neighboring UE may be a UE located within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is located within a predetermined range of the neighboring UE.

[0051] In one embodiment, the first network function may be a Unified Data Management (UDM) function. The first network function may be communicatively connected to an Access and Mobility management Function (AMF) associated with the UE, so as to obtain the location information of the UE through the AMF.

[0052] In one embodiment, when the UE is located within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is located within a predetermined range of the UE, at this time, it can be considered that the UE is located in the neighboring location of the Internet of Things device, then the UE is connected to the Internet of Things device and a binding relationship is established.

[0053] For example, the UE receives a connection request from an Internet of Things device within a predetermined range, or the Internet of Things device sends a connection request to the UE within a predetermined range, etc., and the UE establishes a connection with the Internet of Things device.

[0054] Among them, the predetermined range may indicate a regional range formed within a certain distance. For example, the predetermined range of the UE may be a circular range formed with the UE as the center and a predetermined distance as the radius, etc.

[0055] In one embodiment, the UE may establish a connection with the Internet of Things (IoT) device through a wired connection, or through a sidelink based on a direct connection interface (PC5), or through other wireless connection technologies, such as establishing a connection through Passive IoT or Ambient IoT based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), or through Bluetooth, wireless fidelity (WIFI), or RFID, etc.

[0056] In one embodiment, the UE may establish a binding relationship with the IoT device by establishing a binding relationship between the UE identifier and the device identifier of the IoT device in the first network function based on the UE identifier of the UE and the device identifier of the IoT device, thereby facilitating the query of the UE identifier of the neighboring UE bound to the IoT device to be located.

[0057] Among them, the UE identifier may be the Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI) of the UE, or the Subscriber Permanent Identifier (SUPI), or a flag bit indicating the UE identity, etc. The device identifier may be the GPSI of the IoT device, or a flag bit indicating the IoT device identity, etc.

[0058] In one embodiment, receiving a positioning request for the IoT device may be receiving a positioning request for the IoT device sent by an Application Function (AF), such as receiving a positioning request for the IoT device sent by the AF through a Network Exposure Function (NEF).

[0059] In one embodiment, returning the location information of the UE bound to the IoT device may be returning the location information of the UE bound to the IoT device to the AF that sent the positioning request for the IoT device.

[0060] In one embodiment, the first network function may record the subscription relationship between the UE and the IoT device. For example, the UE subscribes to the IoT device connected to the UE, and / or the IoT device subscribes to the neighboring UE connected to the IoT device. Among them, the subscription relationship may record the UE identifier of the UE and the device identifier of the IoT device subscribed by the UE, and / or the device identifier of the IoT device and the UE identifier of the UE subscribed by the IoT device.

[0061] In one embodiment, the first network function may also record the mapping relationship between the GPSI and SUPI of the UE. For example, after obtaining the GPSI and SUPI of the UE, the mapping relationship between the GPSI and SUPI of the UE can be established, so that any UE identifier of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device can be efficiently and quickly queried.

[0062] In this way, when the Internet of Things device needs to be located, by providing the location information of the UE that is bound to the Internet of Things device and is near the Internet of Things device, the location of the UE can be used as the approximate location of the Internet of Things device, improving the tracking or positioning ability of the Internet of Things device. In addition, since it is more convenient to obtain the UE location information, the resource occupancy for locating the Internet of Things device can be reduced, and by binding the UE and the Internet of Things device, the positioning management ability for one or more Internet of Things devices can be improved.

[0063] The embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device positioning method, which is executed by the first network function. The method may include:

[0064] S121: In response to receiving a positioning request for an Internet of Things device, determine the device identifier of the Internet of Things device indicated by the positioning request;

[0065] S122: Obtain the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier;

[0066] S123: Return the location information; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is within a predetermined range of the UE.

[0067] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, as Figure 3 shown, the first network function may receive a positioning request sent by a third network function such as the AF, the first network function may obtain the location information of the UE from the second network function such as the AMF associated with the UE, and return the location information to the third network function.

[0068] In one embodiment, the positioning request may carry the device identifier of the Internet of Things device to be located, such as the GPSI of the device, etc. Among them, the positioning request may carry the device identifiers of one or more Internet of Things devices to be located, and the returned location information may be the location information of one or more UEs bound to one or more Internet of Things devices.

[0069] In one embodiment, the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier may be obtained in the first network function. For example, in the UDM, query the record of the device identifier or the binding relationship associated with the device identifier based on the device identifier. The binding relationship may record the UE identifier of the UE and the device identifiers of one or more Internet of Things devices connected to the UE.

[0070] In one embodiment, obtaining the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier may be to directly obtain the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier, or alternatively, it may be to obtain the location information of the UE from the AMF associated with the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier, or alternatively, it may be to obtain the location information of the UE from the Location Management Function (LMF) associated with the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier, or alternatively, it may be to obtain the location information of the UE from the server or control platform corresponding to the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier, etc.

[0071] In one embodiment, the obtained location information of the UE may be location information in a standard format such as geographical coordinate data, etc., or it may be a location report recording the UE location information and / or location relative relationship. For example, the location report may record the Tracking Area Identity (TAI) corresponding to the UE and / or the Cell Identity of the cell where the UE is located, etc.

[0072] In one embodiment, obtaining the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier may be to obtain the location information of the UE by sending a location information acquisition request to a second network function associated with the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier, such as the AMF or LMF, etc.

[0073] Among them, the location information acquisition request may carry the UE identifier of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device to be located.

[0074] In this way, based on the binding relationship established by the device identifier of the Internet of Things device and the UE identifier of the UE connected to the Internet of Things device, the UE bound to the Internet of Things device to be located can be queried more quickly and efficiently, thereby improving the efficiency of Internet of Things device positioning.

[0075] In some embodiments, as Figure 4 shown, step S122 may include:

[0076] S1221: Determine the UE bound to the Internet of Things device based on the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier;

[0077] S1222: Send a location information acquisition request to the second network function associated with the UE;

[0078] S1223: Obtain the location report of the UE of the second network function;

[0079] S1224: Determine the location information of the UE based on the location report.

[0080] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, determining the UE bound to the IoT device based on the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier may include: determining the UE identifier of the UE bound to the IoT device based on the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier; querying the corresponding UE based on the UE identifier. The UE identifier may include the GPSI or SUPI of the UE, etc.

[0081] In one embodiment, determining the UE bound to the IoT device based on the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier may include: determining the GPSI of the UE bound to the IoT device based on the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier of the device; querying the corresponding UE based on the GPSI of the UE, or determining the SUPI of the UE based on the GPSI of the UE and the mapping relationship between the GPSI and the SUPI, and querying the corresponding UE based on the SUPI of the UE.

[0082] In one embodiment, the second network function associated with the UE may be the AMF or LMF associated with the UE, etc. The AMF or LMF associated with the UE may be the AMF or LMF that provides services to the UE. The second network function may be used to return the location report of the corresponding UE based on the location information acquisition request. The location information acquisition request may indicate the UE for which the location information is required to be acquired. For example, the location information acquisition request may carry the UE identifier of the UE. The second network function may be used to acquire and send the location report of the UE corresponding to the UE identifier to the first network function.

[0083] In one embodiment, the location report may record the TAI corresponding to the UE and / or the cell identifier of the cell where the UE is located, etc. Then, determining the location information of the UE based on the location report may be determining the location information of the UE based on the TAI and / or cell identifier recorded in the location report. For example, the TAI and / or cell identifier may be used as the location information of the UE, or the geographical coordinate data of the UE may be determined based on the TAI and / or cell identifier as the location information of the UE.

[0084] In some embodiments, the location report includes:

[0085] The TAI corresponding to the UE and / or the cell identifier.

[0086] In some embodiments, the positioning request for the IoT device may include:

[0087] The positioning request of the third network function for the IoT device;

[0088] Returning the location information may include:

[0089] Returning the location information to the third network function.

[0090] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third network function may be an application layer function AF. The positioning request of the Internet of Things device by the third network function may indicate the device identifier of the Internet of Things device to be positioned.

[0091] In some embodiments, the method may further include:

[0092] Receiving a binding relationship update request sent by a second network function associated with the UE;

[0093] Binding the Internet of Things device and the UE indicated by the binding relationship update request.

[0094] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the binding relationship update request may indicate the UE and the Internet of Things device to be bound. For example, it may carry the UE identifier of the UE to be bound and the device identifier of the Internet of Things device. After receiving the binding relationship update request, the first network function may bind the corresponding Internet of Things device and the UE by establishing the binding relationship between the UE identifier and the device identifier in the binding relationship update request.

[0095] In one embodiment, the UE and the Internet of Things device to be bound may be the UE associated with the second network function and the Internet of Things device connected to the UE. For example, the binding relationship update request may carry the UE identifier of a UE and the device identifiers of multiple Internet of Things devices connected to the UE.

[0096] In one embodiment, the binding relationship update request may further carry the UE identifiers of at least one UE associated with the second network function, and the device identifiers of at least one Internet of Things device connected to the at least one UE.

[0097] In one embodiment, after binding the Internet of Things device and the UE, a binding relationship between the Internet of Things device and the UE is generated and saved in the first network function. For example, identification information may be generated for the binding relationship, where the identification information may indicate the device identifier of the Internet of Things device included in the binding relationship. In this way, the corresponding binding relationship and the bound UE can be found more quickly based on the device identifier of the Internet of Things device to be positioned.

[0098] In some embodiments, the binding relationship update request may include:

[0099] The GPSI or SUPI of the UE, and the GPSI of the Internet of Things device.

[0100] As Figure 5 shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device positioning method, which is executed by a second network function. The method may include:

[0101] S210: In response to receiving a location information acquisition request from a first network function for a UE bound to an Internet of Things device to be located, return the location information of the UE; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is within a predetermined range of the UE.

[0102] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second network function may be an AMF or an LMF associated with the UE, such as an AMF or an LMF that provides services to at least one UE.

[0103] In one embodiment, the first network function may be a UDM, and the first network function may be communicatively connected to a second network function associated with the UE, such as an AMF or an LMF, so as to obtain the location information of the UE through the second network function.

[0104] In one embodiment, when the UE is within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is within a predetermined range of the UE, at this time, it can be considered that the UE is in the vicinity of the Internet of Things device, and then the UE is connected to the Internet of Things device and a binding relationship is established.

[0105] Among them, the predetermined range may indicate a regional range formed within a certain distance. For example, the predetermined range of the UE may be a circular range formed with the UE as the center and a predetermined distance as the radius.

[0106] In one embodiment, establishing a binding relationship between the UE and the Internet of Things device may be to establish a binding relationship between the UE identifier and the device identifier in the first network function based on the UE identifier of the UE and the device identifier of the Internet of Things device, so as to facilitate querying the UE identifier of the neighboring UE bound to the Internet of Things device to be located.

[0107] Among them, the UE identifier may be the GPSI or SUPI of the UE, or a flag bit indicating the UE identity, etc. The device identifier may be the GPSI of the Internet of Things device, or a flag bit indicating the Internet of Things device identity, etc.

[0108] In one embodiment, returning the location information of the UE may be to return the location information of the UE to the first network function that sends the location information acquisition request.

[0109] In one embodiment, the second network function may obtain the location information of the UE from the Radio Access Network (RAN). For example, the AMF obtains a location report of the UE from the RAN and returns the location report to the first network function.

[0110] Thus, when it is necessary to locate an IoT device, by providing the location information of the UE that is bound to the IoT device and is near the IoT device, the location of the UE can be used as the approximate location of the IoT device, thereby improving the tracking or positioning ability of the IoT device. In addition, since it is more convenient to obtain the UE location information, the resource occupancy for locating the IoT device can be reduced, and by binding the UE and the IoT device, the positioning management ability for one or more IoT devices can be improved.

[0111] In some embodiments, the location information acquisition request at least indicates the UE identifier of the UE bound to the IoT device to be located.

[0112] In some embodiments, returning the location information of the UE includes:

[0113] Sending a location report control message of the UE to the radio access network RAN;

[0114] Receiving the location report of the UE returned by the RAN based on the location report control message;

[0115] Returning the location report.

[0116] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the location report control message may instruct the RAN to provide a location report of the UE. For example, the location report control message may indicate the UE identifier of the required UE, and may also indicate the type and / or content of the required location report, etc. Among them, the type of the location report may indicate a single independent report of the cell identity of the current cell where the UE is located or the cell serving the UE. The content of the location report may indicate the level of the location report. For example, the location report content includes the TAI and cell identifier corresponding to the UE, etc.

[0117] In some embodiments, the location report includes:

[0118] The TAI and / or cell identifier corresponding to the UE.

[0119] In some embodiments, the location report control message at least indicates one of the following:

[0120] The UE identifier of the UE;

[0121] The location report is an independent location report indicating the cell where the UE is located;

[0122] The location report includes the TAI and / or cell identifier corresponding to the UE.

[0123] In some embodiments, the method may further include:

[0124] Responding to the received registration request of the UE, registering the UE;

[0125] Receive a connection report sent by a registered UE; the connection report indicates at least the device identifier of the Internet of Things device that has established a connection with the registered UE.

[0126] Based on the connection report, send a binding relationship update request indicating the registered UE and the Internet of Things device to a first network function.

[0127] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the registration request may be sent by the UE to a second network function. For example, the UE sends a registration request to the AMF. Exemplarily, the second network function may receive the UE's registration request through the RAN.

[0128] In one embodiment, the registration request may indicate the registration parameters of the UE. For example, the registration parameters may include at least one of a registration type, a Subscription Concealed Identifier (SUCI), a Globally Unique Temporary UE Identity (GUTI), a Permanent Equipment Identifier (PEI), and security parameters.

[0129] In one embodiment, the second network function may obtain access and mobility subscription data, and selection subscription data of a Service Management Function (SMF) from a first network function such as the UDM based on the registration request. After obtaining the access and mobility subscription data, the second network function creates a UE context for the UE. After the UE is authenticated and authorized, the second network function may send a prompt message to the UE to complete the UE registration.

[0130] Here, the prompt message may be a Registration Accept message, which may include, for example, a GUTI.

[0131] In one embodiment, receiving the connection report sent by the registered UE may be receiving the connection report sent by the registered UE through the RAN. Among them, the connection report may be sent after the UE connects to the Internet of Things device. For example, the connection report may be a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message. For example, the content of the NAS message may be "ConnectedIoT device report", indicating a direct connection between the Internet of Things device and the UE.

[0132] In one embodiment, the device identifier of the Internet of Things device bound to the UE, such as the GPSI of the device, may be carried in the connection report.

[0133] In some embodiments, the binding relationship update request includes:

[0134] The GPSI or SUPI of the registered UE, and the GPSI of the Internet of Things device.

[0135] As Figure 6 shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device positioning method, which is executed by a third network function. The method may include:

[0136] S310: Send a positioning request for the Internet of Things device, and receive the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device returned by the first network function; wherein, the UE is located within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is located within the predetermined range of the UE.

[0137] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third network function may be a function such as AF. AF may communicate with the first network function such as AMF through the network exposure function NEF.

[0138] In one embodiment, the positioning request may carry the device identifier of the Internet of Things device to be positioned, such as the GPSI of the device, etc. Among them, the positioning request may carry the device identifiers of one or more Internet of Things devices to be positioned, and the returned location information may be the location information of one or more UEs bound to one or more Internet of Things devices.

[0139] In one embodiment, the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier may be obtained in the first network function. For example, in the UDM, the record of the device identifier or the binding relationship associated with the device identifier is queried based on the device identifier. The binding relationship may record the UE identifier of the UE and the device identifiers of one or more Internet of Things devices connected to the UE.

[0140] In one embodiment, the location information of the UE may be location information in a standard format, such as geographic coordinate data, etc., or a location report recording the location information of the UE and / or the relative location relationship. For example, the location report may record the TAI corresponding to the UE and / or the cell identifier of the cell where the UE is located, etc.

[0141] In this way, based on the binding relationship established by the device identifier of the Internet of Things device and the UE identifier of the UE connected to the Internet of Things device, the UE bound to the Internet of Things device to be positioned can be queried more quickly and efficiently, thereby improving the efficiency of positioning the Internet of Things device.

[0142] In some embodiments, sending a positioning request for the Internet of Things device includes:

[0143] Send a positioning request for the Internet of Things device to the first network function through the network exposure function NEF.

[0144] In some embodiments, receiving the location information of the UE bound to the IoT device returned by the first network function includes:

[0145] Receiving, via the NEF, the location information of the UE bound to the IoT device returned by the first network function.

[0146] In some embodiments, the location information includes: the TAI corresponding to the UE and / or the cell identifier.

[0147] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a device positioning system, which may include: an IoT device, a UE, and a network function set;

[0148] The IoT device is used to establish a connection with the UE;

[0149] After establishing a connection with the IoT device, the UE is used to send a connection report to the network function set; the connection report at least indicates the device identifier of the IoT device that has established a connection with the UE;

[0150] The network function set is used to establish a binding relationship between the UE and the IoT device based on the connection report, and to determine the location information of the UE bound to the IoT device based on a positioning request for the IoT device; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the IoT device, or the IoT device is within a predetermined range of the UE.

[0151] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the network function set may include one or more network functions on the network side. For example, the network function set may include one or more of network functions such as AMF, SMF, UPF, UDM, AF, and NEF.

[0152] In one embodiment, the IoT device may establish a connection with a UE within a predetermined range, for example, establish a direct connection via Bluetooth, PC5, or a sidelink, etc.

[0153] In one embodiment, the UE may establish a connection with an IoT device within a predetermined range. For example, the UE may send a registration request to the network function set and, after completing the registration, establish a connection with the IoT device.

[0154] In one embodiment, when the UE sends a connection report to the network function set, it may indicate the UE identifier of the UE and the device identifier of the IoT device, which is used for the network function set to establish a binding relationship between the UE identifier and the device identifier.

[0155] In some embodiments, the network function set may include: a first network function, a second network function, and a third network function;

[0156] The first network function is used to send a location information acquisition request for the UE bound to the Internet of Things device to the second network function in response to receiving a location request for the Internet of Things device from the third network function; receive the location information of the UE sent by the second network function; and return the location information to the third network function.

[0157] The second network function is used to return the location information of the UE in response to receiving the location information acquisition request for the UE from the first network function.

[0158] The third network function is used to send a location request for the Internet of Things device to the first network function and receive the location information of the UE returned by the first network function.

[0159] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the first network function may be a UDM, the second network function may be an AMF associated with the UE, and the third network function may be an AF.

[0160] In one embodiment, the first network function may receive a binding relationship update request sent by the second network function based on a connection report, and establish a binding relationship between the UE and the Internet of Things device based on the UE identifier and the device identifier indicated in the binding relationship update request.

[0161] In one embodiment, the first network function receives a location request for the Internet of Things device sent by the third network function, for example, receives a location request sent by the third network function through the NEF, and determines the UE bound to the Internet of Things device to be located based on the device identifier indicated in the location request and the binding relationship.

[0162] In one embodiment, the first network function sends a location information acquisition request to the second network function associated with the UE determined to be bound to the Internet of Things device, and receives the location information of the UE returned by the second network function. The first network function may return the location information of the UE to the third network function as the location information of the Internet of Things device to be located.

[0163] In one embodiment, after receiving the connection report of the UE, the second network function sends a binding relationship update request to the first network function based on the UE identifier and the device identifier indicated in the connection report.

[0164] In one embodiment, after receiving the location information acquisition request for the UE sent by the first network function, the second network function acquires the location information of the UE. For example, it may obtain the location report of the UE from the RAN. The second network function may return the location report to the first network function.

[0165] In one embodiment, a third network function sends a positioning request for an Internet of Things (IoT) device to be located to a first network function. The positioning request may carry the device identifier of the IoT device, and the third network function receives the location information of the UE bound to the IoT device returned by the first network function based on the positioning request.

[0166] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a system and method for positioning IoT devices, which may specifically include:

[0167] As Figure 7 shown is the system architecture for positioning IoT devices, where UPF is the User Plane Function (UPF).

[0168] As Figure 8 shown, the method may include:

[0169] 1. The UE sends a registration request to the AMF through the RAN, which includes at least one of registration parameters such as registration type, SUCI or 5G - GUTI or PEI, security parameters, etc. The AMF can retrieve access and mobility subscription data and select subscription data for the SMF from the UDM using the Nudm_SDM_Get (Access and Mobility Subscription Data Acquisition Request). After obtaining the access and mobility subscription data from the UDM, the AMF creates a UE context for the UE. After the UE is authenticated and authorized, the AMF sends a Registration Accept (which may include, for example, GUTI) to the UE to complete the UE registration.

[0170] 2. A direct connection can be established between the IoT device and the neighboring UE through 3GPP PC5 or Sidelink, other 3GPP wireless connection technologies (such as 3GPP Passive IoT or Ambient IoT), Bluetooth, WiFi, RFID, or wired. During / after the connection establishment, the UE obtains the device identifier (such as GPSI) of the IoT device.

[0171] 3. The UE sends a NAS message "Connected IoT device report" to the AMF through the RAN, indicating that the IoT device (such as indicating the GPSI of the IoT device) is directly connected to the UE. This message includes the device identifier (GPSI).

[0172] 4. The AMF sends a binding relationship update request (Nudm_UECM_Update) to the UDM, which may include, for example, the SUPI of the UE and the device identifier of the IoT device, to update the subscription and binding relationship between the UE and the IoT device in the UDM;

[0173] a) Subscription of the neighboring UE: The connected IoT device, for example, subscribes to the GPSI of the connected IoT device;

[0174] b) Subscription of IoT devices: Proximity UEs, such as subscribing to the SUPI or GPSI of a proximity UE, etc. The mapping between the SUPI of a UE and the GPSI of the UE can be performed in the UDM.

[0175] The binding relationship between the IoT device and the proximity UE is established in the UDM.

[0176] 5. The AF requests the location information of the IoT device from the UDM through the NEF. The request contains the device identifier of the IoT device, such as the GPSI.

[0177] 6. Based on the recorded binding relationship between the IoT device and the proximity UE, the UDM requests the location of the proximity UE from the AMF through the UE identifier (such as the GPSI and / or SUPI).

[0178] 7. The AMF sends a location report control message to the RAN (such as containing the UE ID, report type, and location report level). The UE identifier can be the GUTI of the proximity UE. The location report level can indicate the TAI and the cell identifier. The report type indicates that this message is intended to trigger a single independent report on the identity of the cell currently serving the UE.

[0179] 8. The RAN sends a location report message to notify the AMF of the location information of the proximity UE (such as TAI + cell identifier).

[0180] 9. The AMF sends the location report with the location of the proximity UE (TAI + cell identifier) to the UDM.

[0181] 10. The UDM sends the location of the proximity UE (TAI + cell identifier) received in step 9 to the AF through the NEF as the approximate location of the IoT device.

[0182] As Figure 9 shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device positioning apparatus, which is applied to a first network function. The apparatus includes:

[0183] A first processing unit 110, configured to, in response to receiving a positioning request for an IoT device, return the location information of the UE bound to the IoT device; wherein, the UE is located within a predetermined range of the IoT device.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first processing unit 110 is configured to:

[0185] Determine the device identifier of the IoT device indicated by the positioning request;

[0186] Obtain the location information of the UE bound to the IoT device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier;

[0187] Return location information.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first processing unit 110 is configured to:

[0189] Determine the UE bound to the Internet of Things device based on the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier;

[0190] Send a location information acquisition request to the second network function associated with the UE;

[0191] Obtain the location report of the UE of the second network function;

[0192] Determine the location information of the UE based on the location report.

[0193] In some embodiments, the location report includes:

[0194] The tracking area identifier TAI and / or cell identifier corresponding to the UE.

[0195] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include:

[0196] A binding unit configured to receive a binding relationship update request sent by the second network function associated with the UE; bind the Internet of Things device and the UE indicated by the binding relationship update request.

[0197] In some embodiments, the binding relationship update request includes:

[0198] The general public user identifier GPSI or user permanent identifier SUPI of the UE, and the GPSI of the Internet of Things device.

[0199] As Figure 10 shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device positioning apparatus, which is applied to the second network function. The apparatus includes:

[0200] A second processing unit 210 configured to return the location information of the UE in response to receiving a location information acquisition request from the first network function for the UE bound to the Internet of Things device to be located; wherein the UE is within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device.

[0201] In some embodiments, the location information acquisition request at least indicates the UE identifier of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device to be located.

[0202] In some embodiments, the second processing unit 210 is configured to:

[0203] Send a location report control message of the UE to the radio access network RAN;

[0204] Receive the location report of the UE returned by the RAN based on the location report control message;

[0205] Return location report.

[0206] In some embodiments, the location report includes:

[0207] TAI corresponding to the UE and / or cell identifier.

[0208] In some embodiments, the location report control message at least indicates one of the following:

[0209] UE identifier of the UE;

[0210] The location report is an independent location report indicating the cell where the UE is located;

[0211] The location report includes TAI corresponding to the UE and / or cell identifier.

[0212] In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes:

[0213] A processing unit, configured to, in response to receiving a registration request of the UE, register the UE; receive a connection report sent by the registered UE; the connection report at least indicates a device identifier of an Internet of Things device that establishes a connection with the registered UE; based on the connection report, send a binding relationship update request indicating the registered UE and the Internet of Things device to a first network function.

[0214] In some embodiments, the binding relationship update request includes:

[0215] GPSI or SUPI of the registered UE, and GPSI of the Internet of Things device.

[0216] As Figure 11 shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a device positioning apparatus, which is applied to a third network function. The apparatus includes:

[0217] A third processing unit 310, configured to send a positioning request for the Internet of Things device and receive location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device returned by the first network function; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device.

[0218] In some embodiments, the third processing unit 310 is configured to:

[0219] Send a positioning request for the Internet of Things device to the first network function through a Network Exposure Function (NEF).

[0220] In some embodiments, the third processing unit 310 is configured to:

[0221] Receive, through the NEF, location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device returned by the first network function.

[0222] In some embodiments, the location information includes: the TAI corresponding to the UE and / or the cell identifier.

[0223] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication device, including:

[0224] a memory for storing processor-executable instructions;

[0225] a processor, connected to the memory respectively;

[0226] wherein, the processor is configured to execute the device positioning method provided by any of the foregoing technical solutions.

[0227] The processor may include various types of storage media, which are non-temporary computer storage media and can continue to remember the information stored thereon after the communication device loses power.

[0228] Here, the communication device includes: a terminal or a network element, and the network element may be any one of the foregoing first network element to the fourth network element.

[0229] The processor may be connected to the memory through a bus or the like, and is used to read the executable program stored on the memory. For example, at least one of the methods shown in Figures 2 to 6 , and Figure 8 .

[0230] Figure 12 is a block diagram of a terminal 800 shown according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, the terminal 800 may be a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast user device, a messaging device, a game console, a tablet device, a medical device, a fitness device, a personal digital assistant, etc.

[0231] Referring to Figure 12 , the terminal 800 may include one or more of the following components: a processing component 802, a memory 804, a power component 806, a multimedia component 808, an audio component 810, an input / output (I / O) interface 812, a sensor component 814, and a communication component 816.

[0232] The processing component 802 generally controls the overall operation of the terminal 800, such as operations associated with display, telephone call, data communication, camera operation, and recording operation. The processing component 802 may include one or more processors 820 to execute instructions to generate all or part of the steps of the foregoing method. In addition, the processing component 802 may include one or more modules to facilitate the interaction between the processing component 802 and other components. For example, the processing component 802 may include a multimedia module to facilitate the interaction between the multimedia component 808 and the processing component 802.

[0233] The memory 804 is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of the terminal 800. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operating on the terminal 800, contact data, phone book data, messages, pictures, videos, and the like. The memory 804 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0234] The power supply component 806 provides power to various components of the terminal 800. The power supply component 806 may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power for the terminal 800.

[0235] The multimedia component 808 includes a screen that provides an output interface between the terminal 800 and the user. In some embodiments, the screen may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel (TP). If the screen includes a touch panel, the screen can be implemented as a touch screen to receive input signals from the user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touches, swipes, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensors can not only sense the boundaries of the touch or swipe actions but also detect the duration and pressure associated with the touch or swipe operation. In some embodiments, the multimedia component 808 includes a front camera and / or a rear camera. When the terminal 800 is in an operating mode, such as a shooting mode or a video mode, the front camera and / or the rear camera can receive external multimedia data. Each of the front camera and the rear camera can be a fixed optical lens system or have a focal length and optical zoom capabilities.

[0236] The audio component 810 is configured to output and / or input audio signals. For example, the audio component 810 includes a microphone (MIC) that is configured to receive external audio signals when the terminal 800 is in an operating mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signals can be further stored in the memory 804 or transmitted via the communication component 816. In some embodiments, the audio component 810 further includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

[0237] The I / O interface 812 provides an interface between the processing component 802 and a peripheral interface module, which can be a keyboard, a click wheel, buttons, etc. These buttons can include, but are not limited to: a home button, a volume button, a power-on button, and a lock button.

[0238] The sensor assembly 814 includes one or more sensors for providing an assessment of the status of various aspects of the terminal 800. For example, the sensor assembly 814 can detect the on / off state of the terminal 800, the relative positioning of components, such as the display and keypad of the terminal 800, the sensor assembly 814 can also detect changes in the position of the terminal 800 or a component of the terminal 800, the presence or absence of user contact with the terminal 800, the orientation or acceleration / deceleration of the terminal 800, and changes in the temperature of the terminal 800. The sensor assembly 814 can include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. The sensor assembly 814 can also include a light sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly 814 can also include an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

[0239] The communication component 816 is configured to facilitate communication between the terminal 800 and other devices in a wired or wireless manner. The terminal 800 can access a wireless network based on communication standards, such as WiFi, 2G, or 3G, or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 816 receives a broadcast signal or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 816 further includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module can be implemented based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, infrared data association (IrDA) technology, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, Bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.

[0240] In an exemplary embodiment, the terminal 800 can be implemented by one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic components for performing the above-described method.

[0241] In an exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, such as the memory 804 including instructions, is also provided. The above instructions can be executed by the processor 820 of the terminal 800 to generate the above-described method. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, and an optical data storage device, etc.

[0242] As Figure 13 shown, an embodiment of the present disclosure shows the structure of a communication device 900. For example, the communication device 900 can be provided as a network-side device. The communication device 900 can be the aforementioned base station.

[0243] Referring to Figure 13 , the communication device 900 includes a processing component 922, which further includes one or more processors, and memory resources represented by a memory 932 for storing instructions executable by the processing component 922, such as application programs. The application programs stored in the memory 932 may include one or more modules each corresponding to a set of instructions. In addition, the processing component 922 is configured to execute instructions to perform any of the methods described above that the foregoing application performs at the base station, for example, as Figures 2 to 6 , and Figure 8 at least one of the methods shown.

[0244] The communication device 900 may also include a power component 1926 configured to perform power management of the communication device 900, a wired or wireless network interface 950 configured to connect the communication device 900 to a network, and an input / output (I / O) interface 958. The communication device 900 may operate based on an operating system stored in the memory 932, such as Windows Server TM, Mac OS XTM, UnixTM, LinuxTM, FreeBSD TM or the like.

[0245] Those skilled in the art will readily conceive of other embodiments of the present invention after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include known common knowledge or conventional technical means in the technical field not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are only to be considered as exemplary, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are pointed out by the following claims.

[0246] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exact structures described above and shown in the drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the present invention is only limited by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device positioning method, wherein, Performed by a first network function in the core network, the method includes: In response to receiving a positioning request for an Internet of Things (IoT) device, return the location information of the user equipment (UE) bound to the IoT device according to the binding relationship between the IoT device and the UE; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the IoT device, or the IoT device is within a predetermined range of the UE; Wherein, the binding relationship is established by the first network function based on the device identifier of the IoT device and the UE identifier of the UE, the UE identifier of the UE includes the general public user identifier (GPSI) or the subscriber permanent identifier (SUPI) of the UE, and the device identifier of the IoT device includes the GPSI of the IoT device; Wherein, the returning the location information of the UE bound to the IoT device includes: Determine the device identifier of the IoT device indicated by the positioning request; Obtain the location information of the UE bound to the IoT device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier; Return the location information; Wherein, the obtaining the location information of the UE bound to the IoT device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier includes: Based on the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier, determine the UE bound to the IoT device; Send a location information acquisition request to a second network function associated with the UE, wherein the location information acquisition request includes the UE identifier of the UE; Obtain the location report of the UE from the second network function; Determine the location information of the UE based on the location report.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The location report includes: The tracking area identifier (TAI) and / or cell identifier corresponding to the UE.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The positioning request for the IoT device includes: A positioning request for the IoT device by a third network function; The returning the location information includes: Return the location information to the third network function.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: Receive a binding relationship update request sent by a second network function associated with the UE; Bind the IoT device and the UE indicated by the binding relationship update request.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The binding relationship update request includes: The general public user identifier (GPSI) or the subscriber permanent identifier (SUPI) of the UE, and the GPSI of the IoT device.

6. A device positioning method, wherein, Performed by a second network function in the core network, the method includes: In response to receiving a location information acquisition request from a first network function for a UE bound to an IoT device to be located, return the location information of the UE; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the IoT device, or the IoT device is within a predetermined range of the UE; wherein, the location information acquisition request includes the UE identifier of the UE; Wherein, the UE is determined by the first network function according to the binding relationship between the Internet of Things device and the UE, the binding relationship is established by the first network function based on the UE identifier of the UE and the device identifier of the Internet of Things device, the UE identifier of the UE includes the general public user identifier GPSI or the subscriber permanent identifier SUPI of the UE, and the device identifier of the Internet of Things device includes the GPSI of the Internet of Things device; Wherein, returning the location information of the UE includes: Returning a location report of the UE, wherein the location report is used by the first network function to determine the location information of the UE.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein Returning the location information of the UE further includes: Sending a location report control message of the UE to the radio access network RAN; Receiving the location report of the UE returned by the RAN based on the location report control message.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The location report includes: The TAI and / or cell identifier corresponding to the UE.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein The location report control message indicates at least one of the following: The UE identifier of the UE; The location report is an independent location report indicating the cell where the UE is located; The location report includes the TAI and / or cell identifier corresponding to the UE.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The method further includes: Responding to a registration request of the UE and registering the UE; Receiving a connection report sent by the registered UE; the connection report indicates at least the device identifier of the Internet of Things device that has established a connection with the registered UE; Based on the connection report, sending a binding relationship update request indicating the registered UE and the Internet of Things device to the first network function.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The binding relationship update request includes: The GPSI or SUPI of the registered UE, and the GPSI of the Internet of Things device.

12. A device positioning method, wherein, Executed by a third network function in the core network, the method includes: Sending a positioning request for the Internet of Things device and receiving the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device returned by the first network function according to the binding relationship between the Internet of Things device and the user equipment UE; wherein, the UE is within the predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is within the predetermined range of the UE; Wherein, the binding relationship is established by the first network function based on the device identifier of the Internet of Things device and the UE identifier of the UE, the UE identifier of the UE includes the general public user identifier GPSI or the subscriber permanent identifier SUPI of the UE, and the device identifier of the Internet of Things device includes the GPSI of the Internet of Things device; Wherein, the operation of the first network function returning the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device includes: determining the device identifier of the Internet of Things device indicated by the positioning request; obtaining the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier; and returning the location information; Among them, the first network function obtains the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier, including: determining the UE bound to the Internet of Things device based on the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier; sending a location information acquisition request to the second network function associated with the UE, where the location information acquisition request includes the UE identifier of the UE; obtaining the location report of the UE from the second network function; and determining the location information of the UE based on the location report.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The sending of a positioning request for the Internet of Things device includes: Sending a positioning request for the Internet of Things device to the first network function through the Network Exposure Function (NEF).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein The receiving of the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device returned by the first network function includes: Receiving, through the NEF, the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device returned by the first network function.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein The location information includes: the Tracking Area Identity (TAI) and / or cell identifier corresponding to the UE.

16. An equipment positioning system, wherein, The system includes: an Internet of Things device, a UE, and a set of network functions in the core network; The Internet of Things device is used to establish a connection with the UE; The UE is used to send a connection report to the set of network functions after establishing a connection with the Internet of Things device; the connection report at least indicates the device identifier of the Internet of Things device that has established a connection with the UE; The set of network functions is used to establish a binding relationship between the UE and the Internet of Things device based on the connection report, and to determine the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device based on a positioning request for the Internet of Things device; where the UE is within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is within a predetermined range of the UE; Among them, the set of network functions includes: a first network function, a second network function, and a third network function; The first network function is used to, in response to receiving a positioning request for the Internet of Things device from the third network function, send a location information acquisition request for the UE bound to the Internet of Things device to the second network function according to the binding relationship between the Internet of Things device and the User Equipment (UE); receive the location information of the UE sent by the second network function; and return the location information to the third network function; where the location information acquisition request includes the UE identifier of the UE; The second network function is used to, in response to receiving the location information acquisition request for the UE from the first network function, return the location information of the UE; The third network function is used to send a positioning request for the Internet of Things device to the first network function and receive the location information of the UE returned by the first network function; Among them, the binding relationship is established by the first network function based on the device identifier of the Internet of Things device and the UE identifier of the UE, the UE identifier of the UE includes the Generic Public Service Identity (GPSI) or the Subscriber Permanent Identifier (SUPI) of the UE, and the device identifier of the Internet of Things device includes the GPSI of the Internet of Things device.

17. An apparatus positioning device, wherein, A first network function applied to a core network, the apparatus comprising: A first processing unit configured to, in response to receiving a positioning request for an Internet of Things device, return location information of a UE bound to the Internet of Things device according to a binding relationship between the Internet of Things device and the UE; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is within a predetermined range of the UE; Wherein, the binding relationship is established by the first network function based on the device identifier of the Internet of Things device and the UE identifier of the UE, the UE identifier of the UE includes the general public user identifier GPSI or the subscriber permanent identifier SUPI of the UE, and the device identifier of the Internet of Things device includes the GPSI of the Internet of Things device; Wherein, the returning the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device includes: Determining the device identifier of the Internet of Things device indicated by the positioning request; Obtaining the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier; Returning the location information; Wherein, the obtaining the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier includes: Determining the UE bound to the Internet of Things device based on the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier; Sending a location information acquisition request to a second network function associated with the UE, wherein the location information acquisition request includes the UE identifier of the UE; Obtaining a location report of the UE from the second network function; Determining the location information of the UE based on the location report.

18. An apparatus positioning device, wherein, A second network function applied to a core network, the apparatus comprising: A second processing unit configured to, in response to receiving a location information acquisition request from a first network function for a UE bound to an Internet of Things device to be located, return the location information of the UE; wherein, the UE is within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is within a predetermined range of the UE; wherein, the location information acquisition request includes the UE identifier of the UE; Wherein, the UE is determined by the first network function according to a binding relationship between the Internet of Things device and the UE, the binding relationship is established by the first network function based on the UE identifier of the UE and the device identifier of the Internet of Things device, the UE identifier of the UE includes the general public user identifier GPSI or the subscriber permanent identifier SUPI of the UE, and the device identifier of the Internet of Things device includes the GPSI of the Internet of Things device; Wherein, the returning the location information of the UE includes: Returning the location report of the UE, wherein the location report is used by the first network function to determine the location information of the UE.

19. A device positioning device, wherein, A third network function applied to a core network, the apparatus comprising: A third processing unit, configured to send a positioning request for the Internet of Things device and receive location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device returned by the first network function according to the binding relationship between the Internet of Things device and the user equipment UE; wherein, the UE is located within a predetermined range of the Internet of Things device, or the Internet of Things device is located within a predetermined range of the UE; Wherein, the binding relationship is established by the first network function based on the device identifier of the Internet of Things device and the UE identifier of the UE, the UE identifier of the UE includes the general public user identifier GPSI or the subscriber permanent identifier SUPI of the UE, and the device identifier of the Internet of Things device includes the GPSI of the Internet of Things device; Wherein, the operation of the first network function to return the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device includes: determining the device identifier of the Internet of Things device indicated by the positioning request; obtaining the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier; and returning the location information; Wherein, obtaining the location information of the UE bound to the Internet of Things device indicated by the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier includes: determining the UE bound to the Internet of Things device based on the binding relationship corresponding to the device identifier; sending a location information acquisition request to the second network function associated with the UE, wherein the location information acquisition request includes the UE identifier of the UE; obtaining the location report of the UE of the second network function; and determining the location information of the UE based on the location report.

20. A communication device, comprising a processor, a memory, and an executable program stored on the memory and capable of being run by the processor, wherein, When the processor runs the executable program, it executes the method provided in any one of claims 1 to 5 or 6 to 11 or 12 to 15.

21. A computer storage medium, which stores an executable program; after the executable program is executed by a processor, it can implement the method provided in any one of claims 1 to 5 or 6 to 11 or 12 to 15.

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