Charging processing method and system, control plane network element equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a charging processing method and system, control plane network element equipment and a storage medium, and relates to the technical field of wireless communication and core networks. The charging processing method is executed by a control plane network element device of a core network, and comprises the following steps: acquiring charging information involved in distance measurement or side chain positioning between a first terminal and a second terminal, the distance measurement or side chain positioning being initiated by a terminal of a distance measurement or side chain positioning client, and the first terminal and the second terminal being connected through a direct communication interface; and a charging data request is sent to the charging function, and the charging data request comprises the charging information, so that the charging function utilizes the charging information to create a charging data record. According to the embodiment of the invention, an accurate charging scheme can be provided for a scene in which the service capability of distance measurement or side chain positioning of the end terminal is open.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of wireless communications and core networks, and in particular to a charging processing method, system, control plane network element equipment and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 18 (R18) proposed the Ranging based services and sidelink positioning (Ranging_SL) technology, which determines the distance and angle between terminal devices through a direct communication interface (PC5 interface). Ranging_SL technology will become one of the important means to achieve high-precision positioning in the 5G era. It can be used for commercial, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) and public safety use cases in three scenarios: within, partially and outside the 5G network coverage. For example, this technology can help navigation, positioning, mapping and other product applications, making them more accurate and convenient, and can also help with home intelligence in lighting, security, entertainment, home appliances and other aspects. Summary of the invention

[0003] After analysis, it was found that 3GPP has completed the Ranging_SL service architecture enhancement project, but there is no corresponding billing solution for this service.

[0004] A technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is: how to achieve accurate billing for ranging and side-link positioning services.

[0005] According to a first aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, a charging processing method is provided, which is executed by a control plane network element device of a core network, and includes:

[0006] Obtaining charging information involved in ranging or sidechain positioning between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the ranging or sidechain positioning is initiated by a terminal of a ranging or sidechain positioning client, and the first terminal and the second terminal are connected through a direct communication interface;

[0007] A charging data request is sent to a charging function, wherein the charging data request includes the charging information so that the charging function creates a charging data record using the charging information.

[0008] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device is an access and mobility management function.

[0009] In some embodiments, the access and mobility management functionality serves the terminals of ranging or sidelink positioning clients.

[0010] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device is a gateway mobile location center.

[0011] In some embodiments, sending the charging data request to the charging function comprises:

[0012] In response to the charging reporting condition being met, a charging data request is sent to the charging function.

[0013] In some embodiments, the billing report condition includes that the number of completed ranging or side chain positioning reaches a positioning number threshold.

[0014] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device is an access and mobility management function, and the charging processing method further includes:

[0015] In response to the positioning ranging response message sent by the gateway mobile location center, it is determined that the ranging or side chain positioning is completed.

[0016] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device is a gateway mobile location center, and the charging processing method further includes:

[0017] In response to a determine position response message sent by the location management function, determine that ranging or side chain positioning is completed; or

[0018] In response to the positioning information response message sent by the access and mobility management function, it is determined that the ranging or sidelink positioning is completed.

[0019] In some embodiments, the billing reporting condition includes a condition for periodically triggering billing.

[0020] In some embodiments, the charging information includes at least one of information of the terminal initiating ranging or sidelink positioning, network element information, request time of ranging or sidelink positioning, and accuracy information of ranging or sidelink positioning.

[0021] In some embodiments:

[0022] The information of the terminal initiating ranging or sidechain positioning includes at least one of a mobile subscriber identity, a terminal role in ranging or sidechain positioning, a terminal identity, an application identity of ranging or sidechain positioning, a public land mobile network identity, a client type, and a client identity;

[0023] The network element information includes at least one of a positioning management application function identifier, an access and mobility management function identifier, and a gateway mobile location center identifier.

[0024] In some embodiments, the billing information further includes at least one of quality of service, privacy check, coverage information, radio resource indication, and usage data container.

[0025] In some embodiments, the billing processing method further includes:

[0026] Receive the billing data response sent by the billing function.

[0027] In some embodiments, ranging or side-chain positioning is used to determine the relative position between the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0028] According to a second aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, a control plane network element device of a core network is provided, including:

[0029] An acquisition module is configured to acquire charging information involved in ranging or sidechain positioning between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the ranging or sidechain positioning is initiated by a terminal of a ranging or sidechain positioning client, and the first terminal and the second terminal are connected through a direct communication interface;

[0030] The sending module is configured to send a billing data request to the billing function, wherein the billing data request includes billing information, so that the billing function creates a billing data record using the billing information.

[0031] According to a third aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, a control plane network element device of a core network is provided, including:

[0032] Memory; and

[0033] A processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute any one of the aforementioned billing processing methods based on instructions stored in the memory.

[0034] According to a fourth aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a charging processing system, comprising:

[0035] Any of the aforementioned core network control plane network element devices; and

[0036] The billing function is configured to create a billing data record using the billing information.

[0037] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device of the core network is an access and mobility management function or a gateway mobile location center.

[0038] According to a fifth aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which implements any one of the aforementioned billing processing methods when executed by a processor.

[0039] Some embodiments of the above invention have the following advantages or beneficial effects. Through the embodiments of the present invention, the control plane network element device of the core network can be used as a charging trigger function. The control plane network element device of the core network participates in the service process of ranging or side-link positioning and can collect specific information of the terminal and the core network network element device involved in the service. Therefore, an accurate charging solution can be provided for the scenario where the service capability of the terminal for ranging or side-link positioning is open.

[0040] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0042] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a process for implementing ranging / side-chain positioning service capability opening through a core network control plane device according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0043] Figure 2 A schematic flow chart of a charging processing method according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0044] Figure 3 A schematic flow chart of a charging processing method according to some other embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0045] Figure 4 A flow chart of a charging processing method according to some further embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0046] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a control plane network element device of a core network according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0047] Figure 6 A schematic structural diagram of a billing processing system according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0048] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of a control plane network element device of a core network according to some other embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0049] Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of a control plane network element device of a core network according to some further embodiments of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is actually only illustrative and is by no means intended to limit the present invention and its application or use. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0051] The relative arrangement of components and steps, the numerical expressions and numerical values ​​set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0052] At the same time, it should be understood that for the convenience of description, the sizes of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn according to the actual proportional relationship.

[0053] Technologies, methods, and equipment known to ordinary technicians in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the technologies, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0054] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limiting. Therefore, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0055] It should be noted that like reference numerals and letters refer to similar items in the following figures, and therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0056] From 5G-A (5G-Advanced, advanced version of 5G) to 6G, it is necessary to support high-precision and low-power positioning to meet the universal demands of vertical industries. The introduction of ranging or sidelink positioning technology can further improve positioning accuracy. At the same time, the network also needs to identify and control the positioning terminal so that this positioning technology can truly support various industry applications. An embodiment of the present invention proposes a charging scheme for opening the capability of ranging or sidelink positioning services through the control plane of a core network (such as a 5G core network, referred to as: 5GC).

[0057] In an exemplary positioning process, the access and mobility management function (AMF) sends a second ranging or sidelink positioning request to the gateway mobile location center (GMLC) in response to a first ranging or sidelink positioning request initiated by a terminal of the ranging or sidelink positioning client; and sends the positioning result sent by the GMLC to the terminal of the ranging or sidelink positioning client. Figure 1 An embodiment of opening ranging / side-chain positioning service capabilities is described.

[0058] Figure 1 A flow chart of realizing ranging / side-link positioning service capability opening through core network control plane equipment according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. In the network architecture of this embodiment, it includes a ranging or side-link positioning client terminal (referred to as client terminal), a first terminal, a second terminal, NG-RAN, AMF1 (access and mobility management function 1, serving the client terminal), AMF2 (access and mobility management function 2, serving at least one of UE1 or UE2), unified data management (Unified Data Management, referred to as: UDM), service discovery function (NF Repository Function, referred to as: NRF) and GMLC. Figure 1 As shown, the method of this embodiment includes steps S102 to S112.

[0059] In step S102, the application layer of the client terminal triggers side chain positioning, and the client requests the network to perform ranging or side chain positioning between two other terminals (for example, between UE1 and UE2). By ranging or side chain positioning, ranging or side chain positioning information such as the relative position between UE1 and UE2 can be obtained.

[0060] In step S104, the client terminal sends SL-MO-LR (a terminal-initiated positioning request based on a side link) to AMF1 in an uplink non-access layer transmission (UL NAS TRANSPORT) message to perform ranging or side link positioning operations.

[0061] The SL-MO-LR request includes the parameters required for the ranging or sidelink positioning service: UE1 identifier, UE2 identifier, ranging or sidelink positioning service type, required service quality, etc. The terminal identifier can use the Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI for short). The ranging or sidelink positioning service type refers to the distance between two or more terminals and / or the direction and / or relative positioning of one terminal (e.g., a target terminal) and another terminal (e.g., a reference terminal) through the PC5 interface. The required service quality may include delay, accuracy, etc.

[0062] In step S106, according to the request type, AMF1 can use NRF query or the configuration in AMF1 to select the GMLC that supports ranging / sidechain positioning, and forward the SL-MO-LR to the GMLC through the positioning and ranging provision request (Ngmlc_Location_ProvideRanging_Request) to obtain the ranging / sidechain positioning results. AMF includes the identifier of the positioning client terminal in the request.

[0063] In step S108, according to the request type, AMF1 can select GMLC to support ranging / execute SL-MT-LR (sidelink-based mobile termination location request) process. When the positioning process ends, GMLC will receive a location determination response (Nlmf_location_DetemineLocation Response) message sent by the location management function (LocationManagement Function, referred to as: LMF), or receive a positioning information response message (Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo Response) message sent by AMF1, or AMF1 receives a first positioning ranging response message (Ngmlc_location_ProvideRanging_Response message) sent by GMLC. Other messages can also be used to reflect the end of the ranging or sidelink positioning process as needed.

[0064] In step S110, GMLC returns the ranging or side chain positioning result to AMF1 through a second positioning and ranging response message (Ngmlc_Location_ProvideRanging_Response).

[0065] In step S112, AMF1 transmits a message via a downlink non-access layer (DL NAS) and returns the result to the positioning client.

[0066] Through the above embodiments, the core network, taking AMF and GMLC as examples, can obtain information in ranging / side chain positioning. This information can be used for billing, so the control plane network element device of the core network can be used to trigger a billing event. Figures 2 to 4 An embodiment of the charging processing method of the present invention is described.

[0067] Figure 2 The flowchart of the charging processing method according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. This embodiment is executed by the control plane network element device of the core network, for example, by AMF or GMLC. Figure 2 As shown, the billing processing method of this embodiment includes steps S202 to S204.

[0068] In step S202, the charging information involved in the ranging or side-chain positioning between the first terminal and the second terminal is obtained, wherein the ranging or side-chain positioning is initiated by a terminal of the ranging or side-chain positioning client, and the first terminal and the second terminal are connected through a PC5 interface. The ranging or side-chain positioning is used, for example, to determine the relative position between the first terminal and the second terminal through the PC5 interface. Other types of ranging or side-chain positioning information may also be used as needed.

[0069] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device of the core network is an AMF, for example, an AMF serving a terminal of a ranging or sidelink positioning client.

[0070] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device of the core network is a GMLC.

[0071] In some embodiments, the charging information includes at least one of client terminal information, network element information, request time of ranging or side-link positioning (for example, expressed as a timestamp), and accuracy information of ranging or side-link positioning.

[0072] The information of the client terminal includes, for example, a mobile subscriber identity (for example, SUPI), a terminal role in ranging or sidelink positioning (for example, a client terminal, a target terminal, a policy reference terminal, a sidelink positioning server terminal, a first terminal, a second terminal, etc.), a terminal identifier (for example, represented by a user application layer identifier, a user information identifier or a GPSI, including terminal identifiers corresponding to the above-mentioned terminal roles), an application identifier for ranging or sidelink positioning (which may be a globally unique identifier for an application, such as a V2X service type, a drone identifier, etc.), a public land mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network, abbreviated as: PLMN, indicating the PLMN where each terminal involved in ranging or sidelink positioning is located) identifier, a client type (for example, a positioning client type), and a client identifier (for example, a positioning client identifier).

[0073] The network element information includes, for example, at least one of a location management application function (Location Management Function, LMF for short) identifier, an AMF identifier, and a GMLC identifier.

[0074] In addition, the billing information may also include at least one of quality of service (for example, the requested or notified quality of service of ranging or sidelink positioning), privacy check (for example, whether the privacy check is passed), coverage information (for example, whether the terminal is served by NG-RAN, and time information when the coverage state is changed to the current state), wireless resource indication (for example, used to identify whether the wireless resources provided by the operator or the configured wireless resources are used for ranging or sidelink positioning), and usage data container (for example, a container associated with a trigger condition on a specific ranging or sidelink positioning communication, such as leaving the coverage, returning to the coverage, etc.).

[0075] The billing information may be information related to one or more completed ranging or side-chain positioning operations, so that according to the characteristics of ranging or side-chain positioning services, the service can be recorded and charged after the service is completed, that is, the Post Event Charging (PEC) method is adopted.

[0076] In step S204, a charging data request is sent to a charging function (CHF), wherein the charging data request includes charging information so that the charging function creates a charging data record (CDR) using the charging information.

[0077] In some embodiments, in response to the billing report condition being met, the control plane network element device of the core network sends a billing data request to the billing function. The billing report condition includes, for example: the number of completed ranging or side chain positioning reaches the positioning number threshold; or, the condition for periodic triggering of billing, that is, the time interval between the current moment and the moment when the billing was last triggered (for example, the last time the control plane network element device of the core network sent a billing data request to the billing function) reaches a specified time interval.

[0078] For each control plane network element device of the core network used to trigger a billing event, different messages can be used to indicate that ranging or side-chain positioning has been completed. In some embodiments, when the control plane network element device is an AMF, the AMF responds to a positioning ranging response (Ngmlc_location_ProvideRanging_Response) message sent by a gateway mobile location center to determine that ranging or side-chain positioning is completed. In some embodiments, when the control plane network element device is a GMLC, the GMLC responds to a determination location response (Nlmf_location_DetemineLocation Response) message sent by the LMF to determine that ranging or side-chain positioning is completed, or the GMLC responds to a positioning information response (Namf_Location_ProvidePositioningInfo Response) message sent by the AMF to determine that ranging or side-chain positioning is completed.

[0079] In some embodiments, after the CHF creates the CDR, the control plane network element device of the core network may also receive a charging data response sent by the CHF.

[0080] Through the above embodiments, the control plane network element device of the core network can be used as a charging trigger function (CTF), and the control plane network element device of the core network participates in the service process of ranging or side-link positioning, and can collect specific information of the terminal and the core network network element device involved in the service. Therefore, an accurate charging solution can be provided for the scenario where the service capability of the terminal for ranging or side-link positioning is open.

[0081] Figure 3 and Figure 4 FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a charging processing method according to some other embodiments of the present invention. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the embodiment, the terminals involved in ranging or side-link positioning include a terminal of a ranging or side-link positioning client (referred to as the client terminal), a first terminal and a second terminal, and the network elements involved include AMF1 (serving the client terminal), AMF2 (serving at least one of the first terminal and the second terminal), LMF, NRF, GMLC, and CHF.

[0082] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, AMF1 is used as CTF. Figure 3 As shown, the billing processing method of this embodiment includes steps S302 to S310.

[0083] In step S302, the core network controls the process of opening the ranging or side-link positioning service capability to the client terminal. The specific implementation of this process can refer to the above embodiment, which will not be described here.

[0084] In step S304, AMF1 determines that the billing report condition is currently met.

[0085] In step S306, AMF1 sends a charging data request to CHF to trigger a charging event.

[0086] In step S308, CHF creates a CDR.

[0087] In step S310, CHF sends a charging data response to AMF1.

[0088] Through the above embodiments, the AMF that participates in the service process of ranging or side-link positioning and can collect specific information of the terminal and core network element equipment involved in the service can be used as CTF. Thus, an accurate billing solution can be provided for the scenario where the service capability of the terminal for ranging or side-link positioning is open.

[0089] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, GMLC is used as CTF. Figure 4 As shown, the billing processing method of this embodiment includes steps S402 to S410.

[0090] In step S402, the core network controls the process of opening the ranging or side-link positioning service capability to the client terminal. The specific implementation of this process can refer to the above embodiment, which will not be described here.

[0091] In step S404, the GMLC determines whether the charging report condition is currently satisfied.

[0092] In step S406, the GMLC sends a charging data request to the CHF to trigger a charging event.

[0093] In step S408, CHF creates CDR.

[0094] In step S410, CHF sends a charging data response to GMLC.

[0095] Through the above embodiments, the GMLC that participates in the service process of ranging or side-link positioning and can collect specific information of the terminal and core network element equipment involved in the service can be used as CTF. Thus, an accurate billing solution can be provided for the scenario where the service capability of the terminal for ranging or side-link positioning is open.

[0096] Through the embodiments of the present invention, based on ranging or side-chain positioning technology, the client terminal can initiate a positioning service request and obtain the relative distance information between the terminals through the core network control plane. Operators and third-party positioning service providers can reasonably charge for the above-mentioned business capability exposure scenarios, such as ranging / side-chain positioning charging in museums and large exhibition halls, ranging / side-chain positioning charging assisted by drones, and charging for Internet of Vehicles devices with ranging / side-chain positioning capabilities.

[0097] Reference below Figure 5 An embodiment of a control plane network element device of a core network is described. The control plane network element device of the core network of this embodiment can be used to implement the charging processing method in the above embodiment.

[0098] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a control plane network element device of a core network according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, the control plane network element device 500 of the core network of this embodiment includes:

[0099] The acquisition module 5100 is configured to acquire charging information involved in ranging or sidechain positioning between the first terminal and the second terminal, wherein the ranging or sidechain positioning is initiated by a terminal of the ranging or sidechain positioning client, and the first terminal and the second terminal are connected through a direct communication interface;

[0100] The sending module 5200 is configured to send a billing data request to the billing function, wherein the billing data request includes billing information, so that the billing function creates a billing data record using the billing information.

[0101] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device is an AMF.

[0102] In some embodiments, the AMF serves the ranging or side-chain positioning client's terminal.

[0103] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device is a GMLC.

[0104] In some embodiments, the sending module 5200 is further configured to:

[0105] In response to the charging reporting condition being met, a charging data request is sent to the charging function.

[0106] In some embodiments, the billing report condition includes that the number of completed ranging or side chain positioning reaches a positioning number threshold.

[0107] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device 500 further includes a determination module 5300 configured to determine whether ranging or side link positioning is completed.

[0108] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device is an access and mobility management function, and the determination module 5300 is further configured to determine the completion of ranging or sidelink positioning in response to a positioning ranging response message sent by the gateway mobile location center.

[0109] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device is a GMLC, and the determination module 5300 is further configured to:

[0110] In response to a determine position response message sent by the location management function, determine that ranging or side chain positioning is completed; or

[0111] In response to the positioning information response message sent by the access and mobility management function, it is determined that the ranging or sidelink positioning is completed.

[0112] In some embodiments, the billing reporting condition includes a condition for periodically triggering billing.

[0113] In some embodiments, the charging information includes at least one of information of the terminal initiating ranging or sidelink positioning, network element information, request time of ranging or sidelink positioning, and accuracy information of ranging or sidelink positioning.

[0114] In some embodiments:

[0115] The information of the terminal initiating ranging or sidechain positioning includes at least one of a mobile subscriber identity, a terminal role in ranging or sidechain positioning, a terminal identity, an application identity of ranging or sidechain positioning, a public land mobile network identity, a client type, and a client identity;

[0116] The network element information includes at least one of a positioning management application function identifier, an access and mobility management function identifier, and a gateway mobile location center identifier.

[0117] In some embodiments, the billing information further includes at least one of quality of service, privacy check, coverage information, radio resource indication, and usage data container.

[0118] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device 500 further includes:

[0119] The receiving module 5400 is configured to receive a billing data response sent by a billing function.

[0120] In some embodiments, ranging or side-chain positioning is used to determine the relative position between the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0121] Reference below Figure 6 An embodiment of the billing processing system of the present invention is described.

[0122] Figure 6FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a billing processing system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, the charging processing system 60 of this embodiment includes: a control plane network element device 610 of any core network provided by the embodiment of the present invention; and a CHF 620, which is configured to create a charging data record using charging information.

[0123] Figure 7 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a control plane network element device of a core network according to some other embodiments of the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, the billing processing device 70 of this embodiment includes: a memory 710 and a processor 720 coupled to the memory 710 , and the processor 720 is configured to execute the billing processing method in any one of the aforementioned embodiments based on the instructions stored in the memory 710 .

[0124] The memory 710 may include, for example, a system memory, a fixed non-volatile storage medium, etc. The system memory may store, for example, an operating system, an application program, a boot loader, and other programs.

[0125] Figure 8 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a control plane network element device of a core network according to some other embodiments of the present invention. Figure 8 As shown, the billing processing device 80 of this embodiment includes: a memory 810 and a processor 820, and may also include an input / output interface 830, a network interface 840, a storage interface 850, etc. These interfaces 830, 840, 850 and the memory 810 and the processor 820 may be connected, for example, via a bus 860. Among them, the input / output interface 830 provides a connection interface for input / output devices such as a display, a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch screen. The network interface 840 provides a connection interface for various networked devices. The storage interface 850 provides a connection interface for external storage devices such as SD cards and USB flash drives.

[0126] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein the program implements any one of the aforementioned billing processing methods when executed by a processor.

[0127] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present invention may take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Moreover, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable non-transient storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0128] The present invention is described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that each process and / or block in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of processes and / or blocks in the flowchart and / or block diagram, 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 device to generate a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0129] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A function specified in one or more boxes.

[0130] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for implementing the process in the computer or other programmable device. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps for the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0131] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A charging processing method, executed by a control plane network element device of a core network, comprising: Obtaining charging information involved in ranging or sidechain positioning between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the ranging or sidechain positioning is initiated by a terminal of a ranging or sidechain positioning client, and the first terminal and the second terminal are connected through a direct communication interface; A charging data request is sent to a charging function, wherein the charging data request includes the charging information so that the charging function creates a charging data record using the charging information.

2. The billing processing method according to claim 1, wherein: The control plane network element device is an access and mobility management function.

3. The billing processing method according to claim 2, wherein: The access and mobility management function serves the terminal of the ranging or side-link positioning client.

4. The billing processing method according to claim 1, wherein: The control plane network element device is a gateway mobile location center.

5. The charging processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The sending of the charging data request to the charging function comprises: In response to the charging reporting condition being met, a charging data request is sent to the charging function.

6. The billing processing method according to claim 5, wherein: The billing report condition includes that the number of completed ranging or side chain positioning times reaches a positioning times threshold.

7. The billing processing method according to claim 6, wherein: The control plane network element device is an access and mobility management function, and the charging processing method further includes: In response to the positioning ranging response message sent by the gateway mobile location center, it is determined that the ranging or side chain positioning is completed.

8. The billing processing method according to claim 6, wherein: The control plane network element device is a gateway mobile location center, and the charging processing method further includes: In response to a determine position response message sent by the location management function, determine that ranging or side chain positioning is completed; or In response to the positioning information response message sent by the access and mobility management function, it is determined that the ranging or sidelink positioning is completed.

9. The billing processing method according to claim 5, wherein: The billing report condition includes a condition for periodically triggering billing.

10. The charging processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The charging information includes at least one of information of a terminal initiating ranging or side-link positioning, network element information, request time of ranging or side-link positioning, and accuracy information of ranging or side-link positioning.

11. The charging processing method according to claim 10, wherein: The information of the terminal initiating ranging or sidelink positioning includes at least one of a mobile subscriber identity, a terminal role in ranging or sidelink positioning, a terminal identity, an application identity of ranging or sidelink positioning, a public land mobile network identity, a client type, and a client identity; The network element information includes at least one of a positioning management application function identifier, an access and mobility management function identifier, and a gateway mobile location center identifier.

12. The charging processing method according to claim 10, wherein: The charging information also includes at least one of quality of service, privacy check, coverage information, wireless resource indication, and usage data container.

13. The charging processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: A charging data response is received from the charging function.

14. The charging processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The ranging or side chain positioning is used to determine the relative position between the first terminal and the second terminal.

15. A control plane network element device of a core network, comprising: an acquisition module, configured to acquire charging information involved in ranging or sidechain positioning between a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the ranging or sidechain positioning is initiated by a terminal of a ranging or sidechain positioning client, and the first terminal and the second terminal are connected through a direct communication interface; The sending module is configured to send a billing data request to a billing function, wherein the billing data request includes the billing information, so that the billing function creates a billing data record using the billing information.

16. A control plane network element device of a core network, comprising: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the charging processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 based on instructions stored in the memory.

17. A billing processing system, comprising: The control plane network element device of the core network as claimed in claim 15 or 16; as well as A billing function is configured to create a billing data record using the billing information.

18. The billing processing system according to claim 17, wherein: The control plane network element device of the core network is an access and mobility management function or a gateway mobile location center.

19. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the program is executed by a processor, the charging processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 is implemented.

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