Charging processing method and system and related equipment

Abstract

The invention discloses a charging processing method, a charging processing system and related equipment, and relates to the technical field of wireless communication and core networks. The charging processing method is executed by a client terminal for ranging or side chain positioning, and comprises the following steps: generating a use information report which comprises charging information associated with ranging or side chain positioning; and sending the use information report to a control plane network element device of the core network, so that the control plane network element device of the core network sends a charging data request including charging information to the charging function, and the charging information is used for the charging function to create a charging data record. According to the embodiment of the invention, the charging information can be reported by using the client terminal, and the control plane network element equipment of the core network is used as a charging trigger function. Therefore, 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 communication and core network, and in particular to a charging processing method, system and related equipment. 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, there is provided a charging processing method, which is performed by a client terminal for ranging or sidelink positioning, and includes:

[0006] generating a usage information report, wherein the usage information report includes billing information associated with ranging or sidechain positioning;

[0007] A usage information report is sent to a control plane network element device of the core network so that the control plane network element device of the core network sends a billing data request including billing information to a billing function, and the billing information is used for the billing function to create a billing data record.

[0008] In some embodiments, when the client terminal has a non-access layer connection, sending a usage information report to a control plane network element device of a core network includes:

[0009] Send usage information reports directly to the control plane network element devices of the core network.

[0010] In some embodiments, when the client terminal has no non-access layer connection, sending a usage information report to a control plane network element device of a core network includes:

[0011] The usage information report is sent to a terminal with a non-access layer connection among a target terminal, a reference terminal, a ranging or a side chain positioning server terminal, so that the usage information report is sent to a control plane network element device of a core network through the terminal with a non-access layer connection.

[0012] In some embodiments, sending the usage information report to the target terminal, the reference terminal, the ranging or the side chain positioning server terminal having a non-access layer connection comprises:

[0013] The use information report is sent to the target terminal, the reference terminal, the ranging or the terminal with non-access layer connection in the side chain positioning server terminal through the direct communication interface.

[0014] In some embodiments, sending a usage information report to a control plane network element device of a core network includes:

[0015] In response to satisfying the charging report condition, a usage information report is sent to a control plane network element device of the core network.

[0016] In some embodiments, the billing condition includes that the number of completed ranging or side chain positioning reaches a positioning number threshold.

[0017] In some embodiments, the billing condition includes a condition that triggers billing periodically.

[0018] In some embodiments, the charging information includes at least one of information of the client terminal initiating ranging or sidechain positioning, network element information, request time of ranging or sidechain positioning, and accuracy information of ranging or sidechain positioning.

[0019] In some embodiments:

[0020] The information of the client terminal 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;

[0021] The network element information includes at least one of a network open function identifier, a positioning management application function identifier, an access and mobility management function identifier, and a gateway mobile location center identifier.

[0022] 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.

[0023] In some embodiments, ranging or sidelink positioning is used to determine the relative position between the client terminal and the target terminal.

[0024] According to a second 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:

[0025] receiving a usage information report, wherein the usage information report is generated by a client terminal of ranging or side-link positioning and includes billing information associated with ranging or side-link positioning;

[0026] In response to the usage information report, a charging data request including charging information is sent to a charging function, the charging information being used by the charging function to create a charging data record.

[0027] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device of the core network is a mobility management function or a gateway mobile location center.

[0028] According to a third aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a client terminal for ranging or side chain positioning, comprising:

[0029] A generating module configured to generate a usage information report, wherein the usage information report includes billing information associated with ranging or side chain positioning;

[0030] The sending module is configured to send a usage information report to the control plane network element device of the core network, so that the control plane network element device of the core network sends a billing data request including billing information to the billing function, and the billing information is used for the billing function to create a billing data record.

[0031] According to a fourth aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a client terminal for ranging or side chain positioning, comprising:

[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 fifth aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a charging processing device, which is located in a control plane network element device of a core network, and includes:

[0035] A receiving module, configured to receive a usage information report sent by a client terminal, wherein the usage information report includes billing information associated with ranging or side chain positioning;

[0036] The sending module is configured to send a billing data request including billing information to the billing function in response to the usage information report, where the billing information is used for the billing function to create a billing data record.

[0037] According to a sixth aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a charging processing device, including:

[0038] Memory; and

[0039] 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.

[0040] According to a seventh aspect of some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a charging processing system, comprising:

[0041] A client terminal for any of the aforementioned ranging or sidechain positioning; and

[0042] Any of the above-mentioned billing processing devices.

[0043] In some embodiments, the billing processing system further includes:

[0044] The billing function is configured to receive a billing data request and create a billing data record based on the billing information.

[0045] According to an eighth 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.

[0046] Some embodiments of the above invention have the following advantages or beneficial effects. Through the embodiments of the present invention, the client terminal can be used to report charging information, and the control plane network element device of the core network can be used as the charging trigger function (CTF). The client terminal participates in the business process of ranging or side-link positioning, and can collect specific information about the terminal and the core network network element device involved in the business. Therefore, an accurate charging solution can be provided for the scenario where the terminal terminal performs ranging or side-link positioning business capability opening.

[0047] 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

[0048] 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.

[0049] Figure 1The figure shows a flow chart of realizing ranging / side chain positioning service capability opening through PC5 interface.

[0050] Figure 2 A schematic flow chart of a charging processing method according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0051] Figure 3 A schematic flow chart of a charging processing method according to some other embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0052] Figure 4 A flow chart of a charging processing method according to some further embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0053] Figure 5 A schematic structural diagram of a client terminal for ranging or side-chain positioning according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0054] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the structure of a billing processing device according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0055] Figure 7 A schematic structural diagram of a billing processing system according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0056] Figure 8 A schematic structural diagram of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown.

[0057] Fig. 9 The schematic diagrams of structures of electronic devices according to other embodiments of the present invention are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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. The present invention proposes a billing scheme that realizes the opening of ranging / sidelink positioning service capabilities through the PC5 interface.

[0065] Figure 1 The flow chart of realizing the opening of ranging / side-chain positioning service capability through PC5 interface is shown. In this embodiment, the interaction between the ranging or side-chain positioning client terminal (hereinafter referred to as the client terminal), terminal 1, terminal 2, and ranging or side-chain positioning server terminal (hereinafter referred to as the server terminal) is included. Terminal 1 is one of the target terminal and the reference terminal, and terminal 2 is another. Figure 1 As shown, the method of this embodiment includes steps S102 to S114.

[0066] In step S102, when the ranging or sidelink positioning client terminal (referred to as the client terminal) triggers the ranging or sidelink positioning service, the ranging or sidelink positioning service discovery process is executed, and the client terminal attempts to discover the target terminal and / or the sidelink reference terminal.

[0067] In step S104, when the discovery process is successful, the client terminal establishes a PC5 connection with the discovered terminal.

[0068] In step S106, the client terminal obtains the state information of the NAS connection or no NAS connection of the terminal from the discovered terminal.

[0069] In step S108, according to the terminal status information, the client terminal selects a terminal for performing ranging or side chain positioning operation, that is, a terminal for receiving a side chain positioning service request ( Figure 1The client terminal sends a ranging or side chain positioning service request, which includes information of the client terminal, information of the target terminal (terminal 1) and information of the reference terminal (terminal 2).

[0070] In step S110, the authorization check of the service request by the client terminal can be performed by ranging or a side link positioning server terminal (SL Positioning Server UE) or a core network (such as 5GC, not shown in the figure), or by terminal 1 or terminal 2.

[0071] In step S112, the terminal ( Figure 1 In the description, terminal 1 is used as an example) to select a location management function (LMF, not shown in the figure) or a ranging or side chain positioning server terminal according to whether it has a NAS connection. Then, a ranging / side chain positioning calculation operation is performed between the target terminal, the side chain reference terminal and the side chain positioning server terminal or the LMF.

[0072] In step S114, the ranging or side chain positioning result is provided by terminal 1 to the client terminal.

[0073] Through the above embodiments, the terminals involved in ranging or side-chain positioning can obtain the information in ranging / side-chain positioning. This information can be used for billing, so the terminal can be used to trigger a billing event. However, when the ranging or side-chain positioning service capability is opened through the PC5 interface, because some of the various terminals involved may not have a network connection (i.e., no NAS connection), a terminal with a NAS connection is required to trigger a billing event. Refer to the following Figures 2 to 4 An embodiment of the charging processing method of the present invention is described.

[0074] Figure 2 The flowchart of the charging processing method according to some embodiments of the present invention is shown. This embodiment is executed by a client terminal for ranging or side-link positioning (i.e., a client terminal that initiates ranging or side-link positioning). The ranging or side-link positioning in the embodiments of the present invention is used, for example, to determine the relative position between the client terminal and the target terminal. Figure 2 As shown, the billing processing method of this embodiment includes steps S202 to S204.

[0075] In step S202, a usage information report is generated, wherein the usage information report includes billing information associated with ranging or side-link positioning.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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).

[0078] The network element information includes, for example, at least one of a network exposure function (NEF) identifier, a location management function (LMF) identifier, an AMF identifier, and a GMLC identifier.

[0079] 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.).

[0080] 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.

[0081] In step S204, a usage information report is sent to the control plane network element device of the core network, so that the control plane network element device of the core network sends a charging data request including charging information to the charging function (CHF), and the charging information is used for the charging function to create a charging data record (CDR).

[0082] The client terminal determines to send the usage information report to the control plane network element device directly or indirectly according to the status of its own NAS connection.

[0083] In some embodiments, when the client terminal has a NAS connection, the client terminal directly sends the usage information report to the control plane network element device of the core network to cause the control plane network element to trigger a charging event. Of course, as needed, when the client terminal has a NAS connection, other terminals with NAS connections can also be selected to trigger the reporting process.

[0084] In some embodiments, when the client terminal does not have a NAS connection, the target terminal, reference terminal, or ranging or side-chain positioning server terminal associated with the ranging or side-chain positioning is reported by a terminal with a NAS connection. For example, the usage information report is sent to the target terminal, reference terminal, ranging or side-chain positioning server terminal, and a terminal with a non-access layer connection, so that the usage information report is sent to the control plane network element device of the core network through the terminal with the non-access layer connection. The client terminal can send the usage information report to other terminals with NAS connections through the PC5 interface, so that the terminal with NAS connection triggers the reporting process on its behalf.

[0085] In some embodiments, in response to the billing report condition being met, the client terminal sends a usage information report to the control plane network element device of the core network. For example, the client terminal can determine whether the billing report condition is met. 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 periodically triggering 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 client terminal sent a usage information report) reaches a specified time interval.

[0086] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device of the core network is a network element that participates in the ranging or sidelink positioning process, such as AMF or GMLC.

[0087] 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.

[0088] Through the above embodiment, the client terminal can be used to report the billing information, and the control plane network element device of the core network can be used as the CTF. The client terminal participates in the service process of ranging or side chain positioning, and can collect the specific information of the terminal and the core network network element device involved in the service. Therefore, an accurate billing solution can be provided for the scenario where the service capability of the terminal for ranging or side chain positioning is open.

[0089] 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 embodiments, the terminals and network devices involved include a terminal of a ranging or side-link positioning client (referred to as a client terminal), a first terminal (as a target terminal) and a second terminal (as a reference terminal), an LMF or a ranging or side-link positioning server terminal for authorization checking, a network function unit (NF, such as AMF or GMLC) as a CTF, and a CHF.

[0090] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment shown, the client terminal has a NAS connection, and the client terminal directly reports information to the control plane network element of the core network. Figure 3 As shown, the billing processing method of this embodiment includes steps S302 to S312.

[0091] In step S302, the ranging or side chain positioning service capability opening process is performed to the client terminal through the PC5 interface. The specific implementation of this process can refer to the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0092] In step S304, the client terminal determines that the charging report condition is currently met.

[0093] In step S306, the client terminal sends a usage information report to the NF. The usage information report is used to trigger the NF to initiate a charging event.

[0094] In step S308, the NF sends a charging data request to the CHF to trigger a charging event.

[0095] In step S310, CHF creates CDR.

[0096] In step S312, CHF sends a charging data response to NF.

[0097] Through the above embodiment, the client terminal with NAS connection can be used to report the billing information, and the control plane network element device of the core network can be used as CTF. The client terminal participates in the service process of ranging or side chain positioning, and can collect the specific information of the terminal and the core network network element device involved in the service. Therefore, an accurate billing solution can be provided for the scenario where the service capability of the terminal for ranging or side chain positioning is open.

[0098] exist Figure 4 In the embodiment shown, the client terminal has no NAS connection, and the first terminal with NAS connection reports the usage information report on its behalf. Figure 4 As shown, the billing processing method of this embodiment includes steps S402 to S414.

[0099] In step S402, the ranging or side chain positioning service capability opening process is performed to the client terminal through the PC5 interface. The specific implementation of this process can refer to the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0100] In step S404, the client terminal determines that the charging report condition is currently met.

[0101] In step S406, the client terminal sends a usage information report to the first terminal via the PC5 interface.

[0102] In step S408, the first terminal sends a usage information report to the NF. The usage information report is used to trigger the NF to initiate a charging event.

[0103] In step S410, the NF sends a charging data request to the CHF to trigger a charging event.

[0104] In step S412, CHF creates CDR.

[0105] In step S414, CHF sends a charging data response to NF.

[0106] Through the above embodiments, a terminal with NAS connection can be used to replace the client terminal to report the billing information, and the control plane network element device of the core network can be used as the billing trigger function. The client terminal participates in the service process of ranging or side chain positioning, and can collect the specific information of the terminal and the core network network element device involved in the service. Therefore, an accurate billing solution can be provided for the scenario where the service capability of the terminal for ranging or side chain positioning is open.

[0107] 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.

[0108] The following describes an apparatus and system for executing the billing processing method of each embodiment of the present invention.

[0109] Figure 5 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a client terminal for ranging or side chain positioning according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, the client terminal 500 of this embodiment includes:

[0110] A generating module 5100 is configured to generate a usage information report, wherein the usage information report includes billing information associated with ranging or side chain positioning;

[0111] The sending module 5200 is configured to send a usage information report to the control plane network element device of the core network, so that the control plane network element device of the core network sends a billing data request including billing information to the billing function, and the billing information is used for the billing function to create a billing data record.

[0112] In some embodiments, when the client terminal has a non-access layer connection, the sending module 5200 is further configured to send a usage information report directly to a control plane network element device of the core network.

[0113] In some embodiments, when the client terminal does not have a non-access layer connection, the sending module 5200 is further configured to send a usage information report to a terminal with a non-access layer connection among the target terminal, reference terminal, ranging or side chain positioning server terminal, so as to send the usage information report to the control plane network element device of the core network through the terminal with a non-access layer connection.

[0114] In some embodiments, the sending module 5200 is further configured to send the usage information report to the target terminal, the reference terminal, the ranging or the terminal with non-access layer connection in the side chain positioning server terminal through the PC5 interface.

[0115] In some embodiments, the sending module 5200 is further configured to send a usage information report to a control plane network element device of the core network in response to satisfying a billing report condition.

[0116] In some embodiments, the billing condition includes that the number of completed ranging or side chain positioning reaches a positioning number threshold.

[0117] In some embodiments, the billing condition includes a condition that triggers billing periodically.

[0118] In some embodiments, the charging information includes at least one of information of the client terminal initiating ranging or sidechain positioning, network element information, request time of ranging or sidechain positioning, and accuracy information of ranging or sidechain positioning.

[0119] In some embodiments:

[0120] The information of the client terminal 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;

[0121] The network element information includes at least one of a network open function identifier, a positioning management application function identifier, an access and mobility management function identifier, and a gateway mobile location center identifier.

[0122] 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.

[0123] In some embodiments, ranging or sidelink positioning is used to determine the relative position between the client terminal and the target terminal.

[0124] Figure 6 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a charging processing device according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, the charging processing device 600 of this embodiment is located in a control plane network element device of a core network, and includes:

[0125] The receiving module 6100 is configured to receive a usage information report sent by a client terminal, wherein the usage information report includes billing information associated with ranging or sidelink positioning;

[0126] The sending module 6200 is configured to send a billing data request including billing information to the billing function in response to the usage information report, where the billing information is used by the billing function to create a billing data record.

[0127] In some embodiments, the control plane network element device located in the core network is AMF or GMLC.

[0128] Figure 7 FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of a billing processing system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 7As shown, the billing processing system 70 of this embodiment includes: a client terminal 710 for ranging or side-link positioning, whose specific implementation can refer to any embodiment of the present invention; and a billing processing device 720, whose specific implementation can refer to any embodiment of the present invention.

[0129] In some embodiments, the billing processing system 70 further includes:

[0130] The billing function 730 is configured to receive a billing data request and create a billing data record according to the billing information.

[0131] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an electronic device according to some embodiments of the present invention, and the electronic device may be a client terminal or a billing processing device. Figure 8 As shown, the electronic device 80 of this embodiment includes: a memory 810 and a processor 820 coupled to the memory 810 , and the processor 820 is configured to execute the billing processing method in any one of the aforementioned embodiments based on the instructions stored in the memory 810 .

[0132] The memory 810 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.

[0133] Fig. 9 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of an electronic device according to some other embodiments of the present invention, and the electronic device may be a client terminal or a billing processing device. Fig. 9 As shown, the electronic device 90 of this embodiment includes: a memory 910 and a processor 920, and may also include an input / output interface 930, a network interface 940, a storage interface 950, etc. These interfaces 930, 940, 950 and the memory 910 and the processor 920 may be connected, for example, via a bus 960. Among them, the input / output interface 930 provides a connection interface for input / output devices such as a display, a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch screen. The network interface 940 provides a connection interface for various networked devices. The storage interface 950 provides a connection interface for external storage devices such as SD cards and USB flash drives.

[0134] 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.

[0135] 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.

[0136] 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] 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. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps for the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0139] 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 client terminal of ranging or side chain positioning, comprising: generating a usage information report, wherein the usage information report includes billing information associated with ranging or side-link positioning; The usage information report is sent to a control plane network element device of a core network so that the control plane network element device of the core network sends a charging data request including the charging information to a charging function, wherein the charging information is used for the charging function to create a charging data record.

2. The billing processing method according to claim 1, wherein: In a case where the client terminal has a non-access layer connection, sending the usage information report to a control plane network element device of a core network includes: The usage information report is sent directly to the control plane network element device of the core network.

3. The billing processing method according to claim 1, wherein: In a case where the client terminal has no non-access layer connection, sending the usage information report to a control plane network element device of a core network includes: The usage information report is sent to a terminal with a non-access layer connection among the target terminal, the reference terminal, the ranging or the side chain positioning server terminal, so as to send the usage information report to the control plane network element device of the core network through the terminal with the non-access layer connection.

4. The billing processing method according to claim 3, wherein: The sending of the usage information report to the target terminal, the reference terminal, the ranging or the side chain positioning server terminal having a terminal with a non-access layer connection comprises: The usage information report is sent to a terminal having a non-access layer connection among a target terminal, a reference terminal, a ranging terminal or a side chain positioning server terminal through a direct communication interface.

5. The charging processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The sending of the usage information report to the control plane network element device of the core network includes: In response to satisfying the charging report condition, the usage information report is sent to a control plane network element device of the core network.

6. The billing processing method according to claim 5, wherein: The charging 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 5, wherein: The charging conditions include conditions for periodically triggering charging.

8. 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 client terminal initiating ranging or side-chain positioning, network element information, request time of ranging or side-chain positioning, and accuracy information of ranging or side-chain positioning.

9. The charging processing method according to claim 8, wherein: The information of the client terminal 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 network open function identifier, a positioning management application function identifier, an access and mobility management function identifier, and a gateway mobile location center identifier.

10. The charging processing method according to claim 8, wherein: The charging information also includes at least one of quality of service, privacy check, coverage information, wireless resource indication, and usage data container.

11. The charging processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The ranging or sidelink positioning is used to determine the relative position between the client terminal and the target terminal.

12. A charging processing method, executed by a control plane network element device of a core network, comprising: receiving a usage information report, wherein the usage information report is generated by a client terminal of ranging or sidelink positioning and includes billing information associated with ranging or sidelink positioning; In response to the usage information report, a charging data request including the charging information is sent to a charging function, the charging information being used by the charging function to create a charging data record.

13. The charging processing method according to claim 12, wherein: The control plane network element device of the core network is a mobility management function or a gateway mobile location center.

14. A client terminal for ranging or side-chain positioning, comprising: A generating module configured to generate a usage information report, wherein the usage information report includes billing information associated with ranging or side chain positioning; The sending module is configured to send the usage information report to the control plane network element device of the core network, so that the control plane network element device of the core network sends a billing data request including the billing information to the billing function, and the billing information is used for the billing function to create a billing data record.

15. A client terminal for ranging or side-chain positioning, 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 11 based on instructions stored in the memory.

16. A charging processing device, located in a control plane network element device of a core network, comprising: A receiving module, configured to receive a usage information report sent by a client terminal, wherein the usage information report includes billing information associated with ranging or side chain positioning; The sending module is configured to send a billing data request including the billing information to a billing function in response to the usage information report, wherein the billing information is used for the billing function to create a billing data record.

17. A charging processing device, comprising: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute the billing processing method according to claim 12 or 13 based on instructions stored in the memory.

18. A billing processing system, comprising: A client terminal for ranging or side-chain positioning according to claim 14 or 15; as well as A billing processing device according to claim 16 or 17.

19. The billing processing system according to claim 18, further comprising: The billing function is configured to receive the billing data request and create a billing data record according to the billing information.

20. 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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