Charging method, charging system and user equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a charging method, a charging system and user equipment, and relates to the technical field of communication. The charging method comprises the steps that first user equipment and second user equipment execute ranging / side chain positioning user equipment discovery, use information of the first user equipment and use information of the second user equipment are collected, the first user equipment and the second user equipment are user equipment with the vehicle-to-all V2X capacity, and the first user equipment and the second user equipment are user equipment with the vehicle-to-all V2X capacity. The use information is related information of using a ranging / side chain positioning service; and the first user equipment sends the use information of the first user equipment and the use information of the second user equipment to a charging triggering function to trigger charging of a ranging / side chain positioning user equipment discovery event related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a charging method, a charging system and a user equipment. Background Art

[0002] In the existing 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) specifications, ranging refers to the process of determining the distance between two or more UEs (User Equipment) and / or the direction between one UE and another UE through the PC5 interface. Sidelink positioning includes obtaining absolute position, relative position or ranging information through the PC5 interface. Ranging-based services and sidelink positioning can be widely used in commercial, V2X (Vehicle to everything) and public safety services.

[0003] Ranging / SL Positioning UE discovery is used for discovery between ranging / sidelink positioning UEs on the PC5 interface to perform subsequent ranging / positioning processes. Ranging / sidelink positioning UEs include UEs with V2X capabilities. Since the ranging / sidelink positioning UE discovery process uses the NR (New Radio) frequency band, the service needs to be charged. However, there is currently no relevant billing plan. Summary of the invention

[0004] A technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is: for user equipment with V2X capability, how to implement billing for ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment discovery process.

[0005] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a billing method is provided, including: a first user device and a second user device perform ranging / sidelink positioning user device discovery, collect usage information of the first user device and usage information of the second user device, wherein the first user device and the second user device are user devices with vehicle-to-everything (V2X) capabilities, and the usage information is relevant information for using ranging / sidelink positioning services; the first user device sends the usage information of the first user device and the usage information of the second user device to a billing trigger function, triggering billing for ranging / sidelink positioning user device discovery events related to the first user device and the second user device.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first user equipment and the second user equipment perform ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment discovery including: the first user equipment and the second device establish a layer 2 link for V2X communication based on a PC5 reference point.

[0007] In some embodiments, a first user device and a second device establish a layer 2 link for V2X communication based on a PC5 reference point, including: the first user device sends a direct communication request message to the second user device; the first user device receives a direct communication acceptance message sent by the second user device, wherein the direct communication acceptance message includes usage information of the second user device.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first user device sends the usage information of the first user device and the usage information of the second user device to the billing trigger function, including: when the first user device determines that the reporting criteria are met and the first user device has a network connection, the usage information of the first user device and the usage information of the second user device are sent to the billing trigger function.

[0009] In some embodiments, the charging method further includes: the first user device storing the usage information of the second user device in a secure environment of the first user device when the first user device has no network connection.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first user device sends the usage information of the first user device and the usage information of the second user device to the billing trigger function, including: the first user device sends a usage information reporting message to the billing trigger function in the network function, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: the usage information of the first user device and the usage information of the second user device.

[0011] In some embodiments, the billing trigger function includes a billing data forwarding function and a billing information collection function, the billing data forwarding function is set in the network function, and the billing information collection function is set in the first user device, and the first user device sends the usage information of the first user device and the usage information of the second user device to the billing trigger function, including: the billing information collection function in the first user device sends a usage information reporting message to the billing data forwarding function in the network function, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: the billing information of the first user device and the billing information of the second user device.

[0012] In some embodiments, the network function is an access mobility management function or a gateway mobile location centre.

[0013] In some embodiments, the usage information includes: user device information.

[0014] According to some other embodiments of the present disclosure, a user device is provided, comprising: a collection module, used to perform ranging / side-link positioning user device discovery with a second user device, and collect usage information of a first user device and usage information of the second user device, wherein the first user device and the second user device are user devices with proximity communication capabilities, and the usage information is relevant information for using ranging / side-link positioning services; a sending module, used to send the usage information of the first user device and the usage information of the second user device to a billing trigger function, triggering billing for ranging / side-link positioning user device discovery events related to the first user device and the second user device.

[0015] According to some further embodiments of the present disclosure, a user device is provided, comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, for storing instructions, which, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to execute a billing method as described in any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0016] According to some further embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored, wherein the program, when executed by a processor, implements the billing method of any of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0017] According to some further embodiments of the present disclosure, a billing system is provided, comprising: a user device of any of the aforementioned embodiments as a first user device; and a second user device, configured to perform ranging / side-link positioning user device discovery with the first user device, and send usage information of the second user device to the first user device.

[0018] In some embodiments, the second user equipment is used to establish a layer 2 link for V2X communication based on the PC5 reference point with the first user equipment.

[0019] In some embodiments, the second user equipment is used to receive the direct communication request message sent by the first user equipment, and send a direct communication acceptance message to the first user equipment, wherein the direct communication acceptance message includes usage information of the second user equipment.

[0020] In some embodiments, the billing system further includes: a billing trigger function for receiving usage information of the first user equipment and the second user equipment, triggering billing for ranging / side-chain positioning user equipment discovery events related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0021] In some embodiments, the billing trigger function is used to send a billing data request message to the billing function, wherein the billing data request message includes usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment, triggering the billing function to charge for ranging / side-chain positioning user equipment discovery events related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0022] In some embodiments, the billing data request message also includes: service public land mobile network ID, application layer ID, ranging / sidelink positioning application identifier, application layer group ID, service type, ranging / sidelink positioning event type, PC5 wireless technology, coverage information, user location information, wireless resource indicator, and at least one of the usage information container.

[0023] In some embodiments, the billing system also includes: a billing function for generating a billing data record of a ranging / side-chain positioning user equipment discovery event related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment based on usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment, and charging for the ranging / side-chain positioning user equipment discovery event related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0024] In some embodiments, the billing trigger function is used to receive a usage information reporting message sent by the first user equipment, triggering billing for ranging / side-chain positioning user equipment discovery events related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: billing information of the first user equipment and billing information of the second user equipment.

[0025] In some embodiments, the billing trigger function includes a billing data forwarding function and a billing information collection function. The billing data forwarding function is set in the network function, and the billing information collection function is set in the first user device. The billing information collection function in the first user device is used to send a usage information reporting message to the billing data forwarding function in the network function, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: the billing information of the first user device and the billing information of the second user device; the billing data forwarding function in the network function is used to receive the usage information reporting message, triggering billing for the ranging / side-chain positioning user device discovery events related to the first user device and the second user device.

[0026] In the present disclosure, the first user device and the second user device are user devices with V2X capabilities. The first user device and the second user device perform a ranging / sidechain positioning user device discovery process, and collect usage information of the first user device and the usage information of the second user device, and then send the usage information of the first user device and the usage information of the second user device to the billing trigger function, triggering the billing of ranging / sidechain positioning user device discovery events related to the first user device and the second user device. The present disclosure provides a billing scheme suitable for the discovery of ranging / sidechain positioning user devices with V2X capabilities, and accurate billing can be achieved by the first user device accurately collecting and reporting the practical information of each user device in the ranging / sidechain positioning user device discovery process.

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present disclosure 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 disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0029] Figure 1 A flowchart of a billing method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0030] Figure 2 A signaling flow diagram of a charging method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0031] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing the network architecture of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating a charging method according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the structure of user equipment according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figure 6 A schematic diagram showing the structure of user equipment according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the structure of user equipment according to some further embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0036] Figure 8 A schematic diagram showing the structure of a billing system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of 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 disclosure and its application or use. Based on the embodiments in the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0038] The present disclosure provides a discovery charging solution between ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment with V2X capability. Figures 1 to 4 Give a description.

[0039] Figure 1 Flow charts of some embodiments of the billing method disclosed herein. Figure 1 As shown, the method of this embodiment includes: steps S102 to S104.

[0040] In step S102, the first user equipment and the second user equipment perform ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment discovery to collect usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first user equipment and the second user equipment are user equipments with V2X capabilities (V2Xcapable UE), and the usage information (Usage Message) is relevant information about using ranging / sidelink positioning services.

[0042] In some embodiments, ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment discovery of a user equipment with V2X capability includes: establishing a layer 2 link for V2X communication over PC5 reference point based on PC5 reference point. The first user equipment establishes a layer 2 link for V2X communication over PC5 reference point with the second device, and collects usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first user equipment sends a direct communication request message to the second user equipment; the first user equipment receives a direct communication acceptance message sent by the second user equipment, wherein the direct communication acceptance message includes usage information of the second user equipment.

[0044] like Figure 2As shown, UE1, UE2, UE3, and UE4 are Ranging / SL Positioning UEs with Internet of Vehicles capabilities. UE 1 (initiating UE) initiates discovery with UE 2 / UE 3 / UE 4 on the PC5 interface. UE1 (as the first user equipment) sends a direct communication request message (Direct Communication Request message), which can be sent via PC5 unicast (Unicast) or PC5 broadcast (Broadcast). The target layer 2 ID for the direct communication request can be a unicast layer 2 ID or a broadcast layer 2 ID. The Internet of Vehicles service information in the direct communication request message declares the "Ranging / Sidelink Positioning" service. When receiving a direct communication request declaring the "Ranging / Sidelink Positioning" service, UE2 / UE3 / UE4 sends a direct communication acceptance message (Direct Communication Accept message) to UE1. The direct communication acceptance message may include RSPP (Ranging / SL Positioning Protocol, ranging / sidelink positioning protocol) metadata information. UE 1 collects and reports the usage information of the ranging / sidelink positioning discovery.

[0045] The first user equipment may directly collect its own usage information. In some embodiments, the usage information includes: user equipment information. For example, the user equipment information includes: at least one of: user information ID (User Info ID), user equipment identity (UE identity), and the role of the user equipment in ranging / sidelink positioning (Role of UE in Ranging / Sidelink positioning). The usage information may also include: at least one of: discovery type (Discovery type), RSPP (Ranging / SL Positioning Protocol, ranging / sidelink positioning protocol) metadata information (metadatatainformation).

[0046] For example, the user information ID is configured for sidelink positioning user equipment discovery based on the policy of HPLMN (Home Public Land Mobile Network), or allocated by a ranging / sidelink positioning application server. For example, the user equipment identity is the identity of a mobile user using the ranging / sidelink positioning function, for example, SUPI (Subscription Permanent Identifier). For example, the roles of the user equipment in ranging / sidelink positioning include: target user equipment (Target UE), sidelink reference user equipment (SL Reference UE), sidelink positioning service user equipment (SL Positioning Server UE), located user equipment (Located UE), client user equipment (Client UE). For example, the discovery type is used to indicate the ranging / sidelink positioning service in the direct discovery of the ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment. For example, the RSPP metadata information includes: the role of the Announcing UE, the role of the Discoverer UE, the role to be discovered, or the role of the Response UE. The RSPP metadata information may include the role of the user equipment in ranging / sidelink positioning.

[0047] In step S104, the first user equipment sends usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment to a charging trigger function, triggering charging for ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment discovery events related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first user equipment sends usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment to the charging trigger function when determining that the reporting criteria are met and the first user equipment has a network connection.

[0049] For example, the reporting criteria include: reporting every N positioning times or every T time interval.

[0050] In some embodiments, when the first user equipment has no network connection, the usage information of the second user equipment is stored in a secure environment of the first user equipment. When the first user equipment restores the network connection (returns to NR coverage), the usage information of the first user equipment and the usage information of the second user equipment are sent to the charging trigger function.

[0051] In some embodiments, the first user equipment sends a usage information reporting message to a charging trigger function in a network function, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment.

[0052] The first user equipment creates a usage information reporting message (Usage Information Reporting) according to the preconfiguration, the usage information of the first user equipment and the usage information of the second user equipment, and sends the usage information reporting message to a charging trigger function (CTF).

[0053] In some embodiments, the billing trigger function includes a billing data forwarding function (Accounting Data Forwarding, ADF) and a billing information collection function (Accounting Metrics Collection, AMC), the billing data forwarding function is set in the network function (Network Function, NF), and the billing information collection function is set in the first user equipment.

[0054] For example, the network function is an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) or a Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC).

[0055] In some embodiments, the billing information collection function in the first user equipment sends a usage information reporting message to the billing data forwarding function in the network function, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: the billing information of the first user equipment and the billing information of the second user equipment.

[0056] like Figure 3 As shown, CTF includes AMC and ADF, which can be set in UE and NF respectively. Figure 3 CGF is Charging Gateway Function, CHF is Charging Function, BillingDomain is Billing Domain. Nchf, Ga, Bpr are different interfaces.

[0057] The method of the above embodiment does not involve network elements in the ranging / side-link positioning user equipment discovery process, and the user equipment involved in the discovery may be out of network coverage, so PEC (Post Event Charging) can be used to charge it.

[0058] In the scheme of the above embodiment, the first user device and the second user device are user devices with V2X capabilities. The first user device and the second user device perform a ranging / sidechain positioning user device discovery process, and collect usage information of the first user device and the usage information of the second user device, and then send the usage information of the first user device and the usage information of the second user device to the billing trigger function, triggering the billing of the ranging / sidechain positioning user device discovery events related to the first user device and the second user device. The above embodiment provides a billing scheme suitable for the discovery of ranging / sidechain positioning user devices with V2X capabilities, and accurate billing can be achieved by the first user device accurately collecting and reporting the practical information of each user device in the ranging / sidechain positioning user device discovery process.

[0059] Combine the following Figure 4 Other embodiments of the charging method disclosed in the present invention are described.

[0060] Figure 4 Flow charts of other embodiments of the billing method disclosed herein. Figure 4 As shown, the method of this embodiment includes: steps S402 to S412.

[0061] In step S402, the first user equipment and the second device establish a layer 2 link for V2X communication based on the PC5 reference point, and collect usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment.

[0062] Please refer to the above embodiments for details, which will not be described again here.

[0063] In step S404, the first user equipment determines whether the reporting criteria are met and the network connection is available. If yes, step S406 is executed.

[0064] In step S406, the first user equipment sends a usage information reporting message to the charging trigger function in the network function.

[0065] The first user equipment (AMC) generates a usage information reporting message according to the configuration, and sends the message to the CTF (ADF). The usage information reporting message includes usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment.

[0066] In step S408, the charging trigger function is used to send a charging data request message to a charging function (CHF).

[0067] The charging data request message (Charging Data Request [Event]) includes the usage information of the first user equipment and the usage information of the second user equipment. In some embodiments, the charging data request message also includes: at least one of: a serving public land mobile network ID (Serving PLMN ID), an application layer ID (Application Layer ID), a ranging / sidelink positioning application identifier (Ranging / SL Positioning Application Identifier), an application layer group ID (Application Layer Group ID), a service type (Service type), a ranging / sidelink positioning event type (Ranging / Sidelink positioning Event Type), a PC5 radio technology (PC5 Radio Technology), coverage information (CoverageInfo), user location information (User Location Information), a radio resource indicator (Radio Resources indicator), and a usage information container (Usage Data Container). One or more of these information may also be collected by the first user equipment, or may be collected by a network function (or CTF). If collected by the first user equipment, it may be sent to the CTF as usage information through a usage information reporting message.

[0068] For example, the service PLMN ID can be the PLMN ID of the service PLMN that signals the carrier frequency; the application layer ID can be an identifier that identifies a ranging / sidelink positioning-enabled UE in the context of a specific application; the ranging / sidelink positioning application identifier can be a globally unique identifier that identifies a specific ranging / sidelink positioning application, which can be mapped to a V2X service type or a ProSe identifier; the application layer group ID is used to indicate the ranging / sidelink positioning group to which the user equipment belongs; the service model is used to indicate the type of V2X service, indicating the "Ranging / Sidelink" in the Layer-2 link establishment process. "Positioning" service; the ranging / sidelink positioning event type is used to indicate the event that triggers the delivery of charging messages, such as direct communication response, etc.; the PC5 wireless technology indicates the PC5 wireless technology used for ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment discovery; the coverage information is used to indicate the coverage status (i.e., whether the UE is served by NG-RAN) and the time when the coverage status changes to its current state; the user location information is used to indicate the location of the user equipment; the wireless resource indicator is used to indicate whether the wireless resources provided by the operator or the configured wireless resources are used for ranging / sidelink positioning for device discovery; the usage information container is used to store containers associated with trigger conditions on a specific ranging / sidelink positioning service (e.g., out of coverage, back to coverage, etc.).

[0069] In step S410, the charging function generates a charging data record (CDR) of ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment discovery events related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment according to the usage information of the first user equipment and the usage information of the second user equipment.

[0070] In step S412, the charging function returns a charging data response message (Charging Data Response [Event]) to the charging trigger function in the network function.

[0071] The method of the above embodiment provides a billing scheme suitable for the discovery of ranging / side-link positioning user equipment with V2X capability. Accurate billing can be achieved by accurately collecting and reporting practical information of each user equipment during the discovery process of the ranging / side-link positioning user equipment by the first user equipment.

[0072] The present disclosure also provides a user equipment, Figure 5 Give a description.

[0073] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of some embodiments of the user equipment disclosed in the present invention. Figure 5 As shown, the user equipment 50 of this embodiment includes: a collecting module 510 and a sending module 520. The user equipment 50 can be used as a first user equipment.

[0074] The collection module 510 is used to perform ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment discovery with the second user equipment, and collect usage information of the first user equipment and the second user equipment, wherein the first user equipment and the second user equipment are user equipment with V2X capabilities, and the usage information is relevant information of using ranging / sidelink positioning services.

[0075] In some embodiments, the collection module 510 is used to establish a layer 2 link for V2X communication based on a PC5 reference point with the second device.

[0076] In some embodiments, the collection module 510 is used to send a direct communication request message to the second user equipment, and receive a direct communication acceptance message sent by the second user equipment, wherein the direct communication acceptance message includes usage information of the second user equipment.

[0077] The sending module 520 is used to send the usage information of the first user equipment and the usage information of the second user equipment to the charging trigger function, triggering charging for the ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment discovery event related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

[0078] In some embodiments, the sending module 520 is used to send the usage information of the first user equipment and the usage information of the second user equipment to the charging trigger function when it is determined that the reporting criteria are met and the first user equipment has a network connection.

[0079] In some embodiments, the first user device further includes: a storage module 530, which is used to store the usage information of the second user device in a secure environment of the first user device when the first user device has no network connection.

[0080] In some embodiments, the sending module 520 is used to send a usage information reporting message to a charging trigger function in a network function, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment.

[0081] In some embodiments, the charging trigger function includes a charging data forwarding function and a charging information collection function, the charging data forwarding function is set in the network function, the charging information collection function is set in the first user equipment, and the charging information collection function includes a collection module 510 and a sending module 520. The sending module 520 is used to send a usage information reporting message to the charging data forwarding function in the network function, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: the charging information of the first user equipment and the charging information of the second user equipment.

[0082] In some embodiments, the network function is an access mobility management function or a gateway mobile location centre.

[0083] In some embodiments, the usage information includes: user device information.

[0084] The user devices in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by various computing devices or computer systems. Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 Give a description.

[0085] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of some embodiments of the user equipment disclosed in the present invention. Figure 6 As shown, the user equipment 60 of this embodiment includes: a memory 610 and a processor 620 coupled to the memory 610 , and the processor 620 is configured to execute the billing method in any of some embodiments of the present disclosure based on instructions stored in the memory 610 .

[0086] The memory 610 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, a database, and other programs.

[0087] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of some other embodiments of the user equipment disclosed in the present invention. Figure 7 As shown, the user device 70 of this embodiment includes: a memory 710 and a processor 720, which are similar to the memory 610 and the processor 620 respectively. It can also include an input and output interface 730, a network interface 740, a storage interface 750, etc. These interfaces 730, 740, 750 and the memory 710 and the processor 720 can be connected, for example, via a bus 760. Among them, the input and output interface 730 provides a connection interface for input and output devices such as a display, a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch screen. The network interface 740 provides a connection interface for various networked devices, for example, it can be connected to a database server or a cloud storage server. The storage interface 750 provides a connection interface for external storage devices such as SD cards and USB flash drives.

[0088] The present disclosure also provides a billing system, Figure 8 Give a description.

[0089] Figure 8 FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of some embodiments of the billing system disclosed in the present invention. Figure 8 As shown, the billing system 8 of this embodiment includes: user equipment 50 / 60 / 70 as a first user equipment, and a second user equipment 82.

[0090] The second user equipment 82 is used to perform ranging / side-link positioning user equipment discovery with the first user equipment 50 / 60 / 70, and send usage information of the second user equipment 82 to the first user equipment 50 / 60 / 70.

[0091] In some embodiments, the second user equipment 82 is used to establish a layer 2 link for V2X communication based on the PC5 reference point with the first user equipment 50 / 60 / 70.

[0092] In some embodiments, the second user equipment 82 is used to receive the direct communication request message sent by the first user equipment 50 / 60 / 70, and send a direct communication acceptance message to the first user equipment 50 / 60 / 70, wherein the direct communication acceptance message includes usage information of the second user equipment 82.

[0093] In some embodiments, the billing system 80 also includes: a billing trigger function 84 is used to receive usage information of the first user device 50 / 60 / 70 and usage information of the second user device 82, triggering billing of ranging / side chain positioning user equipment discovery events related to the first user device 50 / 60 / 70 and the second user device 82.

[0094] In some embodiments, the billing trigger function 84 is used to send a billing data request message to the billing function, wherein the billing data request message includes usage information of the first user device 50 / 60 / 70 and usage information of the second user device 82, triggering the billing function to charge for the ranging / side chain positioning user equipment discovery events related to the first user device 50 / 60 / 70 and the second user device 82.

[0095] In some embodiments, the billing data request message also includes: service public land mobile network ID, application layer ID, ranging / sidelink positioning application identifier, application layer group ID, service type, ranging / sidelink positioning event type, PC5 wireless technology, coverage information, user location information, wireless resource indicator, and at least one of the usage information container.

[0096] In some embodiments, the billing trigger function 84 is used to receive a usage information reporting message sent by the first user device 50 / 60 / 70, triggering billing for ranging / side-chain positioning user equipment discovery events related to the first user device 50 / 60 / 70 and the second user device 82, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: billing information of the first user device 50 / 60 / 70 and billing information of the second user device 82.

[0097] In some embodiments, the billing system 8 also includes: a billing function 86, which is used to generate a billing data record of the ranging / side-chain positioning user equipment discovery event related to the first user equipment 50 / 60 / 70 and the second user equipment 82 based on the usage information of the first user equipment 50 / 60 / 70 and the usage information of the second user equipment 82, and to charge the ranging / side-chain positioning user equipment discovery event related to the first user equipment 50 / 60 / 70 and the second user equipment 82.

[0098] The billing trigger function 84 includes a billing data forwarding function and a billing information collection function. The billing data forwarding function is set in the network function, and the billing information collection function is set in the first user device 50 / 60 / 70. The billing information collection function in the first user device 50 / 60 / 70 is used to send a usage information reporting message to the billing data forwarding function in the network function, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: the billing information of the first user device 50 / 60 / 70 and the billing information of the second user device 82. The billing data forwarding function in the network function is used to receive the usage information reporting message, triggering billing for the ranging / side-chain positioning user equipment discovery events related to the first user device 50 / 60 / 70 and the second user device 82.

[0099] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present disclosure may take the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Moreover, the present disclosure 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.

[0100] The present disclosure is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes 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.

[0101] 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 including 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit the present disclosure. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present disclosure should be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A billing method, comprising: The first user equipment performs ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment discovery with the second user equipment, and collects usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment, wherein the first user equipment and the second user equipment are user equipments with vehicle-to-everything (V2X) capability, and the usage information is related information of using ranging / sidelink positioning services; The first user equipment sends the usage information of the first user equipment and the usage information of the second user equipment to a charging trigger function, triggering charging for ranging / side-link positioning user equipment discovery events related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

2. The charging method according to claim 1, wherein: The first user equipment and the second user equipment perform ranging / side chain positioning user equipment discovery, including: The first user equipment establishes a layer 2 link for V2X communication based on a PC5 reference point with the second device.

3. The charging method according to claim 2, wherein: The first user equipment and the second device establishing a layer 2 link for V2X communication based on a PC5 reference point includes: The first user equipment sends a direct communication request message to the second user equipment; The first user equipment receives a direct communication acceptance message sent by the second user equipment, wherein the direct communication acceptance message includes usage information of the second user equipment.

4. The charging method according to claim 1, wherein: The first user equipment sending the usage information of the first user equipment and the usage information of the second user equipment to the charging trigger function includes: The first user equipment sends usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment to a charging trigger function when determining that a reporting criterion is met and the first user equipment has a network connection.

5. The charging method according to claim 4, further comprising: When the first user equipment has no network connection, the usage information of the second user equipment is stored in a security environment of the first user equipment.

6. The charging method according to claim 1, wherein: The first user equipment sending the usage information of the first user equipment and the usage information of the second user equipment to the charging trigger function includes: The first user equipment sends a usage information reporting message to a charging triggering function in a network function, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment.

7. The charging method according to claim 1, wherein: The charging trigger function includes a charging data forwarding function and a charging information collection function, the charging data forwarding function is set in the network function, the charging information collection function is set in the first user equipment, and the first user equipment sends the usage information of the first user equipment and the usage information of the second user equipment to the charging trigger function, including: The charging information collection function in the first user equipment sends a usage information reporting message to the charging data forwarding function in the network function, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: the charging information of the first user equipment and the charging information of the second user equipment.

8. The charging method according to claim 1, wherein: The network function is an access mobility management function or a gateway mobile location center.

9. The charging method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The usage information includes: user equipment information.

10. A user equipment, as a first user equipment, comprising: a collecting module, configured to perform ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment discovery with a second user equipment, and collect usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment, wherein the first user equipment and the second user equipment are user equipments with vehicle-to-other-device V2X capability, and the usage information is related information of using ranging / sidelink positioning services; The sending module is used to send the usage information of the first user equipment and the usage information of the second user equipment to the charging trigger function, triggering the charging of the ranging / side chain positioning user equipment discovery event related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

11. A user equipment, as a first user equipment, comprising: processor; as well as A memory coupled to the processor, for storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the processor, the processor executes the billing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein: When the program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 are implemented.

13. A billing system comprising: The user equipment as the first user equipment according to claim 10 or 11; as well as The second user equipment is used to perform ranging / side-link positioning user equipment discovery with the first user equipment, and send usage information of the second user equipment to the first user equipment.

14. The billing system according to claim 13, wherein: The second user equipment is used to establish a layer 2 link for V2X communication based on the PC5 reference point with the first user equipment.

15. The billing system according to claim 14, wherein: The second user equipment is used to receive the direct communication request message sent by the first user equipment, and send a direct communication acceptance message to the first user equipment, wherein the direct communication acceptance message includes usage information of the second user equipment.

16. The billing system according to claim 13, further comprising: The charging trigger function is used to receive the usage information of the first user equipment and the usage information of the second user equipment, and trigger the network to charge the ranging / side chain positioning user equipment discovery event related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

17. The billing system according to claim 15, wherein: The billing trigger function is used to send a billing data request message to the billing function, wherein the billing data request message includes usage information of the first user equipment and usage information of the second user equipment, triggering the billing function to charge for ranging / side chain positioning user equipment discovery events related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

18. The billing system according to claim 17, wherein: The billing data request message also includes: service public land mobile network ID, application layer ID, ranging / side chain positioning application identifier, application layer group ID, service type, ranging / side chain positioning event type, PC5 wireless technology, coverage information, user location information, wireless resource indicator, and at least one of the usage information container.

19. The billing system according to claim 17, further comprising: A billing function is used to generate a billing data record of the ranging / side-chain positioning user equipment discovery event related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment based on the usage information of the first user equipment and the usage information of the second user equipment, and to bill the ranging / side-chain positioning user equipment discovery event related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

20. The charging system according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein: The charging trigger function is used to receive a usage information reporting message sent by the first user equipment, triggering the network to charge for the ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment discovery events related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: the charging information of the first user equipment and the charging information of the second user equipment.

21. The charging system according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein: The charging trigger function includes a charging data forwarding function and a charging information collection function, wherein the charging data forwarding function is arranged in the network function, and the charging information collection function is arranged in the first user equipment. The charging information collection function in the first user equipment is used to send a usage information reporting message to the charging data forwarding function in the network function, wherein the usage information reporting message includes: the charging information of the first user equipment and the charging information of the second user equipment; The charging data forwarding function in the network function is used to receive the usage information reporting message, triggering the network to charge the ranging / sidelink positioning user equipment discovery event related to the first user equipment and the second user equipment.

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