Perception method and device, communication equipment and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention discloses a sensing method and device, communication equipment and a storage medium. The method comprises: a first function sending a first request or a first subscription to a first sensing device;

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communication technologies, and particularly to a sensing method, apparatus, communication device, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] The emergence of communication and sensing integrated services poses higher demands on the end-to-end information processing capabilities of the network, and it is necessary to achieve the integration of mobile communication networks, sensing networks, and computing power networks. In order to support the sensing function, network elements in the 5G network should be enhanced in function so that they can interact with the sensing function (SF). Summary of the Invention

[0003] To solve the existing technical problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a sensing method, apparatus, communication device, and storage medium.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention are implemented as follows:

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a communication method, which is applied to a first function, and the method includes:

[0006] The first function sends a first request or a first subscription to a first sensing device.

[0007] In the above solution, the first request is used to request the execution of a sensing task and / or obtain first information; and / or, the first subscription is used to subscribe to first information.

[0008] In the above solution, the first request or the first subscription is sent through a first network function.

[0009] In the above solution, the first request or the first subscription includes at least one of the following pieces of information:

[0010] Sensing task identifier, sensing location information, sensing accuracy, sensing time information, data reporting period, delay information, sensing data type, sensing mode.

[0011] In the above solution, the sensing mode includes at least one of the following:

[0012] A first mode indicating that the first sensing device sends a signal and the first sensing device receives a signal;

[0013] A second mode indicating that the first sensing device sends a signal and a second sensing device receives a signal;

[0014] A third mode indicating that a second sensing device sends a signal and the first sensing device receives a signal.

[0015] In the above solution, when the sensing mode is included in the first request or the first subscription and the sensing mode is the second mode and / or the third mode, the identification of the second sensing device corresponding to the first sensing device is further included in the first request or the first subscription.

[0016] In the above solution, the method further includes: the first function receives the first information sent by the first sensing device.

[0017] In the above solution, the first information includes at least one of sensing data, sensing results, and sensing reports.

[0018] In the above solution, the first information is received through a second network function.

[0019] In the above solution, the first sensing device includes at least one of a terminal, a sensor, and an access network device.

[0020] In the above solution, the first function sends a first request or a first subscription to the first sensing device, including at least one of the following:

[0021] The first function directly sends a first request or a first subscription to the first sensing device;

[0022] The first function sends a first request or a first subscription to the terminal and / or the sensor through a user plane function or an access and mobility management function;

[0023] The first function sends a first request or a first subscription to the access network device through the access and mobility management function.

[0024] In the above solution, the first function receives the first information sent by the first sensing device, including at least one of the following:

[0025] The first function directly receives the first information sent by the first sensing device;

[0026] The first function receives the first information sent by the terminal and / or the sensor through a user plane function or an access and mobility management function;

[0027] The first function receives the first information sent by the access network device through the access and mobility management function.

[0028] In the above solution, the first function receives the first information sent by the first sensing device, including:

[0029] The first function periodically receives the first information sent by the first sensing device, or receives the first information sent by the first sensing device once.

[0030] In the above solution, the method further includes:

[0031] The first function sends a second request to the network storage function, and the second request is used to query the sensing device;

[0032] The first function obtains the first sensing device from the network storage function.

[0033] In the above solution, the second request includes at least one of the following pieces of information:

[0034] Sensing location information, sensing accuracy, sensing time information, delay information, sensing data type.

[0035] In the above solution, the method further includes:

[0036] The first function receives second information from the application function or the terminal, and the second information includes information about the first sensing task.

[0037] In the above solution, the method further includes: The first function decomposes the first sensing task to obtain a sensing task corresponding to the first sensing device.

[0038] In the above solution, the second information includes at least one of the following pieces of information:

[0039] Service type, service requirement, sensing resolution, sensing accuracy, sensing frame rate, time information of the sensing task, sensing location information, delay information, sensing target information.

[0040] In the above solution, the first function has at least one of the following capabilities: sensing data processing, formulating sensing strategies, supporting application function information provisioning requests and corresponding strategy formulation.

[0041] In the above solution, the method further includes: The first function sends third information to the first network function, and the third information is used for function registration or information reporting, and the third information includes information related to the first function.

[0042] In the above solution, the third information includes at least one of the following pieces of information related to the first function:

[0043] Type, identifier, location information, service types that can be processed, sensing computing capability information;

[0044] Slice;

[0045] Data network name (DNN);

[0046] Function attributes of the first function;

[0047] Perception ability information;

[0048] Supported radio access technology type (RAT type);

[0049] Supported access type;

[0050] Coverage area;

[0051] Privacy level;

[0052] Indication of either a single - event report or multiple event reports;

[0053] Duration of event reporting;

[0054] Supported GAD shapes;

[0055] Support LCS;

[0056] Requested UE has maintained user plane connection with certain LMFs;

[0057] Whether there is a UE that supports the first function.

[0058] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication method, which is applied to a first perception device, and the method includes:

[0059] The first perception device receives a first request or a first subscription sent by the first function.

[0060] In the above solution, the first request is used to request to execute a perception task and / or obtain first information; and / or, the first subscription is used to subscribe to first information.

[0061] In the above solution, the first request or the first subscription is received through a first network function.

[0062] In the above solution, the first request or the first subscription includes at least one of the following information:

[0063] Perception task identifier, perception location information, perception accuracy, perception time information, data reporting period, delay information, perception data type, perception mode.

[0064] In the above solution, the sensing mode includes at least one of the following:

[0065] A first mode indicating that the first sensing device sends a signal and the first sensing device receives a signal;

[0066] A second mode indicating that the first sensing device sends a signal and the second sensing device receives a signal;

[0067] A third mode indicating that the second sensing device sends a signal and the first sensing device receives a signal.

[0068] In the above solution, when the sensing mode is included in the first request or the first subscription and the sensing mode is the second mode and / or the third mode, the identifier of the second sensing device corresponding to the first sensing device is further included in the first request or the first subscription.

[0069] In the above solution, the method further includes: the first sensing device performs a sensing task and / or obtains first information based on the first request or the first subscription, and sends the first information to the first function.

[0070] In the above solution, the first information includes at least one of sensing data, sensing results, and sensing reports.

[0071] In the above solution, the first information is sent through a second network function.

[0072] In the above solution, the first sensing device includes at least one of a terminal, a sensor, and an access network device.

[0073] In the above solution, the first sensing device receiving the first request or the first subscription sent by the first function includes at least one of the following:

[0074] The first sensing device directly receives the first request or the first subscription sent by the first function;

[0075] The terminal and / or the sensor receive the first request or the first subscription sent by the first function through the user plane function or the access and mobility management function;

[0076] The access network device receives the first request or the first subscription sent by the first function through the access and mobility management function.

[0077] In the above solution, sending the first information to the first function includes at least one of the following:

[0078] The first sensing device directly sends the first information to the first function;

[0079] The terminal and / or the sensor sends the first information to the first function via a user plane function or an access and mobility management function;

[0080] The access network device sends the first information to the first function via the access and mobility management function.

[0081] In the above solution, sending the first information to the first function includes:

[0082] The first sensing device periodically sends the first information to the first function, or sends the first information to the first function once.

[0083] In the above scheme, the method also includes: the first perception device sends fourth information to the first network function, the fourth information is used for capability or information reporting, and the fourth information includes capability information of the perception device.

[0084] In the above scheme, the fourth information includes at least one of the following information: device type, perception mode, service range, perception accuracy, device location information, and mobility information.

[0085] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication method, which is applied to a first network function, and the method includes:

[0086] The first network function receives third information sent by the first function, and / or receives fourth information sent by the first sensing device; the third information is used for function registration or information reporting, and the third information includes information related to the first function; the fourth information is used for capability or information reporting, and the fourth information includes capability information of the sensing device.

[0087] In the above solution, the third information includes at least one of the following information related to the first function:

[0088] Type, identification, location information, types of services that can be processed, and information on perceived computing capabilities;

[0089] slice;

[0090] DNN;

[0091] Functional properties of the first function;

[0092] Perceptual ability information;

[0093] RAT type;

[0094] Access Type;

[0095] Coverage;

[0096] Level of privacy;

[0097] Indication of either a single event report or multiple event reports;

[0098] Duration of event reporting;

[0099] Supported GAD shapes;

[0100] Support LCS;

[0101] Requested UE has maintained user plane connection with certain LMFs;

[0102] Whether there is a UE that supports the first function.

[0103] In the above solution, the fourth information includes at least one of the following information: device type, sensing mode, service range, sensing accuracy, location information of the device, and mobility information.

[0104] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication device, which is applied to the first function, and the device includes: a first communication unit, configured to send a first request or a first subscription to a first sensing device.

[0105] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication device, which is applied to the first sensing device, and the device includes: a second communication unit, configured to receive a first request or a first subscription sent by the first function.

[0106] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication device, which is applied to the first network function, and the device includes a receiving unit, configured to receive third information sent by the first function, and / or receive fourth information sent by the first sensing device; the third information is used for function registration or information reporting, and the third information includes information related to the first function; the fourth information is used for capability or information reporting, and the fourth information includes capability information of the sensing device.

[0107] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, and when the program is executed by a processor, the steps of the sensing method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect of the embodiments of the present invention are implemented.

[0108] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication device, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor. When the processor executes the program, the steps of the sensing method described in the first aspect, the second aspect, or the third aspect of the embodiments of the present invention are implemented.

[0109] The sensing method, device, communication device, and storage medium provided by the embodiments of the present invention, the method includes: a first function sends a first request or a first subscription to a first sensing device. In this embodiment, by sending a first request or a first subscription to the obtained first sensing device, the first sensing device is enabled to perform sensing measurements, so as to successfully execute sensing services. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0110] Figure 1 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0111] Figure 2 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0112] Figure 3 It is a schematic flowchart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 ;

[0113] Figure 4 It is a schematic interaction flowchart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0114] Figure 5 It is a schematic interaction flowchart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0115] Figure 6 It is a schematic interaction flowchart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 ;

[0116] Figure 7 It is a schematic interaction flowchart of the communication method according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 4 ;

[0117] Figure 8 It is a schematic composition structure diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ;

[0118] Figure 9 It is a schematic composition structure diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ;

[0119] Figure 10 It is a schematic composition structure diagram of the communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 ;

[0120] Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware composition structure of the communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0121] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0122] The technical solution of the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System of Mobile communication (GSM) system, Long Term Evolution (LTE) system or 5G system, etc. Optionally, the 5G system or 5G network can also be referred to as a New Radio (NR) system or NR network.

[0123] Exemplarily, the communication system to which the embodiment of the present invention is applied may include a network device and a terminal device (which may also be referred to as a terminal, a communication terminal, etc.); the network device may be a device that communicates with the terminal device. Among them, the network device can provide communication coverage within a certain area range and can communicate with terminals located in this area. Optionally, the network device may be a base station in each communication system, such as an Evolutional Node B (eNB) in the LTE system, or a base station (gNB) in the 5G system or NR system.

[0124] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, a device with communication functions in the network / system may be referred to as a communication device. The communication device may include a network device and a terminal with communication functions. The network device and the terminal device may be the specific devices described above and will not be elaborated here; the communication device may also include other devices in the communication system, such as other network entities such as a network controller and a mobility management entity, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0125] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably in this article. The term " / and" in this article is merely a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0126] The terms "first", "second", etc. in the description and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and do not necessarily describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the data used in this way can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of this application described herein can be implemented, for example, in an order other than those illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that comprises a series of steps or units does not necessarily have to be limited to those steps or units clearly listed, but may include other steps or units not clearly listed or inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0127] An embodiment of the present invention provides a communication method, and the method is applied to a first function. Figure 1 Schematic flow of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ; as Figure 1 shown, the method includes:

[0128] Step 101: The first function sends a first request or a first subscription to the first sensing device.

[0129] In this embodiment, as an alternative embodiment, the first function may be a sensing function, or denoted as SF. The first function has one or more of the following capabilities: sensing data processing, formulating sensing strategies, supporting application function information provisioning requests, and corresponding strategy formulation.

[0130] In this embodiment, the sensing data processing may specifically include: processing, calculating, and analyzing the sensing data reported by the sensing device; the methods or ways of processing, calculating, and analyzing used;

[0131] In this embodiment, the specified sensing strategy may specifically include relevant strategies or relevant information for the first sensing device or for the sensing task that may be included in the first request or the first subscription, such as sensing accuracy, sensing time information, data reporting period, delay information, sensing data type, sensing mode, etc.

[0132] In this embodiment, the support for application function information provisioning requests and corresponding strategy formulation specifically means that the first function can formulate corresponding strategies according to the sensing requests of the AF or the second information related to the sensing task.

[0133] In this embodiment, the first request is used to request the execution of a sensing task and / or obtain first information; and / or, the first subscription is used to subscribe to first information.

[0134] In this embodiment, the first request can also be referred to as a sensing request, a sensing service request, a sensing task request, or a sensing control request, and is used to request a first sensing device to perform a sensing service, a sensing task, or a sensing measurement; the first subscription can also be referred to as a sensing data subscription and / or a sensing report or a sensing result subscription, and its purpose is to obtain one or more of sensing data, sensing reports, and sensing results. That is, after the first sensing device receives the first request or the first subscription, it performs a sensing service, a sensing task, or a sensing measurement. The first sensing device sends a sensing signal to a sensing target (such as a UE), and after the sensing signal is reflected by the sensing target, the first sensing device receives the reflected signal, thereby obtaining sensing data; further, the first sensing device may also obtain a sensing result or a sensing report based on the sensing data, and report one or more of the sensing data, the sensing result, and the sensing report to the first function. It can be understood that the first information includes one or more of sensing data, sensing results, and sensing reports.

[0135] In some alternative embodiments, the first request or the first subscription is sent by a first network function.

[0136] In this embodiment, as an implementation manner, the first function can directly send the first request or the first subscription to the first sensing device. As another implementation manner, the first function can also send the first request or the first subscription to the first sensing device through one or more first network functions. Exemplarily, if the first sensing device is a radio access network (RAN), the first function can send the first request or the first subscription to the RAN through an access and mobility management function (AMF); or, if the first sensing device is a user equipment (UE), the first function can send the first request or the first subscription to the UE through a user plane function (UPF); or the first request or the first subscription can also be sent to the UE through the AMF.

[0137] In some alternative embodiments, the first request or the first subscription includes at least one of the following information: a sensing task identifier, sensing location information, sensing accuracy, sensing time information, a data reporting period, latency information, a sensing data type, and a sensing mode.

[0138] In this embodiment, the perception task identifier, also known as the perception task ID. The perception location information specifically refers to the location information of the perception target. The perception target refers to the target of the perception task. For example, if the perception task is a positioning or tracking task for the information of a certain user equipment (UE), the perception device emits a perception signal, the perception signal is reflected by the UE, and the reflected signal is received by the perception device (or another perception device), then the first function can analyze the perception data reported by the perception device to obtain an analysis result. In the above example, the UE is the perception target.

[0139] In this embodiment, the perception accuracy represents or indicates the accuracy of the perception data required to execute the perception task. For example, when performing UE movement perception, whether the data of the feedback speed is accurate to meters, decimeters, or centimeters, or when performing statistics on the duration of UE stay, whether the feedback data is accurate to days, hours, or minutes.

[0140] In this embodiment, the perception time information represents or indicates the time for reporting and statistically analyzing the perception data required for this perception task, including but not limited to the start time and / or stop time.

[0141] In this embodiment, the data reporting period, also known as the reporting period, is used to indicate the time when this perception task needs to perform feedback on perception data or perception reports, such as information on whether it is a one-time report or a periodic report, the time of a one-time report, the time interval of a periodic report, etc.

[0142] In this embodiment, the delay information is used to indicate the delay of the perception data. For example, if this perception task is to perceive the current moving speed of the UE (perception target), what is the delay of the feedback result.

[0143] In this embodiment, the perception data type is used to indicate the type of perception data that needs to be statistically reported, such as UE speed, location, stay time in a certain area, usage time of a certain application, etc.

[0144] In some alternative embodiments, the perception mode includes at least one of the following:

[0145] A first mode indicating that the first perception device sends a signal and the first perception device receives the signal;

[0146] A second mode indicating that the first perception device sends a signal and the second perception device receives the signal;

[0147] A third mode indicating that the second perception device sends a signal and the first perception device receives the signal.

[0148] In this embodiment, the sensing mode may include the following two types: The first can be considered an independent sensing mode, that is, the sensing device emits a signal, and this signal is reflected by the sensing target and received by the sensing device. The second can be considered collaborative sensing or cooperative sensing, that is, one sensing device emits a signal, and this signal is reflected by the sensing target and received by another sensing device. Then in this embodiment, for the first sensing device, this first sensing device can be in the first independent sensing mode, or can be in the second collaborative sensing mode, as the sensing device that emits the signal or as the sensing device that receives the signal. Therefore, the sensing mode for this first sensing device may include the above first mode, second mode, or third mode.

[0149] In some alternative embodiments, when the sensing mode is included in the first request or the first subscription and the sensing mode is the second mode and / or the third mode, the first request or the first subscription further includes the identifier of the second sensing device corresponding to the first sensing device.

[0150] In this embodiment, when the sensing mode is the second mode or the third mode, it means that the sensing task needs to be executed collaboratively by the first sensing device and the second sensing device. Therefore, the first request or the first subscription also needs to include the relevant information of the second sensing device, such as information like the identifier of the second sensing device.

[0151] In some alternative embodiments, the method further includes: the first function sends a second request to the network storage function, and the second request is used to query the sensing device; the first function obtains the first sensing device from the network storage function.

[0152] In this embodiment, each sensing device can be pre-registered with the network storage function (NRF, Network Repository Function), that is, the NRF stores the relevant information of each sensing device. The stored relevant information of the sensing device includes but is not limited to the capability information, attribute information, etc. of the sensing device. Then before the first function sends the first request or the first subscription to the first sensing device, it first selects the sensing device, and the selected sensing device is denoted as the first sensing device. Exemplarily, the first function can send a query to the network storage function according to the relevant information of the sensing task and / or the information of the first function itself, and then the first function obtains the first sensing device from the network storage function.

[0153] In some alternative embodiments, the second request includes at least one of the following information: sensing location information, sensing accuracy, sensing time information, delay information, sensing data type.

[0154] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes: the first function receives second information from an application function or a terminal, and the second information includes information about a first sensing task.

[0155] In this embodiment, the initiator of the sensing task may be an application function (AF, Application Function) or a terminal, such as a UE.

[0156] In some alternative embodiments, the first function receiving second information from an application function or a terminal includes: the first function receives a third request or a third subscription from an application function or a terminal. The third request may also be referred to as a sensing request, a sensing service request, a sensing task request, etc., and the third subscription may also be referred to as a sensing data and / or sensing report or a sensing result subscription, etc.

[0157] In this embodiment, the first function may receive second information from an application function or a terminal through a network function. Exemplarily, the AF sends the second information to the Network Exposure Function (NEF), and after the NEF authorizes and passes the second information, it sends the second information to the first function.

[0158] In some alternative embodiments, the method further includes: the first function decomposes the first sensing task to obtain a sensing task corresponding to the first sensing device.

[0159] In this embodiment, for the second information initiated by an application function or a terminal, the first function creates a new sensing task, specifically decomposes the first sensing task to obtain a sensing task corresponding to the first sensing device. It can be considered that the first sensing task is the sensing task required by the task initiator, and the obtained sensing task corresponding to the first sensing device, or the information included in the first request or the first subscription, may be the task after the decomposition of the first sensing task; if several first sensing tasks need to be completed by multiple sensing devices, the sum of the sensing tasks to be completed by the multiple sensing devices is the first sensing task, and the sensing task to be completed by each sensing device (such as the first sensing device) is part or all of the content of the first sensing task.

[0160] In some alternative embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following information: service type, service requirement, sensing resolution, sensing accuracy, sensing frame rate, time information of the sensing task, sensing location information, latency information, sensing target information.

[0161] In this embodiment, the service type is used to indicate the service type of the sensing task, such as dynamic map, vehicle speed detection, vehicle tracking, emergency event notification, vehicle audit, etc.

[0162] In this embodiment, the sensing resolution refers to the minimum unit of sensing data that a sensing node (or sensing device) can feedback. For example, it can sense centimeters, meters per second, seconds, etc.

[0163] In this embodiment, the sensing frame rate refers to the frame rate of the sensing node (or sensing device). For example, it can be the number of images that can be sensed per second.

[0164] In this embodiment, the service requirements represent the requirements of the sensing task, such as including the accuracy of the sensing task, the sensing resolution, the frame rate of the sensing task, the sensing duration, the area information (Area information), the time delay, the UE information (such as various types of vehicle connections, vehicle identification), etc.

[0165] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes: the first function receives the first information sent by the first sensing device.

[0166] In this embodiment, after the first sensing device receives the first request or the first subscription, it performs a sensing task. For example, by transmitting a sensing signal and receiving the response signal reflected by the sensing target, it performs sensing measurement to obtain sensing data, or analyzes, processes, and calculates based on the sensing data to generate a sensing result or a sensing report, and feeds back one or more of the sensing data, the sensing result, and the sensing report to the first function.

[0167] In some alternative embodiments, the first information includes at least one of sensing data, a sensing result, and a sensing report.

[0168] In some alternative embodiments, the first information is received through a second network function.

[0169] In this embodiment, as an implementation manner, the first first function can directly send the first information to the first function, that is, the first function directly receives the first information sent by the first sensing device. As another implementation manner, the first first function can send the first information to the first function through one or more second network functions, that is, the first function receives the first information sent by the first sensing device through one or more second network functions.

[0170] In some alternative embodiments, the first sensing device includes at least one of a terminal, a sensor, and an access network device.

[0171] In this embodiment, the node performing the sensing task may be one or more of a terminal (i.e., UE), a sensor, and an access network device. As an example, the UE, the sensor, and the access network device (such as RAN) may each independently adopt an independent sensing mode or a cooperative sensing mode to perform the sensing task, or may perform the sensing task in combination. For example, taking the first sensing device as RAN, one RAN may adopt an independent sensing mode to perform the sensing task, and two RANs may also adopt a cooperative sensing mode to perform the sensing task. Another example is that taking the first sensing device as UE and the second sensing device as a sensor, the UE and the sensor may cooperate to perform the sensing task.

[0172] In some alternative embodiments, the first function sending a first request or a first subscription to the first sensing device includes at least one of the following: the first function directly sending a first request or a first subscription to the first sensing device;

[0173] the first function sending a first request or a first subscription to the terminal and / or the sensor through a user plane function (UPF) or an access and mobility management function (AMF);

[0174] the first function sending a first request or a first subscription to the access network device through an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0175] In some other alternative embodiments, the first function receiving the first information sent by the first sensing device includes at least one of the following:

[0176] the first function directly receiving the first information sent by the first sensing device;

[0177] the first function receiving the first information sent by the terminal and / or the sensor through a user plane function (UPF) or an access and mobility management function (AMF);

[0178] the first function receiving the first information sent by the access network device through an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0179] In some alternative embodiments, the first function receiving the first information sent by the first sensing device includes: the first function periodically receiving the first information sent by the first sensing device, or receiving the first information sent by the first sensing device once.

[0180] In this embodiment, the first sensing device may periodically send the first information to the first function according to local configuration or according to the service requirements of the AF, or send the first information to the first function once.

[0181] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes: the first function sending third information to the network storage function, where the third information is used for function registration or information reporting, and the third information includes information related to the first function.

[0182] In this embodiment, before the first function sends a first request or a first subscription to the first sensing device, the first function initiates registration with the network storage function (NRF) and registers its own related information in the NRF.

[0183] In some alternative embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following information related to the first function:

[0184] Type, identifier, location information, service types that can be processed, sensing computing capability information;

[0185] Slice; Data Network Name (DNN); functional attributes of the first function;

[0186] Sensing capability information; supported Radio Access Technology type (RAT type); supported access type (AccessType) coverage; privacy level;

[0187] Indication of either a single event report or multiple event reports;

[0188] Duration of event reporting;

[0189] Supported GAD shapes;

[0190] Support for Location Service (LCS) (as explained in the specification, when the Mobile Base Station Relay (MBSR) function is introduced, support for LCS service is considered);

[0191] Requested UE has maintained user plane connection with certain LMFs;

[0192] Whether there is a UE that supports the first function.

[0193] In this embodiment, the slice specifically refers to the information of the slice, such as the identification of the slice (such as slice ID), etc., representing the slice of the first functional service. The DNN represents the data network (DN) of the first functional service.

[0194] In this embodiment, the supported radio access technology type (RAT type) can specifically refer to the following access types supported by the first function: maritime access, underground access, above-ground access, satellite access, 3GPP access, non-3GPP access, and so on.

[0195] In this embodiment, the supported access type can specifically refer to the following transmission technology types supported by the first function: NR, LTE, TDD, FDD, and so on.

[0196] In this embodiment, the privacy level represents the privacy level or access permission at which the data can be accessed. The indication information of a single event report or multiple event reports represents the strategy for the first function to feedback the sensing result to the AF, such as reporting a single event report each time, or reporting multiple event reports each time, and so on.

[0197] In this embodiment, when the first function is co-located with the Location Management Function (LMF), the information registered by the first function can carry one or more of the following: the supported geographical area description type (Supported GADshapes), support for location services (Support LCS), Requested UE has maintained user plane connection with certain LMFs. Among them, when the MBSR function is introduced, support for LCS can be considered.

[0198] Based on the above embodiment, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication method, and the method is applied to the first sensing device. Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the process of the communication method of the embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ; As Figure 2 shown, the method includes:

[0199] Step 201: The first sensing device receives the first request or the first subscription sent by the first function.

[0200] In this embodiment, the sensing device (such as the first sensing device) can also be called a sensing node, which is specifically responsible for the execution of sensing tasks, and so on.

[0201] In this embodiment, as an alternative implementation, the first function may be a sensing function, denoted as SF for short. The first function has one or more of the following capabilities: sensing data processing, formulating sensing strategies, supporting application function information provisioning requests, and corresponding strategy formulation.

[0202] In this embodiment, the first request is used to request the execution of a sensing task and / or obtain first information; and / or, the first subscription is used to subscribe to first information.

[0203] In this embodiment, the first request may also be referred to as a sensing request, a sensing service request, a sensing task request, or a sensing control request, and is used to request a first sensing device to perform a sensing service, a sensing task, or a sensing measurement; the first subscription may also be referred to as a sensing data subscription and / or a sensing report or a sensing result subscription, and its purpose is to obtain one or more of sensing data, sensing reports, and sensing results. That is, after receiving the first request or the first subscription, the first sensing device performs a sensing service, a sensing task, or a sensing measurement. The first sensing device sends a sensing signal to a sensing target (such as a UE), and after the sensing signal is reflected by the sensing target, the first sensing device receives the reflected signal, thereby obtaining sensing data; further, the first sensing device may also obtain a sensing result or a sensing report based on the sensing data, and report one or more of the sensing data, the sensing result, and the sensing report to the first function. It can be understood that the first information includes one or more of sensing data, sensing results, and sensing reports.

[0204] In some alternative embodiments, the first request or the first subscription is received by a first network function.

[0205] In this embodiment, as one implementation, the first function may directly send the first request or the first subscription to the first sensing device. As another implementation, the first function may also send the first request or the first subscription to the first sensing device through one or more first network functions. Exemplarily, if the first sensing device is a radio access network (RAN), the first function may send the first request or the first subscription to the RAN through the AMF; or, if the first sensing device is a UE, the first function may send the first request or the first subscription to the UE through the UPF; or it may also send the first request or the first subscription to the UE through the AMF.

[0206] In some alternative embodiments, the first request or the first subscription includes at least one of the following information: sensing task identifier, sensing location information, sensing accuracy, sensing time information, data reporting period, delay information, sensing data type, sensing mode.

[0207] In this embodiment, the perception task identifier can also be referred to as the perception task ID. The perception location information specifically refers to the location information of the perception target. The perception target refers to the target of the perception task. For example, if the perception task is a positioning or tracking task for a certain user equipment (UE) information, the perception device emits a perception signal, the perception signal is reflected by the UE, and the reflected signal is received by the perception device (or another perception device). Then, the first function can analyze the perception data reported by the perception device to obtain an analysis result. In the above example, the UE is the perception target.

[0208] In this embodiment, the perception accuracy represents or indicates the accuracy of the perception data required to execute the perception task. For example, when performing UE movement perception, whether the data of the feedback speed is accurate to meters, decimeters, or centimeters. Another example is when performing statistics on the UE stay duration, whether the feedback data is accurate to days, hours, or minutes.

[0209] In this embodiment, the perception time information represents or indicates the time for reporting and statistically analyzing the perception data required for the perception task, including but not limited to the start time and / or stop time.

[0210] In this embodiment, the data reporting period, which can also be referred to as the reporting period, is used to indicate the time when the perception task needs to perform feedback of perception data or perception reports. For example, whether it is a one-time report or a periodic report, the time of the one-time report, the time interval of the periodic report, and other information.

[0211] In this embodiment, the delay information is used to indicate the delay of the perception data. For example, if the perception task is to perceive the current movement rate of the UE (perception target), what is the delay of the feedback result.

[0212] In this embodiment, the perception data type is used to indicate the type of perception data that needs to be statistically reported, such as UE speed, location, stay time in a certain area, usage time of a certain application, and so on.

[0213] In some alternative embodiments, the perception mode includes at least one of the following:

[0214] A first mode indicating that the first perception device sends a signal and the first perception device receives the signal;

[0215] A second mode indicating that the first perception device sends a signal and the second perception device receives the signal;

[0216] A third mode indicating that the second perception device sends a signal and the first perception device receives the signal.

[0217] In this embodiment, the sensing mode may include the following two types: The first can be regarded as an independent sensing mode, that is, the sensing device emits a signal, and this signal is received by the sensing device after being reflected by the sensing target. The second can be regarded as cooperative sensing or collaborative sensing, that is, one sensing device emits a signal, and this signal is received by another sensing device after being reflected by the sensing target. Then, in this embodiment, for the first sensing device, the first sensing device can be in the first independent sensing mode, or can be in the second collaborative sensing mode, either as the sensing device that emits the signal or as the sensing device that receives the signal. Therefore, the sensing mode for the first sensing device may include the above-mentioned first mode, second mode, or third mode.

[0218] In some alternative embodiments, when the sensing mode is included in the first request or the first subscription and the sensing mode is the second mode and / or the third mode, the first request or the first subscription further includes the identifier of the second sensing device corresponding to the first sensing device.

[0219] In this embodiment, when the sensing mode is the second mode or the third mode, it means that the sensing task needs to be executed collaboratively by the first sensing device and the second sensing device. Therefore, the first request or the first subscription also needs to include relevant information of the second sensing device, such as information like the identifier of the second sensing device.

[0220] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes: The first sensing device performs a sensing task and / or obtains first information based on the first request or the first subscription, and sends the first information to the first function.

[0221] In this embodiment, after receiving the first request or the first subscription, the first sensing device performs a sensing task. For example, by emitting a sensing signal and receiving a response signal reflected by the sensing target, it conducts sensing measurements to obtain sensing data, or analyzes, processes, and calculates based on the sensing data to generate a sensing result or a sensing report, and feeds back one or more of the sensing data, sensing result, and sensing report to the first function.

[0222] In some alternative embodiments, the first information includes at least one of sensing data, sensing results, and sensing reports.

[0223] In some alternative embodiments, the first information is sent through a second network function.

[0224] In this embodiment, as an implementation manner, the first sensing device may directly send the first information to the first function, that is, the first function directly receives the first information sent by the first sensing device. As another implementation manner, the first sensing device may send the first information to the first function through one or more second network functions, that is, the first function receives the first information sent by the first sensing device through one or more second network functions.

[0225] In some alternative embodiments, the first sensing device includes at least one of a terminal, a sensor, and an access network device.

[0226] In this embodiment, the nodes performing the sensing tasks may be one or more of a terminal (i.e., UE), a sensor, and an access network device. As an example, the UE, the sensor, and the access network device (such as RAN) may each independently adopt an independent sensing mode or a cooperative sensing mode to perform the sensing tasks, or may perform the sensing tasks in combination. For example, taking the first sensing device as RAN, one RAN may adopt an independent sensing mode to perform the sensing tasks, and two RANs may also adopt a cooperative sensing mode to perform the sensing tasks. Another example is taking the first sensing device as UE and the second sensing device as a sensor. The UE and the sensor may cooperate to perform the sensing tasks.

[0227] In some alternative embodiments, the first sensing device receiving the first request or the first subscription sent by the first function includes at least one of the following: the first sensing device directly receives the first request or the first subscription sent by the first function;

[0228] The terminal and / or the sensor receive the first request or the first subscription sent by the first function through the user plane function (UPF) or the access and mobility management function (AMF);

[0229] The access network device receives the first request or the first subscription sent by the first function through the access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0230] In some other alternative embodiments, sending the first information to the first function includes at least one of the following:

[0231] The first sensing device directly sends the first information to the first function;

[0232] The terminal and / or the sensor send the first information to the first function through the user plane function (UPF) or the access and mobility management function (AMF);

[0233] The access network device sends the first information to the first function through the access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0234] In some optional embodiments, sending the first information to the first function includes: the first sensing device periodically sending the first information to the first function, or sending the first information to the first function once.

[0235] In this embodiment, the first sensing device may periodically send the first information to the first function according to local configuration or according to the service requirements of the AF, or send the first information to the first function once.

[0236] In some optional embodiments of the present invention, the method further includes: the first sensing device sends fourth information to the network storage function, the fourth information is used for capability or information reporting, and the fourth information includes capability information of the sensing device.

[0237] In this embodiment, before the perception device (such as the first perception device) receives the first request or the first subscription sent by the first function, the perception device (such as the first perception device) initiates capability or information reporting to the network storage function (NRF), sends its own relevant information and capability information to the NRF, and is stored by the NRF.

[0238] In some optional embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following information: device type, sensing mode, service range, sensing accuracy, location information of the device, and mobility information.

[0239] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication method. Figure 3 The communication method of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 3 ;like Figure 3 As shown, the method includes:

[0240] Step 301: The first network function receives third information sent by the first function, and / or receives fourth information sent by the first sensing device; the third information is used for function registration or information reporting, and the third information includes information related to the first function; the fourth information is used for capability or information reporting, and the fourth information includes capability information of the sensing device.

[0241] In this embodiment, the first network function may specifically be a network repository function (NRF) in a 5G network or a NR network. In other networks or systems, the first network function may also be a network function, a network element or a network device having the same or similar function.

[0242] As an alternative implementation, the first function may be a sensing function, or denoted as SF. The first function has one or more of the following capabilities: sensing data processing, formulating sensing strategies, supporting application function information provisioning requests, and corresponding strategy formulation.

[0243] In some alternative embodiments, the third information includes at least one of the following information related to the first function:

[0244] Type, identifier, location information, service types that can be processed, sensing computing capability information;

[0245] Slice; data network name (DNN); functional attributes of the first function; sensing capability information;

[0246] Supported radio access technology type (RAT type); supported access type;

[0247] Coverage; privacy level;

[0248] Indication of either a single event report or multiple event reports;

[0249] Duration of event reporting;

[0250] Supported GAD shapes;

[0251] Support LCS;

[0252] Requested UE has maintained user plane connection with certain LMFs;

[0253] Whether there is a UE that supports the first function.

[0254] In this embodiment, the slice specifically refers to slice information, such as slice identifier (e.g., slice ID) and other information, indicating the slice served by the first function. The DNN represents the data network (DN) served by the first function.

[0255] In this embodiment, the supported radio access technology types (RAT types) may specifically refer to the following access types supported by the first function: maritime access, underground access, above-ground access, satellite access, 3GPP access, non-3GPP access, and so on.

[0256] In this embodiment, the supported access types may specifically refer to the following transmission technology types supported by the first function: NR, LTE, TDD, FDD, and so on.

[0257] In this embodiment, the privacy level represents the privacy level or access permission at which data can be accessed. The indication information of a single event report or multiple event reports represents the strategy for the first function to feedback the sensing result to the AF. For example, a single event report is reported each time, or multiple event reports can be reported each time, and so on.

[0258] In this embodiment, when the first function is co-located with the Location Management Function (LMF), the information registered by the first function may carry one or more of the following: Supported GADshapes, Support LCS, Requested UE has maintained user plane connection with certain LMFs. Among them, when the MBSR function is introduced, Support LCS can be considered.

[0259] In some alternative embodiments, the fourth information includes at least one of the following information: device type, sensing mode, service range, sensing accuracy, location information of the device, mobility information.

[0260] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described below with specific examples. In the following examples, the first function is taken as the sensing function (SF) for illustration.

[0261] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the interaction process of the communication method according to the embodiments of the present invention Figure 1 ; as Figure 4 shown, the method includes:

[0262] Step 401: The sensing device reports its own capability information to the NRF through the AMF. The capability information may include one or more of the following: device type, sensing mode, service range, sensing accuracy, device location, mobility information, and so on.

[0263] Here, the sensing device can be one or more of a UE, a RAN, and a sensor.

[0264] Exemplarily, if the sensing device is a UE and / or a sensor, the UE and / or the sensor reports its own capability information to the NRF through the RAN and the AMF. If the sensing device is a RAN, the RAN can report its own capability information to the NRF through the AMF.

[0265] Step 402: After the SF accesses the network, it registers with the NRF. The registration information can carry the NF type, ID, location information, service types that can be processed, sensing computing capability information, and so on.

[0266] Here, the registration information can be equivalent to the third information in the above embodiment.

[0267] Here, the execution order of step 401 and step 402 is not limited. It can be to execute step 401 first and then step 402, or to execute step 402 first and then step 401, or to execute step 401 and step 402 simultaneously. This embodiment does not make a limitation in this regard.

[0268] Step 403a: The AF sends a sensing request to the SF through the NEF. The sensing request includes information about the sensing task, for example, it can include service type, service requirements, sensing resolution, sensing accuracy, frame rate, duration, location information, latency, sensing target information, etc.

[0269] Step 403b: The UE sends a sensing request to the SF. The sensing request includes information about the sensing task, for example, it can include service type, service requirements, sensing resolution, sensing accuracy, frame rate, duration, location information, latency, sensing target information, etc.

[0270] Step 404: The SF creates a new sensing task, decomposes the sensing task, and looks up the sensing device from the NRF according to the sensing service requirements (such as sensing location, sensing accuracy, sensing duration, latency, sensing data type, etc.).

[0271] Here, if the SF has previously looked up the sensing device related to this sensing service requirement, it can also not look up from the NRF, but directly send a sensing control request to the sensing device recorded in the local storage.

[0272] Step 405: The SF sends a sensing control request to the sensing device, carrying the sensing requirements (such as information about the sensing target location, sensing accuracy, sensing duration, latency, sensing data type, etc.).

[0273] Here, the sensing control request can be equivalent to the first request or the first subscription in the above embodiment.

[0274] Step 406: The sensing device detects sensing data to obtain the sensing data.

[0275] Step 407: The sensing device reports the sensing data to the SF, and the SF processes, analyzes, and calculates the sensing data to generate a sensing result.

[0276] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the interaction process of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present invention Figure 2 ; as Figure 5 shown, the method includes:

[0277] Step 501: The SF finds a suitable sensing device and sends a sensing control request to each sensing device. Among them, the sensing device may include a UE or a sensor.

[0278] Here, the SF may send a sensing control request to the sensing device through other network functions, specifically including:

[0279] Step 501a: The SF sends a sensing control request to the sensing device through the UPF;

[0280] Step 501b: The SF sends a sensing control request to the sensing device through the AMF.

[0281] Here, the sensing control request may include: sensing task ID, sensing target location information, sensing accuracy, sensing duration (sensing time information), data reporting period, time delay, sensing data type, sensing mode (such as UE1 sends and UE1 receives (first mode), or UE1 sends and UE2 receives (second mode), or UE2 sends and UE1 receives (third mode). If it is not UE1 sends and UE1 receives, the sensing control request sent to UE1 also includes the ID of UE2 (such as IP address)).

[0282] Here, the sensing control request may be equivalent to the first request in the above embodiment.

[0283] Step 502: After receiving the sensing control request, the sensing device (UE / Sensor) executes the sensing task. For example, the UE / Sensor responsible for sending (such as UE1 / Sensor1) sends a signal, and the UE / Sensor responsible for receiving (such as UE2 / Sensor2) receives the signal and records it to obtain the sensing data.

[0284] Step 503: Each sensing device reports the sensing data according to requirements. The sensing data may carry the sensing task ID, its own node ID, and the measured sensing data.

[0285] Here, the way for the sensing device to report sensing data can be periodic reporting or one-time reporting.

[0286] Here, the sensing device can report sensing data to the SF through other network functions, specifically including:

[0287] 503a: The sensing device sends sensing data to the SF through the UPF;

[0288] 503b: The sensing device sends sensing data to the SF through the AMF.

[0289] Step 504: The SF analyzes, calculates, or processes based on the received sensing data to generate a sensing report.

[0290] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the interaction process of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 ; as Figure 6 shown, the method includes:

[0291] Step 601: The SF locates the co-located sensing device and sends a sensing control request to each sensing device. Among them, the sensing device may include the RAN.

[0292] Here, the SF can send a sensing control request to the sensing device through other network functions, specifically including: The SF sends a sensing control request to each sensing device through the AMF.

[0293] Here, the sensing control request may carry: sensing task ID, sensing target location information, sensing accuracy, sensing duration (sensing time information), data reporting period, time delay, sensing data type, sensing mode (for example, RAN1 transmits and RAN1 receives (the first mode), or RAN1 transmits and RAN2 receives (the second mode), or RAN2 transmits and RAN1 receives (the third mode). If it is not RAN1 transmits and RAN1 receives, the sensing control request sent to RAN1 also includes the ID of RAN2 (such as the IP address)).

[0294] Here, the sensing control request may be equivalent to the first request in the above embodiment.

[0295] Step 602: After receiving the sensing control request, the RAN executes the sensing task. For example, the RAN responsible for sending (such as RAN1) sends a signal, and the RAN responsible for receiving (such as RAN2) receives the signal and records it to obtain sensing data.

[0296] Step 603: Each sensing device reports sensing data according to requirements. The sensing data may carry the sensing task ID, its own node ID, and the measured sensing data.

[0297] Here, the way for the sensing device to report the sensed data can be periodic reporting or one-time reporting.

[0298] Here, the sensing device can report the sensed data to the SF through other network functions, specifically including: the sensing device sends the sensed data to the SF through the AMF.

[0299] Step 604: The SF analyzes, calculates, or processes based on the received sensed data to generate a sensing report.

[0300] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the interaction process of the communication method according to the embodiment of the present invention Figure 4 ; as Figure 7 shown, the method includes:

[0301] Step 701: The SF locates the co-located sensing devices and sends sensing control requests to each sensing device. Among them, the sensing devices can include UE / Sensor and RAN.

[0302] Here, the SF can send the sensing control requests to the sensing devices through other network functions, specifically including: the SF sends the sensing control requests to the RAN through the AMF, and sends the sensing control requests to the UE / Sensor through the AMF or UPF.

[0303] Here, the sensing control request may carry: sensing task ID, sensing target location information, sensing accuracy, sensing duration (sensing time information), data reporting period, time delay, sensed data type, sensing mode (for example, RAN sends and UE / Sensor receives, or UE / Sensor sends and RAN receives, and the sensing control request sent to a sensing device also includes the ID of the peer sensing device (such as IP address)).

[0304] Here, the sensing control request can be equivalent to the first request in the above embodiment.

[0305] Step 702: After receiving the sensing task, the sensing device executes the sensing task. For example, the sensing node 1 responsible for sending (such as UE / Sensor) sends a signal, and the sensing node 2 responsible for receiving (such as RAN) receives the signal sent by the sensing node 1 (such as UE / Sensor) and records it to obtain the sensed data.

[0306] Step 703: Each sensing device reports the sensed data as required. The sensed data may carry the sensing task ID, its own node ID, and the measured sensed data.

[0307] Here, the way for the sensing device to report the sensed data can be periodic reporting or one-time reporting.

[0308] Here, the RAN can send the sensing data to the SF through the AMF; the UE / Sensor can send the sensing data to the SF through the AMF / UPF.

[0309] Step 704: The SF analyzes, calculates, or processes based on the received sensing data to generate a sensing report.

[0310] Based on the above embodiments, an embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication device, and the device is applied to the first function. Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the composition structure of the communication device according to the embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 ; as Figure 8 shown, the device includes: a first communication unit 11, configured to send a first request or a first subscription to a first sensing device.

[0311] In some optional embodiments of the present invention, the first request is used to request to execute a sensing task and / or obtain first information; and / or, the first subscription is used to subscribe to first information.

[0312] In some optional embodiments of the present invention, the first request or the first subscription is sent through a first network function.

[0313] In some optional embodiments of the present invention, the first request or the first subscription includes at least one of the following information: a sensing task identifier, sensing location information, sensing accuracy, sensing time information, data reporting period, delay information, sensing data type, sensing mode.

[0314] In some optional embodiments of the present invention, the sensing mode includes at least one of the following:

[0315] A first mode indicating that the first sensing device sends a signal and the first sensing device receives a signal;

[0316] A second mode indicating that the first sensing device sends a signal and a second sensing device receives a signal;

[0317] A third mode indicating that the second sensing device sends a signal and the first sensing device receives a signal.

[0318] In some optional embodiments of the present invention, when the sensing mode is included in the first request or the first subscription and the sensing mode is the second mode and / or the third mode, the first request or the first subscription further includes an identifier of a second sensing device corresponding to the first sensing device.

[0319] In some optional embodiments of the present invention, the first communication unit 11 is further configured to receive the first information sent by the first sensing device.

[0320] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first information includes at least one of sensing data, sensing results, and sensing reports.

[0321] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first information is received through a second network function.

[0322] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first sensing device includes at least one of a terminal, a sensor, and an access network device.

[0323] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first communication unit 11 is configured to perform at least one of the following: directly send a first request or a first subscription to the first sensing device;

[0324] send a first request or a first subscription to the terminal and / or the sensor through a user plane function or an access and mobility management function;

[0325] send a first request or a first subscription to the access network device through the access and mobility management function.

[0326] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first communication unit 11 is configured to perform at least one of the following: directly receive the first information sent by the first sensing device;

[0327] receive the first information sent by the terminal and / or the sensor through a user plane function or an access and mobility management function;

[0328] receive the first information sent by the access network device through the access and mobility management function.

[0329] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first communication unit 11 is configured to periodically receive the first information sent by the first sensing device, or receive the first information sent by the first sensing device once.

[0330] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first communication unit 11 is further configured to send a second request to a network storage function, where the second request is used to query a sensing device; and obtain the first sensing device from the network storage function.

[0331] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the second request includes at least one of the following pieces of information:

[0332] Sensing location information, sensing accuracy, sensing time information, delay information, sensing data type.

[0333] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first communication unit 11 is further configured to receive second information from an application function or a terminal, where the second information includes information about a first sensing task.

[0334] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus further includes a first processing unit 12, configured to decompose the first sensing task to obtain sensing tasks corresponding to the first sensing device.

[0335] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the second information includes at least one of the following pieces of information:

[0336] Service type, service requirements, sensing resolution, sensing accuracy, sensing frame rate, time information of the sensing task, sensing location information, latency information, sensing target information.

[0337] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first function has at least one of the following capabilities: sensing data processing, formulating sensing strategies, supporting application function information provisioning requests, and corresponding strategy formulation.

[0338] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first communication unit 11 is further configured to send third information to a first network function, where the third information is used for function registration or information reporting, and the third information includes information related to the first function.

[0339] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the third information includes at least one of the following pieces of information related to the first function:

[0340] Type, identifier, location information, service types that can be processed, sensing computing capability information;

[0341] Slice; DNN; functional attributes of the first function; sensing capability information;

[0342] RAT type; Access Type; coverage area; privacy level;

[0343] Indication of either a single - event report or multiple event reports;

[0344] Duration of event reporting;

[0345] Supported GAD shapes;

[0346] Support LCS;

[0347] The requested UE has maintained a user plane connection with certain LMFs;

[0348] Is there a UE that supports the first function?

[0349] In the embodiments of the present invention, the first processing unit 12 in the device can be implemented by a central processing unit (CPU, Central Processing Unit), a digital signal processor (DSP, Digital Signal Processor), a microcontroller unit (MCU, Microcontroller Unit), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA, Field-Programmable Gate Array) in actual applications; the first communication unit 11 in the device can be implemented by a communication module (including: basic communication suite, operating system, communication module, standardized interface and protocol, etc.) and a transceiver antenna in actual applications.

[0350] The embodiments of the present invention also provide a communication device, and the device is applied to a first sensing device. Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the composition structure of the communication device according to the embodiments of the present invention Figure 2 ; as Figure 9 shown, the device includes: a second communication unit 21, configured to receive a first request or a first subscription sent by the first function.

[0351] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first request is used to request to execute a sensing task and / or obtain first information; and / or, the first subscription is used to subscribe to first information.

[0352] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first request or the first subscription is received through a first network function.

[0353] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first request or the first subscription includes at least one of the following information: a sensing task identifier, sensing location information, sensing accuracy, sensing time information, data reporting period, latency information, sensing data type, sensing mode.

[0354] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the sensing mode includes at least one of the following:

[0355] A first mode indicating that the first sensing device sends a signal and the first sensing device receives a signal;

[0356] A second mode indicating that the first sensing device sends a signal and the second sensing device receives a signal;

[0357] Indicates a third mode in which the second sensing device sends a signal and the first sensing device receives the signal.

[0358] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, when the sensing mode is included in the first request or the first subscription and the sensing mode is the second mode and / or the third mode, the identification of the second sensing device corresponding to the first sensing device is further included in the first request or the first subscription.

[0359] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the apparatus further includes a second processing unit 22, configured to perform a sensing task and / or obtain first information based on the first request or the first subscription;

[0360] The second communication unit 21 is further configured to send the first information to the first function.

[0361] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first information includes at least one of sensing data, sensing results, and sensing reports.

[0362] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first information is sent through a second network function.

[0363] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first sensing device includes at least one of a terminal, a sensor, and an access network device.

[0364] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the second communication unit 21 is configured to perform at least one of the following: directly receive a first request or a first subscription sent by the first function;

[0365] When the first sensing device is a terminal and / or a sensor, receive a first request or a first subscription sent by the first function through a user plane function or an access and mobility management function;

[0366] When the first sensing device is an access network device, receive a first request or a first subscription sent by the first function through an access and mobility management function.

[0367] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the second communication unit 21 is configured to perform at least one of the following: directly send the first information to the first function;

[0368] When the first sensing device is a terminal and / or a sensor, send the first information to the first function through a user plane function or an access and mobility management function;

[0369] When the first sensing device is an access network device, send the first information to the first function through an access and mobility management function.

[0370] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the second communication unit 21 is configured to periodically send the first information to the first function, or send the first information to the first function once.

[0371] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the second communication unit 21 is configured to send fourth information to a network storage function, where the fourth information is used for capability or information reporting, and the fourth information includes the capability information of the sensing device.

[0372] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the fourth information includes at least one of the following information: device type, sensing mode, service range, sensing accuracy, location information of the device, and mobility information.

[0373] In an embodiment of the present invention, the second processing unit 22 in the device can be implemented by a CPU, a DSP, an MCU, or an FPGA in actual applications; the second communication unit 21 in the device can be implemented by a communication module (including: a basic communication suite, an operating system, a communication module, a standardized interface, and a protocol, etc.) and a transceiver antenna in actual applications.

[0374] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication device, and the device is applied to a first network function. Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the composition structure of the communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention Figure 3 ; as Figure 10 shown, the device includes a receiving unit 31 configured to receive third information sent by a first function, and / or receive fourth information sent by a first sensing device; the third information is used for function registration or information reporting, and the third information includes information related to the first function; the fourth information is used for capability or information reporting, and the fourth information includes the capability information of the sensing device.

[0375] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the third information includes at least one of the following information related to the first function:

[0376] type, identifier, location information, service types that can be processed, sensing and computing capability information;

[0377] slice; data network name (DNN); functional attributes of the first function; sensing capability information;

[0378] supported radio access technology type (RAT type); supported access type (Access Type);

[0379] coverage range; privacy level;

[0380] Indication of either a single event report or multiple event reports

[0381] Duration of event reporting

[0382] Supported GAD shapes

[0383] Support LCS

[0384] Requested UE has maintained user plane connection with certain LMFs

[0385] Whether there is a UE that supports the first function

[0386] In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the fourth information includes at least one of the following information: device type, sensing mode, service range, sensing accuracy, location information of the device, and mobility information

[0387] In an embodiment of the present invention, the receiving unit 31 in the device can be implemented by a communication module (including: basic communication suite, operating system, communication module, standardized interfaces and protocols, etc.) and a transceiver antenna in actual applications

[0388] It should be noted that: when the communication device provided in the above embodiment performs communication, only the above division of each program module is used for illustration. In actual applications, the above processing can be allocated to different program modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different program modules to complete all or part of the above-described processing. In addition, the communication device provided in the above embodiment and the communication method embodiment belong to the same concept, and the specific implementation process can be seen in the method embodiment, which will not be repeated here

[0389] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a communication device, which can specifically be a sensing function, a first sensing device, or a first network function Figure 11 Schematic diagram of the hardware composition structure of the communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention, as Figure 11 shown, the communication device includes a memory 42, a processor 41, and a computer program stored on the memory 42 and executable on the processor 41. When the processor 41 executes the program, it implements the steps of the communication method of the present invention applied to a sensing function, a first sensing device, or a first network function

[0390] Optionally, the communication device further includes at least one network interface 43. Among them, each component in the communication device is coupled together through a bus system 44. It can be understood that the bus system 44 is used to realize the connection and communication between these components. In addition to the data bus, the bus system 44 also includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for the sake of clear illustration, in Figure 11 all kinds of buses are labeled as the bus system 44.

[0391] It can be understood that the memory 42 can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM, Read Only Memory), a programmable read-only memory (PROM, Programmable Read-Only Memory), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), a ferromagnetic random access memory (FRAM, Ferromagnetic Random Access Memory), a flash memory (Flash Memory), a magnetic surface memory, an optical disc, or a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM, Compact Disc Read-Only Memory); the magnetic surface memory can be a disk memory or a tape memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as a static random access memory (SRAM, Static Random Access Memory), a synchronous static random access memory (SSRAM, Synchronous Static Random Access Memory), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM, Dynamic Random Access Memory), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM, Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM, Double Data Rate Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM, Enhanced Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), a sync link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM, SyncLink Dynamic Random Access Memory), and a direct rambus random access memory (DRRAM, Direct Rambus Random Access Memory).The memory 42 described in the embodiments of the present invention is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memories.

[0392] The method disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention above can be applied to the processor 41 or implemented by the processor 41. The processor 41 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method can be completed by the integrated logic circuit in the hardware of the processor 41 or the instructions in the form of software. The above-mentioned processor 41 may be a general-purpose processor, a DSP, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The processor 41 can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc. Combining the steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention, it can be directly embodied as being executed and completed by the hardware decoding processor, or executed and completed by the combination of the hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module may be located in the storage medium, which is located in the memory 42. The processor 41 reads the information in the memory 42 and combines its hardware to complete the steps of the foregoing method.

[0393] In an exemplary embodiment, the communication device may be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), DSPs, programmable logic devices (PLDs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), FPGAs, general-purpose processors, controllers, MCUs, microprocessors, or other electronic components for performing the foregoing method.

[0394] In an exemplary embodiment, the embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer-readable storage medium, such as the memory 42 including a computer program. The above computer program can be executed by the processor 41 of the communication device to complete the steps of the foregoing method. The computer-readable storage medium may be a FRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash Memory, magnetic surface memory, optical disc, or CD-ROM, etc.; or it may be various devices including one or any combination of the above memories.

[0395] The computer-readable storage medium provided by the embodiments of the present invention stores a computer program thereon. When the program is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the communication method of the embodiments of the present invention applied to the sensing function, the first sensing device, or the first network function.

[0396] In the method embodiments disclosed in several method embodiments provided by this application, they can be arbitrarily combined without conflict to obtain new method embodiments.

[0397] The features disclosed in several product embodiments provided by this application can be arbitrarily combined without conflict to obtain new product embodiments.

[0398] The features disclosed in several method or device embodiments provided by this application can be arbitrarily combined without conflict to obtain new method embodiments or device embodiments.

[0399] In several embodiments provided by this application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. The device embodiments described above are only illustrative. For example, the division of the units is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components can be combined, or can be integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored, or not executed. In addition, the coupling, direct coupling, or communication connection between the components shown or discussed with each other can be through some interfaces. The indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0400] The units described above as separate components may or may not be physically separated. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they can be located in one place or distributed to multiple network units; some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0401] In addition, each functional unit in the embodiments of the present invention can be all integrated in a processing unit, or each unit can be separately used as a unit, or two or more units can be integrated in a unit; the above-mentioned integrated units can be implemented in the form of hardware, or in the form of hardware plus software functional units.

[0402] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the steps of implementing the above method embodiments can be completed by hardware related to program instructions. The foregoing program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it executes the steps including the above method embodiments; and the foregoing storage medium includes: various media such as removable storage devices, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks that can store program codes.

[0403] Alternatively, if the above integrated units of the present invention are implemented in the form of software functional modules and sold or used as independent products, they can also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention, in essence or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the methods described in the various embodiments of the present invention. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media such as removable storage devices, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical discs that can store program codes.

[0404] As described above, the above are only specific embodiments of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention can easily think of changes or substitutions, which should all be covered by the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first function, and the method includes: The first function sends a first request or a first subscription to a first sensing device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first request is used to request the execution of a sensing task and / or obtain first information; and / or, the first subscription is used to subscribe to first information.

3. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first request or the first subscription is sent through a first network function.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first request or the first subscription includes at least one of the following pieces of information: Sensing task identifier, sensing location information, sensing accuracy, sensing time information, data reporting period, delay information, sensing data type, sensing mode.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The sensing mode includes at least one of the following: A first mode indicating that the first sensing device sends a signal and the first sensing device receives a signal; A second mode indicating that the first sensing device sends a signal and a second sensing device receives a signal; A third mode indicating that the second sensing device sends a signal and the first sensing device receives a signal.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein In the case where the sensing mode is included in the first request or the first subscription and the sensing mode is the second mode and / or the third mode, the first request or the first subscription further includes an identifier of a second sensing device corresponding to the first sensing device.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: The first function receives first information sent by the first sensing device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of sensing data, sensing results, and sensing reports.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein The first information is received through a second network function.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein The first sensing device includes at least one of a terminal, a sensor, and an access network device.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein The first function sending the first request or the first subscription to the first sensing device includes at least one of the following: The first function directly sends the first request or the first subscription to the first sensing device; The first function sends the first request or the first subscription to the terminal and / or the sensor through a user plane function or an access and mobility management function; The first function sends the first request or the first subscription to the access network device through the access and mobility management function.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein The first function receiving the first information sent by the first sensing device includes at least one of the following: The first function directly receives the first information sent by the first sensing device; The first function receives the first information sent by the terminal and / or the sensor through a user plane function or an access and mobility management function; The first function receives the first information sent by the access network device through the access and mobility management function.

13. The method according to claim 7, wherein The first function receiving the first information sent by the first sensing device includes: The first function periodically receives the first information sent by the first sensing device, or receives the first information sent by the first sensing device once.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: The first function sends a second request to a network storage function, and the second request is used to query sensing devices; The first function obtains the first sensing device from the network storage function.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The second request includes at least one of the following pieces of information: Sensing location information, sensing accuracy, sensing time information, delay information, sensing data type.

16. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The method further includes: The first function receives second information from an application function or a terminal, and the second information includes information about a first sensing task.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first function decomposes the first sensing task to obtain a sensing task corresponding to the first sensing device.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein The second information includes at least one of the following pieces of information: Service type, service requirement, sensing resolution, sensing accuracy, sensing frame rate, time information of the sensing task, sensing location information, latency information, sensing target information.

19. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first function has at least one of the following capabilities: sensing data processing, formulating a sensing strategy, supporting an application function information provisioning request and corresponding strategy formulation.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein The method further includes: The first function sends third information to a first network function, where the third information is used for function registration or information reporting, and the third information includes information related to the first function.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The third information includes at least one of the following pieces of information related to the first function: Type, identifier, location information, service types that can be processed, sensing computing capability information; Slice; Data network name DNN; Functional attributes of the first function; Sensing capability information; Supported radio access technology type RAT type; Supported access type Access Type; Coverage; Privacy level; Indication of either a single event report or multiple event reports; Duration of event reporting; Supported GAD shapes; Support LCS; Requested UE has maintained user plane connection with certain LMFs; Whether there is a UE that supports the first function.

22. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first sensing device, and the method includes: The first sensing device receives a first request or a first subscription sent by the first function.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The first request is used to request the execution of a sensing task and / or obtain first information; and / or, the first subscription is used to subscribe to first information.

24. The method according to claim 22, wherein, The first request or the first subscription is received through a first network function.

25. The method according to claim 22, wherein The first request or the first subscription includes at least one of the following pieces of information: Sensing task identifier, sensing location information, sensing accuracy, sensing time information, data reporting period, latency information, sensing data type, sensing mode.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein The sensing mode includes at least one of the following: A first mode indicating that the first sensing device sends a signal and the first sensing device receives a signal; A second mode indicating that the first sensing device sends a signal and a second sensing device receives a signal; A third mode indicating that a second sensing device sends a signal and the first sensing device receives a signal.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein, In the case where the first request or the first subscription includes a perception mode, and the perception mode is the second mode and / or the third mode, the first request or the first subscription also includes an identifier of a second perception device corresponding to the first perception device.

28. The method according to claim 22, wherein The method further comprises: The first sensing device performs a sensing task and / or obtains first information based on the first request or the first subscription, and sends the first information to the first function.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The first information includes at least one of perception data, perception results and perception reports.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein The first information is sent via a second network function.

31. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The first sensing device includes at least one of a terminal, a sensor and an access network device.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein The first sensing device receives a first request or a first subscription sent by a first function, including at least one of the following: The first sensing device directly receives a first request or a first subscription sent by a first function; The terminal and / or the sensor receives a first request or a first subscription sent by the first function via a user plane function or an access and mobility management function; The access network device receives a first request or a first subscription sent by a first function via an access and mobility management function.

33. The method according to claim 31, wherein The sending the first information to the first function includes at least one of the following: The first sensing device directly sends the first information to the first function; The terminal and / or the sensor sends the first information to the first function via a user plane function or an access and mobility management function; The access network device sends the first information to the first function via the access and mobility management function.

34. The method according to claim 28, wherein The sending the first information to the first function includes: The first sensing device periodically sends the first information to the first function, or sends the first information to the first function once.

35. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The method further comprises: The first perception device sends fourth information to the first network function, where the fourth information is used for capability or information reporting, and the fourth information includes capability information of the perception device.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein The fourth information includes at least one of the following information: Device type, perception mode, service range, perception accuracy, device location information, and mobility information.

37. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first network function, and the method comprises: The first network function receives third information sent by the first function, and / or receives fourth information sent by the first sensing device; the third information is used for function registration or information reporting, and the third information includes information related to the first function; the fourth information is used for capability or information reporting, and the fourth information includes capability information of the sensing device.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein The third information includes at least one of the following information related to the first function: Type, identification, location information, types of services that can be processed, and information on perceived computing capabilities; slice; Data network name DNN; Functional properties of the first function; Perceptual ability information; Supported radio access technology type RAT type; Supported access types Access Type; Coverage; Level of privacy; Indication of either a single event report or multiple event reports; Duration of event reporting; Supported GAD shapes; Support LCS; Requested UE has maintained user plane connection with certain LMFs; Whether there is a UE that supports the first function.

39. The method according to claim 37, wherein The fourth information includes at least one of the following pieces of information: Device type, sensing mode, service range, sensing accuracy, location information of the device, mobility information.

40. A communication device, characterized in that, The device is applied to the first function, and the device includes: a first communication unit for sending a first request or a first subscription to a first sensing device.

41. A communication device, characterized in that, The device is applied to the first sensing device, and the device includes: a second communication unit for receiving a first request or a first subscription sent by the first function.

42. A communication device, characterized in that, The device is applied to the first network function, and the device includes a receiving unit for receiving third information sent by the first function and / or receiving fourth information sent by the first sensing device; the third information is used for function registration or information reporting, and the third information includes information related to the first function; the fourth information is used for capability or information reporting, and the fourth information includes capability information of the sensing device.

43. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21; or, When the program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 22 to 36; or, When the program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 37 to 39.

44. A communication device, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor executes the program, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21; or, When the processor executes the program, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 22 to 36; or, When the processor executes the program, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 37 to 39.

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