System and method for notifying ongoing or impending sensing operation

Abstract

Systems and methods of performing notifications of ongoing sensing operations are discussed herein. A user equipment (UE) may receive, (e.g., from a base station, from another UE), a notification message indicating that the UE is within or will enter a sensing operating area from which measurements of radio frequency (RF) signals are collected / will be collected, and the UE may present, (e.g., to a user of the UE), a notification that the UE is within / is entering the sensing operating area. The notifications may take the form of, for example, sensing indicator LED lights, indicator icons, indications on a graphical user interface, playing audio indications, and / or providing vibration indications. Sensing notifications may be sent between UEs using device-to-device (D2D) communications. Further, the sensing notification message may, for example, be broadcast to all UEs in the cell, or multicast / unicast to a particular UE in the sensing area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates in its entirety to wireless communication systems, including notifying UEs and thus users of ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operations. Background Technology

[0002] Wireless mobile communication technologies use various standards and protocols to transmit data between base stations and wireless communication devices. Wireless communication system standards and protocols may include, for example, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) (e.g., 4G), 3GPP New Radio (NR) (e.g., 5G), and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard for Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) (often referred to as Wi-Fi within the industry organization). ® ).

[0003] As envisioned by 3GPP, different wireless communication system standards and protocols can use various radio access networks (RANs) for communication between RAN base stations (sometimes also referred to as RAN nodes, network nodes, or simply nodes) and wireless communication equipment called user equipment (UEs). 3GPP RANs can include, for example, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data Rate GSM Evolution (EDGE) RAN (GERAN), Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and / or Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN).

[0004] Each RAN can use one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) to perform communication between the base station and the UE. For example, GERAN implements the GSM and / or EDGE RAT, UTRAN implements the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) RAT or other 3GPP RATs, E-UTRAN implements the LTE RAT (sometimes simply referred to as LTE), and NG-RAN implements the NR RAT (this NR RAT is sometimes referred to herein as the 5G RAT, 5G NR RAT, or simply NR). In some deployments, E-UTRAN may also implement the NR RAT. In some deployments, NG-RAN may also implement the LTE RAT.

[0005] The base stations used by a RAN can correspond to that RAN. An example of an E-UTRAN base station is an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (also commonly referred to as Evolved Node B, Enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB). An example of an NG-RAN base station is a Next Generation Node B (sometimes also called gNode B or gNB).

[0006] The RAN provides communication services to external entities through its connection with the core network (CN). For example, E-UTRAN can utilize the evolved packet core (EPC), while NG-RAN can utilize the 5G core network (5GC). Attached Figure Description

[0007] To facilitate the identification of any particular element or action in the discussion, one or more of the most significant digits in the figure reference numerals refer to the figure number in which the element was first introduced.

[0008] Figure 1 An example is shown where the sensing indicator turns on when the UE is aware of an ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operation or when the UE is in the sensing area.

[0009] Figure 2 An example is illustrated of notifying one or more UEs of an ongoing sensing operation by sending a cell broadcast message from a base station to one or more UEs.

[0010] Figure 3 An example is illustrated of notifying a UE of an ongoing sensing operation by sending a system information broadcast (in a System Information Block (SIB)) from a base station to one or more UEs.

[0011] Figure 4 An example is illustrated of notifying a UE of an ongoing sensing operation by sending Non-Access Stratum (NAS) and / or Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling from a base station to one or more UEs.

[0012] Figure 5 An example is illustrated of notifying the UE of a second operator of ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operations corresponding to those of the first operator by sharing sensing operation notifications and / or information between operators.

[0013] Figure 6 An illustration shows a first UE sending an instruction to one or more second UEs via D2D communication regarding an ongoing sensing operation.

[0014] Figure 7 An example is shown in which a first UE notifies a second UE of an ongoing sensing operation via sidelink communication or more generally via D2D communication.

[0015] Figure 8 A method for a UE according to the implementation scheme of this document is illustrated.

[0016] Figure 9 An example of a RAN method according to the implementation scheme described herein is given.

[0017] Figure 10 An example of a RAN method according to the implementation scheme described herein is given.

[0018] Figure 11 A method for a UE according to the implementation scheme of this document is illustrated.

[0019] Figure 12 A method for a UE according to the implementation scheme of this document is illustrated.

[0020] Figure 13 A method for a UE according to the implementation scheme of this document is illustrated.

[0021] Figure 14 An example architecture of a wireless communication system according to the implementation scheme disclosed herein is illustrated.

[0022] Figure 15 A system for performing signaling transfer between a wireless device and a network device according to an embodiment disclosed herein is illustrated. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Various implementations are described with respect to the UE. However, references to the UE are provided for illustrative purposes only. The example implementations can be used with any electronic component capable of establishing a connection to a network and configured with hardware, software, and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Therefore, the UE as described herein is used to represent any suitable electronic component.

[0024] In some wireless communication systems, sensing operations use radio waves to acquire information about the characteristics of the environment and / or objects within the environment, to determine, for example, the distance, range, angle, or instantaneous linear velocity of objects within the sensing operation area. Sensing operations rely on the analysis of the transmission, reflection, and scattering of wireless sensing signals (radio frequency (RF) signals). Furthermore, in some wireless communication systems, sensing operations consider data derived from radio signals and optionally processed within the wireless communication system, which are affected by the object of interest or the environment for the sensing purpose (e.g., reflected, refracted, or diffracted by the object or environment). Additionally, sensing operations can provide the ability to acquire information about the characteristics of the environment and / or objects within the environment (e.g., shape, size, orientation, velocity, position (e.g., with an error of less than one meter), distances between objects, or relative motion, etc.) using RF signals and, in some cases, predefined information available in the core network and / or RAN. In some cases, the output of the sensing operation may depend on the resolution, frequency, or bandwidth of the radio waves used in the sensing operation.

[0025] Since wireless communication systems use RF signals for various communication operations under all circumstances, it is contemplated that, in at least some cases, the communication RF signals in question can also be used for sensing operations as described herein. However, it should be noted that this is not a strict requirement. In other cases, the RF signals used for sensing operations within a wireless communication system, as described herein, can be RF resources dedicated to / specifically for sensing operation purposes and / or not simultaneously used for communication (or other) purposes.

[0026] In some wireless communication systems (e.g., 3GPP wireless communication systems), if sensing operation has already been activated, it is not possible to notify the UE in the sensing operation area that the sensing operation has started, is in progress, and / or is about to begin. The sensing operation area can be, for example, a cell area, a short or long distance from the origin of the sensing transmission and / or reception, a specific geographical area, and / or some other range within which the sensing operation is performed. For users of UEs in wireless communication systems, knowing whether a sensing operation has started, is in progress, and / or is about to begin in their area can be useful, as sensing operations may affect user privacy.

[0027] In some wireless communication systems, sensing operations can take various forms. In one example, a sensing operation can be network-based, which may potentially have a relatively long range in some cases, while a UE-based sensing operation may potentially have a relatively short range. In some cases, the UE performs a user-activated sensing operation, and in others, the UE performs a network-activated sensing operation. Alternatively or additionally, a nearby UE may perform the sensing operation.

[0028] Notifying the user that a sensing operation has begun, is in progress, or is about to occur may need to be sent to devices within the sensing capability range (or in other words, the sensing operation area), regardless of their connectivity status and / or the network to which the UE is connected. In some examples, certain such devices may include user-operated UEs, but may not include Internet of Things (IoT) devices. It should be noted that in some cases, notifications may not be sent to UEs that are IoT devices not corresponding to or carried by a human user (because privacy concerns may be less prominent in such cases).

[0029] Sensing operations can be used to determine information such as environmental conditions, the presence of objects or people, and human activities.

[0030] It is envisioned that sensing operations can be in an active state (e.g., performing sensing measurements in the sensing operation area) or in an inactive state (currently not performing sensing measurements).

[0031] Furthermore, it is envisioned that sensing operations can be utilized for various durations. For example, sensing operations can be performed for a specific time period, or sensing operations can have specific start and / or end times.

[0032] In some examples, the sensing operation may have a sensing range, or in other words, a sensing operation area within which the sensing operation is performed. The sensing operation area may be, for example, a cell area, a short or long distance from the sensing transmission and / or reception origin, a specific geographical area, or other ranges. Furthermore, sensing can be performed in various frequency bands and is not limited to one frequency band. It should be noted that when the sensing operation is performed by a base station, the sensing operation area may or may not extend along with the coverage area of ​​the base station's cell.

[0033] Sensing operations can serve various purposes. For example, they can provide enhancements to security or surveillance. Similarly, they can generate various statistics. For instance, in a shopping mall, sensing operations can provide statistics on the number of people in the mall or the most frequently visited areas. In another example, sensing operations can provide statistics on how many residents live in a household, even if the residents are not currently carrying any devices or UEs. As a third example, sensing operations can be used to detect various environmental factors, such as precipitation type, wind conditions, etc. As a fourth example, sensing operations can be used to track a user's physical activity and / or exercise when the user prefers not to carry any devices or UEs.

[0034] Furthermore, potential recipients of the information resulting from the sensing operation may include, but are not limited to, users, internet technology (IT) companies, landlords, public authorities, and / or network operators.

[0035] In some examples, the application may have access to sensing operation data and / or results.

[0036] The embodiments disclosed herein provide a way to notify UEs and thus users of ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operations in their area.

[0037] Notification of ongoing and / or upcoming sensing Figure 1 An example is shown where the sensing indicator turns on when the UE is aware of an ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operation or when the UE is in the sensing area.

[0038] In some implementations, upon receiving a sensing notification message from base station 102, the first UE 104 is informed of the ongoing sensing measurement at its current location / within the sensing operation area 108. A user notification mechanism can be implemented on the first UE 104 to notify the user of the ongoing sensing measurement. For example, such as... Figure 1As illustrated in Figure 100, a sensing indicator 110 can be used. Figure 1 In one implementation, the sensing indicator 110 is a light-emitting diode (LED) light that turns on when the first UE 104 is aware of an ongoing sensing operation in the sensing operation area 108. In some examples, if the first UE 104 is aware of an ongoing sensing operation, the first UE 104 may turn on or illuminate the sensing indicator 110 LED, thus notifying the user of the ongoing sensing operation. Furthermore, if no ongoing sensing operation exists, the sensing indicator 110 LED on the first UE 104 may remain off, thus indicating to the user that no ongoing sensing operation exists. In such cases, the sensing indicator 110 LED may also turn off if the first UE 104 leaves the sensing operation area 108.

[0039] Additionally or alternatively, a sensing notification from base station 102 may inform the first UE 104 of an upcoming sensing measurement at its location / within sensing operation area 108. In such a case, the sensing notification may describe scheduling aspects for the future sensing operation in sensing operation area 108, such as, for example, start time, end time, duration, etc. In this case, if the first UE 104 is aware of the upcoming sensing operation, it may turn on or illuminate the sensing indicator 110 LED, thus notifying the user of the upcoming sensing operation. In other examples, if no upcoming sensing operation exists, the sensing indicator 110 LED on the first UE 104 may remain off, thus indicating to the user that no upcoming sensing operation exists. In such a case, the sensing indicator 110 LED may also be turned off if the first UE 104 leaves sensing operation area 108 / when the first UE leaves the sensing operation area.

[0040] like Figure 1 As illustrated, it is envisioned that the second UE 106 may enter the sensing operation area 108, in which case the indication may appear at the second UE 106 in a manner similar to that described with respect to the first UE 104.

[0041] In some cases, a sensing notification from base station 102 may inform the second UE 106 of sensing measurements taken at a location where the second UE 106 will later be located (and for the duration of that location). For example, as illustrated, the second UE 106 is not yet in sensing operation area 108. However, using the sensing notification from base station 102, the second UE 106 determines, based on its trajectory 112, that it will be in sensing operation area 108 at the time corresponding to a sensing operation within sensing operation area 108. In such cases, the second UE 106 may turn on or illuminate the sensing indicator 110 LED, thus notifying the user of the first UE 104 of the sensing operation. If the trajectory 112 of the second UE 106 changes such that the second UE 106 will no longer enter sensing operation area 108 corresponding to the time of the sensing operation, the sensing indicator 110 LED on the second UE 106 may be turned off, thus indicating to the user that no applicable and upcoming sensing operation exists.

[0042] The sensing indicator 110 / 116 is shown as an LED by way of example and not limitation. As another example, the sensing indicator may be an icon that is turned on or lit on the graphical user interface (GUI) of the UE (first UE 104, second UE 106), thus notifying the user of the UE of an ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operation (or the icon may be turned off / remained off, thus indicating to the user of the first UE 104 that no ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operation exists). Other examples disclosed herein are not limited to LED indicators and / or icons. The sensing indicator 110 / 116, which provides the user with indication of an ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operation via the UE, may additionally or alternatively take the form of, for example, vibration, audio alarm, notification via (e.g., user-accessible) an application, push notification, etc., and / or any combination of one or more of these forms.

[0043] It is envisioned that sensing notifications can be provided to the UE in any of the following: cell broadcast messages, system information blocks (SIBs), radio resource control (RRC) messages, non-access stratum (NAS) signaling messages, media access control control elements (MAC-CE), downlink control information (DCI), etc.

[0044] Network-based sensor notifications via cell broadcast Figure 2 An example is illustrated of notifying one or more UEs 202 of an ongoing sensing operation by sending a cell broadcast message from base station 206 to one or more UEs 202.

[0045] In one implementation, a cell broadcast message indicating that cell-wide sensing operation is in progress may be sent to one or more UEs 202 in the cell. In some examples, cell broadcast messages 204 may be sent to one or more UEs 202 at regular intervals. Figure 2 Figure 200 illustrates one such example, in which a cell broadcast message 204 indicating an ongoing sensing operation is sent from a base station 206 to one or more UEs 202 residing in a sensing operation area 208.

[0046] UE 202 may receive notification messages, for example, when entering the sensing operation area 208, periodically while remaining in the sensing operation area 208, when sensing operation begins in the sensing operation area 208, and / or when sensing operation parameters change. Furthermore, in some examples, UE 202 may stop receiving notification messages when leaving the sensing operation area 208 or when sensing operation in the sensing operation area 208 has ceased.

[0047] Similar to the previous implementation described herein, UE 202 may provide a sensing notification to the user upon receiving an indication of sensing. This may take the form of, for example, one or more of the following: activating an LED, displaying an icon, displaying an indication on the GUI, playing an audio indication, and / or providing a vibration indication, etc.

[0048] The UE may stop notifying the user when it no longer receives sensing notifications in broadcast messages, when a certain period of sensing operation has ended, when the end time of sensing operation has passed, or if the UE 302 no longer receives sensing notifications in subsequent broadcast messages.

[0049] Further, it is envisioned that, as already discussed... Figure 2 The broadcast message described may (additionally or alternatively) be used to provide the UE with information about an upcoming sensing operation and / or the applicable sensing notification area, which the UE may then use in the manner described elsewhere in this document.

[0050] In a 3GPP context, it is possible that the cell broadcast message 204 can be used to notify UE 202 connected to, for example, a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), network, or operator that provides sensing notification. However, in some such 3GPP contexts, the cell broadcast message 204 may not provide sensing notification to UEs connected to other PLMNs, networks, or operators whose users may (equally) be affected by ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operations or sensing measurements (e.g., in sensing operation area 208).

[0051] Network-based sensing notification via System Information Block (SIB) Figure 3 An example is illustrated of notifying one or more UEs 302 of an ongoing sensing operation by sending a system information broadcast (in the SIB) from base station 306 to one or more UEs 302.

[0052] In some implementations, system information (SI) indicating when sensing operations are to be performed in the cell may be introduced / used. Since the SI can be provided / updated to UE 302 by sending SIB, the reception of indications for sensing operations at UE 302 is supported accordingly in all Radio Resource Control (RRC) states (RRC idle state, RRC inactive state, and / or RRC connected state). Figure 3 Figure 300 illustrates a system information broadcast 304 (in the SIB) from base station 306 to one or more UEs 302 to indicate a sensing operation in progress within sensing operation area 308.

[0053] The UE 302, which reads the SIB, can provide a notification to the user upon receiving an instruction for sensing operation (delivered in the SIB). This can take the form of one or more of the following: activating an LED, displaying an icon, displaying an instruction on the GUI, playing an audio instruction, and / or providing a vibration indication, etc. The UE 302 can stop notifying the user when it no longer receives sensing notifications, when a certain period of sensing operation has ended, when the end time of sensing operation has elapsed, or if the UE 302 no longer receives sensing notifications in subsequent SIBs.

[0054] Further, it is envisioned that, as already discussed... Figure 3 The described system information broadcast 304 may (additionally or alternatively) be used to provide the UE with information about upcoming sensing operations and / or applicable sensing notification areas, which the UE may then use in the manner described elsewhere herein.

[0055] In a 3GPP context, it is possible that system information broadcast 304 may be used to notify UEs 302 connected to, for example, a PLMN, network, or operator that provides sensing notification. However, in some such 3GPP contexts, system information broadcast may not provide sensing notification to UEs connected to other PLMNs, networks, or operators whose users may (equally) be affected by ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operations or sensing measurements (e.g., in sensing operation area 308).

[0056] Network-based sensing notification via Non-Access Stratum (NAS) / RRC signaling Figure 4An example is illustrated of notifying one or more UEs 402 of an ongoing sensing operation by sending Non-Access Stratum (NAS) and / or Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling from base station 406 to one or more UEs 402.

[0057] In some implementations, new information elements (IEs) or new messages may be introduced into existing non-access stratum (NAS) and / or RRC signaling processes to indicate when sensing operations are to be performed in the cell. Figure 4 Figure 400 illustrates the sending of a NAS or RRC signaling message 404 from a base station 406 to one or more UEs 402 to indicate ongoing sensing within a sensing operation area 408.

[0058] For situations involving enhanced NAS messages, configuration update commands can be used to provide new IEs and / or messages. In another example of enhancing existing RRC messages, RRC reconfiguration messages can be used to provide new IEs and / or messages.

[0059] In some cases, using NAS and / or RRC signaling when notifying the UE of sensing may be more targeted than in other possible cases. For example, the network may use one or more location methods, such as (e.g., uplink (UL) time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA), UL angle of arrival (UL-AOA), etc.), to determine the location of UE 402. Alternatively or additionally, the UE may report its location to the network as part of one or more location methods, such as uplink (UL) time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA), UL angle of arrival (UL-AOA), etc. Using the determined location of the UE, the network may provide NAS and / or RRC signaling to the UE when it determines that UE 402 is within the applicable sensing operation area 408. In such cases, UEs that are alternatively determined not to be within the applicable sensing operation area 408 may not be notified (even if they are within the coverage area of ​​the corresponding cell).

[0060] One or more UEs 402 receiving sensing notifications may also provide notifications to the user that sensing operations are in progress. This may take one or more of the following forms: activating LEDs, displaying icons, displaying indicators on the GUI, playing audio indicators, and / or providing vibration indicators, etc. Notifications from the UE to the user may be stopped when the UE no longer receives sensing notifications in NAS / RRC signaling, when a certain period of sensing operation has ended, when the end time of the sensing operation has elapsed, or if the UE 402 no longer receives notifications in NAS / RRC signaling.

[0061] Further, it is envisioned that, as already discussed... Figure 4The NAS or RRC signaling message 404 described herein may (additionally or alternatively) be used to provide the UE with information about an upcoming sensing operation and / or the applicable sensing notification area, which the UE may then use in the manner described elsewhere herein.

[0062] In a 3GPP context, it is possible that NAS or RRC signaling message 404 can be used to notify UEs 402 connected to, for example, a PLMN, network, or operator that provides sensing notification. However, in some such 3GPP contexts, system information broadcasting may, for example, not provide sensing notification to UEs connected to other PLMNs, networks, or operators whose users may (equally) be affected by ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operations or sensing measurements (e.g., in sensing operation area 408).

[0063] Implementation of cross-PLMN notification Figure 5 An example is illustrated of a UE 504 of a second operator (e.g., a second PLMN) notifying the UE of a sensing operation that is in progress and / or about to be performed corresponding to a first operator (e.g., a first PLMN) by sharing sensing operation notifications and / or information between operators.

[0064] In some implementations discussed herein, UEs located within the coverage area of ​​a different PLMN than the PLMN providing sensing notifications (e.g., UEs served by other operators) may not receive notifications of ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operations.

[0065] To address this issue, in some implementations, information from sensing operations performed by one operator or PLMN can be shared with other operators or PLMNs. This can be achieved through various architectural enhancements.

[0066] In some of these cases, a provisionable server or aggregator architecture can be used, in which all operators connect to the aggregator and information about one operator’s sensing operations is shared via the aggregator with other operators covering the same geographic area.

[0067] In some such cases, the sensing network functions (NFs) of different operators can be enabled to exchange information about sensing operations in a given geographic area. For example, a sensing NF of one operator can exchange information about sensing operations with a sensing NF of another operator, or more generally, can exchange information about sensing operations with another operator.

[0068] In some such cases, base stations from different operators can exchange information about sensing operations within a given geographic area. For example, if base stations are co-located at the same site, they can exchange information about sensing operations at the base station level, without needing to exchange it on a data network-wide basis.

[0069] Figure 5 Figure 500 illustrates an example of an operator sharing sensing operations and / or sensing indications with other operators. In this example, UE 502 is connected to a base station of a first operator and can therefore receive a sensing notification 508 from base station 506 of the first operator, which informs UE 502, connected to base station 506, that UE 502 is in the sensing operation area 510 of the first operator. Furthermore, the sensing operation information can be shared with another base station of a second operator (not shown) to which UE 504 is connected, allowing the base station to notify UE 504 that the UE is in the sensing operation area 510 corresponding to the first operator (even if UE 504 is not connected to base station 506 of the first operator).

[0070] Broadcast / Multicast / Unicast Aspects In some implementations, notification messages may be broadcast to all UEs in a cell, or multicast / unicast to specific UEs in a sensing area. In some examples, sensing areas may be based on their network measurements and / or UE-reported locations. For example, in cases with sufficiently accurate positioning mechanisms, unicast in the form of NAS and / or RRC signaling as described in the embodiments herein may be utilized. In other examples, where a group of devices or UEs exists in a common area, multicast may be used to provide those UEs with ongoing and / or upcoming sensing notifications.

[0071] Similarly, in some such implementations, enhancements can be provided where notifications are based on the UE's location measured by the 5G network. Advanced positioning methods in 3GPP allow the network to determine the UE's location accurately enough to determine if the UE is within a sensed area. This may not utilize new positioning sessions (and new measurements); for example, the network may rely on network-based enhanced cell IDs (E-CIDs). This information can be used by the 5G network, for example, to generate UE-specific messages.

[0072] UE-based notifications via device-to-device (D2D) communication Some wireless communication systems use D2D communication, or more generally, wireless communication links established between adjacent UEs without utilizing RAN infrastructure, to exchange data or perform various tasks without relying on traditional cellular network connections. In some such cases, sidelink technology facilitates D2D communication (also known as D2D communication in ProSe). In some examples, sidelinks enhance communication capabilities, such as expanding the possibilities for various applications, such as public safety, IoT, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication.

[0073] In some implementations, a notification of an ongoing sensing operation can be sent by one UE and delivered to another UE via a D2D communication mechanism. The notification of an ongoing sensing operation can take the form of a broadcast message and can be repeated, for example, by the sending UE at regular intervals. PC5 and / or sidelink communication can be used in scenarios where a UE is performing sensing and simultaneously generating a notification message. In some cases, the same device or UE can both generate a sensing notification message and send that sensing notification message to another UE via D2D (e.g., sidelink) communication. Furthermore, since resources used for D2D communication can be consistently configured across UEs (e.g., as configured in sidelink communication), a first UE can listen for known resources (e.g., in a pre-configured frequency band) where a second UE is sending sensing notifications and can accordingly receive sensing notifications from the second UE.

[0074] Figure 6 Figure 600 illustrates a first UE 602 delivering an indication of an ongoing sensing operation to one or more second UEs 604 via D2D communication. In this example, the first UE 602 performing sensing may send a sensing notification 608 to one or more second UEs 604 via D2D communication to notify them that they are within a sensing operation area 606. The sensing operation area 606 corresponds to the sensing operation of the first UE 602 (unlike other embodiments described herein where the sensing operation area corresponds to the sensing operation of a base station).

[0075] D2D communication utilizes radio resources allocated by the network to enable direct communication between adjacent UEs. D2D communication in a wireless network allows UEs to directly exchange data (such as messages, files, or multimedia content) without routing that data through the core infrastructure of the cellular network. This direct communication link can be established in unicast mode (one-to-one communication) or in multicast or broadcast mode (one-to-many / many-to-many communication). D2D communication offers several advantages, including reduced latency, improved network efficiency, and enhanced user experience. Examples of D2D communication include, but are not limited to, sidelink communication, WLAN communication, and / or Bluetooth communication.

[0076] Return to Figure 6 In the illustrated example, the second UE 604 may receive a sensing notification message, for example, when entering the sensing operation area 606, periodically while remaining in the sensing operation area 606, when sensing operation begins, or when sensing operation parameters change. Furthermore, in some examples, the second UE 604 may stop receiving sensing notification messages when leaving the sensing operation area 606 or when sensing operation has stopped.

[0077] Similar to the previous embodiments described herein, the second UE 604 may provide a notification to the user upon receiving an indication for sensing. This may take one or more of the following forms: activating an LED, displaying an icon, displaying an indication on the GUI, playing an audio indication, and / or providing a vibration indication, etc. Notification to the user may cease when the second UE 604 no longer receives sensing notifications, when a certain period of sensing operation has ended, when the end time of sensing operation has elapsed, or if the second UE 604 no longer receives transmission notifications from the first UE 602.

[0078] Further, it is envisioned that, as already discussed... Figure 6 The described D2D-based sensing notification message may (additionally or alternatively) be used to provide the UE with information about an upcoming sensing operation and / or the applicable sensing notification area, which the UE may then use in the manner described elsewhere herein.

[0079] Advantageously, as a result of D2D communication (e.g., PC5 and sidelink communication) for sensing notification, UEs under the control of different PLMNs can notify each other of sensing operations, rather than being limited to notifying one PLMN of ongoing and / or upcoming sensing. In other words, a UE operating in the context of the first PLMN can use D2D messages as already described to transmit notifications to other UEs in the context of the second PLMN.

[0080] It is envisioned that, in cases where the first UE 602 is outside the network's coverage area (but note that this is not necessary), the following methods could be used. Figure 6 The described D2D mechanism.

[0081] Figure 7 Figure 700 illustrates a first UE 706 notifying one or more second UEs 708 of an ongoing sensing operation via D2D communication.

[0082] Notification of ongoing sensing operations may be delivered to the first UE 706 by base station 704. The notification of ongoing sensing from the network may take the form of a broadcast message, as already described. Notification of ongoing sensing may be repeated, for example, at regular intervals. In at least some cases, as illustrated, base station 704 may provide notification of ongoing sensing to the first UE 706 in a NAS / RRC signaling message 702.

[0083] Then, the first UE 706 may deliver follow-up notifications of the ongoing sensing operation to one or more second UEs 708 via D2D communication. The first UE 706 (which receives sensing notifications from the network, as described) uses D2D communication 712 with the second UE 708 to forward the sensing notifications (e.g., via the Uu interface) to one or more second UEs 708. In some embodiments, this may be done via, for example, a PC5 interface while utilizing Layer 2 (L2) UE-to-Network (U2N) relay UE functionality.

[0084] Such forwarding can be useful in partial coverage scenarios, such as when the cell is smaller than the sensing operation area 710, thus enabling a first UE 706, which is in both the coverage area and the sensing operation area 710, to forward received sensing notifications to a second UE 708, which is outside the coverage area but still within the sensing operation area 710. However, it should be noted that the partial coverage example is given by way of illustration rather than limitation (e.g., in the context of...). Figure 7 In a corresponding alternative scenario, D2D communication 712 can still be used as described, even if the second UE 708 is also within coverage.

[0085] One or more second UEs 708 may receive sensing notification messages from the first UE 706, for example, when entering the sensing operation area 710, periodically when remaining in the sensing operation area 710, when sensing operation begins, or when sensing operation parameters change. Furthermore, in some examples, the UE may stop receiving messages when leaving the sensing operation area 710 or when sensing operation has stopped.

[0086] The second UE 708 may provide a notification to the user upon receiving an indication for sensing. This may take one or more of the following forms: activating an LED, displaying an icon, presenting an indication on the GUI, playing an audio indication, and / or providing a vibration indication. Notification to the user may cease when the second UE 708 no longer receives sensing notifications from the first UE 706, when a certain period of sensing operation has ended, when the end time of the sensing operation has elapsed, or when the UE is no longer in the sensing operation area 710.

[0087] Further, it is envisioned that, as already discussed... Figure 7 The described D2D-based sensing notification can (additionally or alternatively) be used to provide the UE with information about an upcoming sensing operation and / or the applicable sensing notification area, which the UE can then use in the manner described elsewhere in this document.

[0088] In some cases, the UE may send a notification of an ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operation to a second UE via D2D communication, and the second UE may send the same notification of an ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operation to a third UE via D2D communication, and so on.

[0089] Advantageously, as a result of D2D sensing notification, UEs under the control of different PLMNs can notify each other of sensing operations, rather than being limited to notifying entities associated with only one PLMN of ongoing and / or upcoming sensing. In other words, a UE receiving a sensing notification in the context of the first PLMN (e.g., from the network) can use D2D messages as already described to transmit / forward the sensing notification to other UEs operating outside the context of the first PLMN (e.g., in the second PLMN).

[0090] applicability Alternatively or additionally, the embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to cellular communications, such as 3GPP 5G systems or other wireless communication systems (such as WiFi). In the case of WiFi, privacy concerns may be more severe because WiFi can operate in a closer range (such as within a user's home), especially in multi-party properties with multiple access points (APs) in operation. For example, serious privacy issues may arise regarding WiFi when sensing unknown users.

[0091] Figure 8 A method 800 for a first UE according to an embodiment herein is illustrated. Method 800 includes receiving an 802 notification message from a RAN indicating that the first UE is within a sensing area from which measurements of RF signals are collected. Method 800 also includes presenting an 804 notification that the first UE is within the sensing area.

[0092] In some implementations of method 800, the notification message includes a cell broadcast message that also indicates that cell-wide sensing is in progress.

[0093] In some embodiments of method 800, the notification message includes an SIB having an SI indicating that sensing is in progress.

[0094] In some embodiments of method 800, the notification message includes an RRC signaling message. In some such embodiments, the RRC signaling message includes an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0095] In some implementations of method 800, the notification message includes a NAS signaling message. In some such implementations, the NAS signaling message includes a configuration update command.

[0096] In some implementations of method 800, the notification message includes a MAC-CE message.

[0097] In some implementations of method 800, the notification message includes a DCI message.

[0098] In some implementations of method 800, the notification message is received during multicast transmission.

[0099] In some implementations of method 800, the notification message is received during unicast transmission.

[0100] In some embodiments, method 800 further includes sending a notification message from the first UE to the second UE via D2D communication. In some such embodiments, D2D communication includes sidelink communication. In some such embodiments, D2D communication includes WLAN communication. In some such embodiments, D2D communication includes Bluetooth communication.

[0101] In some implementations of method 800, presenting a notification of the first UE within the sensing area includes presenting an indication on the GUI.

[0102] In some implementations of method 800, presenting a notification to the first UE within the sensing area includes playing an audio instruction.

[0103] In some embodiments of method 800, presenting a notification to the first UE within the sensing area includes providing a vibration indication.

[0104] In some implementations of method 800, presenting a notification to the first UE within the sensing area includes providing instructions to applications accessible by the end user.

[0105] In some implementations, method 800 further includes periodically receiving retransmissions of notification messages from the RAN. Some such implementations also include stopping the presentation of notifications for the first UE within the sensing area when the first UE stops receiving retransmissions of notification messages from the RAN.

[0106] Figure 9 A method 900 for a RAN according to an embodiment of this document is illustrated. Method 900 includes determining, 902, at the RAN a sensing area from which measurements of RF signals are collected, covering a cell operated by the RAN. The method also includes broadcasting, 904, within the cell an instruction to receive a notification message from a UE within the sensing area.

[0107] In some implementations, method 900 also includes the measurement of RF signals collected at the RAN.

[0108] In some implementations, method 900 further includes periodically retransmitting notification messages to the UE. Some such implementations also include stopping the retransmission of notification messages to the UE when the RAN determines that the UE is not within the sensing area.

[0109] In some embodiments of method 900, the notification message includes an SIB having an SI indicating that sensing is in progress.

[0110] In some implementations of method 900, the RAN determines the sensing area coverage cell based on information received from an external PLMN.

[0111] Figure 10 A method 1000 for a RAN according to an embodiment of this document is illustrated. Method 1000 includes determining at the RAN 1002 that the UE is within a sensing area from which RF signals are collected. Method 1000 also includes sending a notification message to the UE 1004 indicating that the UE is within the sensing area.

[0112] In some embodiments of method 1000, the notification message includes an SIB having an SI indicating that sensing is in progress.

[0113] In some embodiments of method 1000, the notification message includes an RRC signaling message. In some such embodiments, the RRC signaling message includes an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0114] In some embodiments of method 1000, the notification message includes a NAS signaling message. In some such embodiments, the NAS signaling message includes a configuration update command.

[0115] In some implementations of method 1000, the notification message includes a MAC-CE message.

[0116] In some implementations of method 1000, the notification message includes a DCI message.

[0117] In some implementations, method 1000 also includes receiving an identifier of the sensing area from an external PLMN.

[0118] In some implementations of method 1000, the RAN determines that the UE is in the sensing area based on the UE positioning process. In some such implementations, the notification message is sent in a multicast transmission. In some such implementations, the notification message is sent in a unicast transmission.

[0119] In some implementations, method 1000 also includes the measurement of RF signals collected at the RAN.

[0120] In some implementations, method 1000 further includes periodically retransmitting notification messages to the UE. Some such implementations also include stopping the retransmission of notification messages to the UE when the RAN determines that the UE is not within the sensing area.

[0121] Figure 11 A method 1100 for a first UE according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Method 1100 includes performing a measurement of an RF signal in a sensing area at the first UE 1102. Method 1100 also includes generating a notification message at the first UE 1104 indicating that the first UE is performing a measurement. Method 1100 further includes sending a notification message to a second UE via D2D communication 1106.

[0122] In some implementations of method 1100, D2D communication includes sidelink communication.

[0123] In some implementations of method 1100, D2D communication includes WLAN communication.

[0124] In some implementations of method 1100, D2D communication includes Bluetooth communication.

[0125] In some implementations, method 1100 also includes periodically retransmitting notification messages to the second UE.

[0126] In some implementations of method 1100, the first UE stops retransmitting notification messages to the second UE when the first UE no longer performs measurements.

[0127] In some embodiments of method 1100, the first UE is outside the coverage area. In some such embodiments, the second UE is outside the coverage area.

[0128] Figure 12A method 1200 for a first UE according to an embodiment herein is illustrated. Method 1200 includes receiving a notification message 1202 from a second UE via D2D communication, the notification message indicating that the second UE is performing an RF signal measurement within a sensing area. Method 1200 also includes presenting a notification 1204 that the first UE is within the sensing area.

[0129] In some implementations, method 1200 further includes periodically receiving retransmissions of notification messages from the second UE. In some such implementations, the first UE stops presenting notifications of the UE within the sensing area when the first UE no longer receives retransmissions of notification messages from the second UE.

[0130] In some embodiments of method 1200, presenting notifications to the UE within the sensing area includes presenting an indication on the GUI.

[0131] In some implementations of method 1200, presenting a notification to the UE within the sensing area includes playing an audio instruction.

[0132] In some embodiments of method 1200, presenting a notification to the UE within the sensing area includes providing a vibration indication.

[0133] In some embodiments of method 1200, presenting notifications to the UE within the sensing area includes providing instructions to applications accessible by the end user.

[0134] In some implementations of method 1200, D2D communication includes sidelink communication.

[0135] In some implementations of method 1200, D2D communication includes WLAN communication.

[0136] In some implementations of method 1200, D2D communication includes Bluetooth communication.

[0137] Figure 13 Method 1300 of a UE according to an embodiment of this document is illustrated. Method 1300 includes receiving a notification message 1302 from a RAN, the notification message indicating that a first UE will enter a sensing area from which measurements of RF signals are collected. Method 1300 also includes presenting a notification 1304 that the first UE will enter the sensing area.

[0138] In some implementations of method 1300, the notification message includes a cell broadcast message.

[0139] In some implementations of method 1300, the notification message includes an SIB.

[0140] In some implementations of method 1300, the notification message includes an RRC signaling message.

[0141] In some implementations of method 1300, the notification message includes a NAS signaling message.

[0142] In some implementations of method 1300, the notification message includes a MAC-CE message.

[0143] In some implementations of method 1300, the notification message includes a DCI message.

[0144] In some implementations of method 1300, the notification message is received during unicast transmission.

[0145] In some embodiments, method 1300 further includes sending a notification message from the first UE to the second UE via D2D communication. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the D2D communication includes sidelink communication. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the D2D communication includes WLAN communication. In some embodiments of these embodiments, the D2D communication includes Bluetooth communication.

[0146] In some embodiments of method 1300, presenting notifications to the UE within the sensing area includes presenting an indication on the GUI.

[0147] In some embodiments of method 1300, presenting a notification to the UE within the sensing area includes playing an audio instruction.

[0148] In some embodiments of method 1300, presenting a notification to the UE within the sensing area includes providing a vibration indication.

[0149] In some embodiments of method 1300, presenting notifications to the UE within the sensing area includes providing instructions to applications accessible by the end user.

[0150] Figure 14 An example architecture of a wireless communication system 1400 according to an embodiment disclosed herein is illustrated. The following description is provided for an example wireless communication system 1400 operating in conjunction with LTE system standards and / or 5G or NR system standards provided by 3GPP technical specifications.

[0151] like Figure 14 As shown, the wireless communication system 1400 includes UE 1402 and UE 1404 (but any number of UEs may be used). In this example, UE 1402 and UE 1404 are exemplified as smartphones (e.g., handheld touchscreen mobile computing devices capable of connecting to one or more cellular networks), but may also include any mobile or non-mobile computing device configured for wireless communication.

[0152] UE 1402 and UE 1404 can be configured to be communicatively coupled to RAN 1406. In an implementation, RAN 1406 can be NG-RAN, E-UTRAN, etc. UE 1402 and UE 1404 utilize connections (or channels) with RAN 1406 (shown as connection 1408 and connection 1410, respectively), where each connection includes a physical communication interface. RAN 1406 may include one or more base stations (such as base station 1412 and base station 1414) implementing connection 1408 and connection 1410.

[0153] In this example, Connection 1408 and Connection 1410 are air interfaces that enable this type of communication coupling and are compliant with the RAT used by RAN 1406, such as LTE and / or NR.

[0154] In some implementations, UE 1402 and UE 1404 may also exchange communication data directly via sidelink interface 1416. UE 1404 is shown configured to access an access point (shown as AP 1418) via connection 1420. By way of example, connection 1420 may include a local wireless connection, such as a connection conforming to any IEEE 802.11 protocol, while AP 1418 may include Wi-Fi. ® Router. In this example, AP 1418 can connect to another network (e.g., the Internet) without using CN 1424.

[0155] In the implementation, UE 1402 and UE 1404 may be configured to communicate with each other or with base station 1412 and / or base station 1414 on a multi-carrier communication channel using, for example, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communication signals, according to various communication technologies, such as, but not limited to, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication technology (e.g., for downlink communication) or single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communication technology (e.g., for uplink and ProSe or sidelink communication), but the scope of the implementation is not limited in this respect. The OFDM signal may include multiple orthogonal subcarriers.

[0156] In some implementations, all or some of the base stations in base station 1412 or base station 1414 may be implemented as one or more software entities running on a server computer as part of a virtual network. Furthermore, or in other implementations, base station 1412 or base station 1414 may be configured to communicate with each other via interface 1422. In implementations where the wireless communication system 1400 is an LTE system (e.g., when CN 1424 is an EPC), interface 1422 may be an X2 interface. The X2 interface may be defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more eNBs, etc.) connected to the EPC and / or between two eNBs connected to the EPC. In implementations where the wireless communication system 1400 is an NR system (e.g., when CN 1424 is a 5GC), interface 1422 may be an Xn interface. The Xn interface is defined between two or more base stations (e.g., two or more gNBs, etc.) connected to the 5GC, between a base station 1412 (e.g., a gNB) connected to the 5GC and an eNB, and / or between two eNBs connected to the 5GC (e.g., CN 1424).

[0157] RAN 1406 is shown communicatively coupled to CN 1424. CN 1424 may include one or more network elements 1426 configured to provide various data and telecommunications services to customers / subscribers (e.g., users of UE 1402 and UE 1404) connected to CN 1424 via RAN 1406. Components of CN 1424 may be implemented in a single physical device or a separate physical device, including components for reading and executing instructions from machine-readable or computer-readable media (e.g., non-transitory machine-readable storage media).

[0158] In the implementation scheme, CN 1424 may be an EPC, and RAN 1406 may be connected to CN 1424 via S1 interface 1428. In the implementation scheme, S1 interface 1428 may be divided into two parts: an S1 user plane (S1-U) interface, which carries service data between base station 1412 or 1414 and the serving gateway (S-GW); and an S1-MME interface, which is the signaling interface between base station 1412 or 1414 and the mobility management entity (MME).

[0159] In this implementation, CN 1424 may be a 5GC, and RAN 1406 may be connected to CN 1424 via NG interface 1428. In this implementation, NG interface 1428 may be divided into two parts: an NG user plane (NG-U) interface, which carries service data between base station 1412 or 1414 and the User Plane Function (UPF); and an S1 control plane (NG-C) interface, which is the signaling interface between base station 1412 or 1414 and the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0160] Generally, application server 1430 may be an element that provides Internet Protocol (IP) bearer resources (e.g., packet-switched data services) for use with CN 1424. Application server 1430 may also be configured to support one or more communication services (e.g., VoIP sessions, group communication sessions, etc.) for UE 1402 and UE 1404 via CN 1424. Application server 1430 can communicate with CN 1424 via IP communication interface 1432.

[0161] Figure 15 A system 1500 for performing signaling transfer 1534 between a wireless device 1502 and a network device 1518 according to an embodiment disclosed herein is illustrated. System 1500 may be part of a wireless communication system as described herein. Wireless device 1502 may be, for example, a UE of a wireless communication system. Network device 1518 may be, for example, a base station (e.g., an eNB or gNB) of a wireless communication system.

[0162] Wireless device 1502 may include one or more processors 1504. Processor 1504 is executable instructions that cause various operations of wireless device 1502 to be performed as described herein. Processor 1504 may include one or more baseband processors, which are implemented using, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), controller, field-programmable gate array (FPGA) device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0163] Wireless device 1502 may include memory 1506. Memory 1506 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1508, which may include instructions executable, for example, by processor 1504. Instructions 1508 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. Memory 1506 may also store data used by processor 1504 and results calculated by the processor.

[0164] Wireless device 1502 may include one or more transceivers 1510, which may include radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuitry and / or receiver circuitry, which use antenna 1512 of wireless device 1502 to facilitate signaling to and / or from wireless device 1502 and other devices (e.g., network device 1518) according to the corresponding RAT (e.g., signaling transmission 1534).

[0165] Wireless device 1502 may include one or more (e.g., one, two, four or more) antennas 1512. In embodiments with multiple antennas 1512, wireless device 1502 may fully utilize the spatial diversity of such multiple antennas 1512 to transmit and / or receive multiple different data streams on the same time and frequency resources. This behavior may be referred to as, for example, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) behavior (referring to multiple antennas used at each of the transmitting and receiving devices to implement this aspect). MIMO transmission by wireless device 1502 may be achieved according to pre-decoding (or digital beamforming) applied at wireless device 1502, which multiplexes data streams across antennas 1512 based on known or assumed channel characteristics, such that each data stream is received with appropriate signal strength relative to the other streams at a desired location in the spatial domain (e.g., the location of the receiver associated with that data stream). Some implementations may use a single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) approach (where all data streams are directed to a single receiver) and / or a multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) approach (where individual data streams may be directed to individual (different) receivers at different locations in the airspace).

[0166] In some implementations with multiple antennas, wireless device 1502 can implement analog beamforming technology, whereby the phase of the signal transmitted by antenna 1512 is relatively adjusted so that the (joint) transmission of antenna 1512 can be directed (this is sometimes referred to as beam control).

[0167] Wireless device 1502 may include one or more interfaces 1514. Interfaces 1514 can be used to provide input to or output to wireless device 1502. For example, wireless device 1502 as a UE may include interfaces 1514, such as microphones, speakers, touchscreens, and buttons, to allow users of the UE to make inputs and / or outputs to the UE. Other interfaces of such UEs may consist of transmitters, receivers, and other circuitry that allow the UE to communicate with other devices (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 1510 / antenna 1512 already described), and may be based on known protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi). ® and Bluetooth ® (etc.) to perform the operation.

[0168] Wireless device 1502 may include a sensing module 1516. The sensing module 1516 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, the sensing module 1516 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 1508 stored in memory 1506 and executed by processor 1504. In some examples, the sensing module 1516 may be integrated within processor 1504 and / or transceiver 1510. For example, the sensing module 1516 may be implemented via a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within processor 1504 or transceiver 1510.

[0169] The sensing module 1516 can be used in various aspects of this disclosure, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The sensing module 1516 can configure the wireless device 1502 to receive notifications of ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operations, and to display such notifications on the wireless device 1502. In some cases, the sensing module 1516 can configure the wireless device 1502 to perform sensing operations, and in some such cases, further send notifications of ongoing or upcoming sensing operations. The sensing module 1516 can configure the wireless device 1502 to determine whether it is within the sensing area based on information received from the network device 1518.

[0170] Network device 1518 may include one or more processors 1520. Processor 1520 is executable instructions that cause various operations of network device 1518 to be performed as described herein. Processor 1520 may include one or more baseband processors, which are implemented using, for example, a CPU, DSP, ASIC, controller, FPGA device, another hardware device, firmware device, or any combination thereof configured to perform the operations described herein.

[0171] Network device 1518 may include memory 1522. Memory 1522 may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions 1524, which may include instructions executed, for example, by processor 1520. Instructions 1524 may also be referred to as program code or a computer program. Memory 1522 may also store data used by processor 1520 and results calculated by the processor.

[0172] Network device 1518 may include one or more transceivers 1526, which may include RF transmitter circuitry and / or receiver circuitry that uses the antenna 1528 of network device 1518 to facilitate signaling transmission (e.g., signaling transmission 1534) to and / or from network device 1518 and other devices (e.g., wireless device 1502) according to the corresponding RAT.

[0173] Network device 1518 may include one or more (e.g., one, two, four or more) antennas 1528. In embodiments having multiple antennas 1528, network device 1518 may perform MIMO, digital beamforming, analog beamforming, beam steering, etc., as described.

[0174] Network device 1518 may include one or more interfaces 1530. Interface 1530 can be used to provide input to or output to network device 1518. For example, network device 1518 as a base station may include interface 1530 consisting of transmitters, receivers and other circuitry (e.g., in addition to the transceiver 1526 / antenna 1528 already described), which enable the base station to communicate with other equipment in the core network and / or enable the base station to communicate with external networks, computers and databases, etc., for the purpose of performing operations, management and maintenance of the base station or other equipment operatively connected to the base station.

[0175] Network device 1518 may include sensing module 1532. Sensing module 1532 may be implemented via hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, sensing module 1532 may be implemented as a processor, circuitry, and / or instructions 1524 stored in memory 1522 and executed by processor 1520. In some examples, sensing module 1532 may be integrated within processor 1520 and / or transceiver 1526. For example, sensing module 1532 may be implemented via a combination of software components (e.g., executed by a DSP or general-purpose processor) and hardware components (e.g., logic gates and circuitry) within processor 1520 or transceiver 1526.

[0176] The sensing module 1532 can be used in various aspects of this disclosure, such as Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7The sensing module 1532 can configure the network device 1518 to send notifications of ongoing and / or upcoming sensing operations. In some cases, the sensing module 1532 can configure the network device 1518 to perform sensing operations, and in some such cases, further send notifications of ongoing or upcoming sensing operations. The sensing module 1532 can configure the network device 1518 to determine that the wireless device 1502 is within the sensing area and send a sensing notification message to the wireless device 1502 indicating that the wireless device 1502 is within the sensing area.

[0177] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising components for performing one or more elements of any one or more of methods 800, 1100, and / or 1200. The apparatus may be, for example, a UE (such as wireless device 1502 as a UE, as described herein).

[0178] The embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of any one or more of method 800, method 1100, and / or method 1200. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may, for example, be a memory of a UE (such as memory 1506 of a wireless device 1502 serving as a UE, as described herein).

[0179] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic components, modules, or circuitry for performing one or more elements of any one or more of methods 800, 1100, and / or 1200. The apparatus may be, for example, a UE (such as wireless device 1502 as a UE, as described herein).

[0180] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of any one or more of method 800, method 1100, and / or method 1200. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus of a UE (such as wireless device 1502 as a UE, as described herein).

[0181] The implementation schemes envisioned herein include signals as described in or associated with one or more elements of any one or more of methods 800, 1100, and / or 1200.

[0182] The embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein the program is executed by a processor to cause the processor to perform one or more elements of any one or more of methods 800, 1100, or 1200. The processor may be a processor of the UE (such as processor 1504 as a wireless device 1502 of the UE, as described herein). These instructions may, for example, be located in the processor and / or in the memory of the UE (such as memory 1506 as a wireless device 1502 of the UE, as described herein).

[0183] Furthermore, the embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising components for performing one or more elements of any one or more methods in method 900 and / or method 1000. This apparatus may be, for example, a base station (such as network device 1518 as a base station, as described herein).

[0184] The embodiments contemplated herein include one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform one or more elements of any one or more methods 900 and / or 1000. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may be, for example, the memory of a base station (such as memory 1522 of a network device 1518 serving as a base station, as described herein).

[0185] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising logic components, modules, or circuitry for performing one or more elements of any one or more methods of method 900 and / or method 1000. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus for a base station (such as network device 1518 as a base station, as described herein).

[0186] The embodiments contemplated herein include an apparatus comprising: one or more processors; and one or more computer-readable media including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more elements of any one or more methods 900 and / or 1000. The apparatus may be, for example, an apparatus for a base station (such as network device 1518 as a base station, as described herein).

[0187] The implementation scheme envisioned herein includes a signal as described in or associated with one or more elements of any one or more methods in method 900 and / or method 1000.

[0188] The embodiments contemplated herein include a computer program or computer program product comprising instructions, wherein the program is executed by a processing element to cause the processing element to perform one or more elements of any one or more methods 900 and / or 1000. The processor may be a processor of a base station (such as processor 1520 of network device 1518 as a base station, as described herein). These instructions may, for example, be located in the processor and / or in the memory of the base station (such as memory 1522 of network device 1518 as a base station, as described herein).

[0189] For one or more embodiments, at least one of the components illustrated in one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to perform one or more operations, techniques, processes, and / or methods as described herein. For example, a baseband processor as described herein in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples illustrated herein. Similarly, circuitry associated with a UE, base station, network element, etc., as described above in conjunction with one or more of the foregoing figures may be configured to operate according to one or more of the examples illustrated herein.

[0190] Unless otherwise expressly stated, any of the embodiments described above may be combined with any other embodiment (or combination of embodiments). The foregoing description of one or more specific embodiments provides illustrative and descriptive information, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. In light of the teachings above, modifications and variations are possible, or modifications and variations may be derived from practice with various embodiments.

[0191] Implementations and specific embodiments of the systems and methods described herein may include various operations embodied in machine-executable instructions to be executed by a computer system. The computer system may include one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers (or other electronic devices). The computer system may include hardware components, including specific logical parts for performing the operations; or may include a combination of hardware, software, and / or firmware.

[0192] It should be recognized that the systems described herein include descriptions of specific implementations. These implementations may be combined into a single system, partially integrated into other systems, split into multiple systems, or otherwise divided or combined. Furthermore, it is contemplated that parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., of one implementation may be used in one implementation. For clarity, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., are described only in one or more implementations, and it should be recognized that, unless expressly stated herein, these parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., may be combined with or substituted for parameters, attributes, aspects, etc., of another implementation.

[0193] As is widely recognized, the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices that are generally accepted to meet or exceed industry or governmental requirements for protecting user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to users.

[0194] Although the foregoing has been described in considerable detail for clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways to implement both the processes and apparatus described herein. Therefore, this embodiment should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive, and this description is not limited to the details given herein, but can be modified within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method for a first user equipment (UE), the method comprising: Receive a notification message from the radio access network (RAN) indicating that the first UE is within the sensing area from which it collects radio frequency (RF) signals. as well as The first UE is presented with a notification within the sensing area.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message includes a cell broadcast message that further indicates that cell-wide sensing is in progress.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message includes a System Information Block (SIB) having System Information (SI) indicating that sensing is in progress.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message comprises a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling message.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the RRC signaling message includes an RRC reconfiguration message.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message includes a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling message.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the NAS signaling message includes a configuration update command.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message is received during multicast transmission.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message includes a Media Access Control Element (MAC-CE) message.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message includes a downlink control information (DCI) message.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the notification message is received in a unicast transmission.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending the notification message from the first UE to the second UE via device-to-device (D2D) communication.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the D2D communication includes sidelink communication.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the D2D communication includes wireless local area network (WLAN) communication.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the D2D communication includes Bluetooth communication.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the notification of the UE within the sensing area includes presenting an indication on a graphical user interface (GUI).

17. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the notification of the UE within the sensing area includes an audio playback instruction.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the notification of the UE within the sensing area includes providing a vibration indication.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein presenting the notification of the UE within the sensing area includes providing an indication to an application accessible by an end user.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising periodically receiving retransmissions of the notification message from the RAN.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising stopping the presentation of the notification of the UE in the sensing area when the UE stops receiving the retransmission of the notification message from the RAN.

22. A method for a radio access network (RAN), the method comprising: The sensing area at the RAN from which radio frequency (RF) signals are collected covers the cell operated by the RAN; as well as The cell broadcasts an instruction to receive a notification message from the user equipment (UE) within the sensing area.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising collecting the measurement of the RF signal at the RAN.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising periodically retransmitting the notification message to the UE.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising stopping retransmission of the notification message to the UE when the RAN determines that the UE is not within the sensing area.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the notification message includes a system information block (SIB) having system information (SI) indicating that sensing is in progress.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the RAN determines that the sensing area covers the cell based on information received from an external public land mobile network (PLMN).

28. A method for a radio access network (RAN), the method comprising: At the RAN, the user equipment (UE) is determined to be within the sensing area from which radio frequency (RF) signals are collected; as well as Send a notification message to the UE indicating that the UE is within the sensing area.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the notification message includes a system information block (SIB) having system information (SI) indicating that sensing is in progress.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the notification message comprises a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling message.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the RRC signaling message includes an RRC reconfiguration message.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the notification message includes a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling message.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the NAS signaling message includes a configuration update command.

34. The method of claim 28, wherein the notification message includes a Media Access Control Element (MAC-CE) message.

35. The method of claim 28, wherein the notification message includes a downlink control information (DCI) message.

36. The method of claim 28, further comprising receiving an identifier of the sensing area from an external public terrestrial mobile network (PLMN).

37. The method of claim 28, wherein the RAN determines the UE in the sensing area based on the UE positioning process.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the notification message is sent in a multicast transmission.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the notification message is sent in a unicast transmission.

40. The method of claim 28, further comprising collecting the measurement of the RF signal at the RAN.

41. The method of claim 28, further comprising periodically retransmitting the notification message to the UE.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising stopping retransmission of the notification message to the UE when the RAN determines that the UE is not in the sensing area.

43. A method for a first user equipment (UE), the method comprising: Measurements of radio frequency (RF) signals in the sensing area are performed at the first UE; Generate a notification message at the first UE indicating that the first UE is performing the measurement; as well as The notification message is sent to the second UE via device-to-device (D2D) communication.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the D2D communication includes sidelink communication.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the D2D communication includes wireless local area network (WLAN) communication.

46. ​​The method of claim 43, wherein the D2D communication includes Bluetooth communication.

47. The method of claim 43, further comprising periodically retransmitting the notification message to the second UE.

48. The method of claim 43, wherein the first UE stops retransmitting the notification message to the second UE when the first UE no longer performs the measurement.

49. The method of claim 43, wherein the first UE is outside the coverage area.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the second UE is outside the coverage area.

51. A method for a first user equipment (UE), the method comprising: A notification message is received from a second UE via device-to-device (D2D) communication, the notification message indicating that the second UE is performing a measurement of a radio frequency (RF) signal in the sensing area; as well as The first UE is presented with a notification within the sensing area.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising periodically receiving retransmissions of the notification message from the second UE.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the first UE stops presenting the notification of the UE in the sensing area when the first UE no longer receives the retransmission of the notification message from the second UE.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein presenting the notification of the UE within the sensing area includes presenting an indication on a graphical user interface (GUI).

55. The method of claim 51, wherein presenting the notification to the UE within the sensing area includes an audio playback instruction.

56. The method of claim 51, wherein presenting the notification of the UE within the sensing area includes providing a vibration indication.

57. The method of claim 51, wherein presenting the notification of the UE within the sensing area includes providing an indication to an application accessible by the end user.

58. The method of claim 51, wherein the D2D communication includes sidelink communication.

59. The method of claim 51, wherein the D2D communication includes wireless local area network (WLAN) communication.

60. The method of claim 51, wherein the D2D communication includes Bluetooth communication.

61. A method for a first user equipment (UE), the method comprising: The first UE receives a notification message from the radio access network (RAN) indicating that it will enter the sensing area from which it collects radio frequency (RF) signals for measurement. as well as A notification is displayed that the first UE will enter the sensing area.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the notification message includes a cell broadcast message.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein the notification message includes a System Information Block (SIB).

64. The method of claim 61, wherein the notification message comprises a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling message.

65. The method of claim 61, wherein the notification message includes a non-access stratum (NAS) signaling message.

66. The method of claim 61, wherein the notification message includes a Media Access Control Element (MAC-CE) message.

67. The method of claim 61, wherein the notification message includes a downlink control information (DCI) message.

68. The method of claim 61, wherein the notification message is received in a unicast transmission.

69. The method of claim 61, further comprising sending the notification message from the first UE to the second UE via device-to-device (D2D) communication.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the D2D communication includes sidelink communication.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein the D2D communication includes wireless local area network (WLAN) communication.

72. The method of claim 69, wherein the D2D communication includes Bluetooth communication.

73. The method of claim 61, wherein presenting the notification of the UE within the sensing area includes presenting an indication on a graphical user interface (GUI).

74. The method of claim 61, wherein presenting the notification to the UE within the sensing area includes an audio playback instruction.

75. The method of claim 61, wherein presenting the notification of the UE within the sensing area includes providing a vibration indication.

76. The method of claim 61, wherein presenting the notification of the UE within the sensing area includes providing an indication to an application accessible by the end user.

77. An apparatus comprising components for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 76.

78. A computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 76.

79. An apparatus comprising a logic component, module, or circuit for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 76.

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