Communication method, first terminal, second terminal, communication system, computer program product, and storage medium

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a communication method, a first terminal, a second terminal, a communication system, a computer program product and a storage medium. The method is executed by a first terminal and comprises the following steps: executing a first operation based on a first result and a second result; wherein the first result comprises a result obtained by executing privacy verification of a sidelink SL positioning service by at least one second terminal for at least one candidate third terminal; the second result is a result obtained by the first terminal executing privacy verification of the SL positioning service for the at least one candidate third terminal; the first operation comprises at least one of the following steps: determining a third terminal for SL positioning service; receiving an SL positioning service request; refusing the SL positioning service request; the second terminal is a target terminal or a reference terminal or a positioning terminal, and the third terminal is a server terminal. According to the communication mechanism of the technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention, the disclosure of the SL positioning service information can be safer.

Description

Communication method, first terminal, second terminal, communication system, computer program product and storage medium TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, and in particular to a communication method, a first terminal, a second terminal, a communication system, a computer program product and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the technical field of communication, in ranging or sidelink (SL) positioning service, ranging or SL positioning service information is disclosed or exposed, and the disclosure of SL positioning service information may lead to privacy leakage, thus a security mechanism needs to be introduced.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] In order to make the disclosure of SL positioning service information more secure, the communication mechanism needs to be adjusted.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a communication method, a first terminal, a second terminal, a communication system, a computer program product and a storage medium.

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method is performed by a first terminal, and the method comprises:

[0007] performing a first operation based on a first result and a second result;

[0008] The first result comprises a result obtained by a second terminal performing privacy verification of a sidelink (SL) positioning service on at least one candidate third terminal; the second result is a result obtained by the first terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service on the at least one candidate third terminal; the first operation comprises at least one of the following: determining a third terminal for the SL positioning service; determining to accept an SL positioning service request; determining to reject an SL positioning service request; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal or a positioning terminal; and the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0009] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method is performed by a second terminal, and the method comprises:

[0010] receiving third information sent by a first terminal;

[0011] The third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of a sidelink (SL) positioning service on at least one candidate third terminal; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal or a positioning terminal; and the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0012] According to a third aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, the method further includes:

[0013] The first terminal sends third information to the second terminal;

[0014] The third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of a sidelink, SL, positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal; and the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0015] According to a fourth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a first terminal is provided, the first terminal includes:

[0016] The processing module is configured to:

[0017] perform a first operation based on a first result and a second result;

[0018] The first result includes a result obtained by at least one second terminal performing privacy verification of an SL positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal; the second result is a result obtained by the first terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service for the at least one candidate third terminal; and the first operation includes at least one of the following: determining a third terminal for the SL positioning service; determining to accept an SL positioning service request; and determining to reject an SL positioning service request; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal; and the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a second terminal is provided, the second terminal includes:

[0020] The transceiver module is configured to:

[0021] receive third information sent by a first terminal;

[0022] The third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of an SL positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal; and the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0023] According to a sixth aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, the communication system includes a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is configured to perform the communication method of the first aspect; and the second terminal is configured to perform the communication method of the second aspect.

[0024] According to a seventh aspect of embodiments of the present disclosure, a first terminal is provided, the first terminal includes:

[0025] one or more processors;

[0026] The first terminal is configured to perform the communication method of the first aspect.

[0027] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a second terminal is provided, and the second terminal comprises:

[0028] one or more processors;

[0029] The second terminal is configured to perform the communication method of the second aspect.

[0030] According to a ninth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method of the first aspect and / or the second aspect.

[0031] According to a tenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, when the instructions are run on a communication device, the communication device performs the communication method provided by the first aspect and / or the second aspect.

[0032] The communication mechanism of the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can make the disclosure of SL positioning service information more secure.

[0033] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0034] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into the specification and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate the embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 2a is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 3a is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0038] FIG. 3b is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0039] FIG. 4a is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0040] FIG. 4b is a schematic diagram of a flow of a communication method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0041] FIG. 5a is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an example embodiment;

[0042] FIG. 6a is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an example embodiment;

[0043] FIG. 6b is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an example embodiment;

[0044] FIG. 7a is a structural diagram of a first terminal according to an example embodiment;

[0045] FIG. 7b is a structural diagram of a second terminal according to an example embodiment;

[0046] FIG. 8a is a structural diagram of a UE according to an example embodiment;

[0047] FIG. 8b is a structural diagram of a communication device according to an example embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a first terminal, a second terminal, a communication system, a computer program product and a storage medium.

[0049] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, the method being performed by a first terminal, and the method comprising:

[0050] performing a first operation based on a first result and a second result;

[0051] The first result comprises a result obtained by at least one second terminal performing privacy verification of a sidelink, SL, positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal; the second result is a result obtained by the first terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service for the at least one candidate third terminal; the first operation comprises at least one of: determining a third terminal for the SL positioning service; determining to accept an SL positioning service request; determining to reject an SL positioning service request; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal or a positioning terminal; and the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0052] In the above embodiments, the first terminal can perform the first operation based on the first result and the second result together. Since the first result comprises a result obtained by at least one second terminal performing privacy verification of a sidelink, SL, positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal and the second result is a result obtained by the first terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service for the third terminal, the execution of the first operation can be adapted to the first result and the second result, so that the execution of the SL positioning service is more reliable and secure.

[0053] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further comprises at least one of:

[0054] receiving first information sent by a fourth terminal;

[0055] receiving first information sent by an application layer of the first terminal;

[0056] The fourth terminal is a client terminal, and the first information is used to request SL positioning service.

[0057] In the above embodiments, the first information used to request SL positioning service can be obtained from different objects, and the obtaining manner is more flexible.

[0058] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the performing the first operation based on the first result and the second result comprises one of:

[0059] In the process of SL positioning service based on the PC5 interface, the first operation is performed based on the first result and the second result;

[0060] In the SL positioning control process, the first operation is performed based on the first result and the second result.

[0061] In the above embodiments, the process of SL positioning service based on the PC5 interface or the SL positioning control process can be reused, the first operation is performed based on the first result and the second result, and thus the implementation manner is more flexible.

[0062] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the performing the first operation based on the first result and the second result comprises:

[0063] performing the first operation based on the second information, the first result and the second result;

[0064] The second information is used to indicate a rule for performing the first operation.

[0065] In the above embodiments, the first operation can be performed based on the first result and the second result based on the rule for performing the first operation, so that the performing process can be adapted to the rule.

[0066] In some embodiments of the first aspect, all terminals in the N terminals participate in SL positioning; and the rule comprises one of:

[0067] If the fourth terminal requests SL positioning service, whether to accept the SL positioning service request is determined based on a privacy check result of the N terminals on the fourth terminal and / or a privacy check result of the N terminals on the candidate third terminal;

[0068] If the application layer of the first terminal requests the SL positioning service, it is determined whether to accept the SL positioning service request based on the privacy check result of the N terminals on the candidate third terminal; wherein N is an integer greater than 1, and the N terminals are the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0069] In the above embodiment, in the case that all terminals in the N terminals participate in the SL positioning, the determination of whether to accept the SL positioning service request can be based on different manners according to the subject requesting the SL positioning service, so that the implementation manner is more flexible.

[0070] In combination with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, part of the N terminals participates in the SL positioning; and the rule includes one of the following:

[0071] If the fourth terminal requests the SL positioning service, it is determined whether to accept the SL positioning service request based on the privacy check result of the part of the N terminals on the fourth terminal and / or the privacy check result of the part of the N terminals on the candidate third terminal.

[0072] If the application layer of the first terminal requests the SL positioning service, it is determined whether to accept the SL positioning service request based on the privacy check result of the part of the N terminals on the candidate third terminal; wherein N is an integer greater than 1, and the N terminals are the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0073] In the above embodiment, in the case that part of the N terminals participates in the SL positioning, the determination of whether to accept the SL positioning service request can be based on different manners according to the subject requesting the SL positioning service, so that the implementation manner is more flexible.

[0074] In combination with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0075] determining at least one candidate third terminal from the first terminal, at least one second terminal and / or at least one fifth terminal;

[0076] The fifth terminal is a terminal other than the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0077] In the above embodiment, at least one candidate third terminal can be determined from the first terminal, at least one second terminal and / or at least one fifth terminal.

[0078] In combination with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0079] sending third information to the second terminal;

[0080] The third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of a sidelink (SL) positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the second terminal can be triggered to perform privacy verification of the SL positioning service for the at least one candidate third terminal by sending the third information to the second terminal.

[0082] In combination with the embodiment of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the third information includes list information containing user information of all the candidate third terminals.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the user information of all the candidate third terminals can be sent to the second terminal at one time in the form of a list through the third information, which improves efficiency.

[0084] In combination with the embodiment of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0085] receiving fourth information sent by the second terminal;

[0086] The fourth information is used to indicate the first result.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the fourth information indicating the first result can be obtained from the second terminal, so that the first operation can be performed based on the first result and the second result.

[0088] In combination with the embodiment of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first result includes a result obtained by the second terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service for all the third terminals indicated by the third information.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the result obtained by the second terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service for all the third terminals indicated by the third information can be obtained from the second terminal at one time, which improves efficiency.

[0090] In combination with the embodiment of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes one of the following:

[0091] when the fourth terminal requesting the SL positioning service fails in the privacy verification, sending fifth information to the fourth terminal;

[0092] when the application layer of the first terminal requesting the SL positioning service fails in the privacy verification, sending fifth information to the application layer of the first terminal;

[0093] when the fourth terminal requesting the SL positioning service succeeds in the privacy verification, sending sixth information to the fourth terminal;

[0094] The application layer of the first terminal requesting the SL positioning service and passing the privacy verification sends sixth information to the application layer of the first terminal.

[0095] The fifth information is used to indicate that the SL positioning request fails, and the sixth information is used to indicate that the SL positioning request succeeds.

[0096] In the above embodiments, the information can be sent to the application layer of the fourth terminal or the first terminal based on the result of the privacy verification.

[0097] In combination with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, before the first operation is performed based on the first result and the second result, the method further includes:

[0098] performing a second operation on the fourth terminal;

[0099] The second operation is an operation of performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service on the fourth terminal.

[0100] In the above embodiments, the operation of performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service on the fourth terminal can be performed, so that the information disclosure to the fourth terminal is more secure.

[0101] In combination with the embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first operation is performed based on the first result and the second result, including:

[0102] determining that the privacy verification of the SL positioning service performed on the fourth terminal is passed, and performing the first operation based on the first result and the second result.

[0103] In the above embodiments, the first operation is performed based on the first result and the second result only after the privacy verification of the SL positioning service performed on the fourth terminal is passed, so that the privacy verification is more efficient.

[0104] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, the method is performed by a second terminal, and the method includes:

[0105] receiving third information sent by a first terminal;

[0106] The third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of the SL positioning service on at least one candidate third terminal; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal, and the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0107] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the third information includes list information, and the list information contains user information of all candidate third terminals.

[0108] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0109] performing a third operation based on the third information;

[0110] The third operation is an operation of performing privacy verification of a sidelink (SL) positioning service for the third terminal of at least one candidate.

[0111] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the performing the third operation based on the third information includes:

[0112] performing a third operation based on seventh information and the third information;

[0113] The seventh information is used to indicate a rule of performing privacy verification of an SL positioning service for the third terminal of at least one candidate.

[0114] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0115] sending fourth information to the first terminal;

[0116] The fourth information is used to indicate a first result, and the first result includes a result obtained by at least one second terminal performing privacy verification of an SL positioning service for the third terminal of at least one candidate.

[0117] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first result includes a result obtained by the second terminal performing privacy verification of an SL positioning service for all the third terminals indicated by the third information.

[0118] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, and the method further includes:

[0119] The first terminal sends third information to a second terminal;

[0120] The third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of an SL positioning service for the third terminal of at least one candidate; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal, and the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0121] In a fourth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first terminal, and the first terminal includes:

[0122] a processing module configured to:

[0123] perform a first operation based on a first result and a second result;

[0124] The first result includes a result obtained by the at least one second terminal performing privacy verification of a sidelink (SL) positioning service on the at least one candidate third terminal; the second result is a result obtained by the first terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service on the at least one candidate third terminal; the first operation includes at least one of determining a third terminal for the SL positioning service, determining to accept an SL positioning service request, and determining to reject an SL positioning service request; and the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal, and the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0125] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second terminal, the second terminal comprising:

[0126] a transceiver configured to:

[0127] receive third information sent by a first terminal;

[0128] The third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of a sidelink (SL) positioning service on at least one candidate third terminal; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal, and the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0129] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, the communication system comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is configured to perform the communication method of the first aspect, and the second terminal is configured to perform the communication method of the second aspect.

[0130] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first terminal, the first terminal comprising:

[0131] one or more processors;

[0132] The first terminal is configured to perform the communication method of the first aspect.

[0133] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second terminal, the second terminal comprising:

[0134] one or more processors;

[0135] The second terminal is configured to perform the communication method of the second aspect.

[0136] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, wherein the storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions run on a communication device, the communication device performs the communication method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect and / or the second aspect.

[0137] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a program product, which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method described in the optional implementation manners of the first aspect and / or the second aspect.

[0138] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program, which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method described in the optional implementation manners of the first aspect and / or the second aspect.

[0139] In a twelfth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the method described in the first aspect and / or the second aspect.

[0140] It can be understood that the first terminal, the second terminal, the communication system, the computer storage medium and the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved are referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0141] The embodiments of the present disclosure propose a communication method, a first terminal, a second terminal, a communication system, a computer program product and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms of the communication method, the information processing method and the information transmission method can be replaced with each other, and the terms of the communication system and the information processing system can be replaced with each other.

[0142] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing some steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, and an embodiment can be combined with the optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0143] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent if there is no special description and logical conflict, and can be referred to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0144] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and not as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0145] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, an element expressed in singular form, such as "a", "an", "the", "said", "the aforementioned", "the foregoing", "this", and the like, unless otherwise specified, can represent "one and only one", or can represent "one or more", "at least one", and the like. For example, in the case of using an article such as "a", "an", "the" in English, the noun after the article can be understood as a singular expression, or can be understood as a plural expression.

[0146] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "plurality" refers to two or more.

[0147] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0148] In some embodiments, the description modes such as "at least one of A, B", "A and / or B", "A in one case and B in another case", "in response to a case A, in response to a case B", and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: in some embodiments, A is executed regardless of B; in some embodiments, B is executed regardless of A; in some embodiments, A and B are selectively executed from A and B; in some embodiments, A and B are executed (A and B are both executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0149] In some embodiments, the description modes such as "A or B" and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: in some embodiments, A is executed regardless of B; in some embodiments, B is executed regardless of A; in some embodiments, A and B are selectively executed from A and B; when there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0150] The prefix words of "first", "second" and the like in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely used to distinguish different description objects, and do not constitute limitation on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. The description objects are described in the claims or embodiments, and should not be construed as redundant limitation because of the use of the prefix words. For example, the description object is "field", and the ordinal words before "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified thereby are in the same message or not, nor limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the description object is "level", and the ordinal words before "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the quantity of the description object is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", wherein the quantity of "device" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different, for example, the description object is "device", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and the types thereof can be the same or different. For another example, the description object is "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and the contents thereof can be the same or different.

[0151] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0152] In some embodiments, the terms of "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0153] In some embodiments, the terms of "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above" and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms of "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0154] In some embodiments, the apparatuses and devices can be interpreted as physical, as well as virtual, whose names are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and in some cases can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", etc.

[0155] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as an apparatus contained in the network, such as an access network device, a core network device, etc.

[0156] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" can also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments can also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", etc.

[0157] In some embodiments, a "terminal" or "terminal device" can be referred to as a "user equipment" (UE), a "user terminal," a "mobile station" (MS), a "mobile terminal" (MT), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, and the like.

[0158] In some embodiments, data, information and the like can be acquired in compliance with laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0159] In some embodiments, data, information and the like can be acquired after obtaining consent of a user.

[0160] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0161] FIG. 1a is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0162] As shown in FIG. 1a, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102.

[0163] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 can be a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, and a fifth terminal.

[0164] In some embodiments, the first terminal is a reference terminal, a target terminal, or a positioning terminal.

[0165] In some embodiments, the second terminal is a reference terminal, a target terminal, or a positioning terminal.

[0166] In some embodiments, the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0167] In some embodiments, the fourth terminal is a client terminal.

[0168] In some embodiments, the fifth terminal is an additional terminal other than the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0169] In some embodiments, the terminal includes at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a communication-capable car, a smart car, a Pad, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0170] In some embodiments, the access network device may, for example, be at least one of a node or a device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network, and the access network device may include at least one of an evolved node B (eNB) in a 5G communication system, a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next generation node B (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0171] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of the present disclosure can be applied to an Open RAN architecture, at which time the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can become internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0172] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), wherein the CU can also be referred to as a control unit (control unit). The CU-DU structure can split the protocol layers of the access network device, and some of the protocol layers are controlled by the CU, and the rest or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU, but is not limited thereto.

[0173] In some embodiments, the core network device can be one device including one or more network elements, or can be multiple devices or device groups including all or part of the above-mentioned one or more network elements. The network element can be virtual or physical. The core network may, for example, include at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), and a next generation core (NGC).

[0174] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of system architecture and the appearance of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0175] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1a or part of the subject, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1a are exemplary, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1a, or other subjects other than FIG. 1a. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, and the connection relationship between each subject is exemplary. Each subject can be connected or not connected, and the connection can be in any way, can be direct connection or indirect connection, can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0176] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), system using other communication methods, next-generation system expanded based thereon, and the like. Further, a plurality of systems can be applied in combination (for example, combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, and the like).

[0177] In some embodiments, for ranging over PC5 or Sidelink (SL) Positioning Service disclosure (or exposure), SL positioning client UE authorization is triggered by the reference UE or target UE during PC5 link establishment. For Proximity Service (ProSe) enabled UEs, the authorization can be performed by the network via Sidelink Positioning Key Management Function (SLPKMF) or by the reference UE or target UE if the authorization information is available in the UE.

[0178] In some embodiments, for UE-only operation or before triggering a sidelink-terminal originated-location request (SL-MO-LR, Sidelink-Mobile Originated-Location Request) for network-based operation, the UE1 receiving the ranging or SL positioning request shall send a supplemental ranging and sidelink positioning protocol (RSPP, Ranging and Sidelink Positioning Protocol) signaling message to UE2...UEn to trigger privacy check (or privacy verification) for ranging or SL positioning service disclosure over PC5. The supplemental RSPP message shall include the user information ID of the client UE received by UE1 from the client UE. UE1 and UE2..UEn shall perform UE privacy check to determine whether their location-related information can be disclosed to the client UE.

[0179] In some embodiments, for UE-only operation where the network does not participate in ranging or sidelink positioning, authorization of UE privacy is performed based on locally configured privacy verification information to determine whether their location-related information can be disclosed to the UE indicated in the supplemental RSPP signaling message. If the privacy verification information allows location disclosure, the UE (e.g., the UE being located) accepts the request to disclose its location-related information and proceeds. If the UE does not have local privacy verification information or the privacy verification information does not allow location disclosure, the UE shall return a privacy check rejection message. To enable privacy check for disclosure to the SL positioning client UE via the peer UE, the peer UE shall include the user information ID of the SL positioning client UE in the supplemental RSPP signaling message to the UE from which the location information or related results will be disclosed.

[0180] In some embodiments, in clause 6.7.1.1 of the corresponding version of 3GPP TS 23.586 [2], at step #6, the UE (UE1) receiving the SL positioning service request selects the SL positioning server UE after the authorization check of the service disclosure of the client UE at step #5, and forwards the service request to the server UE for ranging / SL positioning operation. In fact, after receiving the service request from UE1, the server UE needs to obtain SL positioning information from the involved target UE, reference UE or positioning UE to calculate the final SL positioning result of the client UE. However, the privacy check at step #5 in clause 6.7.1.1 of 3GPP TS 23.586 [2] is only performed according to clause 6.3.6 of 3GPP TS 33.533 [1] for the client UE, and there is no longer UE privacy check for the server UE. This means that there is still a risk that the privacy of the involved target UE, reference UE or positioning UE is disclosed to the server UE without the permission of the target UE, reference UE or positioning UE at step #6 in clause 6.7.1.1 of 3GPP TS 23.586 [2].

[0181] In some embodiments, in clause 6.8 of the corresponding version of 3GPP TS 23.586 [2], at step #6, the UE (UE1) receiving the SL positioning service request selects the SL positioning server UE and forwards the service request to the server UE for ranging / SL positioning operation. After receiving the service request from UE1, the server UE also needs to obtain SL positioning information from the involved target UE, reference UE or positioning UE to calculate the final SL positioning result. However, there is no longer UE privacy check for the server UE. This means that there is still a risk that the privacy of the involved target UE, reference UE or positioning UE is disclosed to the server UE without the permission of the target UE, reference UE or positioning UE at step #6 in clause 6.8 of 3GPP TS 23.586 [2].

[0182] Therefore, it is necessary to study how to protect the privacy of the involved target UE, reference UE or positioning terminal for the server UE in the SL positioning service process. In the related art, there is no mechanism for the server UE to protect the privacy of the target UE, reference UE or positioning terminal for the SL positioning service disclosure. For all cases of triggering the ranging / sidelink positioning control procedure, there is currently no mechanism for the server UE to invade the privacy of the involved target UE, reference UE or positioning terminal.

[0183] FIG. 2a is an interaction schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method for a communication system 100, the method comprising:

[0184] Step S2101: The first terminal acquires first information.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first terminal receives the first information sent by the fourth terminal.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first terminal receives the first information sent by the fourth terminal in a process of a sidelink (SL) positioning service based on a PC5 interface. It should be noted that the PC5 interface can also be referred to as a ProSe interface, or a short-distance direct communication interface.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first terminal receives the first information sent by an application layer of the first terminal.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first terminal receives the first information sent by a ranging and sidelink positioning protocol (RSPP) application layer of the first terminal.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first terminal receives the first information sent by an application layer of the first terminal in a SL positioning control process.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal.

[0191] In some embodiments, the fourth terminal is a client terminal.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first information is used to request a SL positioning service.

[0193] It should be noted that the SL positioning service can also be referred to as a ranging service, or as a ranging / SL positioning service.

[0194] Step S2102: The first terminal performs a second operation.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first terminal performs the second operation for the fourth terminal.

[0196] In some embodiments, the second operation is an operation of performing privacy verification of a SL positioning service for the fourth terminal.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first terminal can perform the second operation based on a third result and a fourth result.

[0198] In some embodiments, the third result includes a result obtained by at least one second terminal performing privacy verification of a sidelink (SL) positioning service for the fourth terminal.

[0199] In some embodiments, the fourth result is a result obtained by the first terminal performing privacy verification for the fourth terminal to perform SL positioning service.

[0200] In some embodiments, the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal.

[0201] Step S2103: The first terminal determines the third terminal.

[0202] In some embodiments, the third terminal is determined from the first terminal, at least one of the second terminals, and / or at least one fifth terminal.

[0203] In some embodiments, the fifth terminal is a terminal other than the first terminal and / or the second terminal, and the fifth terminal can be an additional terminal.

[0204] For example, the first terminal can select the candidate third terminal from a plurality of terminals UE1 to UEn (which can be the first terminal and / or the second terminal) that are preferentially and / or preselected, and the candidate third terminal can form a list.

[0205] For example, the first terminal can select the candidate third terminal from a plurality of fifth terminals, and the candidate third terminal can form a list.

[0206] For example, the first terminal can select the candidate third terminal from a plurality of terminals UE1 to UEn (which can be the first terminal and / or the second terminal) that are preferentially and / or preselected and a plurality of fifth terminals, and the candidate third terminal can form a list.

[0207] Exemplarily, the first terminal can select the at least one third terminal from the plurality of terminals UEl to UEn (which can be the first terminal and / or the second terminal) as a candidate, perform privacy verification on the at least one third terminal as the candidate based on the processes in steps S2104, S2105, S2106 and S2107 (the privacy verification part), and if the privacy verification fails, continue to select the at least one third terminal as a candidate from the plurality of fifth terminals, perform privacy verification on the at least one third terminal as the candidate, and correspondingly, repeat the processes in steps S2104, S2105, S2106 and S2107 (the privacy verification part). It should be noted that the at least one third terminal as the candidate can also be selected from another group of UEl to UEn, and the above processes are repeated, which is not limited to selecting the at least one third terminal as the candidate from the plurality of fifth terminals, and is not limited herein. It should be noted that the result of the final privacy verification can be pass or fail. If it passes, the privacy verification process can stop immediately to perform the subsequent process of determining the third terminal and SL positioning, but is not limited thereto. It should be noted that the above example is only an exemplary description, and the concept of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned manner of determining the third terminal.

[0208] Step S2104: The first terminal sends third information to the second terminal.

[0209] In some embodiments, the second terminal receives the third information sent by the first terminal.

[0210] In some embodiments, the third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of SL positioning service on the at least one third terminal as a candidate.

[0211] In some embodiments, the third information includes list information containing user information of all candidate third terminals.

[0212] Step S2105: The second terminal performs a third operation.

[0213] In some embodiments, the second terminal performs the third operation based on the third information.

[0214] In some embodiments, the third operation is an operation of performing privacy verification of SL positioning service on the at least one third terminal as a candidate.

[0215] In some embodiments, the second terminal performs the third operation based on the seventh information and the third information.

[0216] In some embodiments, the seventh information is used to indicate a rule of performing privacy verification of SL positioning service on the at least one third terminal as a candidate.

[0217] Step S2106: The second terminal sends fourth information to the first terminal.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first terminal receives the fourth information sent by the second terminal.

[0219] In some embodiments, the fourth information is used to indicate the first result.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first result includes a result obtained by the at least one second terminal performing privacy verification of the sidelink, SL, positioning service for the at least one candidate third terminal.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first result includes a result obtained by the second terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service for all the third terminals indicated by the third information.

[0222] Step S2107: The first terminal performs a first operation.

[0223] In some embodiments, the first operation is performed based on the first result and the second result.

[0224] In some embodiments, the first operation is performed based on the first result.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first operation is performed based on the second result.

[0226] In some embodiments, the first result includes a result obtained by the at least one second terminal performing privacy verification of the sidelink, SL, positioning service for the at least one candidate third terminal.

[0227] In some embodiments, the second result is a result obtained by the first terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service for the at least one candidate third terminal.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first operation includes at least one of:

[0229] determining the third terminal for the SL positioning service;

[0230] determining to accept the SL positioning service request;

[0231] determining to reject the SL positioning service request.

[0232] In some embodiments, if the first terminal determines to accept or reject the SL positioning service request, the first terminal sends indication information used to indicate acceptance of the SL positioning service request or rejection of the SL positioning service request to a fourth terminal (when the SL positioning service is requested for the fourth terminal) or an application layer of the first terminal (when the SL positioning service is requested for the application layer of the first terminal).

[0233] In some embodiments, if the first terminal determines to accept the SL positioning request, the first terminal can send indication information indicating acceptance of the SL positioning request to the fourth terminal or an application layer of the first terminal.

[0234] In some embodiments, if the first terminal determines to reject the SL positioning request, the first terminal can send indication information indicating rejection of the SL positioning request to the fourth terminal or an application layer of the first terminal.

[0235] In some embodiments, if the first terminal determines to accept the SL positioning request, the first terminal can send indication information to the fourth terminal or an application layer of the first terminal, the indication information indicating acceptance of the SL positioning request and an SL positioning result.

[0236] In some embodiments, determining to accept the SL positioning service request can be after performing the SL positioning service according to the determined third terminal and obtaining an SL positioning result. After obtaining the SL positioning result, the first terminal can send indication information to the fourth terminal or an application layer of the first terminal, the indication information indicating acceptance of the SL positioning service request and the positioning result. It should be noted that if the SL positioning request fails, the first terminal can send indication information to the fourth terminal or an application layer of the first terminal, the indication information indicating failure of the SL positioning request.

[0237] In some embodiments, the third terminal is a server (Server) terminal.

[0238] In some embodiments, in a process of the SL positioning service based on the PC5 interface, the first terminal performs a first operation based on the first result and the second result.

[0239] In some embodiments, in the SL positioning control process, the first terminal performs a first operation based on the first result and the second result.

[0240] In some embodiments, the first terminal determines that privacy verification for the SL positioning service performed by the fourth terminal is passed, and the first terminal performs a first operation based on the first result and the second result.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first terminal performs the first operation based on the second information, the first result, and the second result.

[0242] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate a rule for performing the first operation.

[0243] In some embodiments, all of the N terminals participate in the SL positioning; and the rule includes one of the following:

[0244] if the fourth terminal requests the SL positioning service, determining whether to accept the SL positioning service request based on the privacy check results of the N terminals on the fourth terminal and / or the privacy check results of the N terminals on the candidate third terminal;

[0245] if the application layer of the first terminal requests the SL positioning service, determining whether to accept the SL positioning service request based on the privacy check results of the N terminals on the candidate third terminal; wherein N is an integer greater than 1, and the N terminals are the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0246] For example, if the fourth terminal requests the SL positioning service, all of the N terminals need to participate in the SL positioning, and any of the N terminals does not allow to disclose information to the fourth terminal, the first terminal rejects the SL positioning service request.

[0247] For example, if the fourth terminal requests the SL positioning service, all of the N terminals need to participate in the SL positioning, the N terminals allow to disclose information to the fourth terminal, and any of the N terminals does not allow to disclose information to the candidate third terminal, the candidate third terminal is not used.

[0248] For example, if the fourth terminal requests the SL positioning service, all of the N terminals need to participate in the SL positioning, the N terminals allow to disclose information to the fourth terminal, and the N terminals cannot all allow to disclose information to at least one of the candidate third terminals (it can be understood that no third terminal satisfies that the N terminals can disclose information to the third terminal, please refer to Example 1 for explanation), the first terminal rejects the SL positioning service request.

[0249] For example, if the application layer of the first terminal requests the SL positioning service, all of the N terminals need to participate in the SL positioning, and any of the N terminals does not allow to disclose information to the candidate third terminal, the candidate third terminal is not used.

[0250] For example, if the application layer of the first terminal requests the SL positioning service, all of the N terminals need to participate in the SL positioning, and the N terminals cannot all allow to disclose information to at least one of the candidate third terminals, the first terminal rejects the SL positioning service request.

[0251] In some embodiments, part of the N terminals participate in the SL positioning; the rules include one of the following:

[0252] if the fourth terminal requests the SL positioning service, determining whether to accept the SL positioning service request based on the privacy check results of the part of the N terminals on the fourth terminal and / or the privacy check results of the part of the N terminals on the candidate third terminal;

[0253] If the application layer of the first terminal requests SL positioning service, it is determined whether to accept the SL positioning service request based on the privacy check result of the part of the N terminals on the candidate third terminal; wherein N is an integer greater than 1, and the N terminals are the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0254] It should be noted that the part of the terminals can be terminals other than the M terminals in the N terminals (N-M participate, that is, M do not participate), or can be the M terminals (M participate); can also be at most M do not participate (that is, greater than or equal to N-M participate), or can be at least M participate (that is, greater than or equal to M participate), which is not limited here.

[0255] Hereinafter, the part of the terminals is exemplarily illustrated as terminals other than the M terminals in the N terminals.

[0256] Exemplarily, if the fourth terminal requests SL positioning service, the M terminals in the N terminals are allowed not to participate in SL positioning, and at least one terminal in all terminals other than the M terminals in the N terminals is not allowed to disclose information to the fourth terminal, and the first terminal rejects the SL positioning service request.

[0257] Exemplarily, if the fourth terminal requests SL positioning service, the M terminals in the N terminals are allowed not to participate in SL positioning, all terminals other than the M terminals in the N terminals are allowed to disclose information to the fourth terminal, and all terminals other than the M terminals in the N terminals are allowed to disclose information to at least one of the candidate third terminals, and the privacy check result of the first terminal on the fourth terminal and the candidate third terminal is positive.

[0258] Exemplarily, if the fourth terminal requests SL positioning service, the M terminals in the N terminals are allowed not to participate in SL positioning, all terminals other than the M terminals in the N terminals are allowed to disclose information to the fourth terminal, and all terminals other than the M terminals in the N terminals cannot all allow to disclose information to at least one of all the candidate third terminals (it can be understood that none of the third terminals meets the condition that all terminals other than the M terminals can disclose information to the third terminal, please refer to Example 1 for explanation), and the first terminal rejects the SL positioning service request.

[0259] Exemplarily, if the application layer of the first terminal requests SL positioning service, the M terminals in the N terminals are allowed not to participate in SL positioning, and all terminals other than the M terminals in the N terminals are allowed to disclose information to at least one of the third terminals, and the privacy check result of the first terminal on the candidate third terminal is positive.

[0260] Exemplarily, if the application layer of the first terminal requests SL positioning service, M of N terminals are allowed not to participate in SL positioning, and all of the N terminals except the M terminals are not allowed to disclose information to at least one of all the candidate third terminals, the first terminal rejects the SL positioning service request.

[0261] It should be noted that if the fourth terminal requests SL positioning service, the privacy check result of the first terminal for the fourth terminal and the candidate third terminal is positive, or if the privacy check result of the first terminal for the candidate third terminal is positive when the application layer of the first terminal requests SL positioning service, the first terminal completes the SL positioning process by interacting with the second terminal and the determined third terminal as in step S2108, and sends the positioning result to the fourth terminal or the application layer of the first terminal; if the fourth terminal requests SL positioning service, the privacy check result of the first terminal for the fourth terminal and the candidate third terminal is negative, or if the privacy check result of the first terminal for the candidate third terminal is negative when the application layer of the first terminal requests SL positioning service, the first terminal sends the SL positioning request failure and the failure reason value to the fourth terminal or the application layer of the first terminal as in step S2108.

[0262] Example 1: N terminals include UE1 to UE6, and candidate servers include candidate Server UE1 (SUE1) to SUE3; privacy checks are performed on SUE1, SUE2 and SUE3, and if UE4 does not support disclosure of information to SUE1, UE5 does not support disclosure of information to SUE2, and UE6 does not support disclosure of information to SUE3, this case is actually equivalent to none of the SUEs meet the information disclosure supported by UE4 to UE6.

[0263] In some embodiments, the rule can be a local rule.

[0264] In some embodiments, the local rule can be provided by a ranging or SL positioning application on the first terminal identified by a service identifier from the fourth terminal.

[0265] In some embodiments, if the rule is included in the privacy profile as part of the subscription data when the first terminal subscribes to ranging or SL positioning service, it can be provided by the network (e.g., from the User Data Management (UDM), Policy Control Function (PCF) or Location Management Function (LMF)).

[0266] Step S2108: The first terminal sends information.

[0267] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends the information to a fourth terminal.

[0268] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends the information to an application layer of the first terminal.

[0269] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends the information to a second terminal.

[0270] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends fifth information to a fourth terminal in response to a failure of privacy verification for a third terminal and / or the fourth terminal.

[0271] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends fifth information to a fourth terminal in response to a failure of privacy verification for a third terminal and / or the fourth terminal, the fourth terminal requesting SL positioning service.

[0272] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends fifth information to an application layer of the first terminal in response to a failure of privacy verification for a third terminal, the application layer of the first terminal requesting SL positioning service.

[0273] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends fifth information to a fourth terminal in response to a failure of privacy verification for a third terminal and / or the fourth terminal, the fourth terminal requesting SL positioning service.

[0274] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends fifth information to an application layer of the first terminal in response to a failure of privacy verification for a third terminal, the application layer of the first terminal requesting SL positioning service.

[0275] In some embodiments, the reason for the failure of privacy verification can be at least one of: the second terminal prohibits disclosure of information to the fourth terminal; selection of the third terminal fails; and the third terminal is not available.

[0276] In some embodiments, the fifth information can comprise the reason for the failure of privacy verification.

[0277] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends sixth information to a fourth terminal in response to a success of privacy verification for a third terminal and the fourth terminal, the fourth terminal requesting SL positioning service.

[0278] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends sixth information to an application layer of the first terminal in response to a success of privacy verification for a third terminal, the application layer of the first terminal requesting SL positioning service.

[0279] In some embodiments, the sixth information is used to indicate a success of SL positioning request.

[0280] In some embodiments, the fourth terminal requests the SL positioning service, and the privacy verification succeeds for the third terminal and the fourth terminal, the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal perform the SL positioning, obtain the SL positioning result, and the first terminal sends sixth information to the fourth terminal, and the sixth information can include the SL positioning result.

[0281] In some embodiments, the application layer of the first terminal requests the SL positioning service, and the privacy verification succeeds, the first terminal, the second terminal, and the third terminal perform the SL positioning, obtain the SL positioning result, and the first terminal sends sixth information to the application layer of the first terminal, and the sixth information can include the SL positioning result.

[0282] It should be noted that the SL positioning result can also be sent without the sixth information, for example, it can be sent through seventh information that is different from the sixth information, which is not limited here.

[0283] In some embodiments, the fourth terminal requests the SL positioning service, and the privacy verification succeeds for the third terminal and the fourth terminal, and information is sent to the fourth terminal to indicate that the privacy verification succeeds.

[0284] In some embodiments, the application layer of the first terminal requests the SL positioning service, and the privacy verification succeeds for the third terminal, and information is sent to the application layer of the first terminal to indicate that the privacy verification succeeds.

[0285] It should be noted that after the privacy verification fails, that is, after the result of the privacy verification failure is obtained (at this time, the first terminal can reject the SL positioning service request exemplarily), information indicating the result of the privacy verification failure can be sent to the fourth terminal or the application layer of the first terminal, or the information indicating the privacy verification failure can not be sent to the fourth terminal or the application layer of the first terminal, which is not limited here, that is, sending the information indicating the privacy verification failure to the fourth terminal or the application layer of the first terminal is a non-mandatory step.

[0286] It should be noted that after the privacy verification succeeds, that is, after the result of the privacy verification success is obtained (at this time, the first terminal can accept the SL positioning service request exemplarily), information indicating the result of the privacy verification success can be sent to the fourth terminal or the application layer of the first terminal, or the information indicating the privacy verification success can not be sent to the fourth terminal or the application layer of the first terminal, which is not limited here, that is, sending the information indicating the privacy verification success to the fourth terminal or the application layer of the first terminal is a non-mandatory step.

[0287] It should be noted that after the privacy verification succeeds, the SL positioning service is performed, the positioning result is obtained, and the first terminal sends the sixth information to the fourth terminal or the application layer of the first terminal.

[0288] It should be noted that in some embodiments, if the first terminal accepts the SL positioning service request in step S2107 and then performs the SL positioning service, but the SL positioning service fails, the first terminal can send fifth information to the fourth terminal or the application layer of the first terminal, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the SL positioning request fails. Of course, the information that the SL positioning request fails can also be indicated by other information in addition to the fifth information, for example, the eighth information, which is not limited here.

[0289] It should be noted that in some embodiments, if the first terminal rejects the SL positioning service request in step S2107, the first terminal can send fifth information to the fourth terminal or the application layer of the first terminal, and the fifth information is used to indicate that the SL positioning service request is rejected and a rejection reason value, wherein the rejection reason value includes at least one of the second terminal prohibiting the fourth terminal from disclosing information, the third terminal selection failure, and no third terminal.

[0290] In some embodiments, the sixth information is used to indicate that the SL positioning request is successful (which can also be abbreviated as SL positioning success), and carries the positioning result.

[0291] It should be noted that in some embodiments, if the first terminal accepts the SL positioning service request in step S2107 and then performs the SL positioning service, obtains the SL positioning result, the first terminal can send sixth information to the fourth terminal or the application layer of the first terminal, and the sixth information is used to indicate that the SL positioning service request is accepted and the SL positioning result. Of course, the information of the SL positioning result can also be indicated by other information in addition to the sixth information, for example, the ninth information, which is not limited here. In some embodiments, the term "information" can be mutually replaced with the terms "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "field", "data", and the like.

[0292] In some embodiments, the term "send" can be mutually replaced with the terms "transmit", "report", "transport", and the like.

[0293] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S2101 to S2108. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2108 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S2101, step S2103, step S2104, step S2105, step S2106 in combination with step S2107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2101 in combination with step S2102, step S2103, step S2104, step S2105, step S2106, step S2107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S2101 in combination with step S2102, step S2103, step S2104, step S2105, step S2106, step S2107, step S2108 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It should be noted that each step can be implemented independently, or in the case of no contradiction, the order can be arbitrarily exchanged and combined.

[0294] FIG. 3a is a flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3a, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, which is performed by a first terminal, and the above method comprises the following steps.

[0295] Step S3101: obtaining first information.

[0296] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 of FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0297] Step S3102: performing a second operation.

[0298] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 of FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0299] Step S3103: determining a third terminal.

[0300] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 of FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be described here.

[0301] Step S3104: sending third information to the second terminal.

[0302] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0303] Step S3105: receiving fourth information sent by the second terminal.

[0304] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0305] Step S3106: performing a first operation.

[0306] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3106 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0307] Step S3107: sending information.

[0308] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3107 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2108 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0309] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3101 to S3107. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3105 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S3101 in combination with step S3103, step S3104, step S3105, and step S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3101 in combination with step S3102, step S3103, step S3104, step S3105, and step S3106 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3101 in combination with step S3102, step S3103, step S3104, step S3105, step S3106, and step S3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but not limited thereto. It should be noted that each step can be independently implemented, or in the case of no contradiction, the order can be arbitrarily exchanged and freely combined for implementation.

[0310] FIG. 3b is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is performed by a first terminal, and the method comprises:

[0311] Step S3201: performing a first operation based on the first result and the second result.

[0312] In some embodiments, the first result comprises a result obtained by at least one second terminal performing privacy verification of a sidelink (SL) positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal; the second result is a result obtained by the first terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service for the at least one candidate third terminal; the first operation comprises at least one of the following: determining a third terminal for the SL positioning service; determining to accept an SL positioning service request; determining to reject an SL positioning service request; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal; and the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0313] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S3201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which are not repeated here.

[0314] In some embodiments, the method further comprises at least one of the following:

[0315] receiving first information sent by a fourth terminal;

[0316] receiving first information sent by an application layer of the first terminal;

[0317] The fourth terminal is a client terminal, and the first information is used to request an SL positioning service.

[0318] In some embodiments, the performing of the first operation based on the first result and the second result comprises one of the following:

[0319] In a process of an SL positioning service based on a PC5 interface, the first operation is performed based on the first result and the second result;

[0320] In an SL positioning control process, the first operation is performed based on the first result and the second result.

[0321] In some embodiments, the performing of the first operation based on the first result and the second result comprises:

[0322] The first operation is performed based on second information, the first result, and the second result;

[0323] The second information is used to indicate a rule for performing the first operation.

[0324] In some embodiments, all of the N terminals participate in the SL positioning; the rule comprises one of the following:

[0325] If the fourth terminal requests the SL positioning service, whether to accept the SL positioning service request is determined based on the privacy check result of the N terminals for the fourth terminal and / or the privacy check result of the N terminals for the candidate third terminal;

[0326] If the application layer of the first terminal requests the SL positioning service, whether to accept the SL positioning service request is determined based on the privacy check result of the N terminals for the candidate third terminal;

[0327] Wherein, N is an integer greater than 1, and the N terminals are the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0328] In some embodiments, part of the N terminals participate in the SL positioning; the rule comprises one of the following:

[0329] If the fourth terminal requests the SL positioning service, whether to accept the SL positioning service request is determined based on the privacy check result of the part of the N terminals for the fourth terminal and / or the privacy check result of the part of the N terminals for the candidate third terminal;

[0330] If the application layer of the first terminal requests the SL positioning service, whether to accept the SL positioning service request is determined based on the privacy check result of the part of the N terminals for the candidate third terminal;

[0331] Wherein, N is an integer greater than 1, and the N terminals are the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0332] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0333] Determining at least one candidate third terminal from the first terminal, at least one of the second terminals, and / or at least one fifth terminal;

[0334] Wherein, the fifth terminal is a terminal other than the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

[0335] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0336] Sending third information to the second terminal;

[0337] Wherein, the third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of the SL positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal.

[0338] In some embodiments, the third information comprises list information, and the list information comprises user information of all candidate third terminals.

[0339] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0340] receiving fourth information sent by the second terminal;

[0341] The fourth information is used to indicate the first result.

[0342] In some embodiments, the first result comprises a result obtained by the second terminal performing privacy verification on all third terminals indicated by the third information.

[0343] In some embodiments, the method further comprises one of:

[0344] when the fourth terminal fails in the privacy verification, sending fifth information to the fourth terminal;

[0345] when the application layer of the first terminal fails in the privacy verification, sending fifth information to the application layer of the first terminal;

[0346] when the fourth terminal succeeds in the privacy verification, sending sixth information to the fourth terminal;

[0347] when the application layer of the first terminal succeeds in the privacy verification, sending sixth information to the application layer of the first terminal;

[0348] The fifth information is used to indicate that the SL positioning request fails; and the sixth information is used to indicate that the SL positioning request succeeds.

[0349] In some embodiments, before performing the first operation based on the first result and the second result, the method further comprises:

[0350] performing a second operation on the fourth terminal;

[0351] The second operation is an operation of performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service on the fourth terminal.

[0352] In some embodiments, performing the first operation based on the first result and the second result comprises:

[0353] determining that the privacy verification of the SL positioning service on the fourth terminal is passed, and performing the first operation based on the first result and the second result.

[0354] FIG. 4a is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is performed by a second terminal, and the method comprises the following steps.

[0355] Step S4101: receiving third information sent by a first terminal.

[0356] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0357] Step S4102: performing a third operation by the second terminal.

[0358] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0359] Step S4103: sending fourth information to the first terminal.

[0360] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0361] Step S4104: receiving sixth information sent by the first terminal.

[0362] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2108 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0363] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can comprise at least one of steps S4101 to S4104. For example, step S4101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. For example, step S4101 in combination with step S4102, step S4103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step S4101 in combination with step S4102, step S4103, and step S4104 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. It should be noted that each step can be independently implemented, or can be implemented in any order and freely combined without contradiction.

[0364] FIG. 4b is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4b, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is performed by a second terminal, and the method comprises the following steps.

[0365] Step S4201: receiving third information sent by a first terminal.

[0366] In some embodiments, the third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of a sidelink, SL, positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal, and the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0367] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which are not described herein again.

[0368] In some embodiments, the third information comprises list information containing user information of all candidate third terminals.

[0369] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0370] performing a third operation based on the third information;

[0371] The third operation is an operation of performing privacy verification of a sidelink, SL, positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal.

[0372] In some embodiments, performing the third operation based on the third information comprises:

[0373] performing the third operation based on seventh information and the third information;

[0374] The seventh information is used to indicate a rule of performing privacy verification of an SL positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal.

[0375] In some embodiments, the method further comprises:

[0376] sending fourth information to the first terminal;

[0377] The fourth information is used to indicate a first result, and the first result comprises a result of performing privacy verification of an SL positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal by at least one second terminal.

[0378] In some embodiments, the first result comprises a result of performing privacy verification of an SL positioning service for all third terminals indicated by the third information by the second terminal.

[0379] FIG. 5a is a flow diagram illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5a, the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is performed by a communication system, and the above method comprises:

[0380] Step S5101: The first terminal sends third information to the second terminal.

[0381] In some embodiments, the third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of a SL positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal or a positioning terminal, and the third terminal is a server terminal.

[0382] In some embodiments, the optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 of FIG. 2a and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 2a, which will not be repeated here.

[0383] In some embodiments, the above method can include the methods of the above-mentioned communication system side, first terminal side, second terminal side and the like, which will not be repeated here.

[0384] In order to better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, the technical solutions of the present disclosure are further described below through some exemplary embodiments:

[0385] Example 1:

[0386] In some embodiments, it is proposed that a UE (corresponding to the first terminal, UE-1) that receives a service request from a SL positioning client UE (corresponding to the fourth terminal) selects one or more server UEs (corresponding to the candidate third terminal, for example, all available server UEs) as candidate server UEs before triggering UE privacy check. UE-1 triggers UE privacy check by sending user information of the client UE and a list of candidate server UEs to n target UEs, reference UEs or positioning terminals.

[0387] In some embodiments, when receiving the privacy check result (corresponding to the first result) from the n target UEs, reference UEs or positioning terminals, UE-1 determines how to accept or reject the service request based on local rules from, for example, a ranging or SL positioning application on UE-1. The privacy check result includes the privacy check result for all server UEs included in the list of candidate server UEs.

[0388] In some embodiments, the local rules for handling service requests can be, for example:

[0389] 1. All n UEs must participate in the ranging or SL positioning. If any of the n UEs does not allow disclosure to the client UE, the service request is rejected. If all n UEs allow disclosure to the client UE, but any of the n UEs does not allow disclosure to the server UE, the corresponding server UE is not used. If n UEs do not all allow disclosure to any of the candidate server UEs, the service request is rejected.

[0390] 2. A subset of n UEs (e.g. up to m) can be excluded from ranging or SL positioning due to privacy concerns. If the UEs of (n-m) UEs do not all allow disclosure to any of the candidate server UEs, the service request should be rejected, otherwise, UE-1 should determine a server UE from the list of candidate server UEs that allows disclosure from at least (n-m) UEs.

[0391] In some embodiments, the exact role can vary depending on the service requirements.

[0392] In some embodiments, if the client UE allows a subset of n UEs to be excluded from ranging / SL positioning, the client UE must select a UE that cannot be excluded from ranging / SL positioning to receive the ranging / SL positioning service request when selecting UE-1.

[0393] In some embodiments, the UE-1 local rules can be provided by the ranging / SL positioning application on UE-1 identified by the service identifier from the client UE, or by the network (e.g. from UDM or PCF or LMF) if the rules are included as part of the subscription data in the privacy profile when UE-1 subscribes to the ranging / SL positioning service.

[0394] Referring to FIG. 6a, a communication method is provided, the method comprising:

[0395] Step S6101: The client UE sends a ranging / SL positioning service request to UE-1.

[0396] In some embodiments, the client UE (corresponding to the fourth terminal) selects a UE (the first terminal, UE-1) for receiving a ranging or SL positioning service request to disclose SL positioning results through PC5. The service request (corresponding to the first information) includes a service identifier, information of the client UE, information of UE-2 / .. / UE-n, etc.

[0397] Step S6102: Perform privacy check.

[0398] In some embodiments, upon receiving the service request from the client UE and selecting the UE-only operation, UE-1 performs privacy check as follows:

[0399] i) checks against its privacy profile (corresponding rule) whether it is allowed to disclose SL positioning result to the client UE.

[0400] ii) checks against its privacy profile whether it is allowed to disclose SL positioning measurement data or result to UE-2 / .. / UE-n.

[0401] Step S6103: Perform discovery and obtain capabilities.

[0402] In some embodiments, UE-1 discovers UE-2 / ... / UE-n, establishes PC5 link with UE-2 / ... / UE-n, and obtains capabilities of UE-2 / ... / UE-n.

[0403] Step S6104: Select candidate server UEs.

[0404] In some embodiments, based on the capabilities of UEs, UE-1 selects a list of candidate server UEs with one or more server UEs (corresponding third terminals), which can be UE-1 itself, UEs in UE-2 / ... / UE-n, and / or additional UEs.

[0405] In some embodiments, UE-1 preferentially selects the list of candidate server UEs from UE-1 itself, UEs in UE-2 / ... / UE-n, and other UEs nearby.

[0406] In some embodiments, UE-1 preferentially selects the list of candidate server UEs from UE-1 itself, UEs in UE-2 / ... / UE-n, and in case of failure of privacy check, selects the list of candidate server UEs from other UEs nearby again for privacy check.

[0407] Step S6105: Send RSPP signaling message.

[0408] In some embodiments, UE-1 sends a supplemental RSPP signaling message to UE-2 / .. / UE-n (corresponding second terminals) respectively for privacy check. The message (corresponding third information) includes information of the client UE, information of UE-1, the list of candidate server UEs, etc.

[0409] Step S6106: Perform privacy check.

[0410] In some embodiments, each of UE-2 / .. / UE-n checks its own privacy profile as follows:

[0411] - check whether it allows SL positioning with UE-1;

[0412] - check whether it allows exposing SL positioning result to the client UE;

[0413] - check whether it allows exposing its SL positioning information to the server UEs within the list of candidate server UEs.

[0414] Step S6107: Obtain the privacy check results.

[0415] In some embodiments, UE-1 receives the privacy check results (corresponding to the first results) from UE-2 / .. / UE-n respectively.

[0416] Step S6108: Perform the requested processing.

[0417] In some embodiments, UE-1 performs a first round of check on whether the privacy check results for the client UE are positive according to the rules. If not, UE-1 proceeds to step S6110.

[0418] Step S6109: Determine the server UEs.

[0419] In some embodiments, if the first round of check passes, UE-1 performs a second round of check on whether the privacy check results for any of the server UEs in the list of candidate server UEs are positive according to the local rules. If not, UE-1 proceeds to step S6111. If yes, UE-1 proceeds to step S6112.

[0420] In some embodiments, if the local rules indicate that n UEs must all participate in the ranging / SL positioning (default rule), UE-1 can have rejected the service request when the privacy check results for the client UE from any of UE-2 / .. / UE-n are negative. UE-1 can reject the service request if the privacy check results for the client UE from n UEs are all positive, but none of the server UEs in the list of server UEs satisfy the privacy check results from UE-2 / .. / UE-n that all are positive.

[0421] If the local rules indicate that m UEs out of n UEs can be excluded from the ranging / SL positioning, UE-1 should keep receiving the privacy check results from UE-2 / .. / UE-n until it is able to make a decision based on the local rules. For example, when UE-1 receives privacy check results from UE-2 / .. / UE-n that are greater than or equal to n-m UEs simultaneously satisfy the privacy check results for the client UE and for any of the server UEs in the list of candidate server UEs are positive, UE-1 continues to perform the SL positioning procedure, otherwise, UE-1 rejects the service request.

[0422] Step S6110: sending a ranging / SL positioning service response.

[0423] In some embodiments, UE-1 responds to the client UE with a reject message. The failure cause needs to be included in the reject message, e.g., disclosure to client UE rejected, disclosure to UE-i rejected, disclosure to rule rejected, etc.

[0424] Step S6111: sending a ranging / SL positioning service response.

[0425] In some embodiments, UE-1 responds to the client UE with a reject message. The failure cause can be, e.g., server UE selection failure, no server UE, etc.

[0426] Step S6112: sending a RSPP signaling message.

[0427] In some embodiments, UE-1 sends a supplemental RSPP signaling message to the selected server UE (server UE-y) including the ranging / SL positioning service request from the client UE. The service request includes the service identifier, the information of the client UE, the information of the UE-1, the client UE, the server UE, the UE-2 / .. / UE-n returning positive privacy check results.

[0428] Step S6113: performing SL positioning operation, data transfer and / or result computation.

[0429] In some embodiments, SL positioning operation, data transfer and / or result computation is performed among the server UE, UE-1 and the UEs in UE-2 / .. / UE-n returning positive privacy check results.

[0430] Step S6114: sending a ranging / SL positioning service response.

[0431] UE-1 responds to the client UE with the SL positioning result. UE-1 can also inform the client UE about the actual UEs involved in the ranging / SL positioning operation by indicating the involved UEs or the non-involved UEs.

[0432] Example 2

[0433] In some embodiments, it is proposed that the UE (corresponding to the first terminal, UE-1) receiving the service request from the RSPP application layer selects one or more server UEs (e.g., all available server UEs) as candidate server UEs (corresponding to the candidate third terminals) before triggering the UE privacy check. UE-1 triggers the UE privacy check by sending the list of candidate server UEs to the n target UEs, the reference UE or the positioning terminal.

[0434] In some embodiments, upon receiving the privacy check results (corresponding to the first results) from the n target UEs, reference UEs or positioning terminals, UE-1 determines how to accept or reject the service request based on local rules from e.g. the ranging or SL positioning application on UE-1. The privacy check results include the privacy check results for all server UEs included in the list of candidate server UEs.

[0435] In some embodiments, the local rules on handling the service request can be e.g.:

[0436] 1. All of the n UEs must participate in the ranging or SL positioning. If any of the n UEs is not allowed to disclose to the server UEs, the corresponding server UE is not used. If the n UEs cannot all allow to disclose information to at least one of all the candidate server UEs, the service request is rejected.

[0437] 2. A part of the n UEs (e.g. at most m) can be excluded from the ranging or SL positioning due to privacy issues. If the UEs in the (n-m) UEs cannot all allow to disclose information to at least one of all the candidate server UEs, the service request should be rejected, otherwise, UE-1 should determine a server UE from the list of candidate server UEs that allows disclosure, where no less than (n-m) UEs allow to disclose to the server UE.

[0438] In some embodiments, the exact role can vary depending on the service requirements.

[0439] In some embodiments, the UE-1 local rules can be provided by the ranging / SL positioning application on UE-1 identified by the service identifier from the client UE, or by the network (e.g. from UDM or PCF or LMF) if the rules are included in the privacy profile as part of the subscription data when UE-1 subscribes to the ranging / SL positioning service.

[0440] Referring to FIG. 6b, a method of communication is provided, the method comprising:

[0441] Step S6201: triggering a ranging / SL positioning service request from the RSPP application layer.

[0442] In some embodiments, UE1 (i.e. target UE) receives the ranging / SL positioning service request from the RSPP application layer. The service request can include the service identifier, information of UE-2 / .. / UE-n, etc.

[0443] Step S6202: performing privacy check.

[0444] In some embodiments, upon receiving the service request from the application layer and selecting the UE-only operation, UE-1 performs the privacy check as follows:

[0445] - check against its privacy profile whether it allows exposing SL positioning measurement data or results to UE-2 / ... / UE-n.

[0446] Step S6203: Perform discovery and get capabilities.

[0447] In some embodiments, UE-1 discovers UE-2 / ... / UE-n, establishes PC5 link with UE-2 / ... / UE-n, and obtains capabilities of UE-2 / ... / UE-n.

[0448] Step S6204: Select candidate server UEs.

[0449] In some embodiments, based on the capabilities of UEs, UE-1 selects a list of candidate server UEs with one or more server UEs, the server UE candidates can be UE-1 itself, UEs in UE-2 / ... / UE-n, and / or additional UEs.

[0450] In some embodiments, UE-1 preferentially selects the list of candidate server UEs from UE-1 itself, UEs in UE-2 / ... / UE-n, and other UEs nearby.

[0451] In some embodiments, UE-1 preferentially selects the list of candidate server UEs from UE-1 itself, UEs in UE-2 / ... / UE-n, and in case of privacy check failure, selects the list of candidate server UEs from other UEs nearby again with privacy check.

[0452] Step S6205: Send RSPP signaling message.

[0453] In some embodiments, UE-1 sends a supplemental RSPP signaling message to UE-2 / ... / UE-n respectively for privacy check. The message (corresponding to the third information) includes information of UE-1, the list of candidate server UEs, etc. Step S6206: Perform privacy check.

[0454] In some embodiments, each of UE-2 / ... / UE-n checks its own privacy profile as follows:

[0455] - check whether it allows SL positioning with UE-1,

[0456] - check whether it allows exposing its SL positioning information to server UEs in the list of candidate server UEs.

[0457] Step S6207: Get privacy check result.

[0458] In some embodiments, UE-1 receives privacy check results from UE-2 / .. / UE-n respectively.

[0459] Step S6208: Perform the requested processing.

[0460] In some embodiments, if the local rule indicates that all of the n UEs must participate in the ranging / SL positioning (default rule), then UE-1 can reject the service request when it receives a negative privacy check result for the server UE from any of UE-2 / .. / UE-n.

[0461] Step S6209: Determine the server UE.

[0462] In some embodiments, if the local rule indicates that m UEs out of n UEs can be excluded from the ranging / SL positioning, then UE-1 should keep receiving privacy check results from UE-2 / .. / UE-n until it can make a decision based on the local rule.

[0463] UE-1 runs a check according to the local rule whether the privacy check result for any server UE within the list of candidate server UEs is positive. If no, then UE-1 stops the procedure. If yes, then UE-1 proceeds to step S6210.

[0464] Step S6210: Send RSPP signaling message.

[0465] In some embodiments, UE-1 sends a supplemental RSPP signaling message including the ranging / SL positioning service request from the application layer to the selected server UE (server UE-y). The service request includes a service identifier, information of the UEs out of UE-2 / .. / UE-n that return positive privacy check results for UE-1, the server UE.

[0466] Step S6211: Perform SL positioning operation, data transmission and / or result computation.

[0467] In some embodiments, SL positioning operation, data transmission and / or result computation is performed among the server UE, UE-1 and the UEs out of UE-2 / .. / UE-n that return positive privacy check results.

[0468] The embodiments of the present disclosure also propose an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods, for example, an apparatus including units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is also proposed, including units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (such as an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0469] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above apparatus is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into a physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, the apparatus includes a processor, the processor is connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to realize the functions of any of the above methods or the units or modules of the above apparatus, wherein the processor is a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory in the apparatus or a memory outside the apparatus. Alternatively, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be realized by the design of the hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units or modules are realized by the design of the logical relationship between the elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is taken as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to realize the functions of part or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above apparatus can be all implemented in the form of processor calling software, or all implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part implemented in the form of processor calling software and the remaining part implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0470] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), and the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), and the like.

[0471] FIG. 7a is a structural schematic diagram of the first terminal 7100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7a, the first terminal 7100 can include at least one of a transceiver module 7101, a processing module 7102, and the like. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps, such as transmitting and / or receiving, performed by the first terminal 7100 in any of the above methods, which will not be described herein again. Optionally, the processing module is configured to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the first terminal 7100 in any of the above methods, which will not be described herein again.

[0472] FIG. 7b is a structural schematic diagram of the second terminal 7200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7b, the second terminal 7200 can include at least one of a transceiver module 7201, a processing module 7202, and the like. Optionally, the transceiver module is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., sending and / or receiving) performed by the second terminal 7200 in any of the above methods, details of which are not repeated here. In some embodiments, the transceiver module can include a sending module and / or a receiving module, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the transceiver module can be replaced by a transceiver. Optionally, the processing module is configured to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the second terminal 7200 in any of the above methods, details of which are not repeated here.

[0473] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module, or can include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules perform all or part of the steps required to be performed by the processing module, respectively. Optionally, the processing module can be replaced by a processor.

[0474] FIG. 8a is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 8100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 8100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, or the like), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment or the like), a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the terminal to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, details of which can be referred to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0475] As shown in FIG. 8a, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be configured to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be configured to control the communication device (e.g., a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, or the like), execute programs, and process data of the programs. The communication device 8100 is configured to perform any of the above methods.

[0476] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 configured to store instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 8102 can also be located outside the communication device 8100.

[0477] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the transceiver 8103 performs at least one of the communication steps of transmitting and / or receiving in the above-described methods, and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0478] In some embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms of transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other, the terms of transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other, and the terms of receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced by each other.

[0479] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 can include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuit 8104 is connected with the memory 8102, and the interface circuit 8104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8104 can read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0480] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiments can be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 can not be limited by Figure 8a. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: 1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, which can optionally also include storage components for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) other, etc.

[0481] Figure 8b is a structural schematic diagram of a chip 8200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the communication device 8100 is a chip or a chip system, the structural schematic diagram of the chip 8200 shown in Figure 8b can be referred to, but is not limited thereto.

[0482] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201, and the chip 8200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0483] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, the interface circuits 8202 are connected with the memory 8203, and the interface circuits 8202 can be configured to receive signals from the memory 8203 or other devices, and the interface circuits 8202 can be configured to send signals to the memory 8203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 8202 can read instructions stored in the memory 8203 and send the instructions to the processor 8201.

[0484] In some embodiments, the interface circuits 8202 perform at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S2101, step S3101, but not limited thereto) in the above-described methods, and the processor 8201 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0485] In some embodiments, the interface circuits, interfaces, transceiver pins, transceivers, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0486] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8203 can be outside the chip 8200.

[0487] The present disclosure further proposes a storage medium, and the above-mentioned storage medium stores instructions, and when the above-mentioned instructions run on the communication device 8100, the communication device 8100 executes any one of the above methods. Optionally, the above-mentioned storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the above-mentioned storage medium is a computer readable storage medium, but not limited thereto, and it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the above-mentioned storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto, and it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0488] The present disclosure further proposes a program product, and the above-mentioned program product is executed by the communication device 8100, so that the communication device 8100 executes any one of the above methods. Optionally, the above-mentioned program product is a computer program product.

[0489] The present disclosure further proposes a computer program, and when it runs on a computer, it makes the computer execute any one of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a first terminal, and the method comprises: performing a first operation based on a first result and a second result; wherein the first result comprises a result obtained by at least one second terminal performing privacy verification on a sidelink (SL) positioning service of at least one candidate third terminal; the second result is a result obtained by the first terminal performing privacy verification on the SL positioning service of the at least one candidate third terminal; the first operation comprises at least one of the following: determining the third terminal for the SL positioning service; determining to accept an SL positioning service request; determining to reject an SL positioning service request; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal; and the third terminal is a server terminal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises at least one of the following: receiving first information sent by a fourth terminal; receiving first information sent by an application layer of the first terminal; wherein the fourth terminal is a client terminal, and the first information is used to request the SL positioning service.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The performing of the first operation based on the first result and the second result comprises one of the following: in a process of the SL positioning service based on a PC5 interface, performing the first operation based on the first result and the second result; in an SL positioning control process, performing the first operation based on the first result and the second result.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The performing of the first operation based on the first result and the second result comprises: performing the first operation based on second information, the first result, and the second result; wherein the second information is used to indicate a rule for performing the first operation.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, All of N terminals participate in the SL positioning; and the rule comprises one of the following: if a fourth terminal requests the SL positioning service, determining whether to accept the SL positioning service request based on a privacy check result of the N terminals on the fourth terminal and / or a privacy check result of the N terminals on a candidate third terminal; if an application layer of the first terminal requests the SL positioning service, determining whether to accept the SL positioning service request based on a privacy check result of the N terminals on the candidate third terminal; wherein N is an integer greater than 1, and the N terminals are the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein, Part of the N terminals participate in the SL positioning; and the rule comprises one of the following: if a fourth terminal requests the SL positioning service, determining whether to accept the SL positioning service request based on a privacy check result of the part of the N terminals on the fourth terminal and / or a privacy check result of the part of the N terminals on a candidate third terminal; if an application layer of the first terminal requests the SL positioning service, determining whether to accept the SL positioning service request based on a privacy check result of the part of the N terminals on the candidate third terminal; wherein N is an integer greater than 1, and the N terminals are the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further comprises: determining at least one candidate third terminal from the first terminal, at least one second terminal, and / or at least one fifth terminal; wherein the fifth terminal is a terminal other than the first terminal and / or the second terminal.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The method further comprises: sending third information to the second terminal; The third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of a sidelink (SL) positioning service on at least one candidate third terminal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The third information includes list information containing user information of all candidate third terminals.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The method further includes: receiving fourth information sent by the second terminal; The fourth information is used to indicate the first result.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first result includes a result obtained by the second terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service on all third terminals indicated by the third information.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The method further includes one of: sending fifth information to a fourth terminal requesting the SL positioning service and failing in the privacy verification; sending fifth information to an application layer of the first terminal requesting the SL positioning service and failing in the privacy verification; sending sixth information to the fourth terminal requesting the SL positioning service and succeeding in the privacy verification; sending sixth information to the application layer of the first terminal requesting the SL positioning service and succeeding in the privacy verification; The fifth information is used to indicate that the SL positioning request fails; and the sixth information is used to indicate that the SL positioning request succeeds.

13. The method of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, Before performing the first operation based on the first result and the second result, the method further includes: performing a second operation on the fourth terminal; The second operation is an operation of performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service on the fourth terminal.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, The performing of the first operation based on the first result and the second result includes: determining that the privacy verification of the SL positioning service on the fourth terminal succeeds, and performing the first operation based on the first result and the second result.

15. A method of communication, comprising: The method is performed by a second terminal, and the method includes: receiving third information sent by a first terminal; The third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of a sidelink (SL) positioning service on at least one candidate third terminal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The third information includes list information containing user information of all candidate third terminals.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The method further includes: performing a third operation based on the third information; The third operation is an operation of performing privacy verification of a sidelink (SL) positioning service on at least one candidate third terminal.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The performing of the third operation based on the third information includes: performing the third operation based on seventh information and the third information; The seventh information is used to indicate a rule of performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service on at least one candidate third terminal.

19. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: sending fourth information to the first terminal; The fourth information is used to indicate a first result including a result obtained by at least one second terminal performing privacy verification of a sidelink (SL) positioning service on at least one candidate third terminal.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The first result includes a result obtained by the second terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service on all third terminals indicated by the third information.

21. A method of communication, comprising: The method further includes: The first terminal sends third information to the second terminal; The third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of the SL positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal, and the third terminal is a server terminal.

22. A first terminal, characterized by The first terminal includes: The processing module is configured to: perform a first operation based on the first result and the second result; The first result includes a result obtained by at least one second terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal; the second result is a result obtained by the first terminal performing privacy verification of the SL positioning service for the at least one candidate third terminal; and the first operation includes at least one of the following: determining a third terminal for the SL positioning service; determining to accept an SL positioning service request; and determining to reject an SL positioning service request; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal, and the third terminal is a server terminal.

23. A second terminal, comprising: The second terminal includes: The transceiver module is configured to: receive third information sent by the first terminal; The third information is used to trigger the second terminal to perform privacy verification of the SL positioning service for at least one candidate third terminal; the second terminal is a target terminal, a reference terminal, or a positioning terminal, and the third terminal is a server terminal.

24. A communication system, characterized by The communication system includes a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 14; and the second terminal is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 15 to 20.

25. A first terminal, comprising: The first terminal includes: one or more processors; The first terminal is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 14.

26. A second terminal, comprising: The second terminal includes: one or more processors; The second terminal is configured to perform the communication method of any one of claims 15 to 20.

27. A computer program product comprising computer programs or instructions, characterized in that, The computer program or instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method of any one of claims 1 to 14 and / or any one of claims 15 to 20.

28. A storage medium, characterized by The storage medium stores instructions, which, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 14 and / or any one of claims 15 to 20.

Images