Method, apparatus, communication device, storage medium and computer program product for selecting an lmf

Abstract

This application relates to a method, apparatus, communication device, storage medium, and computer program product for selecting a Location-Based Function (LMF). The method includes: receiving a location request, the location request carrying location priority information and / or AI location service indication information; and determining a target LMF based on the information carried in the location request. By employing this method, based on one or more of the priority information, quality of service information, and location service indication information carried in the location request, the method assists in selecting a target LMF matching the location request, thereby satisfying the location needs initiated by the user equipment and enhancing the LMF selection capability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the fields of wireless communication and terminal technology, and in particular to an LMF selection processing method, apparatus, communication device, storage medium, and computer program product. Background Technology

[0002] With the rapid development of communication technology, a high-precision positioning method has emerged, with a wide range of applications. These applications include construction sites, petrochemical plants, and transportation. High-precision positioning technology includes AI-assisted network positioning (LAM) functionality, and AI / ML inference capabilities to support AI / ML-based or conventional positioning methods. However, because different LMFs support different positioning methods, the inability to match positioning requests with specific methods leads to poor effectiveness in method selection. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides an LMF selection processing method, apparatus, communication device, storage medium, and computer program product, which can select a suitable LMF to process a location request and improve the effectiveness of the location method selection.

[0004] An LMF selection processing method, applied to a target network function, the method comprising:

[0005] Receive a location request, the location request carrying location priority information and / or AI location service indication information;

[0006] Based on the information carried in the location request, the target LMF is determined.

[0007] In one embodiment, the location priority information is obtained by the GMLC by requesting user subscription information from the UDM.

[0008] In one embodiment, determining the target LMF based on the information carried in the location request includes:

[0009] Based on the information carried in the location request, determine whether AI location capability is needed;

[0010] If it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability, then the target LMF is determined based on the LMF capability information.

[0011] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0012] Obtain the capability information of the LMF, which includes the positioning capability information of the LMF, including one or more of AI positioning capability and ordinary positioning capability.

[0013] In one embodiment, obtaining the LMF capability information includes:

[0014] The capability information of LMF is obtained through NRF and target methods, including one or more of NF state subscription, NF state reporting, NF discovery, and NF information acquisition.

[0015] In one embodiment, the location request carries location priority information, and the method further includes:

[0016] If the location priority information meets the preset conditions, then it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability.

[0017] In one embodiment, the AI ​​location service indication information is used to indicate that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability; the location request carries the AI ​​location service indication information; the method further includes:

[0018] If the location request carries the AI ​​location service indication information, then it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability.

[0019] In one embodiment, the location request carries AI location service indication information; the AI ​​location service indication information includes first indication information or second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability; and the second indication information is used to indicate that the location request does not require the AI ​​location capability; the method further includes:

[0020] If the AI ​​location service indication information is the first indication information, then it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability.

[0021] In one embodiment, if it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability, then determining the target LMF based on the LMF capability information includes:

[0022] If it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability, then based on the LMF capability information, the LMF that supports AI location capability is identified as the target LMF.

[0023] In one embodiment, if it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability, then determining the target LMF based on the LMF capability information includes:

[0024] If it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability, then based on the LMF capability information, the LMF that supports the AI ​​location capability is determined as the first LMF;

[0025] If it is determined that the load information of the first LMF meets the preset conditions, then the target LMF is determined based on the positioning priority information carried by the positioning request and the capability information of the LMF.

[0026] In one embodiment, the target network function is one or more of AMF and a designated LMF; determining the target LMF based on the location priority information carried in the location request and the capability information of the LMF includes:

[0027] If the location priority information carried in the location request meets the preset conditions, then based on the capability information of each LMF, the LMF that does not support AI location capability is determined as the target LMF.

[0028] In one embodiment, the target network function is one or more of AMF and designated LMF.

[0029] In one embodiment, the target network function is AMF, and receiving the location request includes:

[0030] Receive location requests sent by GMLC.

[0031] In one embodiment, the target network function is to designate an LMF, wherein the designated LMF is determined by the AMF based on the location information of each LMF; the receiving of the location request includes:

[0032] Receive a location request sent by the AMF, wherein the location request is sent by the GMLC.

[0033] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0034] Send a location request to the target LMF.

[0035] In one embodiment, the target network function is AMF, and sending a location request to the target LMF includes:

[0036] An AI positioning request is sent to the target LMF, which instructs the target LMF to initiate a positioning process based on its supported AI positioning capabilities.

[0037] In one embodiment, the target network function is to designate an LMF, which is determined by the AMF based on the location information of each LMF; sending a location request to the target LMF includes:

[0038] A location transfer request message is sent to the target LMF, which instructs the target LMF to initiate a location process based on the supported AI location capabilities.

[0039] An LMF selection processing apparatus, applied to a target network function, the apparatus comprising:

[0040] The first receiving module is used to receive a positioning request, the positioning request carrying positioning priority information and / or AI positioning service indication information;

[0041] The first determining module is used to determine the target LMF based on the information carried in the positioning request.

[0042] A communication device includes: a processor and a receiver;

[0043] The receiver is used to receive a location request, the location request carrying location priority information and / or AI location service indication information;

[0044] The processor is configured to determine the target LMF based on the information carried in the location request.

[0045] A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method described in this embodiment.

[0046] A computer program product includes a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method described in this embodiment.

[0047] The aforementioned method, apparatus, communication device, storage medium, and computer program product for selecting LMFs include, in which the method comprises: receiving a positioning request carrying positioning priority information and / or AI positioning service indication information; and determining a target LMF based on the information carried in the positioning request. By employing this method, based on the priority information and / or positioning service indication information carried in the positioning request, a target LMF matching the positioning request is assisted in being selected, thereby meeting the positioning needs initiated by the user equipment and enhancing the LMF selection capability. Attached Figure Description

[0048] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the LMF selection process in one embodiment;

[0049] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps for determining the target LMF in one embodiment;

[0050] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps for determining the target LMF in one embodiment;

[0051] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the LMF selection process in another embodiment;

[0052] Figure 5This is a flowchart illustrating the LMF selection process in another embodiment;

[0053] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the communication architecture in one embodiment;

[0054] Figure 7 This is a structural block diagram of an LMF selection processing device in one embodiment;

[0055] Figure 8 This is an internal structural diagram of a communication device in one embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0056] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0057] In an application scenario where an LMF selection processing method is provided in this application embodiment, a target network function and multiple LMFs (Location Management Functions) can be included. The target network function can receive a location request, which may carry one or more of the following: location priority information and AI location service indication information. Based on the information carried in the location request, the target network function can select from the multiple LMFs to choose the target LMF that matches the location request and can meet the user's needs corresponding to the location request. In this way, the target LMF can execute the location process based on the AI ​​location capabilities or the non-AI location capabilities it supports.

[0058] The target network function can be an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), or it can be an LMF specified by the AMF, etc.

[0059] In traditional technologies, high-precision positioning has a wide range of applications. High-precision positioning equipment can be used for vehicle positioning and route planning, enabling more efficient traffic management and the construction of intelligent transportation systems. In the aviation field, high-precision positioning technology can be used for aircraft navigation and flight control, improving flight safety and efficiency. Among related technologies, there are network-enabled solutions based on AI / ML (Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning), including cross-domain network AI, AI-assisted QoS optimization, and AI-assisted network positioning. AI-assisted network positioning can support AI / ML inference functions, thereby obtaining AI / ML positioning methods or ordinary positioning methods. AI / ML-based positioning methods can process massive amounts of data and model training methods, significantly improving positioning accuracy and precision.

[0060] In one example, a system can contain multiple Localization Methods (LMFs), each supporting different localization methods. For instance, some LMFs may support AI / ML-based localization capabilities, while others may include non-AI / ML localization capabilities in their information. In other words, some LMFs may include AI / ML localization capabilities, allowing them to initiate AI localization processes and handle localization requests using AI / ML capabilities; alternatively, they may initiate ML localization processes and handle localization requests using ML localization capabilities. Still other LMFs may include standard localization capabilities, allowing them to handle localization requests based on these standard capabilities.

[0061] The target network function in the related technology cannot determine whether AI / ML positioning capabilities need to be enabled, that is, it cannot determine whether the positioning process needs to be initiated through AI / ML positioning capabilities. If the target network function determines that AI / ML positioning capabilities need to be enabled, the target network function cannot select an LMF configured with AI / ML positioning capabilities to handle the positioning request, resulting in the inability to effectively start the subsequent positioning process.

[0062] This embodiment provides an LMF selection processing method. The target network function can obtain the capability information of each LMF, determine the capability of each LMF, and then select a suitable target LMF for the location request based on the received location request to realize the location request processing. For example, the target network function can determine whether to select the AI / ML location method based on the location priority information and / or AI / ML location indication information, providing a reliable data foundation for selecting the target LMF that matches the location request, and ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of LMF selection processing.

[0063] It should be noted that the beneficial effects or technical problems solved by the embodiments of this application are not limited to this one, but may also include other implicit or related problems. Please refer to the description of the embodiments below for details. Before introducing the specific embodiments of the present invention, the technical terms involved in the present invention will be explained:

[0064] CN (core network): Core network.

[0065] DN (DATA network): Data network.

[0066] AUSF (Authentication Server Function): Authentication management function.

[0067] UDM (Unified Data Management): Unified data management functionality.

[0068] UPF (User Plan Function): User-facing functionality.

[0069] The technical solution of this application and how the technical solution of this application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. These specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described again in some embodiments. The embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0070] In one embodiment, such as Figure 1 As shown, a method for selecting and processing LMFs is provided. Taking the application of this method to a target network function as an example, the method includes the following steps:

[0071] Step 102: Receive location request.

[0072] The location request carries location priority information and / or AI location service indication information. That is, the location request carries one or more of these two types of information. Location priority information can be used to characterize the importance of the location request. This priority information can be determined based on user subscription information, the priority of the identity characteristics of the user initiating the location request, or the priority of the service type corresponding to the location request. AI location service indication information can indicate the type of location capability requested by the current location request. For example, in one example, it can indicate the use of AI / ML location capability, or the use of non-AI / non-ML location capability; in another example, the AI ​​location service indication information can only indicate the use of AI / ML location capability, and so on.

[0073] Specifically, the target network function can receive location requests sent by other network functions; after receiving the location request, the target network function can parse the location request to obtain the information carried by the location request, which may include one or more of the following: location priority information and AI location service indication information.

[0074] Optionally, the location request may also carry one or more of the following: location priority information, location service quality information, and AI location service indication information. The location service quality information (LCS QoS info) may include information related to the evaluation metrics of the location service, such as location accuracy, location precision, response time, response speed, packet loss rate, etc. The corresponding location service quality information may also include the evaluation metric values ​​corresponding to each evaluation metric.

[0075] Step 104: Determine the target LMF based on the information carried in the location request.

[0076] Specifically, the target network function can parse the location request to obtain the information carried in the request. Based on this information, the target network function can select from multiple Location Service Providers (LMFs) to determine the target LMF, which is the LMF that matches the information carried in the location request. In one example, the target network function can select from multiple LMFs based on the location priority information carried in the location request; in another example, the target network function can select from multiple LMFs based on the AI ​​location service indication information carried in the location request.

[0077] In the above-described method for selecting an LMF, a location request is received, which carries one or more of the following: location priority information and AI location service indication information. Based on the information carried in the location request, a target LMF is determined. By adopting this method, based on the priority information and one or more of the location service indication information carried in the location request, a target LMF matching the location request is assisted in being selected, thus meeting the location needs initiated by the user device and enhancing the LMF selection capability.

[0078] In some embodiments, location priority information is obtained based on user subscription information from the UDM.

[0079] Specifically, the first network function can send an acquisition request to the UDM, and the UDM returns a response message to the first network function, which carries user subscription information. In this way, the first network function can generate location priority information based on this user subscription information. This location priority can be a location priority used to characterize the location request.

[0080] In one example, the first network function could be a GMLC (Gateway Mobile Location Centre); the location priority information could be obtained by the GMLC by requesting user subscription information from the UDM. Specifically, the GMLC can receive location requests from other network functions, which can be location requests specific to a target terminal, i.e., the location request is used to determine the location of the target terminal; after receiving the location request, the GMLC can send an acquisition request to the UDM, and the UDM can return a response message to the GMLC, which carries at least the user subscription information. This user subscription information can be subscription information associated with the target terminal.

[0081] Optionally, the GMLC may send an acquisition request to the UDM containing the identification information of the target terminal. The UDM can then collect user subscription information associated with the target terminal based on this identification information and return a response message containing the user subscription information to the GMLC. In this way, the GMLC can obtain location priority information based on the user subscription information. This location priority information can characterize the location priority of the target terminal and also characterize the priority of location requests used to determine the location of the target terminal.

[0082] In this embodiment, the location priority information of the location request is obtained through the user subscription information, which can better match the user's needs and provide reliable reference data for the processing order of subsequent location requests.

[0083] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the step "Determine the target LMF based on the information carried in the location request" may include:

[0084] Step 202: Based on the information carried in the location request, determine whether AI location capability is needed.

[0085] The location request can be a request to determine the location of a target terminal. If AI location capability is required, the location request needs to be processed based on AI location capability; for example, AI location capability is needed to initiate a location process for the target terminal to determine its location. If AI location capability is not required, the location request does not need to be processed based on AI location capability; for example, a location process for the target terminal can be initiated using non-AI location capability to determine its location. Non-AI location capability can be ordinary location capability. AI location capability can be a method to determine the location of the target terminal using AI models, machine learning models, or neural network models. Ordinary location capability can be a method to determine the location of the target terminal without using the above models.

[0086] Specifically, after receiving a location request, the target network can obtain the information carried in the location request and, based on the information carried in the location request, determine whether the location request requires AI location capability, that is, whether the location request needs to be processed through AI location capability; in other words, whether the location request needs to be processed through an LMF with AI location capability.

[0087] Step 204: If it is determined that the location request requires AI location capabilities, then the target LMF is determined based on the LMF capability information.

[0088] Specifically, the target network function can determine whether the location request requires AI location capability based on the information carried in the location request; if the target network function determines that the location request requires AI location capability, the target network function can select the target LMF based on the capability information of each LMF.

[0089] In one example, the LMF's capability information includes at least the types of positioning capabilities supported by the LMF. If the target network function determines that the positioning request requires AI positioning capabilities, it can filter based on the capability information of each LMF and select a suitable LMF as the target LMF. In this way, the target LMF can initiate a positioning process for the positioning request, that is, the target LMF can initiate a positioning process for the target terminal, and locate the target terminal by using the positioning capabilities supported by the target LMF.

[0090] In this embodiment, the location capability required by the location request is accurately and quickly determined by the information carried in the location request, and the target LMF that matches the location request is selected based on the capability information of each LMF obtained in advance, so as to ensure the transmission validity of the information carried in the location request and further improve the quality of location efficiency processing.

[0091] In some embodiments, the LMF selection process further includes:

[0092] Obtain LMF capability information, including LMF positioning capability information, which includes one or more of AI positioning capabilities and ordinary positioning capabilities.

[0093] Specifically, the capability information of an LMF includes at least its positioning capability information, which represents the type of positioning capability supported by the LMF. For example, the positioning capability information may include AI positioning capability and / or ordinary positioning capability; some LMFs may have AI / ML positioning capability, while others may have ordinary positioning capability.

[0094] In this embodiment, the type of positioning capability supported by each LMF is determined by obtaining the capability information of each LMF, which provides a reliable data foundation for the subsequent LMF selection process and ensures the degree of compatibility between the selected target LMF and the positioning request.

[0095] In some embodiments, the step "obtaining LMF capability information" may include:

[0096] Obtain LMF capability information through NRF and target methods.

[0097] The target methods include one or more of the following: NF state subscription, NF state reporting, NF discovery, and NF information acquisition.

[0098] Specifically, NF Status Subscribe can be a process where a target network function subscribes to information about an NF from an NRF. This NF can be an LMF, etc., and the information about the NF can be its capability information.

[0099] NF Status Notification can be achieved by the NRF sending NF information to network functions that subscribe to NF information (such as the target network function in this embodiment). The NRF can send the NF information to the target network function when preset trigger conditions are met. These preset trigger conditions may include newly registered NFs on the NRF, newly deregistered NFs on the NRF, or NFs whose performance / capability information has changed on the NRF. The NF information can be capability information obtained by the NF. For example, each LMF can initiate a registration request through the NRF, carrying the LMF's positioning capabilities, such as AI positioning capabilities and / or ordinary positioning capabilities. The NRF can receive the registration request and create registration information for the LMF.

[0100] NF Profile Retrieval can be achieved by a target network function sending a request message to the NRF (Network Response Function). This request message requests information about an NF, which can be a Local Multi-Functional Function (LMF). The information can be the LMF's capability information, such as the types of positioning capabilities supported by the LMF. The request message may carry an identifier for the NF, and the NRF can use this identifier to return the NF information corresponding to that identifier to the target network function.

[0101] NF Discovery can be achieved by a target network function sending a discovery request to an NRF. This discovery request may carry preset discovery conditions. After receiving the discovery request, the NRF can obtain the NFs that meet the preset discovery conditions, obtain the information of the NFs that meet the preset discovery conditions, and return a response message to the target network function containing the NFs that meet the preset discovery conditions and the capability information of each NF that meets the preset discovery conditions.

[0102] In this embodiment, through data interaction with NRF, the capability information of each LMF is managed accurately and comprehensively, and the latest capability information of LMF is obtained in a timely manner when LMF is newly registered or updated.

[0103] In some embodiments, the location request carries location priority information, and the LMF selection processing method further includes:

[0104] If the location priority information meets the preset conditions, it is determined that the location request requires AI location capabilities.

[0105] Among them, the preset conditions can be conditions configured based on actual application scenarios, such as conditions that require AI positioning capabilities; in one example, the preset conditions can be conditions that limit positioning priority information.

[0106] In one example, the preset condition could be that if the location priority information is high priority, then the location priority information meets the preset condition, and the target network function can determine that the location request requires AI location capabilities. The high priority could be, for example, the priority level of the number of targets. This disclosure does not limit the specific value of the high priority or the specific value of the number of targets; these can be determined based on the actual application scenario.

[0107] Specifically, the target network function receives a location request, which carries location priority information. Based on this location priority information, the target network function can determine whether the location priority information meets a preset condition. If the location priority information meets the preset condition, the target network function can determine that the location request requires AI location capabilities.

[0108] Optionally, the location request may also carry location service quality information; correspondingly, the preset conditions may include conditions that limit the location service quality information. Optionally, the content of the preset conditions may be that if the location service quality information has high service quality requirements, it can be determined that the location service quality information meets the preset conditions, and then the target network function can determine that the location request requires AI location capabilities; it may be that one or more evaluation indicators of the location service quality information have high service quality requirements; high service quality requirements may be greater than or equal to preset performance indicator thresholds; this disclosure does not limit the specific value of the preset performance indicator thresholds, for example, they may be determined based on actual application scenarios.

[0109] In another example, the preset condition could be that if the location priority information is high priority and the location service quality information is high service quality requirement, then the location priority information can be determined to meet the preset condition, and the target network function can determine that the location request requires AI location capability.

[0110] In this embodiment, the determination of whether a location request requires AI location capabilities is made by using the priority information of the location request and / or the quality of location service information. This ensures high efficiency and accuracy in the determination and makes the determined target LMF more compatible with the user's location needs.

[0111] In some embodiments, AI location service indication information is used to indicate that a location request requires AI location capability; the location request carries AI location service indication information; the LMF selection processing method further includes:

[0112] If the location request includes AI location service indication information, then the location request requires AI location capabilities.

[0113] The AI ​​location service indication information is used to indicate that the type of location capability required by the current location request is AI location capability, or the AI ​​location service indication information can also be used to indicate that the type of location capability required by the current location request is ML location capability.

[0114] Specifically, the AI ​​location service indication information is used to indicate that the location request requires AI location capability; the target network function can receive the location request and determine whether the location request carries the AI ​​location service indication information; if the location request carries the AI ​​location service indication information, the target network function can determine that the location request requires AI location capability; correspondingly, if the location request does not carry the AI ​​location service indication information, the target network function can determine that the location request does not require AI location capability, that is, it requires ordinary location capability.

[0115] In this embodiment, the type of positioning capability required by the positioning request can be quickly determined by whether the positioning request carries AI positioning service indication information.

[0116] In some embodiments, the location request carries AI location service indication information; the AI ​​location service indication information includes first indication information or second indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the location request requires AI location capability; the second indication information being used to indicate that the location request does not require AI location capability.

[0117] Accordingly, the LMF selection processing method also includes:

[0118] If the AI ​​location service indication information is the first indication information, then it is determined that the location request requires AI location capability.

[0119] Specifically, the AI ​​positioning service indication information is used to indicate the type of positioning capability required by the positioning request; the target network function can receive the positioning request and obtain the content of the AI ​​positioning service indication information carried in the positioning request; if the content of the AI ​​positioning service indication information carried in the positioning request is the first indication information, the target network function can determine that the positioning request requires AI positioning capability; correspondingly, if the content of the AI ​​positioning service indication information carried in the positioning request is the second indication information, the target network function can determine that the positioning request does not require AI positioning capability, that is, it requires ordinary positioning capability.

[0120] In this embodiment, the type of positioning capability required by the positioning request can be quickly determined by the specific type of AI positioning service indication information carried in the positioning request.

[0121] In some embodiments, the step "If it is determined that the location request requires AI location capabilities, then determine the target LMF based on the LMF capability information" may include:

[0122] If it is determined that the location request requires AI location capabilities, then based on the LMF's capability information, the LMF that supports AI location capabilities is identified as the target LMF.

[0123] The capability information of an LMF can be the capability information of each LMF obtained by the target network function. This capability information can be the type of positioning capability supported by the LMF, that is, the capability information of the LMF includes AI / ML positioning capability, or the capability information of the LMF can include ordinary positioning capability.

[0124] Specifically, if the target network function determines that the location request requires AI location capability, then in the process of selecting the LMF to handle the location request, the target network function can determine the type of location capability supported by each LMF based on the capability information of each LMF, and select the LMF that supports AI location capability as the target LMF.

[0125] Optionally, the target network function can determine the type of positioning capability supported by each LMF based on the capability information of each LMF, and extract each LMF containing AI positioning capability as a candidate LMF. In this way, among multiple candidate LMFs, the target network function can select the target LMF based on a preset strategy. For example, the preset strategy can be one or more of the following: a random strategy, a nearest distance strategy, a lowest load strategy, and a best performance strategy. That is to say, the target LMF can be randomly selected from among the candidate LMFs, or it can be the one closest to the target network function, or it can be the one with the lowest load or the best real-time performance, etc.

[0126] In this embodiment, based on the judgment result of whether the location request requires AI location capability, the LMF that matches the judgment result is selected as the target LMF, ensuring the degree of compatibility with the type of location capability selected by the user.

[0127] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 As shown, the step "If it is determined that the location request requires AI location capabilities, then determine the target LMF based on the LMF capability information" can include:

[0128] Step 302: If it is determined that the location request requires AI location capability, then based on the LMF capability information, determine the LMF that supports AI location capability as the first LMF.

[0129] The capability information of an LMF can be the capability information of each LMF obtained by the target network function. This capability information can be the type of positioning capability supported by the LMF, that is, the capability information of the LMF includes AI / ML positioning capability, or the capability information of the LMF can include ordinary positioning capability.

[0130] Specifically, if the target network function determines that the location request requires AI location capability, then in the process of selecting the LMF to handle the location request, the target network function can determine the type of location capability supported by each LMF based on the capability information of each LMF, and select the LMF that supports AI location capability as the first LMF among all LMFs.

[0131] Step 304: If it is determined that the load information of the first LMF meets the preset conditions, then the target LMF is determined based on the positioning priority information carried in the positioning request and the capability information of the LMF.

[0132] Wherein, the load information of the first LMF can be the real-time load of the first LMF; the preset condition can be a high load condition, that is, the real-time load is greater than or equal to a preset load threshold; the load information of the first LMF can be the remaining real-time resources of the first LMF; the preset condition can be a low availability resource condition, that is, the remaining real-time resources are less than or equal to a preset resource threshold; this disclosure does not limit the specific values ​​of the preset load threshold and the preset resource threshold, and this disclosure can determine the meaning of the load information and the specific values ​​of each threshold based on the actual application scenario.

[0133] Specifically, the target network function can obtain the load information of the first LMF. If the target network function determines that the load information of the first LMF meets preset conditions, that is, determines that the first LMF meets either a high load condition or a low availability resource condition, then the target network function can select a target LMF based on the location priority information carried in the location request and the LMF's capability information. The specific process of selecting a target LMF can be as follows: If the target network function determines that the location request meets the preset conditions, then the target network function can determine whether the location priority is low priority based on the location priority condition carried in the location request (for example, location priority can include high priority, medium priority, and low priority). If the location request is low priority, the target network function can determine that the location request may require a normal location request. In this way, the target network function can select an LMF that supports normal location capabilities as the target LMF based on the capability information of each LMF. Thus, the target LMF can initiate a location process for the location request based on its supported normal location capabilities.

[0134] In this embodiment, by comprehensively considering the judgment result of whether the location request requires AI location capability and the load information of each LMF, the AI ​​location capability can be used to meet the high-priority location requests as much as possible while ensuring the normal operation of the LMF, thus better meeting the needs of users.

[0135] In some embodiments, the target network function is one or more of AMF and a specified LMF; the specified LMF can be specified by the AMF; for example, the AMF can select the LMF closest to the specified LMF based on the distance of each LMF from the AMF.

[0136] Accordingly, the step "determine the target LMF based on the location priority information and LMF capability information carried in the location request" may include:

[0137] If the location priority information carried in the location request meets the preset conditions, then based on the capability information of each LMF, the LMF that does not support AI location capability is identified as the target LMF.

[0138] Specifically, the target network function can obtain the load information of the first LMF. If the target network function determines that the load information of the first LMF meets preset conditions, that is, determines that the first LMF meets either a high load condition or a low availability resource condition, then the target network function can select a target LMF based on the location priority information carried in the location request and the LMF's capability information. The specific process of selecting a target LMF can be as follows: If the target network function determines that the location request meets the preset conditions, then the target network function can determine whether the location priority is low priority based on the location priority condition carried in the location request (for example, location priority can include high priority, medium priority, and low priority). If the location request is low priority, the target network function can determine that the location request may require a normal location request. In this way, the target network function can select an LMF that supports normal location capabilities as the target LMF based on the capability information of each LMF. Thus, the target LMF can initiate a location process for the location request based on its supported normal location capabilities.

[0139] In this embodiment, the judgment result of whether the location request requires AI location capability and the load information of each LMF are taken into account to ensure the balance between load and demand.

[0140] In some embodiments, the target network function is one or more of AMF and a specified LMF.

[0141] Specifically, the designated LMF can be specified by the AMF; for example, the AMF can select the closest LMF as the designated LMF based on the distance of each LMF from the AMF.

[0142] In this embodiment, the entity types of the target network functions are enriched to ensure the diversity of functional entities that execute the LMF selection method.

[0143] In some embodiments, the target network function is AMF, and the step "receive location request" may include:

[0144] Receive location requests sent by GMLC.

[0145] Specifically, GMLC can receive location requests initiated by other network functions. These location requests can be targeted at a specific terminal and are used to determine the location of that terminal. After receiving the location request, GMLC can send it to the target network function.

[0146] In this embodiment, GMLC can forward received location requests in a timely manner, ensuring the timeliness of location request processing and improving the processing speed of location requests.

[0147] In some embodiments, the target network function is to designate an LMF, which is determined by the AMF based on the location information of each LMF. The AMF can obtain the distance information of each LMF from the AMF and select the LMF that is closest to the AMF as the designated LMF based on the distance information of each LMF from the AMF.

[0148] Accordingly, the step "receive location request" may include:

[0149] Receives a location request sent by the AMF, which is sent by the GMLC.

[0150] Specifically, the GMLC can receive location requests initiated by other network functions. These location requests can be targeted at a specific terminal and are used to determine the location of that terminal. After receiving the location request, the GMLC can send it to the AMF. The AMF can then select a specified LMF based on the distance information of each LMF from the AMF, provided that the LMF meets the distance criteria. The distance criteria can include proximity to the AMF.

[0151] In this way, the AMF can send a location request to the designated LMF, that is, the AMF can initiate a location request to the designated LMF. The location request can carry one or more of the following: location priority information and AI location service indication information.

[0152] In this embodiment, by using the designated LMF to handle the location request through the AMF, the load on the AMF can be reduced, and the functionality of the LMF can be enhanced.

[0153] In some embodiments, the LMF selection process further includes:

[0154] Send a location request to the target LMF.

[0155] Specifically, after the target network function selects the target LMF, the target network function can send a location request to the target LMF. The target LMF can receive the location request and, based on the information carried in the location request, initiate a location process through the corresponding location capabilities to determine the location of the target terminal.

[0156] In this embodiment, the timeliness of location request processing can be guaranteed by forwarding the location request to the target LMF in a timely manner.

[0157] In some embodiments, the target network function is AMF, and the step "send a location request to the target LMF" may include:

[0158] Send an AI location request to the target LMF. The AI ​​location request is used to instruct the target LMF to initiate a location process based on the supported AI location capabilities.

[0159] Specifically, after the target network function selects the target LMF, the target network function can initiate a location request to the target LMF. This location request can be an AI location request. In this way, the target LMF can initiate an AI location process based on the AI ​​location request and through the AI ​​location capabilities supported by the target LMF. That is, the location of the target terminal can be determined through AI location capabilities.

[0160] In this embodiment, by forwarding the location request to the target LMF in a timely manner, the target LMF can be instructed to process the location request using the AI ​​location capability required by the location request, thereby improving the processing quality of the location request and ensuring service quality.

[0161] In some embodiments, the target network function is to specify the LMF, which is determined by the AMF based on the location information of each LMF; the step "send a location request to the target LMF" may include:

[0162] Send a location transfer request message to the target LMF. The location transfer request message is used to instruct the target LMF to initiate a location process based on the supported AI location capabilities.

[0163] Specifically, the target network function (designated LMF) can initiate a location transfer request message to the target LMF. This location transfer request message may carry an AI location capability indication message, which is used to instruct the location request to be processed based on AI location capabilities. After receiving the location transfer request message, if the target LMF determines that the location transfer request message carries an AI location capability indication message, it can initiate a location process through the AI ​​location capabilities supported by the target LMF; that is, the target LMF can determine the location of the target terminal through AI location capabilities.

[0164] In this embodiment, it is possible to flexibly indicate whether AI positioning capabilities are needed to process positioning requests, thereby improving the response speed and processing quality of the target LMF in processing positioning requests.

[0165] In one embodiment, Figure 4 A signaling interaction flowchart for selecting an LMF (Local Mode Filter) processing method is provided, including UE, RAN, NRF, AMF, LMF, GMLC, and NF / (NEF / LCS client); such as Figure 4 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0166] Step 1: The NF registers its capability information with the NRF. For example, the NF can be multiple LMF1s; that is, the LMF registers its capability information with the NRF, which includes the LMF's AI positioning capability and / or ordinary positioning capability.

[0167] Step 2a: The AMF obtains information about the LMF through the NRF, which can be done through at least one of the following methods: NF state subscription and NF state reporting, NF discovery, and NF list information acquisition. Optionally, the LMF initiates a registration request to the NRF, which carries the LMF's AI positioning capabilities and / or general positioning capabilities. Based on this registration request, the NRF creates registration information for the LMF.

[0168] Step 2b: AMF obtains LMF information through OAM configuration. That is, OAM configures LMF capability information locally in AMF. LMF capability information includes AI positioning capability and / or ordinary positioning capability.

[0169] Step 3: Other network functions initiate a location request to GMLC; these other network functions can be one or more of NEF, AF, LCSclient, or other NFs; other network functions can initiate a location request to GMLC through an LCS service request message.

[0170] Step 4: The GMLC initiates a location request to the AMF, which carries location priority information and location service quality information (LCS QoS info). The location priority information is obtained based on user subscription information; specifically, the GMLC requests user subscription information from the UDM and generates location priority information based on the user subscription information; the GMLC initiates a location request to the AMF through a LocationProvide Positioning Info Request, which carries the location priority information and location service quality information (LCS QoS info).

[0171] Step 5: The AMF determines whether to select an AI / ML positioning method based on the LCS QoS info and positioning priority information, and selects a suitable LMF based on the AI ​​positioning support capability of the acquired LMF.

[0172] Specifically, the AMF determines whether to select the AI / ML positioning method based on the positioning service quality information and positioning priority information carried in the positioning request. For example, if the LCS QoS info has high requirements for positioning accuracy and precision and has a high positioning priority, the AMF may select the AI ​​positioning method. The AMF selects the appropriate target LMF based on the AI ​​positioning support capability of the acquired LMF, positioning priority information, and other LMF information.

[0173] Step 6: The AMF initiates an AI location request to the target LMF, which carries an AILCS request.

[0174] Step 7, UE Positioning, i.e., LMF initiates the corresponding positioning process.

[0175] In one embodiment, Figure 5 This document provides a signaling interaction flowchart for selecting an LMF (Low-Level Function) processing method. It includes the UE, RAN, NRF, AMF, LMF1, LMF2, GMLC, and NF / (NEF / LCS client); such as... Figure 5 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0176] Step 1: The NF registers its capability information with the NRF. For example, the NF can be multiple LMF1s; that is, the LMF registers its capability information with the NRF, which includes the LMF's AI positioning capability and / or ordinary positioning capability.

[0177] Step 2a: LMF2 (the designated LMF) obtains LMF1's capability information through the NRF, which can be done through at least one of the following methods: NF status subscription and NF status reporting, NF discovery, and NF list information acquisition. Optionally, LMF1 initiates a registration request to the NRF, which carries LMF1's AI positioning capabilities and / or general positioning capabilities. Based on this registration request, the NRF creates LMF1's registration information.

[0178] Step 3: Other network functions initiate a location request to GMLC; these other network functions can be one or more of NEF, AF, LCSclient, or other NFs; other network functions can initiate a location request to GMLC through an LCS service request message.

[0179] Step 4: The GMLC initiates a location request to the AMF, which carries location priority information and location service quality information (LCS QoS info). The location priority information is obtained based on user subscription information; specifically, the GMLC requests user subscription information from the UDM and generates location priority information based on the user subscription information; the GMLC initiates a location request to the AMF through a LocationProvide Positioning Info Request, which carries the location priority information and location service quality information (LCS QoS info).

[0180] Step 5, LMF selection, i.e., AMF selects the LMF to determine the specified LMF. For example, LMF2 can be designated as the specified LMF, and the capability information of each LMF1 can be obtained through the method in the above embodiment.

[0181] Step 6: AMF sends a location request to LMF2 (the designated LMF), which carries location priority information and location service quality information (LCS QoS info).

[0182] Step 7: LMF2 determines the target LMF based on the location service quality information and / or location priority information. For example, the target LMF may be LMF1. Specifically, LMF2 can determine that the AI ​​positioning method needs to be enabled based on the location service quality information and / or location priority information. In this way, based on the capability information of LMF1 obtained in step 2, it can determine that the capability information of LMF1 is AI positioning capability. Thus, LMF2 can determine that LMF1 is the target LMF.

[0183] Step 8: LMF2 sends a location transfer request message to LMF1. The location transfer request message carries AILCS request information, which is used to instruct LMF1 to enable the AI ​​location method when processing the location process.

[0184] Step 9: LMF1 sends a NAS message to AMF. LMF1 also initiates the corresponding location process.

[0185] In one embodiment, a signaling interaction flowchart is provided for an LMF selection processing method, which includes the following steps:

[0186] Step 1: The NF registers its capability information with the NRF. For example, the NF can be multiple LMF1s; that is, the LMF registers its capability information with the NRF, which includes the LMF's AI positioning capability and / or ordinary positioning capability.

[0187] Step 2a. The AMF obtains information about the LMF through the NRF, which can be done through at least one of the following methods: NF state subscription and NF state reporting, NF discovery, and NF list information acquisition. Optionally, the LMF initiates a registration request to the NRF, which carries the LMF's AI positioning capabilities and / or general positioning capabilities. Based on this registration request, the NRF creates the LMF's registration information.

[0188] Step 2b: AMF obtains LMF information through OAM configuration. That is, OAM configures LMF capability information locally in AMF. LMF capability information includes AI positioning capability and / or ordinary positioning capability.

[0189] Step 3: Other network functions initiate a location request to GMLC; these other network functions can be one or more of NEF, AF, LCSclient, or other NFs; other network functions can initiate a location request to GMLC through an LCS service request message. This location request can carry AIILCS request indication information, i.e., AI location service indication information, which is used to indicate that the location request needs to be processed based on AI location capabilities, and that the AI ​​location method needs to be enabled.

[0190] Step 4: GMLC initiates a location request to AMF, which carries AI location service indication information; GMLC initiates a location request to AMF through Location Provide Positioning Info Request, which carries AI location service indication information.

[0191] Step 5: The AMF determines whether to select the AI / ML positioning method based on the AI ​​positioning service indication information carried in the positioning request. In this way, the AMF can determine the target LMF based on the capability information of the acquired LMF.

[0192] Optionally, for example, among LMFs that support AI positioning capabilities, a suitable target LMF can be selected based on the LMF's information. Optionally, the LMF information can be load information, and among LMFs that support AI positioning capabilities, the LMF with lower load information can be selected as the target LMF.

[0193] Optionally, the location request may also carry location priority information and location service quality information (LCS QoSinfo). When the AMF determines the LMF that needs to support AI location capabilities based on the AI ​​location service indication information, if the LMF has a high load, the AMF can determine that the target LMF of the location request is an LMF that supports normal location capabilities, even if the location priority of the location request is low.

[0194] Step 6: The AMF initiates an AI location request to the target LMF, which carries an AILCS request.

[0195] Step 7, UE Positioning, i.e., LMF initiates the corresponding positioning process.

[0196] like Figure 6 As shown, the communication architecture applied to the LMF selection processing method provided in this embodiment may include GMLC, AMF, an LMF supporting AI / ML positioning capabilities, and an LMF that does not support AI / ML positioning capabilities. GMLC can send a positioning request to AMF, AMF selects a suitable target LMF, and AMF initiates a positioning request to the target LMF, so that the target LMF initiates the positioning process. In the positioning process of high-precision positioning scenarios, the following functions are added: AMF / LMF selects and judges AI / ML positioning methods based on LCS, and AMF obtains the positioning capabilities of LMF by subscribing to the AI / ML positioning capability information registered by LMF in NRF or the configuration information of OAM; the functions of AMF in selecting and using AI-based LMF and AILCS methods are enhanced, the QoS of positioning results in high-precision positioning scenarios is improved, and user satisfaction with positioning is increased.

[0197] It should be understood that, although Figure 1-6 The steps in the flowchart are shown sequentially as indicated by the arrows, but these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise specified herein, there is no strict order in which these steps are executed, and they can be performed in other orders. Figure 1-6 At least some of the steps in the process may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily completed at the same time, but may be executed at different times. The execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential, but may be executed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least some of the steps or stages in other steps.

[0198] In one embodiment, such as Figure 7 As shown, an LMF selection processing apparatus 700 is provided, comprising:

[0199] The first receiving module 702 is used to receive a positioning request, which carries positioning priority information and / or AI positioning service indication information.

[0200] The first determining module 704 is used to determine the target LMF based on the information carried in the positioning request.

[0201] In one embodiment, the location priority information is obtained based on user subscription information from the UDM.

[0202] In one embodiment, the first determining module is specifically used to determine whether AI positioning capability is needed based on the information carried in the positioning request.

[0203] If the location request is determined to require AI location capabilities, then the target LMF is determined based on the LMF capability information.

[0204] In one embodiment, the device further includes:

[0205] The first acquisition module acquires LMF's capability information, which includes LMF's positioning capability information, including one or more of AI positioning capabilities and ordinary positioning capabilities.

[0206] In one embodiment, the first acquisition module is specifically used for:

[0207] The capability information of LMF is obtained through NRF and target methods, including one or more of NF state subscription, NF state reporting, NF discovery, and NF information acquisition.

[0208] In one embodiment, the location request carries location priority information, and the device further includes:

[0209] The second determining module is used to determine that the location request requires AI positioning capability if the positioning priority information meets preset conditions.

[0210] In one embodiment, AI location service indication information is used to indicate that a location request requires AI location capability; the location request carries the AI ​​location service indication information; the device further includes:

[0211] The third determining module is used to determine that the location request requires AI location capabilities if the location request carries AI location service indication information.

[0212] In one embodiment, the location request carries AI location service indication information; the AI ​​location service indication information includes first indication information or second indication information, the first indication information indicating that the location request requires AI location capability; the second indication information indicating that the location request does not require AI location capability; the device further includes:

[0213] The fourth determining module is used to determine that the location request requires AI location capability if the AI ​​location service indication information is the first indication information.

[0214] In one embodiment, the third determining module is specifically used to determine, based on the capability information of the LMF, the LMF that supports AI positioning capability as the target LMF if it is determined that the positioning request requires AI positioning capability.

[0215] In one embodiment, the third determining module is specifically used to determine, based on the capability information of the LMF, the LMF that supports AI positioning capability as the first LMF if it is determined that the positioning request requires AI positioning capability;

[0216] If the load information of the first LMF is determined to meet the preset conditions, the target LMF is determined based on the location priority information carried in the location request and the LMF's capability information.

[0217] In one embodiment, the target network function is one or more of AMF and designated LMF; the third determining module is specifically used to determine the LMF that does not support AI positioning capability as the target LMF based on the capability information of each LMF if the positioning priority information carried by the positioning request meets the preset conditions.

[0218] In one embodiment, the target network function is one or more of AMF and designated LMF.

[0219] In one embodiment, the target network function is AMF, and the first receiving module is specifically used for:

[0220] Receive location requests sent by GMLC.

[0221] In one embodiment, the target network function is to designate an LMF, which is determined by the AMF based on the location information of each LMF; the first receiving module is specifically used for:

[0222] Receives a location request sent by the AMF, which is sent by the GMLC.

[0223] In one embodiment, the device further includes:

[0224] The request sending module is used to send a location request to the target LMF.

[0225] In one embodiment, the target network function is AMF, and the request sending module is specifically used to send an AI positioning request to the target LMF. The AI ​​positioning request is used to instruct the target LMF to initiate a positioning process based on the supported AI positioning capabilities.

[0226] In one embodiment, the target network function is to designate an LMF, which is determined by the AMF based on the location information of each LMF; the request sending module is specifically used to send a location transfer request information to the target LMF, which is used to instruct the target LMF to initiate a location process based on the supported AI positioning capabilities.

[0227] Specific limitations regarding the LMF selection processing device can be found in the limitations of the LMF selection processing method described above, and will not be repeated here. Each module in the aforementioned LMF selection processing device can be implemented entirely or partially through software, hardware, or a combination thereof. These modules can be embedded in hardware or independently of the processor in the computer device, or stored in software in the memory of the computer device, so that the processor can call and execute the operations corresponding to each module.

[0228] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the access network device provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 The access network device 800 shown includes at least one processor 801, a memory 802, and at least one network interface 804. The various components in the access network device 800 are coupled together via a bus system 805. It is understood that the bus system 805 is used to implement communication between these components. In addition to a data bus, the bus system 805 also includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for clarity, in… Figure 8 Various buses are labeled as bus system 805. Additionally, this embodiment of the invention includes a transceiver 806, which may consist of multiple elements, including a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices over a transmission medium.

[0229] It is understood that the memory 802 in the embodiments of the present invention can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM). The memory 802 of the systems and methods described in the embodiments of the present invention is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0230] In some implementations, memory 802 stores executable modules or data structures, or subsets thereof, or extended sets thereof, such as operating system 8021. Operating system 8021 includes various system programs, such as framework layers, core library layers, and driver layers, used to implement various basic business functions and handle hardware-based tasks.

[0231] In this embodiment of the invention, by calling the program or instructions stored in the memory 802, the receiver is configured to receive a positioning request, the positioning request carrying positioning priority information and / or AI positioning service indication information; and the processor is configured to determine the target LMF based on the information carried in the positioning request.

[0232] The methods disclosed in the above embodiments of the present invention, in part or in all of them, can also be applied to processor 801, implemented by processor 801, or implemented by processor 801 in conjunction with other components (e.g., transceivers). Processor 801 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above methods can be completed by the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in processor 801 or by instructions in the form of software. The processor 801 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software module can reside in a mature storage medium in the field, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, or registers. This storage medium is located in memory 802, and processor 801 reads the information in memory 802 and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0233] It is understood that the embodiments described in this invention can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, or a combination thereof. For hardware implementation, the processing unit can be implemented in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general-purpose processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronic units for performing the functions described in this application, or combinations thereof.

[0234] For software implementation, the technology described in the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by modules (e.g., procedures, functions, etc.) that perform the functions described in the embodiments of the present invention. The software code can be stored in memory and executed by processor 801. The memory can be implemented in processor 801 or external to processor 801.

[0235] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0236] This application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to execute the steps described in this disclosure.

[0237] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the methods described above. Any references to memory, storage, databases, or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, or optical storage, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM), etc.

[0238] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0239] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for selecting and processing LMFs, characterized in that, Applied to a target network function, the method includes: Receive a location request, the location request carrying location priority information and / or AI location service indication information; Based on the information carried in the location request, the target LMF is determined.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The location priority information is obtained based on the user subscription information of UDM.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The step of determining the target LMF based on the information carried in the location request includes: Based on the information carried in the location request, determine whether AI location capability is needed; If it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability, then the target LMF is determined based on the LMF capability information.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The method further includes: Obtain the capability information of the LMF, which includes the positioning capability information of the LMF, including one or more of AI positioning capability and ordinary positioning capability.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The ability to obtain LMF information includes: The capability information of LMF is obtained through NRF and target methods, including one or more of NF state subscription, NF state reporting, NF discovery, and NF information acquisition.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein, The location request carries location priority information, and the method further includes: If the location priority information meets the preset conditions, then it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein, The location request carries AI location service indication information; the AI ​​location service indication information is used to indicate that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability; the method further includes: If the location request carries the AI ​​location service indication information, then it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein, The location request carries AI location service indication information; the AI ​​location service indication information includes first indication information or second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used to indicate that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability; and the second indication information is used to indicate that the location request does not require the AI ​​location capability; the method further includes: If the AI ​​location service indication information is the first indication information, then it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein, If it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability, then based on the LMF capability information, the target LMF is determined, including: If it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability, then based on the LMF capability information, the LMF that supports AI location capability is identified as the target LMF.

10. The method of claim 3, wherein, If it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability, then based on the LMF capability information, the target LMF is determined, including: If it is determined that the location request requires the AI ​​location capability, then based on the LMF capability information, the LMF that supports the AI ​​location capability is determined as the first LMF; If it is determined that the load information of the first LMF meets the preset conditions, then the target LMF is determined based on the positioning priority information carried by the positioning request and the capability information of the LMF.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The target network function is one or more of AMF and a specified LMF; determining the target LMF based on the location priority information carried in the location request and the capability information of the LMF includes: If the location priority information carried in the location request meets the preset conditions, then based on the capability information of each LMF, the LMF that does not support AI location capability is determined as the target LMF.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The target network function is one or more of AMF and a specified LMF.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The target network function is AMF, and the receiving of the location request includes: Receive location requests sent by GMLC.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, The target network function is to specify the LMF, which is determined by the AMF based on the location information of each LMF; receiving the location request includes: Receive a location request sent by the AMF, wherein the location request is sent by the GMLC.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further includes: Send a location request to the target LMF.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The target network function is AMF, and sending a location request to the target LMF includes: An AI positioning request is sent to the target LMF, which instructs the target LMF to initiate a positioning process based on its supported AI positioning capabilities.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein, The target network function is to designate a specific LMF, which is determined by the AMF based on the location information of each LMF; sending a location request to the target LMF includes: A location transfer request message is sent to the target LMF, which instructs the target LMF to initiate a location process based on the supported AI location capabilities.

18. A selection processing apparatus of an LMF, characterized by, The device, applied to a target network function, includes: The first receiving module is used to receive a positioning request, the positioning request carrying positioning priority information and / or AI positioning service indication information; The first determining module is used to determine the target LMF based on the information carried in the positioning request.

19. A communication device, comprising: include: Processor and receiver; The receiver is used to receive a location request, the location request carrying location priority information and / or AI location service indication information; The processor is configured to determine the target LMF based on the information carried in the location request.

20. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

21. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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