Systems and methods for the digital world

Abstract

A communication system is provided. The communication system may include a system control manager (system C / M), a digital user platform that operates to support at least one digital user profile, a digital infrastructure platform that operates to support at least one digital infrastructure platform instance, and / or a virtual reality service platform that operates to support at least one virtual reality service slice. Optionally, the system C / M may operate to establish and coordinate interactions between the digital user platform, the digital infrastructure platform, and the virtual reality service platform.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to the field of computerized communication systems, and more particularly to communication infrastructure for implementing the digital world.

Background Art

[0002] A virtual world is an environment that simulates a real-world environment or system. One type of virtual world is a computer-simulated representation of the physical world that includes virtual space and / or physical characteristics. In some virtual worlds, users participating in the virtual world may adopt their own virtual representations, commonly known as "avatars."

[0003] An example of virtual world technology is virtual reality. In virtual reality, a user can wear a visual or tactile interface that operates to provide the user with physical feedback in the physical world. Well-known examples of virtual reality include video games and the worlds of conferences and meetings. Other examples of virtual world technology that may overlap with virtual reality include simulators such as flight or driving simulators, operating room simulators, and educational or learning simulators for complex tasks. In recent years, much development has been directed towards improving the fidelity of feedback and making the virtual world as immersive as possible for the user.

[0004] In some virtual reality environments, users can move around a physical environment, and as the user's viewpoint changes from the movement of the physical world, the information received from the virtual world changes. The physical feedback provided by the interface is typically tied to the spatial and / or physical properties of the virtual world. In some cases, the virtual spatial and / or physical properties may be adapted to mimic or conform to the user's understanding of the physical world. In other cases, the virtual spatial and / or physical properties may be adapted to immerse the user in a heterogeneous world, such as being placed in a zero-gravity state or simulating high-gravity environments like a racing car or airplane.

[0005] While virtual reality is a well-known type of virtual world, there are other applications of virtual worlds that do not aim to place the user in a virtual representation of the physical world, such as infrastructure simulations and network simulations.

[0006] Currently, virtual world technology is offered as a disposable platform or application for video games, network simulations, and the like. The architectures and tools available for custom-built virtual worlds for these applications are limited. Access to virtual world technology is generally via local computing systems such as PCs, video game consoles, or custom simulator systems (e.g., flight simulators). While examples of remote or distributed virtual worlds exist, these applications typically only provide connectivity services and are centered around current communication systems managed and operated by a single party known as a network operator.

[0007] The term "virtual world" is sometimes used to describe an interface that mimics another world or environment. In some usages, the term "virtual world" means that the other world or environment is "real," i.e., a physical world, while terms like "digital world" mean an interface that mimics another world or environment. In a broader context, the term "digital world" is often used to include simulated or modeled environments that can simulate either real-world environments, theoretical or artificial environments. In this context, the modeled environment may or may not exist in the "real world."

[0008] In the context of this application, the terms “digital world” and “virtual world” are used synonymously to refer to a simulated environment and / or interface that imitates or represents another environment or world, which may include a real-world environment, a simulated environment, a theoretical environment and / or an artificial environment.

[0009] Future communication networks (e.g., sixth-generation (6G) systems as defined by 3GPP) are expected to provide a variety of new services beyond connectivity provisioning. Furthermore, future communication systems are expected to be operated by multiple parties; for example, different parties may operate different parts of the communication system to provide certain services. These services may be provided for internal use of the system (e.g., by the operating parties) or for use by end customers.

[0010] However, current communication systems and infrastructure require further development to support the above scenarios and similar scenarios. Such development will not be straightforward and may require the resolution of various technical and design problems.

[0011] To address this problem, it is expected that computing and processing tasks for heterogeneous services can be separated from centralized cloud server nodes and deployed deeply into the network or edge (e.g., on wireless nodes). An example of a service-oriented communication system is the next-generation mobile communication system, namely 6G, which is expected to go far beyond providing connectivity to communication pipelines and intelligence. 6G will adopt an X-centric architecture to enable computing and processing functions for various services in a distributed and collaborative manner. The X-centric architecture is defined to support anything-as-a-service (XaaS) services (or simply services) that use heterogeneous processing and computing requirements. For example, NET4AI (also known as network AI) is a typical XaaS service aimed at popularizing large-scale AI deployments in any industry by intelligently connecting distributed intelligent nodes / agents within a network. Another example is data analytics and management (DAM), another XaaS service aimed at monitoring and analyzing data sources for AI applications. To support XaaS services, the 6G core network (CN) / radio access network (RAN) will be redesigned with new control / management (C / M) plane capabilities for scheduling / coordinating network-based computing and processing power, enabling computing capabilities (i.e., modules / nodes that provide management of computing resources and computing procedures).

[0012] Furthermore, in some cases, both computing power and processing power, as well as some of the corresponding control functions for XaaS services, may be provided by third-party providers (for example, an independent AI solution provider may design its own module containing corresponding processing and control functions for XaaS services and plug it into the 6G CN / RAN network). To support third-party provided XaaS service modules, future 6G networks should have global control capabilities across multiple XaaS services and define general procedures for processing and controlling XaaS services.

[0013] A method, apparatus, and system are needed to implement the digital world as XaaS service delivery, which removes or mitigates one or more limitations in the prior art.

[0014] This background information is intended to provide information that may be relevant to this disclosure. It is not necessarily intended, nor should it be construed, that any of the prior information constitutes prior art to this disclosure. [Overview of the Initiative]

[0015] Embodiments of this disclosure provide systems and methods for communication networks that support one or more digital worlds.

[0016] In some embodiments, a communication system is provided. The communication system may include: a system control manager (system C / M); a digital user platform that operates to support at least one digital user profile; a digital infrastructure platform that operates to support at least one digital infrastructure platform instance; and a virtual reality service platform that operates to support at least one virtual reality service slice. The system C / M may operate to establish and coordinate the interaction between the digital user platform, the digital infrastructure platform, and the virtual reality service platform.

[0017] In some embodiments, the system C / M interfaces with service entities outside the communication system and further operates to facilitate information exchange between XaaS entities and digital user platforms, digital infrastructure platforms, and virtual reality service platforms.

[0018] In some embodiments, the service entity includes an "anything as a service" (XaaS) entity outside the communication system.

[0019] The communication system may further include a digital user C / M that operates to manage access to information stored, processed, and / or generated by the digital user platform.

[0020] In some embodiments, the digital user platform further operates to receive a platform C / M configuration request from the system C / M, configure the digital user C / M according to the platform C / M request, and send a corresponding platform C / M configuration response to the system C / M confirming the configuration.

[0021] The communication system may further include a Digital Infrastructure Platform C / M that operates to provide control and management functions for Digital Infrastructure Platform instances provided by the Digital Infrastructure Platform.

[0022] In some embodiments, the digital infrastructure platform further operates to receive a platform C / M configuration request from the system C / M, configure the digital infrastructure platform C / M according to the platform C / M request, and send a corresponding platform C / M configuration response to the system C / M confirming the configuration.

[0023] The communication system may further include a virtual reality service platform C / M that operates to provide lifecycle management for one or more virtual reality service slices.

[0024] In some embodiments, the virtual reality service platform receives a platform C / M configuration request from the system C / M, configures the virtual reality service platform C / M according to the platform C / M request, and further operates to send a corresponding platform C / M configuration response to the system C / M confirming the configuration.

[0025] In some embodiments, at least one of the digital user profiles further includes a virtual anchor point that operates to receive incoming calls or messages.

[0026] In some embodiments, a digital user platform is provided. The digital user platform may include a digital user C / M and one or more digital user profiles. The digital user C / M may operate to manage access to information stored, processed, and / or generated by each of the one or more digital user profiles.

[0027] In some embodiments, a digital infrastructure platform is provided. The digital infrastructure platform may include one or more digital infrastructure platform instances, a simulation / test environment platform that operates to perform simulations or evaluations of the one or more digital infrastructure platform instances, and a simulation / test tool library that includes at least one simulation tool that can be invoked by the simulation / test environment platform.

[0028] In some embodiments, a virtual reality service platform is provided. The virtual reality service may include a virtual reality service platform C / M and one or more virtual reality service slices. The virtual reality service platform C / M may operate to manage each virtual reality service slice.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0029] [Figure 1] It is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a simplified architecture schematic diagram of a communication system.

[0030] [Figure 2] It is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a simplified architecture schematic diagram of a virtual user platform.

[0031] [Figure 3] It is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a simplified architecture schematic diagram of a virtual infrastructure platform.

[0032] [Figure 4] It is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a simplified architecture schematic diagram of a virtual service platform.

[0033] [Figure 5]This figure shows a computing device capable of performing computing operations or related operations according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Please note that similar features are identified by similar reference numbers in the attached drawings. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] As used herein, the term “Anything as a Service,” or “XaaS,” may reflect concepts proposed in the computer networking industry. For example, XaaS can be conceptualized as a generalization of the concepts of Software as a Service or Infrastructure as a Service. XaaS can utilize the concepts of cloud computing and device virtualization in combination with a service model to provide a variety of functionalities. According to embodiments of this disclosure, XaaS can be described as providing the functionality of any module disclosed herein as a service to another module or to an external entity such as a customer. The phrase “as a service” is used herein as to be synonymous with “as a service.”

[0036] An open systems architecture sometimes refers to a design approach in which systems (e.g., modules) are interoperable and interconnectable with one another, generally without requiring modification or redesign. An open systems architecture is one approach to achieving a modular design where modules are configured to be interoperable.

[0037] The term "X-centric" refers to the ability of an embodiment to be reconfigurable to be infrastructure provider-centric, third-party-centric, customer-centric, or a combination thereof. Other types of configurations may also be supported. Thus, multiple possible mappings between parties and roles are supported, with different X-centric scenarios corresponding to different mappings. This promotes the openness of the architecture to support multiple operating scenarios.

[0038] Embodiments of this disclosure provide a networked computing and communication system comprising several different types of modules in an open system architecture. In one layer, each infrastructure module provides its respective infrastructure resources as a service. Infrastructure resources may include actual computing, communication, or data storage resources. In another layer, each service module provides its respective functionality as a service. Service module functionality may be functionality that can be utilized by end users or other modules. A service module may make at least one of the infrastructure resources available as a service. In another layer, each management and control module provides its respective management or control resources as a service. Management and control resources may be used to manage other modules, module missions, module operations, or other management or control tasks. At least one of the management and control modules may provide its respective management or control resources as a service to at least one of the infrastructure modules or service modules. Each module may, as necessary, provide its functionality as a service to one, some, or all modules in the same layer or different layers. Modules can be interconnected and serviced to each other in a configurable manner according to operational requirements. To provide different X-centric configurations, different modules may be provided or operated by different parties, and these different X-centric configurations may be party-centric configurations.

[0039] In the context of this disclosure, a device may be any terminal user device on a network, such as a mobile phone, personal computer or laptop, IoT device such as a sensor, smart home device, vehicle connected to a vehicle network, AR / VR (augmented reality / virtual reality) device, satellite, etc. Any electrical device can be recognized as a device by the network.

[0040] Embodiments of this disclosure describe systems and methods for supporting and providing a digital world via an X-centric communication system. In some embodiments, the digital world may include interaction with one or more other environments.

[0041] Figure 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a simplified architectural schematic diagram of an X-centric communication system 100 for implementing, supporting, and managing a digital world. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a system control manager (C / M) 105 and a plurality of virtual platforms, including at least one of a digital user platform 110, a digital infrastructure platform 115, and a digital service platform 120 (i.e., a “virtual reality service platform”). In some embodiments, additional virtual reality service platforms 120 and / or additional other service platforms 125 may exist under the control and management of system C / M 105. System C / M 105 includes networking capabilities that operate to establish digital platforms, coordinate interactions between platforms, and interface with other service entities, such as XaaS entities, available on network 130.

[0042] In some embodiments, the digital user platform 110 and / or the digital infrastructure platform 115 may be provided as standalone platforms outside of and independently of the X-centric communication system 100.

[0043] The C / M interface 107 is an interface between the communication system 100 and other XaaS modules that communicate with the system C / M 105 of the communication system 100. The digital user interface 112 is an interface between the system C / M 105 and the digital user platform 110. The digital infrastructure interface 117 is an interface between the system C / M 105 and the digital infrastructure platform 115. The digital service interface 122 is an interface between the system C / M 105 and the virtual reality service platform 120. The other service interface 127 corresponds to an interface between the system C / M 105 and additional other service platforms 125.

[0044] In some embodiments, the digital communication system 100 may support five or more types of signaling messages. These may include, for example, platform establishment messages, platform C / M configuration messages, platform service messages, information sharing coordination messages, and external signaling messages.

[0045] The platform establishment message may include a platform creation request and a platform creation response, and may specify platform resourcing (e.g., allocated storage capacity, computing capacity, connectivity capabilities, etc.).

[0046] A platform C / M configuration message includes a platform C / M configuration request and a platform C / M configuration response corresponding to each platform (i.e., the digital user platform 110, the digital infrastructure platform 115, the virtual reality service platform 120, and other service platforms 125). The system C / M 105 operates to send a platform C / M configuration request to each platform, and each platform operates to send a corresponding platform C / M configuration response to the system C / M 105 in response to the received platform C / M configuration request, configuring its respective C / M functions and confirming the configuration implemented by the platform C / M.

[0047] Platform service messages include platform service requests and platform service responses, and may define service-level resourcing within the platform (e.g., allocated storage capacity, computing capacity, connectivity capacity, etc.).

[0048] Information sharing coordination messages include information sharing requests and responses between a digital platform and a service entity such as an XaaS service via system C / M105. For example, a virtual reality service platform C / M may send a digital service (i.e., virtual reality) slice request to system C / M105. System C / M105 may then determine which other digital platforms (e.g., digital user platform 110 and digital infrastructure platform 115) may have the relevant information necessary to respond to the slice request, as well as the relevant data (e.g., digital user ID, digital infrastructure ID, etc.) to respond to the received slice request. As another example, digital user platform 110 and / or digital infrastructure platform 115 may send an information sharing request to obtain relevant information from system C / M105. The request may include, for example, a digital user ID and / or a digital platform ID. System C / M105 may then obtain the relevant information and send an information sharing response to the identified service corresponding to the received digital user ID and / or digital infrastructure ID.

[0049] External signaling messages may include messages sent to external entities such as external physical users and external data stores via the C / M interface 107 for the purpose of exchanging information. External signaling messages may be generated by the virtual reality service platform, or by the system C / M 105 in response to a request for external information received from one of the virtual reality service platforms.

[0050] The digital user platform 110 enables physical users to better manage various interactions with other users and services (including connectivity services, health services, financial services, etc.). The digital infrastructure platform 115 enables infrastructure owners to better manage and control these infrastructures. The virtual reality service platform 120 communicates with the C / M 105 to provide various virtual reality services to end users, digital platforms, and / or other service entities such as XaaS services.

[0051] When establishing a digital platform, C / M105 may allocate network resources to support the expected requirements of each digital platform. For example, a digital platform may have specified or expected storage and / or processing requirements. In this case, system C / M105 may allocate cache / storage resources and / or processing resources to support the functionality of that digital platform.

[0052] When coordinating interactions between digital platforms, system C / M105 interacts with each digital platform, coordinating the interactions as needed, retrieving relevant results and / or information from the source digital platform, and providing it to the receiver digital platform. For example, when a telepresence (virtual reality) is created, the digital telepresence platform that generates and maintains the environment may request digital user information from the digital user platform 110 and environment information from the digital infrastructure platform 115 via system C / M105. The digital telepresence platform can then use the received digital user information and environment information to notify the environment it supports and the interactions it will have.

[0053] When interfacing, system C / M105 responds to processing requests for information and provides information between the digital platform and other service entities, such as XaaS service modules available to system C / M105. For example, digital user information may be associated with an external user data store available via an XaaS service module communicating with system C / M105 (twin). The digital user platform 110 may request updated user information from system C / M105, and system C / M105 may request and receive user information from an XaaS service module to provide to the digital user platform 110 in response to the request for updated user information.

[0054] As part of the communication system 100, system C / M105 manages access to information stored, processed, and / or generated by the digital platform. Furthermore, system C / M105 processes requests for information from the digital platform and provides coordination, control, and access within the platform.

[0055] The digital user platform 110 operates to store and update a set of digital user information. The digital infrastructure platform 115 operates to support one or more simulation environments. The virtual reality service platform 120 provides digital services, i.e., digital worlds, and interacts with the digital user components 110 and the digital infrastructure platform 115 to update the digital services and adapt to changing conditions within the digital services, either through the evolution of the digital services, actions of the digital users, or input from external services or users.

[0056] Additional platforms, such as an additional virtual reality service platform 120 providing various digital service environments, or an additional other service platform 125 for extending the functionality of the digital communication system 100, may be provided under the control of system C / M 105.

[0057] In some embodiments, the digital user platform 110 may operate to provide one or more sets of digital user profiles corresponding to external user profiles maintained outside the digital communication system 100. In some embodiments, at least one of the digital user profiles may be associated with an external user profile. In these embodiments, the system C / M 105 may operate to provide updates to the associated digital user profile to reflect the current state of the external user profile. In some embodiments, the digital user platform 110 may provide multiple sets of one or more user profiles, each set corresponding to a user. In some embodiments, at least some of the users correspond to external user profiles. In some embodiments, at least some of the users correspond to digital users generated, maintained, and / or updated by the digital communication system 100.

[0058] The virtual user platform 110 enables other platforms and services to interact with the virtual user profile without affecting or modifying the corresponding external user profile. The use of multiple virtual user profiles for the same user allows for the assessment of the impact of changes to the user profile on the infrastructure or service platforms that utilize that user profile. In some embodiments, the digital user platform 110 may operate to maintain a separate digital user profile for each user, for each digital infrastructure platform 115 or digital service 120 that utilizes the digital user profile corresponding to that user. In some embodiments, the digital user platform 110 may operate to maintain at least one digital user profile that can be updated or affected by multiple different digital user platforms 115 and / or virtual reality service platforms 120.

[0059] In some embodiments, the digital infrastructure platform 115 may operate to support one or more digital infrastructure environments. In some embodiments, at least one of the digital infrastructure environments may be linked to an external infrastructure environment maintained outside the digital communication system 100. Examples of external infrastructure environments may include, for example, communication networks, manufacturing processes, transportation environments, agricultural processes, or energy generation systems. In some embodiments, the digital infrastructure environment may be a representation or simulation of an external infrastructure environment. In some embodiments, the digital infrastructure environment may be a representation or simulation of a model of an external infrastructure environment. In some embodiments, the digital infrastructure platform 115 may maintain at least one linked digital infrastructure environment configured to reflect a particular corresponding external infrastructure environment. The linked digital infrastructure may be updated to reflect the current state of the corresponding external infrastructure environment based on state information taken in from the corresponding external infrastructure environment.

[0060] Figure 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a simplified architectural schematic diagram of the digital user platform 110. The digital user platform 110 includes a digital user C / M 205 and a plurality of digital user profiles 210. Each of the digital user profiles 210 corresponds to a service supported by the digital user platform 110. As shown above, platform service messages may be used to establish platform services and / or to define service-level resourcing within the platform (e.g., allocated storage capacity, computing capacity, connectivity capacity, etc.). In the context of the digital user platform 110, for example, platform service messages may be used to define resourcing for a digital user profile 210 or to modify the resourcing of an existing or predefined user profile 210.

[0061] The digital user C / M 205 includes networking capabilities, which manage access to information stored, processed, and / or generated by the digital user platform 110, establish, maintain, and manage the digital user platform 110, and act as an interface with system C / M 105, as well as other platforms in the communication system 100, such as the digital infrastructure platform 115 and the virtual reality service platform 120. The digital user C / M 205 operates to receive user information from sources outside the digital user platform 110 and update the digital user profile 120. The digital user C / M 205 further operates to provide user information from the user profile 120 in response to external requests for user information. The digital user C / M 205 further operates to update the digital user profile 120 based on instructions from external sources. In some embodiments, instructions may include rules for updating a particular user profile based on changes to the associated user profile. The digital user C / M205 includes network functionality that operates to create, update, and erase digital user profiles 210 as needed.

[0062] Each user profile 210 may correspond to a user, i.e., a physical user or a digital user, and may contain various information. In some embodiments, a set of user profiles 210 may be maintained by the digital user platform 110 for each user, and the information within each user profile 210, which may change in response to interaction with the digital infrastructure environment or digital service interacting with that user profile 210, may be separated from the set of user profiles 210 for that user. In some embodiments, a single user profile 210 may be maintained by the digital user platform 110 for each user, and there may be a separate data store under that user profile 210 for each digital infrastructure environment or digital service interacting with that user profile 210.

[0063] In some embodiments, each digital user profile 210 includes a user profile C / M 225 that operates to provide control and management functions for that digital user profile 210. In some embodiments, a digital user C / M 205 provides control and management functions for all of the digital user profiles 210. In any case, the operation of the C / M (user profile C / M 225 or digital user C / M 205) may be configured by an external physical user or trusted entity based on policies that can manage various types of actions.

[0064] In some embodiments, a user profile C / M225 may be pre-configured as part of the configuration of the digital user platform 110. In some embodiments, each user profile C / M225 may be configured with a corresponding user, user device, and / or trusted entity. Such a configuration may include, for example, a user profile policy for informing the operation of that user profile C / M225. The user profile policy may be common across multiple user profiles 210, or it may be unique to one or more user profiles 210. In some embodiments, a set of user profiles 210 corresponding to the same user may share a common user profile policy. In some embodiments, at least one user profile 210 corresponding to each of multiple users may share a common user profile policy.

[0065] Each digital user profile 210 includes at least one data store 215 and user identification information 220. User identification information 220 may include, for example, a user ID, network address, traffic anchor, UE anchor, etc. In some embodiments, the digital user profile 210 may include a separate data store 215 for each category of user information. In some embodiments, the digital user profile 210 may include a common data store 215 for several or all categories of user information. For example, the data store 215 may include several different types of personal information, including some or all of: personal information (identifiers, keys, policies, etc.), digital UE information (location, anchors, data usage, etc.), health information (identifiers, records, results, etc.), financial information (identifiers, financial institution certificates, tracked financial information, etc.), vehicle information (identifiers, location, maintenance history, status, etc.), and asset information (identifiers, location, maintenance tracking, etc.).

[0066] The digital user profile 210 may be configured to perform a variety of functions, including, for example: ensuring secure interactions with third-party entities; performing UE location tracking and prediction, incoming traffic analysis, and acting as a traffic data anchor for communications using mobile networks; detecting emergencies and triggering interactions with hospitals for health management; triggering maintenance tasks and emergency notifications for asset management; and interacting with authorized financial institutions under strict security protocols for financial management.

[0067] At least one data store 215 may be updated at different intervals based on the type of information. For example, relatively static information (personal information, policies, financial information, health information, household information, etc.) may be updated at slow intervals (daily, monthly, quarterly, etc.). On the other hand, relatively dynamic information (UE status, vehicle status, real-time process information, etc.) may be updated at relatively fast intervals (seconds, minutes, hours, days, etc.). In some embodiments, one or more of the information types are updated based on the push of updated information received from system C / M 105.

[0068] In some embodiments, a digital user profile 210 may include a virtual anchor point associated with a data storage cache. The cache may store an anchor point policy that guides the operation of the virtual anchor point. In some embodiments, the anchor point policy may be defined or set by a physical user associated with or corresponding to the digital user profile 210. The virtual anchor point receives an incoming call or message and operates to take one or more actions on the received incoming call or message. For example, the virtual anchor point may cache the incoming call or message, block the call or message, and / or forward the call or message to another digital user profile 210 or a physical user associated with that digital user profile 210. In some embodiments, the virtual anchor point may operate to initiate a call to a third party (another digital user profile 210 or physical user) based on the configuration of the digital user profile 210 for that virtual anchor point.

[0069] Figure 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a simplified architectural schematic of the digital infrastructure platform 115. The digital infrastructure platform 115 includes the digital infrastructure platform C / M305 and one or more digital infrastructure platform instances 310. Each digital infrastructure platform instance 310 corresponds to a separate digital infrastructure established and maintained by the digital infrastructure platform 115. Each digital infrastructure platform instance 310 includes a digital replica of the physical infrastructure evaluated using the digital infrastructure platform 115.

[0070] In some embodiments, each digital infrastructure platform instance 310 includes an infrastructure instance C / M 320 that operates to provide control and management functions for that digital infrastructure platform instance 310. In some embodiments, the digital infrastructure platform C / M 305 provides control and management functions for all of the digital infrastructure platform instances 310. In any case, the operation of the C / M (infrastructure instance C / M 320 or digital infrastructure platform C / M 305) may be configured based on policies that allow external physical users or trusted entities to manage various types of actions.

[0071] In some embodiments, some or all of the digital infrastructure platform instances 310 may represent different types of infrastructure (e.g., digital mobile networks, digital roads / transportation, digital cities, digital industrial processes, digital factories, digital farms, digital power grids, etc.). In some embodiments, each digital infrastructure platform instance 310 may represent a different type of infrastructure, and that infrastructure may be replicated within that digital infrastructure platform instance 310. This may be useful when multiple similar types of infrastructure are being evaluated or "linked" for example, with different infrastructure owners, different theoretical models, different scales of infrastructure, etc.

[0072] In some embodiments, if there are multiple different infrastructures replicated within the same digital infrastructure platform instance 310, there may be a separate infrastructure instance C / M320 for each of the multiple infrastructures. In these embodiments, each infrastructure instance C / M320 may be independently configured to control the retrieval of infrastructure information from the associated physical entity and / or to adjust the parameters of its replicated infrastructure. For example, if each replicated infrastructure corresponds to a different real-world infrastructure, the corresponding infrastructure instance C / M320 may be configured to access only the information related to that real-world infrastructure.

[0073] Each digital infrastructure platform instance 310 may include one or more data plane functions, each corresponding to one of the replicated infrastructures within the digital infrastructure platform instance 310. Each data plane function may store the configuration (i.e., infrastructure information) of the replicated infrastructure and the usage status of the infrastructure. In certain embodiments, the usage status may be obtained from services available to the data plane function that are responsible for data collection, deprivatization, analysis, and distribution (e.g., DAM services).

[0074] The digital infrastructure platform 115 includes a simulation / test environment platform 325 that is connected to each of the digital infrastructure platform instances 310 and can perform simulations or evaluations of the instances 310. The digital infrastructure platform 115 may also include a simulation environment interface 350 that provides connectivity to external XaaS resources that can support the simulation / test environment platform 325.

[0075] The digital infrastructure platform 115 may further include a simulation / test tool library 330, which may include one or more tools 335, such as simulators, that can be invoked by the simulation / test environment platform 325. The simulation / test tool library 330 may further include a library data store 340 for storing data and / or information related to the tools 335, which may also be invoked by the simulation / test environment platform 325. The tools 335 may include validated simulators (i.e., algorithms) that can be provided by the infrastructure owner, a third-party provider, etc. For example, a Local Outlier Mining Algorithm (LOMA) technique may be deployed and developed for one infrastructure instance. The same technique may be applied to another instance. In the application, the parameter specifications of the relevant infrastructure may be supplied by the corresponding digital infrastructure platform instance 310.

[0076] For example, in some embodiments, tool 335 may include, for example, a network simulator, a traffic / road simulator, a factory simulator, a farm simulator, a process simulator, a power generation simulator, a power transmission simulator, etc. In these embodiments, a digital representation of a network, such as a mobile network, may be simulated in the simulation / test environment platform 325 based on a digital infrastructure platform instance 310 that defines the specifications of the physical or theoretical network to be modeled. A general process or interacting component represented by one or more of the tools 335 may be accessed by the simulation / test environment platform 325 from the simulation / test tool library 330. In this example, for example, the network simulator and traffic / road simulator tools 335 may be accessed to support the simulation of a physical or theoretical network, where the simulation includes a network traffic simulation and the movement of UEs along urban roads at different times of day.

[0077] The digital infrastructure platform C / M305 operates to determine the configuration of the simulation / test environment platform 325, maintain the simulation / test tool library 330, and configure the simulation environment interface 350 using the connected XaaS data plane.

[0078] Figure 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a simplified architectural schematic diagram of the virtual reality service platform 120. The virtual reality service platform 120 includes a virtual reality service platform C / M 405 and one or more “live” digital service slices (i.e., “virtual reality service slices”) 410. The virtual reality service slices 410 may require information from other platforms, including the digital user platform 110 and / or the digital infrastructure platform 115. In these embodiments, the virtual reality service platform C / M 405 may operate to communicate with other platforms outside the virtual reality service platform 120, including the digital user platform 110, the digital infrastructure platform 115, and / or the system control manager C / M, on behalf of the virtual reality service slices 410 that require information from that platform. For example, the virtual reality service platform C / M 405 may operate to retrieve user identification information from at least one digital user profile and provide it to one or more virtual reality service slices. In some embodiments, the virtual reality service platform C / M405 may operate to retrieve infrastructure information from at least one digital infrastructure instance of the digital infrastructure platform and provide it to one or more virtual reality service slices. The retrieved information may be used by the virtual reality service slice to inform the virtual reality service slice of the modes of virtual reality supported by that virtual reality service slice, including user configuration, infrastructure configuration, user actions, and virtual reality responses to user actions.

[0079] The virtual reality service platform C / M405 is responsible for the lifecycle management of each virtual reality service slice. This may include, for example, the development, deployment, and operation of each virtual reality service slice; updating each virtual reality service slice; and interaction with other platforms to integrate some or all of the lifecycle management. Lifecycle management may include obtaining digital user platform information (after authentication by digital user C / M205), digital infrastructure platform information (after authentication by digital platform C / M305), and / or adapting to the real-time behavior of physical users / infrastructure based on the updated information.

[0080] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a computing device 900 that can perform any or all of the operations of the methods and features explicitly or implicitly described herein, according to different embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, a computer with network capabilities may be configured as the computing device 900. One, two or more such computing devices may be combined together to provide embodiments of the present disclosure. Multiple physically separate devices (e.g., in the same or separate data centers) may be combined together to provide one, two or more such computing devices. When a device provides an infrastructure module, the device may consist primarily of relevant resources. For example, a computing module may consist primarily of a computer processor, while a storage module may consist primarily of computer memory.

[0081] As illustrated, device 900 may include a processor 910 such as a central processing unit (CPU), or a special processor such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), or other such processor units, memory 920, non-temporary mass storage 930, input / output interface 940, network interface 950, and transceiver 960, all of which are communicatively coupled via a bidirectional bus 970. Depending on a particular embodiment, any or all of the illustrated elements, or only a subset of the elements, may be used. Furthermore, device 900 may include multiple instances of a particular element, such as multiple processors, memory, or transceiver. Also, elements of the hardware device may be directly coupled to other elements without using a bidirectional bus. In addition to, or instead of, the processor and memory, other electronic devices such as integrated circuits may be used to perform the necessary logical operations.

[0082] The memory 920 may include any type of non-temporary memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), read-only memory (ROM), or any combination thereof. The mass storage element 1130 may include any type of non-temporary storage device, such as a solid-state drive, hard disk drive, magnetic disk drive, optical disk drive, USB drive, or any computer program product configured to store information and machine-executable program code. According to one embodiment, the memory 920 or mass storage 930 may record statements and instructions that can be executed by the processor 910 to perform any of the operations of the methods described above.

[0083] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented using electronic hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the present disclosure is implemented by one or more computer processors that execute program instructions stored in memory. In some embodiments, the present disclosure is partially or fully implemented in hardware using one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), for example, to rapidly perform processing operations.

[0084] While specific embodiments of this disclosure are described herein for illustrative purposes only, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the specification and drawings should be considered merely illustrative of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims and are intended to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents within the scope of this disclosure. In particular, providing computer program products or program elements, or program storage or memory devices, such as magnetic or optical wires, tapes or disks, etc., for storing machine-readable signals, controlling the operation of a computer, and / or constituting some or all of its components, in accordance with the systems of this disclosure is within the scope of this disclosure.

[0085] The operations related to the methods described herein can be implemented as coded instructions within a computer program product. In other words, the computer program product is a computer-readable medium on which software code is recorded to perform the methods when the computer program product is loaded into memory and executed on the microprocessor of a wireless communication device.

[0086] Furthermore, each operation of this method may be executed on any computing device such as a personal computer, server, or PDA, according to one or more program elements, modules, or objects generated from any programming language such as C++ or Java. In addition, each operation, or the files or objects that implement each operation, may be executed by dedicated hardware or circuit modules designed for that purpose.

[0087] Through the description of the embodiments described above, the Disclosure may be implemented by using hardware alone or by using software and the necessary general-purpose hardware platform. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the Disclosure may be embodied in the form of a software product. The software product may be stored on a non-volatile or non-temporary storage medium which may be a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a USB flash disk, or a removable hard disk. The software product includes a set of instructions that enable a computer device (personal computer, server, or network device) to perform the methods provided in the embodiments of the Disclosure. For example, such execution may correspond to the simulation of logical operations as described herein. The software product may also include, in addition or alternatively, a set of instructions that enable a computer device to perform operations for configuring or programming a virtual logic device in accordance with the embodiments of the Disclosure.

[0088] While the present disclosure and related inventions have been described with reference to specific features and embodiments, it is clear that various modifications and combinations can be made without departing from such inventions. Therefore, the specification and drawings should be considered merely illustrative examples of embodiments of the present disclosure, such as those defined by the appended claims, and are intended to cover all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of the present disclosure and its inventions.

Claims

1. It is a communication system, System Control Manager (System C / M), A digital user platform that operates to support one or more digital user profiles, A digital infrastructure platform that operates to support at least one digital infrastructure platform instance, A virtual reality service platform that operates to support at least one virtual reality service slice, Equipped with, The system C / M operates to establish and coordinate the interaction between the digital user platform, the digital infrastructure platform, and the virtual reality service platform. Communication system.

2. The system C / M further operates to interface with service entities outside the communication system and to facilitate information exchange between the XaaS entity and the digital user platform, the digital infrastructure platform, and the virtual reality service platform. The communication system according to claim 1.

3. The system further comprises a digital user C / M that operates to manage access to information stored, processed, and / or generated by the aforementioned digital user platform. The communication system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The digital user platform further operates to receive a platform C / M configuration request from the system C / M, configure the digital user C / M in accordance with the platform C / M request, and send a corresponding platform C / M configuration response to the system C / M confirming the configuration. The communication system according to claim 3.

5. The system further comprises a digital infrastructure platform C / M that operates to provide control and management functions for the digital infrastructure platform instances provided by the aforementioned digital infrastructure platform. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The digital infrastructure platform further operates to receive a platform C / M configuration request from the system C / M, configure the digital infrastructure platform C / M in accordance with the platform C / M request, and send a corresponding platform C / M configuration response to the system C / M confirming the configuration. The communication system according to claim 5.

7. The system further comprises a virtual reality service platform C / M that operates to provide lifecycle management for at least one virtual reality service slice. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The virtual reality service platform further operates to receive a platform C / M configuration request from the system C / M, configure the virtual reality service platform C / M in accordance with the platform C / M request, and send a corresponding platform C / M configuration response to the system C / M confirming the configuration. The communication system according to claim 7.

9. Each of the one or more digital user profiles includes a separate user profile C / M that operates to provide control and management functions for that digital user profile. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. At least one of the one or more digital user profiles is linked to replicate user information from a physical user profile. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. At least one of the one or more digital user profiles includes information types selected from among the physical user's personal information, digital UE information, health information, financial information, vehicle information, and asset information. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. At least one of the one or more digital user profiles further includes a virtual anchor point that operates to receive incoming calls or messages. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The virtual anchor point further operates to cache, block, and / or forward the incoming call. The communication system according to claim 12.

14. At least one of the one or more digital user profiles further includes a virtual anchor point that acts to initiate a call to a third party. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. The system C / M further operates to access information to at least one real-world infrastructure in order to configure and / or update at least one of the digital user platform, the digital infrastructure platform, and the virtual reality service platform. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

16. The virtual reality service platform operates to generate virtual reality based on information received from the digital user platform and / or the digital infrastructure platform. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. It is a digital user platform, Digital user C / M and One or more digital user profiles, Equipped with, The digital user C / M operates to manage access to information stored, processed, and / or generated by each of the one or more digital user profiles. Digital user platform.

18. Each of the aforementioned digital user profiles includes a separate user profile C / M that operates to provide control and management functions for that digital user profile. The digital user platform according to claim 17.

19. At least one of the one or more digital user profiles is linked to replicate user information from a physical user profile. The digital user platform according to claim 17 or 18.

20. Includes a virtual anchor point associated with at least one of the one or more digital user profiles, The digital user platform according to claim 17 or 18.

21. At least one of the one or more digital user profiles includes information types selected from among the physical user's personal information, digital UE information, health information, financial information, vehicle information, and asset information. The communication system according to any one of claims 17 to 20.

22. It is a digital infrastructure platform, One or more digital infrastructure platform instances, A simulation / test environment platform that operates to perform simulation or evaluation of one or more digital infrastructure platform instances, A simulation / test tool library including at least one simulation tool that can be called by the aforementioned simulation / test environment platform, A digital infrastructure platform equipped with [features / equipment].

23. At least one of the one or more digital infrastructure platform instances represents a different type of infrastructure than the other digital infrastructure platform instances. The digital infrastructure platform according to claim 22.

24. Each of the one or more digital infrastructure platform instances represents a different type of infrastructure than the other digital infrastructure platform instances. The digital infrastructure platform according to claim 22.

25. The aforementioned one or more digital infrastructure platform instances include a representation of a structure selected from a digital mobile network, digital roads / transportation, digital city, digital industrial processes, digital factory, digital farm, and digital power grid. A digital infrastructure platform according to any one of claims 22 to 24.

26. At least one of the one or more digital infrastructure platform instances includes multiple different infrastructures that are replicated within the same digital infrastructure platform instance. A digital infrastructure platform according to any one of claims 22 to 25.

27. Each of the aforementioned multiple different infrastructures further comprises a separate infrastructure instance C / M, The digital infrastructure platform according to claim 26.

28. Each of the aforementioned separate infrastructure instance C / Ms is configured to access information related to different real-world infrastructures. The digital infrastructure platform according to claim 27.

29. It is a virtual reality service platform, Virtual reality service platform C / M and One or more virtual reality service slices, Equipped with, The aforementioned virtual reality service platform C / M operates to manage each virtual reality service slice. A virtual reality service platform.

30. The virtual reality service platform C / M further operates to communicate with one or more other platforms outside the virtual reality service platform in order to obtain information required by the virtual reality service slice. The virtual reality service platform according to claim 29.

31. The aforementioned one or more other platforms include at least one of a digital user platform and a digital infrastructure platform. The virtual reality service platform according to claim 30.

32. The virtual reality service platform C / M further operates to obtain user identification information from at least one digital user profile and provide it to one or more virtual reality service slices. A virtual reality service platform according to any one of claims 29 to 31.

33. The virtual reality service platform C / M further operates to retrieve infrastructure information from at least one digital infrastructure instance of the digital infrastructure platform and provide it to one or more virtual reality service slices. A virtual reality service platform according to any one of claims 29 to 32.

Images