Systems and terminals

Abstract

To make it possible to specify an area in which a group consisting of a plurality of UEs should be formed and to make the relevant UEs form the group.SOLUTION: A system constituting a wireless communication network includes a control unit that executes the following: receiving a request message requesting formation of a group consisting of a plurality of UEs (User Equipment) in a predetermined area; and transmitting, based on the request message, an instruction message instructing the plurality of UEs present in the predetermined area to form a group.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a system and a terminal in a cellular communication network.

Background Art

[0002] In a cellular communication network, it is assumed to control a vehicle equipped with a mobile communication terminal. Conventionally, as one of the technologies for controlling a vehicle, a technology for controlling a queue composed of a plurality of vehicles is known. Regarding this, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle management device or the like that controls the connection between vehicles included in a queue by communicating with the leading vehicle of the queue.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of this disclosure is to specify an area in which a group composed of a plurality of UEs should be formed and cause the corresponding UEs to form the group.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] One aspect of an embodiment of this disclosure is a system constituting a wireless communication network, receiving a request message that requests the formation of one group composed of a plurality of UEs (User Equipment) in a predetermined area, and transmitting an instruction message that instructs the plurality of UEs existing in the predetermined area to form a group based on the request message, and includes a control unit that executes a system.

[0006] Furthermore, one embodiment of the present disclosure is: A User Equipment (UE) constituting a wireless communication network, comprising a control unit that receives an instruction message from the core network instructing it to form a group with multiple UEs, including itself, in a predetermined area; determines whether it is present in the predetermined area; and, if it determines that it is present in the predetermined area, forms the group with multiple neighboring UEs. It is a terminal.

[0007] Other embodiments include a method performed by the above-mentioned device, a program for causing a computer to perform the method, or a computer-readable storage medium that non-temporarily stores the program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, an area should be designated to form a group consisting of multiple UEs, and the UEs in that area can be made to form such a group. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A conceptual diagram of the processes performed by the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] A diagram illustrating the components of the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3A] A diagram showing an example configuration of an information processing device that can operate as a system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3B] A diagram showing an example configuration of a device capable of operating as a terminal of the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] A sequence diagram relating to the group formation process executed by the control unit of the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] A flowchart relating to the group formation process executed by the control unit of the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6A] A conceptual diagram illustrating an example where the UE at the center of the area is designated as the group leader. [Figure 6B] A conceptual diagram illustrating an example where the longest-staying UE (User Experience) is designated as the group leader. [Figure 7] A flowchart relating to the group formation process executed by the terminal according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] When emergency vehicles need to pass through, it is essential that a clear path is provided for them, even at intersections where many vehicles are approaching from multiple directions. To achieve this, it is effective for multiple vehicles in a specific area, such as an intersection, to act in coordination. For example, if multiple vehicles communicate with each other to form a group, and then act in coordination according to instructions from the group leader or certain rules, these vehicles can smoothly clear a path for emergency vehicles. Therefore, it is desirable that the system communicating with these multiple vehicles be able to specify an area and send instructions to the multiple vehicles in that area to form a group.

[0011] A system relating to one aspect of this disclosure is A system comprising a wireless communication network, comprising a control unit that receives a request message requesting the formation of a group consisting of multiple UEs (User Equipment) in a predetermined area, and transmits an instruction message instructing the multiple UEs located in the predetermined area to form a group based on the request message.

[0012] An example of a wireless communication network is a system that utilizes 5G, 4G, LTE, LTE-A, SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, NR, etc. and next-generation systems extended based on these. Another example of a wireless communication network is a system that utilizes IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, UWB, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. and next-generation systems extended based on these. The wireless communication network may be a system in which multiple systems are combined.

[0013] The predetermined area is a spatial range in which one group consisting of a plurality of UEs is formed. The predetermined area may be a spatial range in which some or all of the UEs existing within the area should form one group.

[0014] The request message is a message that the control unit receives from the Application Function (hereinafter referred to as AF) in the 5G system and requests to form one group consisting of a plurality of UEs in a predetermined area. In the request message, the spatial range in which the UEs to form the group exist is specified.

[0015] The indication message is a message that the control unit transmits to a plurality of UEs to instruct them to form a group with the plurality of UEs existing within the predetermined area. In the indication message, the control unit instructs the UEs existing in the spatial range specified based on the request message to form a group.

[0016] The control unit receives a request message from the AF that requests to form a group consisting of a plurality of UEs in a predetermined area, and transmits an indication message to the UEs to instruct them to form a group consisting of a plurality of UEs in the area specified based on the request message.

[0017] Thereby, the system according to the present disclosure can instruct the UE to form a group of a plurality of UEs in a predetermined area.

[0018] Further, the request message may include area information which is information regarding the predetermined area, and the instruction message may include the area information.

[0019] Thereby, the system according to the present disclosure can specify an area based on a request from the AF and instruct a plurality of UEs to form a group.

[0020] Further, the request message may include time zone information which is information regarding the time zone in which the formation of the one group is to be performed, and the instruction message may include the time zone information.

[0021] Thereby, the system according to the present disclosure can specify a time zone based on a request from the AF and instruct a plurality of UEs to form a group.

[0022] Further, the control unit may select a base station that transmits the instruction message to a plurality of the UEs within the predetermined area, and cause the selected base station to transmit the instruction message.

[0023] Thereby, the system according to the present disclosure can instruct the UE to form a group through an appropriate base station.

[0024] Further, the control unit may include in the instruction message information designating the UE located at the center of the predetermined area as the leader of the one group and transmit the same.

[0025] Thereby, the system according to the present disclosure can use, as a leader, a UE that can communicate efficiently with each UE constituting a group of a plurality of UEs.

[0026] Furthermore, the control unit may include in the instruction message information designating the UE that is expected to stay in the predetermined area the longest among the plurality of UEs as the leader of one group.

[0027] This allows the system relating to this disclosure to have a leader UE that can reliably communicate with each of the UEs that make up a group of multiple UEs.

[0028] Furthermore, the terminal relating to this disclosure is a User Equipment (UE) that constitutes a wireless communication network, and receives an instruction message from the core network instructing it to form a group with multiple UEs, including itself, in a predetermined area, determines whether it is present in the predetermined area, and if it determines that it is present in the predetermined area, forms the group with multiple neighboring UEs. It includes a control unit that performs the following actions.

[0029] As a result, the terminal related to this disclosure can achieve the same effects as the system described above.

[0030] The following describes specific embodiments of this disclosure with reference to the drawings. The hardware configurations, module configurations, functional configurations, etc., described in each embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the disclosure to those unless otherwise specified. For example, the following describes an example of applying this disclosure to a fifth-generation mobile communication system, but this disclosure may also be applied to fourth-generation or later generations of mobile communication systems. This disclosure may also be applied to mobile communication systems defined by entities other than 3GPP®, or to any wireless communication system or wired communication system other than a mobile communication system.

[0031] (Embodiment) <Overview of system processing> First, an overview of the processes performed by the system according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram of the processes performed by system 100 according to the embodiment. Here, system 100 is typically a 5G core network. System 100 communicates with UEs (vehicles) included in the 5G network and receives or transmits various instructions. System 100 also communicates with base stations 200 that emit radio waves realizing the 5G network and transmits various instructions. Although system 100 communicates with UEs (vehicles) via AF (described later), system 100 may also communicate directly with UEs (vehicles). In Figure 1, the AF is not shown.

[0032] Vehicle 40, which is UE2, is equipped with a mobile communication terminal and is capable of communicating with cellular communication networks such as 5G networks. Vehicle 40A, which is UE2A, is equipped with a mobile communication terminal and is capable of communicating with cellular communication networks such as 5G networks, and is, for example, an emergency vehicle.

[0033] First, when vehicle 40A is dispatched in response to a call, it transmits its current location and other information to the emergency command center 300. The emergency command center 300 is an example of an AF (AF will be described later) in this disclosure. Upon receiving the location of vehicle 40A, the emergency command center 300 requests the system 100 to form a group consisting of multiple UE2s, specifying a predetermined area and time period determined from the location of vehicle 40A. For example, the emergency command center 300 may request the system 100 to form a group of multiple UE2s, which are vehicles 40, in a predetermined area that vehicle 40A is expected to reach, during the time period when vehicle 40A is expected to arrive. This is to ensure that surrounding vehicles cooperate in driving during the time when the emergency vehicle, vehicle 40A, is passing through, so that other vehicles will yield the right of way smoothly. Furthermore, the emergency command center 300 may, without receiving the current location of vehicle 40A from vehicle 40A, request the formation of a group consisting of multiple vehicles 40 by specifying a predetermined area and time period based on the vehicle 40A's travel route, which is known in advance from information regarding the destination of the dispatch.

[0034] Next, the system 100 instructs the base station 200 to instruct the vehicles 40 to form a group consisting of multiple vehicles 40 in a specified area and time period. The 5G core network may select the base station closest to the specified area to make this instruction.

[0035] Next, the base station 200 instructs the relevant vehicles 40 to form a group consisting of multiple vehicles 40 in a specified area and time period. For example, the base station 200 broadcasts instructions to the vehicles 40 present in the specified area, or the vehicles 40 expected to be present in the specified area during the specified time period, to form a group.

[0036] Then, the multiple vehicles 40 that have received instructions from the base station 200 to form a group communicate with each other to form a single group. Vehicles 40 share their location information, direction of travel, speed, etc., and drive in cooperation with each other. Multiple vehicles 40 forming a group may drive according to the instructions of one vehicle 40 in the group that has been selected as the leader, or they may adjust their direction of travel or speed, etc., as needed by communicating with each other via vehicle-to-vehicle communication.

[0037] Furthermore, when instructing the base station 200 to instruct the vehicle 40, which is the corresponding UE2, to form a group, the system 100 may specify a method for selecting the leader within the group. The base station 200 transmits the method for selecting the leader within the group to multiple vehicles 40, and the vehicle 40 determined by the selection method acts as the leader within the group. For example, the system 100 may specify that the vehicle 40 located in the center of a predetermined area be selected as the leader.

[0038] For example, as shown in Figure 1, the multiple vehicles 40 forming the group can alleviate congestion at the intersection and secure a path for the emergency vehicle 40A by moving in the direction indicated by the dashed arrows.

[0039] In this way, the system 100 can instruct multiple UE2s from the base station 200 to form a group of UE2s in an area and time period specified by the emergency command center 300. In other words, the system 100 can realize the formation of a group of multiple UE2s in a predetermined area and time period desired by AF or UE2A, etc.

[0040] <System Configuration> Figure 2 shows the components (configurations) that make up the fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G network). In Figure 2, UE (User Equipment) 2 is the user's (subscriber's) terminal. RAN (Radio Access Network) 3 is the access network to the 5G core network (5GC). RAN3 is composed of base stations (gNB). The 5G network has a 5G core network (5GC) and an access network ((R)AN), and UE2, DN5, and AF12 are connected to the 5G network. Each of NF11a to NF11m is a function realized by one or more computers (information processing devices) executing a program. However, a single computer may realize two or more of NF11a to NF11m. Each of NF11a to NF11m can also be called a network node or network component. The components (configurations) shown in Figure 1 realize system 100 according to the embodiment.

[0041] 5GC is composed of a set of components that have a predetermined function called an NF (Network Function). Figure 1 illustrates the following as an NF11 that constitutes 5GC. In Figure 1, the multiple elements that make up NF11 are shown as thick rectangles that are thicker than the other lines.

[0042] UPF (User Plane Function) 11a AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function)11b SMF (Session Management Function)11c PCF(Policy Control Function)11d CHF (Charging Function) 11e NEF (Network Exposure Function)11f NRF(Network Repository Function)11g UDR (User Data Repository) 11i UDM(Unified Data Management)11j BSF (Binding Support Function) DDNMF (Direct Discovery Name Management Function)11m

[0043] UPF11a handles routing and forwarding of user packets (user plane packets sent and received by UE2), packet inspection, and QoS processing.

[0044] AMF11b is the UE location accommodation device in 5GC. AMF11b accommodates RAN3 and performs subscriber authentication control, UE2 location (mobility) management, etc.

[0045] SMF11c manages PDU (Protocol Data Unit) sessions and controls UPF11a for QoS (Quality of Service) control and policy control. A PDU session is a virtual communication channel for data exchange between UE2 and DN (Data Network) 5. DN5 is an external data network (such as the internet) outside of 5GC.

[0046] PCF11d performs QoS control, policy control, and billing control under the control of SMF11c. QoS control includes managing the quality of communication, such as prioritizing packet forwarding. Policy control includes communication control based on network or subscriber information, such as QoS, packet forwarding eligibility, and billing. Details of PCF processing will be described later.

[0047] CHF11e plays a role in supporting online and offline billing functions.

[0048] The NEF11e acts as an intermediary for communication between external nodes and nodes within the control plane.

[0049] NRF11g stores and manages information on NFs (e.g., AMF, SMF, UPF, etc.) within 5GC. In response to an inquiry regarding an NF that the user wishes to use, NRF11g can return multiple candidate NFs to the inquirer.

[0050] UDR11i is responsible for managing authentication or authorization based on subscriber information stored in the subscriber information database.

[0051] UDM11j maintains subscriber-related information and provides subscriber information, as well as retrieves, registers, deletes, and modifies the status of UE2.

[0052] BSF11k provides PDU sessions and ensures that PDU session requests from AFs reach the PCF, which holds the PDU session information. BSF stores binding information and allows each NF to register, update, delete, and retrieve that information.

[0053] The DDNMF11m is responsible for handling the network-related actions required for dynamic 5G ProSe Direct Discovery.

[0054] AF12 is an NF that provides group communication services to UE2 by requesting PCF11d to form a group of multiple UE2s in a predetermined area, either based on a group formation request received from UE2 or spontaneously. For example, AF12 obtains the current location and future path of UE2 and spontaneously requests PCF11d to form a group of multiple UE2s in a predetermined area. Furthermore, application programs executed on the UE (terminal) may operate as AF12.

[0055] In 5GC, multiple NFs of the same type may be provided. For example, NF11 may be provided for each data center (station). Also, one NF11 may be shared among data centers. Furthermore, multiple NF11s of the same type may be configured within a single data center. The number of data centers, the number of NF11s, and the correspondence between NF11s and data centers can be set as appropriate.

[0056] <Configuration of information processing equipment and terminals> Figure 3A shows an example configuration of an information processing device 20 that can operate as system 100 according to the embodiment. In Figure 3A, the information processing device 20 can be configured using a dedicated or general-purpose information processing device (computer) such as a personal computer (PC), workstation (WS), or server machine. However, the information processing device 20 may also be a collection of one or more computers (cloud).

[0057] The information processing device 20 includes a processor 21 acting as a processing unit or control unit (controller), a storage device 22, a communication interface 23 (communication IF 23), an input device 24, and a display 25, all interconnected via a bus 26.

[0058] The storage device 22 includes main memory and auxiliary storage. The main memory is used as at least one of the following: a program and data storage area, a program deployment area, a program work area, and a communication data buffer area. The main memory consists of RAM (Random Access Memory), or a combination of RAM and ROM (Read Only Memory). The auxiliary storage is used as a data and program storage area. Non-volatile storage media are used for the auxiliary storage. Examples of non-volatile storage media include hard disks, solid-state drives (SSDs), flash memory, or EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). The storage device 22 may also include a drive device for a disk recording medium.

[0059] Communication IF23 is a circuit that performs communication processing. For example, communication IF23 is a network interface card (NIC). Alternatively, communication IF23 may be a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication (5G, wireless LAN (Wi-Fi®), BLE, etc.). Furthermore, communication IF23 may be a combination of a circuit that performs wired communication processing and a wireless communication circuit.

[0060] The input device 24 includes keys, buttons, pointing devices, and touch panels, and is used for inputting information. The display 25 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays information and data.

[0061] The processor 21 performs various processes by executing various programs stored in the storage device 22. By the processor 21 executing the programs stored in the storage device 22, the information processing device 20 can operate as NF11a~11m, external servers 12a and 12b, respectively. The processor 21 is a specific example of the control unit of the system 100.

[0062] Figure 3B shows an example configuration of a vehicle 40 (40A) capable of operating as UE2 (2A). The vehicle 40 or 40A consists of a processor 41, a storage device 42, a communication interface 43 (communication IF 43), an input device 44, and a display, all interconnected via a bus 46. This includes a play unit 45 and a drive unit 47. The processor 41, storage device 42, communication interface 43, input device 44, and display 45 can be the same as those used for the processor 21, storage device 22, communication interface 23, input device 24, and display 25. Therefore, their descriptions are omitted.

[0063] Processors 21 and 41 are, for example, Central Processing Units (CPUs). A CPU is also called a Microprocessor Unit (MPU). Processors 21 and 41 may be in a single-processor configuration or a multi-processor configuration. A single physical CPU connected by a single socket may have a multi-core configuration. Processors 21 and 41 may include arithmetic units of various circuit configurations, such as Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) or Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). Processors 21 and 41 may also have configurations that work in conjunction with at least one of the following: integrated circuits (ICs), other digital circuits, and analog circuits. Integrated circuits include LSIs, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs). PLDs include, for example, Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Processors 21 and 41 also include, for example, what are called microcontrollers (MCUs), SoCs (System-on-a-chips), system LSIs, or chipsets.

[0064] The drive unit 47 is a means for moving the vehicle 40 or 40A. The drive unit 47 may consist of, for example, a motor or inverter for driving the wheels, brakes, and a steering mechanism. The drive unit 47 may be powered by electricity supplied from a battery.

[0065] <System Operation> Figure 4 is a sequence diagram relating to the group formation process executed by the control unit of the system 100 according to this embodiment. Note that the sequence diagram shown here is just an example, and may include processes other than those shown, some of the processes shown may be omitted, and the execution order of the processes shown may be changed.

[0066] In this example, UEa corresponds to vehicle 40 equipped with a mobile communication terminal that uses this service, and AMF11b, PCF11d, and AF12 correspond to the applications that provide this service. UEn operates by receiving a message from UEa, which has received the service from this application. UEa and UEn are specific examples of UE2.

[0067] In step S10, AF12 sends a group formation request message to PCF11d specifying a predetermined area and time zone. The request message includes parameters that specify the area and time zone in which AF12 wants to form a group with multiple UEn. The parameter specifying the area in which the group should be formed is a concrete example of area information, and the parameter specifying the time zone in which the group should be formed is a concrete example of time zone information.

[0068] The parameters for identifying the area to which a group should be formed can, for example, represent positional information indicating a starting point for defining the spatial extent of the area, and information indicating the extent represented relative to that starting point. The extent represented relative to the starting point may be expressed as an angle from a horizontal or vertical line on a horizontal plane passing through that starting point, or as a direction or azimuth angle viewed from that starting point. Here, the spatial extent may be represented in a two-dimensional plane or in three-dimensional space. The area to which a group should be formed is a specific example of a predetermined area.

[0069] Furthermore, the request message may include information regarding the time period during which group formation will be performed. This information may be expressed as a time duration with a certain width. For example, the request message may specify that group formation should be performed from h1:m1:s1 to h2:m2:s2, or it may specify that group formation should be performed for m3 minutes starting s3 seconds from the current time. Note that UE2 may also send the request message directly to PCF11d without going through AF12.

[0070] In step S11, AMF11b sends the responses from UEs that have been received up to that point to PCF11d. AMF11b may periodically send the latest responses from UEs to PCF11d, or it may send the latest responses from UEs to PCF11d in response to a query from PCF11d.

[0071] In step S12, PCF11d updates the UE's policy to reflect the area specified in the request message received from AF12. PCF11d updates UEa's policy so that UEa forms a group with multiple UEn in the specified area. PCF11d may also specify information regarding the time period during which UEa performs group formation in the updated policy. This time period information may be determined based on the request message received from AF12. PCF11d may specify the area itself specified in the request message in the updated UE's policy, or it may specify a predetermined area obtained by adjusting the location of the area specified in the request message in the updated UE's policy.

[0072] In step S13, PCF11d sends a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message to AMF11b. This message includes SUPI and UE Policy Container as parameters. The UE Policy Container may further include a parameter specifying an area. The UE Policy Container may also include a parameter indicating the time period during which UEa performs group formation.

[0073] In step S14, AMF11b requests paging from UEa. AMF11b may also request paging from UEa via RAN3.

[0074] Next, in step S15, AMF11b sends a UE Policy Container to UEa. Here, the UE Policy Container includes parameters specifying the area where group formation should be performed. Furthermore, the UE Policy Container may also include parameters regarding the time period during which group formation should be performed. Here, the UE Policy Container sent is a concrete example of an instruction message.

[0075] Furthermore, AMF11b may select a base station 200 that will send the UE Policy Container to the UEa, and have the base station 200 send the UE Policy Container to the UEa. AMF11b may also have the base station 200 closest to a predetermined area specified by the parameters included in the UE Policy Container send the UE Policy Container to one or more UE2 within that area.

[0076] In step S16, UEa sends a reply to AMF11b indicating that it has received the UE Policy Container. If UEa has received the information correctly, A CK may be sent. Also, if UEa is unable to receive the information correctly due to packet loss or other reasons, it may instead send NAK and request the information to be sent again.

[0077] In step S17, AMF11b sends a Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify message to PCF11d. This message contains information indicating that UEa has received the UE Policy Container.

[0078] In step S18, UEa instructs one or more UEn to form a group that includes itself. UEa instructs one or more UEn to form a group in the area specified in the UE Policy Container received in step S15. For example, UEa may send an instruction to all UEn present in the specified area to form a group simultaneously.

[0079] Furthermore, UEa may instruct one or more UEn to form a group during the time period specified in the UE Policy Container received in step S15. For example, UEa may send an instruction to one or more UEn that are expected to be in a specified area during the specified time period to form a group. Here, the specified time period may be represented as a time length with a certain width.

[0080] In step 18, one or more UEn that have been instructed by UEa to perform group formation will form a group in the designated area, etc.

[0081] Next, the processing performed by the control unit of the system 100 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart relating to the group formation process performed by the control unit of the system according to the embodiment. Specifically, the processing described in Figure 5 may be performed by the processor 41 of the information processing device 20 that can operate as system 100.

[0082] First, in step S20, PCF11d receives a request message requesting the formation of a group consisting of multiple UE2s in a specified area. PCF11d may receive the request message from AF12 or directly from the UE2s. The request message requests PCF11d to instruct the relevant UEs to form a group consisting of multiple UE2s in a predetermined area. The request message may also include information about the time period during which the group formation should be performed in the area specified by the UE2s.

[0083] Next, in step S21, PCF11d receives UE Policy Information from AMF11b. PCF11d may periodically receive the latest UE Policy Information from AMF11b, or it may request the latest UE Policy Information from AMF11b itself. AMF11b may also periodically communicate with UE2 to obtain UE Policy Information.

[0084] Next, in step S22, PCF11d updates the UE2 policy determined by PCF11d to a policy that instructs UE2 to form a group in the area specified in the request message where group formation was requested. Specifically, PCF11d updates the policy so that UE2 forms a group with one or more neighboring UE2s in the specified area. PCF11d may also specify in the policy a time period during which UE2 forms a group with one or more neighboring UE2s in the specified area. Here, the time period during which the group is formed may represent a time period with a certain width.

[0085] Next, in step S23, PCF11d sends the UE2 policy updated in step S22 to AMF11b. AMF11b sends the updated UE2 policy to UE2. At this point, UE2 receives instructions to form a group with multiple UE2s in a given area. As mentioned above, UE2 may also receive instructions regarding the time period during which it will form a group with multiple UE2s in a given area.

[0086] Next, in step S24, PCF11d receives information from AMF11b regarding the response from UE2 that it has received the updated policy. AMF11b receives a response from UE2 indicating that it has received the updated policy and sends this information to PCF11d.

[0087] This allows system 100 to specify a predetermined area and form a group consisting of multiple UEs in that UE.

[0088] <Selection of Group Leader>

[0089] Multiple UE2s form a group, then communicate with each other and operate in a coordinated manner to a certain extent. In this process, one UE2 is needed within the group to manage the other UE2s as a group. Therefore, when system 100 instructs the UE2s to form a group, it selects a leader for that group.

[0090] Figure 6A is a conceptual diagram showing an example where the UE at the center of the area is designated as the group leader. As a first method of selecting the group leader, system 100 may select UE2 located near the center of a predetermined area specified in the UE Policy Container as the leader. System 100 may identify UE2s located in the predetermined area, obtain location information for each UE2 from the identified UE2s, and select the UE2 closest to the center of the predetermined area as the leader. If a time period in which groups should be formed in a predetermined area is specified, system 100 may pre-select the UE2 that is expected to be located closest to the center of the predetermined area during that time period as the leader.

[0091] The first method for selecting a group leader allows system 100 to designate the UE2 that can communicate most efficiently with each of the UE2s that make up the group as the leader.

[0092] FIG. 6B is a conceptual diagram showing an example in which the UE staying the longest is the group leader. As a second method for selecting the group leader, the system 100 may select, as the leader, the UE2 that is expected to stay in a predetermined area specified in the UE Policy Container for the longest time. The system 100 identifies the UE2 present in the predetermined area, obtains the position information of each UE2 from the identified UE2, and selects, as the leader, the UE2 present near the end on the opposite side of the traveling direction of the formed group among the UE2 present in the predetermined area. When the traveling direction of the group is not uniquely determined as shown in the example of FIG. 6B, the leader may be determined as described above based on the traveling direction of the UE2 present at the center of the group.

[0093] When the time period during which a group is to be formed in a predetermined area is specified, the system 100 may pre-select, as the leader, the UE2 that will be present near the end on the opposite side of the traveling direction of the group formed in the predetermined area during that time period. By the second method for selecting the group leader, the system 100 can use, as the leader, the UE2 that can communicate with each UE2 constituting the group most stably.

[0094] Note that the PCF 11d may adjust the area specified in the request message and re-specify a predetermined area in the updated policy. In this case, it is also conceivable that there is a partial mismatch between the area specified in the request message and the area specified in the updated policy. In this case, in the first and second selection methods, the predetermined area may be the area specified in the request message or the area specified in the updated policy. ーにおいて所定のエリアを指定し直してもよい。この場合、要求メッセージにおいて指定されたエリアと、更新したポリシーにおいて指定されたエリアとが一部不一致である場合も考えられる。この場合、第一の選定方法および第二の選定方法において、所定のエリアは、要求メッセージにおいて指定されたエリアでもよいし、更新したポリシーにおいて指定されたエリアでもよい。

[0095] <UE's operation> Next, the operation of the UE2 that receives an instruction to form a group from the system 100 and executes the formation of the group will be described. First, UE2 receives an instruction message from AF12 instructing it to form a group specifying a predetermined area. In other words, UE2 is instructed by system 100 to form a group with one or more other nearby UE2s in the predetermined area. UE2 may receive the instruction message directly from PCF11d, or it may receive the instruction message from base station 200, which has received the instruction from system 100. The instruction message may also include information specifying the time period during which the group should be formed in the predetermined area.

[0096] Next, UE2 determines whether it is in a designated area. UE2 determines if it is located within the designated area specified in the instruction message to form a group with other nearby UE2s. If UE2 determines that it is in the designated area, this step is a positive result.

[0097] If the result in this step is positive, the process proceeds to step S32.

[0098] If the result in this step is negative, the process ends.

[0099] If the process transitions to step S32, UE2 forms a group with other nearby UE2s. UE2 sends a message to the other nearby UE2s to form a group, and the other UE2s that receive the message respond to UE2, thus forming the group. In the message to the other UE2s to form the group, UE2 may specify a leader UE2. After the group is formed, the multiple UE2s that make up the group, including UE2, communicate with each other and operate in coordination to a certain extent.

[0100] <Other variations> The embodiments described above are merely examples, and this disclosure may be modified as appropriate without departing from its essence.

[0101] In the above embodiment, data is provided to the user terminal using the Request / Response method, but it may also be provided using the Subscribe / Notify method.

[0102] This disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program implementing the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors in the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer by a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium that can be connected to the computer's system bus, or it may be provided to the computer via a network. The non-temporary computer-readable storage medium may be any type of disk, such as a magnetic disk (floppy disk, hard disk drive (HDD), etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD disk, Blu-ray disk, etc.), read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), EPROM, EEPROM, magnetic This includes cards, flash memory, optical cards, and any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0103] 2···UE 11b···AMF 11d···PCF 12···AF 20. Information Processing Devices 21... Processor 40...vehicles 100 System 200...base station

Claims

1. A system that constitutes a wireless communication network, Receiving a request message in a designated area that requests the formation of a group consisting of multiple UEs (User Equipment), Based on the request message, an instruction message is sent instructing the plurality of UEs located within the predetermined area to form a group. It includes a control unit that performs the following: system.

2. The request message includes area information, which is information relating to the predetermined area. The instruction message includes the area information. The system according to claim 1.

3. The request message includes time information, which is information regarding the time period during which the formation of the group takes place. The instruction message includes the time period information. The system according to claim 1.

4. The control unit, A base station is selected to transmit the instruction message to the UE in the predetermined area. The selected base station is instructed to transmit the instruction message. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The control unit, The instruction message includes information designating the UE located at the center of the predetermined area as the leader of the group, and is transmitted accordingly. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The control unit, The instruction message includes information designating the UE that is expected to stay in the predetermined area the longest among the multiple UEs as the leader of one group. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. A UE (User Equipment) that constitutes a wireless communication network, Receiving an instruction message from the core network instructing multiple UEs, including itself, to form a single group within a predetermined area, Determining whether or not one is present within the aforementioned predetermined area, If it is determined that it is located within the predetermined area, it will form one group with a plurality of neighboring UEs, It includes a control unit that performs the following: Terminal.

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