Information determination method, network element, and terminal

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to an information determination method, a network element, and a terminal. The method executed by a first network element comprises: sending a first request message to a second network element, wherein the first request message is used for requesting at least one of a subscription permanent identifier (SUPI) and a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI) of at least one terminal, and the first request message comprises an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; and receiving a first response message sent by the second network element, wherein the first response message comprises at least one of an SUPI and a GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal. Thus, the first network element can obtain from the second network element at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal, so as to use the at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the at least one terminal in a subsequent communication process, thereby improving communication performance.

Description

Information determination method, network element, terminal Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to an information determination method, a network element, and a terminal. Background Art

[0002] Positioning (or ranging) services can determine the distance between two terminals and / or the direction between one terminal and another over a PC5 link. Sidelink (SL) positioning services enable terminals to obtain absolute position, relative position, or ranging information using PC5. Positioning (or ranging) services are applicable to multiple vertical sectors, including consumer, smart home, smart city, intelligent transportation, smart retail, and industry.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information determination method, a network element, and a terminal to solve the problem that a first network element cannot determine the user permanent identifier (SUPI) and / or the Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI) of the terminal when determining the application layer identifier of the terminal.

[0005] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information determination method, a network element, and a terminal.

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an information determination method is provided. The method is performed by a first network element, comprising: sending a first request message to a second network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of at least one terminal, and the first request message includes an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; and receiving a first response message sent by the second network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

[0007] In the above embodiment, the first network element may obtain at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of at least one terminal from the second network element, so as to use at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the terminal in a subsequent communication process to improve communication performance.

[0008] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an information determination method is proposed. The method is performed by a second network element, including: receiving a first request message sent by a first network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of at least one terminal, and the request message includes an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; and sending a first response message to the first network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

[0009] In the foregoing embodiment, the second network element may provide the first network element with at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of at least one terminal, so that at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the terminal may be used in subsequent communication processes to improve communication performance.

[0010] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an information determination method is proposed. The method is executed by a first terminal and includes: sending a first message to a first network element, wherein the first message includes an application layer identifier of a second terminal.

[0011] In the above embodiment, the first terminal may provide the application layer identifier of the second terminal to the first network element, so that the first network element can determine the application layer identifier of the second terminal to ensure normal subsequent communication.

[0012] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, an information determination method is proposed, including: a first network element sending a first request message to a second network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of at least one terminal, and the request message includes an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; the second network element receiving the first request message sent by the first network element; the second network element sending a first response message to the first network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; and the first network element receiving the first response message sent by the second network element.

[0013] In the above embodiment, the first network element may obtain at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the terminal from the second network element, so as to use at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the terminal in a subsequent communication process to improve communication performance.

[0014] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element is provided, including: a transceiver module, configured to send a first request message to a second network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI of at least one terminal, and the first request message includes an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; and the transceiver module is further configured to receive a first response message sent by the second network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of a user permanent identifier (SUPI) and a GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

[0015] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network element is provided, including: a transceiver module, configured to receive a first request message sent by a first network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI of at least one terminal, and the request message includes an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; and the transceiver module is further configured to send a first response message to the first network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

[0016] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a first terminal, comprising: a transceiver module, configured to send a first message to a first network element, wherein the first message includes an application layer identifier of a second terminal.

[0017] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the first network element is used to execute the method described in the first aspect.

[0018] According to a ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network element is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the second network element is configured to execute the method described in the second aspect.

[0019] According to a tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first terminal is provided, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the first terminal is used to execute the method described in the third aspect.

[0020] According to the eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, including a first network element, a second network element, and a first terminal, wherein the first network element is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect, the second network element is configured to implement the method described in the second aspect, and the first terminal is configured to implement the method described in the second aspect.

[0021] According to a twelfth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the first aspect, the second aspect or the third aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following drawings required for describing the embodiments are introduced. The following drawings are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG1 is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG2A is a flow chart of an information determination method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] FIG2B is a flowchart of another information determination method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0026] FIG2C is a flowchart of another information determination method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0027] FIG2D is a flowchart of another information determination method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0028] FIG2E is a flowchart of another information determination method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG3A is a flowchart of another information determination method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] FIG3B is a flowchart of another information determination method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] FIG3C is a flowchart of another information determination method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] FIG4 is a flowchart of another information determination method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] FIG5 is a flowchart of another information determination method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] FIG6A is a flowchart of another information determination method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0035] FIG6B is a flowchart of another information determination method provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0036] FIG7A is a structural diagram of a first network element provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0037] FIG7B is a structural diagram of a second network element provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0038] FIG7C is a structural diagram of a first terminal provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0039] FIG8A is a structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0040] FIG8B is a schematic structural diagram of a chip provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information determination method, a network element, and a terminal.

[0042] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides an information determination method, which is performed by a first network element, including: sending a first request message to a second network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of at least one terminal, and the first request message includes an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; and receiving a first response message sent by the second network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

[0043] In the above embodiment, the first network element may obtain at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of at least one terminal from the second network element, so as to use at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the terminal in a subsequent communication process to improve communication performance.

[0044] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is AMF, and the above method also includes: receiving a first message sent by the first terminal, wherein the first message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal, and the second terminal is one or more of the at least one terminal.

[0045] In the above embodiment, the first network element may receive the first message sent by the first terminal and determine the application layer identifier of the second terminal to ensure normal communication.

[0046] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method also includes: determining the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the application layer identifier of the second terminal; or, determining the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the address information of the second terminal, wherein the address information of the second terminal is carried in the first message.

[0047] In the above embodiment, the first network element may determine the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, so as to send a request message to the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, requesting to obtain at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal.

[0048] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the application layer identifier of the second terminal includes: sending a second message to a third network element, wherein the second message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal; receiving a third message sent by the third network element, wherein the third message is used to indicate the address information of the second terminal; and determining the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the address information of the second terminal.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the first network element may determine the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, so as to send a request message to the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, requesting to obtain at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal.

[0050] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes: sending a fifth message to the LMF, wherein the fifth message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal; receiving a sixth message sent by the LMF, wherein the sixth message is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal; and sending a seventh message to the first terminal, wherein the seventh message is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the first network element can send the fifth message to the LMF, requesting the LMF to locate the first terminal and the second terminal, and can receive the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal sent by the LMF, and feed back the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal to the first terminal.

[0052] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first network element is a location management function LMF, and the above method also includes: receiving a fourth message sent by AMF, wherein the fourth message includes an application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the first network element can receive the fourth message sent by the AMF and determine the application layer identifier of at least one terminal to ensure normal communication.

[0054] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method also includes: determining the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the address information of the second terminal; wherein the second terminal is one or more of at least one terminal, and the address information of the second terminal is carried in the fourth message.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the first network element may determine the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, so as to send a request message to the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, requesting to obtain at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal.

[0056] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes: locating at least one terminal according to at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the at least one terminal, and determining the positioning result of the at least one terminal; sending an eighth message to the AMF, wherein the eighth message includes the positioning result of the at least one terminal.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the first network element can locate the at least one terminal based on at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the at least one terminal, determine the positioning result of the at least one terminal, and send the positioning result of the at least one terminal to the AMF so that the AMF can feedback to the at least one terminal.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the address information of the second terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0059] The unified data management function UDM address of the second terminal;

[0060] The home public land mobile network HPLMN identifier of the second terminal;

[0061] A routing instruction for the second terminal.

[0062] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method also includes: sending a first request message to a second network element corresponding to the second terminal, wherein the first request message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal; and / or receiving a first response message sent by the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0063] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first terminal is one of the at least one terminal.

[0064] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first request message also includes an application layer identifier of the first terminal; and / or the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal; wherein the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the same as the second network element corresponding to the second terminal.

[0065] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method also includes: sending a second request message to the second network element corresponding to the first terminal, wherein the second request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal; and / or receiving a second response message sent by the second network element corresponding to the first terminal, wherein the second response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal; wherein the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is different from the second network element corresponding to the second terminal.

[0066] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: storing at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the terminal corresponding to the application layer identifier of the terminal.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the first network element may store the SUPI of the terminal corresponding to the application layer identifier of the terminal for use in subsequent communication processes, thereby improving communication performance.

[0068] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second network element includes a correspondence between an application layer identifier of at least one terminal and at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI.

[0069] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an information determination method, which is performed by a second network element, including: receiving a first request message sent by a first network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of at least one terminal, and the request message includes an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; sending a first response message to the first network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

[0070] In the foregoing embodiment, the second network element may provide the first network element with at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal, so that the at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the at least one terminal is used in a subsequent communication process to improve communication performance.

[0071] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second terminal is one or more of at least one terminal, and the above method also includes: the second network element corresponding to the second terminal receives a first request message sent by the first network element, wherein the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal; and / or the second network element corresponding to the second terminal sends a first response message to the first network element, and the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0072] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first terminal is one of at least one terminal, and the first request message also includes an application layer identifier of the first terminal; and / or the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal; wherein the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the same as the second network element corresponding to the second terminal.

[0073] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first terminal is one of at least one terminal, and the above method also includes: the second network element corresponding to the first terminal receives a second request message sent by the first network element, wherein the second request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal; and / or the second network element corresponding to the first terminal sends a second response message to the first network element, and the second response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal; wherein the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is different from the second network element corresponding to the second terminal.

[0074] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an information determination method, which is executed by a first terminal and includes: sending a first message to a first network element, wherein the first message includes an application layer identifier of a second terminal.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the first terminal may provide the application layer identifier of the second terminal to the first network element, so that the first network element can determine the application layer identifier of the second terminal to ensure normal subsequent communication.

[0076] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes: receiving a seventh message sent by the first network element, wherein the seventh message is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the first terminal may determine the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal to achieve positioning of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0078] In conjunction with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the first message further includes address information of the second terminal, where the address information of the second terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0079] UDM address of the second terminal;

[0080] The home public land mobile network HPLMN identifier of the second terminal;

[0081] A routing instruction for the second terminal.

[0082] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the above method further includes: receiving a ninth message sent by the second terminal, wherein the ninth message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal and / or the address information of the second terminal.

[0083] In the above embodiment, the first terminal may obtain the application layer identifier of the second terminal and / or the address information of the second terminal from the second terminal, and send the information to the first network element to ensure normal communication.

[0084] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes an information determination method, including: a first network element sends a first request message to a second network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of at least one terminal, and the request message includes an application layer identifier of at least one terminal; the second network element receives the first request message sent by the first network element; the second network element sends a first response message to the first network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of at least one terminal; and the first network element receives the first response message sent by the second network element.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the first network element may obtain at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal from the second network element, so as to use at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the at least one terminal in a subsequent communication process to improve communication performance.

[0086] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first network element, which includes at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the first network element is used to execute the optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0087] In the sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a second network element, which includes at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the second network element is used to execute an optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0088] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first terminal, which includes at least one of a transceiver module and a processing module; wherein the first terminal is used to execute the optional implementation method of the third aspect.

[0089] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first network element, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the above-mentioned first network element is used to execute an optional implementation method of the first aspect.

[0090] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a second network element, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the above-mentioned second network element is used to execute the optional implementation method of the second aspect.

[0091] In a tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first terminal, which includes: one or more processors; wherein the first terminal is used to execute the optional implementation method of the third aspect.

[0092] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, which includes: a first network element, a second network element, and a first terminal; wherein the first network element is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the first aspect, the second network element is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the second aspect, and the first terminal is configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation manner of the third aspect.

[0093] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first, second and third aspects.

[0094] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the method described in the optional implementation of the first, second and third aspects.

[0095] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first, second and third aspects.

[0096] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system, which includes a processing circuit configured to execute the method described in the optional implementation of the first, second, and third aspects above.

[0097] It is understandable that the first network element, the second network element, the first terminal, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip, or the chip system described above are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0098] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information determination method, a network element, and a terminal. In some embodiments, the information determination method, information processing method, communication method, and other terms can be used interchangeably.

[0099] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0100] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0101] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0102] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0103] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0104] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0105] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0106] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0107] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for another example, if the description object is "information", then the "first information" and the "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0108] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0109] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0110] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0111] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0112] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0113] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)" "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0114] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0115] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it is also possible to set the structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links.

[0116] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0117] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0118] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0119] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0120] FIG1 is an architecture diagram of a communication system provided by an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0121] As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 , an access network device 102 , and a core network device 103 .

[0122] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0123] In some embodiments, the terminal may also be referred to as a terminal device, a user device, etc., and the names are interchangeable, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not impose specific limitations on this.

[0124] In some embodiments, the access network device 102 is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0125] In some embodiments, the access network device 102 may also be a satellite.

[0126] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may be a device including multiple network elements such as a first network element, a second network element, and a third network element, or may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including multiple network functions. A network element may also be referred to as a network function, which may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), and a next generation core (NGC).

[0127] In some embodiments, the first network element is, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0128] In some embodiments, the first network element is, for example, a location management function (LMF).

[0129] In some embodiments, the second network element is, for example, a unified data management (UDM).

[0130] In some embodiments, the third network element is, for example, a network repository function (NF repository function, NRF).

[0131] In some embodiments, the first network element is used for access control and mobility management of the terminal accessing the operator network, including, for example, mobility status management, allocation of user temporary identity, authentication and authorization of users, etc., and its name is not limited thereto.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first network element is used to provide positioning services for terminals and other devices.

[0133] In some embodiments, the second network element is used to manage subscription information of the terminal.

[0134] In some embodiments, the third network element is responsible for the automated management, selection, and expansion of network functions (NFs), including registration, discovery, status monitoring, and authorization of NF services. This enables on-demand configuration of network functions and services and interconnection between NFs. In specific implementations, the NRF can be a functional entity such as a network element, controller, or server.

[0135] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0136] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 , or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in FIG1 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in FIG1 , or may include other entities outside of FIG1 . The number and form of the entities are arbitrary, and the entities may be physical or virtual. The connection relationships between the entities are illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0137] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to long term evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, ultra mobile broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, ultra-wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), public land mobile network (PLMN) networks, device-to-device (D2D) systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0138] Positioning (or ranging) services can determine the distance between two terminals and / or the direction between one terminal and another over a PC5 link. Sidelink (SL) positioning services enable terminals to obtain absolute position, relative position, or ranging information using PC5. Positioning (or ranging) services are applicable to multiple vertical sectors, including consumer, smart home, smart city, intelligent transportation, smart retail, and industry.

[0139] In some embodiments, an application layer identifier (ID) is transmitted between two positioning (or ranging) terminals and provided to the 5G Core (5GC) in a positioning (or ranging) request. It can be a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI) or a terminal identifier provided by a ranging application. The application layer ID needs to be mapped to at least one of the SUPI and GPSI, which is a unique identifier used within the 5GC. Based on at least one of the mapped SUPI and GPSI, the corresponding 5GC NFs can be selected, or the 5GC NF (i.e., LMF, AMF) can identify the terminal involved to perform the positioning (or ranging) procedure.

[0140] However, it is not clear how to map the application layer ID to at least one of the SUPI and GPSI. If the network cannot map the application layer ID to at least one of the SUPI and GPSI, the 5GC NF (e.g., AMF, LMF) will not be able to identify the terminal involved and will not be able to select the corresponding LMF for positioning (or ranging) measurement procedures.

[0141] Based on this, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an information determination method, a network element, and a terminal. The method, performed by a first network element, includes: sending a first request message to a second network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of at least one terminal, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; and receiving a first response message from the second network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal. Thus, the first network element can obtain at least one of the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal from the second network element, so as to use the at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the at least one terminal in subsequent communication processes, thereby improving communication performance.

[0142] FIG2A is an interactive diagram of an information determination method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2A , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information determination method, which includes:

[0143] S201A, the first network element sends a first request message to the second network element.

[0144] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element may send a first request message to the second network element.

[0145] In some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF or a LMF.

[0146] In some embodiments, the second network element is a UDM.

[0147] In some embodiments, the first request message includes an application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0148] In some embodiments, the first request message includes an application layer identifier of one or more terminals.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first request message is used to request to obtain the SUPI corresponding to the application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0150] In some embodiments, the first request message is used to request acquisition of the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first request message is used to request to obtain the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0152] In some embodiments, the name of the first request message is not limited, and may be, for example, "first message", "first information", etc.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first request message sent by the first network element to the second network element may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Request message.

[0154] In some embodiments, the second network element receives a first request message sent by the first network element.

[0155] In some embodiments, the first network element may directly send the first request message to the second network element, or may also send the first request message to the second network element based on a message sent by the second network element or other entities.

[0156] Exemplarily, the first network element may send a first request message to the second network element based on a message sent by at least one terminal.

[0157] In some embodiments, the first request message is used to request at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI of at least one terminal.

[0158] In some embodiments, the second network element includes a correspondence between an application layer identifier and a SUPI of at least one terminal.

[0159] In some embodiments, the second network element includes a correspondence between an application layer identifier and a GPSI of at least one terminal.

[0160] In some embodiments, the second network element includes a correspondence between an application layer identifier of at least one terminal and GPSI and GPSI respectively.

[0161] In some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF, and the above method also includes: the first network element receives a first message sent by the first terminal, wherein the first message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0162] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first network element is an AMF, the first network element may receive a first message sent by a first terminal, where the first message includes an application layer identifier of a second terminal, where the second terminal is one or more of the at least one terminal. Thus, the first network element may determine the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first message may be a non-access stratum (NAS) transport message.

[0164] It can be understood that the first request message is used to request to obtain at least one of the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of at least one terminal. When the first network element determines the application layer identifier of at least one terminal, the first network element needs to determine the second network element corresponding to the at least one terminal, and send a first request message to the second network element corresponding to the at least one terminal, requesting to obtain at least one of the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

[0165] Among them, the second network element corresponding to the at least one terminal is responsible for managing the subscription information of the at least one terminal, that is, the second network element corresponding to the at least one terminal stores the SUPI information corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal, and / or the second network element corresponding to the at least one terminal stores the GPSI information corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

[0166] In some embodiments, when the first network element is an AMF, the first network element receives a first message sent by the first terminal, determines the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and needs to send a first request message to the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, requesting to obtain at least one of the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0167] The second network element corresponding to the second terminal is responsible for managing the subscription information of the second terminal, that is, the second network element corresponding to the second terminal stores information of at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal corresponding to the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0168] In some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF, and the first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the application layer identifier of the second terminal; or determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the address information of the second terminal, wherein the first message also includes the address information of the second terminal.

[0169] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element may determine the second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0170] Exemplarily, the local configuration information at the first network element may include a mapping relationship between the application layer identifier and address information of the second terminal, so that the first network element may determine the address information of the second terminal corresponding to the application layer identifier of the second terminal based on the local configuration.

[0171] Exemplarily, the local configuration information at the first network element may include a mapping relationship list, and the mapping relationship may include a mapping relationship between the application layer identifier and the address information of the second terminal.

[0172] In some embodiments, the first network element determines the address information of the second terminal according to the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and further determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the address information of the second terminal.

[0173] In some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF, and the first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the application layer identifier of the second terminal, including: sending a second message to a third network element, wherein the second message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal; receiving a third message sent by the third network element, wherein the third message is used to indicate the address information of the second terminal; and determining the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the address information of the second terminal.

[0174] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and can send a second message to the third network element. The second message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and the second message is used to request the address information of the second terminal.

[0175] Furthermore, the first network element may receive a third message sent by the third network element, where the third message is used to indicate the address information of the second terminal. Thus, the first network element may determine the address information of the second terminal.

[0176] Based on this, when determining the address information of the second terminal, the first network element can determine the second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the address information of the second terminal.

[0177] In some embodiments, the third network element is an NRF.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first network element is LMF, and the above method also includes: the first network element receives a fourth message sent by AMF, wherein the fourth message includes an application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0179] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first network element is an LMF, the first network element may receive a fourth message sent by the AMF, where the fourth message includes the application layer identifier of at least one terminal. Thus, the first network element may determine the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal, and then the first network element may send a first request message including the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal to a second network element corresponding to the at least one terminal.

[0180] In some embodiments, the fourth message may be a location request message, for example, an Nlmf_Location_Determine Location Request message.

[0181] In some embodiments, the first network element is an LMF, and the above method further includes: the first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the address information of the second terminal, wherein the fourth message also includes the address information of the second terminal.

[0182] It can be understood that the first request message is used to request to obtain at least one of the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of at least one terminal. When the first network element determines the application layer identifier of at least one terminal, it is necessary to send a first request message to the second network element corresponding to the at least one terminal, requesting to obtain at least one of the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

[0183] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the fourth message sent by the AMF received by the first network element also includes the address information of the second terminal, the first network element can determine the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the address information of the second terminal.

[0184] In some embodiments, the fourth message sent by the AMF to the first network element includes the address information of the second terminal, wherein the address information of the second terminal is sent by the first terminal to the AMF. Thus, the AMF can determine the address information of the second terminal and send the fourth message including the address information of the second terminal to the first network element.

[0185] In some embodiments, the AMF determines the address information of the second terminal based on the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and then sends a fourth message including the address information of the second terminal to the first network element.

[0186] In some embodiments, the AMF may obtain the address information of the second terminal from the NRF, the AMF may send the application layer identifier of the second terminal to the NRF, the NRF may feedback the address information of the second terminal to the AMF, thereby the AMF may determine the address information of the second terminal, and then send a fourth message including the address information of the second terminal to the first network element.

[0187] In some embodiments, the address information of the second terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0188] UDM address of the second terminal;

[0189] a home public land mobile network (HPLMN) identifier of the second terminal;

[0190] A routing instruction for the second terminal.

[0191] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the address information of the second terminal may include a UDM address of the second terminal.

[0192] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the address information of the second terminal may include the HPLMN identifier of the second terminal.

[0193] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the address information of the second terminal may include a routing indicator.

[0194] In some embodiments, the above method further includes: the first network element sending a first request message to a second network element corresponding to the second terminal, wherein the first request message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0195] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, the first network element may send a first request message to the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, where the first request message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first request message is used to request a SUPI of the second terminal.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first request message is used to request the GPSI of the second terminal.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first request message is used to request the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first terminal is one of the at least one terminal.

[0200] In some embodiments, the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the same as the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, and the first request message further includes an application layer identifier of the first terminal.

[0201] It can be understood that, when the first terminal and the second terminal belong to the same public land mobile network (PLMN), the second network element corresponding to the first terminal and the second network element corresponding to the second terminal may be the same.

[0202] In this case, the first request message sent by the first network element to the second network element corresponding to the second terminal also includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal.

[0203] In some embodiments, the above method also includes: the first network element sends a second request message to the second network element corresponding to the first terminal, wherein the second request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal; the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is different from the second network element corresponding to the second terminal.

[0204] It is understandable that the first terminal and the second terminal may belong to different PLMNs. In this case, the first network element may determine the second network element corresponding to the second terminal and the second network element corresponding to the first terminal.

[0205] In this case, the first network element sends a second request message to the second network element corresponding to the first terminal, where the second request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal.

[0206] In some embodiments, the second request message is used to request a SUPI of the first terminal.

[0207] In some embodiments, the second request message is used to request the GPSI of the first terminal.

[0208] In some embodiments, the second request message is used to request the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal.

[0209] S202A, the second network element sends a first response message to the first network element.

[0210] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second network element may send a first response message to the first network element.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first response message includes at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI corresponding to an application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0212] In some embodiments, the first response message is used to indicate at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI corresponding to an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first response message sent by the second network element to the first network element may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Response message.

[0214] In some embodiments, after determining the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, the first network element may receive a first response message sent by the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0215] In some embodiments, when the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the same as the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, the first response message received by the first network element may further include at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal.

[0216] In some embodiments, when the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is different from the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, the first network element can receive a second response message sent by the second network element corresponding to the first terminal, and the second response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal.

[0217] In some embodiments, the first network element stores a SUPI corresponding to an application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first network element stores the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0219] In some embodiments, the first network element stores the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0220] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first network element determines at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal, the first network element may store at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF, and the above method further includes: the first network element sends a fifth message to the LMF, wherein the fifth message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0222] In some embodiments, the first network element is AMF, and the above method also includes: the first network element receives a sixth message sent by LMF, wherein the sixth message is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal; and sends a seventh message to the first terminal, wherein the seventh message is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0223] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element is an AMF. When the first network element determines the SUPI of the first terminal and the SUPI of the second terminal, the first network element can send a fifth message to the LMF. The fifth message includes the SUPI of the first terminal and the SUPI of the second terminal. The fifth message is used to request the LMF to locate the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0224] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element is an AMF. After determining the SUPI of the first terminal and the GPSI of the second terminal, the first network element can send a fifth message to the LMF. The fifth message includes the SUPI of the first terminal and the GPSI of the second terminal. The fifth message is used to request the LMF to locate the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0225] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element is AMF. After determining the GPSI of the first terminal and the GPSI of the second terminal, the first network element can send a fifth message to LMF. The fifth message includes the GPSI of the first terminal and the GPSI of the second terminal. The fifth message is used to request LMF to locate the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0226] The first network element can receive the sixth message sent by the LMF, where the sixth message is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal. Thus, the first network element can determine the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0227] Furthermore, the first network element may send a seventh message to the first terminal, where the seventh message is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal, so as to feed back the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal to the first terminal.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first network element is an LMF, and the first network element locates at least one terminal based on at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the at least one terminal, and determines the positioning result of the at least one terminal; and sends an eighth message to the AMF, wherein the eighth message includes the positioning result of the at least one terminal.

[0229] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element is an LMF. After determining at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the at least one terminal, the first network element may locate the at least one terminal and determine a positioning result of the at least one terminal.

[0230] Among them, when the first network element determines the positioning result of at least one terminal, it can send an eighth message to the AMF, and the eighth message includes the positioning result of at least one terminal.

[0231] Among them, when the AMF receives the eighth message sent by the first network element and determines the positioning result of the terminal, the positioning result of the terminal can be fed back to the terminal.

[0232] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0233] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0234] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0235] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of S201A to S202A. For example, S201A may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and S202A may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0236] In some embodiments, S202A is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0237] In some embodiments, S201A is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0238] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2A .

[0239] FIG2B is an interactive diagram of an information determination method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2B , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information determination method, which includes:

[0240] S201B: The second terminal sends a ninth message to the first terminal, where the ninth message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal and / or address information of the second terminal.

[0241] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second terminal may send a ninth message to the first terminal, where the ninth message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0242] In some embodiments, one or more second terminals may respectively send the ninth message to the first terminal.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first terminal and the second terminal can perform positioning (or ranging) discovery and establish a positioning (or ranging) PC5 link. The second terminal can send a ninth message to the first terminal to send the application layer identifier of the second terminal to the first terminal.

[0244] In some embodiments, the ninth message further includes address information of the second terminal.

[0245] For the relevant description of the address information of the second terminal, reference may be made to the relevant description in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0246] S202B, the first terminal sends a first message to the first network element, wherein the first message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and the first network element is AMF.

[0247] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first terminal may send a first message to the first network element, where the first message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0248] Among them, the first network element is AMF.

[0249] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends a first message to the first network element after determining the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0250] In some embodiments, after receiving the ninth message sent by the second terminal and determining the application layer identifier of the second terminal, the first terminal sends the first message to the first network element.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first message may be an uplink NAS TRANSPORT message.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first terminal may send the first message to the first network element through the access network device.

[0253] S203B, the first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the application layer identifier of the second terminal; or determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the address information of the second terminal, wherein the first message also includes the address information of the second terminal.

[0254] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element may determine the second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0255] In some embodiments, the first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the application layer identifier of the second terminal, including: sending a second message to a third network element, wherein the second message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal; receiving a third message sent by the third network element, wherein the third message is used to indicate the address information of the second terminal; and determining the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the address information of the second terminal.

[0256] Among them, the third network element is NRF.

[0257] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element may send a second message to the third network element, where the second message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal, and the second message may be used to request address information of the second terminal.

[0258] Furthermore, the first network element may also receive a third message sent by a third network element, where the third message is used to indicate the address information of the second terminal. Thus, the first network element may determine the address information of the second terminal.

[0259] Based on this, when determining the address information of the second terminal, the first network element can determine the second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the address information of the second terminal.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first network element may determine the address information of the second terminal according to the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and further determine the second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the address information of the second terminal.

[0261] Exemplarily, the local configuration information at the first network element may include a mapping relationship between the application layer identifier and address information of the second terminal, so that the first network element may determine the address information of the second terminal corresponding to the application layer identifier of the second terminal based on the local configuration.

[0262] Exemplarily, the local configuration information at the first network element may include a mapping relationship list, and the mapping relationship may include a mapping relationship between the application layer identifier and the address information of the second terminal.

[0263] In some embodiments, the first message further includes address information of the second terminal.

[0264] Exemplarily, the address information of the second terminal is sent by the second terminal to the first terminal. For example, the ninth message sent by the second terminal to the first terminal includes the address information of the second terminal.

[0265] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first message also includes the address information of the second terminal, the second network element corresponding to the second terminal can be directly determined according to the address information of the second terminal.

[0266] In some embodiments, when there are multiple second terminals, the first network element may determine the second network element corresponding to each second terminal respectively.

[0267] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first message further includes address information of the second terminal, the first network element may determine the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the first message.

[0268] In some embodiments, the address information of the second terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0269] UDM address of the second terminal;

[0270] The HPLMN identifier of the second terminal;

[0271] A routing instruction for the second terminal.

[0272] S204B, the first network element sends a first request message to the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, wherein the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal and the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the same as the second network element corresponding to the second terminal.

[0273] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element may determine the second network element corresponding to the first terminal.

[0274] In some embodiments, the first request message sent by the first network element can only carry the application layer identifier of one terminal at a time.

[0275] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the second network elements corresponding to the first terminal and the second terminal are the same, for example, both are first UDMs, the first terminal can respectively send a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message respectively includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal and the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0276] Exemplarily, the first terminal sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal. Afterwards, the first terminal again sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0277] Exemplarily, the first terminal sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal. Afterwards, the first terminal again sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal.

[0278] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the second network elements corresponding to the first terminal and the second terminal are the same, for example, both are first UDMs, the first network element can send a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal and the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0279] In some embodiments, the first request message may be used to request acquisition of at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal.

[0280] In some embodiments, the first request message may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Request message.

[0281] S205B: The second network element corresponding to the second terminal sends a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0282] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the second network element corresponding to the first terminal and the second terminal is the same, for example, both are first UDMs, after the second network element, which is the first UDM, receives the first request message sent by the first network element, it can determine at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal based on the application layer identifier of the first terminal and the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and then send a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0283] In some embodiments, the first response message may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Response message.

[0284] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element receives a first response message sent by a second network element that is a first UDM. The first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal. Thus, the first network element can determine at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0285] In some embodiments, the first request message sent by the first network element can only carry the application layer identifier of one terminal at a time, and the first response message sent by the second network element to the first network element can correspondingly carry at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of one terminal.

[0286] It should be noted that, for the relevant description of S204B and S205B, reference can be made to the relevant description in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0287] S206B: The first network element sends a fifth message to the LMF, where the fifth message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0288] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element may send a fifth message to the LMF when determining at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal. The fifth message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0289] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be used to request the LMF to locate the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0290] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be a location request message, for example, an Nlmf_Location_Determine Location Request message.

[0291] S207B, LMF sends a sixth message to the first network element, where the sixth message is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0292] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the LMF may send a sixth message to the first network element, where the sixth message is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0293] In some embodiments, the LMF receives a fifth message sent by the first network element, and the fifth message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal. Thus, the LMF can locate the first terminal and the second terminal based on at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal, and determine the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0294] In some embodiments, the fifth message may be a location request message, such as an Nlmf_Location_Determine Location Response message.

[0295] S208B: The first network element sends a seventh message to the first terminal, where the seventh message is used to indicate positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0296] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element may send a seventh message to the first terminal, where the seventh message is used to indicate positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0297] In some embodiments, the first network element receives the sixth message sent by the LMF, and when it obtains the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal, it can send the seventh message to the first terminal.

[0298] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of S201B to S208B. For example, S204B may be implemented as an independent embodiment, S205B may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and S204B+S205B may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0299] In some embodiments, S201B, S202B, S203B, S206B, S207B, and S208B are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0300] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2B .

[0301] FIG2C is an interactive diagram of an information determination method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2C , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information determination method, which includes:

[0302] S201C: The second terminal sends a ninth message to the first terminal, where the ninth message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0303] S202C, the first terminal sends a first message to the first network element, wherein the first message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and the first network element is AMF.

[0304] S203C, the first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the application layer identifier of the second terminal; or determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the address information of the second terminal, wherein the first message also includes the address information of the second terminal.

[0305] For the related descriptions of S201C to S203C, reference may be made to the related descriptions in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0306] S204C: The first network element sends a first request message to the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, where the first request message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0307] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the second network element corresponding to the second terminal is the first UDM, the first network element may send a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, where the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0308] In some embodiments, the first request message may be used to request acquisition of at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal.

[0309] In some embodiments, the first request message may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Request message.

[0310] S205C, the first network element sends a second request message to the second network element corresponding to the first terminal, wherein the second request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal, and the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is different from the second network element corresponding to the second terminal.

[0311] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is a second UDM, the first network element may send a second request message to the second network element being the second UDM, where the second request message includes an application layer identifier of the first terminal.

[0312] In some embodiments, the second request message may be used to request acquisition of at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the first terminal.

[0313] In some embodiments, the second request message may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Request message.

[0314] S206C: The second network element corresponding to the second terminal sends a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0315] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, after the second network element of the first UDM receives the first request message sent by the first network element, it can determine at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal based on the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and then send a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0316] In some embodiments, the first response message may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Response message.

[0317] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element receives a first response message sent by a second network element that is a first UDM. The first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal. Thus, the first network element can determine at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal.

[0318] S207C, the second network element corresponding to the first terminal sends a second response message to the first network element, wherein the second response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is different from the second network element corresponding to the second terminal.

[0319] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, after the second network element serving as the second UDM receives the second request message sent by the first network element, it can determine at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal based on the application layer identifier of the first terminal, and then send a second response message to the first network element, where the second response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal.

[0320] In some embodiments, the second response message may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Response message.

[0321] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element receives a second response message sent by the second network element for the second UDM, where the second response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the first terminal. Thus, the first network element can determine at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the first terminal.

[0322] It should be noted that, for the relevant descriptions of S204C to S207C, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0323] S208C: The first network element sends a fifth message to the LMF, where the fifth message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0324] S209C, the LMF sends a sixth message to the first network element, where the sixth message is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0325] S210C: The first network element sends a seventh message to the first terminal, where the seventh message is used to indicate positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0326] For the related descriptions of S208C to S210C, reference may be made to the related descriptions in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0327] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of S201C to S210C. For example, S204C may be implemented as an independent embodiment, S205C may be implemented as an independent embodiment, S206C may be implemented as an independent embodiment, S207C may be implemented as an independent embodiment, S204C + S205C may be implemented as an independent embodiment, S206C + S207C may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and S204C + S205C + S206C + S207C may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0328] In some embodiments, S201C, S202C, S203C, S208C, S209C, and S210C are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0329] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2C .

[0330] FIG2D is an interactive diagram of an information determination method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2D , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information determination method, which includes:

[0331] S201D, AMF sends a fourth message to the first network element, where the fourth message includes the application layer identifier of the terminal, and the first network element is LMF.

[0332] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element is LMF.

[0333] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the AMF may send a fourth message to the first network element, where the fourth message includes the application layer identifier of the terminal. Thus, the first network element may determine the application layer identifier of the terminal.

[0334] In some embodiments, the first terminal receives a ninth message sent by the second terminal, wherein the ninth message includes one or more application layer identifiers of the second terminal.

[0335] In some embodiments, a first terminal sends a first message to an AMF, where the first message includes an application layer identifier of one or more second terminals. Thus, the AMF can obtain the application layer identifier of the terminal, which includes the one or more second terminals.

[0336] S202D: The first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the address information of the second terminal, wherein the fourth message also includes the address information of the second terminal.

[0337] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fourth message further includes address information of at least one second terminal.

[0338] In this case, the first network element may determine the second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the address information of the second terminal.

[0339] S203D, the first network element sends a first request message to the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, wherein the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the same as the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal and the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0340] In some embodiments, the first request message sent by the first network element can only carry the application layer identifier of one terminal at a time.

[0341] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the second network elements corresponding to the first terminal and the second terminal are the same, for example, both are first UDMs, the first terminal can respectively send a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message respectively includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal and the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0342] Exemplarily, the first terminal sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal. Afterwards, the first terminal again sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0343] Exemplarily, the first terminal sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal. Afterwards, the first terminal again sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal.

[0344] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the second network elements corresponding to the first terminal and the second terminal are both first UDMs, the first network element can send a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal and the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0345] In some embodiments, the first request message may be used to request acquisition of at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal.

[0346] In some embodiments, the first request message may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Request message.

[0347] S204D, the second network element corresponding to the second terminal sends a first response message to the first network element, wherein the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the same as the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, and the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0348] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element may receive a first response message sent by a second network element acting as a first UDM, where the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal. Thus, the first network element may determine at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0349] In some embodiments, the first response message may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Response message.

[0350] It should be noted that, for the relevant description of S203D and S204D, reference can be made to the relevant description in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0351] S205D: The first network element locates the at least one terminal according to at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the at least one terminal, and determines a positioning result of the at least one terminal.

[0352] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the terminal includes a first terminal and a second terminal. The first network element determines at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI of the second terminal. At least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the terminal can be determined.

[0353] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first network element determines at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the terminal, it may locate the terminal according to the at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the terminal and determine a positioning result of the terminal.

[0354] S206D, the first network element sends an eighth message to the AMF, where the eighth message includes the positioning result of at least one terminal.

[0355] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first network element determines the positioning result of the terminal, it can send an eighth message to the AMF, where the eighth message includes the positioning result of the terminal.

[0356] In some embodiments, the AMF may feed back the positioning result of the terminal to the terminal, for example, the AMF sends the positioning result of the terminal to the first terminal.

[0357] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of S201D to S206D. For example, S203D may be implemented as an independent embodiment, S204D may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and S203D+S204D may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0358] In some embodiments, S201D, S202D, S205D, and S206D are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0359] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2D .

[0360] FIG2E is an interactive diagram of an information determination method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2E , the present disclosure embodiment relates to an information determination method, which includes:

[0361] S201E, AMF sends a fourth message to the first network element, where the fourth message includes the application layer identifier of the terminal, and the first network element is LMF.

[0362] S202E: The first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the address information of the second terminal, wherein the fourth message also includes the address information of the second terminal.

[0363] For the related descriptions of S201E to S202E, reference may be made to the related descriptions in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0364] S203E: The first network element sends a first request message to the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, wherein the first request message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0365] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the second network element corresponding to the second terminal is the first UDM, the first network element may send a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, where the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0366] In some embodiments, the first request message may be used to request acquisition of at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal.

[0367] In some embodiments, the first request message may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Request message.

[0368] S204E, the first network element sends a second request message to the second network element corresponding to the first terminal, wherein the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is different from the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, and the second request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal.

[0369] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is different from the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, for example, when the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the second UDM, the first network element can send a second request message to the second network element which is the second UDM, and the second request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal.

[0370] In some embodiments, the second request message may be used to request acquisition of at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the first terminal.

[0371] In some embodiments, the second request message may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Request message.

[0372] S205E: The second network element corresponding to the second terminal sends a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0373] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, after the second network element corresponding to the second terminal receives the first request message sent by the first network element, it can determine at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal based on the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and then send a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0374] In some embodiments, the first response message may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Response message.

[0375] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element receives a first response message sent by a second network element corresponding to a second terminal. The first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal. Thus, the first network element can determine at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal.

[0376] S206E, the second network element corresponding to the first terminal sends a second response message to the first network element, wherein the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is different from the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, and the second response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal.

[0377] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is different from the second network element corresponding to the second terminal. For example, the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the second UDM. After the second network element, which is the second UDM, receives the second request message sent by the first network element, it can determine at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal based on the application layer identifier of the first terminal, and then send a second response message to the first network element. The second response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal.

[0378] In some embodiments, the second response message may be a Nudm_SDM_Get Response message.

[0379] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element receives a second response message sent by the second network element for the second UDM, where the second response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the first terminal. Thus, the first network element can determine at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the first terminal.

[0380] It should be noted that, for the relevant description of S203E and S206E, reference can be made to the relevant description in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0381] S207E: The first network element locates the at least one terminal according to at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the at least one terminal, and determines a positioning result of the at least one terminal.

[0382] S208E, the first network element sends an eighth message to the AMF, where the eighth message includes the positioning result of at least one terminal.

[0383] For the relevant descriptions of S207E to S208E, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0384] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of S201D to S208E. For example, S203E may be implemented as an independent embodiment, S204E may be implemented as an independent embodiment, S205E may be implemented as an independent embodiment, S206E may be implemented as an independent embodiment, S203E+S204E may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and S205E+S206E may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0385] In some embodiments, S201E, S202E, S207E, and S208E are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0386] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2E .

[0387] FIG3A is a flow chart of a method for determining information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3A , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for determining information, which is executed by a first network element and includes:

[0388] S301A: Send a first request message, where the first request message includes an application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0389] In some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF or a LMF.

[0390] In some embodiments, the first network element sends a first request message to the second network element, where the first request message includes an application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0391] In some embodiments, the second network element is a UDM.

[0392] In some embodiments, the first network element obtains the application layer identifier of the terminal agreed upon by the protocol, thereby determining the application layer identifier of the terminal.

[0393] In some embodiments, the first network element performs processing to obtain the application layer identifier of the terminal, thereby determining the application layer identifier of the terminal.

[0394] In some embodiments, when the first network element is an AMF, the first network element determines the application layer identifier of the terminal and may receive a first message sent by the first terminal, where the first message includes the application layer identifier of at least one second terminal. Thus, the first network element may determine the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0395] In some embodiments, when the first network element is an AMF, the first network element determines the second network element and then sends a first request message to the second network element.

[0396] In some embodiments, when the first network element is an AMF, the first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0397] Exemplarily, the local configuration information at the first network element may include a mapping relationship between the application layer identifier and address information of the second terminal, so that the first network element may determine the address information of the second terminal corresponding to the application layer identifier of the second terminal based on the local configuration.

[0398] Exemplarily, the local configuration information at the first network element may include a mapping relationship list, and the mapping relationship may include a mapping relationship between the application layer identifier and the address information of the second terminal.

[0399] In some embodiments, when the first network element is an AMF and the first message sent by the first terminal to the first network element also includes address information of the second terminal, the first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the first message.

[0400] In some embodiments, when the first network element is an AMF, the first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the application layer identifier of the second terminal, including: sending a second message to a third network element, wherein the second message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal; receiving a third message sent by the third network element, wherein the third message is used to indicate the address information of the second terminal; and determining the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the address information of the second terminal.

[0401] The third network element may be an NRF.

[0402] In some embodiments, when the first network element is an LMF, the first network element may receive a fourth message sent by the AMF, where the fourth message includes an application layer identifier of the terminal. Thus, the first network element may determine the application layer identifier of the terminal.

[0403] In some embodiments, when the first network element is an LMF, the first network element determines the second network element and then sends a first request message to the second network element.

[0404] In some embodiments, the first network element is LMF, the terminal includes a first terminal and a second terminal, and the fourth message also includes address information of the second terminal. The first network element determines the second network element corresponding to the second terminal based on the address information of the second terminal.

[0405] In some embodiments, the address information of the second terminal includes at least one of the following:

[0406] The unified data management function UDM address of the second terminal;

[0407] The home public land mobile network HPLMN identifier of the second terminal;

[0408] A routing instruction for the second terminal.

[0409] In some embodiments, the first network element determines a second network element corresponding to the first terminal.

[0410] In some embodiments, the first network element sends a first request message to the second network element, including: when the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the same as the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, for example, when it is the first UDM, the first network element sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal and the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0411] In some embodiments, the first request message sent by the first network element can only carry the application layer identifier of one terminal at a time.

[0412] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the second network elements corresponding to the first terminal and the second terminal are both first UDMs, the first terminal can respectively send a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message respectively includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal and the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0413] Exemplarily, the first terminal sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal. Afterwards, the first terminal again sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0414] Exemplarily, the first terminal sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal. Afterwards, the first terminal again sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal.

[0415] In some embodiments, the first network element sends a first request message to the second network element, including: when the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is different from the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, for example, the second network element corresponding to the second terminal is the first UDM, and the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the second UDM, the first network element sends a first request message to the second network element which is the first UDM, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and sends a second request message to the second network element which is the second UDM, and the second request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal.

[0416] S302A: Receive a first response message, where the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the terminal.

[0417] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first network element may receive a first response message, where the response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the terminal.

[0418] In some embodiments, the first network element receives a response message sent by the second network element, where the response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the terminal.

[0419] In some embodiments, the terminal includes a first terminal and / or at least one second terminal.

[0420] In some embodiments, the second network element corresponding to the second terminal is, for example, the first UDM, and the first network element receives a response message sent by the second network element which is the first UDM, wherein the response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0421] In some embodiments, the first network element receives a response message sent by the second network element for the first UDM, wherein the response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the first terminal.

[0422] In some embodiments, the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is, for example, a second UDM, and the first network element receives a second response message sent by the second network element which is the second UDM, wherein the second response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal.

[0423] For the related descriptions of S301A to S302A, reference may be made to the related descriptions in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0424] FIG3B is a flow chart of a method for determining information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3B , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for determining information, which is executed by a first network element and includes:

[0425] S301B, receive a first message sent by the first terminal, wherein the first message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and the first network element is AMF.

[0426] S302B: Send a first request message to the second network element, where the first request message includes an application layer identifier of the first terminal and an application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0427] S303B: Receive a first response message sent by the second network element, where the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0428] S304B: Send a fifth message to the LMF, where the fifth message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0429] S305B, receiving a sixth message sent by the LMF, where the sixth message is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0430] S306B: Send a seventh message to the first terminal, where the seventh message is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0431] For the relevant descriptions of S301B to S306B, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0432] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of S301B to S306B. For example, S302B may be implemented as an independent embodiment, S303B may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and S302B+S303B may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0433] In some embodiments, S301B, S304B, S305B, and S306B are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0434] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 3B .

[0435] FIG3C is a flow chart of a method for determining information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3C , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for determining information, which is executed by a first network element and includes:

[0436] S301C, receive the fourth message sent by AMF, wherein the fourth message includes the application layer identifier of the terminal, and the first network element is LMF.

[0437] S302C: Send a first request message to the second network element, where the first request message includes an application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0438] S303C: Receive a first response message sent by the second network element, where the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the terminal.

[0439] S304C: Position the terminal according to at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the terminal, and determine a positioning result of the terminal.

[0440] S305C, send an eighth message to AMF, where the eighth message includes the positioning result of the terminal.

[0441] For the relevant descriptions of S301C to S305C, reference may be made to the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0442] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of S301C to S305C. For example, S302C may be implemented as an independent embodiment, S303C may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and S302C+S303C may be implemented as independent embodiments, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0443] In some embodiments, S301C, S304C, and S305C are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0444] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 3C .

[0445] FIG4 is a flow chart of a method for determining information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG4 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for determining information, which is executed by a second network element and includes:

[0446] S401: Receive a first request message, where the first request message includes an application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0447] In some embodiments, the second network element is a UDM.

[0448] In some embodiments, the second network element receives a first request message sent by the first network element, where the first request message includes an application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0449] In some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF or a LMF.

[0450] In some embodiments, the terminal includes a first terminal and a second terminal, the second network elements corresponding to the first terminal and the second terminal are both first UDMs, and the second network element receives the first request message sent by the first network element, including: the second network element of the first UDM receives the first request message sent by the first network element, wherein the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal and the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0451] In some embodiments, the terminal includes a first terminal and a second terminal, the second network element corresponding to the second terminal is a first UDM, the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is a second UDM, and the second network element receives a first request message sent by the first network element, including: the second network element for the first UDM receives the first request message sent by the first network element, wherein the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal, and the second network element for the second UDM receives the second request message sent by the first network element, wherein the second request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal.

[0452] S402: Send a first response message, where the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the terminal.

[0453] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the second network element may send a response message, where the response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the terminal.

[0454] In some embodiments, the second network element sends a response message to the first network element.

[0455] In some embodiments, the terminal includes a first terminal and a second terminal.

[0456] In some embodiments, the second network elements corresponding to the first terminal and the second terminal are both first UDMs, and the second network element sends a response message to the first network element, including: the second network element for the first UDM sends a response message to the first network element, wherein the response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the second terminal.

[0457] In some embodiments, the second network element corresponding to the second terminal is the first UDM, the second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the second UDM, and the second network element sends a response message to the first network element, including: the second network element for the first UDM sends a response message to the first network element, wherein the response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal, and the second network element for the second UDM sends a second response message to the first network element, wherein the second response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of the first terminal.

[0458] The relevant descriptions of S401 to S402 can be found in the relevant descriptions of the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0459] FIG5 is a flow chart of a method for determining information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5 , the embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for determining information, which is executed by a first terminal and includes:

[0460] S501: Send a first message, where the first message includes an application layer identifier of a second terminal.

[0461] In some embodiments, the first terminal obtains the application layer identifier of the second terminal agreed upon by the protocol, thereby determining the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0462] In some embodiments, the first terminal obtains the application layer identifier of the second terminal from an upper layer(s), thereby determining the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0463] In some embodiments, the first terminal performs processing to obtain the application layer identifier of the second terminal, thereby determining the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0464] In some embodiments, the first terminal receives a ninth message sent by the second terminal, wherein the ninth message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal, thereby enabling the first terminal to determine the application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0465] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends a first message to the first network element.

[0466] In some embodiments, the first network element is an AMF.

[0467] In some embodiments, the first terminal sends the first message to the first network element through the access network device.

[0468] In some embodiments, the first message is used to request acquisition of at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI of the second terminal.

[0469] In some embodiments, the first message is used to request acquisition of at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal.

[0470] In some embodiments, the first message is used to request positioning of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0471] S502: Receive a seventh message, where the seventh message is used to indicate positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0472] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the first message is used to request positioning of the first terminal and the second terminal, the first terminal may also receive a seventh message, which is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal. Thus, the first terminal can determine the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0473] In some embodiments, the first terminal receives a seventh message sent by the first network element, where the seventh message is used to indicate positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

[0474] For the relevant description of S501 and S502 , reference may be made to the relevant description in the above embodiment, which will not be repeated here.

[0475] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of S501 to S502. For example, S501 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and S502 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0476] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 5 .

[0477] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following exemplary embodiments are provided.

[0478] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG6A , the first terminal is UE1, the second terminal is at least one of UE2 to UEn, the first network element is AMF1, the second network element is UDM, and the second network element includes UDM1 and UDM2.

[0479] 1. UE1 performs ranging / SL positioning discovery with at least one of UE2 through UEn and establishes a ranging / SL positioning PC5 link. UE1's application layer identifier (Application Layer ID1), UE2's application layer identifier (Application Layer ID2), and UEn's application layer identifier (Application Layer IDn) are each used for discovery between UE1 and at least one of UE2 through UEn. After ranging / positioning discovery and link establishment, UE1 stores Application Layer ID2 through Application Layer IDn of UE2 through UEn.

[0480] 2. UE1 sends a UL NAS TRANSPORT message to the serving AMF (i.e., AMF1), including its own identity (in the form of SUCI / SUPI or application layer ID1), UE2 identity (in the form of application layer ID2), UEn identity (in the form of application layer IDn), and other ranging / SL positioning related parameters. UE1 may also include the UIDM address / HPLMN ID / Routing Indicator of each UE (UE1, UE2, ..., UEn) in the UL NAS TRANSPORT message, if at least one of UE2 to UEn provides its own UDM address / HPLMN ID / Routing Indicator to UE1 after the PC5 link is established.

[0481] 3a. In order to map the application layer ID1 to SUPI1, AMF1 calls the Nudm_SDM_Get service operation on UDM1 to retrieve the SUPI1 corresponding to the provided application layer ID1.

[0482] 4a, UDM1 returns the corresponding SUPI1 to AMF1.

[0483] 3b. If the UDM address / HPLMN ID / Routing Indicator of UE2 is provided in step 2, and AMF1 determines UDM2 based on the UDM address / HPLMN ID / Routing Indicator of UE2, AMF1 calls the Nudm_SDM_Get service operation to UDM2 to retrieve the SUPI2 corresponding to the provided application layer ID2.

[0484] 4b, UDM2 returns the corresponding SUPI2 to AMF1.

[0485] It should be noted that if the UDM address / HPLMN ID / Routing Indicator of UE2 is not included in the UL NAS TRANSPORT message, AMF1 can determine the UDM address of UE2 through configuration or NRF query.

[0486] 5. AMF1 selects LMF1 that supports ranging / SL positioning services based on the message.

[0487] 6. AMF1 sends Nlmf_Location_Determine Location Request to LMF1.

[0488] 7. LMF1 triggers the SL positioning procedure to locate the measurement between the located UE / UE1 and UE2 to UEn.

[0489] 8. After completing the ranging / SL positioning process, LMF1 returns the ranging / SL positioning result.

[0490] 9. AMF1 sends a DL NAS TRANSPORT message to UE1.

[0491] In some embodiments, the above steps 3a to 4a and 3b to 4b can be performed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0492] In some embodiments, the above steps 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0493] It should be noted that, for the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions in some of the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0494] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG6B , the first terminal is UE1, the second terminal is at least one of UE2 to UEn, the first network element is LMF1, the second network element is UDM, and the second network element includes UDM1 and UDM2.

[0495] 1. UE1 performs ranging / SL positioning discovery with at least one of UE2 through UEn and establishes a ranging / SL positioning PC5 link. UE1's application layer identifier (Application Layer ID1), UE2's application layer identifier (Application Layer ID2), and UEn's application layer identifier (Application Layer IDn) are each used for discovery between UE1 and at least one of UE2 through UEn. After ranging / positioning discovery and link establishment, UE1 stores Application Layer ID2 through Application Layer IDn of UE2 through UEn.

[0496] 2. UE1 sends a UL NAS TRANSPORT message to the serving AMF (i.e., AMF1), including its own identity (in the form of SUCI / SUPI or application layer ID1), UE2 identity (in the form of application layer ID2), UEn identity (in the form of application layer IDn), and other ranging / SL positioning related parameters. UE1 may also include the UIDM address / HPLMN ID / Routing Indicator of each UE (UE1, UE2, ..., UEn) in the UL NAS TRANSPORT message, if at least one of UE2 to UEn provides its own UDM address / HPLMN ID / Routing Indicator to UE1 after the PC5 link is established.

[0497] 3. AMF1 selects the LMF that supports ranging / SL positioning services based on the message.

[0498] 4. AMF1 sends Nlmf_Location_Determine Location Request to LMF1. If the UDM address / HPLMN ID / Routing Indicator of each UE is provided in step 2, AMF1 includes it in the Nlmf_Location_Determine Location Request and sends it to LMF1.

[0499] It should be noted that AMF1 can also provide the UDM address of each UE to LMF1 using configuration or NRF query.

[0500] 5. LMF1 calls the Nudm_SDM_Get service operation to UDM1 / UDM2 based on the provided UDM address / HPLMN ID / Routing Indicator to retrieve the SUPI1 / SUPI2 corresponding to the provided Application Layer ID1 / Application Layer ID2.

[0501] 6. UDM1 / UDM2 returns the corresponding SUPI to LMF1.

[0502] 7. LMF1 triggers the SL positioning procedure to locate the measurement between the located UE / UE1 and UE2 to UEn.

[0503] 8. After completing the ranging / SL positioning process, LMF1 returns the ranging / SL positioning result.

[0504] 9. AMF1 sends a DL NAS TRANSPORT message to UE1.

[0505] In some embodiments, the above steps 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0506] It should be noted that, for the relevant descriptions in the above embodiments, reference can be made to the relevant descriptions in some of the above embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0507] The present disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, a device is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by the first terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another device is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., a first network element, a second network element, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0508] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0509] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0510] Figure 7A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7A, the first network element 10 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 11 and a processing module.

[0511] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned transceiver module 11 is used to send a first request message to the second network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of at least one terminal, and the first request message includes the application layer identifier of at least one terminal; the transceiver module 11 is also used to receive a first response message sent by the second network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0512] The above-mentioned transceiver module 11 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first network element 10 in any of the above methods (for example, S201A~S202A, S201B~S208B, S201C~S210C, S201D~S206D, S201E~S208E, but not limited to these), which will not be repeated here; the above-mentioned processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (for example, S201A~S202A, S201B~S208B, S201C~S210C, S201D~S206D, S201E~S208E, but not limited to these) performed by the first network element 10 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0513] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0514] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

[0515] FIG7B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second network element proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7B , the second network element 20 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 21 and a processing module.

[0516] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned transceiver module 21 is used to receive a first request message sent by the first network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of the SUPI and GPSI of at least one terminal, and the request message includes the application layer identifier of at least one terminal; the transceiver module 21 is also used to send a first response message to the first network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of at least one terminal.

[0517] The above-mentioned transceiver module 21 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the second network element 20 in any of the above methods (for example, S201A~S202A, S201B~S208B, S201C~S210C, S201D~S206D, S201E~S208E, but not limited to these), which will not be repeated here; the above-mentioned processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (for example, S201A~S202A, S201B~S208B, S201C~S210C, S201D~S206D, S201E~S208E, but not limited to these) performed by the second network element 20 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0518] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0519] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

[0520] FIG7C is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first terminal proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7C , the first terminal 30 may include: at least one of a transceiver module 31 and a processing module.

[0521] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 31 is configured to send a first message to the first network element, wherein the first message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal.

[0522] The above-mentioned transceiver module 31 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first terminal 30 in any of the above methods (for example, S201A~S202A, S201B~S208B, S201C~S210C, S201D~S206D, S201E~S208E, but not limited to these), which will not be repeated here; the above-mentioned processing module is used to execute at least one of the other steps (for example, S201A~S202A, S201B~S208B, S201C~S210C, S201D~S206D, S201E~S208E, but not limited to these) performed by the first terminal 30 in any of the above methods, which will not be repeated here.

[0523] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, and the transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0524] In some embodiments, the processing module can be a single module or can include multiple submodules. Optionally, the multiple submodules respectively execute all or part of the steps required to be executed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be interchangeable with the processor.

[0525] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 8100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 8100 can be a network device, a terminal (e.g., user equipment), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal in implementing any of the above methods. Communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0526] As shown in Figure 8A, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The communication device 8100 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0527] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8102 may be located outside the communication device 8100.

[0528] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the transceiver 8103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, S201A to S202A, S201B to S208B, S201C to S210C, S201D to S206D, S201E to S208E, but not limited thereto), and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, S201A to S202A, S201B to S208B, S201C to S210C, S201D to S206D, S201E to S208E, but not limited thereto).

[0529] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter. The receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0530] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 may include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuit 8104 is connected to the memory 8102. The interface circuit 8104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8104 may read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0531] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiment may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 8A. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0532] FIG8B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 8200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 8200 shown in FIG8B , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0533] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201 , and the chip 8200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0534] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, the interface circuit 8202 is connected to the memory 8203. The interface circuit 8202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in the memory 8203 and send the instructions to the processor 8201.

[0535] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 8202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (for example, S201A~S202A, S201B~S208B, S201C~S210C, S201D~S206D, S201E~S208E, but not limited to these), and the processor 8201 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, S201A~S202A, S201B~S208B, S201C~S210C, S201D~S206D, S201E~S208E, but not limited to these).

[0536] In some embodiments, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver may be used interchangeably.

[0537] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 8203 may be outside the chip 8200.

[0538] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed on the communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto, and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0539] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 8100, enables the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0540] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

[0541] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professionals and technicians can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this disclosure.

[0542] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0543] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, but the scope of protection of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this disclosure should be included in the scope of protection of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present disclosure should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining information, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first network element and includes: Sending a first request message to the second network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of a user permanent identity SUPI and a public subscription identifier GPSI of at least one terminal, and the first request message includes an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; A first response message sent by the second network element is received, wherein the first response message includes at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI corresponding to an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first network element is an access and mobility management function AMF, and the method further includes: A first message sent by a first terminal is received, wherein the first message includes an application layer identifier of a second terminal, and the second terminal is one or more of the at least one terminal.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: determining, according to the application layer identifier of the second terminal, a second network element corresponding to the second terminal; or, Determine a second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the address information of the second terminal, wherein the address information of the second terminal is carried in the first message.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that The determining, according to the application layer identifier of the second terminal, a second network element corresponding to the second terminal includes: Sending a second message to a third network element, wherein the second message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal; receiving a third message sent by the third network element, wherein the third message is used to indicate address information of the second terminal; Determine a second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the address information of the second terminal.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a fifth message to the location management function LMF, wherein the fifth message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the first terminal, and at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a sixth message sent by the LMF, wherein the sixth message is used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal; A seventh message is sent to the first terminal, wherein the seventh message is used to indicate positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first network element is a LMF, and the method further includes: Receive a fourth message sent by the AMF, wherein the fourth message includes an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The method further comprises: Determine a second network element corresponding to the second terminal according to the address information of the second terminal; wherein the second terminal is one or more of the at least one terminal, and the address information of the second terminal is carried in the fourth message.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: Positioning the at least one terminal according to at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the at least one terminal, and determining a positioning result of the at least one terminal; Send an eighth message to the AMF, wherein the eighth message includes the positioning result of the at least one terminal.

10. The method according to claim 3, 4 or 8, characterized in that The address information of the second terminal includes at least one of the following: A unified data management function UDM address of the second terminal; A home public land mobile network HPLMN identifier of the second terminal; A routing indication of the second terminal.

11. The method according to claim 3, 4 or 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: sending the first request message to a second network element corresponding to the second terminal, wherein the first request message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal; and / or Receive the first response message sent by the second network element corresponding to the second terminal, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The first terminal is one of the at least one terminal.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The first request message further includes an application layer identifier of the first terminal; and / or the first response message includes a SUPI of the first terminal; The second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the same as the second network element corresponding to the second terminal.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending a second request message to a second network element corresponding to the first terminal, wherein the second request message includes an application layer identifier of the first terminal; and / or receiving a second response message sent by a second network element corresponding to the first terminal, wherein the second response message includes at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI of the first terminal; The second network element corresponding to the first terminal is different from the second network element corresponding to the second terminal.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that The method further comprises: At least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal is stored.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that The second network element includes a correspondence between an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal and at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI.

17. A method for determining information, characterized in that: The method is performed by a second network element, and includes: receiving a first request message sent by a first network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI of at least one terminal, and the request message includes an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; Sending a first response message to the first network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The second terminal is one or more of the at least one terminal, and the method further includes: The second network element corresponding to the second terminal receives the first request message sent by the first network element, wherein the first request message includes the application layer identifier of the second terminal; and / or The second network element corresponding to the second terminal sends a first response message to the first network element, where the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the second terminal.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that The first terminal is one of the at least one terminal, The first request message further includes an application layer identifier of the first terminal; and / or the first response message includes at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI of the first terminal; The second network element corresponding to the first terminal is the same as the second network element corresponding to the second terminal.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein: The first terminal is one of the at least one terminal, and the method further includes: The second network element corresponding to the first terminal receives the second request message sent by the first network element, wherein the second request message includes the application layer identifier of the first terminal; and / or The second network element corresponding to the first terminal sends a second response message to the first network element, where the second response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI of the first terminal; The second network element corresponding to the first terminal is different from the second network element corresponding to the second terminal.

21. A method for determining information, characterized in that: The method is performed by a first terminal and includes: A first message is sent to a first network element, wherein the first message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive a seventh message sent by the first network element, wherein the seventh message is used to indicate positioning results of the first terminal and the second terminal.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The first message also includes address information of the second terminal, wherein the address information of the second terminal includes at least one of the following: The UDM address of the second terminal; The HPLMN identifier of the second terminal; A routing indication of the second terminal.

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: A ninth message sent by the second terminal is received, wherein the ninth message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal and / or address information of the second terminal.

25. A method for determining information, characterized in that: include: The first network element sends a first request message to the second network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI of at least one terminal, and the request message includes an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; The second network element receives a first request message sent by the first network element; The second network element sends a first response message to the first network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; The first network element receives a first response message sent by the second network element.

26. A first network element, characterized in that: include: a transceiver module, configured to send a first request message to a second network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI of at least one terminal, and the first request message includes an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; The transceiver module is further used to receive a first response message sent by the second network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

27. A second network element, characterized in that: include: a transceiver module, configured to receive a first request message sent by a first network element, wherein the first request message is used to request at least one of a SUPI and a GPSI of at least one terminal, and the request message includes an application layer identifier of the at least one terminal; The transceiver module is further used to send a first response message to the first network element, wherein the first response message includes at least one of the SUPI and the GPSI corresponding to the application layer identifier of the at least one terminal.

28. A first terminal, characterized in that: include: The transceiver module is used to send a first message to the first network element, wherein the first message includes an application layer identifier of the second terminal.

29. A first network element, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The first network element is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

30. A second network element, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The second network element is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 17 to 20.

31. A first terminal, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The first terminal is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 21 to 24.

32. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, 17 to 20, and 21 to 24.

Images