Method for sensing, and communication device

Abstract

Provided are a method for sensing, and a communication device. The method comprises: a first network element receiving a first message sent by a second network element, wherein the first message includes identification information of a first terminal device and first indication information, the first indication information being used for indicating that the sensing target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

Description

Method and communication device for sensing Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and more particularly, to a method and a communication device for sensing. Background Art

[0002] With the development of communication technology, communication systems have introduced sensing functions, which can sense the sensing target. If the sensing target is not a terminal device (for example, the sensing target is the user of the terminal device), how should the sensing be performed? Currently, there is no suitable method.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a method and a communication device for sensing. The following introduces various aspects of the present application.

[0005] In a first aspect, a method for perception is provided, including: a first network element receives a first message sent by a second network element, the first message including identification information of a first terminal device and first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that a perception target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

[0006] In a second aspect, a method for perception is provided, including: a second network element sends a first message to a first network element, the first message including identification information of a first terminal device and first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that a perception target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

[0007] In a third aspect, a method for perception is provided, including: a first terminal device receives a second message sent by a first network element, the second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, wherein the first communication device is a first network element, and the first network element includes: a first communication module, used to receive a first message sent by a second network element, the first message includes identification information of a first terminal device and first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

[0009] In the fifth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a second network element, and the second network element includes: a first communication module, used to send a first message to the first network element, the first message includes identification information of the first terminal device and first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

[0010] In the sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a first terminal device, and the first terminal device includes: a first communication module, used to receive a second message sent by a first network element, the second message contains first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

[0011] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a transceiver, a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store programs, and the processor is used to call the programs in the memory and control the transceiver to receive or send signals so that the communication device executes the method as described in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0012] In an eighth aspect, a device is provided, comprising a processor for calling a program from a memory so that the device executes a method as described in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0013] In a ninth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor for calling a program from a memory so that a device equipped with the chip executes a method as described in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0014] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a program is stored, wherein the program enables a computer to execute the method as described in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0015] In the eleventh aspect, a computer program product is provided, characterized in that it includes a program, and the program enables a computer to execute the method as described in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0016] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program is provided, which enables a computer to execute the method as described in any one of the first to third aspects.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present application, first indication information is added to a perception-related message. The first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is not the terminal device, but a target associated with the terminal device (such as an object or environment around the terminal device). The introduction of the first indication information can enable the network elements participating in the perception process to clearly understand that the target of this perception is not the terminal device, thereby triggering the network elements to execute an adapted perception process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system architecture of a wireless communication system to which an embodiment of the present application may be applied.

[0019] FIG2 is a system architecture diagram of a fifth generation (5G) communication system.

[0020] FIG3 is an example diagram of another communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] FIG4 is an example diagram of a perception scenario to which an embodiment of the present application can be applied.

[0022] FIG5 is a flow chart of a method for sensing provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] FIG6 is a flow chart of a method for sensing provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0024] FIG7 is a flowchart of a method for sensing provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0025] FIG8 is a flowchart of a method for sensing provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0026] FIG9 is a flowchart of a method for sensing provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0027] FIG10 is a flowchart of a method for sensing provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0028] FIG11 is a flow chart of a method for sensing provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0029] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in one embodiment of the present application.

[0030] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application.

[0031] FIG14 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in yet another embodiment of the present application.

[0032] FIG15 is a schematic diagram of a device to which an embodiment of the present application can be applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Wireless communication system

[0035] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the system architecture of a wireless communication system 100 to which an embodiment of the present application may be applied. The wireless communication system 100 may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120. The network device 110 may be a device that communicates with the terminal device 120. The network device 110 may provide network coverage for a specific geographical area and may communicate with the terminal device 120 located within the coverage area. The terminal device 120 may access a network (e.g., a wireless network) through the network device 110. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may also include other network entities such as a network controller and a mobility management entity, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0036] It should be understood that the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: 5G system or new radio (NR), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), etc. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation mobile communication system, satellite communication system, etc.

[0037] The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application may refer to a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user and can be used to connect people, objects, and machines, such as a handheld device with wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, etc. The terminal device in the embodiments of the present application can be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a PDA, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self-driving, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in a smart city, a wireless terminal in a smart home, etc. Optionally, the terminal device can be used to act as a base station. For example, the terminal device can act as a scheduling entity that provides sidelink signals between terminal devices in vehicle to everything (V2X) or device to device (D2D). For example, a cellular phone and a car communicate with each other using sidelink signals. The cellular phone and smart home devices communicate without relaying the communication signal through a base station.

[0038] The network device in the embodiment of the present application may be a device for communicating with a terminal device. The network device may be, for example, an access network device or a wireless access network device. For example, the network device may be a base station. The base station may broadly cover the following various names, or be replaced with the following names: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, access point, transmission point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, base band unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. The base station may be a macro base station, a micro base station, a relay node, a donor node or the like, or a combination thereof.

[0039] Terminal devices can communicate with each other via sidelinks. Sidelink communication can also be called proximity services (ProSe) communication, unilateral communication, sidelink communication, or D2D communication.

[0040] 5G network system architecture and perception network elements

[0041] The 5G network system architecture is shown in Figure 2. In this system architecture, the UE establishes an access layer connection with the access node (AN) through the air interface (Uu interface), exchanges access layer messages and wireless data transmission. The UE establishes a non-access stratum (NAS) connection with the access and mobility management function (AMF) through the N1 interface, and exchanges NAS messages. In addition to managing the mobility of the UE, the AMF is also responsible for forwarding session management-related messages between the UE and the SMF. The policy control function (PCF) is responsible for formulating policies related to UE mobility management, session management, billing, etc. The user plane function (UPF) transmits data with the external data network (DN) through the N6 interface and with the AN through the N3 interface.

[0042] Current cellular networks (including 5G networks) are primarily used for wireless data transmission and communication. However, the radio electromagnetic wave signals used by cellular networks can be used not only for wireless data transmission and communication but also for environmental perception. For example, cellular network radio electromagnetic wave signals can be used for user motion or gesture recognition, respiratory monitoring, terminal device movement speed measurement, environmental imaging, weather monitoring, and more. Therefore, cellular networks can also be used to obtain sensory information.

[0043] Currently, there is a discussion on supporting perception capabilities in B5G (beyond 5G) networks. For example, perception capabilities can be supported in the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) network by adding perception network elements (or perception control network elements) and corresponding processes. Figure 3 shows an example of a network system architecture that supports perception capabilities. As shown in Figure 3, a perception network element (i.e., the sensing function (SF) in Figure 3) is added to the core network to handle perception-related operations. After the application sends a perception request to the core network of the 3GPP network, the core network can select the correct base station or auxiliary terminal device through the perception network element or AMF, and trigger the base station or auxiliary terminal device to enable the perception-related wireless measurement capability to start the measurement of perception information and generate perception results.

[0044] The main perception links or perception methods of synaesthesia integration scenarios include the following:

[0045] 1. Base station echo sensing link (single base station sensing): The base station sends a sensing signal and receives an echo signal;

[0046] 2. Inter-base station sensing link (base station-base station sensing): Base station B receives the sensing signal sent by base station A;

[0047] 3. Air interface uplink perception link (terminal device-base station uplink perception): The base station receives the perception signal sent by the terminal;

[0048] 4. Air interface downlink perception link (terminal device-base station downlink perception): The terminal device receives the perception signal sent by the base station;

[0049] 5. Terminal echo sensing link (single terminal device sensing): The terminal device sends a sensing signal and receives an echo signal; and

[0050] 6. Inter-terminal perception link (terminal device-terminal device perception): Terminal device B receives the perception signal sent by terminal device A.

[0051] At present, considering that the amount of interactive data between the terminal device and the perception network element is large, the terminal device can transmit data with the perception network element through the user plane to complete the necessary interaction of the perception service. For example, the terminal device can send perception data to the perception network element through the UPF by establishing a protocol data unit (PDU) session (which can be a special PDU session). Taking the perception network element as the SF shown in Figure 3 as an example, in some implementations, the perception network element may include SF-C (SF control plane network element) and SF-U (SF user plane network element). The terminal device can, for example, send perception data to SF-U through the UPF. Of course, SF, SF-C, and SF-U are only examples of the name of the network element. The network element may also use other names, or may be jointly established with the location management function (LMF). This embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this. At the same time, for some perception tasks, in order to save network resources, the perception node may be allowed to perform partial processing and only transmit a small amount of data to the SF for processing through the control plane. At the same time, considering the situation that multiple terminal devices may be needed to assist in perception, terminal devices are allowed to discover and select other terminal devices through the PC5 interface, and use other terminal devices as perception nodes to complete the perception task.

[0052] The perception task requires determining the perception target. When the perception target is a terminal device, the corresponding terminal device can be found directly through the terminal device's identification (ID) information or the terminal device's Internet Protocol (IP) address information. Then, the terminal device can be used as the sender or receiver of the perception signal, and then the perception nodes around the terminal device can be selected to complete the perception task. However, when the perception target is not a terminal device, there is currently no clear solution for how to perceive it. For example, for scenarios such as health monitoring and sports monitoring, what needs to be perceived is the user wearing the mobile phone, not the mobile phone itself. In this scenario, it is currently unclear how to indicate that the perception target is not a terminal device.

[0053] For another example, referring to the perception scenario shown in Figure 4, it is assumed that the perception target is the user in the middle, and the user can carry a terminal device (not shown in Figure 4). The user can carry a terminal device, but because it is close to the perception target, there are problems such as signal blocking, and it may not be used as a perception node. Therefore, if the user's perception is to be realized, it is necessary to select a perception node near the user. For example, a base station near the user (such as base station 1 and base station 2 in Figure 4) and a terminal device can be selected to send a perception signal (such as terminal device 1 in Figure 4), and a terminal device near the user can be selected to receive a perception signal (such as terminal device 2 and terminal device 3 in Figure 4), thereby completing the perception process. However, it is currently unclear how to select and configure the perception nodes around the user.

[0054] In response to the above problems, the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below.

[0055] Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method for sensing provided by an embodiment of the present application. Referring to Figure 5 , in step S510 , a first network element receives a first message sent by a second network element.

[0056] In some implementations, the first network element may be a network element that receives the awareness request. For example, the first network element is a gateway mobile location center (GMLC), an access and mobility management function (AMF), or a NEF. The second network element may be a network element that sends the awareness request. The second network element may also be sometimes referred to as a consumer network function (consumer NF). The second network element may be, for example, a terminal device, a network exposure function (NEF), an application function (AF), or a client of the AF.

[0057] In some implementations, the first network element may be a network element for sensing the service. For example, the first network element may be a Service Provider (SF). Alternatively, the first network element may be a Local Mobile Provider (LMF) (i.e., the SF and the LMF are co-located). The second network element may be a network element that receives the sensing request. For example, the second network element may be a General Mobile Provider (GMLC), an Advanced Mobile Provider (AMF), or a New Enterprise Resource Planning (NEF).

[0058] The first message may be a message related to perception. In other words, the first message is used to request a perception service, or to issue a perception task, or to issue configuration information of a perception task.

[0059] The first message may include identification information of the first terminal device. The identification information of the first terminal device may be an ordinary UE ID, such as a user permanent identifier (SUPI) or a generic public subscription identifier (GPSI). Alternatively, the identification information of the first terminal device may also be identification information of a low-power device, such as a wearable device or an ambient internet of things (AIot) tag device. That is, a low-power wearable device can be installed on the sensing target, or a tag can be attached to the sensing target to identify the sensing target.

[0060] In addition to the identification information of the first terminal device, the first message may also include first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is a target associated with the first terminal device. In other words, the first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is not the first terminal device itself. In other words, the first indication information indicates that the perception target is not the terminal device. In other words, the first indication information is used to instruct the core network to trigger the perception task or perception process corresponding to the non-terminal device. Adding the first indication information to the first message can enable the network elements participating in the perception process to clearly understand that the target of this perception is not the terminal device, thereby triggering the network element to execute the adapted perception process. It can be understood that although the first terminal device is not the perception target, adding the identification information of the first terminal device to the first message can play a role in identifying the perception target or locating the perception target, thereby facilitating accurate perception of non-terminal device targets.

[0061] In some implementations, the first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is an object around the first terminal device. For example, when it is necessary to monitor the health or exercise information of the user of the first terminal device, the perception target is the user of the first terminal device. In this case, the identification information of the first terminal device and the first indication information can be carried in the first message to indicate that the perception target is not the first terminal device, but the user wearing the first terminal device.

[0062] In some implementations, the first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is the environment surrounding the first terminal device. For example, when it is necessary to sense whether an indoor environment has been intruded by an outsider, the perception target is the indoor environment. In this case, the first terminal device can be installed in the indoor environment, and the first message can carry the identification information of the first terminal device and the first indication information to indicate that the perception target is not the first terminal device, but the indoor environment where the first terminal device is located.

[0063] As mentioned above, the first terminal device can be installed or fixed on or around the sensing target. Therefore, the first indication information can also be called a mounted indicator.

[0064] As mentioned above, in some implementations, the first network element may be a network element for perception services. For example, the first network element may be an SF. Alternatively, the first network element may be an LMF (i.e., the SF and the LMF are provided together). The second network element may be a network element that receives a perception request. For example, the second network element may be a GMLC, an AMF, or an NEF. In this case, before sending the first message to the first network element, the second network element may first receive a message for requesting perception services from a fourth network element (which may be a terminal device, an NEF, an AF, or a client of an SF). The message may carry identification information and first indication information of the first terminal device. That is, in this case, the identification information and the first indication information of the first terminal device in the first message may come from the fourth network element.

[0065] The execution of the sensing task requires the selection and configuration of target sensing nodes. The following examples illustrate the selection and configuration of target sensing nodes in conjunction with the first and second embodiments.

[0066] Example 1

[0067] FIG6 is a flow chart of the method for sensing provided in the first embodiment.

[0068] Referring to Figure 6, in step S610, the second network element determines the location information of the first terminal device based on the identification information of the first terminal device. For example, the second network element may trigger a positioning process for the first terminal device based on the identification information of the first terminal device, thereby determining the location information of the first terminal device. As a more specific example, the second network element may locate the first terminal device through the LMF to determine the location information of the first terminal device. For example, the second network element may send a positioning request for the first terminal device to the LMF. This positioning request may carry the identification information of the first terminal device. This positioning request may be sent directly to the LMF or via another network element. For example, if the second network element is a GMLC, the GMLC may send the positioning request for the first terminal device to the LMF via the AMF. After receiving the positioning request, the LMF may locate the first terminal device according to a certain positioning algorithm and return the location information of the first terminal device to the second network element. The location information of the first terminal device may be sent directly to the second network element by the LMF or via another network element. For example, if the second network element is a GMLC, the LMF may send the location information of the first terminal device to the GMLC via the AMF.

[0069] In step S620, the second network element sends a first message to the first network element. The first message includes identification information of the first terminal device, first indication information, and location information of the first terminal device. The identification information and first indication information of the first terminal device can be found in the relevant description of FIG5 and are not repeated here.

[0070] After receiving the first message, in some implementations, the first network element may continue to execute step S630, i.e., determine the target perception node based on the location information of the first terminal device and / or the identification information of the first terminal device. In other words, the first network element may discover and select the target perception node based on the location information of the first terminal device and / or the identification information of the first terminal device. The target perception node mentioned here can be a terminal device or an access network device. It should be noted that the target perception node may not include the first terminal device. This is because the first terminal device may be close to the perception target and may have problems such as signal obstruction, and may not be suitable as a perception node.

[0071] After determining the target sensing node, in some implementations, the first network element may proceed to step S640, i.e., send a fourth message to the target sensing node. This fourth message may be used to deliver sensing task configuration information to the target sensing node. After receiving the fourth message, the target sensing node may execute the sensing process. For example, the target sensing node may receive and / or transmit sensing signals. In another example, the target sensing node may transmit sensing data to the first network element.

[0072] In the first embodiment, the first network element selects and configures a suitable perception node using the location information of the first terminal device, thereby realizing perception of the non-terminal device.

[0073] Example 2

[0074] FIG7 is a flow chart of the method for sensing provided in the second embodiment.

[0075] Referring to Figure 7, in step S710, the second network element sends a first message to the first network element. The first message includes identification information of the first terminal device and first indication information. The identification information and first indication information of the first terminal device can be found in the relevant description in Figure 5 and are not repeated here. Unlike the first embodiment, the first message does not include the location information of the first terminal device.

[0076] After receiving the first message, in some implementations, the first network element sends a second message to the first terminal device. The second message includes the first indication information. The second message or the first indication information may be used to trigger the first terminal device to determine the sensing node.

[0077] After receiving the second message, in some implementations, the first terminal device may determine the sensing node. For example, the first terminal device may perform a discovery and selection of the sensing node to determine the sensing node. As a specific example, the first terminal device may interact with other terminal devices via a PC5 interface to select a sensing node from the other terminal devices. Alternatively, the first terminal device may monitor the air interface (Uu interface) to select a radio access network (RAN) node suitable as a sensing node.

[0078] After receiving the second message, in some implementations, the first terminal device may continue to execute step S730, that is, send a third message to the first network element (the third message may be understood as a feedback message of the second message). The third message may include perception node information. The perception node information includes identification information of the perception node and / or location information of the perception node. The identification information of the perception node may be identification information of the terminal device or identification information of the access network device. It should be noted that the perception node information may not include the identification information of the first terminal device. This is because the first terminal device may be close to the perception target and may have problems such as signal obstruction, and may not be suitable as a perception node.

[0079] After receiving the perception node information sent by the first terminal device, in some implementations, the first network element may execute step S740, i.e., determine the target perception node. For example, the first network element may directly use the perception node indicated by the perception node information as the target perception node. Alternatively, in some implementations, the first network element may use the perception node indicated by the perception node information as an alternative perception node, and then determine the target perception node based on the alternative perception node and other perception nodes pre-configured by the first network element itself or registered with the first network element. For example, some perception nodes are perception nodes deployed by the operator itself, and such perception nodes may be pre-registered with the first network element (such perception nodes may not be discovered by the first terminal device). Therefore, the first network element may comprehensively consider the alternative perception nodes reported by the first terminal device and the perception nodes pre-registered with the first network element, so as to select a suitable perception node as the target perception node.

[0080] After determining the target sensing node, in some implementations, the first network element may proceed to step S750, i.e., send a fourth message to the target sensing node. This fourth message may be used to transmit sensing task configuration information to the target sensing node, or in other words, this fourth message may be used to issue the sensing task to the target sensing node. After receiving the fourth message, the target sensing node may execute the sensing process. For example, the target sensing node may receive and / or transmit sensing signals. In another example, the target sensing node may transmit sensing data to the first network element.

[0081] Different from the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the first terminal device selects (or preliminarily selects) the sensing node, and the selected sensing node is more accurate.

[0082] It should be noted that the present application is not limited to the two sensing node selection and configuration methods shown in Figures 6 and 7. One or more steps of the embodiments shown in Figures 6 and 7 may be adjusted to provide other embodiments. For example, as mentioned above, in the first embodiment shown in Figure 6, the first message includes the location information of the first terminal device. Optionally, the first message may not include the location information of the first terminal device. After obtaining the identification information of the first terminal device through the first message, the first network element may autonomously determine the location information of the first terminal device. For example, the first network element may trigger a positioning process for the first terminal device (e.g., requesting the location information of the first terminal device from the LMF) based on the identification information of the first terminal device, thereby determining the location information of the first terminal device. The first network element may send the positioning request for the first terminal device directly to the LMF, or may send the positioning request for the first terminal device indirectly to the LMF through other network elements. For example, the first network element may send the positioning request for the first terminal device to the GMLC (or send it to the GMLC via the NEF), and then the GLMC may send the positioning request to the LMF (the GLMC may send the positioning request to the LMF via the AMF). After obtaining the location information of the first terminal device, the first network element can continue to execute the subsequent steps in Figure 6, that is, determine the target perception node according to the location information of the first terminal device, and send the configuration information of the perception task to the target perception node.

[0083] It is understandable that the first terminal device may be stationary or mobile. If the first terminal device is mobile, the previously selected and configured target perception node may no longer be able to participate in the perception task, and the first terminal device needs to be located and the target perception node updated based on the current location of the first terminal device. The following, in conjunction with Figure 8, provides detailed examples of how the first terminal device is located and / or how the target perception node is updated.

[0084] Referring to Figure 8 , in step S810, the first network element sends a fifth message to a third network element. The third network element may be a network element in the core network that provides positioning services, such as the LMF. The fifth message may be a positioning request message for the first terminal device, or in other words, the fifth message may be used to subscribe to the location information of the first terminal device. It should be understood that the first network element may send the fifth message directly to the third network element, or may send the fifth message indirectly to the third network element via a network element such as the GMLC, NEF, or AMF.

[0085] The fifth message may carry one or more of the following information: identification information of the first terminal device and first area information. The first area information can be used to determine whether the first terminal device has left the first area. The first area information can be determined based on the location information of the first terminal device and / or the location information of the target perception node. For example, an area can be defined around the location of a target perception node as the first area. The "first area" mentioned in the embodiment of the present application may refer to an area or range for perceiving a perception target, and therefore, the first area may also be referred to as a perception area or perception range (similarly, the first area information may also be referred to as perception area information or perception range information).

[0086] After receiving the fifth message, in some implementations, the third network element may perform step S820, ie, send a positioning request message to the first terminal device. The positioning request message may carry one or more of the following information: identification information of the first terminal device and first area information.

[0087] After receiving the positioning request message, in some implementations, if the first terminal device leaves the first area, the first terminal device may execute step S830, i.e., send the location information of the first terminal device to the third network element. The location information refers to the current location information of the first terminal device.

[0088] After receiving the location information of the first terminal device, in some implementations, the third network element may execute step S840, i.e., send a sixth message to the first network element (the sixth message may be understood as a feedback message to the fifth message). The sixth message may be used to notify the first network element that the first terminal device has left the first area. The third network element may send the sixth message directly to the first network element, or may send the sixth message to the first network element indirectly through another network element. For example, the third network element may send the sixth message to the first network element via GMLC.

[0089] If the first network element receives the sixth message, it means that the first terminal device has left the first area, so the previously determined target perception node is no longer suitable for continuing to perform the perception task. Therefore, in some implementations, the first network element can redetermine the target perception node. For example, the first network element can re-execute the discovery selection of the perception node based on the current location information of the first terminal device. Alternatively, the first network element can also re-trigger the first terminal device to discover and select the surrounding perception nodes. After redetermining the target perception node, the perception process can continue to be executed based on the new target perception node. The embodiment shown in Figure 8 uses the first terminal device to identify and locate the perception target, and updates the target perception node in real time, thereby increasing the reliability of the perception process.

[0090] The following describes the embodiments of the present application in more detail with reference to specific examples. The SF in the examples shown in Figures 9 to 11 corresponds to the first network element mentioned above, the GMLC / NEF / AMF corresponds to the second network element mentioned above, the LMF corresponds to the third network element mentioned above, the UE / RAN corresponds to the target perception node mentioned above, the UE1 corresponds to the first terminal device mentioned above, and the message sent by the GMLC / NEF / AMF to the SF corresponds to the first message mentioned above. It should be noted that the examples of Figures 9 to 11 are only intended to help those skilled in the art understand the embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application to the specific numerical values ​​or specific scenarios illustrated. Those skilled in the art can obviously make various equivalent modifications or changes based on the examples of Figures 9 to 11, and such modifications or changes also fall within the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

[0091] Example 1:

[0092] In general, Example 1 locates UE1 first and then executes the perception process. In Example 1, when the Consumer NF sends a perception request to the core network, it carries the ID information of UE1 and the first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the perception target is the target around UE1. After receiving the perception request, the core network first determines the location information of UE1 through the positioning process, and then selects the perception node based on the ID information of UE1, the location information of UE1 and the first indication information. SF subscribes to the location information of UE1 from LMF. When UE1 leaves the perception area, the perception process is re-initiated based on the location information of UE1. The following is a more detailed description of Example 1 in conjunction with Figure 9.

[0093] Referring to Figure 9, in step S902, the Consumer NF (which may be a network element such as SF Client, AF, UE, NEF, etc.) sends a perception request to the GMLC / NEF / AMF. GMLC / NEF / AMF is a unified processing network element that receives perception requests. In addition to the ID information of UE1, the perception request also includes first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is the object or environment around UE1. The ID information of UE1 here may also be the ID information of a low-power device (such as a wearable device or an AIoT Tag, etc.).

[0094] In step S904, after receiving the sensing request, the GMLC / NEF / AMF triggers the positioning process for UE1 and obtains the location information of UE1. For example, the GMLC can send the positioning request of UE1 directly to the LMF, or send the positioning request of UE1 to the LMF through the AMF. After receiving the positioning request, the LMF can locate UE1 according to a certain positioning algorithm and return the location information of UE1 to the GMLC. The location information of UE1 can be sent directly from the LMF to the GMLC, or sent to the GMLC through other network elements (such as the AMF).

[0095] In step S906, the GMLC / NEF / AMF sends the configuration information of the sensing task to the SF. The configuration information includes the ID information of UE1, the location information of UE1, and the first indication information.

[0096] In step S908, the SF discovers and selects a sensing node (including a RAN node and / or a UE node) based on the location information of UE1 and the ID information of UE1. UE1 may not be a sensing node.

[0097] In step S910, the SF sends the configuration information of the sensing task to the selected sensing node.

[0098] In step S912, a sensing process is executed, which may include the sensing node sending and receiving sensing signals, and the sensing node sending sensing data to the SF.

[0099] In step S914, the SF subscribes to the LMF (possibly through a network element such as the GMLC / NEF / AMF) for UE1's location information. The location information subscription message includes first area information determined based on UE1's location information and / or the location information of the sensing node. This first area information can be used to determine whether UE1 has left the first area.

[0100] In step S916, the LMF sends a positioning request to UE1. The positioning request includes first area information. The first area information is used by UE1 to monitor its own location. If UE1 leaves the first area, the location information of UE1 is reported to the LMF.

[0101] In step S918 (including steps S918a and S918b), if UE1 leaves the first area, the LMF notifies the SF of UE1's current location information. For example, the LMF may send UE1's current location information to the SF via GMLC. The SF may rediscover and select a sensing node based on UE1's current location information for subsequent sensing processes.

[0102] The related technology does not have a method for sensing non-UE targets. Example 1 adds additional first indication information, locates UE1 first according to the first indication information, and then performs the sensing process, thereby effectively identifying and determining non-UE targets and completing the sensing process.

[0103] Example 2

[0104] In Example 2, the perception process is generally performed first, followed by the positioning of UE1. When the Consumer NF sends a perception request to the core network, it carries UE1's ID information and a first indication message. This first indication message is used to indicate that the perception target is a target around UE1. After receiving the perception request, the SF triggers UE1 to discover and select surrounding perception nodes. The SF subscribes to the LMF for UE1's location information. When UE1 leaves the perception area, the perception node can be re-determined based on UE1's current location to execute subsequent perception processes. Example 2 is described in detail below in conjunction with Figure 10.

[0105] Referring to Figure 10, in step S1002, the Consumer NF (which may be a network element such as SF Client, AF, UE, NEF, etc.) sends a perception request to the GMLC / NEF / AMF. GMLC / NEF / AMF is a unified processing network element that receives perception requests. In addition to the ID information of UE1, the perception request also includes first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is the object or environment around UE1. The ID information of UE1 here may also be the ID information of a low-power device (such as a wearable device or an AIoT Tag, etc.).

[0106] In step S1004, the first network element sends configuration information of the sensing task to the SF, where the configuration information includes the ID information of UE1 and the first indication information.

[0107] In step S1006, the SF sends configuration information of the sensing task to UE1. The configuration information includes first indication information.

[0108] In step S1008, UE1 discovers and selects a sensing node. UE1 may interact with other UEs via the PC5 interface, or may obtain information about surrounding RAN nodes by monitoring the Uu interface.

[0109] In step S1010, UE1 feeds back candidate sensing node information to the SF. The sensing node information may include RAN ID information, UE1 ID information, etc., wherein the candidate UEs may not include UE1. In addition, the sensing node information may also include location information of the sensing node.

[0110] In step S1012, the SF may select and discover a sensing node based on the candidate node information reported by the UE1, or based on other node information pre-configured or registered with the SF.

[0111] In step S1014, the SF sends the configuration information of the sensing task to the selected sensing node.

[0112] In step S1016, a sensing process is executed, which may include the sensing node sending and receiving sensing signals, and the sensing node sending sensing data to the SF.

[0113] In step S1018, the SF subscribes to the LMF (possibly through a network element such as the GMLC / NEF / AMF) for the location information of UE1. The location information subscription message includes first area information determined based on the location information of UE1 and / or the location information of the sensing node. This first area information can be used to determine whether UE1 has left the first area.

[0114] In step S1020, the LMF sends a location request to UE1. The location request includes first area information. The first area information is used by UE1 to monitor its own location. If UE1 leaves the first area, the location information of UE1 is reported to the LMF. For example, the LMF can send the current location information of UE1 to the SF via GMLC.

[0115] In step S1022 (including steps S1022a and S1022b), if UE1 leaves the first area, LMF will notify SF of the current location information of UE1. SF can rediscover and select a sensing node based on the current location information of UE1 to perform subsequent sensing processes.

[0116] Compared to Example 1, in Example 2, after receiving the first indication information, the SF directly sends a sensing task to UE1, which includes the first indication information. After receiving the first indication information, the UE1 triggers the discovery selection of surrounding sensing nodes. Compared with Example 1, this solution selects more accurate sensing nodes.

[0117] Example 3:

[0118] In general, Example 3 locates UE1 first and then executes the perception process. In Example 3, when Consumer NF sends a perception request to the core network, it carries UE1's ID information and the first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the perception target is the target around UE1. After receiving the perception request, the core network first determines UE1's location information through the positioning process, and then selects the perception node based on UE1's ID information, UE1's location information and the first indication information. SF subscribes to UE1's location information from LMF. When UE1 leaves the perception area, the perception process is re-initiated based on UE1's location information. Example 3 is similar to Example 1. The main difference between the two is that in Example 3, UE1's location information is determined by SF.

[0119] The following describes Example 3 in more detail with reference to FIG11 .

[0120] Referring to Figure 11, in step S1102, the Consumer NF (which may be a network element such as SF Client, AF, UE, NEF, etc.) sends a perception request to the GMLC / NEF / AMF. GMLC / NEF / AMF is a unified processing network element that receives perception requests. In addition to the ID information of UE1, the perception request also includes first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is the object or environment around UE1. The ID information of UE1 here may also be the ID information of a low-power device (such as a wearable device or an AIoT Tag, etc.).

[0121] In step S1104, the GMLC / NEF / AMF sends the configuration information of the sensing task to the SF. The configuration information includes the ID information of UE1 and the first indication information.

[0122] In step S1106, after receiving the sensing request, the SF triggers the positioning process for UE1 and obtains the location information of UE1. The SF can send the positioning request for UE1 directly to the LMF or indirectly to the LMF through other network elements. For example, the SF can send the positioning request for UE1 to the GMLC (or to the GMLC through the NEF), and then the GLMC sends the positioning request to the LMF (the GLMC can send the positioning request to the LMF through the AMF).

[0123] In step S1108, the SF discovers and selects a sensing node (including a RAN node and / or a UE node) based on the location information of UE1 and the ID information of UE1. UE1 may not be a sensing node.

[0124] In step S1110, SF sends the configuration information of the sensing task to the selected sensing node.

[0125] In step S1112, a sensing process is executed, which may include the sensing node sending and receiving sensing signals, and the sensing node sending sensing data to the SF.

[0126] In step S1114, the SF subscribes to the LMF (possibly through a network element such as the GMLC / NEF / AMF) for the location information of UE1. The location information subscription message includes first area information determined based on the location information of UE1 and / or the location information of the sensing node. This first area information can be used to determine whether UE1 has left the first area.

[0127] In step S1116, the LMF sends a location request to UE1. The location request includes first area information. This first area information is used by UE1 to monitor its own location. If UE1 leaves the first area, the LMF reports UE1's location information to the LMF. For example, the LMF can send UE1's current location information to the SF via GMLC.

[0128] In step S1118 (including steps S1118a and S1118b), if UE1 leaves the first area, LMF notifies SF of the current location information of UE1. SF can rediscover and select a sensing node based on the current location information of UE1 to perform subsequent sensing processes.

[0129] The related technology does not have a method for sensing non-UE targets. Example 3 adds additional first indication information, locates UE1 first according to the first indication information, and then performs the sensing process, thereby effectively identifying and determining non-UE targets and completing the sensing process.

[0130] The method embodiment of the present application is described in detail above in conjunction with Figures 1 to 11. The device embodiment of the present application is described in detail below in conjunction with Figures 12 to 15. It should be understood that the description of the method embodiment corresponds to the description of the device embodiment. Therefore, for parts not described in detail, reference can be made to the above method embodiment.

[0131] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1200 in Figure 12 may be the first network element mentioned above. The communication device 1200 may include a first communication module 1210. The first communication module 1210 is used to receive a first message sent by a second network element, where the first message includes identification information of a first terminal device and first indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

[0132] In some implementations, the first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is the environment or object around the first terminal device.

[0133] In some implementations, the first message also includes location information of the first terminal device.

[0134] In some implementations, the communication device 1200 further includes:

[0135] The first determining module is configured to determine the location information of the first terminal device according to the identification information of the first terminal device.

[0136] In some implementations, the communication device 1200 further includes:

[0137] The second determination module is used to determine the target perception node according to the location information of the first terminal device.

[0138] In some implementations, the communication device 1200 further includes:

[0139] The second communication module is used to send a second message to the first terminal device, where the second message includes the first indication information.

[0140] In some implementations, the second message or the first indication information is used to trigger the first terminal device to determine a perception node.

[0141] In some implementations, the communication device 1200 further includes:

[0142] A third communication module is configured to receive a third message sent by the first terminal device, where the third message includes sensing node information, and the sensing node information includes one or more of the following:

[0143] Identification information of the sensing node;

[0144] Sense the location information of the node.

[0145] In some implementations, the communication device 1200 further includes:

[0146] The third determination module is used to determine the target perception node according to the third message.

[0147] In some implementations, the target sensing node does not include the first terminal device.

[0148] In some implementations, the communication device 1200 further includes:

[0149] The fourth communication module is used to send a fourth message to the target perception node, where the fourth message is used to request a perception service.

[0150] In some implementations, the communication device 1200 further includes:

[0151] The fifth communication module is used to send a fifth message to the third network element, where the fifth message is used to subscribe to the location information of the first terminal device.

[0152] In some implementations, the fifth message includes first area information, and the first area information is used to determine whether the first terminal device leaves the first area.

[0153] In some implementations, the first area information is determined based on location information of the first terminal device and / or location information of the target sensing node.

[0154] In some implementations, the communication device 1200 further includes:

[0155] The sixth communication module is used to receive a sixth message sent by the third network element, where the sixth message is used to notify the first network element that the first terminal device has left the first area.

[0156] In some implementations, the sixth message includes location information of the first terminal device, and the communication device 1200 further includes:

[0157] The fourth determination module is used to re-determine the target perception node based on the location information of the first terminal device contained in the sixth message.

[0158] In some implementations, the third network element is a network element used for positioning services.

[0159] In some implementations, the first network element is a network element for sensing services; and / or the second network element is a gateway mobile location center, an access and mobility management function, or a network open function.

[0160] In some implementations, the first network element is a gateway mobile location center, an access and mobility management function, or a network exposure function; and / or, the second network element is a terminal device, a client of a network exposure function, an application function, or a perception function.

[0161] In some implementations, the first message is used to request an awareness service.

[0162] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1300 in Figure 13 may be the second network element mentioned above. The communication device 1300 may include a first communication module 1310. The first communication module 1310 is configured to send a first message to a first network element, where the first message includes identification information of a first terminal device and first indication information, where the first indication information is configured to indicate that the perception target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

[0163] In some implementations, the first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is the environment or object around the first terminal device.

[0164] In some implementations, the first message also includes location information of the first terminal device.

[0165] In some implementations, the communication device 1300 further includes:

[0166] The first determination module is used to determine the location information of the first terminal device according to the identification information of the first terminal device before the second network element sends the first message to the first network element.

[0167] In some implementations, the communication device 1300 further includes:

[0168] The second communication module is used to receive a message sent by a fourth network element, where the message sent by the fourth network element is used to request a perception service, and the message sent by the fourth network element includes identification information of the first terminal device and the first indication information.

[0169] In some implementations, the fourth network element is a terminal device, a client of a network opening function, an application function, or a perception function.

[0170] In some implementations, the first network element is a network element for sensing services; and / or the second network element is a gateway mobile location center, an access and mobility management function, or a network open function.

[0171] In some implementations, the first network element is a gateway mobile location center, an access and mobility management function, or a network exposure function; and / or, the second network element is a terminal device, a client of a network exposure function, an application function, or a perception function.

[0172] In some implementations, the first message is used to request an awareness service.

[0173] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of the present application. Communication device 1400 in Figure 14 may be the first terminal device mentioned above. Communication device 1400 may include a first communication module 1410. First communication module 1410 is configured to receive a second message sent by a first network element, the second message including first indication information, the first indication information being configured to indicate that the perceived target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

[0174] In some implementations, the first indication information is used to indicate that the perception target is the environment or object around the first terminal device.

[0175] In some implementations, the second message or the first indication information is used to trigger the first terminal device to determine a perception node.

[0176] In some implementations, the communication device 1400 further includes:

[0177] The second communication module is configured to send a third message to the first network element, where the third message includes sensing node information, and the sensing node information includes one or more of the following:

[0178] Identification information of the sensing node;

[0179] Sense the location information of the node.

[0180] In some implementations, the communication device 1400 further includes:

[0181] The third communication module is used to receive a positioning request message sent by a third network element, where the positioning request message includes first area information, and the first area information is used to determine whether the first terminal device leaves the first area.

[0182] In some implementations, the communication device 1400 further includes:

[0183] The fourth communication module is used to send the location information of the first terminal device to the third network element if the first terminal device leaves the first area.

[0184] In some implementations, the third network element is a network element used for positioning services.

[0185] In some implementations, the first network element is a network element for sensing services.

[0186] Figure 15 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device to which embodiments of the present application may be applied. Dashed lines in Figure 15 indicate that the unit or module is optional. Apparatus 1500 may be used to implement the method described in the above method embodiment. Apparatus 1500 may be a chip, a terminal device, or a network device.

[0187] The device 1500 may include one or more processors 1510. The processor 1510 may support the device 1500 to implement the method described in the method embodiment above. The processor 1510 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be another general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor, etc.

[0188] The apparatus 1500 may further include one or more memories 15520. The memories 1520 store programs that can be executed by the processor 1510, causing the processor 1510 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. The memories 1520 may be independent of the processor 1510 or integrated into the processor 1510.

[0189] The apparatus 1500 may further include a transceiver 1530. The processor 1510 may communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1530. For example, the processor 1510 may transmit and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1530.

[0190] The present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. The computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the first network element, the second network element, or the first terminal device provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the program causes a computer to execute the method performed by the first network element, the second network element, or the first terminal device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0191] The present application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. The computer program product can be applied to the first network element, the second network element, or the first terminal device provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the program causes a computer to execute the method performed by the first network element, the second network element, or the first terminal device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0192] The present application also provides a computer program. The computer program can be applied to the first network element, the second network element, or the first terminal device provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the computer program causes a computer to execute the method performed by the first network element, the second network element, or the first terminal device in each embodiment of the present application.

[0193] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" in this application can be used interchangeably. In addition, the terms used in this application are only used to explain the specific embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit this application. The terms "first", "second", "third", and "fourth" in the specification and claims of this application and the accompanying drawings are used to distinguish different objects rather than to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0194] In the embodiments of this application, the term "indication" may refer to a direct indication, an indirect indication, or an indication of an association. For example, "A indicates B" may refer to a direct indication of B, e.g., B can obtain information through A; it may refer to an indirect indication of B, e.g., A indicates C, e.g., B can obtain information through C; or it may refer to an association between A and B.

[0195] In the embodiment of the present application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A and B can be determined based on A. However, it should be understood that determining B based on A does not mean determining B based solely on A, but B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0196] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "corresponding" may indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between the two, or an association relationship between the two, or a relationship between indication and indication, configuration and configuration, etc.

[0197] In the embodiments of the present application, "pre-definition" or "pre-configuration" may be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other methods that can be used to indicate relevant information in a device (e.g., a terminal device and a network device). The present application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, pre-definition may refer to information defined in a protocol.

[0198] In the embodiments of the present application, the “protocol” may refer to a standard protocol in the communications field, for example, it may include an LTE protocol, an NR protocol, and related protocols used in future communication systems, and the present application does not limit this.

[0199] In the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is simply a description of the association relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0200] In various embodiments of the present application, the size of the serial numbers of the above-mentioned processes does not mean the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

[0201] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0202] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0203] In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

[0204] In the above embodiments, it can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the process or function described in the embodiment of the present application is generated in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server or data center to another website, computer, server or data center via a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, optical fiber, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) method. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be read by a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that includes one or more available media integrated therein. The available medium may be a magnetic medium (eg, a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (eg, a digital versatile disc (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (eg, a solid state disk (SSD)).

[0205] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application 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 application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for sensing, characterized in that, comprising: A first network element receives a first message sent by a second network element, the first message including identification information of a first terminal device and first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that the sensing target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first indication information is used to indicate that the sensing target is the environment or object around the first terminal device.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the first message further includes location information of the first terminal device.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the method further includes: the first network element determines the location information of the first terminal device according to the identification information of the first terminal device.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, the method further includes: the first network element determines a target sensing node according to the location information of the first terminal device.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, the method further includes: the first network element sends a second message to the first terminal device, the second message including the first indication information.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, the second message or the first indication information is used to trigger the first terminal device to determine a sensing node.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, the method further includes: the first network element receives a third message sent by the first terminal device, the third message including sensing node information, the sensing node information including one or more of the following: identification information of the sensing node; location information of the sensing node.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, the method further includes: the first network element determines a target sensing node according to the third message.

10. The method according to claim 5 or 9, characterized in that, the target sensing node does not include the first terminal device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, the method further includes: the first network element sends a fourth message to the target sensing node, the fourth message being used to request a sensing service.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, the method further includes: the first network element sends a fifth message to a third network element, the fifth message being used to subscribe to the location information of the first terminal device.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, the fifth message includes first area information, the first area information being used to determine whether the first terminal device leaves a first area.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, the first area information is determined based on the location information of the first terminal device and / or the location information of the target sensing node.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, the method further includes: The first network element receives a sixth message sent by the third network element, and the sixth message is used to notify the first network element that the first terminal device has left the first area.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, the sixth message includes location information of the first terminal device, and the method further includes: the first network element re-determines a target sensing node according to the location information of the first terminal device included in the sixth message.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein, the third network element is a network element for positioning services.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: the first network element is a network element for sensing services; and / or the second network element is a gateway mobile location center, an access and mobility management function, or a network exposure function.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein: the first network element is a gateway mobile location center, an access and mobility management function, or a network exposure function; and / or the second network element is a terminal device, a network exposure function, an application function, or a client of a sensing function.

20. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein, the first message is used to request a sensing service.

21. A method for sensing, wherein, it includes: a second network element sends a first message to a first network element, the first message includes identification information of a first terminal device and a first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that a sensing target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein, the first indication information is used to indicate that the sensing target is the environment or object around the first terminal device.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein, the first message further includes location information of the first terminal device.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, before the second network element sends the first message to the first network element, the method further includes: the second network element determines the location information of the first terminal device according to the identification information of the first terminal device.

25. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein, the method further includes: the second network element receives a message sent by a fourth network element, the message sent by the fourth network element is used to request a sensing service, and the message sent by the fourth network element includes the identification information of the first terminal device and the first indication information.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein, the fourth network element is a terminal device, a network exposure function, an application function, or a client of a sensing function.

27. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein: the first network element is a network element for sensing services; and / or the second network element is a gateway mobile location center, an access and mobility management function, or a network exposure function.

28. The method according to claim 21, wherein: The first network element is a Gateway Mobile Location Center, Access and Mobility Management Function, or Network Exposure Function; and / or The second network element is a terminal device, Network Exposure Function, Application Function, or client of the Sensing Function.

29. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein, The first message is used to request a sensing service.

30. A method for sensing, wherein, comprises: A first terminal device receives a second message sent by a first network element, the second message includes first indication information for indicating that the sensing target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein, The first indication information is used to indicate that the sensing target is the environment or object around the first terminal device.

32. The method according to claim 30 or 31, wherein, The second message or the first indication information is used to trigger the first terminal device to determine a sensing node.

33. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein, The method further comprises: The first terminal device sends a third message to the first network element, the third message includes sensing node information, and the sensing node information includes one or more of the following: Identification information of the sensing node; Location information of the sensing node.

34. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein, The method further comprises: The first terminal device receives a positioning request message sent by a third network element, the positioning request message includes first area information for determining whether the first terminal device has left a first area.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein, The method further comprises: If the first terminal device has left the first area, the first terminal device sends the location information of the first terminal device to the third network element.

36. The method according to claim 34 or 35, wherein, The third network element is a network element for positioning services.

37. The method according to any one of claims 30 to 36, wherein, The first network element is a network element for sensing services.

38. A communication device, wherein, The first communication device is a first network element, and the first network element comprises: A first communication module, configured to receive a first message sent by a second network element, the first message includes identification information of a first terminal device and first indication information for indicating that the sensing target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

39. The communication device according to claim 38, wherein, The first indication information is used to indicate that the sensing target is the environment or object around the first terminal device.

40. The communication device according to claim 38 or 39, wherein, The first message further includes the location information of the first terminal device.

41. The communication device according to claim 38 or 39, wherein, The communication device further comprises: A first determination module, configured to determine the location information of the first terminal device according to the identification information of the first terminal device.

42. The communication device according to claim 40 or 41, wherein, the communication device further comprises: A second determination module, configured to determine a target sensing node according to the location information of the first terminal device.

43. The communication device according to claim 38, wherein, the communication device further comprises: A second communication module, configured to send a second message to the first terminal device, the second message including the first indication information.

44. The communication device according to claim 43, wherein, the second message or the first indication information is used to trigger the first terminal device to determine a sensing node.

45. The communication device according to claim 43 or 44, wherein, the communication device further comprises: A third communication module, configured to receive a third message sent by the first terminal device, the third message including sensing node information, and the sensing node information includes one or more of the following: Identification information of the sensing node; Location information of the sensing node.

46. The communication device according to claim 45, wherein, the communication device further comprises: A third determination module, configured to determine a target sensing node according to the third message.

47. The communication device according to claim 42 or 46, wherein, the target sensing node does not include the first terminal device.

48. The communication device according to any one of claims 38 to 47, wherein, the communication device further comprises: A fourth communication module, configured to send a fourth message to the target sensing node, and the fourth message is used to request a sensing service.

49. The communication device according to any one of claims 38 to 48, wherein, the communication device further comprises: A fifth communication module, configured to send a fifth message to a third network element, and the fifth message is used to subscribe to the location information of the first terminal device.

50. The communication device according to claim 49, wherein, the fifth message includes first area information, and the first area information is used to determine whether the first terminal device leaves a first area.

51. The communication device according to claim 50, wherein, the first area information is determined based on the location information of the first terminal device and / or the location information of the target sensing node.

52. The communication device according to any one of claims 49 to 51, wherein, the communication device further comprises: A sixth communication module, configured to receive a sixth message sent by the third network element, and the sixth message is used to notify the first network element that the first terminal device has left the first area.

53. The communication device according to claim 52, wherein, the sixth message includes the location information of the first terminal device, and the communication device further comprises: A fourth determination module, configured to re-determine a target sensing node according to the location information of the first terminal device included in the sixth message.

54. The communication device according to any one of claims 49 to 53, characterized in that, the third network element is a network element for positioning services.

55. The communication device according to any one of claims 38 to 54, characterized in that: the first network element is a network element for sensing services; and / or the second network element is a gateway mobile location center, an access and mobility management function, or a network exposure function.

56. The communication device according to claim 38, characterized in that: the first network element is a gateway mobile location center, an access and mobility management function, or a network exposure function; and / or the second network element is a terminal device, a network exposure function, an application function, or a client of a sensing function.

57. The communication device according to any one of claims 38 to 56, characterized in that, the first message is used to request a sensing service.

58. A communication device, characterized in that, the communication device is a second network element, and the second network element includes: a first communication module, configured to send a first message to a first network element, the first message including identification information of a first terminal device and a first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate that a sensing target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

59. The communication device according to claim 58, characterized in that, the first indication information is used to indicate that the sensing target is the environment or object around the first terminal device.

60. The communication device according to claim 58 or 59, characterized in that, the first message further includes location information of the first terminal device.

61. The communication device according to claim 60, characterized in that, the communication device further includes: a first determination module, configured to determine the location information of the first terminal device according to the identification information of the first terminal device before the second network element sends the first message to the first network element.

62. The communication device according to any one of claims 58 to 61, characterized in that, the communication device further includes: a second communication module, configured to receive a message sent by a fourth network element, the message sent by the fourth network element being used to request a sensing service, and the message sent by the fourth network element including the identification information of the first terminal device and the first indication information.

63. The communication device according to claim 62, characterized in that, the fourth network element is a terminal device, a network exposure function, an application function, or a client of a sensing function.

64. The communication device according to any one of claims 58 to 63, characterized in that: the first network element is a network element for sensing services; and / or the second network element is a gateway mobile location center, an access and mobility management function, or a network exposure function.

65. The communication device according to claim 58, characterized in that: the first network element is a gateway mobile location center, an access and mobility management function, or a network exposure function; and / or the second network element is a terminal device, a network exposure function, an application function, or a client of a sensing function.

66. The communication device according to any one of claims 58 to 65, characterized in that, The first message is used to request a sensing service.

67. A communication device, characterized in that the communication device is a first terminal device, and the first terminal device includes: A first communication module, configured to receive a second message sent by a first network element, where the second message includes first indication information, and the first indication information is used to indicate that the sensing target is a target associated with the first terminal device.

68. The communication device according to claim 67, characterized in that the first indication information is used to indicate that the sensing target is the environment or object around the first terminal device.

69. The communication device according to claim 67 or 68, characterized in that the second message or the first indication information is used to trigger the first terminal device to determine a sensing node.

70. The communication device according to any one of claims 67 to 69, characterized in that the communication device further includes: A second communication module, configured to send a third message to the first network element, where the third message includes sensing node information, and the sensing node information includes one or more of the following: Identification information of the sensing node; Location information of the sensing node.

71. The communication device according to any one of claims 67 to 70, characterized in that the communication device further includes: A third communication module, configured to receive a positioning request message sent by a third network element, where the positioning request message includes first area information, and the first area information is used to determine whether the first terminal device has left a first area.

72. The communication device according to claim 71, characterized in that the communication device further includes: A fourth communication module, configured to send the location information of the first terminal device to the third network element if the first terminal device has left the first area.

73. The communication device according to claim 71 or 72, characterized in that the third network element is a network element for positioning services.

74. The communication device according to any one of claims 67 to 73, characterized in that the first network element is a network element for sensing services.

75. A communication device, characterized in that it includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The memory is used to store a program, and the processor is used to call the program in the memory and control the transceiver to receive or send signals, so that the communication device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, 21 to 29, or 30 to 37.

76. A device, characterized in that it includes a processor, configured to call a program from a memory, so that the device executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, 21 to 29, or 30 to 37.

77. A chip, characterized in that it includes a processor, configured to call a program from a memory, so that a device installed with the chip executes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, 21 to 29, or 30 to 37.

78. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that a program is stored thereon, and the program causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, 21 to 29, or 30 to 37.

79. A computer program product, characterized in that, it includes a program which causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, 21 to 29 or 30 to 37.

80. A computer program, characterized in that, the computer program causes a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20, 21 to 29 or 30 to 37.

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