System and terminal

Abstract

A system 100 constitutes a wireless communication network and includes a control unit that executes: receiving a sensing request that requests a result of sensing in a first area designated with a predetermined position as a starting point; and transmitting a first sensing result that is the result of executing sensing in an area including at least the first area on the basis of the sensing request.

Description

Systems and Terminals

[0001] The present disclosure relates to systems and terminals in cellular communication networks.

[0002] In cellular communications, object sensing using radio waves used by base stations (gNBs) or user terminals (UEs) for wireless communications is being considered. It is anticipated that sensing using such radio waves used in cellular communications will determine the presence or absence of obstacles. In this regard, as an invention utilizing technology for determining the presence or absence of obstacles through sensing, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle driving assistance device that recognizes the environment around a vehicle, acquires characteristic information about a target object, determines whether the target object has the potential to obstruct vehicle travel based on the characteristic information, and continues normal vehicle travel control if it is determined that the target object does not have the potential to obstruct travel.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-107027

[0004] The present disclosure aims to transmit sensing results for an area within a range requested by a UE (User Equipment).

[0005] One aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is a system that constitutes a wireless communication network, and includes a control unit that performs the following: receiving a sensing request requesting the results of sensing in a first range specified starting from a predetermined position; and transmitting a first sensing result that is the result of performing sensing in an area that includes at least the first range based on the sensing request.

[0006] Furthermore, one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is a terminal including a control unit that performs the following: sending a sensing request to a core network requesting the results of sensing in a first range specified starting from a predetermined position; and receiving from the core network a first sensing result that is the result of performing sensing in an area that includes at least the first range based on the sensing request.

[0007] Other aspects include a method executed by the above-described device, a program for causing a computer to execute the method, or a computer-readable storage medium non-transitoryly storing the program.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to transmit sensing results for an area within the range requested by the UE.

[0009] A conceptual diagram of processing executed by a system according to an embodiment. A diagram illustrating components of a system according to an embodiment. A diagram showing an example configuration of an information processing device operable as a system according to an embodiment. A diagram showing an example configuration of a device operable as a terminal of the system according to an embodiment. A sequence diagram relating to sensing processing executed by a control unit of the system according to an embodiment. A flowchart relating to sensing processing executed by a control unit of the system according to an embodiment. A diagram explaining a method of expressing a range in which sensing is requested. A conceptual diagram of processing for mixing sensing results executed by a system according to an embodiment and sensing results executed by a UE.

[0010] This section describes a case where the results of sensing a specific area by a user terminal (UE) are not satisfactory. It is conceivable that the UE complements the results of sensing by acquiring the results of 5G sensing, which is sensing of objects using radio waves used for wireless communication by a base station (gNB) or another user terminal (UE) in a 5G system, for that area. As an example, the UE is a vehicle equipped with a mobile communication terminal. In such a system, the UE needs to specify a specific range in the specific area where the sensing results are not satisfactory and acquire the results of 5G sensing. For example, when a vehicle (UE) senses a specific area using an onboard camera, it is assumed that the brightness of the specific area to be sensed is insufficient, such as at night. In such a case, the sensing results of the onboard camera may be poor due to the insufficient brightness of the specific area. Therefore, the vehicle (UE) can obtain sensing results of sufficient quality by acquiring and using the results of sensing performed by another entity for a specific range within the specific area where good sensing results were not obtained. Therefore, it is desirable for the system to be able to acquire sensing results for a specific range specified by the UE and transmit them to the UE.

[0011] A system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a system that constitutes a wireless communication network and includes a control unit that receives a sensing request requesting the results of sensing in a first range specified starting from a predetermined position, and transmits a first sensing result that is the result of performing sensing in an area that includes at least the first range based on the sensing request.

[0012] Examples of wireless communication networks include systems using 5G, 4G, LTE, LTE-A, SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, NR, and the like, and next-generation systems expanded based on these. Other examples of wireless communication networks include IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, UWB, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and other systems, and next-generation systems expanded based on these. The wireless communication network may be a system in which multiple systems are combined.

[0013] The first range is a predetermined area defined in space, and may be expressed on a two-dimensional plane or in three-dimensional space.

[0014] The predetermined location is typically the location where the UE transmitting the sensing request is located.

[0015] A sensing request is, for example, information sent from an Application Function (hereinafter, AF) in 5G to a system, requesting that sensing be performed in a first range and the results of the sensing performed in the first range be transmitted to the AF, etc.

[0016] The first sensing result is information representing the result of sensing performed in the first range by a device or the like that has received an instruction from the control unit. The first sensing result may be the result of 5G sensing performed in the first range by the device or the like.

[0017] The control unit receives a sensing request that specifies a specific range, and transmits the results of sensing the specific range to the AF or the like based on the request.

[0018] This allows the system according to the present disclosure to transmit the results of 5G sensing in a spatial range specified by the AF to the AF, etc.

[0019] The sensing request may also include information about a central angle centered on the predetermined position for specifying the first range.

[0020] This allows the system according to the present disclosure to accept sensing requests for a spatial range, typically specified by an angle from the UE.

[0021] The information about the central angle may also include information indicating a direction or an azimuth angle as viewed from the predetermined position.

[0022] This allows the system according to the present disclosure to accept a request for sensing a spatial range specified by a direction from a predetermined position.

[0023] The sensing request may also include information regarding the time or duration at which sensing is to be performed.

[0024] This allows the system according to the present disclosure to accept a sensing request that specifies the time or duration of sensing.

[0025] The control unit may also transmit an execution instruction to at least one of the plurality of base stations, the execution instruction instructing the base station to execute sensing in the first range.

[0026] 5G sensing is typically performed by a base station that has jurisdiction over the area to be sensed, so the system needs to request 5G sensing from a base station or the like that has jurisdiction over the spatial range specified in the sensing request.

[0027] This allows the system of the present disclosure to instruct the selected base station to perform 5G sensing in the first range.

[0028] The sensing request may include, as the predetermined location, a location of a UE (User Equipment) that has transmitted the sensing request.

[0029] This allows the system according to the present disclosure to accept a sensing request based on the location of the UE that transmitted the sensing request.

[0030] Furthermore, in the sensing request, the first range may be determined based on a second range in which the UE has performed sensing.

[0031] This allows the system according to the present disclosure to provide sensing results for a spatial range determined to reflect the spatial range in which the UE performed sensing.

[0032] In addition, a terminal according to the present disclosure includes a control unit that performs the following: sending a sensing request to a core network requesting the results of sensing in a first range specified starting from a predetermined position; and receiving from the core network a first sensing result that is the result of performing sensing in an area that includes at least the first range based on the sensing request.

[0033] As a result, the terminal according to the present disclosure can achieve the same effects as the above system.

[0034] The control unit provided in the terminal according to the present disclosure may determine a mixing ratio of the first sensing result and the second sensing result based on a second sensing result, which is the result of performing sensing in a second range, and may calculate the sensing result in the first range from the first sensing result and the second sensing result based on the mixing ratio.

[0035] As a result, the terminal according to the present disclosure can calculate the sensing result for a desired spatial range by combining the sensing result acquired from the system 100 and the sensing result performed by the terminal itself based on the result of the sensing performed by the terminal itself. Thus, the terminal according to the present disclosure can obtain a more reliable sensing result in the desired spatial range.

[0036] Specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the hardware configurations, module configurations, functional configurations, and the like described in each embodiment are not intended to limit the technical scope of the disclosure to those configurations alone. For example, although an example in which the present disclosure is applied to a fifth-generation mobile communication system will be described below, the present disclosure may also be applied to fourth-generation or later-fifth-generation mobile communication systems. The present disclosure may also be applied to mobile communication systems defined by organizations other than 3GPP (registered trademark), or to any wireless communication system or wired communication system other than a mobile communication system.

[0037] (Embodiment) <Outline of System Processing> First, an outline of processing executed by a system according to an embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of processing executed by a system 100 according to an embodiment. Here, the system 100 is typically a 5G core network. The system 100 communicates with a UE (vehicle) included in the 5G network and receives or transmits various instructions or various data. The system 100 also communicates with a base station 200 that emits radio waves that realize the 5G network, transmits various instructions, and receives various data. Note that the system 100 communicates with the UE (vehicle) via an AF (described below), but the system 100 may also communicate directly with the UE (vehicle). The AF is not shown in FIG. 1.

[0038] The vehicle 40, which is a UE 2, is a vehicle that can perform sensing of the surroundings of the vehicle 40 using sensors mounted thereon. First, the vehicle 40 specifies a spatial range in which 5G sensing will be performed and requests the system 100 to perform sensing. The vehicle 40 may specify an area in which it is difficult for the vehicle 40 itself to perform sensing (e.g., an area that is a blind spot from the vehicle 40, or an area in which the sensitivity of the sensors mounted on the vehicle 40 is poor, etc.) as the spatial range. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle 40 may specify a first area 310, which is an area in front of the vehicle 40, as the area in which the vehicle 40 itself will perform sensing, and second areas 320a and 320b, which are areas to the sides of the vehicle 40, as areas in which 5G sensing will be performed by other devices (including the base station 200 or other UEs 2, etc.).

[0039] Next, the system 100, which has received a request to perform sensing from the vehicle 40, instructs the base station 200 to perform 5G sensing in the spatial range specified by the vehicle 40. Then, the base station 200, which has received the instruction from the system 100, performs 5G sensing in the specified spatial range.

[0040] Alternatively, the system 100, which has received a request to perform sensing from the vehicle 40, may instruct the base station 200 to instruct the UEs present in the jurisdiction area to perform 5G sensing or other sensing in a spatial range designated by the vehicle 40. Then, each UE that has received the instruction from the base station 200 performs 5G sensing or other sensing in the designated spatial range.

[0041] Next, the base station 200 transmits the 5G sensing results of the specified spatial range to the system 100. When the base station 200 instructs another sensing device to sense a specified spatial range, the base station 200 may acquire the sensing results detected by the other sensing device and transmit the results to the system 100. Having received the sensing results from the base station 200, the system 100 transmits the sensing results of the spatial range specified by the vehicle 40 to the vehicle 40.

[0042] In this way, the system 100 can accept a request for sensing in a spatial range specified by the vehicle 40, which is the UE2, and transmit the results of the sensing in the spatial range executed by the base station 200 to the vehicle 40, which is the UE2. In other words, the system 100 can provide the results of the sensing in the spatial range specified by the UE2 to the UE2.

[0043] <System Configuration> Figure 2 shows the components that make up a fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G network). In Figure 2, UE (User Equipment) 2 is a user (subscriber) terminal. RAN (Radio Access Network) 3 is an access network to the 5G core network (5GC). RAN 3 is composed of base stations (gNBs). The 5G network has a 5G core network (5GC) and an access network ((R)AN), and UE 2, DN 5, and AF 12 are connected to the 5G network. Each of NFs 11a to 11m is a function realized by one or more computers (information processing devices) executing a program. However, a single computer may realize two or more of NFs 11a to 11m. Each of NFs 11a to 11m can also be referred to as a network node or network component. The components shown in FIG. 1 implement a system 100 according to an embodiment.

[0044] 5GC is composed of a set of components with specific functions called NFs (Network Functions). Figure 1 shows the following as NF11 that constitutes 5GC. In Figure 1, multiple elements that constitute NF11 are shown as rectangles with thicker lines than the other lines.

[0045] UPF (User Plane Function) 11a AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) 11b SMF (Session Management Function) 11c PCF (Policy Control Function) 11d NEF (Network Exposure Function) 11e NRF (Network Repository Function) 11g NSSF (Network Slice Selection Function) 11h AUSF (Authentication Server Function) 11i UDM (Unified Data Management) 11j SENSING (Sensing Function) 11m

[0046] The UPF 11a performs routing and forwarding of user packets (user plane packets transmitted and received by the UE 2), packet inspection, and QoS processing.

[0047] The AMF 11b is a device for accommodating UEs in the 5GC. The AMF 11b accommodates the RAN 3 and performs subscriber authentication control, location (mobility) management of the UE 2, and the like.

[0048] The SMF 11c manages PDU (Protocol Data Unit) sessions and controls the UPF 11a to implement QoS (Quality of Service) control and policy control. The PDU session is a virtual communication path for exchanging data between the UE 2 and a DN (Data Network) 5. The DN 5 is a data network (such as the Internet) outside the 5GC.

[0049] The PCF 11d performs QoS control, policy control, billing control, etc. under the control of the SMF 11c. QoS control involves controlling the quality of communication, such as prioritized packet forwarding. Policy control involves controlling communication, such as QoS based on network or subscriber information, whether packet forwarding is permitted, and billing.

[0050] The NEF11e mediates communication between external nodes and nodes within the control plane.

[0051] The NRF 11g stores and manages information on NFs (for example, AMF, SMF, UPF, etc.) within 5GC. In response to an inquiry regarding an NF desired to be used, the NRF 11g can return multiple NF candidates to the inquiry source.

[0052] The NSSF 11h has a function of selecting a network slice to be used by a subscriber from among the network slices generated by network slicing. A network slice is a virtual network having specifications according to the application.

[0053] The AUSF 11i is a subscriber authentication server that performs subscriber authentication under the control of the AMF 11b.

[0054] The UDM 11j holds subscriber-related information, provides subscriber information, or acquires, registers, deletes, and changes the status of the UE 2.

[0055] SENSING11m performs sensing services including collecting sensing information from UE2, RAN3 (base station (gNB)), or other nodes, and providing the collected sensing information to UE2 or other external systems (AF12, DN5, etc.). Details of SENSING11m will be described later.

[0056] The AF 12 is an NF that performs processing using sensing data and provides an application service using the sensing data to a UE (terminal). As an example, the AF 12 notifies the UE (terminal) of the results of sensing in a specified spatial range acquired by the SENSING 11m. Alternatively, an application program executed in the UE (terminal) may operate as the AF 12.

[0057] In 5GC, multiple NFs of the same type may be prepared. For example, an NF 11 may be prepared for each data center (station). Also, one NF 11 may be shared between data centers. Also, multiple NFs 11 of the same type may be configured in one data center. The number of data centers, the number of NFs 11, and the correspondence between the NFs 11 and the data centers may be set appropriately.

[0058] <Configuration of Information Processing Device and Terminal> Fig. 3A is a diagram showing an example configuration of an information processing device 20 that can operate as the system 100 according to the embodiment. In Fig. 3A, the information processing device 20 can be configured using a dedicated or general-purpose information processing device (computer) such as a personal computer (PC), a workstation (WS), or a server machine. However, the information processing device 20 may also be a collection (cloud) of one or more computers.

[0059] The information processing device 20 includes a processor 21 as a processing unit or control unit (controller), a storage device 22, a communication interface 23 (communication IF 23), an input device 24, and a display 25, all of which are interconnected via a bus 26.

[0060] The storage device 22 includes a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device. The main storage device is used as at least one of a storage area for programs and data, a program development area, a program work area, and a buffer area for communication data. The main storage device is configured with RAM (Random Access Memory) or a combination of RAM and ROM (Read Only Memory). The auxiliary storage device is used as a storage area for data and programs. A non-volatile storage medium is used as the auxiliary storage device. Examples of non-volatile storage media include a hard disk, a solid state drive (SSD), a flash memory, and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). The storage device 22 may also include a drive device for a disk recording medium.

[0061] The communication IF 23 is a circuit that performs communication processing. For example, the communication IF 23 is a network interface card (NIC). The communication IF 23 may also be a wireless communication circuit that performs wireless communication (5G, wireless LAN (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), BLE, etc.). The communication IF 23 may also be a combination of a circuit that performs wired communication processing and a wireless communication circuit.

[0062] The input device 24 includes keys, buttons, a pointing device, a touch panel, etc., and is used to input information. The display 25 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, etc., and displays information and data.

[0063] The processor 21 performs various processes by executing various programs stored in the storage device 22. The processor 21 executes the programs stored in the storage device 22, allowing the information processing device 20 to operate as each of the NFs 11a to 11m and the external servers 12a and 12b. The processor 21 is a specific example of a control unit of the system 100.

[0064] 3B is a diagram showing an example configuration of a vehicle 40 that can operate as a UE 2. The vehicle 40 includes a processor 41, a storage device 42, a communication interface 43 (communication IF 43), an input device 44, a display 45, and a drive unit 47, which are interconnected via a bus 46. The processor 41, the storage device 42, the communication IF 43, the input device 44, and the display 45 can be similar to the processor 21, the storage device 22, the communication IF 23, the input device 24, and the display 25. Therefore, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0065] The processors 21 and 41 are, for example, central processing units (CPUs). A CPU is also called a microprocessor unit (MPU). The processors 21 and 41 may have a single processor configuration or a multiprocessor configuration. Furthermore, a single physical CPU connected via a single socket may have a multi-core configuration. The processors 21 and 41 may include arithmetic units with various circuit configurations, such as a digital signal processor (DSP) or a graphics processing unit (GPU). Furthermore, the processors 21 and 41 may be configured to cooperate with at least one of an integrated circuit (IC), other digital circuit, and analog circuit. The integrated circuit includes an LSI, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a programmable logic device (PLD). The PLD includes, for example, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). The processors 21 and 41 also include, for example, what is called a microcontroller (MCU), a system-on-a-chip (SoC), a system LSI, or a chipset.

[0066] The drive unit 47 is a means for propelling the vehicle 40. The drive unit 47 may include, for example, a motor and an inverter for driving the wheels, a brake, and a steering mechanism. The drive unit 47 may be operated by power supplied from a battery.

[0067] 4 is a sequence diagram relating to sensing processing executed by the control unit of the system 100 according to the embodiment. Note that the sequence diagram shown here is an example, and processing other than that shown in the diagram may be included, some of the processing shown in the diagram may be omitted, and the execution order of the processing shown in the diagram may be changed.

[0068] In this operation example, UE2, which transmits a sensing request to SENSING11m, corresponds to vehicle 40 equipped with a mobile communication terminal that uses this service, and SENSING11m and AF12 correspond to the application that provides this service.

[0069] In step S10, a UE 2 requesting sensing of a specified spatial range transmits a request message requesting sensing (Request) to the AF 12. The request message is a specific example of a sensing request. The request message includes parameters for specifying the spatial range to be detected.

[0070] The parameters for specifying the spatial range of the detection target may represent, for example, location information indicating a point that serves as a starting point for defining the spatial range, and information indicating a range expressed with the starting point as a reference. The range expressed with the starting point as a reference may be expressed as an angle with the starting point as a reference, or as a direction or azimuth angle with the starting point as a reference. Note that, here, the spatial range may be expressed on a two-dimensional plane or in three-dimensional space. Note that the spatial range that is the detection target is the first range.

[0071] The request message may also include information about the time or duration at which sensing is to be performed. Note that the UE 2 may transmit the request message directly to the SENSING 11 m without going through the AF 12.

[0072] In step S11, the AF 12 transmits a request message to the SENSING 11m to request sensing. As in step S10, the request message includes parameters for specifying the spatial range to be detected. The request message may also include information regarding the time or duration at which sensing is to be performed.

[0073] In step S12, the SENSING11m, which has received the request message from the AF12, selects at least one device from among multiple devices to perform 5G sensing within the spatial range specified by the UE2. The SENSING11m may select a device that is closest to the location where the spatial range specified by the UE2 exists. Here, the devices include the base station 200 and one or more UEs 2. The SENSING11m may select a base station, an arbitrary UE2, or both a base station and one or more arbitrary UEs 2 as the device to perform 5G sensing.

[0074] In step S13, the SENSING 11m requests the base station 200 to collect sensing data. At this time, the SENSING 11m specifies parameters for specifying the spatial range to be detected. Note that the SENSING 11m may also specify parameters indicating the time or duration at which sensing should be performed.

[0075] In step S14, the base station 200 performs 5G sensing in the specified spatial range. Note that, instead of performing 5G sensing by itself, the base station 200 may instruct a sensing device present in its jurisdiction area to perform sensing in the specified spatial range.

[0076] Next, in step S15, the base station 200 transmits the collected sensing data to the SENSING 11m. If the base station 200 has performed sensing in a spatial range designated by the base station 200, the base station 200 may transmit the sensing data it has collected. Also, if the base station 200 has requested a sensing device present in its jurisdiction to perform sensing in a spatial range designated by the base station 200, the base station 200 may acquire sensing data from the sensing device and transmit the acquired sensing data to the SENSING 11m.

[0077] In step S16, SENSING 11m transmits the sensing result to AF 12. SENSING 11m may transmit the sensing data received from the base station 200 itself to AF 12, or may transmit the sensing data received from the base station 200 processed data to AF 12. The sensing result transmitted by SENSING 11m is a specific example of a first sensing result.

[0078] In step S17, the AF 12 transmits the sensing result to the UE 2. The AF 12 may transmit the sensing result received from the SENSING 11 m to the UE 2 as it is, or may transmit data obtained by processing the sensing result received from the SENSING 11 m to the UE 2.

[0079] Next, a process executed by the control unit of the system 100 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart relating to a sensing process executed by the control unit of the system 100 according to the embodiment. Specifically, the process described in Fig. 5 may be executed by the processor 41 of the information processing device 20 operable as the system 100.

[0080] First, in step S20, the SENSING 11m receives a sensing request (sensing request) specifying a predetermined position and spatial range to perform sensing from the AF 12, which has received the sensing request specifying a predetermined position and spatial range from the UE 2. Alternatively, the SENSING 11m may receive a sensing request message from the UE 2. The request message may include information specifying the time or duration at which sensing should be performed in the spatial range specified by the UE 2.

[0081] In a sensing request, the spatial range in which sensing is to be performed may be expressed based on information about a central angle centered on a predetermined position. Here, the predetermined position may be the location where UE2 is located, or a specific point away from UE2. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method of expressing a range in which sensing is requested. For example, as shown in FIG. 6( a), UE2 may specify, as the range in which sensing is to be performed, a sector-shaped range with a predetermined radius and central angles that range from angle α1 to angle α2 from the horizontal line starting from the location of UE2, which is a vehicle 40. The range in which sensing is to be performed is not limited to a sector or circle, and may be expressed as a polygon.

[0082] Furthermore, in the sensing request, information regarding the central angle representing the spatial range in which sensing is performed may be expressed based on information indicating the direction or azimuth angle as seen from a predetermined position. Here, the predetermined position may be the location where UE2 is located, or a specific point away from UE2. For example, as shown in FIG. 6B , UE2 may specify, as the range in which sensing is performed, a sector-shaped range of a predetermined radius with a central angle between angle β1 (azimuth angle) and angle β2 from a line extending due north from the location of vehicle 40. Alternatively, the range in which sensing is performed may be expressed using a direction as a sector-shaped range of a predetermined radius extending from north-northeast to east from the location of UE2, which is vehicle 40. The range in which sensing is performed is not limited to a sector or circle, and may be expressed as a polygon.

[0083] The spatial range in which sensing is performed (first range) may be determined based on the range in which sensing is performed by the UE 2 that transmitted the sensing request (referred to as the second range). For example, the UE 2 may identify an area in which the quality of acquired data is insufficient within the area in which the UE 2 itself performed sensing, and specify the identified area as the first range in the sensing request. Alternatively, the UE 2 may specify a portion of an area outside the area in which the UE 2 itself can perform sensing as the first range in the sensing request. Furthermore, the UE 2 may indicate to the system 100 in the sensing request a spatial range in which sensing is not required.

[0084] Next, in step S21, SENSING11m selects at least one base station 200 from among the multiple base stations. SENSING11m selects the base station 200 that will perform 5G sensing, or the base station 200 that will request the sensing device to perform sensing. Here, the sensing device may be another UE different from UE2. For example, the other UE may be a vehicle equipped with a mobile communication terminal, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. SENSING11m may select one base station, or may select two or more base stations.

[0085] Here, for example, the SENSING 11m may select, from among a plurality of base stations, the base station that is closest to a position designated as the range in which sensing is to be performed, as the base station 200 that will perform sensing.

[0086] Next, in step S22, SENSING11m may request the selected base station 200 to perform 5G sensing. Alternatively, SENSING11m may request the selected base station 200 to instruct at least one sensing device present within the coverage area of ​​the base station 200 to perform sensing of a specified spatial range. The base station 200 may select the sensing device that is closest to a predetermined position from among the sensing devices present within the coverage area, or may select the sensing device that is most suitable for performing the type of sensing requested by SENSING11m.

[0087] Next, in step S23, SENSING11m receives the sensing result from the selected base station 200. SENSING11m may receive the 5G sensing result of the area including the specified spatial range, performed by the selected base station 200.

[0088] Alternatively, SENSING 11m may receive sensing results of an area including the spatial range received by the selected base station 200 from a sensing device present in the jurisdiction area. The sensing method performed by the sensing device is not limited to 5G sensing, and may be a sensing method using LiDAR, a millimeter wave sensor, a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an image sensor, a current sensor, etc. Note that SENSING 11m may receive the sensing results directly from the sensing device.

[0089] Next, in step S24, the SENSING 11m transmits the sensing result (first sensing result) to the UE 2 that transmitted the sensing request to the system 100. The SENSING 11m may transmit the data itself received from the base station 200 or another sensing device to the UE 2, or may process the data and transmit it to the UE 2.

[0090] This allows the system 100 to provide the UE 2 with sensing results for the spatial range requested by the UE 2 .

[0091] <UE Operation> Next, the operation of UE2 requesting system 100 to sense a specified spatial range will be described. First, UE2 transmits a request message to system 100 (core network) requesting sensing of a specified spatial range (first range). In the request message, UE2 specifies a predetermined position and spatial range where sensing is to be performed. UE2 may also specify, in the request message, the time or duration at which sensing should be performed.

[0092] Next, UE2 obtains a first sensing result from system 100 (core network), which is a result of sensing an area including the first range. The first sensing result may include information corresponding to the probability of an obstacle being present in the area. Note that the information included in the first sensing result is not limited to the above. The first sensing result is a result of sensing an area including the first range by base station 200 that has received an instruction from system 100 or another sensing device that has received an instruction from base station 200.

[0093] When the UE 2 acquires the sensing results of a specified spatial range from the system 100, the UE 2 can obtain more accurate sensing results by mixing the sensing results acquired from the system 100 with the sensing results it has performed itself. Fig. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a process of mixing the sensing results performed by the system 100 and the sensing results performed by the UE according to the embodiment.

[0094] For example, suppose the probability of an obstacle existing in a spatial range where sensing is performed by vehicle 40 (UE2) is X%. Then, suppose that the result of sensing performed by another sensing device or base station 200 on the same spatial range indicates that the probability of an obstacle existing in that spatial range is Y%. In this case, UE2 may use the weighted average (weighted sum) of the respective existence probabilities as the probability of an obstacle existing in that spatial range. Specifically, UE2 may use the value calculated from the formula X% x p + Y% x (1 - p) (p is a number between 0 and 1) as the probability of an obstacle existing in that spatial range.

[0095] In the above example, the mixing ratio (value of p) may be determined based on the priority between sensing by the vehicle 40 (e.g., a camera sensor) and 5G sensing in sensing of the spatial range. For example, consider a case in which the vehicle 40 performs sensing using a camera sensor in the above example. In this case, the UE2 may prioritize sensing by the camera sensor performed by the vehicle 40 for a portion of the predetermined spatial range where brightness is sufficient. Then, the UE2 may prioritize 5G sensing requested by the vehicle 40 from the system 100 for a portion where brightness is insufficient. Note that the processing described here may be performed by the AF12.

[0096] In this way, UE2 can combine the results of sensing performed in a spatial range specified by base station 200 or another sensing device with the results of sensing performed in a spatial range specified by UE2 itself, thereby obtaining more reliable sensing results.

[0097] The UE 2 may determine a mixing ratio of the first sensing result and the second sensing result received from the system 100 based on a result of sensing performed by the UE 2 itself in a second range, which is a specified spatial range (referred to as a second sensing result).The UE 2 may then calculate a sensing result for the first range from the first sensing result and the second sensing result based on the determined mixing ratio.For example, the UE 2 may calculate a weighted average of the probability of an obstacle existing in the first range indicated by the first sensing result and the probability of an obstacle existing in the first range indicated by the second sensing result based on a predetermined weight.

[0098] In addition, the process of determining the ratio at which the first sensing result and the second sensing result are mixed, and the process of mixing the first sensing result and the second sensing result (such as the process of calculating a weighted average) may be performed by AF12 rather than UE2.

[0099] <Other Modifications> The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and the present disclosure can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope that does not deviate from the gist thereof.

[0100] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the spatial range in which sensing should be performed is specified starting from the position of the UE 2 that transmitted the sensing request to the AF 12 or the system 100. However, the spatial range in which sensing should be performed does not have to be determined starting from the position of the UE 2 that transmitted the sensing request to the AF 12 or the system 100. The spatial range in which sensing should be performed may be a spatial range starting from any point.

[0101] In the above embodiment, data is provided to the user terminal by a request / response method, but it may also be provided by a subscribe / notify method.

[0102] The present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a computer program that implements the functions described in the above embodiments to a computer, and having one or more processors in the computer read and execute the program. Such a computer program may be provided to the computer on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium connectable to the computer's system bus or via a network. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media include, for example, any type of disk, such as a magnetic disk (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk drive (HDD), etc.), an optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, a DVD disk, a Blu-ray disk), a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an EPROM, an EEPROM, a magnetic card, a flash memory, an optical card, or any type of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions.

[0103] 2 UE 11m SENSING 12 AF 20 Information processing device 21 Processor 40 Vehicle 100 System 200 Base station

Claims

1. A system that constitutes a wireless communication network, comprising a control unit that performs the following: receiving a sensing request requesting sensing results in a first range specified with a predetermined position as a starting point; and transmitting a first sensing result, which is the result of performing sensing in an area that includes at least the first range, based on the sensing request.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensing request includes information regarding a central angle centered on the specified position for specifying the first range.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the information regarding the central angle includes information indicating a direction or azimuth angle as viewed from the specified position.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing request includes information regarding the time or duration for which sensing is to be performed.

5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit transmits an execution instruction to at least one of the plurality of base stations, the execution instruction instructing the base station to execute sensing in the first range.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensing request includes, as the predetermined location, a location of a UE (User Equipment) that has transmitted the sensing request.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein in the sensing request, the first range is determined based on a second range in which the UE has performed sensing.

8. A terminal comprising a control unit that performs the following: sending a sensing request to a core network, requesting sensing results in a first range specified starting from a predetermined position; and receiving from the core network a first sensing result that is the result of performing sensing in an area including at least the first range based on the sensing request.

9. The terminal described in claim 8, wherein the control unit determines a mixing ratio of the first sensing result and the second sensing result based on a second sensing result which is a result of performing sensing in a second range, and calculates the sensing result in the first range from the first sensing result and the second sensing result based on the mixing ratio.

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