System and terminal

Abstract

This system constitutes a wireless communication network, and is provided with a control unit that executes reception of a request message requesting formation of one group comprising a plurality of pieces of user equipment (UE) in a predetermined area, and transmission of an instruction message giving an instruction for the plurality of pieces of UE present in the predetermined area to form a group on the basis of the request message.

Description

Systems and Terminals

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

[0002] It is anticipated that vehicles equipped with mobile communication terminals will be controlled in a cellular communication network. One known vehicle control technology is a technology for controlling a convoy of multiple vehicles. In this regard, Patent Literature 1 (JP-A-2005-102666) discloses a vehicle management device that controls the connections between vehicles in a convoy by communicating with the leading vehicle of the convoy.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-97152

[0004] The present disclosure aims to specify an area where a group consisting of multiple UEs should be formed, and have the relevant UEs form the group.

[0005] One aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is a system constituting a wireless communication network, comprising a control unit that receives a request message requesting the formation of a group consisting of a plurality of UEs (User Equipment) in a specified area, and transmits an instruction message instructing the plurality of UEs present in the specified area to form a group based on the request message.

[0006] Furthermore, one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure is a terminal that operates as a UE (User Equipment) that constitutes a wireless communication network, and that includes a control unit that receives an instruction message from the core network instructing a plurality of UEs, including the terminal itself, to form a group in a specified area, determines whether the terminal itself is present in the specified area, and, if it determines that the terminal itself is present in the specified area, forms the group with a plurality of nearby UEs.

[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, an area where a group consisting of a plurality of UEs should be formed can be specified, and the corresponding UEs can be made to form the group.

[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 a system according to an embodiment. A sequence diagram relating to group formation processing executed by a control unit of a system according to an embodiment. A flowchart relating to group formation processing executed by a control unit of a system according to an embodiment. A conceptual diagram showing an example of setting a UE at the center of an area as the group leader. A conceptual diagram showing an example of setting a UE that has stayed the longest as the group leader. A flowchart relating to group formation processing executed by a terminal according to an embodiment.

[0010] When an emergency vehicle or the like is passing through an area where many vehicles are approaching from multiple directions, such as an intersection, it is necessary to provide a space for the emergency vehicle to pass through smoothly. To achieve this, it is effective for multiple vehicles present in a specific area, such as an intersection, to operate in coordination. For example, if multiple vehicles communicate with each other to form a group and operate in coordination according to instructions from a group leader or certain rules, the multiple vehicles can clear a space for the emergency vehicle to pass through smoothly. Therefore, it is desirable for a system that communicates with the multiple vehicles to be able to specify an area and send instructions to multiple vehicles present in the area to form a group.

[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 request message requesting the formation of a group consisting of a plurality of UEs (User Equipment) in a specified area, and transmits an instruction message instructing the plurality of UEs present in the specified area to form a group based on the request message.

[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 predetermined area is a spatial range in which a group consisting of a plurality of UEs is formed, and may be a spatial range in which some or all UEs present in the area should form one group.

[0014] The request message is a message received by a control unit from an Application Function (hereinafter referred to as AF) in a 5G system, requesting the formation of a group consisting of multiple UEs in a predetermined area. The request message specifies a spatial range in which the UEs to be grouped exist.

[0015] The instruction message is a message that the control unit sends to multiple UEs to instruct them to form a group among multiple UEs that exist within a predetermined area. In the instruction message, the control unit instructs UEs that exist within a spatial range specified based on the request message to form a group.

[0016] The control unit receives a request message from the AF requesting that a group consisting of multiple UEs be formed in a specified area, and sends an instruction message to the UE instructing it to form a group consisting of multiple UEs in a specified area based on the request message.

[0017] This allows the system according to the present disclosure to instruct UEs to form groups consisting of multiple UEs in a given area.

[0018] The request message may include area information that is information relating to the predetermined area, and the instruction message may include the area information.

[0019] This allows the system according to the present disclosure to specify an area based on a request from the AF and instruct multiple UEs to form a group.

[0020] The request message may include time zone information, which is information relating to a time zone during which the one group is formed, and the instruction message may include the time zone information.

[0021] This allows the system according to the present disclosure to specify a time period based on a request from the AF and instruct multiple UEs to form a group.

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

[0023] This allows the system according to the present disclosure to instruct UEs to form groups through an appropriate base station.

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

[0025] As a result, the system according to the present disclosure can designate a UE that can communicate efficiently with each of the UEs that make up a group of multiple UEs as the leader.

[0026] The control unit may also include information in the instruction message to designate the UE that is expected to stay in the specified area the longest as the leader of the group.

[0027] As a result, the system according to the present disclosure can designate a UE that can stably communicate with each of the UEs that make up a group of multiple UEs as the leader.

[0028] In addition, the terminal according to the present disclosure is a terminal that operates as a UE (User Equipment) that constitutes a wireless communication network, and is equipped with a control unit that performs the following: receiving an instruction message from the core network instructing a plurality of UEs, including the terminal itself, to form a group in a specified area; determining whether the terminal itself is present in the specified area; and, if it is determined that the terminal itself is present in the specified area, forming the group with a plurality of nearby UEs.

[0029] As a result, the terminal according to the present disclosure can achieve the same effects as the above system.

[0030] 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.

[0031] (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 UEs (vehicles) included in the 5G network and receives or transmits various instructions. The system 100 also communicates with a base station 200 that emits radio waves that realize the 5G network and transmits various instructions. Note that the system 100 communicates with the UEs (vehicles) via an AF (described below), but the system 100 may also communicate directly with the UEs (vehicles). The AF is not shown in FIG. 1.

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

[0033] First, when vehicle 40A is dispatched in response to a report, it transmits its current driving location and the like to emergency command center 300. Emergency command center 300 is an example of an AF (AF will be described later) in this disclosure. Upon receiving the driving location of vehicle 40A, emergency command center 300 requests system 100 to form a group consisting of multiple UE2 by specifying a predetermined area and time period determined from vehicle 40A's driving location and the like. For example, emergency command center 300 may request system 100 to form a group of multiple vehicles 40, which are UE2, in a predetermined area where vehicle 40A is scheduled to arrive, during the time period when vehicle 40A will arrive. This is to allow surrounding vehicles to smoothly give way by driving in cooperation during the time period when emergency vehicle 40A is passing through. In addition, the emergency command center 300 may request the formation of a group consisting of multiple vehicles 40 by specifying a specific area and time period based on the movement route of vehicle 40A that is known in advance from information regarding the destination of dispatch, etc., without receiving the current location of vehicle 40A from vehicle 40A.

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

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

[0036] Then, the plurality of vehicles 40 that have received an instruction to form a group from the base station 200 form a single group by performing vehicle-to-vehicle communication with each other. The plurality of vehicles 40 that have formed a group share each other's position information, traveling direction, speed, etc., and travel in coordination. The plurality of vehicles 40 that have formed a group may travel according to the instructions of one vehicle 40 in the group that has been selected as a leader, or may communicate with each other via vehicle-to-vehicle communication to adjust the traveling direction, speed, etc. as needed.

[0037] Note that the system 100 may specify a method for selecting a leader within the group when instructing the base station 200 to instruct the vehicles 40 that are the corresponding UEs 2 to form a group. The base station 200 transmits the method for selecting a leader within the group to the plurality of vehicles 40, and the vehicle 40 determined by the selection method acts as the leader within the group. For example, the system 100 may specify that a vehicle 40 located at the center of a predetermined area is selected as the leader.

[0038] For example, as shown in Figure 1, the multiple vehicles 40 that form the group can each move in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow, thereby alleviating congestion at the intersection and ensuring the path of vehicle 40A, an emergency vehicle.

[0039] In this way, the system 100 can cause the base station 200 to instruct a plurality of UEs 2 to form a group in an area and time period designated by the emergency command center 300. In other words, the system 100 can realize the formation of a group by a plurality of UEs 2 in a predetermined area and time period desired by the AF or UE 2A, etc.

[0040] <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.

[0041] 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.

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

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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 or not packet forwarding is possible, and billing. Details of the PCF processing will be described later.

[0047] The CHF11e is responsible for supporting online and offline charging functions.

[0048] The NEF11e mediates communication between external nodes and nodes within the control plane.

[0049] 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.

[0050] The UDR 11i is responsible for managing authentication or authorization according to the subscriber information stored in the subscriber information database.

[0051] The UDM 11j holds subscriber-related information, provides subscriber information, or acquires, registers, deletes, and changes the status of the UE 2.

[0052] The BSF 11k provides PDU sessions and ensures that PDU session requests from AFs reach the PCFs that hold PDU session information. The BSF stores binding information and enables each NF to register, update, delete, and search the information.

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

[0054] The AF 12 is an NF that requests the PCF 11d to form a group consisting of multiple UEs 2 in a predetermined area based on a group formation request received from the UE 2 or autonomously, and provides group communication services to the UE 2. As an example, the AF 12 obtains the current location and future route of the UE 2 and autonomously requests the PCF 11d to form a group consisting of multiple UEs 2 in a predetermined area. Alternatively, an application program executed on a UE (terminal) may operate as the AF 12.

[0055] 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.

[0056] <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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 3B is a diagram showing an example configuration of a vehicle 40 (40A) that can operate as UE2 (2A). The vehicle 40 or 40A 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, all of 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] The drive unit 47 is a means for propelling the vehicle 40 or 40A. The drive unit 47 may include, for example, a motor and inverter for driving the wheels, a brake, and a steering mechanism. The drive unit 47 may be operated by power supplied from a battery.

[0065] 4 is a sequence diagram of a group formation process executed by the control unit of the system 100 according to the embodiment. Note that the sequence diagram shown here is an example, and may include processes other than those shown in the diagram, may omit some of the processes shown in the diagram, or may change the order in which the processes shown in the diagram are executed.

[0066] In this operation example, UEa corresponds to the vehicle 40 equipped with a mobile communication terminal that uses this service, and AMF 11b, PCF 11d, and AF 12 correspond to the application that provides this service. UEn receives a message from UEa that has received the service from this application and operates accordingly. UEa and UEn are specific examples of UE2.

[0067] In step S10, the AF 12 transmits a group formation request message specifying a predetermined area and time period to the PCF 11d. The request message includes parameters specifying the area and time period in which the AF 12 wants multiple UEns to form a group. The parameter specifying the area in which the group is to be formed is a specific example of area information, and the parameter specifying the time period in which the group is to be formed is a specific example of time period information.

[0068] The parameters for specifying the area in which a group is to be formed may represent, for example, location information indicating a point that serves as a starting point for defining the spatial range of the area, and information indicating the 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 from a horizontal or vertical line on a horizontal plane that passes through the starting point, or as a direction or azimuth angle as seen from the starting point. Note that the spatial range may be expressed on a two-dimensional plane or in three-dimensional space. The area in which a group is to be formed is a specific example of a predetermined area.

[0069] The request message may also include information about a time period during which group formation is to be performed. The information about the time period during which group formation is to be performed may be indicated by a time length having a certain width. For example, the request message may specify that group formation is to be performed from h1:00, m1:00, s1:00 to h2:00, m2:00, s2:00, or may specify that group formation is to be performed for m3 minutes starting s3 seconds from the current time. Note that the UE 2 may send the request message directly to the PCF 11d without going through the AF 12.

[0070] In step S11, the AMF 11b transmits to the PCF 11d the responses from the UEs that have been acquired up to that point. The AMF 11b may periodically transmit the responses from the latest UEs to the PCF 11d, or may transmit the responses from the latest UEs to the PCF 11d in response to an inquiry from the PCF 11d.

[0071] In step S12, the PCF 11d updates the policy of the UE to reflect the area specified in the request message received from the AF 12. The PCF 11d updates the policy of the UE a so that the UE a forms a group with multiple UE n in the specified area. The PCF 11d may specify, in the updated policy, information regarding a time period during which the UE a performs group formation. The information regarding the time period may be determined based on the request message received from the AF 12. The PCF 11d may specify, in the updated policy of the UE, the area specified in the request message itself, or may specify, in the updated policy of the UE, a predetermined area obtained by adjusting the position of the area specified in the request message.

[0072] In step S13, the PCF 11d sends a Namf_Communication_N1N2MessageTransfer message to the AMF 11b. The message includes a SUPI and a UE Policy Container as parameters. The UE Policy Container may further include a parameter specifying an area. The UE Policy Container may also include, as a parameter, information regarding a time period during which UEa performs group formation.

[0073] In step S14, the AMF11b requests the UEa to perform a paging process. The AMF11b may request the UEa to perform a paging process via the RAN3.

[0074] Next, in step S15, the AMF11b transmits a UE Policy Container to the UEa. Here, the UE Policy Container includes a parameter specifying an area where group formation should be performed. Furthermore, the UE Policy Container may include, as a parameter, information on a time period where group formation should be performed. Here, the transmitted UE Policy Container is a specific example of an instruction message.

[0075] Note that the AMF 11b may select the base station 200 that is to transmit the UE Policy Container to the UE a, and may cause the base station 200 to transmit the UE Policy Container to the UE a. The AMF 11b may cause the base station 200 that is closest to a predetermined area specified by a parameter included in the UE Policy Container to transmit the UE Policy Container to one or more UEs 2 within the area.

[0076] In step S16, the UEa returns the result of receiving the UE Policy Container to the AMF11b. If the information is received correctly, the UEa may transmit an ACK. If the information cannot be received correctly due to packet loss or the like, the UEa may transmit a NAK instead and request transmission of the information again.

[0077] In step S17, the AMF 11b transmits a Namf_Communication_N1MessageNotify message to the PCF 11d. The message is information indicating the result of the UEa receiving the UE Policy Container.

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

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

[0080] In step 18, one or more UEns instructed by UEa to form a group form a group in a designated area or the like.

[0081] Next, a process executed by the control unit of the system 100 according to the embodiment will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a group formation process executed by the control unit of the system according to the embodiment. Specifically, the process shown in Fig. 5 may be executed by the processor 41 of the information processing device 20 operable as the system 100.

[0082] First, in step S20, the PCF 11d receives a request message requesting the formation of a group consisting of multiple UEs 2 in a specified area. The PCF 11d may receive the request message from the AF 12 or may receive the request message directly from the UE 2. The request message requests the PCF 11d to instruct the corresponding UEs 2 to form a group consisting of multiple UEs 2 in a specified area. The request message may include information regarding a time period during which the group formation should be performed in the area specified by the UE 2.

[0083] Next, in step S21, the PCF 11d receives UE Policy Information from the AMF 11b. The PCF 11d may periodically receive the latest UE Policy Information from the AMF 11b, or may request the latest UE Policy Information from the AMF 11b itself to acquire it. Note that the AMF 11b may periodically communicate with the UE 2 to acquire the UE Policy Information.

[0084] Next, in step S22, the PCF 11d updates the policy for the UE 2 determined by the PCF 11d to a policy that instructs the UE 2 to form a group by specifying the area for which group formation is requested in the request message. Specifically, the PCF 11d updates the policy so that the UE 2 forms a group with one or more nearby UEs 2 in the specified area. Note that the PCF 11d may specify in the policy a time period during which the UE 2 forms a group with one or more nearby UEs 2 in the specified area. Here, the time period during which a group is formed may represent a time length having a certain width.

[0085] Next, in step S23, the PCF 11d transmits the policy of UE2 updated in step S22 to the AMF 11b. The AMF 11b transmits the updated policy of UE2 to UE2. Here, UE2 receives an instruction to form a group with multiple UEs 2 in a predetermined area. As described above, UE2 may also receive an instruction regarding a time period during which the group is formed with multiple UEs 2 in the predetermined area.

[0086] Next, in step S24, the PCF 11d receives, from the AMF 11b, information regarding a response from the UE 2 that has received the updated policy. The AMF 11b receives the response from the UE 2 indicating that the updated policy has been received, and transmits that information to the PCF 11d.

[0087] This allows the system 100 to designate a predetermined area and have the corresponding UEs form a group consisting of multiple UEs.

[0088] <Selection of group leaders>

[0089] After forming a group, multiple UEs 2 communicate with each other and cooperate to a certain extent. In this case, a UE 2 is needed within the group to manage the other UEs 2 as a group. Therefore, when instructing the UEs 2 to form a group, the system 100 selects a leader for the group.

[0090] 6A is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example in which a UE at the center of an area is designated as the group leader. As a first method for selecting a group leader, the system 100 may select a UE 2 located near the center of a predetermined area specified by the UE Policy Container as the leader. The system 100 may identify UEs 2 located in the predetermined area, obtain location information of each UE 2 from the identified UEs 2, and select the UE 2 closest to the center of the predetermined area as the leader. When a time period during which a group should be formed in the predetermined area is specified, the system 100 may preliminarily select a UE 2 that is expected to be located closest to the center of the predetermined area during that time period as the leader.

[0091] According to the first method for selecting a group leader, the system 100 can select a UE 2 that can communicate most efficiently with each of the UEs 2 that make up the group as the leader.

[0092] 6B is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example in which the UE that has stayed the longest is designated as the group leader. As a second method for selecting a group leader, the system 100 may select as the leader a UE 2 that is expected to stay the longest in a predetermined area specified by the UE Policy Container. The system 100 may identify UEs 2 that exist in the predetermined area, acquire location information for each UE 2 from the identified UEs 2, and select as the leader a UE 2 that exists near the end of the predetermined area opposite the direction of travel of the group that is being formed. If the direction of travel of the group cannot be uniquely determined as shown in the example of FIG. 6B, the leader may be determined as described above based on the direction of travel of a UE 2 that exists at the center of the group.

[0093] When a time period for forming a group in a predetermined area is designated, the system 100 may pre-select as a leader a UE 2 that is likely to be near the end of the group that will be formed in the predetermined area in the direction of travel during that time period. By using the second group leader selection method, the system 100 can select as the leader a UE 2 that can communicate most stably with each of the UEs 2 that make up the group.

[0094] The PCF 11d may adjust the area specified in the request message and re-specify the predetermined area in the updated policy. In this case, it is possible that the area specified in the request message and the area specified in the updated policy partially mismatch. In this case, in the first and second selection methods, the predetermined area may be the area specified in the request message or the area specified in the updated policy.

[0095] <UE Operation> Next, the operation of UE 2, which receives an instruction to form a group from system 100 and executes group formation, will be described. First, UE 2 receives an instruction message from AF 12 instructing the UE to form a group specifying a predetermined area. In other words, UE 2 receives an instruction from system 100 to form a group with one or more other nearby UEs 2 in the predetermined area. UE 2 may receive the instruction message directly from PCF 11 d, or may receive the instruction message from base station 200 that has received an instruction from system 100. In addition, the instruction message may include information specifying a time period during which a group should be formed in the predetermined area.

[0096] Next, the UE 2 determines whether it is located in a predetermined area. The UE 2 determines whether it is located in the predetermined area designated in the instruction message to form a group with other nearby UEs 2. If the UE 2 determines that it is located in the predetermined area, this step is determined to be positive.

[0097] If the determination in this step is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S32.

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

[0099] When the process transitions to step S32, the UE 2 forms a group with other nearby UEs 2. The UE 2 broadcasts a message to form a group to other nearby UEs 2, and the other UEs 2 that receive the message respond to the UE 2, thereby forming a group. The UE 2 may designate a UE 2 to be the leader in the message to form the group to the other UEs 2. After the group is formed, the multiple UEs 2 that make up the group, including the UE 2, communicate with each other and operate in a certain degree of cooperation.

[0100] <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.

[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 11b AMF 11d PCF 12 AF 20 Information processing device 21 Processor 40 Vehicle 100 System 200 Base station

Claims

1. A system for configuring a wireless communication network, comprising a control unit that: receives a request message requesting formation of one group consisting of a plurality of UEs (User Equipment) in a predetermined area; and transmits an instruction message instructing the plurality of UEs existing in the predetermined area to form a group based on the request message.

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

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the request message includes time zone information which is information regarding the time zone in which the formation of the one group is to be performed, and the instruction message includes the time zone information.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit selects a base station to transmit the instruction message to the UEs in the predetermined area, and causes the selected base station to transmit the instruction message.

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

6. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit includes, in the instruction message, information designating the UE expected to stay in the predetermined area for the longest time among the plurality of UEs as the leader of the one group and transmits the same.

7. A terminal operating as a UE (User Equipment) for configuring a wireless communication network, comprising a control unit that: receives an instruction message instructing to form one group among a plurality of the UEs including itself in a predetermined area from a core network; determines whether or not itself exists in the predetermined area; and forms the one group with a plurality of neighboring UEs when it is determined that itself exists in the predetermined area.

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