Communication method, terminal, network element, network device, communication system and storage medium

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are a communication method, a terminal, a network element, a network device, a communication system and a storage medium. The communication method is executed by means of a first network element. The communication method comprises: receiving first information, wherein the first information is used for requesting a first network element to perform privacy verification for a first terminal, and a sidelink positioning result of the first terminal is requested to be provided to a second terminal. By means of the embodiments of the present disclosure, privacy verification for sidelink positioning can be implemented.

Description

Communication method, terminal, network element, network equipment, communication system and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communications, and in particular to a communication method, a terminal, a network element, a network device, a communication system, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0002] A ranging / sidelink positioning service is provided in a communication system. Using this service, one or more terminals can be located. The positioning results for these terminals can be provided to another terminal. This can also be understood as exposing the positioning results of these terminals to another terminal.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, a network element, a network device, a communication system, and a storage medium, thereby realizing privacy verification for sidelink positioning.

[0005] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The communication method is performed by a first network element. The communication method includes receiving first information, wherein the first information is used to request the first network element to perform privacy verification for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result of the first terminal is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0006] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The communication method is performed by a second network element. The communication method includes: sending third information, wherein the third information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0007] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The communication method is performed by a third network element. The communication method includes receiving third information, wherein the third information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The communication method is performed by a second terminal. The communication method includes: sending seventh information, wherein the seventh information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to the second terminal.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The communication method is performed by a first terminal. The communication method includes: receiving ninth information, wherein the ninth information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, the sidelink positioning result being requested to be provided to a second terminal; and sending tenth information, wherein the tenth information is used to request the sidelink positioning result for the first terminal.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided, including: a first terminal sending fifth information to a network device, wherein the fifth information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The communication method is performed by a network device. The communication method includes receiving fifth information, wherein the fifth information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0012] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element is provided. The first network element includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to receive first information, wherein the first information is used to request the first network element to perform privacy verification for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result of the first terminal is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0013] According to a ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network element is provided. The second network element includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to send third information, wherein the third information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, the sidelink positioning result being requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0014] According to a tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a third network element is provided. The third network element includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to receive third information, wherein the third information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0015] According to an eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second terminal is provided. The second terminal includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to send seventh information, wherein the seventh information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to the second terminal.

[0016] According to a twelfth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first terminal is provided. The first terminal includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to: receive ninth information, wherein the ninth information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, the sidelink positioning result being requested to be provided to a second terminal; and send tenth information, wherein the tenth information is used to request the sidelink positioning result for the first terminal.

[0017] According to a thirteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device is provided. The network device includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to receive fifth information, wherein the fifth information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, the sidelink positioning result being requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0018] According to a fourteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element is provided. The first network element includes one or more processors and is configured to execute the communication method described in the first aspect.

[0019] According to a fifteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second network element is provided. The second network element includes one or more processors and is configured to execute the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0020] According to a sixteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a third network element is provided. The third network element includes one or more processors and is configured to execute the communication method described in the third aspect.

[0021] According to a seventeenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second terminal is provided. The second terminal includes one or more processors and is configured to execute the communication method described in the fourth aspect.

[0022] According to an eighteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first terminal is provided. The first terminal includes one or more processors and is configured to execute the communication method described in the fifth aspect.

[0023] According to a nineteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network device is provided. The network device includes one or more processors and is configured to execute the communication method described in the seventh aspect.

[0024] According to a twentieth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes a first terminal and a network device. The first terminal is configured to implement the communication method described in the fifth aspect. The network device is configured to implement the communication method described in the seventh aspect.

[0025] According to a twenty-first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided. The storage medium stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the communication method as described in any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0026] According to a twenty-second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a program product is provided. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the communication method as described in any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0027] According to a twenty-third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program is provided, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to execute the communication method according to any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0028] According to a twenty-fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a chip or a chip system is provided. The chip or chip system includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to execute the communication method as described in any one of the first to seventh aspects.

[0029] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to perform privacy verification on the exposure of the sidelink positioning of a terminal to another terminal in a direct connection manner such as a PC5 connection.

[0030] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and explanatory and do not constitute limitations on the embodiments of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG2A is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG2B is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG3 is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG4A is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] FIG4B is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] FIG5A is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG5B is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG6A is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG6B is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG6C is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG6D is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG7 is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG8A is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG8B is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG8C is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG8D is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG9 is an interaction diagram of an exemplary implementation of a communication process provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG10 is an exemplary structural diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG11A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG11B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, a network element, a network device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0054] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method. The communication method is performed by a first network element. The communication method includes receiving first information, wherein the first information is used to request the first network element to perform privacy verification for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result of the first terminal is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first network element may receive first information requesting privacy verification for a first terminal, and the first network element may perform privacy verification on the first terminal based on the first information. In this way, the first network element may perform privacy verification on the exposure of the terminal's sidelink location to another terminal.

[0056] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal; information of the second terminal; and the first service type.

[0057] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first information may include at least one of information about the first terminal, information about the second terminal, and a first service type. The first network element may perform privacy verification on exposure of the sidelink positioning based on at least one of the information about the first terminal, information about the second terminal, and the first service type.

[0058] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above method may further include: sending second information, where the second information is used to indicate a verification result of the privacy verification.

[0059] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the verification result may be failure, and the reason for the privacy verification failure is carried in the second information.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second information may carry the reason for the privacy verification failure. In this way, the first network element may return the reason for the privacy verification failure.

[0061] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method. The communication method is performed by a second network element. The communication method includes sending third information, wherein the third information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second network element may request the sidelink positioning result for the first terminal through the third information, thereby exposing the sidelink positioning of the terminal to another terminal.

[0063] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the third information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal; information of the second terminal; and the first service type.

[0064] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second network element can support triggering the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal; wherein, the above method may also include: sending first information, wherein the first information is used to request the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal; receiving second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate the verification result of the privacy verification.

[0065] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second network element can, if supporting triggering the first network element to perform privacy verification on the first terminal, send first information to request privacy verification for the first terminal and receive a returned verification result. In this way, the second network element can trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification on the exposure of the terminal's sidelink location to another terminal.

[0066] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal; information of the second terminal; and the first service type.

[0067] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the operation of sending the third information may include: when the verification result is successful, sending the third information, wherein the third information includes information of the first terminal.

[0068] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the verification result may be failure, and the reason for the privacy verification failure may be carried in the second information.

[0069] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second network element may not support triggering the first network element to perform privacy verification on the first terminal; wherein the third information may include information of the first terminal and information of the second terminal.

[0070] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method may further include: receiving fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate that the verification result of the privacy verification is failure.

[0071] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the reason for the failure of privacy verification can be carried in the fourth information.

[0072] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above method may further include: receiving fifth information, wherein the fifth information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal; and sending sixth information, wherein the sixth information is used to indicate that the verification result is a failure or includes a sidelink positioning result.

[0073] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the second network element may receive fifth information for requesting privacy verification for the first terminal and, based on the fifth information, send first information to cause the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal. In this way, the second network element can perform privacy verification on the exposure of the terminal's sidelink location to another terminal.

[0074] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method. The communication method is performed by a third network element. The communication method includes receiving third information, wherein the third information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0075] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the third information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal; information of the second terminal; and the first service type.

[0076] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the above method may further include: determining, based on the third information, whether to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification on the first terminal.

[0077] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal based on the third information may include: when the third information includes information of the first terminal but does not include information of the second terminal, determining not to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal.

[0078] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third network element may determine that the second network element has triggered privacy verification based on the third information. In this case, the third network element may determine that it does not trigger privacy verification and directly perform the sidelink positioning operation.

[0079] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal based on the third information may include: when the third information includes information of the first terminal and information of the second terminal, determining to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal.

[0080] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the third network element may determine that the second network element has not triggered privacy verification based on the third information. In this case, the third network element may determine that it has triggered privacy verification and perform a sidelink positioning operation after the privacy verification succeeds.

[0081] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the above method may also include: sending first information, wherein the first information is used to request the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal; receiving second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate the verification result of the privacy verification.

[0082] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the verification result may be failure; wherein, the above method may further include: sending fourth information, wherein the fourth information is used to indicate that the verification result is failure.

[0083] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the reason for the failure of privacy verification can be carried in at least one of the following: the second information, the fourth information.

[0084] In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method. The communication method is performed by a second terminal. The communication method includes sending seventh information, wherein the seventh information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to the second terminal.

[0085] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the above method may further include: receiving eighth information, wherein the eighth information is used to indicate that the verification result of the privacy verification for the first terminal is failed or includes a side link positioning result.

[0086] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the eighth information may indicate that the verification result of the privacy verification for the first terminal is failure, and the reason for the privacy verification failure may be carried in the eighth information.

[0087] In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method. The communication method is performed by a first terminal. The communication method includes: receiving ninth information requesting a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, the sidelink positioning result being requested to be provided to a second terminal; and sending tenth information requesting the sidelink positioning result for the first terminal.

[0088] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first terminal may receive the ninth message to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, and send the tenth message to request a sidelink positioning result based on the ninth message. In this way, the sidelink positioning of the first terminal may be exposed.

[0089] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the ninth information may be sent by the second terminal, and the tenth information may be sent to another first terminal.

[0090] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the ninth information may be sent by another first terminal.

[0091] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second terminal can request a sidelink positioning result from a first terminal using the ninth message. Based on the ninth message, a first terminal can send the tenth message to another first terminal, causing the other first terminal to request the sidelink positioning result from the network. Alternatively, the ninth message received by one first terminal may be sent by another first terminal. In this manner, only one of the multiple first terminals needs to have a network connection to request a sidelink positioning result from the network.

[0092] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the above method may further include: receiving sixth information, wherein the sixth information is used to indicate that the verification result of the privacy verification for the first terminal is a failure or includes a sidelink positioning result; and sending eighth information, wherein the eighth information is used to indicate that the verification result is a failure or includes a sidelink positioning result.

[0093] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method, including: a first terminal sending fifth information to a network device, wherein the fifth information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0094] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method. The communication method is performed by a network device. The communication method includes receiving fifth information, wherein the fifth information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0095] In an eighth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first network element. The first network element includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to receive first information, wherein the first information is used to request the first network element to perform privacy verification for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result of the first terminal is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0096] In combination with some embodiments of the eighth aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal; information of the second terminal; and the first service type.

[0097] In combination with some embodiments of the eighth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module can also be configured to: send second information, where the second information is used to indicate the verification result of the privacy verification.

[0098] In combination with some embodiments of the eighth aspect, in some embodiments, the verification result may be failure, and the reason for the privacy verification failure is carried in the second information.

[0099] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a second network element. The second network element includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to send third information, wherein the third information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to the second terminal.

[0100] In combination with some embodiments of the ninth aspect, in some embodiments, the third information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal; information of the second terminal; and the first service type.

[0101] In combination with some embodiments of the ninth aspect, in some embodiments, the second network element can support triggering the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal; wherein, the transceiver module can also be configured to: send first information, wherein the first information is used to request the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal; receive second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate the verification result of the privacy verification.

[0102] In combination with some embodiments of the ninth aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal; information of the second terminal; and the first service type.

[0103] In combination with some embodiments of the ninth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module can be configured to: send third information when the verification result is successful, wherein the third information includes information of the first terminal.

[0104] In combination with some embodiments of the ninth aspect, in some embodiments, the verification result may be failure, and the reason for the failure of the privacy verification may be carried in the second information.

[0105] In combination with some embodiments of the ninth aspect, in some embodiments, the second network element may not support triggering the first network element to perform privacy verification on the first terminal; wherein the third information may include information of the first terminal and information of the second terminal.

[0106] In combination with some embodiments of the ninth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module may further be configured to: receive fourth information, wherein the fourth information is used to indicate that the verification result of the privacy verification is a failure.

[0107] In combination with some embodiments of the ninth aspect, in some embodiments, the reason for the failure of privacy verification can be carried in the fourth information.

[0108] In combination with some embodiments of the ninth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module can also be configured to: receive fifth information, wherein the fifth information is used to request the side link positioning result for the first terminal; and send sixth information, wherein the sixth information is used to indicate that the verification result is a failure or includes a side link positioning result.

[0109] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a third network element. The third network element includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to receive third information, wherein the third information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0110] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the third information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal; information of the second terminal; and the first service type.

[0111] In conjunction with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the third network element may further include a processing module, wherein the processing module is configured to: determine, based on the third information, whether to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification on the first terminal.

[0112] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module can be configured to: when the third information includes information of the first terminal but does not include information of the second terminal, determine not to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification on the first terminal.

[0113] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module can be configured to: when the third information includes information of the first terminal and information of the second terminal, determine to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification on the first terminal.

[0114] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module can also be configured to: send first information, wherein the first information is used to request the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal; and receive second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate the verification result of the privacy verification.

[0115] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the verification result may be failure; wherein, the transceiver module may also be configured to: send fourth information, wherein the fourth information is used to indicate that the verification result is failure.

[0116] In combination with some embodiments of the tenth aspect, in some embodiments, the reason for the failure of privacy verification can be carried in at least one of the following: the second information, the fourth information.

[0117] In an eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second terminal. The second terminal includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to send seventh information, wherein the seventh information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to the second terminal.

[0118] In combination with some embodiments of the eleventh aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module can also be configured to: receive eighth information, wherein the eighth information is used to indicate that the verification result of the privacy verification for the first terminal is a failure or includes a side link positioning result.

[0119] In combination with some embodiments of the eleventh aspect, in some embodiments, the eighth information may indicate that the verification result of the privacy verification for the first terminal is failure, and the reason for the privacy verification failure may be carried in the eighth information.

[0120] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a first terminal. The first terminal includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to: receive ninth information requesting a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, the sidelink positioning result being requested to be provided to a second terminal; and transmit tenth information requesting the sidelink positioning result for the first terminal.

[0121] In combination with some embodiments of the twelfth aspect, in some embodiments, the ninth information may be sent by the second terminal, and the tenth information may be sent to another first terminal.

[0122] In combination with some embodiments of the twelfth aspect, in some embodiments, the ninth information may be sent by another first terminal.

[0123] In combination with some embodiments of the twelfth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module can also be configured to: receive sixth information, wherein the sixth information is used to indicate that the verification result of the privacy verification for the first terminal is a failure or includes a sidelink positioning result; and send eighth information, wherein the eighth information is used to indicate that the verification result is a failure or includes a sidelink positioning result.

[0124] In a thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network device. The network device includes a transceiver module. The transceiver module is configured to receive fifth information, wherein the fifth information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

[0125] In a fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first network element. The first network element includes one or more processors and is configured to execute the communication method as described in any one of the first aspect and possible embodiments thereof.

[0126] In a fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second network element. The second network element includes one or more processors and is configured to execute the communication method as described in any one of the second aspect and possible embodiments thereof.

[0127] In a sixteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a third network element. The third network element includes one or more processors and is configured to execute the communication method as described in any one of the third aspect and possible embodiments thereof.

[0128] In a seventeenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a second terminal. The second terminal includes one or more processors and is configured to execute the communication method described in any one of the fourth aspect and possible embodiments thereof.

[0129] In an eighteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a first terminal. The first terminal includes one or more processors and is configured to execute the communication method as described in any one of the fifth aspect and possible embodiments thereof.

[0130] In a nineteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network device. The network device includes one or more processors and is configured to execute the communication method described in the seventh aspect and any one of its possible embodiments.

[0131] In a twentieth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system. The communication system includes a first terminal and a network device. The first terminal is configured to implement the communication method described in the fifth aspect. The network device is configured to implement the communication method described in the seventh aspect.

[0132] In a twenty-first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to execute the communication method described in any one of the first to seventh aspects and possible embodiments thereof.

[0133] In a twenty-second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the communication method as described in any one of the first to seventh aspects and possible embodiments thereof.

[0134] In a twenty-third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a computer program. When the computer program is executed on a computer, the computer executes the communication method as described in any one of the first to seventh aspects and possible embodiments thereof.

[0135] In a twenty-fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a chip or a chip system. The chip or chip system includes a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to execute the communication method as described in any one of the first to seventh aspects and possible embodiments thereof.

[0136] It is understandable that the first terminal, second terminal, first network element, second network element, third network element, network device, communication system, storage medium, computer program, computer program product, chip, and chip system described above are all used to perform the methods provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can be referenced to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0137] The present disclosure provides a communication method, terminal, network element, network device, communication system, and storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms communication method, information processing method, and information transmission method are interchangeable; the terms communication device, information processing device, and information transmission device are interchangeable; and the terms communication system, information processing system, and information processing system are interchangeable.

[0138] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional implementation methods in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0139] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or there is a logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0140] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0141] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "the", "the", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc. For example, when articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English are used in translation, the noun following the article may be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0142] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0143] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one", "one or more", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0144] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0145] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0146] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restriction on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description object, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restriction should be constituted due to the use of prefixes. For example, if the description object is a "field", the ordinal number before the "field" in the "first field" and the "second field" does not limit the position or order between the "fields". "First" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they limit the order of the "first field" and the "second field". For another example, if the description object is a "level", the ordinal number before the "level" in the "first level" and the "second level" does not limit the priority between the "levels". For another example, the number of description objects is not limited by the ordinal number and can be one or more. Taking "first device" as an example, the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device", then the "first device" and the "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different; for example, if the description object is "information", then the "second information" and the "first information" can be the same information or different information, and their contents can be the same or different.

[0147] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0148] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time / frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or the frequency domain.

[0149] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0150] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0151] In some embodiments, devices, etc. can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", and "subject" can be used interchangeably.

[0152] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in the network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.). For example, a network device may include at least one access network device. For another example, a network device may include at least one core network device. For another example, a network device may include at least one access network device and at least one core network device.

[0153] In some embodiments, the core network device may include at least one network element. Then, the network device including the core network device means that the network device may include at least one network element.

[0154] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)" "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0155] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0156] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it is also possible to set the structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links.

[0157] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0158] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0159] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0160] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0161] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 , an access network device 102 , and a core network device 103 .

[0162] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0163] In some embodiments, the number of terminals 101 may be one or more.

[0164] In some embodiments, multiple terminals 101 can communicate with each other.

[0165] In some embodiments, multiple terminals 101 can communicate with each other through the PC5 port.

[0166] In some embodiments, the access network device 102 can be, for example, a node or device that accesses the terminal 101 to a wireless network. The access network device 102 may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a satellite base station, a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0167] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 and the core network device 103 may interact through the access network device 102. In some embodiments, the terminal 101 and the core network device 103 may interact directly. This is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0168] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0169] In some embodiments, the access network device 102 can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device 102, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0170] In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may be a single device, including a first network element 1031, a second network element 1032, a third network element 1033, a fourth network element 1034, and the like. In some embodiments, the core network device 103 may be a plurality of devices or a device group, each including all or part of the first network element 1031, the second network element 1032, the third network element 1033, the fourth network element 1034, and the like. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), and a next generation core (NGC).

[0171] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may be, for example, a gateway mobile location centre (GMLC).

[0172] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may be configured to provide support for a location service (LCS), the name of which is not limited thereto.

[0173] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may be, for example, an access and mobility management function (AMF).

[0174] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may be used to manage the positioning of the terminal related to the positioning request, and its name is not limited thereto.

[0175] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may be, for example, a location management function (LMF).

[0176] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may be used to ensure that the terminal associated with the positioning request calculates or verifies the final position and any speed estimation value, and its name is not limited thereto.

[0177] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 1034 may be, for example, a unified data management (UDM) function.

[0178] In some embodiments, the fourth network element 1034 is used to manage relevant data and / or information of the terminal 101, and its name is not limited thereto.

[0179] The communication system may have a sidelink positioning feature, which enables the communication system to provide ranging / sidelink positioning services.

[0180] In some embodiments, the terminal requesting the ranging / sidelink positioning service may be referred to as a client terminal (client UE). The client terminal may send a ranging / sidelink positioning service request via the PC5 interface to obtain a positioning result of the ranging / sidelink positioning service for the target terminal (target UE).

[0181] In some embodiments, in order to expose the positioning result to the client terminal, the target terminal to be measured (or measured) may be subjected to privacy verification. If the privacy verification indicates that the positioning result can be exposed to the client terminal, the positioning result may be provided to the client terminal.

[0182] In some embodiments, privacy verification may include terminal authorization and privacy check (UE authorization & privacy check).

[0183] In some embodiments, the privacy verification of the target terminal may be implemented based on a privacy profile of the target terminal. In some embodiments, the privacy profile of the target terminal may be stored in the core network.

[0184] Therefore, in order to implement ranging / sidelink positioning services, it is necessary to obtain privacy configuration from the core network and perform privacy verification based on the privacy configuration.

[0185] FIG2A is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is applied to a communication system 100. As shown in FIG2A, the method includes steps S2101 to S2112.

[0186] In step S2101, the second terminal 1012 establishes a connection with the first terminals 1011A and 1011B.

[0187] In some embodiments, a PC5 connection may be established between the second terminal 1012 and the first terminals 1011A and 1011B.

[0188] In some embodiments, the PC5 connection may be used for direct communication between the second terminal 1012 and the first terminals 1011A, 1011B.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first terminals 1011A, 1011B may have ranging / sidelink positioning capabilities.

[0190] In some embodiments, the second terminal 1012 may be a client terminal.

[0191] In some embodiments, the second terminal 1012 may be a terminal requesting provision of ranging / sidelink positioning services. Correspondingly, the first terminals 1011A and 1011B may be terminals providing ranging / sidelink positioning services.

[0192] In some embodiments, the second terminal 1012 may discover the first terminals 1011A and 1011B through a discovery procedure, and then establish a connection with the discovered first terminals 1011A and 1011B.

[0193] In some embodiments, after establishing the connection, the second terminal 1012 may exchange information with the first terminals 1011A and 1011B respectively, and determine, based on the exchanged information, that at least one of the first terminals 1011A and 1011B is the terminal to be measured.

[0194] It should be noted that, for simplicity, this embodiment is described by taking only two first terminals 1011A and 1011B as an example. In actual scenarios, the number of first terminals can be any value, and this embodiment of the disclosure does not specifically limit this.

[0195] In step S2102, the second terminal 1012 sends seventh information to the first terminal 1011A.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may receive the seventh information.

[0197] In some embodiments, the seventh information may be used to request provision of a sidelink positioning service.

[0198] In some embodiments, the seventh information may be used to request a sidelink positioning result for at least one of the first terminals 1011A, 1011B.

[0199] In some embodiments, the name of the seventh information is not limited, and it can be, for example, sidelink positioning service request information, sidelink positioning result request information, etc.

[0200] In some embodiments, the sidelink positioning results of the first terminal 1011A, 1011B may be requested to be provided to the second terminal 1012.

[0201] In some embodiments, the sidelink positioning result requested by the second terminal 1012 through the seventh information may be for the first terminals 1011A and 1011B.

[0202] In some embodiments, the seventh information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal 1011A, information of the first terminal 1011B, and information of the second terminal 1012.

[0203] In some embodiments, the requested sidelink positioning result includes an absolute positioning result for the first terminal 1011A. In one example, the absolute positioning result may include the absolute position of the first terminal 1011A. In one example, the absolute positioning result may include the absolute speed of the first terminal 1011A.

[0204] In some embodiments, when the requested sidelink positioning result includes an absolute positioning result for the first terminal 1011A, the seventh information may include information of the first terminal 1011A.

[0205] In some embodiments, the requested sidelink positioning result includes an absolute positioning result for the first terminal 1011B. In one example, the absolute positioning result may include the absolute position of the first terminal 1011B. In one example, the absolute positioning result may include the absolute speed of the first terminal 1011B.

[0206] In some embodiments, when the requested sidelink positioning result includes an absolute positioning result for the first terminal 1011B, the seventh information may include information of the first terminal 1011B.

[0207] In some embodiments, the requested sidelink positioning result includes a relative positioning result between first terminals 1011A and 1011B. In one example, the relative positioning result may include a relative position between first terminals 1011A and 1011B. In one example, the relative positioning result may include a relative speed between first terminals 1011A and 1011B.

[0208] In some embodiments, when the requested sidelink positioning result includes a relative positioning result between the first terminals 1011A and 1011B, the seventh information may include information of the first terminal 1011A and information of the first terminal 1011B.

[0209] In some embodiments, the name of the information of the first terminal 1011A is not limited, and it can be, for example, subscription information, contract information, user information, device information, etc. related to the first terminal 1011A.

[0210] In some embodiments, the name of the information of the first terminal 1011B is not limited, and it can be, for example, subscription information, contract information, user information, device information, etc. related to the first terminal 1011B.

[0211] In some embodiments, the name of the information of the second terminal 1012 is not limited, and it can be, for example, subscription information, contract information, user information, device information, etc. related to the second terminal 1012.

[0212] In some embodiments, the seventh information may include the first service type.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first service type may be the type of ranging / sidelink positioning service requested by the second terminal 1012 .

[0214] In some embodiments, the first service type may be exposure of positioning to the second terminal 1012. That is, the first service type is exposure of the positioning results of the ranging / sidelink positioning service of the first terminals 1011A and 1011B to the second terminal 1012. It is understood that the first service type may also be other service types, and this embodiment of the present disclosure does not specifically limit this.

[0215] In some embodiments, the second terminal 1012 sends the seventh information to the first terminal 1011A. In some embodiments, the second terminal 1012 may also send the seventh information to the first terminal 1011B, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0216] In some embodiments, the seventh information may be carried in a sidelink positioning service request (SL positioning service request).

[0217] In step S2103 , the first terminal 1011A sends fifth information to the second network element 1032 .

[0218] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may receive the fifth information.

[0219] In some embodiments, the fifth information may be used to request provision of a sidelink positioning service.

[0220] In some embodiments, the fifth information may be used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal 1011A, 1011B.

[0221] In some embodiments, the name of the fifth information is not limited, and it can be, for example, sidelink positioning service request information, sidelink positioning result request information, etc.

[0222] In some embodiments, the fifth information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal 1011A, information of the first terminal 1011B, information of the second terminal 1012, and the first service type.

[0223] In some embodiments, the content of the fifth information may be the same as the content of the seventh information.

[0224] In some embodiments, the fifth information may be carried in a sidelink mobile originated location request (SL-MO-LR) request.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may have a non-access stratum (NAS) connection. In this case, the first terminal 1011 may send the fifth information.

[0226] In some embodiments, the fifth information may be carried in an uplink non-access stratum transport (UL NAS TRANSPORT) message.

[0227] In step S2104 , the second network element 1032 sends first information to the first network element 1031 .

[0228] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may receive the first information.

[0229] In some embodiments, the second network element may forward the SL-MO-LR request from the first terminal 1011 to the first network element 1031 .

[0230] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to request the first network element 1031 to perform privacy verification on the first terminals 1011A and 1011B.

[0231] In some embodiments, the name of the first information is not limited, and it can be, for example, verification request information, privacy verification request information, privacy check request information, etc.

[0232] In some embodiments, the first information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal 1011A, information of the first terminal 1011B, information of the second terminal 1012, and the first service type.

[0233] In some embodiments, the content of the first information may be the same as the content of the seventh information.

[0234] In some embodiments, the first information may be sent via a service-based interface Ngmlc.

[0235] In some embodiments, the first information may be carried in an Ngmlc_Location_Authorization request message.

[0236] In some embodiments, before sending the first information, the second network element 1032 may determine whether triggering privacy verification is supported.

[0237] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may determine whether to support triggering privacy verification based on at least one of the following: first information, and functional configuration of the second network element 1032 .

[0238] In some embodiments, when it is determined that triggering of privacy verification is supported, the second network element 1032 may send the first information.

[0239] In some embodiments, before sending the first information, the second network element 1032 may determine the first network element 1031 .

[0240] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may select the first network element 1031 .

[0241] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may determine the first network element 1031 through a query. In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may determine the first network element 1031 through a network repository function (NRF query).

[0242] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may determine the first network element 1031 based on local configuration. In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may store a list of first network elements 1031. In this case, the second network element 1032 may select the first network element 1031 from the list.

[0243] In step S2105 , the fourth network element 1034 sends privacy information to the first network element 1031 .

[0244] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may receive private information.

[0245] In some embodiments, private information may be associated with the first terminal 1011A, 1011B.

[0246] In some embodiments, the private information may include at least one of the following: private information associated with the first terminal 1011A, and private information associated with the first terminal 1011B.

[0247] In some embodiments, the privacy information may be used to indicate whether the positioning result of the first terminal 1011A is allowed to be exposed to the second terminal 1012 .

[0248] In some embodiments, the privacy information may include a privacy configuration of the first terminal 1011A.

[0249] In some embodiments, the privacy configuration of the first terminal 1011A may be included in the user's contract information.

[0250] In some embodiments, the privacy configuration of the first terminal 1011A may be configured by an operator for a user of the first terminal 1011A.

[0251] In some embodiments, the privacy information may be used to indicate whether the positioning result of the first terminal 1011B is allowed to be exposed to the second terminal 1012 .

[0252] In some embodiments, the privacy information may include a privacy configuration of the first terminal 1011B.

[0253] In some embodiments, the privacy configuration of the first terminal 1011B may be included in the user's contract information.

[0254] In some embodiments, the privacy configuration of the first terminal 1011B may be configured by an operator for a user of the first terminal 1011B.

[0255] In some embodiments, step S2105 may be implemented as follows: the first network element 1031 may send a request message to the fourth network element 1034; and the fourth network element 1034 may send a response message to the first network element 1031. In some embodiments, the request message may be used to request the fourth network element 1034 for privacy information.

[0256] In some embodiments, the request message may be used to obtain privacy information from the fourth network element 1034 .

[0257] In some embodiments, the request message may carry at least one of the following: information of the first terminal 1011A, information of the first terminal 1011B.

[0258] In some embodiments, the response message may carry private information.

[0259] In some embodiments, the request message may carry only the information of first terminal 1011A, and the response message may carry the private information of first terminal 1011A. In some embodiments, the request message may carry only the information of first terminal 1011B, and the response message may carry the private information of first terminal 1011B. In some embodiments, the request message may carry both the information of first terminal 1011A and the information of first terminal 1011B, and the response message may carry both the private information of first terminal 1011 and the private information of first terminal 1011B.

[0260] In some embodiments, the private information may be sent via the service-based interface Nudm.

[0261] In some embodiments, private information can be sent via the Nudm_SDM_Get procedure. In one example, the first network element 1031 can send a Nudm_SDM_Get request message to the fourth network element 1034; the fourth network element 1034 can send a Nudm_SDM_Get response message to the first network element 1031. The private information can be included in the Nudm_SDM_Get response message.

[0262] In step S2106 , the first network element 1031 sends second information to the second network element 1032 .

[0263] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may receive the second information.

[0264] In some embodiments, the second information may be used to indicate a verification result of the privacy verification.

[0265] In some embodiments, the privacy verification result may include one of the following: verification success or verification failure. A successful verification indicates that the location results of the first terminal 1011 are permitted to be disclosed to the second terminal 1012. A failed verification indicates that the location results of the first terminal 1011 are not permitted (prohibited) from being disclosed to the second terminal 1012. In some embodiments, the second information may be used to indicate a successful privacy verification. In some embodiments, the second information may be used to indicate a failed privacy verification.

[0266] In some embodiments, the second information may include at least one of the following: indication information, and a reason for verification failure.

[0267] In some embodiments, the indication information may be used to indicate a verification result.

[0268] In some embodiments, the indication information may include 1 bit. Different values ​​of the indication information may be used to indicate different verification results. In one example, "0" may be used to indicate successful verification, and "1" may be used to indicate failed verification. In another example, "1" may be used to indicate successful verification, and "0" may be used to indicate failed verification.

[0269] In some embodiments, the indication information may include predefined characters or strings. Different characters or strings may be used to represent different verification results. In one example, "SUCCESS" may be used to indicate successful verification, and "FAILURE" may be used to indicate failed verification.

[0270] In some embodiments, in the event of a verification failure, the second information may include a reason for the verification failure.

[0271] In some embodiments, in the case of verification failure, the second information may only include the reason for the verification failure. In this case, the indication information of the reason for the verification failure may implicitly indicate that the verification result is verification failure.

[0272] In some embodiments, the second information may be sent via a service-based interface Ngmlc.

[0273] In some embodiments, the second information may be carried in the Ngmlc_Location_Authorization response message.

[0274] In some embodiments, the verification result may be determined by the first network element 1031 based on the first information and the privacy information.

[0275] In some embodiments, the privacy information may indicate that the positioning result of the first terminal 1011A is allowed to be exposed to other terminals. In some embodiments, the privacy information may indicate that the positioning result of the first terminal 1011A is allowed to be exposed to the second terminal 1012. In some embodiments, the privacy information may indicate that the positioning result of the first terminal 1011A is allowed to be exposed for a first service type.

[0276] In some embodiments, the privacy information may indicate that the positioning result of the first terminal 1011A is not allowed to be exposed to other terminals. In some embodiments, the privacy information may indicate that the positioning result of the first terminal 1011A is not allowed to be exposed to the second terminal 1012. In some embodiments, the privacy information may indicate that the positioning result of the first terminal 1011A is not allowed to be used for exposure of the first service type.

[0277] In some embodiments, the privacy information may indicate that the positioning result of the first terminal 1011B is allowed to be exposed to other terminals. In some embodiments, the privacy information may indicate that the positioning result of the first terminal 1011B is allowed to be exposed to the second terminal 1012. In some embodiments, the privacy information may indicate that the positioning result of the first terminal 1011B is allowed to be exposed for the first service type.

[0278] In some embodiments, the privacy information may indicate that the positioning result of the first terminal 1011B is not allowed to be exposed to other terminals. In some embodiments, the privacy information may indicate that the positioning result of the first terminal 1011B is not allowed to be exposed to the second terminal 1012. In some embodiments, the privacy information may indicate that the positioning result of the first terminal 1011B is not allowed to be used for exposure of the first service type.

[0279] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may perform privacy verification for the first terminal 1011A based on the information of the first terminal 1011A and the privacy information of the first terminal 1011A. In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may perform privacy verification for the first terminal 1011A based on the information of the first terminal 1011A, the privacy information of the first terminal 1011A, and the information of the second terminal 1012. In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may perform privacy verification for the first terminal 1011A based on the information of the first terminal 1011A, the privacy information of the first terminal 1011A, the information of the second terminal 1012, and the first service type.

[0280] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may perform privacy verification for the first terminal 1011B based on the information of the first terminal 1011B and the privacy information of the first terminal 1011B. In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may perform privacy verification for the first terminal 1011B based on the information of the first terminal 1011B, the privacy information of the first terminal 1011B, and the information of the second terminal 1012. In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may perform privacy verification for the first terminal 1011B based on the information of the first terminal 1011B, the privacy information of the first terminal 1011B, the information of the second terminal 1012, and the first service type.

[0281] In some embodiments, the reason for verification failure may include at least one of the following: the positioning result of the first terminal 1011A is not allowed to be exposed to the second terminal 1012; the positioning result of the first terminal 1011B is not allowed to be exposed to the second terminal 1012; the second terminal 1012 does not support the first service type. It is understood that there may be other reasons for verification failure, which are not specifically limited in the present embodiment.

[0282] In some embodiments, when the privacy verification of the first terminal 1011A and / or the first terminal 1011B is successful, it can be determined that the privacy verification is successful.

[0283] In step S2107, the second network element 1032 sends sixth information to the first terminal 1011A.

[0284] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011A may receive the sixth information.

[0285] In some embodiments, the sixth information may be used to indicate that the verification result is a failure.

[0286] In some embodiments, when the privacy verification fails, the second network element 1032 may send sixth information to notify the first terminal 1011A of the privacy verification failure.

[0287] In some embodiments, the sixth information may include at least one of the following: indication information, reason for verification failure.

[0288] In some embodiments, the indication information may be used to indicate that the privacy verification has failed.

[0289] In some embodiments, the sixth information may only include the reason for the verification failure. In this case, the indication information of the reason for the verification failure may implicitly indicate that the verification result is a verification failure.

[0290] In some embodiments, the sixth information may be carried in the SL-MO-LR response.

[0291] In some embodiments, the sixth information may be carried in a downlink non-access stratum transport (DL NAS TRANSPORT) message.

[0292] In step S2108 , the second network element 1032 sends third information to the third network element 1033 .

[0293] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may receive third information.

[0294] In some embodiments, the third information may be used to request provision of a sidelink positioning service.

[0295] In some embodiments, the third information may be used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal 1011A, 1011B.

[0296] In some embodiments, the name of the third information is not limited, and it can be, for example, sidelink positioning service request information, sidelink positioning result request information, etc.

[0297] In some embodiments, the third information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal 1011A, information of the first terminal 1011B.

[0298] In some embodiments, the third information may be carried in the SL-MO-LR request.

[0299] In some embodiments, the third information may be sent via the service-based interface Nlmf.

[0300] In some embodiments, the third information may be carried in the Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation request.

[0301] In step S2109, the third network element 1033 performs sidelink positioning.

[0302] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may interact with the terminal to be measured to implement sidelink positioning. A positioning result may be obtained through sidelink positioning.

[0303] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may interact with the first terminal 1011A, 1011B to implement sidelink positioning. In this case, the third network element 1033 may obtain positioning results of the first terminal 1011A and / or the first terminal 1011B.

[0304] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may interact with the first terminals 1011A and 1011B to implement sidelink positioning. In this case, the third network element 1033 may obtain positioning results of the first terminals 1011A and 1011B.

[0305] In some embodiments, before performing sidelink positioning, the third network element 1033 may perform the following operations: Based on the third information, determine whether to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal. Here, based on the received third information, determine that the privacy verification is successful. In one example, if the third information does not include information about the second terminal 1012, the third network element 1033 may determine that the privacy verification is successful. In another example, if the third information includes information about the first terminals 1011A and 1011B but does not include information about the second terminal 1012, the third network element 1033 may determine that the second network element 1032 supports triggering privacy verification and has obtained a successful privacy verification result. In this case, the third network element 1033 does not need to trigger privacy verification.

[0306] In some embodiments, if it is determined that the privacy verification is successful, the third network element 1033 may perform sidelink positioning.

[0307] In step S2110 , the third network element 1033 may send positioning information to the second network element 1032 .

[0308] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may receive positioning information.

[0309] In some embodiments, the positioning information may be used to indicate the positioning results of the first terminals 1011 and 1011B. The positioning results may be sidelink positioning results. In one example, the positioning information may include the absolute positioning result of the first terminal 1011A. In another example, the positioning information may include the absolute positioning result of the first terminal 1011B. In another example, the positioning information may include the relative positioning results of the first terminals 1011A and 1011B.

[0310] In some embodiments, the positioning information may be sent via a service-based interface Nlmf.

[0311] In some embodiments, the third information may be carried in the Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation response.

[0312] In step S2111, the second network element 1032 sends sixth information to the first terminal 1011A.

[0313] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011A may receive the sixth information.

[0314] In some embodiments, the sixth information may include sidelink positioning results.

[0315] In some embodiments, the sixth information may be carried in the SL-MO-LR response.

[0316] In some embodiments, the sixth information may be carried in a DL NAS TRANSPORT message.

[0317] In step S2112 , the first terminal 1011A sends the eighth information to the second terminal 1012 .

[0318] In some embodiments, the second terminal 1012 may receive the eighth information.

[0319] In some embodiments, the eighth information may be sent by the first terminal 1011A based on the sixth information.

[0320] In some embodiments, the eighth information may be used to indicate that the verification result is a failure.

[0321] In some embodiments, when the sixth information is received in step S2107, the eighth information may be used to indicate that the verification result is a failure. In some embodiments, the eighth information may include at least one of the following: indication information, and a reason for the privacy verification failure.

[0322] In some embodiments, when the sixth information is received in step S2111, the eighth information may include a sidelink positioning result.

[0323] It should be noted that in step S2106, whether the privacy verification is successful is determined based on the second information. If the privacy verification fails, steps S2107 and S212 may be continued; if the privacy verification fails, steps S2108 to S2112 may be continued.

[0324] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2112. For example, step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2108 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2102 and S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S2102, S2103, and S2104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0325] In some embodiments, step S2101 and steps S2103 to S2112 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0326] In some embodiments, steps S2101 and S2102, and steps S2104 to S2112 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0327] In some embodiments, steps S2101 and S2103, and steps S2105 to S2112 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0328] In some embodiments, steps S2101 and S2107, and steps S2109 to S2112 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

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

[0330] FIG2B is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method, which is applied to the communication system 100. As shown in FIG2B , the method includes steps S2201 to S2213.

[0331] In step S2201, the second terminal 1012 establishes a connection with the first terminals 1011A and 1011B.

[0332] The optional implementation of step S2201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0333] In step S2202, the second terminal 1012 sends seventh information to the first terminal 1011A.

[0334] The optional implementation of step S2202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0335] In step S2203, the first terminal 1011A sends the eleventh information to the first terminal 1011B.

[0336] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011B may receive the eleventh information.

[0337] In some embodiments, the eleventh information may be used to request provision of a sidelink positioning service.

[0338] In some embodiments, the eleventh information may be used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal 1011A, 1011B.

[0339] In some embodiments, the name of the eleventh information is not limited, and it can be, for example, sidelink positioning service request information, sidelink positioning result request information, etc.

[0340] In some embodiments, the eleventh information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal 1011A, information of the first terminal 1011B, information of the second terminal 1012, and the first service type.

[0341] In some embodiments, the content of the eleventh information may be the same as the content of the seventh information.

[0342] In some embodiments, the fifth information may be carried in the SL-MO-LR request.

[0343] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011A may not have a NAS connection, while the first terminal 1011B may have a NAS connection. In this case, the first terminal 1011A may send the eleventh information to the first terminal 1011B, so that the first terminal 1011B sends the fifth information.

[0344] In some embodiments, the eleventh information may be carried in a UL NAS TRANSPORT message.

[0345] In step S2204 , the first terminal 1011B sends fifth information to the second network element 1032 .

[0346] The optional implementation of step S2204 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0347] In step S2205 , the second network element 1032 sends third information to the third network element 1033 .

[0348] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may receive third information.

[0349] In some embodiments, the third information may be used to request provision of a sidelink positioning service.

[0350] In some embodiments, the third information may be used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal 1011A, 1011B.

[0351] In some embodiments, the name of the third information is not limited, and it can be, for example, sidelink positioning service request information, sidelink positioning result request information, etc.

[0352] In some embodiments, the third information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal 1011A, information of the first terminal 1011B.

[0353] In some practical examples, the third information may include information of the second terminal 1012 .

[0354] In some embodiments, the third information may be carried in the SL-MO-LR request.

[0355] In some embodiments, the third information may be sent via the service-based interface Nlmf.

[0356] In some embodiments, the third information may be carried in the Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation request.

[0357] In some embodiments, before sending the third information, the second network element 1032 may determine whether triggering privacy verification is supported.

[0358] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may determine whether to support triggering privacy verification based on at least one of the following: first information, and functional configuration of the second network element 1032 .

[0359] In some embodiments, when it is determined that triggering privacy verification is not supported, the second network element 1032 may send third information.

[0360] In step S2206 , the third network element 1033 sends the first information to the first network element 1031 .

[0361] The optional implementation of step S2206 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0362] In some embodiments, before sending the first information, the third network element 1033 may perform the following operations: Based on the third information, determine whether to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification on the first terminal. Here, the third network element 1033 may determine, based on the received third information, that privacy verification has not yet been performed. In one example, if the third information includes information about the second terminal 1012, the third network element 1033 may determine that privacy verification has not yet been performed. In another example, if the third information includes information about the second terminal 1012, the third network element 1033 may determine that the second network element 1032 does not support triggering privacy verification. In this case, the third network element 1033 determines that privacy verification needs to be triggered.

[0363] In step S2207 , the fourth network element 1034 sends the privacy information to the first network element 1031 .

[0364] The optional implementation of step S2207 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2105 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0365] In step S2208 , the first network element 1031 sends second information to the third network element 1033 .

[0366] The optional implementation of step S2208 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0367] In step S2209 , the third network element 1033 sends fourth information to the second network element 1032 .

[0368] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may receive fourth information.

[0369] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be used to indicate that the verification result is a failure.

[0370] In some embodiments, when the privacy verification fails, the third network element 1033 may send fourth information to notify the first terminal 1011B of the privacy verification failure.

[0371] In some embodiments, when the third network element 1033 does not support triggering privacy verification, the third network element 1033 may send fourth information to notify the first terminal 1011B of the failure of privacy verification.

[0372] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include at least one of the following: indication information, and a reason for verification failure.

[0373] In some embodiments, the indication information may be used to indicate that the privacy verification has failed.

[0374] In some embodiments, the fourth information may only include the reason for the verification failure. In this case, the indication information of the reason for the verification failure may implicitly indicate that the verification result is a verification failure.

[0375] In some embodiments, the reason for verification failure may include at least one of the following: the positioning result of the first terminal 1011A is not allowed to be exposed to the second terminal 1012; the positioning result of the first terminal 1011B is not allowed to be exposed to the second terminal 1012; the second terminal 1012 does not support the first service type; the third network element 1033 does not support triggering privacy verification. It is understood that there may be other reasons for verification failure, which are not specifically limited in the present embodiment.

[0376] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be sent via the service-based interface Nlmf.

[0377] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be carried in the Nlmf_Location_DetermineLocation response.

[0378] In step S2210, the second network element 1032 sends sixth information to the first terminal 1011B.

[0379] The optional implementation of step S2210 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0380] In step S2211, the third network element 1033 performs sidelink positioning.

[0381] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may interact with the terminal to be measured to implement sidelink positioning. A positioning result may be obtained through sidelink positioning.

[0382] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may interact with the first terminal 1011B to implement sidelink positioning. In this case, the third network element 1033 may obtain positioning results of the first terminal 1011A and / or the first terminal 1011B.

[0383] In step S2212 , the third network element 1033 may send positioning information to the second network element 1032 .

[0384] The optional implementation of step S2212 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2110 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0385] In step S2213, the second network element 1032 sends sixth information to the first terminal 1011B.

[0386] The optional implementation of step S2213 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2111 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0387] In step S2214, the first terminal 1011B sends the eighth information to the second terminal 1012.

[0388] The optional implementation of step S2214 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2112 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0389] It should be noted that in step S2106, whether the privacy verification is successful is determined based on the second information. If the privacy verification fails, steps S2107 and S212 may be continued; if the privacy verification fails, steps S2108 to S2112 may be continued.

[0390] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2214. For example, step S2202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2204 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2205 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2206 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2203 and S2204 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S2205 and S2206 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0391] In some embodiments, step S2201 and steps S2203 to S2214 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0392] In some embodiments, steps S2201 and S2202, and steps S2204 to S2214 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0393] In some embodiments, steps S2201 and S2203, and steps S2205 to S2214 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0394] In some embodiments, steps S2201 and S2204, and steps S2206 to S2214 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0395] In some embodiments, steps S2201 and S2205, and steps S2207 to S2214 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0396] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2B .

[0397] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0398] In some embodiments, terms such as "uplink", "uplink", "physical uplink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "downlink", "downlink", "physical downlink" can be interchangeable with each other, and terms such as "side", "sidelink", "side communication", "sidelink communication", "direct connection", "direct link", "direct communication", "direct link communication" can be interchangeable with each other.

[0399] In some embodiments, the terms "radio", "wireless", "radio access network (RAN)", "access network (AN)", "RAN-based" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0400] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, which can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0401] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0402] In some embodiments, terms such as "service" and "business" may be used interchangeably.

[0403] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain", "preset", "preset", "setting", "indicated", "some", "any", and "first" can be interchangeable. "Specific A", "preset A", "preset A", "setting A", "indicated A", "some A", "any A", and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-specified in a protocol, etc., or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or indication, etc., or as specific A, some A, any A, or first A, etc., but not limited to this.

[0404] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (Boolean value) represented by true or false, or by comparison of numerical values ​​(for example, comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0405] FIG3 is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG3 , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by the first network element 1031. The method includes steps S301 to S303.

[0406] In step S301, first information is obtained.

[0407] Optional implementations of step S301 can be found in step S2104 of FIG. 2A , optional implementations of step S2206 of FIG. 2B , and other related parts of the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B , which will not be described in detail here.

[0408] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may receive the first information sent by the second network element 1032 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the first information sent by other entities.

[0409] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may receive the first information sent by the third network element 1033 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the first information sent by other entities.

[0410] In step S302, private information is obtained.

[0411] Optional implementations of step S302 can be found in step S2105 of FIG. 2A , optional implementations of step S2207 of FIG. 2B , and other related parts of the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B , which will not be described in detail here.

[0412] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may receive private information sent by the fourth network element 1034 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive private information sent by other entities.

[0413] In step S303, the second information is sent.

[0414] Optional implementations of step S303 may refer to the optional implementations of step S2106 in FIG. 2A , step S2208 in FIG. 2B , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B , which will not be described in detail here.

[0415] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may send the second information to the second network element 1032 , but is not limited thereto and the second information may also be sent to other entities.

[0416] In some embodiments, the first network element 1031 may send the second information to the third network element 1033 , but is not limited thereto and the second information may also be sent to other entities.

[0417] The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S301 to S303. For example, step S301 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S301 and S303 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0418] In some embodiments, steps S302 and S303 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0419] Figure 4A is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4A, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by the second network element 1032. The method includes steps S4101 to S4107.

[0420] In step S4101, the fifth information is obtained.

[0421] The optional implementation of step S4101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0422] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may receive the fifth information sent by the first terminal 1011A, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the fifth information sent by other entities.

[0423] In step S4102, the first information is sent.

[0424] The optional implementation of step S4102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0425] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may send the first information to the first network element 1031 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the first information to other entities.

[0426] In step S4103, the second information is obtained.

[0427] The optional implementation of step S4103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2106 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0428] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may receive the second information sent by the first network element 1031 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the second information sent by other entities.

[0429] In step S4104, the sixth information is sent.

[0430] The optional implementation of step S4104 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2107 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0431] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may send the sixth information to the first terminal 1011A, but is not limited thereto and may also send the sixth information to other entities.

[0432] In step S4105, the third information is sent.

[0433] The optional implementation of step S4105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2108 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0434] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may send the third information to the third network element 1033 , but is not limited thereto and the third information may also be sent to other entities.

[0435] In step S4106, the positioning information is obtained.

[0436] The optional implementation of step S4106 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2110 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0437] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may receive positioning information sent by the third network element 1033 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive positioning information sent by other entities.

[0438] In step S4107, the sixth information is sent.

[0439] The optional implementation of step S4107 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2111 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0440] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may send the sixth information to the first terminal 1011A, but is not limited thereto and may also send the sixth information to other entities.

[0441] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4107. For example, step S4102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S4105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S4102 and S4103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0442] In some embodiments, steps S4101, S4103, S4104, S4105, S4106, and S4107 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0443] Figure 4B is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4B, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by the second network element 1032. The method includes steps S4201 to S4206.

[0444] In step S4201, the fifth information is obtained.

[0445] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2204 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0446] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may receive the fifth information sent by the first terminal 1011B, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the fifth information sent by other entities.

[0447] In step S4202, the third information is sent.

[0448] The optional implementation of step S4202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2205 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0449] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may send the third information to the third network element 1033 , but is not limited thereto and the third information may also be sent to other entities.

[0450] In step S4203, the fourth information is obtained.

[0451] The optional implementation of step S4203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2209 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0452] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may receive the fourth information sent by the third network element 1033 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the fourth information sent by other entities.

[0453] In step S4204, the sixth information is sent.

[0454] The optional implementation of step S4204 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2210 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0455] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may send the sixth information to the first terminal 1011B, but is not limited thereto and may also send the sixth information to other entities.

[0456] In step S4205, the positioning information is obtained.

[0457] The optional implementation of step S4205 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2212 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0458] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may receive positioning information sent by the third network element 1033 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive positioning information sent by other entities.

[0459] In step S4206, the sixth information is sent.

[0460] The optional implementation of step S4206 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2213 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0461] In some embodiments, the second network element 1032 may send the sixth information to the first terminal 1011B, but is not limited thereto and may also send the sixth information to other entities.

[0462] The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4201 to S4206. For example, step S4202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S4202 and S4203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0463] In some embodiments, steps S4201, S4203, S4204, S4205, and S4206 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0464] Figure 5A is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5A, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by the third network element 1033. The method includes steps S5101 to S5103.

[0465] In step S5101, the third information is obtained.

[0466] The optional implementation of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2108 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0467] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may receive the third information sent by the second network element 1032, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the third information sent by other entities.

[0468] In step S5102, sidelink positioning is performed.

[0469] The optional implementation of step S5102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2109 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0470] In step S5103, the positioning information is sent.

[0471] The optional implementation of step S5103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2110 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0472] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may send positioning information to the second network element 1032 , but is not limited thereto and may also send positioning information to other entities.

[0473] The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S5101 to S5103. For example, step S5101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S5101 and S5103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0474] In some embodiments, steps S5102 and S5103 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0475] Figure 5B is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 5B, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by the third network element 1033. The method includes steps S5201 to S5206.

[0476] In step S5201, the third information is obtained.

[0477] The optional implementation of step S5201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2205 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0478] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may receive the third information sent by the second network element 1032, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the third information sent by other entities.

[0479] In step S5202, the first information is sent.

[0480] The optional implementation of step S5202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2206 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0481] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may send the first information to the first network element 1031 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the first information to other entities.

[0482] In step S5203, the second information is obtained.

[0483] The optional implementation of step S5203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2208 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0484] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may receive the second information sent by the first network element 1031 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the second information sent by other entities.

[0485] In step S5204, the fourth information is sent.

[0486] The optional implementation of step S5204 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2209 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0487] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may send the fourth information to the second network element 1032, but is not limited thereto and may also send the fourth information to other entities.

[0488] In step S5205, sidelink positioning is performed.

[0489] The optional implementation of step S5205 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2211 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0490] In step S5206, the positioning information is sent.

[0491] The optional implementation of step S5206 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2212 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0492] In some embodiments, the third network element 1033 may send positioning information to the second network element 1032 , but is not limited thereto and may also send positioning information to other entities.

[0493] The communication method according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S5201 to S5206. For example, step S5201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S5202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and a combination of steps S5201 and S5202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0494] In some embodiments, steps S5202, S5203, S5204, S5205, and S5206 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0495] In some embodiments, steps S5201, S5203, S5204, S5205, and S5206 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0496] Figure 6A is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6A, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by a first terminal 1011A. The method includes steps S6101 to S6106.

[0497] In step S6101, a connection is established.

[0498] The optional implementation of step S6101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0499] In step S6102, the seventh information is obtained.

[0500] The optional implementation of step S6102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0501] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011A may receive the seventh information sent by the second terminal 1012 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the seventh information sent by other entities.

[0502] In step S6103, the fifth information is sent.

[0503] The optional implementation of step S6103 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0504] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011A may send the fifth information to the second network element 1032 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the fifth information to other entities.

[0505] In step S6104, the sixth information is obtained.

[0506] The optional implementation of step S6104 can refer to the optional implementation of steps S2107 and S2111 in Figure 2A, and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0507] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011A may receive the sixth information sent by the second network element 1032 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the sixth information sent by other entities.

[0508] In step S6105, sidelink positioning is performed.

[0509] The optional implementation of step S6105 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2109 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0510] In step S6106, the eighth information is sent.

[0511] The optional implementation of step S6106 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2112 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0512] The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S6101 to S6106. For example, step S6102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S6102 and S6103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0513] In some embodiments, steps S6104 and S6105 may be executed in an interchanged order.

[0514] In some embodiments, steps S6101, S6103, S6104, S6105, and S6106 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0515] Figure 6B is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6B, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by the first terminal 1011A. The method includes steps S6201 to S6204.

[0516] In step S6201, a connection is established.

[0517] The optional implementation of step S6201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2201 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0518] In step S6202, the seventh information is obtained.

[0519] The optional implementation of step S6202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2202 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0520] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011A may receive the seventh information sent by the second terminal 1012 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the seventh information sent by other entities.

[0521] In step S6203, the eleventh message is sent.

[0522] The optional implementation of step S6203 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2203 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0523] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011A may send the eleventh information to the first terminal 1011B, but is not limited thereto and the eleventh information may also be sent to other entities.

[0524] In step S6204, sidelink positioning is performed.

[0525] The optional implementation of step S6204 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2211 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0526] The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S6201 to S6204. For example, step S6202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S6202 and S6203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0527] In some embodiments, steps S6201, S6203, and S6204 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0528] Figure 6C is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6C, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by the first terminal 1011B. The method includes steps S6301 to S6306.

[0529] In step S6301, a connection is established.

[0530] The optional implementation of step S6301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A, step S2201 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0531] In step S6302, the seventh information is obtained.

[0532] The optional implementation of step S6302 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2203 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0533] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011B may receive the eleventh information sent by the first terminal 1011A, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the eleventh information sent by other entities.

[0534] In step S6303, the fifth information is sent.

[0535] The optional implementation of step S6303 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2204 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0536] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011B may send the fifth information to the second network element 1032 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the fifth information to other entities.

[0537] In step S6304, the sixth information is obtained.

[0538] The optional implementation of step S6304 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2210 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0539] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011B may receive the sixth information sent by the second network element 1032 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the sixth information sent by other entities.

[0540] In step S6305, sidelink positioning is performed.

[0541] The optional implementation of step S6305 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2109 in Figure 2A, step S2211 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0542] In step S6306, the eighth information is sent.

[0543] The optional implementation of step S6306 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2214 in Figure 2B and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0544] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011B may send the eighth information to the second terminal 1012 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the eighth information to other entities.

[0545] The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S6301 to S6306. For example, step S6302 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S6302 and S6303 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0546] In some embodiments, steps S6304 and S6305 may be executed in an interchanged order.

[0547] In some embodiments, steps S6301, S6303, S6304, S6305, and S6306 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0548] Figure 6D is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 6D, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by first terminal 1011. First terminal 1011 can be either first terminal 1011A or first terminal 1011B. The method includes steps S6401 to S6406.

[0549] In step S6401, a connection is established.

[0550] The optional implementation of step S6401 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A, step S2201 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0551] In step S6402, the ninth information is obtained.

[0552] The optional implementation of step S6403 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2A, steps S2202 and S2203 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0553] In some embodiments, the ninth information may be the seventh information. In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may receive the seventh information sent by the second terminal 1012, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the seventh information sent by other entities.

[0554] In some embodiments, the ninth information may be the eleventh information. In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may receive the eleventh information sent by another first terminal, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the eleventh information sent by other entities.

[0555] In step S6403, the tenth information is sent.

[0556] The optional implementation of step S6403 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2103 in Figure 2A, steps S2203 and S2204 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0557] In some embodiments, the tenth information may be the fifth information. In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may send the fifth information to the second network element 1032, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the fifth information sent by other entities.

[0558] In some embodiments, the tenth information may be the eleventh information. In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may send the eleventh information to another first terminal 1011, but is not limited thereto and may also send the eleventh information to other entities.

[0559] In step S6404, the sixth information is obtained.

[0560] The optional implementation of step S6404 can refer to the optional implementation of steps S2107 and S2111 in Figure 2A, step S2210 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0561] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011B receives the sixth information sent by the second network element 1032, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the sixth information sent by other entities.

[0562] In step S6405, sidelink positioning is performed.

[0563] The optional implementation of step S6405 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2109 in Figure 2A, steps S2211 and S2213 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0564] In step S6406, the eighth information is sent.

[0565] The optional implementation of step S6406 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2112 in Figure 2A, step S2214 in Figure 2B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A and 2B, which will not be repeated here.

[0566] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011B sends the eighth information to the second terminal 1012, but is not limited thereto. The first terminal 1011B may also receive the eighth information sent by other entities.

[0567] The communication method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S6401 to S6406. For example, step S6402 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S6402 and S6403 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0568] In some embodiments, steps S6404 and S6405 may be executed in an interchanged order.

[0569] In some embodiments, steps S6401, S6403, S6404, S6405, and S6406 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0570] FIG7 is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG7 , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be executed by the second terminal 1012. The method includes steps S701 to S703.

[0571] In step S701, a connection is established.

[0572] Optional implementations of step S701 can be found in step S2101 of FIG. 2A , optional implementations of step S2201 of FIG. 2B , and other related parts of the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B , which will not be described in detail here.

[0573] In step S702, the seventh information is sent.

[0574] Optional implementations of step S702 can be found in step S2102 of FIG. 2A , optional implementations of step S2202 of FIG. 2B , and other related parts of the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B , which will not be described in detail here.

[0575] In some embodiments, the second terminal 1012 may send the seventh information to the first terminal 1011A, but is not limited thereto and may also send the seventh information to other entities.

[0576] In step S703, the eighth information is obtained.

[0577] Optional implementations of step S703 may refer to the optional implementations of step S2112 in FIG. 2A , step S2214 in FIG. 2B , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B , which will not be described in detail here.

[0578] In some embodiments, the second terminal 1012 may receive the eighth information sent by the first terminal 1011A, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the eighth information sent by other entities.

[0579] In some embodiments, the second terminal 1012 may receive the eighth information sent by the first terminal 1011B, but is not limited thereto and may also receive the eighth information sent by other entities.

[0580] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S701 to S703. For example, step S702 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S702 and S703 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0581] In some embodiments, steps S701 and S703 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0582] FIG8A is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG8A , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The method includes step S8101.

[0583] In step S8101, the first network element 1031 obtains first information.

[0584] For the optional implementation of step S8101, please refer to the optional implementation of step S2104 in Figure 2A, step S2206 in Figure 2B, step S301 in Figure 3, step S4102 in Figure 4A, step S5202 in Figure 5B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, 3, 4A, and 5B, which will not be repeated here.

[0585] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments of the communication system side, the first network element side, the second network element side, the third network element side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0586] FIG8B is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG8B , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The method includes step S8201.

[0587] In step S8201 , the second network element 1032 sends third information to the third network element 1033 .

[0588] For the optional implementation of step S8201, please refer to step S2108 of Figure 2A, step S2205 of Figure 2B, step S4105 of Figure 4A, step S4202 of Figure 4B, step S5101 of Figure 5A, the optional implementation of step S5201 of Figure 5B, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 5A, and 5B, which will not be repeated here.

[0589] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments of the communication system side, the second network element side, the third network element side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0590] FIG8C is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG8C , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The method includes step S8301.

[0591] In step S8301, the second terminal 1012 sends seventh information to the first terminal 1011.

[0592] The optional implementation of step S8201 can be found in the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2A, step S2202 in Figure 2B, step S6102 in Figure 6A, step S6202 in Figure 6B, step S702 in Figure 7, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, 6A, 6B, and 7, which will not be repeated here.

[0593] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above terminal side embodiment, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0594] FIG8D is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG8D , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The method includes steps S8401 and S8402.

[0595] In step S8401, the first terminal 1011 obtains ninth information.

[0596] The optional implementation of step S8401 can be found in step S2102 of Figure 2A, steps S2202 and S2203 of Figure 2B, the optional implementation of step S6402 of Figure 6D, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 6D, which will not be repeated here.

[0597] In step S8402, the first terminal 1011 sends the tenth information.

[0598] Optional implementations of step S8402 may refer to the optional implementations of step S2103 in FIG. 2A , steps S2203 and S2024 in FIG. 2B , step S6403 in FIG. 6D , and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 2A , FIG. 2B , and FIG. 6D , which will not be repeated here.

[0599] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments of the communication system side, the second network element side, the terminal side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0600] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplarily described through specific implementation methods.

[0601] In some embodiments, the reference point NL6 between the UDM (i.e., the fourth network element) and the GMLC (i.e., the first network element) is used to transmit the UE privacy configuration to the GMLC for verification of exposure to ranging / sidelink positioning services. Therefore, when a sidelink positioning client UE (i.e., the second terminal) requests the sidelink positioning results of a measured UE (i.e., the first terminal) via the PC5 link, the GMLC needs to be triggered to obtain the UE privacy configuration from the UDM.

[0602] The network function that can trigger GMLC can be AMF or LMF. This is because:

[0603] (1) The AMF receives the SL-MO-LR request sent by one of the UEs to be measured and is therefore able to obtain the required information to check the UE privacy based on the privacy configuration of the UE.

[0604] (2) The LMF receives the information in the SL-MO-LR request from the AMF and is therefore able to obtain the required information to verify the UE privacy based on the privacy configuration of the UE.

[0605] (3) There is an interface (NL2) between the AMF and the GMLC, and there is an interface (NL10) between the LMF and the GMLC.

[0606] In some embodiments, whether the AMF or the LMF triggers the GMLC depends on the specific network function. If the AMF is able to trigger the GMLC for authorization / privacy check, the AMF may indicate to the LMF that the LMF does not need to trigger the GMLC. If the AMF is unable to trigger the GMLC for authorization / privacy check, the AMF may indicate to the LMF that the LMF needs to trigger the GMLC.

[0607] The determination of whether authorization / privacy checks are triggered depends primarily on whether the information received in the SL-MO-LR request includes the sidelink positioning client UE. If the SL-MO-LR request includes client UE information, this means that the UE privacy of the sidelink positioning results exposed to the client UE needs to be checked. If the SL-MO-LR request does not include client UE information, the UE privacy of the sidelink positioning results exposed to the client UE cannot be guaranteed.

[0608] In some embodiments, the specific implementation of this communication process can be given below.

[0609] Figure 9 is an interaction diagram of an exemplary implementation of a communication process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 9 , the communication process may include steps S901 to S914.

[0610] In step S901 , the client UE establishes a PC5 connection with the discovered UE.

[0611] In step S902, the client UE downselects a UE (UE1 or UE2) to receive a sidelink positioning service request. The client UE sends a sidelink positioning service request. The sidelink positioning service request includes information about the sidelink positioning client UE and information about the UE to be measured (i.e., UE1, UE2) (target UE / reference UE).

[0612] In step S903, the UE that receives the sidelink positioning service request determines that SL-MO-LR will be performed. If UE2 receives the service request but does not have a NAS connection, UE2 sends the SL-MO-LR request to UE1, which has a NAS connection. The SL-MO-LR request includes at least information about the sidelink positioning client UE and information about the UEs to be measured (i.e., UE1 and UE2).

[0613] In step S904, UE1 sends a supplementary service SL-MO-LR request to the AMF in a UL NAS TRANSPORT message. The UL NAS TRANSPORT message includes at least information about the sidelink positioning client UE and information about the UEs to be measured (i.e., UE1 and UE2), and may also include a service type (e.g., location exposure to the client UE).

[0614] In step S905, based on the information received from UE1 (e.g., service type, customer UE information, UE1 / UE2 information), the AMF determines whether it is necessary to trigger UE authorization and privacy check.

[0615] In some embodiments, if the AMF does not support triggering UE authorization and privacy check, the AMF continues to perform step S908b.

[0616] In some embodiments, if the AMF supports triggering UE authorization and privacy check, the AMF selects a GMLC that supports ranging / sidelink positioning through NRF query or configuration in the AMF, and forwards the SL-MO-LR to the GMLC for authorization and privacy check through the Ngmlc_Location_Authorization request. The Ngmlc_Location_Authorization request includes at least the information of the sidelink positioning client UE and the information of the UE to be measured (i.e., UE1, UE2).

[0617] In step S906, based on the information received from the AMF (information about the sidelink positioning client UE and information about the UE to be measured), the GMLC obtains the privacy configuration of the UE to be measured from the UDM and authorizes the client UE based on the privacy configuration. For example, the privacy configuration of UE1 / UE2 can configure whether to allow the location of UE1 / UE2 to be exposed to the client UE.

[0618] In step S907, the GMLC returns the authorization result to the AMF through the Ngmlc_location_Authorization response.

[0619] In step S908a, if authorization fails, the AMF may return a supplementary service SL-MO-LR response to UE1 via a DL NAS TRANSPORT message. The SL-MO-LR response may include the reason for the authorization failure. The reasons for the authorization failure may include, for example, exposure to the client UE is denied, exposure of UE1 to the client UE is denied, and exposure of UE2 to the client UE is denied.

[0620] In step S908b, if the AMF does not support triggering UE authorization and privacy check, or if the AMF receives a successful authorization result in step S907, the AMF selects the LMF (i.e., the third network element) and forwards the information from the SL-MO-LR request to the LMF through the Nlmf_location_DetermineLocation request.

[0621] In some embodiments, if the AMF does not support triggering UE authorization and privacy check, the AMF includes at least information of the sidelink positioning client UE and information of the UE to be measured (i.e., UE1, UE2) in the message.

[0622] In some embodiments, if the AMF receives a successful authorization result in step S907, the AMF includes at least information of the UE to be measured (ie, UE1, UE2) in the message.

[0623] In step S909, based on the information received from the AMF (e.g., service type, customer UE information, UE1 / UE2 information), the LMF determines whether it is necessary to trigger the UE's authorization and privacy check.

[0624] In some embodiments, if the information from the AMF does not include information of the sidelink positioning client UE, the LMF proceeds to step S912b1.

[0625] In some embodiments, if the information from the AMF contains information of the sidelink positioning client UE and the LMF does not support triggering UE authorization and privacy check, the LMF continues to execute step S912a.

[0626] In some embodiments, if the information from the AMF includes information about the sidelink positioning client UE and the LMF supports triggering UE authorization and privacy check, the LMF selects a GMLC that supports ranging / sidelink positioning through an NRF query or configuration in the AMF, and forwards the SL-MO-LR to the GMLC for authorization and privacy check through an Ngmlc_Location_Authorization request. The Ngmlc_Location_Authorization request includes at least information about the sidelink positioning client UE and information about the UEs to be measured (i.e., UE1 and UE2).

[0627] In step S910, based on the information received from the LMF (sidelink positioning client UE information and information about the UE to be measured), the GMLC obtains the privacy configuration of the UE to be measured from the UDM and authorizes the client UE based on the privacy configuration. For example, the privacy configuration of UE1 / UE2 can configure whether to allow the location of UE1 / UE2 to be exposed to the client UE.

[0628] In step S911, the GMLC returns the authorization result to the LMF through the Ngmlc_location_Authorization response.

[0629] In step S912a, if authorization fails, the LMF returns an Nlmf_location_DetermineLocation response, which includes the reason for the authorization failure. The reasons for the authorization failure include, for example, exposure to the client UE is denied, exposure of UE1 to the client UE is denied, and exposure of UE2 to the client UE is denied.

[0630] In step S912b1, if the LMF receives a successful authorization result in step S11, or the UE authorization and privacy check have been triggered by the AMF, a ranging / sidelink positioning operation is performed between the LMF and UE1 / UE2.

[0631] In step S912b2, the LMF returns an Nlmf_location_DetermineLocation response, which includes the sidelink positioning result.

[0632] In step S913a, if authorization fails, the AMF returns a supplementary service SL-MO-LR response to UE1 in a DL NAS TRANSPORT message. The DL NAS TRANSPORT message includes the reason for the authorization failure. Examples of reasons for the authorization failure include: exposure to the client UE is denied, exposure of UE1 to the client UE is denied, and exposure of UE2 to the client UE is denied.

[0633] In step S913b, if the authorization is successful, the AMF returns the supplementary service SL-MO-LR response to UE1 in the DL NAS TRANSPORT message. The DL NAS TRANSPORT message includes the sidelink positioning result.

[0634] In step S914, UE1 sends a sidelink positioning service response to the client UE. The sidelink positioning service response includes the sidelink positioning result between UE1 and UE2, or the reason for authorization failure.

[0635] In some embodiments, the UE (client UE) may include information of the UE and information of the UE to be measured in the sidelink positioning service request.

[0636] In some embodiments, the UE (UE1 / UE2) may include information of the sidelink positioning client UE and information of the UE to be measured (ie, UE1 / UE2) in the SL-MO-LR request.

[0637] In some embodiments, the UE (UE1) may receive the authorization / privacy check failure reason from the AMF.

[0638] In some embodiments, the UE (UE1) may send the authorization / privacy check failure reason to the sidelink positioning client UE.

[0639] In some embodiments, a UE (client UE) may receive an authorization / privacy check failure reason from another UE (UE1 / UE2).

[0640] In some embodiments, the AMF may determine whether to trigger an authorization / privacy check based on the SL-MO-LR request received from the UE.

[0641] In some embodiments, the AMF may send the SL-MO-LR to the GMLC via a Ngmlc_Location_Authorization request, which includes at least information about the sidelink positioning client UE and information about the UE to be measured.

[0642] In some embodiments, the AMF may receive the authorization / privacy check result from the GMLC via the Ngmlc_Location_Authorization response.

[0643] In some embodiments, the AMF may forward the SL-MO-LR to the LMF via an Nlmf_location_DetermineLocation request. The Nlmf_location_DetermineLocation request includes at least information of the sidelink positioning client UE and information of the UE to be measured.

[0644] In some embodiments, the AMF may receive the authorization and privacy check results from the LMF via the Nlmf_location_DetermineLocation response.

[0645] In some embodiments, the AMF may send the authorization / privacy check failure reason to the UE.

[0646] In some embodiments, the LMF may determine whether it is necessary to trigger an authorization / privacy check for the UE based on the SL-MO-LR request received from the AMF.

[0647] In some embodiments, the LMF may forward the SL-MO-LR to the GMLC via an Ngmlc_Location_Authorization request, wherein the Ngmlc_Location_Authorization request includes at least information of the sidelink positioning client UE and information of the UE to be measured.

[0648] In some embodiments, the LMF may receive the authorization / privacy check result from the GMLC via the Ngmlc_Location_Authorization request.

[0649] In some embodiments, the LMF may send the authorization / privacy check failure reason to the AMF or UE.

[0650] In some embodiments, the GMLC may receive a Ngmlc_Location_Authorization request from an AMF or LMF.

[0651] In some embodiments, the GMLC may check whether the client UE is authorized to obtain the sidelink positioning result of the UE to be measured based on the privacy configuration of the UE to be measured obtained from the UDM.

[0652] In some embodiments, the GMLC may send the sidelink positioning authorization result to the AMF or LMF.

[0653] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0654] The present disclosure also provides a communication device for implementing any of the above methods. For example, the present disclosure provides a communication device. The communication device includes units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, the present disclosure also provides another communication device including units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device in any of the above methods.

[0655] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above devices is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above devices, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0656] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit, a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP); in another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by a dedicated integrated circuit or a programmable logic device, such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0657] Figure 10 is an exemplary structural diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the communication device 1000 may be a network device, such as a first network element 1031, a second network element 1032, or a third network element 1033. In some embodiments, the communication device 1000 may be a terminal, such as a first terminal 1011 or a second terminal 1012. As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1000 may include at least one of a transceiver module 1001 and a processing module 1002.

[0658] In some embodiments, the communication device 1000 may be the first network element 1031. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1001 may be configured to receive first information, wherein the first information is used to request the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result of the first terminal is requested to be provided to the second terminal. Optionally, the transceiver module 1001 may be configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2104, S2105, S2106, S2206, S2207, and S2208) performed by the first network element 1031 in any of the above methods, which are not further described here.

[0659] In some embodiments, the communication device 1000 may be the second network element 1032. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1001 may be configured to: send third information, wherein the third information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to the second terminal. Optionally, the transceiver module 1001 may be configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2103, S2104, S2106, S2107, S2108, S2109, S2111, S2204, S2205, S2209, S2210, S2212, and S2213) performed by the second network element 1032 in any of the above methods, which are not further described here.

[0660] In some embodiments, the communication device 1000 may be a third network element 1033. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1001 may be configured to: receive third information, wherein the third information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to the second terminal. Optionally, the transceiver module 1001 may be configured to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the third network element 1033 in any of the above methods (for example, steps S2108, S2109, S2110, S2205, S2206, S2208, S2209, S2211, and S2212), which are not described in detail here. Optionally, the processing module 1002 may be configured to perform at least one of the other steps other than the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the third network element 1033 in any of the above methods (for example, determining whether to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification on the first terminal based on the third information), which are not described in detail here.

[0661] In some embodiments, the communication device 1000 may be a second terminal 1012. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1001 may be configured to transmit seventh information, wherein the seventh information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to the second terminal. Optionally, the transceiver module 1001 may be configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2102, S2112, S2201, S2202, and S2214) of transmitting and / or receiving performed by the second terminal 1012 in any of the above methods, which are not further described here.

[0662] In some embodiments, the communication device 1000 may be a first terminal 1011. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1001 may be configured to: receive ninth information, wherein the ninth information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, the sidelink positioning result being requested to be provided to the second terminal; and send tenth information, wherein the tenth information is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal. Optionally, the transceiver module 1001 may be configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2102, S2103, S2107, S2109, S2111, S2112, S2201, S2202, S2203, S2204, S2210, S2211, S2213, and S2214) of sending and / or receiving performed by the first terminal 1011 in any of the above methods, which are not further described herein.

[0663] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module. The transmitting module and the receiving module may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with the transceiver.

[0664] Figure 11A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 11100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 11100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 11100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0665] As shown in Figure 11A, the communication device 11100 includes one or more processors 11101. The processor 11101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 11100 is used to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 11101 are used to call instructions to enable the communication device 11100 to perform any of the above methods.

[0666] In some embodiments, the communication device 11100 further includes one or more transceivers 11102. When the communication device 11100 includes one or more transceivers 11102, the transceiver 11102 performs at least one of the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method. In alternative embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, and the receiver and transmitter may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0667] In some embodiments, the communication device 11100 further includes one or more memories 11103 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 11103 may be located outside the communication device 11100. In alternative embodiments, the communication device 11100 may include one or more interface circuits 11104. Optionally, the interface circuits 11104 are connected to the memories 11103 and may be configured to receive data from the memories 11103 or other devices, or to send data to the memories 11103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 11104 may read data stored in the memories 11103 and send the data to the processor 11101.

[0668] The communication device 11100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 11100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 11100 may not be limited to FIG. 11A. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0669] FIG11B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 11200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 11100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 11200 shown in FIG11B , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0670] The chip 11200 includes one or more processors 11201. The chip 11200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0671] In some embodiments, chip 11200 further includes one or more interface circuits 11202. Alternatively, the terms interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pins may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 11200 further includes one or more memories 11203 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of memory 11203 may be located external to chip 11200. Optionally, interface circuit 11202 is connected to memory 11203. Interface circuit 11202 may be configured to receive data from memory 11203 or other devices, or to send data to memory 11203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 11202 may read data stored in memory 11203 and send the data to processor 11201.

[0672] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 11202 performs at least one of the communication steps of sending and / or receiving in the above method. For example, the interface circuit 11202 performing the communication steps of sending and / or receiving in the above method means that the interface circuit 11202 performs data exchange between the processor 11201, the chip 11200, the memory 11203, or the transceiver device.

[0673] The modules and / or devices described in various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be arbitrarily combined or separated according to circumstances. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0674] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 11100, the communication device 11100 is caused to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0675] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 11100, enables the communication device 11100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0676] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the computer to execute any of the above methods.

[0677] Other embodiments of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and practicing the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow from the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

[0678] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the exact construction described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, performed by a first network element, and comprising: Receiving first information, where the first information is used to request the first network element to perform privacy verification for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result of the first terminal is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first information includes at least one of the following: Information of the first terminal; Information of the second terminal; A first service type.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The method further comprises: Sending second information, where the second information is used to indicate the verification result of the privacy verification.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein The verification result is a failure, and the reason for the failure of the privacy verification is carried in the second information.

5. A communication method, performed by a second network element, and comprising: Sending third information, where the third information is used to request the sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The third information includes at least one of the following: Information of the first terminal; Information of the second terminal; A first service type.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein The second network element supports triggering the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal; Wherein, the method further comprises: Sending first information, where the first information is used to request the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal; Receiving second information, where the second information is used to indicate the verification result of the privacy verification.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein, The first information includes at least one of the following: Information of the first terminal; Information of the second terminal; A first service type.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein The sending of the third information includes: In the case where the verification result is successful, sending the third information, where the third information includes the information of the first terminal.

10. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The verification result is a failure, and the reason for the failure of the privacy verification is carried in the second information.

11. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, The second network element does not support triggering the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal; Wherein, the third information includes the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The method further comprises: Receiving fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate that the verification result of the privacy verification is a failure.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The reason for the failure of the privacy verification is carried in the fourth information.

14. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein, The method further comprises: Receiving fifth information, where the fifth information is used to request the sidelink positioning result for the first terminal; Sending sixth information, where the sixth information is used to indicate that the verification result is a failure or includes the sidelink positioning result.

15. A communication method, performed by a third network element, and comprising: Receiving third information, where the third information is used to request the sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein The third information includes at least one of the following: Information of the first terminal; Information of the second terminal; A first service type.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein The method further comprises: Determining whether to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal according to the third information.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, The determining whether to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification for the first terminal according to the third information includes: In the case where the third information includes the information of the first terminal and does not include the information of the second terminal, it is determined not to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification on the first terminal.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein, Determining whether to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification on the first terminal according to the third information includes: In the case where the third information includes the information of the first terminal and the information of the second terminal, it is determined to trigger the first network element to perform privacy verification on the first terminal.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein The method further includes: Sending a first message, where the first message is used to request the first network element to perform privacy verification on the first terminal; Receiving a second message, where the second message is used to indicate the verification result of the privacy verification.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The verification result is a failure; Wherein, the method further includes: Sending a fourth message, where the fourth message is used to indicate that the verification result is a failure.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, wherein The reason for the failure of the privacy verification is carried in at least one of the following: the second message, the fourth message.

23. A communication method, executed by a second terminal, and includes: Sending a seventh message, where the seventh message is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to the second terminal.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, The method further includes: Receiving an eighth message, where the eighth message is used to indicate that the verification result of the privacy verification for the first terminal is a failure or includes the sidelink positioning result.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein, The eighth message indicates that the verification result of the privacy verification for the first terminal is a failure, and the reason for the failure of the privacy verification is carried in the eighth message.

26. A communication method, executed by a first terminal, and includes: Receiving a ninth message, where the ninth message is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal; Sending a tenth message, where the tenth message is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein, The ninth message is sent by the second terminal, and the tenth message is sent to another first terminal.

28. The method according to claim 26, wherein The ninth message is sent by another first terminal.

29. The method according to claim 26 or 28, wherein, The method further includes: Receiving a sixth message, where the sixth message is used to indicate that the verification result of the privacy verification for the first terminal is a failure or includes the sidelink positioning result; Sending an eighth message, where the eighth message is used to indicate that the verification result is a failure or includes the sidelink positioning result.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein, The reason for the failure of the privacy verification is carried in at least one of the following: the sixth message, the eighth message.

31. A communication method, includes: A first terminal sends a fifth message to a network device, where the fifth message is used to request a sidelink positioning result for the first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

32. A communication method, executed by a network device, includes: Receiving a fifth message, where the fifth message is used to request a sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

33. A first network element, comprising: a transceiver module configured to receive first information, wherein the first information is used to request the first network element to perform privacy verification for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result of the first terminal is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

34. A second network element, comprising: a transceiver module configured to send third information, wherein the third information is used to request the sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

35. A third network element, comprising: a transceiver module configured to receive third information, wherein the third information is used to request the sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

36. A second terminal, comprising: a transceiver module configured to send seventh information, wherein the seventh information is used to request the sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to the second terminal.

37. A first terminal, comprising: a transceiver module configured to: receive ninth information, wherein the ninth information is used to request the sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal; send tenth information, wherein the tenth information is used to request the sidelink positioning result for the first terminal.

38. A network device, comprising: a transceiver module configured to receive fifth information, wherein the fifth information is used to request the sidelink positioning result for a first terminal, and the sidelink positioning result is requested to be provided to a second terminal.

39. A first network element, comprising: one or more processors; wherein, the first network element is used to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

40. A second network element, comprising: one or more processors; wherein, the second network element is used to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 5 to 14.

41. A third network element, comprising: one or more processors; wherein, the third network element is used to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 15 to 22.

42. A second terminal, comprising: one or more processors; wherein, the second terminal is used to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 23 to 25.

43. A first terminal, comprising: one or more processors; wherein, the first terminal is used to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 26 to 30.

44. A network device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein, the network device is used to execute the communication method according to claim 32.

45. A communication system, comprising: a first terminal configured to implement the method according to any one of claims 26 to 30; a network device configured to implement the method according to claim 32.

46. A storage medium, the storage medium stores instructions, wherein, When the instruction runs on the communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 32.

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