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

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, a network element, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a computer program product. The communication method is executed by a first terminal. The communication method comprises: determining to accept or reject a first sidelink positioning service on the basis of a first verification result and / or first information. The first sidelink positioning service targets the first terminal and at least one second terminal, the first verification result comprises a verification result of privacy verification performed by the first terminal and / or the at least one second terminal for the first sidelink positioning service, and the first information is used for indicating at least one of the following: second terminals needing to participate in the first sidelink positioning service among the at least one second terminal, and a first quantity of second terminals needing to participate in the first sidelink positioning service among the at least one second terminal. The embodiments of the present disclosure can flexibly achieve acceptance or rejection of a service request of sidelink positioning service.

Description

Communication method, terminal, network element, communication equipment, communication system, 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 communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a computer program product. 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 communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a computer program product, thereby enabling acceptance or rejection of a sidelink positioning service.

[0005] According to the first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication method is provided. The communication method is executed by a first terminal. The above-mentioned communication method includes: determining whether to accept or reject a first sidelink positioning service based on a first verification result and / or first information, wherein the first sidelink positioning service is for a first terminal and at least one second terminal, and the first verification result includes a verification result of privacy verification of the first terminal and / or at least one second terminal for the first sidelink positioning service; wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a second terminal in at least one second terminal that needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service, and a first number of second terminals in at least one second terminal that need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[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 third terminal. The communication method includes: sending fourth information, where the fourth information is used to request a first sidelink positioning service, where the first sidelink positioning service is for the first terminal and at least one 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 network device. The communication method includes: sending fifth information, where the fifth information includes a second rule, and the second rule is used to indicate the configuration of a sidelink positioning service for a first terminal and / or at least one second terminal.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided. The terminal includes: a processing module configured to determine whether to accept or reject a first sidelink positioning service based on a first verification result and / or first information, wherein the first sidelink positioning service is for a first terminal and at least one second terminal, and the first verification result includes a verification result of privacy verification of the first terminal and / or the at least one second terminal for the first sidelink positioning service; wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a second terminal among the at least one second terminal that needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service, and a first number of second terminals among the at least one second terminal that needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising: a transceiver module configured to send fourth information, wherein the fourth information is used to request a first sidelink positioning service, the first sidelink positioning service being directed to a first terminal and at least one second terminal.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a network element is provided. The network element includes: a transceiver module configured to send fifth information, wherein the fifth information includes a second rule, and the second rule is used to indicate a configuration of a first terminal and / or at least one second terminal for a sidelink positioning service.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes: one or more processors; and a memory storing instructions; wherein the instructions, when executed by the communication device, enable the communication device to implement the communication method described in any one of the first, second, and third aspects.

[0012] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes a first terminal, a third terminal, and a network device. The first terminal is configured to implement the communication method described in the first aspect. The third terminal is configured to implement the communication method described in the second aspect. The network device is configured to implement the communication method described in the third aspect.

[0013] According to a ninth 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 according to any one of the first to third aspects.

[0014] According to a tenth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a program product is provided, which, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to execute the communication method according to any one of the first to third aspects.

[0015] According to an eleventh aspect 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 third aspects.

[0016] According to a twelfth aspect of the embodiments 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 third aspects.

[0017] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, it is possible to determine whether to accept or reject a service request for a sidelink positioning service according to actual conditions.

[0018] 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

[0019] 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.

[0020] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG2A is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG2B is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG2C is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG3A is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG3B is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG3C is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG4A is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG4B is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG5 is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG6A is an exemplary flowchart of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG6B is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG6C is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG7 is an interaction diagram of an exemplary implementation of a communication process provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG8 is an exemplary structural diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG9A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG9B is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal, a network element, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a computer program product.

[0038] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication method. The communication method is executed by a first terminal. The above-mentioned communication method includes: determining whether to accept or reject a first sidelink positioning service based on a first verification result and / or first information, wherein the first sidelink positioning service is for a first terminal and at least one second terminal, and the first verification result includes a verification result of privacy verification of the first terminal and / or at least one second terminal for the first sidelink positioning service; wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a second terminal in at least one second terminal that needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service, and a first number of second terminals in at least one second terminal that need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first terminal can obtain the second terminal or the number of second terminals that need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service through the first information. In this way, based on the first information, the verification result of the first terminal, and / or the verification results of each second terminal, the first terminal can determine whether there are enough second terminals to participate in the first sidelink positioning service, thereby determining whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service. The first information obtained under different requirements can be different, thereby flexibly determining whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service.

[0040] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service based on the first verification result and / or the first information may include: determining whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service based on the verification result and the first information of at least one second terminal.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first terminal can determine whether sufficient second terminals are capable of participating in the first sidelink positioning service based on the first information and the verification results of each second terminal, thereby determining whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service. The first information obtained under different requirements can be different, thereby flexibly determining whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service.

[0042] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service based on the verification result of at least one second terminal and the first information may include: determining to accept the first sidelink positioning service when the number of second terminals with successful verification results in at least one second terminal is greater than or equal to the first number.

[0043] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned communication method may further include: sending second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate the positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service; wherein the second information includes at least one of the following: a second number, wherein the second number is the number of second terminals participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal; a third number, wherein the third number is the number of second terminals not participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal; a first terminal indication, wherein the first terminal indication is used to indicate the second terminal participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal; a second terminal indication, wherein the second terminal indication is used to indicate the second terminal not participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a first terminal feeds back a positioning result, the number of second terminals and / or the second terminals actually participating in the first sidelink positioning service can be indicated. In this way, the requester of the first sidelink positioning service can know the first and second terminals implementing the first sidelink positioning service, and / or the number of first and second terminals implementing the first sidelink positioning service.

[0045] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service based on the verification result of at least one second terminal and the first information may include: when the number of second terminals with successful verification results in at least one second terminal is less than the first number, determining to reject the first sidelink positioning service.

[0046] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, determining the operation of accepting or rejecting the first sidelink positioning service based on the first verification result and / or the first information may include: determining to reject the first sidelink positioning service when the verification result of the first terminal is failure.

[0047] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned communication method may further include: sending third information, wherein the third information is used to indicate that the privacy verification of the first sidelink positioning service has failed; wherein the third information includes the reason for the failure of the privacy verification.

[0048] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include one of the following: a first rule, wherein the first rule is configured by the third terminal for the first side link positioning service; a second rule, wherein the second rule is configured by the network device or the first terminal for the side link positioning service; a default rule; wherein the priority of the first rule and the second rule is higher than the priority of the default rule.

[0049] According to the embodiment of the present disclosure, different rules may be applied to different situations, thereby improving the flexibility of the first terminal in determining to accept or reject the first sidelink terminal.

[0050] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first terminal has both a first rule and a second rule; wherein, based on the first verification result and / or the first information, determining whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service may include: determining one of the first rule and the second rule as the first information.

[0051] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first terminal does not have the first rule and the second rule; wherein, based on the first verification result and / or the first information, determining whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service operation may include at least one of the following: determining the default rule as the first information; sending a first sidelink positioning service request to the network side to implement privacy verification.

[0052] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned communication method may also include at least one of the following: receiving fourth information sent by a third terminal, wherein the fourth information is used to indicate the first rule; receiving fifth information sent by a network device, wherein the fifth information is used to indicate the second rule.

[0053] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method. The communication method is performed by a third terminal. The communication method includes: sending fourth information, where the fourth information is used to request a first sidelink positioning service, where the first sidelink positioning service is for the first terminal and at least one second terminal.

[0054] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned communication method may further include: determining a first terminal, wherein the first terminal needs to participate in a first sidelink positioning service.

[0055] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth information may include a first rule, where the first rule is configured by the third terminal for the first sidelink positioning service.

[0056] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned communication method may further include: receiving second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate the positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service; wherein the second information may include at least one of the following: a second number, wherein the second number is the number of second terminals participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal; a third number, wherein the third number is the number of second terminals not participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal; a first terminal indication, wherein the first terminal indication is used to indicate the second terminal participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal; a second terminal indication, wherein the second terminal indication is used to indicate the second terminal not participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal.

[0057] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned communication method may further include: receiving third information, wherein the third information is used to indicate that the privacy verification of the first sidelink positioning service has failed; wherein the third information includes the reason for the failure of the privacy verification.

[0058] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method. The communication method is performed by a network device. The communication method includes: transmitting fifth information, wherein the fifth information includes a second rule, the second rule being used to indicate a configuration of a sidelink positioning service for a first terminal and / or at least one second terminal.

[0059] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the network device may be one of the following: UDM, PCF, LMF.

[0060] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal. The terminal includes: a processing module configured to determine whether to accept or reject a first sidelink positioning service based on a first verification result and / or first information, wherein the first sidelink positioning service is for a first terminal and at least one second terminal, and the first verification result includes a verification result of privacy verification of the first terminal and / or the at least one second terminal for the first sidelink positioning service; wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a second terminal among the at least one second terminal that needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service, and a first number of second terminals among the at least one second terminal that needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0061] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module can be configured to: determine whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service based on the verification result of at least one second terminal and the first information.

[0062] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module can be configured to: determine to accept the first sidelink positioning service when the number of second terminals with successful verification results in at least one second terminal is greater than or equal to the first number.

[0063] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned terminal may further include: a transceiver module configured to send second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate the positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service; wherein the second information includes at least one of the following: a second number, wherein the second number is the number of second terminals participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal; a third number, wherein the third number is the number of second terminals not participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal; a first terminal indication, wherein the first terminal indication is used to indicate the second terminal participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal; a second terminal indication, wherein the second terminal indication is used to indicate the second terminal not participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal.

[0064] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module can be configured to: determine to reject the first sidelink positioning service when the number of second terminals with successful verification results in at least one second terminal is less than the first number.

[0065] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the processing module may be configured to: when a verification result of the first terminal is failure, determine to reject the first sidelink positioning service.

[0066] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module can also be configured to: send third information, wherein the third information is used to indicate that the privacy verification of the first sidelink positioning service has failed; wherein the third information includes the reason for the failure of the privacy verification.

[0067] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first information may include one of the following: a first rule, wherein the first rule is configured by the third terminal for the first side link positioning service; a second rule, wherein the second rule is configured by the network device or the first terminal for the side link positioning service; a default rule; wherein the priority of the first rule and the second rule is higher than the priority of the default rule.

[0068] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first terminal has both the first rule and the second rule; wherein the processing module can be configured to: determine one of the first rule and the second rule as the first information.

[0069] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the first terminal does not have the first rule and the second rule; wherein the processing module can be configured to perform at least one of the following: determining the default rule as the first information; sending a first side link positioning service request to the network side to achieve privacy verification.

[0070] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module can also be configured to perform at least one of the following: receiving fourth information sent by a third terminal, wherein the fourth information is used to indicate the first rule; receiving fifth information sent by a network device, wherein the fifth information is used to indicate the second rule.

[0071] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, including: a transceiver module configured to send fourth information, wherein the fourth information is used to request a first sidelink positioning service, the first sidelink positioning service being directed to a first terminal and at least one second terminal.

[0072] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the above-mentioned terminal may further include: a processing module configured to determine a first terminal, wherein the first terminal needs to participate in a first sidelink positioning service.

[0073] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth information may include a first rule, where the first rule is configured by the third terminal for the first sidelink positioning service.

[0074] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module can also be configured to: receive second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate the positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service; wherein the second information may include at least one of the following: a second number, wherein the second number is the number of second terminals participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal; a third number, wherein the third number is the number of second terminals not participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal; a first terminal indication, wherein the first terminal indication is used to indicate the second terminal participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal; a second terminal indication, wherein the second terminal indication is used to indicate the second terminal not participating in the first sidelink positioning service in at least one second terminal.

[0075] In combination with some embodiments of the fifth aspect, in some embodiments, the transceiver module can also be configured to: receive third information, wherein the third information is used to indicate that the privacy verification of the first sidelink positioning service has failed; wherein the third information includes the reason for the failure of the privacy verification.

[0076] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network element. The network element includes: a transceiver module configured to send fifth information, wherein the fifth information includes a second rule, and the second rule is used to indicate the configuration of a first terminal and / or at least one second terminal for a sidelink positioning service.

[0077] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the network element may be one of the following: UDM, PCF, LMF.

[0078] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication device. The communication device includes: one or more processors; and a memory storing instructions; wherein, when the instructions are executed by the communication device, the communication device implements the communication method as described in any one of the first aspect, the second aspect, and the third aspect, and possible implementations thereof.

[0079] In an eighth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication system. The communication system includes a first terminal, a third terminal, and a network device. The first terminal is configured to implement the communication method described in any one of the first aspect and possible implementations thereof. The third terminal is configured to implement the communication method described in any one of the second aspect and possible implementations thereof. The network device is configured to implement the communication method described in any one of the third aspect and possible implementations thereof.

[0080] In a ninth 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, second, and third aspects and possible implementations thereof.

[0081] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide 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 aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, and possible implementations thereof.

[0082] In an eleventh 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 aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, and possible implementations thereof.

[0083] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or 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 aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, and possible implementations thereof.

[0084] It is understandable that the above-mentioned terminals, network elements, communication devices, communication systems, storage media, computer programs, computer program products, chips, and chip systems are all used to perform the methods provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding methods and will not be repeated here.

[0085] The present disclosure provides a communication method, terminal, network element, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and computer program product. In some embodiments, the terms communication method, information processing method, and information transmission method are interchangeable; the terms communication device, 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0091] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one", "one or more", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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.

[0096] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time / frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or the frequency domain.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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 with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced with side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced with side links.

[0105] 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.

[0106] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0107] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0108] 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.

[0109] 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 and a network device 102 .

[0110] 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.

[0111] In some embodiments, the number of terminals 101 may be one or more.

[0112] In some embodiments, multiple terminals 101 can communicate with each other.

[0113] In some embodiments, multiple terminals 101 can communicate with each other through the PC5 port.

[0114] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may be, for example, an access network device or a core network device.

[0115] In some embodiments, the access network device can be, for example, a node or device that accesses the terminal 101 to the wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB), a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a 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.

[0116] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 and the core network device may interact through the access network device. In some embodiments, the terminal 101 and the core network device may interact directly. This is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0117] 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.

[0118] In some embodiments, the access network device 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, 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.

[0119] In some embodiments, the core network device may be a single device, multiple devices, or a group of devices. A network element 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), or a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0120] The communication system may have a sidelink positioning feature. This feature enables the communication system to provide ranging / sidelink positioning services. The ranging / sidelink positioning services may also be referred to as sidelink positioning services.

[0121] In some embodiments, the terminal requesting the sidelink positioning service may be referred to as a client UE. The client terminal may send a sidelink positioning service request via the PC5 interface to obtain positioning results for the sidelink positioning service for the target terminal. During this process, a reference UE may be required to assist the target terminal.

[0122] In some cases, the total number of target and reference terminals required to implement sidelink positioning services may exceed two. In some cases, not all reference terminals may participate in sidelink positioning services. In some cases, the number of reference terminals participating in sidelink positioning services may affect the accuracy of positioning results.

[0123] Therefore, it is necessary to adopt a flexible approach to implement the sidelink positioning service according to different situations.

[0124] FIG2A is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to a communication system 100. As shown in FIG2A, the communication method includes steps S2101 to S2110.

[0125] In some embodiments, the multiple terminals 101 may include a first terminal 1011 , a second terminal 1012 , and a third terminal 1013 .

[0126] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 may be configured to implement a sidelink positioning service.

[0127] In some embodiments, the number of second terminals 1012 may be one or more.

[0128] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 may be the same or different types of terminals.

[0129] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1013 may be a terminal requesting a sidelink positioning service.

[0130] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1013 may be referred to as a client terminal. Positioning results of the sidelink positioning service implemented by the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012 may be exposed to the third terminal 1013.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 may be collectively referred to as a fourth terminal. In other words, the fourth terminal may include the first terminal 1011 and at least one second terminal 1012. In one example, the fourth terminal may include the first terminal 1011 and multiple second terminals 1012.

[0132] In step S2101 , the network device 102 sends fifth information to the first terminal 1011 .

[0133] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may receive the fifth information.

[0134] In some embodiments, the fifth information may be used to indicate privacy information of the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012 .

[0135] In some embodiments, the name of the fifth information is not limited, and it can be, for example, terminal configuration information, privacy configuration information, privacy indication information, etc.

[0136] In some embodiments, the fifth information may include a privacy profile of the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012. In one example, the fifth information may include the privacy profile of the first terminal 1011. In one example, the fifth information may include the privacy profile of the second terminal 1012. In one example, the fifth information may include the privacy profile of the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012.

[0137] In some embodiments, the privacy configuration may be included in the end user's subscription information.

[0138] In some embodiments, the privacy configuration may be configured by an operator for a user of the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal.

[0139] In some embodiments, the fifth information may include the second rule. It is understandable that in some cases, the fifth information may not include the second rule, and this embodiment of the present disclosure does not specifically limit this.

[0140] In some embodiments, the second rule may be used to indicate or configure the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012 with configuration information related to the sidelink positioning service.

[0141] In some embodiments, the second rule may be used to instruct the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012 to process the sidelink positioning service.

[0142] In some embodiments, the second rule may include the first quantity.

[0143] In some embodiments, the second rule may distinguish between the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 , and the first number may be associated with the second terminal 1012 .

[0144] In some embodiments, the first number is the number of second terminals 1012 among all second terminals 1012 that need to participate in the sidelink positioning service. This means that at least the first number of second terminals 1012 is required to participate in the sidelink positioning service. In some embodiments, the first number may be the minimum number of second terminals 1012 that participate in the sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first number may be equal to the total number of second terminals 1012. In this case, all second terminals 1012 need to participate in the sidelink positioning service. In another example, the first number may be less than the total number of second terminals 1012. In this case, a portion of the second terminals 1012 need to participate in the sidelink positioning service.

[0145] In some embodiments, the first number may be the number of second terminals 1012 that do not participate in the sidelink positioning service among all second terminals 1012. This means that at most the first number of second terminals 1012 can not participate in the sidelink positioning service. In some embodiments, the first number may be the maximum number of second terminals 1012 that do not participate in the sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first number may be equal to 0. In this case, all second terminals 1012 need to participate in the sidelink positioning service. In another example, the first number may be less than the total number of second terminals 1012. In this case, a portion of the second terminals 1012 need to participate in the sidelink positioning service.

[0146] In some embodiments, the second rule may not distinguish between the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 , and the first number may be related to the fourth terminal (ie, the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 ).

[0147] In some embodiments, the first number is the number of fourth terminals (including the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012) that need to participate in the sidelink positioning service. This means that at least the first number of fourth terminals is required to participate in the sidelink positioning service. In some embodiments, the first number may be the minimum number of fourth terminals that participate in the sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first number may be equal to the number of fourth terminals. In this case, all fourth terminals need to participate in the sidelink positioning service. In another example, the first number may be less than the total number of fourth terminals. In this case, a portion of the fourth terminals need to participate in the sidelink positioning service.

[0148] In some embodiments, the first number may be the number of fourth terminals (including the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012) that do not participate in the sidelink positioning service. This means that at most the first number of fourth terminals may not participate in the sidelink positioning service. In some embodiments, the first number may be the maximum number of fourth terminals that do not participate in the sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first number may be equal to 0. In this case, all fourth terminals need to participate in the sidelink positioning service. In another example, the first number may be less than the total number of fourth terminals. In this case, a portion of the fourth terminals need to participate in the sidelink positioning service.

[0149] In some embodiments, the second rule may include the first indication.

[0150] In some embodiments, the second rule may distinguish between the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 , and the first indication may be related to the second terminal 1012 .

[0151] In some implementations, the first indication may be used to indicate the second terminals 1012 that need to participate in the sidelink positioning service. In some embodiments, the first indication may include identification information of the second terminals 1012 that need to participate in the sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first indication may include identification information of all second terminals 1012. In this case, all second terminals 1012 need to participate in the sidelink positioning service. In another example, the first indication may include identification information of some second terminals. In this case, some of the second terminals 1012 indicated by the first indication need to participate in the sidelink positioning service.

[0152] In some embodiments, the second rule may not distinguish between the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 , and the first indication may be related to the fourth terminal (ie, the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 ).

[0153] In some implementations, the first indication may be used to indicate fourth terminals (including the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012) that need to participate in the sidelink positioning service. In some embodiments, the first indication may include identification information of the fourth terminals that need to participate in the sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first indication may include identification information of all fourth terminals. In this case, all fourth terminals need to participate in the sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first indication may include identification information of some fourth terminals. In this case, some of the fourth terminals indicated by the first indication need to participate in the sidelink positioning service.

[0154] It should be noted that the second rule obtained by the first terminal 1011 can be for a specific or specific type of sidelink positioning service (e.g., the first sidelink positioning service). In some cases, the second rule can be a general rule. In this case, the second rule can be for any sidelink positioning service rather than for a specific sidelink positioning service, which is not specifically limited in the present embodiment.

[0155] In some embodiments, the second rule may be configured or determined by the network device 102 .

[0156] In some embodiments, the second rule may be received and forwarded by the network device 102 from other network elements.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second rule may be part of the subscription information of the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012. In one example, the second rule may be determined by the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012 when the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012 subscribes to the sidelink positioning service. In one example, for each of the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012, when the terminal subscribes to the sidelink positioning service, the second rule may be determined and included as part of the subscription information of the terminal.

[0158] In some embodiments, the second rule may be configured or determined by the first terminal 1011 .

[0159] In some embodiments, network device 102 may be a network element within the core network. In one example, network device 102 may be one of the following: a unified depository management (UDM), a policy control function (PCF), or a location management function (LMF). It is understood that network device 102 may also be another network element within the core network, or a network element outside the core network, and this is not specifically limited in the present embodiment.

[0160] In some embodiments, after receiving the second rule, the first terminal 1011 may save the second rule locally.

[0161] Through step S2101, the network device 102 may provide a second rule for privacy verification of the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012. It is understandable that the network device 102 may provide the second rule to the first terminal 1011, and may also provide the second rule to the second terminal 1012 in the same manner, which will not be described in detail here.

[0162] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may not provide the second rule to the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012. In some cases, the second rule may be provided to the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012 via a sidelink positioning application or other means, which is not specifically limited in the present embodiment.

[0163] In step S2102 , the third terminal 1013 sends fourth information to the first terminal 1011 .

[0164] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may receive the fourth information.

[0165] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be used to request a first sidelink positioning service.

[0166] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be used to trigger the first terminal 1011 to expose the positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the fourth information may be used to trigger the first terminal 1011 to expose the positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service through the PC5 interface.

[0167] In some embodiments, the name of the fourth information is not limited, and it can be, for example, sidelink positioning request information, positioning request information, service request information, etc.

[0168] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be carried in a first sidelink positioning service request. The first sidelink positioning service request may be used to request a first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the third terminal 1013 may send the first sidelink positioning service request to the first terminal 1011, including the fourth information. In some embodiments, the fourth information may be the first sidelink positioning service request.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first sidelink positioning service may be directed to the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 .

[0170] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include identification information of the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the fourth information may include a service identifier of the first sidelink positioning service.

[0171] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include information of the third terminal 1013 .

[0172] In some embodiments, the name of the information of the third terminal 1013 is not limited, and it can be, for example, subscription information, contract information, user information, device information, etc. related to the third terminal 1013.

[0173] In some embodiments, the information of the third terminal 1013 may include identification information of the third terminal 1013. In one example, the information of the third terminal 1013 may include an identifier of the third terminal 1013.

[0174] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include information of the first terminal 1011 and information of the second terminal 1012 .

[0175] In some embodiments, the name of the information of the first terminal 1011 is not limited, and it can be, for example, subscription information, contract information, user information, device information, etc. related to the first terminal 1011.

[0176] In some embodiments, the information of the first terminal 1011 may include identification information of the first terminal 1011. In one example, the information of the first terminal 1011 may include an identifier of the first terminal 1011.

[0177] 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.

[0178] In some embodiments, the information of the second terminal 1012 may include identification information of the second terminal 1012. In one example, the information of the second terminal 1012 may include an identifier of the second terminal 1012.

[0179] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include the first rule. It is understandable that in some cases, the fourth information may not include the first rule, and this embodiment of the present disclosure does not specifically limit this.

[0180] In some embodiments, the first rule may be used to indicate or configure configuration information related to the first sidelink positioning service of the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012 .

[0181] In some embodiments, the first rule may be used to instruct the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012 to process the sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first rule may be a handling instruction for the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012 to process the sidelink positioning service.

[0182] In some embodiments, the name of the first rule is not limited, and it can be, for example, processing instruction information, rule information, rule instruction, etc.

[0183] In some embodiments, the first rule may include a first quantity.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first rule may distinguish between the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 , and the first number may be associated with the second terminal 1012 .

[0185] In some embodiments, the first number is the number of second terminals 1012 among all second terminals 1012 that need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. This means that at least the first number of second terminals 1012 is required to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In some embodiments, the first number may be the minimum number of second terminals 1012 that participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first number may be equal to the number of all second terminals 1012. In this case, all second terminals 1012 need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In another example, the first number may be less than the number of all second terminals 1012. In this case, a portion of the second terminals 1012 need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0186] In some embodiments, the first number may be the number of second terminals 1012 that do not participate in the first sidelink positioning service among all second terminals 1012. This means that at most the first number of second terminals 1012 can not participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In some embodiments, the first number may be the maximum number of second terminals 1012 that do not participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first number may be equal to 0. In this case, all second terminals 1012 need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first number may be less than the total number of second terminals 1012. In this case, a portion of the second terminals 1012 need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first rule may not distinguish between the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 , and the first number may be related to the fourth terminal (ie, the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 ).

[0188] In some embodiments, the first number is the number of fourth terminals among the fourth terminals (including the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012) that need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. This means that at least the first number of fourth terminals are required to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In some embodiments, the first number may be the minimum number of fourth terminals that participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first number may be equal to the number of fourth terminals. In this case, all fourth terminals need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first number may be less than the number of all fourth terminals. In this case, some of the fourth terminals need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first number may be the number of fourth terminals (including the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012) that do not participate in the first sidelink positioning service. This means that at most the first number of fourth terminals may not participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In some embodiments, the first number may be the maximum number of fourth terminals that do not participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first number may be equal to 0. In this case, all fourth terminals need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first number may be less than the number of all fourth terminals. In this case, some of the fourth terminals need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first rule may include a first indication.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first rule may distinguish between the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 , and the first indication may be related to the second terminal 1012 .

[0192] In some implementations, the first indication may be used to indicate the second terminals 1012 that need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In some embodiments, the first indication may include identification information of the second terminals 1012 that need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first indication may include identification information of all second terminals 1012. In this case, all second terminals 1012 need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In another example, the first indication may include identification information of some second terminals. In this case, some second terminals 1012 indicated by the first indication need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0193] In some embodiments, the second rule may not distinguish between the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 , and the first indication may be related to the fourth terminal (ie, the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 ).

[0194] In some implementations, the first indication may be used to indicate a fourth terminal (including the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012) that needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In some embodiments, the first indication may include identification information of the fourth terminal that needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first indication may include identification information of all fourth terminals. In this case, all fourth terminals need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first indication may include identification information of some fourth terminals. In this case, some fourth terminals indicated by the first indication need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first rule may be configured or determined by the third terminal 1013 .

[0196] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may be selected by the third terminal 1013 .

[0197] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1013 may determine the first terminal 1011. The first terminal 1011 needs to participate in a first sidelink positioning service.

[0198] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1013 may select a fourth terminal from the fourth terminals that need to participate in the first sidelink positioning to serve as the first terminal 1011. Then, the fourth terminals other than the first terminal 1011 among the fourth terminals may serve as the second terminal 1012.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may be randomly selected by the third terminal 1013 .

[0200] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may be determined by the third terminal 1013 according to a preset rule.

[0201] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1013 may determine that the selected first terminal 1011 supports participation in the first sidelink positioning service. In other words, the third terminal 1013 may determine that the privacy verification of the selected first terminal 1011 will succeed. In this case, the first quantity or first indication in the first rule may only be relevant to the second terminal 1012. In some cases, the first quantity or first indication in the first rule may also be relevant to the fourth terminal (i.e., the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012).

[0202] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1013 may not determine whether the selected first terminal 1011 supports participating in the first sidelink positioning service. In this case, the first quantity or first indication in the first rule may be related to the fourth terminal (i.e., the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012).

[0203] In step S2103 , the first terminal 1011 performs privacy verification.

[0204] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may perform privacy verification for the first sidelink positioning service.

[0205] In some embodiments, the privacy verification performed by the first terminal 1011 may include determining whether the first terminal 1011 exposes the positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service to the third terminal 1013. In one example, the first terminal 1011 may determine whether to allow the positioning result of the sidelink positioning service to be exposed based on its own privacy information. In one example, the first terminal 1011 may determine whether to allow the positioning result of the sidelink positioning service to be exposed to the third terminal 1013 based on its own privacy information. In one example, the first terminal 1011 may determine whether to allow the positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service to be exposed to the third terminal 1013 based on its own privacy information.

[0206] In some embodiments, the privacy verification performed by the first terminal 1011 may include determining whether the first terminal 1011 performs a first sidelink positioning service with the second terminal 1012. In some embodiments, the privacy verification performed by the first terminal 1011 may include determining whether the first terminal 1011 discloses measurement data and / or results related to the first sidelink positioning service to the second terminal 1012. In one example, the first terminal 1011 may determine whether to allow disclosure of measurement data and / or results related to the sidelink positioning service based on its own privacy information. In one example, the first terminal 1011 may determine whether to allow disclosure of measurement data and / or results related to the sidelink positioning service to the second terminal 1012 based on its own privacy information. In one example, the first terminal 1011 may determine whether to allow disclosure of measurement data and / or results related to the sidelink positioning service to the second terminal 1012 based on its own privacy information.

[0207] In some embodiments, the verification result of the privacy verification performed by the first terminal 1011 may be verification success or verification failure.

[0208] In some embodiments, successful verification may be understood as a positive verification result.

[0209] In some embodiments, verification failure may be understood as a negative verification result.

[0210] In some scenarios, when the verification result is successful, the first terminal 1011 may continue to execute step S2104.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may not have or obtain the private information. In this case, the first terminal 1011 may be unavailable. In this case, the first terminal 1011 may determine to execute step S2104 according to a preset rule or by default.

[0212] In step S2104 , the first terminal 1011 establishes a connection with the second terminal 1012 .

[0213] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may establish a PC5 connection with the second terminal 1012. The PC5 connection may be a connection established based on a PC5 interface.

[0214] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may discover each second terminal 1012 and establish a connection with each second terminal 1012 .

[0215] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may interact with the second terminal 1012 to discover the second terminal 1012 and establish a connection with the PC5.

[0216] In step S2105 , the first terminal 1011 sends sixth information to the second terminal 1012 .

[0217] In some embodiments, the second terminal 1012 may receive the sixth information.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may send sixth information to each second terminal 1012 .

[0219] In some embodiments, the sixth information may be used to instruct the second terminal 1012 to perform privacy verification.

[0220] In some embodiments, the name of the sixth information is not limited, and it can be, for example, a privacy verification request, a privacy verification instruction, a privacy verification notification, etc.

[0221] In some embodiments, the sixth information may include at least one of the following: information of the first terminal 1011, information of the third terminal 1013, and information of the first sidelink positioning service.

[0222] In some embodiments, the sixth information may include identification information of the first terminal 1011.

[0223] In some embodiments, the sixth information may include identification information of the third terminal 1013 .

[0224] In some embodiments, the sixth information may include identification information of the first sidelink positioning service.

[0225] In some embodiments, the sixth information may be carried in a supplementary ranging / sidelink positioning protocol (RSPP) signaling message.

[0226] In step S2106, the second terminal 1012 performs privacy verification.

[0227] In some embodiments, each second terminal 1012 may perform privacy verification after receiving the sixth information.

[0228] In some embodiments, the second terminal 1012 may perform privacy verification for the first sidelink positioning service.

[0229] In some embodiments, the privacy verification performed by the second terminal 1012 may include determining whether the second terminal 1012 discloses the positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service to the third terminal 1013. In one example, the second terminal 1012 may determine whether to allow the positioning result of the sidelink positioning service to be disclosed based on its own privacy information. In one example, the second terminal 1012 may determine whether to allow the positioning result of the sidelink positioning service to be disclosed to the third terminal 1013 based on its own privacy information. In one example, the second terminal 1012 may determine whether to allow the positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service to be disclosed to the third terminal 1013 based on its own privacy information.

[0230] In some embodiments, the privacy verification performed by the second terminal 1012 may include: determining whether the second terminal 1012 performs a first sidelink positioning with the first terminal 1011.

[0231] In some embodiments, the privacy verification performed by the second terminal 1012 may include determining whether the second terminal 1012 exposes the positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service to the first terminal 1011. In one example, the second terminal 1012 may determine whether to allow the positioning result of the sidelink positioning service to be exposed based on its own privacy information. In one example, the second terminal 1012 may determine whether to allow the positioning result of the sidelink positioning service to be exposed to the first terminal 1011 based on its own privacy information. In one example, the second terminal 1012 may determine whether to allow the positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service to be exposed to the first terminal 1011 based on its own privacy information.

[0232] In some embodiments, the privacy verification performed by the second terminal 1012 may include: determining whether the second terminal 1012 exposes the measurement data and / or results related to the first sidelink positioning service to the first terminal 1011. In one example, the second terminal 1012 may determine whether to allow the exposure of the measurement data and / or results related to the sidelink positioning service based on its own privacy information. In one example, the second terminal 1012 may determine whether to allow the exposure of the measurement data and / or results related to the sidelink positioning service to the first terminal 1011 based on its own privacy information. In one example, the second terminal 1012 may determine whether to allow the exposure of the measurement data and / or results related to the sidelink positioning service to the first terminal 1011 based on its own privacy information.

[0233] In some embodiments, in some embodiments, the verification result of the privacy verification performed by the second terminal 1012 may be verification success or verification failure.

[0234] In step S2107, the second terminal 1012 sends seventh information to the first terminal 1011.

[0235] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may receive seventh information from one or more second terminals 1012 respectively.

[0236] In some embodiments, the seventh information may be used to indicate a verification result of the privacy verification performed by the second terminal 1012 .

[0237] In some embodiments, the seventh information may be sent by the second terminal 1012 in response to the sixth information.

[0238] In some embodiments, the name of the seventh information is not limited, and it can be, for example, a privacy verification response, a privacy verification confirmation, etc.

[0239] In some embodiments, the seventh information may include a verification result of the privacy verification. In one example, the seventh information may be used to indicate that the verification result is successful. In another example, the seventh information may be used to indicate that the verification result is failed.

[0240] In some embodiments, the seventh information may be carried in a supplemental ranging sidelink positioning protocol message.

[0241] In step S2108, the first terminal 1011 determines the processing of the first sidelink positioning service.

[0242] In some embodiments, processing the first sidelink positioning service may include accepting or rejecting the first sidelink positioning service. In some embodiments, determining by the first terminal 1011 whether to process the first sidelink positioning service may include determining by the first terminal 1011 whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may determine to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service based on the first verification result and / or the first information.

[0244] In some embodiments, the first verification result may include at least one of the following: a verification result of the first terminal 1011, and a verification result of the second terminal 1012. In one example, the first verification result may include at least one of the following: a verification result of the first terminal 1011, and verification results of all second terminals 1012. Here, the verification result of the second terminal 1012 may be obtained in step S2107.

[0245] In some embodiments, the first information can be used to indicate at least one of the following: a second terminal in at least one second terminal that needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service, and a first number of second terminals in at least one second terminal that need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0246] In some embodiments, the first information may include at least one of the following: a first rule, a second rule, and a default rule.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first rule may be the first rule obtained in step S2102.

[0248] In some embodiments, the second rule may be the second rule obtained in step S2101.

[0249] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may have both the first rule and the second rule. In other words, the first terminal 1011 may obtain both the first rule and the second rule.

[0250] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may have the first rule or the second rule.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may not have the first rule and the second rule. In other words, the first terminal 1011 has neither obtained the first rule nor the second rule.

[0252] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may use one of the first rule, the second rule, and the default rule as the first information to determine whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service.

[0253] In some embodiments, the first rule and the second rule may have a priority or preference. In one example, when the first terminal 1011 has both the first rule and the second rule, the first terminal 1011 may preferentially use the first rule as the first information.

[0254] In some embodiments, when the first terminal 1011 may not have the first rule and the second rule, the first terminal 1011 may adopt a default rule as the first information.

[0255] In some embodiments, when the first terminal 1011 may not have the first rule and the second rule, the first terminal 1011 may send a first sidelink positioning service request to the network to implement privacy verification. In some embodiments, the first sidelink positioning service request may be sent by the third terminal 1013 to request the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the first terminal 1011 may send the received first sidelink positioning service request to the network to implement privacy verification.

[0256] In some embodiments, the default rules may be pre-set or agreed upon by a protocol, and the embodiments of the present disclosure do not specifically limit this.

[0257] In some embodiments, a default rule may be used to instruct all second terminals 1012 to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0258] In some embodiments, the default rule may be used to instruct all fourth terminals (including the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 ) to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0259] In some embodiments, after obtaining the first verification result and determining the first information, the terminal 1011 may determine whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service.

[0260] In some embodiments, the first number of the first information is related to the second terminal 1012. In one example, if the number of second terminals 1012 with successful verification results is less than the first number, the terminal 1011 may determine to reject the first sidelink positioning service. In another example, if the number of second terminals 1012 with successful verification results is greater than or equal to the first number, the terminal 1011 may determine to accept the first sidelink positioning service.

[0261] In some embodiments, the first indication of the first information is related to the second terminal 1012. In one example, if one of the second terminals 1012 corresponding to the first indication fails verification, the terminal 1011 may determine to reject the first sidelink positioning service. If all the second terminals 1012 corresponding to the first indication succeed in verification, the terminal 1011 may determine to accept the first sidelink positioning service.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first number of first information items is associated with a fourth terminal (first terminal 1011 and second terminal 1012). In one example, if the number of fourth terminals with successful verification results is less than the first number, terminal 1011 may determine to reject the first sidelink positioning service. In another example, if the number of fourth terminals with successful verification results is greater than or equal to the first number, terminal 1011 may determine to accept the first sidelink positioning service.

[0263] In some embodiments, the first indication of the first information is related to the second terminal 1012. In one example, if one of the fourth terminals corresponding to the first indication fails verification, the terminal 1011 may determine to reject the first sidelink positioning service. If all the fourth terminals corresponding to the first indication succeed in verification, the terminal 1011 may determine to accept the first sidelink positioning service.

[0264] In some embodiments, the first information may indicate that all second terminals 1012 (or all fourth terminals) need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, if any second terminal 1012 (or any of the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012) fails authentication, terminal 1011 may determine to reject the first sidelink positioning service. If all second terminals 1012 (or the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012) succeed in authentication, terminal 1011 may determine to accept the first sidelink positioning service.

[0265] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may determine the processing of the first sidelink positioning service after receiving verification results from all second terminals 1012 .

[0266] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may determine the processing of the first sidelink positioning service after receiving the verification result from some of the second terminals 1012. It is understandable that as long as the verification result received by the first terminal 1011 from the second terminal 1012 is sufficient for the first terminal 1011 to determine the processing of the first sidelink positioning service, the first terminal 1011 may perform the determination operation.

[0267] In some scenarios, when determining to accept the first sidelink positioning service, the first terminal 1011 may continue to execute step S2109.

[0268] In step S2109, the first terminal 1011 performs sidelink positioning.

[0269] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may interact with the second terminal 1012 to implement a first sidelink positioning service.

[0270] In some embodiments, during or after determining to accept the first sidelink positioning service, the first terminal 1011 may determine one or more second terminals 1012 participating in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0271] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may determine one or more second terminals 1012 participating in the first sidelink positioning service from the second terminals 1012 whose verification results are successful.

[0272] In some embodiments, all or part of the second terminal 1012 can participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0273] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may interact with the second terminal 1012 participating in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0274] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 performing sidelink positioning may include at least one of the following: sidelink positioning operation, data transmission, and result calculation.

[0275] In step S2110 , the first terminal 1011 sends second information to the third terminal 1013 .

[0276] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1013 may receive the second information.

[0277] In some embodiments, the second information may be used to indicate a positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service.

[0278] In some embodiments, the name of the second information is not limited, and it can be, for example, positioning result information, positioning feedback information, etc.

[0279] In some embodiments, the second information may include at least one of the following: a second quantity, a third quantity, a first terminal indication, and a second terminal indication.

[0280] In some embodiments, the second number may be the number of second terminals 1012 participating in the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the second number may be the number of second terminals 1012 participating in the first sidelink positioning service determined by the first terminal 1011. In another example, the second number may be the number determined by the first terminal 1011 based on the second terminals 1012 actually participating in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0281] In some embodiments, the third number may be the number of second terminals 1012 not participating in the first sidelink positioning service. In one example, the second number may be the number of remaining second terminals excluding the second terminals 1012 participating in the first sidelink positioning service determined by the first terminal 1011. In another example, the second number may be the number of remaining second terminals determined by the first terminal 1011 based on the second terminals 1012 actually participating in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0282] It can be understood that the sum of the second number and the third number can be the number of all second terminals 1012.

[0283] In some embodiments, the second number may be the number of fourth terminals (ie, the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 ) participating in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0284] In some embodiments, the third number may be the number of second terminals 1012 that are not participating in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0285] It can be understood that the sum of the second number and the third number can be the number of first terminals 1011 and all second terminals 1012.

[0286] In some embodiments, the first terminal indication may be used to indicate a fourth terminal (ie, the first terminal 1011 and the second terminal 1012 ) participating in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0287] In some embodiments, the second terminal indication may be used to indicate a fourth terminal that is not participating in the first sidelink positioning service.

[0288] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2110. For example, step S2101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2108 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2101 and S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2102 and S2103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2101 and S2108 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2102 and S2108 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2103 and S2108 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S2102, S2103, and S2108 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0289] In some embodiments, steps S2102 to S2110 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0290] In some embodiments, step S2101 and steps S2103 to S2110 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0291] In some embodiments, steps S2101 to S2102 and steps S2104 to S2110 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0292] In some embodiments, steps S2101 to S2107 and steps S2109 to S2110 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0293] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2A .

[0294] Figure 2B is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100. As shown in Figure 2B, the communication method includes steps S2201 to S2209.

[0295] In step S2201 , the network device 102 sends fifth information to the first terminal 1011 .

[0296] The optional implementation of step S2201 can refer to step S2101 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0297] In step S2202 , the third terminal 1013 sends fourth information to the first terminal 1011 .

[0298] The optional implementation of step S2202 can refer to step S2102 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0299] In step S2203 , the first terminal 1011 performs privacy verification.

[0300] The optional implementation of step S2203 can be found in step S2103 of FIG. 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0301] In step S2204 , the first terminal 1011 establishes a connection with the second terminal 1012 .

[0302] The optional implementation of step S2204 can refer to step S2104 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0303] In step S2205 , the first terminal 1011 sends sixth information to the second terminal 1012 .

[0304] The optional implementation of step S2205 can be found in step S2105 of FIG. 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0305] In step S2206, the second terminal 1012 performs privacy verification.

[0306] The optional implementation of step S2206 can be found in step S2106 of FIG. 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0307] In step S2207, the second terminal 1012 sends seventh information to the first terminal 1011.

[0308] The optional implementation of step S2207 can be found in step S2107 of FIG. 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0309] In step S2208, the first terminal 1011 determines the processing of the first sidelink positioning service.

[0310] The optional implementation of step S2202 can refer to step S2102 in Figure 2A and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0311] In some scenarios, when it is determined that the first sidelink positioning service is rejected, the first terminal 1011 may continue to execute step S2209.

[0312] In step S2209 , the first terminal 1011 sends third information to the third terminal 1023 .

[0313] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1023 may receive the third information.

[0314] In some embodiments, the third information may be used to indicate that privacy verification of the first sidelink positioning service has failed.

[0315] In some embodiments, the name of the third information is not limited, and it can be, for example, positioning rejection information, positioning failure notification information, etc.

[0316] In some embodiments, the third information may include a failure reason of the first sidelink positioning service.

[0317] In some embodiments, the failure reason may also be referred to as a rejection reason.

[0318] In some embodiments, the failure reason may include a rule denying exposure.

[0319] In some embodiments, the rule refusal to expose may refer to the first terminal 1011 and / or the second terminal 1012 refusing to expose positioning results and / or measurement data. In one example, the terminal refusal to expose may refer to the number of first terminals 1011 and / or second terminals 1012 participating in the first sidelink positioning service not meeting the first number specified in the first information. In another example, the terminal refusal to expose may refer to the presence of terminals that are not participating in the first sidelink positioning service among the first terminals 1011 and / or second terminals 1012 specified in the first information.

[0320] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1013 may learn the reason why the privacy verification of the first sidelink service fails through the third information.

[0321] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2209. For example, step S2201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2208 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2201 and S2203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2202 and S2203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2201 and S2208 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2202 and S2208 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2203 and S2208 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S2202, S2203, and S2208 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0322] In some embodiments, steps S2202 to S2209 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0323] In some embodiments, step S2201 and steps S2203 to S2209 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0324] In some embodiments, steps S2201 to S2202 and steps S2204 to S2209 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0325] In some embodiments, steps S2201 to S2207 and step S2209 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0326] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2B .

[0327] Figure 2C is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100. As shown in Figure 2C, the communication method includes steps S2301 to S2304.

[0328] In step S2301 , the network device 102 sends fifth information to the first terminal 1011 .

[0329] The optional implementation of step S2301 can be found in step S2101 of FIG. 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0330] In step S2302 , the third terminal 1013 sends fourth information to the first terminal 1011 .

[0331] The optional implementation of step S2302 can be found in step S2102 of FIG. 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0332] In step S2303 , the first terminal 1011 performs privacy verification.

[0333] The optional implementation of step S2303 can be found in step S2103 of FIG. 2A and other related parts of the embodiment involved in FIG. 2A , which will not be described in detail here.

[0334] In some embodiments, when the result of the privacy verification performed by the first terminal 1011 is verification failure, the first terminal 1011 may determine to reject the first sidelink positioning service.

[0335] In some embodiments, when the first terminal 1011 does not have or obtain the privacy information, the first terminal 1011 may determine to reject the first sidelink positioning service.

[0336] In some scenarios, when it is determined that the first sidelink positioning service is rejected, the first terminal 1011 may continue to execute step S2304.

[0337] In step S2304 , the first terminal 1011 sends third information to the third terminal 1023 .

[0338] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1023 may receive the third information.

[0339] In some embodiments, the third information may be used to indicate that privacy verification of the first sidelink positioning service has failed.

[0340] In some embodiments, the name of the third information is not limited, and it can be, for example, positioning rejection information, positioning failure notification information, etc.

[0341] In some embodiments, the third information may include a failure reason of the first sidelink positioning service.

[0342] In some embodiments, the failure reason may include the terminal refusing exposure.

[0343] In some embodiments, the terminal refusing exposure may refer to a failure of privacy verification of the first terminal 1011. In one example, the terminal refusing exposure may refer to the first terminal 1011 refusing to expose the positioning result and / or measurement data. In another example, the terminal refusing exposure may refer to the first terminal 1011 refusing to expose the positioning result and / or measurement data to the third terminal 1013.

[0344] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1013 may learn the reason why the privacy verification of the first sidelink service fails through the third information.

[0345] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S2301 to S2304. For example, step S2301 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2302 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2303 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S2301 and S2303 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S2302 and S2303 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0346] In some embodiments, steps S2302 to S2304 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0347] In some embodiments, step S2301 and steps S2303 to S2304 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0348] In some embodiments, steps S2301 to S2302 and step S2304 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0349] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional implementations described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 2C .

[0350] 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.

[0351] 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.

[0352] In some embodiments, the terms "radio", "wireless", "radio access network (RAN)", "access network (AN)", "RAN-based" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0353] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0354] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0355] In some embodiments, terms such as "service" and "business" may be used interchangeably.

[0356] 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.

[0357] 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.

[0358] Figure 3A is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3A, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be executed by the first terminal 1011. The above communication method includes steps S3101 to S3109.

[0359] In step S3101, the fifth information is obtained.

[0360] The optional implementation of step S3101 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.

[0361] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may receive the fifth information sent by the network device 102 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the fifth information sent by other entities.

[0362] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may obtain fifth information specified by the protocol.

[0363] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may obtain the fifth information from an upper layer.

[0364] In step S3102, the fourth information is obtained.

[0365] The optional implementation of step S3102 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.

[0366] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may receive the fourth information sent by the third terminal 1013 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the fourth information sent by other entities.

[0367] In step S3103, privacy verification is performed.

[0368] The optional implementation of step S3103 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.

[0369] In step S3104, a connection is established.

[0370] The optional implementation of step S3104 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.

[0371] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may interact with the second terminal 1012 to establish a connection, but is not limited thereto and may also interact with other entities to establish a connection.

[0372] In step S3105, the sixth information is sent.

[0373] The optional implementation of step S3105 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.

[0374] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may send the sixth information to the second terminal 1012 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the sixth information to other entities.

[0375] In step S3106, the seventh information is obtained.

[0376] The optional implementation of step S3106 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.

[0377] 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.

[0378] In step S3107, the processing of the first sidelink positioning service is determined.

[0379] The optional implementation of step S3107 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.

[0380] In step S3108, sidelink positioning is performed.

[0381] The optional implementation of step S3108 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.

[0382] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may interact with the second terminal 1012 to perform sidelink positioning, but is not limited thereto and may also interact with other entities to perform sidelink positioning.

[0383] In step S3109, the second information is sent.

[0384] The optional implementation of step S3109 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 some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may send the second information to the third terminal 1013 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the second information to other entities.

[0386] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3101 to S3109. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3101 and S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3102 and S3103 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3101 and S3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3102 and S3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3103 and S3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S3102, S3103, and S3107 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0387] In some embodiments, steps S3102 to S3109 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0388] In some embodiments, step S3101 and steps S3103 to S3109 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0389] In some embodiments, steps S3101 to S3102 and steps S3104 to S3109 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0390] In some embodiments, steps S3101 to S3106 and steps S3108 to S3109 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0391] Figure 3B is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3B, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by the first terminal 1011. The above communication method includes steps S3201 to S3208.

[0392] In step S3201, the fifth information is obtained.

[0393] The optional implementation of step S3201 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.

[0394] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may receive the fifth information sent by the network device 102 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the fifth information sent by other entities.

[0395] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may obtain fifth information specified by the protocol.

[0396] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may obtain the fifth information from a higher layer.

[0397] In step S3202, the fourth information is obtained.

[0398] The optional implementation of step S3202 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.

[0399] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may receive the fourth information sent by the third terminal 1013 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the fourth information sent by other entities.

[0400] In step S3203, privacy verification is performed.

[0401] The optional implementation of step S3203 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.

[0402] In step S3204, a connection is established.

[0403] The optional implementation of step S3204 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.

[0404] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may interact with the second terminal 1012 to establish a connection, but is not limited thereto and may also interact with other entities to establish a connection.

[0405] In step S3205, the sixth information is sent.

[0406] The optional implementation of step S3205 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.

[0407] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may send the sixth information to the second terminal 1012 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the sixth information to other entities.

[0408] In step S3206, the seventh information is obtained.

[0409] The optional implementation of step S3206 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.

[0410] 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.

[0411] In step S3207, the processing of the first sidelink positioning service is determined.

[0412] The optional implementation of step S3207 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.

[0413] In step S3208, the third information is sent.

[0414] The optional implementation of step S3208 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.

[0415] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may send the third information to the third terminal 1013 , but is not limited thereto and the third information may also be sent to other entities.

[0416] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3201 to S3208. For example, step S3201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3207 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3201 and S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3202 and S3203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3201 and S3207 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3202 and S3207 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3203 and S3207 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S3202, S3203, and S3207 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0417] In some embodiments, steps S3202 to S3208 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0418] In some embodiments, step S3201 and steps S3203 to S3208 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0419] In some embodiments, steps S3201 to S3202 and steps S3204 to S3108 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0420] In some embodiments, steps S3201 to S3206 and step S3208 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0421] Figure 3C is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3C, an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be performed by the first terminal 1011. The above communication method includes steps S3301 to S3204.

[0422] In step S3301, the fifth information is obtained.

[0423] The optional implementation of step S3301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2301 in Figure 2C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0424] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may receive the fifth information sent by the network device 102 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the fifth information sent by other entities.

[0425] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may obtain fifth information specified by the protocol.

[0426] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may obtain the fifth information from a higher layer.

[0427] In step S3302, the fourth information is obtained.

[0428] The optional implementation of step S3302 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2302 in Figure 2C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0429] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may receive the fourth information sent by the third terminal 1013 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the fourth information sent by other entities.

[0430] In step S3303, privacy verification is performed.

[0431] The optional implementation of step S3303 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2303 in Figure 2C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0432] In step S3304, the third information is sent.

[0433] The optional implementation of step S3304 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2304 in Figure 2C and other related parts in the embodiment involved in Figure 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0434] In some embodiments, the first terminal 1011 may send the third information to the third terminal 1013 , but is not limited thereto and the third information may also be sent to other entities.

[0435] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S3301 to S3304. For example, step S3301 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3302 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S3303 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps S3301 and S3303 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S3302 and S3303 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0436] In some embodiments, steps S3302 to S3304 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0437] In some embodiments, step S3301 and steps S3303 to S3304 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0438] In some embodiments, steps S3301 to S3302 and step S3304 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0439] 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 executed by a third terminal 1013. The communication method includes steps S4101 to S4102.

[0440] In step S4101, the fourth information is sent.

[0441] The optional implementation of step S4101 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.

[0442] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1013 may send the fourth information to the first terminal 1011 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the fourth information to other entities.

[0443] In step S4102, the second information is obtained.

[0444] The optional implementation of step S4102 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.

[0445] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1013 may receive the second information sent by the first terminal 1011 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the second information sent by other entities.

[0446] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4101 to S4102. For example, step S4101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S4101 and S4102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0447] In some embodiments, step S4102 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0448] 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 executed by a third terminal 1013. The communication method includes steps S4201 to S4202.

[0449] In step S4201, the fourth information is sent.

[0450] The optional implementation of step S4201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2202 in Figure 2B, step S2302 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2B and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0451] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1013 may send the fourth information to the first terminal 1011 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the fourth information to other entities.

[0452] In step S4202, the third information is obtained.

[0453] The optional implementation of step S4202 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2209 in Figure 2B, step S2304 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2B and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0454] In some embodiments, the third terminal 1013 may receive the third information sent by the first terminal 1011 , but is not limited thereto and may also receive the third information sent by other entities.

[0455] The communication method involved in the embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S4201 and S4202. For example, step S4201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps S4201 and S4202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0456] In some embodiments, step S4202 is optional and may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0457] FIG5 is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG5 , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method in this embodiment can be executed by the network device 102. The communication method includes step S501.

[0458] In step S501, the fifth information is sent.

[0459] The optional implementation of step S501 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A, step S2201 in Figure 2B, step S2301 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0460] In some embodiments, the network device 102 may send the fifth information to the first terminal 1011 , but is not limited thereto and may also send the fifth information to other entities.

[0461] FIG6A is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG6A , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method includes step S6101.

[0462] In step S6101, the first terminal 1011 determines whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service.

[0463] The optional implementation of step S6101 can be found in steps S2103 and S2108 of Figure 2A, steps S2203 and S2208 of Figure 2B, the optional implementation of step S2303 of Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0464] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments of the first terminal side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0465] FIG6B is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG6B , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method includes step S6101.

[0466] In step S6201, the third terminal 1013 sends fourth information to the first terminal 1011.

[0467] The optional implementation of step S6201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2102 in Figure 2A, step S2202 in Figure 2B, step S2302 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0468] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments of the first terminal side, the third terminal side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0469] FIG6C is an exemplary interaction diagram of a communication method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG6C , an embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a communication method. The communication method includes step S6301.

[0470] In step S6301 , the network device 102 sends fifth information to the first terminal 1011 .

[0471] The optional implementation of step S6301 can refer to the optional implementation of step S2101 in Figure 2A, step S2201 in Figure 2B, step S2301 in Figure 2C, and other related parts in the embodiments involved in Figures 2A, 2B, and 2C, which will not be repeated here.

[0472] In some embodiments, the above method may include the method described in the above embodiments of the first terminal side, network device side, etc., which will not be repeated here.

[0473] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplarily described through specific implementation methods.

[0474] In some embodiments, the present disclosure may be that a UE that receives a service request from a sidelink positioning client UE determines whether to accept or reject the service request according to service requirements.

[0475] In some embodiments, the present disclosure may be that a UE receiving a service request from a sidelink positioning client UE notifies the client UE of the UE actually participating in the ranging operation if the service request is accepted and executed.

[0476] In some embodiments, the present disclosure may provide that a UE receiving a service request from a sidelink positioning client UE may notify the client UE of an actual reason if the service request is rejected.

[0477] In some embodiments, the UE (UE-1) (i.e., the first UE) that receives a service request from a sidelink located client UE (i.e., the third terminal) may determine whether to accept or reject the service request based on an instruction from the client UE (i.e., the first rule) or a local rule on UE-1 (i.e., the second rule).

[0478] In some embodiments, the client UE indication or UE-1 local rule for handling n UEs (i.e., the fourth UE) may be, for example: (1) all n UEs must participate in ranging / sidelink positioning (i.e., the first sidelink positioning service); (2) m UEs out of the n UEs are allowed not to participate in ranging / sidelink positioning.

[0479] In some embodiments, the exact instructions / rules may vary depending on business needs.

[0480] In some embodiments, when the client UE allows a portion of n UEs not to participate in (can be excluded from) ranging / sidelink positioning, when selecting UE-1 for receiving a ranging / sidelink service request and exposing a ranging positioning result through PC5, the client UE must select a UE that must participate in (cannot be excluded from) ranging / sidelink positioning.

[0481] In some embodiments, the local rules of UE-1 can be provided by a ranging / sidelink positioning application on UE-1 identified by a service identifier from the client UE; if the local rules are included in the privacy configuration as part of the subscription data when UE-1 subscribes to the ranging / sidelink service, they can also be provided by the network (i.e., network equipment) (e.g., UDM or PCF or LMF).

[0482] In some embodiments, when both client UE indication and local rules are available on UE-1, the indication from the client UE may take precedence over the local rules on UE-1, or other methods may be used depending on the implementation. When neither client UE indication nor local rules are available on UE-1, UE-1 may use the following default rule: all n UEs must participate in ranging / sidelink positioning.

[0483] Figure 7 is an interaction diagram of an exemplary implementation of a communication process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7 , the communication process according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes steps S701 to S709.

[0484] In step S701, the client UE selects UE (UE-1) to receive ranging / sidelink positioning services, thereby exposing the sidelink positioning results through PC5. The service request includes a service identifier, information about the client UE, information about UE-2 / … / UE-n, etc. The service request may also include instructions for processing for n UEs.

[0485] In step S702, upon receiving a service request from a client UE and selecting UE-only operation, UE-1 may perform the following privacy verifications: (1) verifying whether the sidelink positioning result is allowed to be exposed to the client UE according to its own privacy configuration; and (2) verifying whether the measurement data or result of the sidelink positioning is allowed to be exposed to UE-2 / … / UE-n according to its own privacy configuration.

[0486] In some embodiments, if the privacy verification result is negative, UE-1 may reject the service request from the client UE (step S703a).

[0487] In some embodiments, if the privacy verification result is positive, UE- 1 may proceed to step S703b .

[0488] In some embodiments, if the privacy configuration in UE-1 is not available, UE-1 may determine to continue to perform step S703a or step S703b.

[0489] In step S703a, UE-1 responds with a rejection message to the client UE. The failure reason may be included in the rejection message, for example, exposure rejection, UE-1 rejection of exposure, rule rejection of exposure, etc.

[0490] In step S703b, UE-1 may discover UE-2 / ... / UE-n and establish a PC5 connection with UE-2 / ... / UE-n.

[0491] In step S704, UE-1 may send a supplementary RSPP signaling message to UE-2 / ... / UE-n for privacy verification, respectively. The message may include information of the client UE, information of UE-1, etc.

[0492] In step S705, each of UE-2 / … / UE-n can verify whether it allows the sidelink positioning results to be exposed to the client UE and / or UE-1 according to its own privacy configuration, and return a (positive or negative) verification result to UE-1.

[0493] In step S706, UE-1 may receive privacy verification results from UE-2 / ... / UE-n respectively.

[0494] In step S707, when an indication from the client UE or a local rule indicates that all n UEs must participate in ranging / sidelink positioning (default rule), or when neither the client UE indication nor the local rule is available on UE-1, UE-1 may reject the service request when a negative privacy verification result is received from one of UEs UE-2 / … / UE-n.

[0495] In some embodiments, when an indication from the client UE or a local rule indicates that m of the n UEs may not participate in ranging / sidelink positioning, UE-1 may continue to receive privacy verification results from UE-2 / … / UE-n until UE-1 is able to make a decision based on the indication from the client UE or the local rule.

[0496] In some embodiments, when the result of the privacy verification based on the indication / rule is positive, UE- 1 may proceed to step S708a .

[0497] In some embodiments, if the result of the privacy verification based on the indication / rule is negative, UE- 1 may stop the present process and execute step S708b .

[0498] In step S708a, UE-1 may perform sidelink positioning operations, data transmission, and / or result calculation with UEs among UE-2 / … / UE-n that are allowed to be exposed.

[0499] In step S708b, UE-1 may respond with a rejection message to the client UE. The failure reason may be included in the rejection message, for example, exposure rejection, UE-i rejection of exposure, rule rejection of exposure, etc.

[0500] In step S709, UE-1 may respond to the client UE with the sidelink positioning result. UE-1 may also inform the client UE of the actual UEs participating in the ranging / sidelink positioning operation, which may be achieved by indicating the participating UEs or the non-participating UEs.

[0501] 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.

[0502] 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.

[0503] 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.

[0504] 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.

[0505] FIG8 is an exemplary structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the communication device 800 may include at least one of the following: a transceiver module 801 and a processing module 802 .

[0506] In some embodiments, the communication device 800 may be the first terminal 1011. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 801 may be configured to: determine whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service based on the first verification result and / or the first information, wherein the first sidelink positioning service is for the first terminal and at least one second terminal, and the first verification result includes a verification result of privacy verification of the first terminal and / or the at least one second terminal for the first sidelink positioning service; wherein the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a second terminal among the at least one second terminal that needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service, and a first number of second terminals among the at least one second terminal that needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service. Optionally, the transceiver module 801 may be configured to execute at least one of the communication steps of sending and / or receiving performed by the first terminal 1011 in any of the above methods (for example, steps S2101, S2102, S2104, S2105, S2107, S2110, S2201, S2202, S2204, S2205, S2207, S2209, S2301, S2302, S2304), which are not described in detail here. Optionally, the processing module 802 may be configured to execute at least one of the other steps (for example, steps S2103, S2108, S2109, S2203, S2208, S2303) performed by the first terminal 1011 in any of the above methods except the communication steps of sending and / or receiving, which are not described in detail here.

[0507] In some embodiments, the communication device 800 may be a third terminal 1013. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 801 may be configured to transmit fourth information, where the fourth information is used to request a first sidelink positioning service, where the first sidelink positioning service is directed to the first terminal and at least one second terminal. Alternatively, the transceiver module 801 may be configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2102, S2110, S2202, S2209, S2302, and S2304) performed by the third terminal 1013 in any of the above methods, which are not further described herein.

[0508] In some embodiments, the communication device 800 may be the network device 102. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 801 may be configured to transmit fifth information, wherein the fifth information includes a second rule, the second rule being used to indicate the configuration of the first terminal and / or at least one second terminal for the sidelink positioning service. Optionally, the transceiver module 801 may be configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps S2101, S2201, and S2301) such as transmitting and / or receiving performed by the network device 102 in any of the above methods, which are not further described herein.

[0509] 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.

[0510] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 9100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 9100 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 9100 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.

[0511] As shown in Figure 9A, the communication device 9100 includes one or more processors 9101. The processor 9101 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 9100 is used to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 9101 are used to call instructions to enable the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods.

[0512] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more transceivers 9102. When the communication device 9100 includes one or more transceivers 9102, the transceiver 9102 performs at least one of the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method. The processor 9101 performs at least one of the other steps in the above-described method. In an optional embodiment, 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 interchangeable, the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be interchangeable, and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be interchangeable.

[0513] In some embodiments, the communication device 9100 further includes one or more memories 9103 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of the memories 9103 may be located outside the communication device 9100. In alternative embodiments, the communication device 9100 may include one or more interface circuits 9104. Optionally, the interface circuits 9104 are connected to the memories 9103 and may be configured to receive data from the memories 9103 or other devices, or to send data to the memories 9103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 9104 may read data stored in the memories 9103 and send the data to the processor 9101.

[0514] The communication device 9100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 9100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 9100 may not be limited by FIG. 9A. 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.

[0515] 9B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 9200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 9100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 9200 shown in FIG9B , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0516] The chip 9200 includes one or more processors 9201. The chip 9200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0517] In some embodiments, chip 9200 further includes one or more interface circuits 9202. Terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pins may be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 9200 further includes one or more memories 9203 for storing data. Alternatively, all or part of memory 9203 may be located external to chip 9200. Optionally, interface circuit 9202 is connected to memory 9203 and may be used to receive data from memory 9203 or other devices, or may be used to send data to memory 9203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 9202 may read data stored in memory 9203 and send the data to processor 9201.

[0518] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 9202 performs at least one of the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method. For example, the interface circuit 9202 performing the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method means that the interface circuit 9202 performs data exchange between the processor 9201, the chip 9200, the memory 9203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 9201 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0519] 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.

[0520] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 9100, the communication device 9100 executes 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.

[0521] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 9100, enables the communication device 9100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0522] 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.

[0523] 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.

[0524] 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 terminal, wherein: The method comprises: Determine, based on the first verification result and / or the first information, whether to accept or reject a first sidelink positioning service, wherein the first sidelink positioning service is for the first terminal and at least one second terminal, and the first verification result includes a verification result of privacy verification of the first terminal and / or the at least one second terminal for the first sidelink positioning service; The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a second terminal among the at least one second terminal that needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service, and a first number of second terminals among the at least one second terminal that need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The determining, based on the first verification result and / or the first information, to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service includes: Determine whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service based on the verification result of the at least one second terminal and the first information.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: Determining, based on the verification result of the at least one second terminal and the first information, to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service includes: In a case where the number of second terminals with successful verification results in the at least one second terminal is greater than or equal to the first number, it is determined to accept the first sidelink positioning service.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The method further comprises: Sending second information, where the second information is used to indicate a positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service; The second information includes at least one of the following: a second number, wherein the second number is the number of second terminals participating in the first sidelink positioning service among the at least one second terminal; a third number, wherein the third number is the number of second terminals that do not participate in the first sidelink positioning service among the at least one second terminal; A first terminal indication, wherein the first terminal indication is used to indicate a second terminal among the at least one second terminal that participates in the first sidelink positioning service; A second terminal indication is used to indicate a second terminal among the at least one second terminal that does not participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The determining, based on the verification result of the at least one second terminal and the first information, to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service includes: In a case where the number of second terminals with successful verification results in the at least one second terminal is less than the first number, it is determined to reject the first sidelink positioning service.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein The determining, based on the first verification result and / or the first information, to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service includes: In a case where the verification result of the first terminal is failure, it is determined to reject the first sidelink positioning service.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: The method further comprises: Sending third information, wherein the third information is used to indicate that the privacy verification of the first sidelink positioning service has failed; The third information includes the failure reason of the privacy verification.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein The first information includes one of the following: A first rule, wherein the first rule is configured by a third terminal for the first sidelink positioning service; A second rule, wherein the second rule is configured by a network device or the first terminal for a sidelink positioning service; default rules; The priorities of the first rule and the second rule are higher than the priority of the default rule.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein The first terminal has both the first rule and the second rule; The determining, based on the first verification result and / or the first information, to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service includes: One of the first rule and the second rule is determined as the first information.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein The first terminal does not have the first rule and the second rule; The determining, based on the first verification result and / or the first information, to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service includes at least one of the following: determining the default rule as the first information; A first sidelink positioning service request is sent to the network side to implement privacy verification.

11. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The method further comprises at least one of the following: receiving fourth information sent by the third terminal, wherein the fourth information is used to indicate the first rule; Receive fifth information sent by the network device, where the fifth information is used to indicate the second rule.

12. A communication method, performed by a third terminal, wherein: The method comprises: Fourth information is sent, wherein the fourth information is used to request a first sidelink positioning service, where the first sidelink positioning service is for the first terminal and at least one second terminal.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The method further comprises: Determine the first terminal, wherein the first terminal needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein: The fourth information includes a first rule, where the first rule is configured by the third terminal for the first sidelink positioning service.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein The method further comprises: receiving second information, wherein the second information is used to indicate a positioning result of the first sidelink positioning service; The second information includes at least one of the following: a second number, wherein the second number is the number of second terminals participating in the first sidelink positioning service among the at least one second terminal; a third number, wherein the third number is the number of second terminals that do not participate in the first sidelink positioning service among the at least one second terminal; A first terminal indication, wherein the first terminal indication is used to indicate a second terminal among the at least one second terminal that participates in the first sidelink positioning service; A second terminal indication is used to indicate a second terminal among the at least one second terminal that does not participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein The method further comprises: receiving third information, wherein the third information is used to indicate that privacy verification of the first sidelink positioning service has failed; The third information includes the failure reason of the privacy verification.

17. A communication method, performed by a network device, wherein: The method comprises: Fifth information is sent, wherein the fifth information includes a second rule, and the second rule is used to indicate configuration of the first terminal and / or at least one second terminal for the sidelink positioning service.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The network device is one of the following: Unified storage management (UDM) function; Policy Control Function PCF; Location Management Function LMF.

19. A terminal comprising: a processing module configured to determine, based on a first verification result and / or first information, whether to accept or reject the first sidelink positioning service, wherein the first sidelink positioning service is for the first terminal and at least one second terminal, and the first verification result includes a verification result of privacy verification of the first terminal and / or the at least one second terminal for the first sidelink positioning service; The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: a second terminal among the at least one second terminal that needs to participate in the first sidelink positioning service, and a first number of second terminals among the at least one second terminal that need to participate in the first sidelink positioning service.

20. A terminal comprising: The transceiver module is configured to send fourth information, wherein the fourth information is used to request a first sidelink positioning service, and the first sidelink positioning service is for a first terminal and at least one second terminal.

21. A network element, comprising: The transceiver module is configured to send fifth information, wherein the fifth information includes a second rule, and the second rule is used to indicate the configuration of the first terminal and / or at least one second terminal for the sidelink positioning service.

22. A communication device comprising: one or more processors; a memory storing instructions; When the instruction is executed by the communication device, the communication device implements the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, or the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, or the communication method according to claim 17 or 18.

23. A communication system comprising: A first terminal, a third terminal, and a network device; The first terminal is used to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and the second terminal is used to Implement the communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the network device is used to implement the communication method according to claim 17 or 18.

24. A storage medium storing instructions, wherein: When the instruction is executed on a communication device, the communication device is enabled to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

25. A computer program product comprising instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by a processor, the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 18 is implemented.

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