Sample alignment method and apparatus, device, and readable storage medium

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communications, and discloses a sample alignment method and apparatus, a device, and a readable storage medium. The method in embodiments of the present application comprises: a first communication device receives a first message from at least one second communication device, the first message being used for indicating related information of a first sample identifier; and the first communication device determines a first target sample identifier on the basis of the related information of the first sample identifier in the first message.

Description

Sample alignment method, device, equipment and readable storage medium

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on February 7, 2024, with application number 202410175378.9 and invention name “Sample alignment method, device, apparatus and readable storage medium”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application belongs to the field of communication technology, and specifically relates to a sample alignment method, apparatus, device, and readable storage medium. Background Art

[0003] With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), it has been widely applied in various fields. For example, in the field of communications, intelligent network services require the use of data generated by different network elements in the current communication network to construct samples for model training.

[0004] In the related art, it is assumed that all network elements or terminals in the current communication network participate in the model training process. However, the efficiency of model training in the related art needs to be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a sample alignment method, apparatus, device, and readable storage medium, which can improve the efficiency of model training.

[0006] In a first aspect, a sample alignment method is provided, the method comprising:

[0007] A first communication device receives a first message from at least one second communication device, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of a first sample identifier; the first communication device determines a first target sample identifier based on the relevant information of the first sample identifier in the first message.

[0008] In a second aspect, a sample alignment method is provided, the method comprising:

[0009] The second communication device sends a first message to the first communication device, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of the first sample identifier.

[0010] In a third aspect, a sample alignment method is provided, the method comprising:

[0011] The third communication device receives a request message from a target communication device, the request message being used to request format conversion of the sample identifier, the target communication device being a communication device participating in vertical federated learning (VFL);

[0012] The third communication device sends a response message to the target communication device, where the response message is used to indicate the sample identifier after format conversion.

[0013] In a fourth aspect, a sample alignment device is provided, the device comprising:

[0014] a receiving unit, configured to receive a first message from at least one second communication device, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of a first sample identifier;

[0015] A processing unit is configured to determine a first target sample identifier according to relevant information of the first sample identifier in the first message.

[0016] In a fifth aspect, a sample alignment device is provided, the device comprising:

[0017] A sending unit is configured to send a first message to a first communication device, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of a first sample identifier.

[0018] In a sixth aspect, a sample alignment device is provided, the device comprising:

[0019] A receiving unit, configured to receive a request message from a target communication device, the request message being used to request format conversion of a sample identifier, the target communication device being a communication device participating in vertical federated learning (VFL);

[0020] The sending unit is configured to send a response message to the target communication device, where the response message is used to indicate the sample identifier after format conversion.

[0021] In the seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface and the processor are coupled, and the processor is used to run a program or instructions to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the third aspect.

[0022] In an eighth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising: a first communication device and a second communication device. Optionally, the system further comprises: a third communication device, wherein the first communication device is configured to perform the steps of the sample alignment method described in the first aspect, the first communication device is configured to perform the steps of the sample alignment method described in the second aspect, and the third communication device is configured to perform the steps of the sample alignment method described in the third aspect.

[0023] In the ninth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect are implemented, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect are implemented, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect are implemented.

[0024] In the tenth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the third aspect.

[0025] In the eleventh aspect, a computer program product / program product is provided, wherein the computer program / program product is stored in a storage medium, and the computer program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect.

[0026] In an embodiment of the present application, the first communication device can obtain relevant information of the first sample identifier from at least one second communication device, further perform sample alignment based on the first sample identifier, and determine the first target sample identifier. In this way, aligned sample data can be obtained based on the aligned sample identifier, and then model training can be performed based on the aligned sample data, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of model training. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0028] FIG2a is a schematic structural diagram of a model training system.

[0029] FIG2 b is a schematic structural diagram of another model training system.

[0030] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a sample alignment method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] 4 to 7 are schematic interactive diagrams of a sample alignment method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a sample alignment device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of another sample alignment device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of another sample alignment device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0035] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] FIG12 is a hardware structure diagram of a terminal provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0037] FIG13 is a hardware structure diagram of a network-side device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

[0038] FIG14 is a hardware structure diagram of another network-side device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following will be combined with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application to clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application. Obviously, the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of this application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0040] The terms "first", "second", etc. in this application are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the terms used in this way are interchangeable where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present application can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same type, and do not limit the number of objects, for example, the first object can be one or more. In addition, "or" in this application represents at least one of the connected objects. For example, "A or B" covers three options, namely, Option 1: including A but not including B; Option 2: including B but not including A; Option 3: including both A and B. The character " / " generally indicates that the objects associated before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0041] The term "indication" in this application can be either a direct indication (or explicit indication) or an indirect indication (or implicit indication). A direct indication can be understood as the sender explicitly informing the receiver of specific information, the operation to be performed, or the requested result, etc. in the instruction sent; an indirect indication can be understood as the receiver determining the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or making a judgment and determining the operation to be performed or the requested result, etc. based on the judgment result.

[0042] It is worth noting that the technology described in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application are often used interchangeably, and the described technology can be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as for other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes a New Radio (NR) system for example purposes, and NR terminology is used in most of the following description, but these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th Generation (6G) communication systems.

[0043] FIG1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of the present application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 may also be a mobile phone, a tablet computer (Tablet Personal Computer), a laptop computer (Laptop Computer), a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld computer, a netbook, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a mobile internet device (MID), an augmented reality (AR), a virtual reality (VR) device, a robot, a wearable device (Wearable Device), an aircraft (flight vehicle), a vehicle user equipment (VUE), a ship-borne device, a pedestrian user equipment (PUE), a smart home (home appliances with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), a game console, a personal computer (PC), a teller machine, or a self-service machine, and other terminal-side devices. Wearable devices include: smart watches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart bracelets, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among them, the vehicle-mounted device can also be called a vehicle-mounted terminal, vehicle-mounted controller, vehicle-mounted module, vehicle-mounted component, vehicle-mounted chip or vehicle-mounted unit, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of the terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0044] A terminal may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal equipment, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent or user device, etc.

[0045] The network-side device 12 may include an access network device or a core network device, wherein the access network device may also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device, a radio access network function, or a radio access network unit. The access network device may include a base station, a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) node. Among them, the base station can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), the next generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), access point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), radio base station, radio transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home Evolved Node B (home evolved Node B), Transmission Reception Point (TRP) or other appropriate terms in the field. As long as the same technical effect is achieved, the base station is not limited to specific technical vocabulary. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, only the base station in the NR system is used as an example for introduction, and the specific type of the base station is not limited.

[0046] In some embodiments of the present application, the core network device may be referred to as a core network node, a core network element, or a core network function, for example, including but not limited to at least one of the following: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized Network Configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (L-NEF), Binding Support Function (Binding Support Function) Function, BSF), Application Function (AF), Gateway Mobile Location Centre (Gateway Mobile Location Centre), Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), etc. It should be noted that in the embodiment of the present application, only the core network device in the NR system is taken as an example to introduce, and the specific type of the core network device is not limited.

[0047] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIG2a, based on the aforementioned wireless communication system, the embodiments of the present application can provide a structural diagram of a model training system (or a sample alignment system in a model training system), wherein the model training system may include an active participant (Active Participant) that initiates sample alignment, a passive participant (Passive Participant), a unified data management entity (Unified Data Management, UDM), NEF, and a consumer (Consumer). Among them, the Active Participant can be regarded as the first communication device of the model training system, the Passive Participant can be regarded as the second communication device of the model training system, the NEF / UDM can be regarded as the third communication device of the model training system, and the Consumer can be regarded as the fourth communication device of the model training system.

[0048] Specifically, active participants represent network elements / communication devices with labeled data in the model training system, such as the Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), the Trusted Application Function (Trusted AF), the Network Exposure Function (NEF), and other network elements / communication devices that can perform model training. Passive participants represent network elements / communication devices that do not have labeled data in the VFL, such as other NWDAF / AF / NEF and other network elements / communication devices that can perform model training. NEF / UDM represents network elements and devices with storage functions, and may also be Network Repository Function (NRF). Consumers represent network elements that request to obtain models, such as NWDAF, Model Training logical function (MTLF), Analytics logical function AnLF, Trusted AF, or NEF.

[0049] As shown in Figure 2b, based on the aforementioned wireless communication system, an embodiment of the present application can also provide a structural diagram of a model training system (or a sample alignment system in a model training system), which may include a Coordinator that initiates sample alignment, training entity A, training entity B, and NEF / UDM. Among them, the Coordinator can be regarded as the first communication device of the model training system, training entity A and training entity B can be regarded as the second communication device of the model training system, and NEF / UDM can be regarded as the third communication device of the model training system.

[0050] Specifically, the coordinator may be a network element or device in the communication network that can provide machine learning functions, such as NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function), MDAS (Management Data Analytics Service), MDAF (Management Data Analytic Function), etc., which are network elements or devices dedicated to providing network intelligent services. Training entity A and training entity B may be training entities in the model training system, which may have local data and the network element or device has machine learning capabilities, such as NWDAF, AF, etc. It should be noted that Figure 2b only illustrates two second communication devices, and does not limit the number of second communication devices. The number of second communication devices may be one or more.

[0051] The sample alignment method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described in detail below through some embodiments and their application scenarios in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0052] FIG3 is a flow chart of a sample alignment method 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The method 300 may be, but is not limited to, performed by a first communication device, specifically by hardware and / or software installed in the first communication device. The method 300 includes at least some of the following steps:

[0053] S310. A first communication device receives a first message from at least one second communication device, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of a first sample identifier;

[0054] S320: The first communication device determines a first target sample identifier according to relevant information of the first sample identifier in the first message.

[0055] In some embodiments, the first communication device and the second communication device may be participating in a model training process, such as federated model training. The training data used by the first and second communication devices for the federated model training process corresponds to the same samples, but the sample features differ. By combining the different data features of the common samples of the participants, the vertical federated learning process increases the feature dimensionality of the training samples and produces a better model.

[0056] For example, the first communication device is an active participant, and the second communication device is a passive participant.

[0057] In some embodiments, the active participant represents a network element / communication device with labeled data in the model training system, such as NWDAF / Trusted AF / NEF, or it can also be a coordinator, which can be a network element or device in the communication network that can provide machine learning functions, such as NWDAF, MDAS, MDAF, etc., which are network elements or devices dedicated to providing network intelligent services.

[0058] In some embodiments, a passive participant refers to a network element / communication device that does not have label data in the VFL, such as a network element / communication device such as NWDAF / AF / NEF that can perform model training, or a training entity in a model training system.

[0059] In some embodiments, the first communication device may be a coordinator of the model training process, and the second communication device may be a training entity participating in the model training. The coordinator may be a network element or device in the communication network that can provide machine learning capabilities, such as an NWDAF, MDAS, MDAF, AF, or other network element or device dedicated to providing network intelligence services.

[0060] In some embodiments, the first communication device may be a passive participant and the second communication device may be an active participant. For example, the first communication device is a NWDAF and the second communication device is an AF.

[0061] It should be noted that a training entity can also be a participant, including active participants and / or passive participants, that is, a model training communication device with label data or a model training communication device without training data. A model training communication device is a communication device with model training capabilities.

[0062] In some embodiments, the first sample identifier can be used to indicate or characterize sample data in the current communication network that can participate in model training.

[0063] In some embodiments, the first sample identifier may include a sample ID corresponding to sample data in the second communication device that can participate in model training. Alternatively, the first sample identifier may also be a sample identifier obtained by the second communication device after performing sample alignment based on its own sample identifier, for example, the sample identifier is obtained by aligning the sample identifier of the second communication device with the sample identifier of the first communication device. It should be noted that the sample identifier in the embodiments of the present application may include at least one of the following:

[0064] Sample identification of input data, sample identification of output data, sample identification of label data.

[0065] It should be noted that the steps and methods in the embodiments of the present application may occur in the preparation stage of VFL, for example, before VFL training.

[0066] It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the sample alignment may refer to determining the intersection of sample identifiers, for example, the intersection of sample identifiers owned by multiple communication devices. For another example, the sample identifiers owned by multiple sample identifier sets may be determined, where the multiple sample identifier sets are the sample identifier sets to be aligned, wherein a sample identifier set includes one or more sample identifiers, and the multiple sample identifier sets may come from multiple communication devices, for example, a first communication device and at least one second communication device.

[0067] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present application do not limit the specific method used for sample alignment.

[0068] In some sample alignment methods, the first communication device performs sample alignment based on one or more sample identification sets and a label data set (including sample identifications corresponding to the label data) to determine an intersection of the sample identifications.

[0069] It should be understood that the number of sample identifiers included in each message carrying sample identifiers in the embodiment of the present application may be one or more, and the present application does not limit this.

[0070] In some embodiments, the relevant information of the first sample identifier can be understood as data or features related to the first sample identifier. For example, the first sample identifier, the type of the first sample identifier, the device corresponding to the first sample identifier (i.e., which device the first sample identifier comes from), the type of device corresponding to the first sample identifier (i.e., which type of device the first sample identifier comes from), etc. can be determined based on the relevant information of the first sample identifier. Therefore, the first communication device can determine the first sample identifier reported by the second communication device based on the relevant information of the first sample identifier, and whether the first sample identifier meets the request condition of the first communication device, such as whether the first sample identifier is a sample identifier of the type requested by the first communication device, or whether the first sample identifier is from a device requested by the first communication device, or whether the first sample identifier is from a device of the type requested by the first communication device.

[0071] In some embodiments, the sending of the first message by the second communication device may be triggered by its own reasons (such as model training tasks or internal logic, etc.), or by other communication devices (such as the first communication device). For example, the first communication device may send a sample alignment request message to at least one second communication device respectively. After at least one second communication device receives the sample alignment request message respectively, it sends a first message to the first communication device respectively, wherein the first message carries relevant information of the first sample identifier for performing the sample alignment operation.

[0072] In some embodiments of the present application, the model training process applicable to the sample data obtained after sample alignment may be a VFL (Vertical Federated Learning) process. The essence of vertical federated learning is the union of features, which is applicable to scenarios with a lot of user overlap and little feature overlap, such as different services (such as MM and SM services, that is, different features) for the same user (such as UE, that is, the same samples) in the CN domain and RAN domain of the communication network. By combining the different data features of the common samples of the participating parties, the vertical federation increases the feature dimensions of the training samples, thereby obtaining training. It should be noted that one of the features of VFL is applicable to scenarios where users have overlapping features but different features. Therefore, the two or more parties performing VFL training / inference need to have overlapping users, that is, the same sample data.

[0073] In some embodiments of the present application, the first communication device may receive a model training task request message sent by other communication devices (such as a fourth communication device) to request to obtain a model. Among them, the fourth communication device may be an intelligent network element in a network such as MTLF / AnLF, and the fourth communication device may determine to obtain a model based on the data analysis task request after receiving a data analysis task request from another communication device, and send a model training task request message to the first communication device to obtain a model that meets the data analysis task requirements. Exemplarily, the fourth communication device may send a model training task request message to the first communication device through messages such as Nnwdaf_MLModelProvision_Subscribe or Nnwdaf_MLModelInfo_Request service to request to obtain a model. It is understandable that the request message may carry information such as a data analysis task identifier.

[0074] Furthermore, the first communication device can perform a network element search process to determine the network element information participating in the model training process. There are many ways to determine the network elements participating in the model training process. In one implementation method, the first communication device performs a network element search process based on its own logic or after receiving a request message. For example, the network element search process can be to interact with network storage network elements in the network such as NRF through methods such as Nnrf_NFDiscovery_Request service, so as to find network elements that can be used for model training, etc. Alternatively, the first communication device can determine the network elements for model training, etc. based on its own presets or internal logic, etc., which are not limited here.

[0075] In some embodiments, the first target sample identifier can be used to indicate or characterize sample data shared (or aligned) between various network elements / communication devices participating in model training. The first target sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by processing the first sample identifier. For example, the first target sample identifier can be a sample identifier obtained by performing sample alignment processing based on the first sample identifier from at least one second communication device, or a sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first sample identifier, or the first sample identifier.

[0076] In some embodiments, a first communication device receives a first message that carries information related to a first sample identifier. The first communication device determines a first target sample identifier based on the information related to the first sample identifier. This embodiment of the application does not limit the process by which the first communication device determines the first target sample identifier.

[0077] For example, the first communication device can determine the corresponding first sample identifier based on the relevant information of the first sample identifier, and then determine the first target sample identifier shared between the first communication device and the second communication device based on the first sample identifier, for example, performing intersection processing (such as finding the intersection) on the first sample identifier from at least one second communication device (optionally, also including the sample identifier of the first communication device) to obtain the first target sample identifier corresponding to the sample data shared between the first communication device and the second communication device. Optionally, the first communication device can also request other communication devices to convert the format of the first sample identifier or perform format conversion on the first sample identifier itself, and perform processing based on the format-converted first sample identifier (such as determining the intersection) to obtain the first target sample identifier shared between the first communication device and the second communication device. Optionally, the first communication device can also request other communication devices to convert the format of the first target sample identifier or perform format conversion on the first target sample identifier itself to obtain the second target sample identifier.

[0078] Therefore, in the sample alignment method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the first communication device determines the target sample identifier shared by the first communication device and the second communication device by obtaining relevant information of the first sample identifier from at least one second communication device, and can further use the sample data corresponding to the shared target sample identifier for model training, which can not only improve learning efficiency and reduce the probability of loss of federated learning objects. It also solves the technical problem that the shared sample data between multiple network elements / communication devices in the current communication network cannot be known, thereby facilitating the determination of the data to be used when performing VFL training / inference, etc. It should be noted that for vertical federated learning, the method of enhancing the registration and discovery process proposed in the embodiment of the present application can help the network perform vertical federated learning, so that the communication device for VFL can be selected more efficiently during the vertical federated learning process, thereby improving training efficiency and solving practical problems corresponding to VFL.

[0079] In some embodiments, the relevant information of the first sample identification may include at least one of the following.

[0080] First sample identification;

[0081] type information of the first sample identifier;

[0082] Type information of a device corresponding to the first sample identifier;

[0083] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is used to send the first sample identifier.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first sample identifier is used to identify the original sample data, intermediate sample data, or target sample data generated in the second communication device. It can also be understood that the first sample identifier corresponds to the original sample data, intermediate sample data, or target sample data in the second communication device, so as to facilitate calling the original sample data, intermediate sample data, or target sample data for sample alignment.

[0085] In some embodiments, the type information of the device corresponding to the first sample identifier is used to indicate the type of the device corresponding to the sample identifier, for example, UE or NF, that is, which type of device the first sample identifier comes from.

[0086] In some embodiments, the type information of the first sample identification is used to indicate the type of the first sample identification, for example, the device corresponding to the first sample identification.

[0087] Optionally, the type of the first sample identifier can be represented by the identifier of the device corresponding to the first sample identifier, such as a globally unique temporary identifier (GUTI), a user permanent identifier (SUPI), a network function (NF) event identifier (instance ID), etc.

[0088] Exemplarily, when the passive participants (Passive Participants) or participants (participants) are AFs, and the device type corresponding to the sample identifier is UE: the first sample identifier may be one or more GPSIs.

[0089] Exemplarily, when the passive participants (Passive Participants) or participants (participants) are NWDAFs, and the sample type is UE, the first sample identifier may be one or more SUPIs.

[0090] Optionally, the first sample identifier may be in the form of a list, that is, a list includes one or more sample identifier information or data, for example, a list corresponding to a first identifier includes one or more GPSIs, or one or more SUPIs.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is used to send a sample identifier, that is, the first message is used to transmit a sample identifier.

[0092] Optionally, the first indication information may also be used to indicate a feature of a sample identifier transmitted by the first message, such as the sample identifier of the sending device itself, such as the sample identifier of the second communication device, or an aligned sample identifier.

[0093] Optionally, the first indication information may be indicated in an implicit or explicit manner. For example, when indicated in an implicit manner, it may be determined based on preset indication information included in the first message that the first message is a message for sending the first sample identifier.

[0094] In some embodiments, the relevant information of the first sample identifier in the first message may include the first sample identifier, the type information of the sample identifier, the type information of the device corresponding to the sample identifier, and at least one of the first indication information. Therefore, the first communication device can determine the first target sample identifier based on the first sample identifier, the type information of the sample identifier, the type information of the device corresponding to the sample identifier, and at least one of the first indication information.

[0095] For example, the first communication device can determine the first target sample identifier based on the first sample identifier from at least one second communication device, for example, determine the first target sample identifier based on the intersection of the first sample identifiers of the at least one second communication device, or, when the at least one second communication device includes one second communication device, the first communication device can determine the first target sample identifier based on the first sample identifier of the second communication device.

[0096] For another example, the first communication device may determine the first target sample identifier based on the first sample identifier from at least one second communication device and its own sample identifier, for example, determining the first target sample identifier based on the intersection of the first sample identifier of the at least one second communication device and its own sample identifier.

[0097] In some embodiments of the present application, the method further includes:

[0098] The first communication device sends a second message to the at least one second communication device, where the second message is used to send a target sample identifier, that is, an aligned sample identifier, to the second communication device.

[0099] In one implementation, if the first communication device is an active participant, at least one second communication device is at least one passive participant. The passive participant sends a first message to the active participant, and the first message is used to indicate relevant information of the first sample identifier corresponding to the second communication device. The active participant receives the first message and performs operations such as sample alignment based on the first message, thereby determining the sample identifier common to the passive participant and the active participant, that is, determining the first target sample identifier common to the passive participant and the active participant based on the relevant information of the first sample identifier. Then, the active participant notifies the passive participant of the first target sample identifier participating in the model training, and therefore, the active participant sends a second message to the at least one passive participant, and the second message is used to indicate relevant information of the first target sample identifier.

[0100] In another implementation, if the first communication device is a coordinator, at least one second communication device includes at least one training entity. The at least one training entity sends a first message to the coordinator, and the first message is used to indicate relevant information of the first sample identifier corresponding to the training entity. The coordinator receives the first message and performs operations such as sample alignment based on the first message, thereby determining the sample identifier common between the training entities, that is, determining the first target sample identifier common between the training entities based on the relevant information of the first sample identifier corresponding to the training entity. Then, the coordinator notifies the training entity of the first target sample identifier participating in the model training, so the coordinator sends a second message to the at least one training entity, and the second message is used to indicate relevant information of the first target sample identifier.

[0101] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, the first communication device may directly send a second message to the at least one second communication device to transmit the sample identifier, and the first communication device and the at least one second communication device may also transmit the sample identifier (such as the first target sample identifier) ​​through other communication devices (such as a third communication device, etc.). In some cases, the other communication device (such as a third communication device, etc.) may convert the format of the sample identifier so that the first communication device and the at least one second communication device can use or recognize the sample identifier after the format conversion. In this case, the first communication device and / or the at least one second communication device do not need to perform additional actions related to the format conversion.

[0102] In some embodiments, the second message includes at least one of the following:

[0103] First target sample identification;

[0104] a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a target sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0105] second indication information, used to indicate that the second message is used to send the first target sample identifier;

[0106] The third indication information is used to indicate that the second message is used to send the second target sample identifier.

[0107] In one implementation, if the first target sample identifier determined by the first communication device can be recognized or used by the second communication device, the first communication device can directly send a second message carrying the first target sample identifier to the at least one second communication device, so that the at least one second communication device is aware of the shared (or public, aligned, or owned by the first communication device and the at least one second communication device) target sample identifier.

[0108] In another implementation, whether the second communication device can recognize or use the first target sample identifier may be ignored. The first communication device may send a second message carrying the first target sample identifier to the at least one second communication device to inform the at least one second communication device of the shared (or public, aligned, or owned by the first communication device and the at least one second communication device) first target sample identifier. If the second communication device determines (for example, based on internal logic / pre-configuration, etc.) that it cannot recognize or use the first target sample identifier, it may perform a conversion based on the first target sample identifier to obtain the second target sample identifier.

[0109] In one implementation, if the first target sample identifier determined by the first communication device cannot be recognized or used by the second communication device, the first communication device may convert the format of the first target sample identifier to obtain a second target sample identifier, and further send the second target sample identifier to the second communication device. Alternatively, the first target sample identifier may be directly sent to the second communication device without converting the format of the first target sample identifier.

[0110] In one implementation, a first communication device initiates a format conversion request to another communication device (e.g., a third communication device). The other communication device performs format conversion on the first target sample identifier to obtain a second target sample identifier, and the other communication device returns the second target sample identifier to the first communication device. The first communication device sends a second message carrying the second target sample identifier to the at least one second communication device, so that the at least one second communication device is aware of the shared (or, public, aligned, or, in other words, owned by both the first communication device and the at least one second communication device) target sample identifier.

[0111] It should be noted that format conversion may be type conversion, for example, conversion between identification types such as SUPI, GUPI, NF instance ID, TAC, SUCI (Subscription Concealed Identifier), IMEI, and PEI (Permanent Equipment Identifier). The above types are only examples. As the standard evolves, other types may also be used, and this application is not limited thereto.

[0112] In some embodiments, the second indication information is used to indicate that the second message is used to send the first target sample identifier, or to indicate sending the target sample identifier, or to indicate sending a sample identifier that has not been format-converted.

[0113] Optionally, the second indication information may be indicated in an implicit or explicit manner. For example, when indicated in an implicit manner, it may be determined based on preset indication information included in the second message that the second message is a message for sending the first target sample identifier.

[0114] In some embodiments, the third indication information is used to instruct sending the target sample identifier after format conversion (ie, the aligned sample identifier), ie, the second target sample identifier.

[0115] Optionally, the third indication information may be indicated in an implicit or explicit manner. For example, when indicated in an implicit manner, it may be determined based on preset indication information included in the third message that the second message is a message for sending the second target sample identifier.

[0116] That is to say, the second message may include indication information for indicating that the second message is used to transmit the target sample identifier, i.e., the aligned sample identifier, or it may also indicate the attributes of the transmitted target sample identifier, for example, the target sample identifier without format conversion, or the target sample identifier after format conversion.

[0117] In some embodiments of the present application, before S310, the method further includes:

[0118] The first communication device sends a third message to at least one second communication device.

[0119] At least one second communication device sends the first message based on the third message.

[0120] In some embodiments of the present application, the third message includes at least one of the following:

[0121] Instructions for requesting sample alignment;

[0122] Instructions for requesting sample identification;

[0123] a third sample identifier, where the third sample identifier is a sample identifier of the first communication device;

[0124] Type information of the sample identifier, such as the type information of the sample identifier requested;

[0125] Type information of the device corresponding to the sample identifier, such as the type information of the device corresponding to the sample identifier requested;

[0126] Sample filtering information;

[0127] VFL task related information.

[0128] In one implementation, if the first communication device is an active participant, at least one second communication device is at least one passive participant. The active participant sends a third message to at least one passive participant to initiate a sample alignment operation. The third message does not carry the sample identifier of the active participant. At least one passive participant sends a first message to the active participant, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of the first sample identifier corresponding to the passive participant. The active participant receives the first message and performs operations such as sample alignment based on the first message and the sample identifier of the active participant, thereby determining the sample identifier common to the passive participant and the active participant, such as determining the first target sample identifier common to the passive participant and the active participant based on the intersection of the first sample identifier of the passive participant and the sample identifier of the active participant.

[0129] In another implementation, if the first communication device is an active participant, at least one second communication device is at least one passive participant. The active participant sends a third message to at least one passive participant to initiate a sample alignment operation. The third message carries the sample identifier of the active participant. At least one passive participant performs operations such as sample alignment based on the sample identifier of the active participant and the sample identifier of the passive participant, thereby determining the sample identifier common to the passive participant and the active participant, for example, determining the first sample identifier common to the passive participant and the active participant based on the intersection of the sample identifier of the passive participant and the sample identifier of the active participant. Then, the passive participant sends a first message to the active participant, and the first message is used to indicate relevant information about the common first sample identifier. The first communication device can determine the first target sample identifier based on the common first sample identifier in the first message and the sample identifier of the active participant. Alternatively, the first communication device can determine the first target sample identifier based on the first sample identifier in the first message.

[0130] In another implementation, if the first communication device is a coordinator, at least one second communication device includes at least one training entity. The coordinator sends a third message to the at least one training entity to initiate a sample alignment operation. The third message does not carry the sample identifier of any training entity. The at least one training entity sends a first message to the coordinator respectively, and the first message is used to indicate relevant information of the first sample identifier corresponding to the training entity. The coordinator receives the first message and performs operations such as sample alignment based on the first sample identifier in the first message, thereby determining a sample identifier common to at least one training entity, such as determining a first target sample identifier common to at least one training entity based on the intersection of the first sample identifiers of the training entities.

[0131] In another implementation, if the first communication device is a coordinator, at least one second communication device includes at least one training entity. The coordinator sends a third message to the at least one training entity to initiate a sample alignment operation. The third message carries the sample identifier of the first training entity. Upon receiving the third message, the training entity intersects the sample identifier carried in the third message with its own sample identifier to obtain the first sample identifier corresponding to each training entity. The first target sample identifier shared by the two training entities is obtained by intersecting the first sample identifiers corresponding to the at least one training entity.

[0132] It should be noted that the third message may be sent in the VFL preparation stage, such as before the VFL-related model training, the first communication device sends the third message to the second communication device.

[0133] It should be noted that the third message may be sent together with the VFL preparation message. For example, one message may include both information of the third message and information of the VFL preparation message.

[0134] In some embodiments, the instruction information requesting sample alignment may be an explicit or implicit instruction, such as an explicit message, or an implicit instruction via a message name or other information, such as an instruction information requesting to obtain a sample ID. Based on the instruction information, the first communication device initiates a sample alignment request to at least one second communication device.

[0135] In some embodiments, the instruction information for requesting the sample identification is used to indicate that at least one second communication device is required to provide feedback on the sample identifications it possesses. For example, based on the instruction information, a first communication device initiates a sample alignment request to at least one second communication device, so that the at least one second communication device provides feedback on the sample identifications it possesses to the first communication device.

[0136] In some embodiments, the third sample identification is a sample identification of the first communication device.

[0137] For example, when a first communication device initiates a sample alignment request to at least one second communication device, the first communication device may attach its own sample identifier (i.e., the third sample identifier) ​​to the sample alignment request message (i.e., the third message) so that the second communication device can determine intersection processing (e.g., calculating the intersection of the two) based on the sample identifier of the first communication device and the sample identifier of the second communication device itself.

[0138] It should be noted that the third sample identifier carried in the third message may be a sample identifier that has not been format-converted. For example, when the first communication device sends the third message, it may directly carry the sample identifier of the first communication device in the third message. Alternatively, the third sample identifier may also be a sample identifier that has been format-converted. For example, when the format (or type) of the sample identifier of the first communication device (i.e., the third sample identifier) ​​and the sample identifier of the second communication device are inconsistent, the first communication device may request the other communication device (e.g., the third communication device) to convert its own sample identifier into a format (or type) of the sample identifier of the second communication device, or convert the sample identifier into a format (or type) of the sample identifier of the second communication device, and further send the third message carrying the sample identifier that has been format-converted. The specific implementation of the format conversion performed by the first communication device through the other communication device is described in the relevant embodiments below. For the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0139] In some embodiments, the type information of the sample identification requested may be identification information of the device corresponding to the sample identification, used to identify which device corresponds to the sample identification requested. Optionally, the sample identification may also be represented by the identification of the device corresponding to the sample identification requested.

[0140] Exemplarily, the type information may be GUPI, SUPI, NF instance ID, etc.; it may also be Tracking Area Code (TAC), Group ID (group ID), SUCI (Subscription Concealed Identifier), IMEI, PEI (Permanent Equipment Identifier), etc. For 6G terminals and other devices, it may also be other types.

[0141] In some embodiments, the type information of the device corresponding to the sample identifier requested to be obtained can be used to indicate the type of device corresponding to the sample identifier requested to be obtained. Optionally, the sample type information can be used for at least one of the following types: UE type or NF type.

[0142] Optionally, the sample filtering information may be used to indicate which features of the sample identifications are to be obtained, or which features of the sample identifications are to be filtered out. For example, the sample filtering information may be used to limit the sample identification information.

[0143] Optionally, the sample filtering information may be AoI (Area Of Interest), slice information, application ID, etc.

[0144] For example, the sample filtering information is AoI, indicating a request to obtain sample identifiers of communication devices within the AoI.

[0145] For another example, the sample filtering information is slice information, indicating a request to obtain the sample identifier of the communication device that supports the slice.

[0146] In some embodiments, the VFL task-related information is used to inform the second communication device (eg, participants) of the upcoming VFL task-related information.

[0147] It should be noted that the VFL task related information may be model filter information about the VFL, that is, the VFL task related information is expressed by limiting model information.

[0148] It should be noted that the VFL task may also be VFL model training and / or model inference, etc.

[0149] Exemplarily, the VFL task related information includes but is not limited to at least one of the following:

[0150] VFL task identifier;

[0151] Time information for VFL;

[0152] Data related information required for VFL.

[0153] In some embodiments, the VFL task identifier can adopt the type information of the VFL training task, and the type information may include an analysis identifier (analytics ID), a model identifier (model ID), etc., to indicate for which machine learning task (i.e., model training task) the VFL training process is performing model training.

[0154] In some embodiments, the time information for performing VFL can be used to indicate time information related to the VFL training process, such as any of the start time, completion time, and time period of a VFL task. Relative or absolute time can be used, and this is not limited here. Alternatively, it can be time information for performing VFL training or time information for model training.

[0155] In some embodiments, the data-related information required for VFL can be used to indicate the data, data type, data range, etc. required for VFL; such as the data type and data range corresponding to the input data and output data; wherein the data type corresponding to the input data can be the sample features for training, etc., which is not limited here.

[0156] The following describes the sample alignment method provided in the embodiments of the present application in combination with two specific implementations of the first sample identification.

[0157] Case 1: the first sample identifier is the sample identifier of the second communication device.

[0158] For example, the second communication device sends a first message to the first communication device, and the first sample identifier carried in the first message may be the sample identifier of the second communication device.

[0159] Exemplarily, the active participant initiates a sample alignment request to the passive participant, uses the passive participant's own sample identifier as the first sample identifier, and generates a first message.

[0160] Exemplarily, the coordinator initiates a sample alignment request to the training entity, uses the sample identifier of the training entity itself as the first sample identifier, and generates a first message.

[0161] In this case, the first communication device determining the first target sample identifier according to the relevant information of the first sample identifier in the first message may include:

[0162] The first target sample identifier is determined according to an intersection of the sample identifier of the first communication device and the first sample identifier in the first message sent by the at least one second communication device.

[0163] In some implementations, before the second communication device sends the first message to the first communication device, the second communication device may receive a third message from the first communication device, where the third message carries the sample identifier of the first communication device. The second communication device calculates the intersection of the second communication device's sample identifier and the received sample identifier of the first communication device to obtain aligned sample identifiers.

[0164] Optionally, when the second communication device performs sample alignment (e.g., determining the intersection of the two) on the sample identifier (i.e., the third sample identifier) ​​of the first communication device and its own sample identifier, if the formats (or types) of the two are inconsistent, the second communication device may first convert the format of the third sample identifier and then determine the intersection of the two. Optionally, the first sample identifier may be the intersection, or the intersection after format conversion. Alternatively, if the format (or type) of the third sample identifier and its own sample identifier are consistent, the second communication device may directly use the intersection of the two as the first target sample identifier.

[0165] For example, the active participant initiates a sample alignment request to the passive participant, and the sample alignment request may carry the sample identifier of the active participant. The passive participant obtains a first sample identifier by finding the intersection between its own sample identifier and the sample identifier of the active participant.

[0166] For example, the coordinator initiates a sample alignment request to training entity A, which may carry sample identifiers of other training entities. Training entity A obtains a first sample identifier by finding the intersection of its own sample identifier and the sample identifiers of other training entities.

[0167] Case 2: the first sample identifier is determined according to the intersection of the sample identifier of the second communication device and the sample identifier of the first communication device.

[0168] For example, the first sample identifier may be an intersection of the sample identifier of the second communication device and the sample identifier of the first communication device, or a sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the sample identifiers of the intersection.

[0169] In scenario 2, the first communication device determines the first target sample identifier according to the relevant information of the first sample identifier in the first message, including:

[0170] In a case where the at least one second communication device includes one second communication device, determining the first target sample identifier according to the first sample identifier in the first message sent by the second communication device; or

[0171] In a case where the at least one second communication device includes multiple second communication devices, the first target sample identifier is determined according to an intersection of first sample identifiers in first messages sent by the multiple second communication devices.

[0172] For example, if the first communication device is an active participant, the second communication device is a passive participant, and the number of passive participants is one, in this case, the first communication device may not perform the intersection operation, and determine the first target sample identifier based on the first sample identifier in the first message sent by the passive participant.

[0173] For another example, if the first communication device is a coordinator, the second communication device is a training entity, and the number of training entities is one, in this case, the first communication device may not perform the intersection operation, and determine the first target sample identifier based on the first sample identifier in the first message sent by the training entity.

[0174] For another example, if the first communication device is an active participant, the second communication device is a passive participant, and there are multiple passive participants, in this case, the first communication device can calculate the intersection of the first sample identifiers in the first messages sent by multiple passive participants, and determine the first target sample identifier based on the intersection.

[0175] For another example, if the first communication device is a coordinator, the second communication device is a training entity, and there are multiple training entities, in this case, the first communication device can calculate the intersection of the first sample identifiers in the first messages sent by multiple training entities, obtain the intersection of the first sample identifiers in the first messages sent by multiple training entities, and determine the first target sample identifier based on the intersection.

[0176] It should be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, when the first communication device or the second communication device performs sample alignment (or, finds the intersection), if the formats (or, types) of the multiple sample identifiers to be aligned are inconsistent, format conversion can be performed first, for example, by a third communication device or by itself, and further format alignment is performed based on the sample identifier after format conversion.

[0177] It should also be noted that in an embodiment of the present application, when the formats (or types) of the sample identifiers (for example, the sample identifiers to be aligned, or the aligned sample identifiers) of the first communication device and the second communication device are inconsistent, the first communication device may perform the format conversion, or the second communication device may perform the format conversion, and this application does not limit this.

[0178] The following describes the specific implementation of format conversion of the sample identifier by the first communication device in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0179] In some embodiments of the present application, after S310, the method 300 further includes:

[0180] The first communication device sends a fourth message to the third communication device, where the fourth message is used to request format conversion of the first sample identifier;

[0181] The first communication device receives a fifth message from the third communication device, where the fifth message is used to indicate a second sample identifier, where the second sample identifier is the first sample identifier after format conversion.

[0182] Specifically, after the first communication device receives the first message sent by the second communication device, if the first communication device is unable to use or recognize the first sample identifier in the first message, the first communication device may send a fourth message to the third communication device to request format conversion of the first sample identifier. In response to the received fourth message, the third communication device converts the format of the first sample identifier to obtain a second sample identifier after format conversion.

[0183] After the format conversion, the third communication device may return the format-converted second sample identifier to the first communication device. For example, the first communication device receives a fifth message from the third communication device, indicating the second sample identifier in the fifth message. The first communication device is capable of recognizing or using the second sample identifier, and therefore determines the first target sample identifier based on the second sample identifier.

[0184] It should be noted that if the first communication device can use or identify the first sample identifier in the first message, the first communication device directly performs a sample alignment operation based on its own sample identifier and the first sample identifier in the first message without performing a format conversion operation.

[0185] It should be noted that the situation where the first communication device cannot use or identify the first sample identifier in the first message can also be understood as: the type information of the sample identifier of the first communication device is inconsistent with the type information of the sample identifier of the second communication device, and therefore format conversion is required.

[0186] In one implementation, the fourth message includes at least one of the following:

[0187] The first sample identifier.

[0188] format conversion instruction information;

[0189] target format;

[0190] Target network element type;

[0191] Target network element ID.

[0192] In some embodiments, the format conversion indication information is used to indicate a request to perform format conversion on the first sample identifier, such as converting one type of sample identifier to another type of sample identifier. The fourth message carries the format conversion indication information, which causes the third communication device to perform format conversion on the first sample identifier. Specifically, after receiving the fourth message, the third communication device, in response to the format conversion indication information, performs format conversion on the first sample identifier to obtain a sample format that can be used or recognized by the first communication device.

[0193] In some embodiments, the target format is used to indicate the sample identifier to be converted from the first sample identifier to the target format. The target format in the fourth message may be a format recognizable or usable by the first communication device. The target format, also known as the target type, is used to indicate the required sample identifier type. For example, if a SUPI type is required, if the received sample identifier is of the GPSI type, it needs to be converted to a SUPI.

[0194] In some embodiments, the target network element type in the fourth message is used to indicate the type of the first communications device. For example, the target network element type is used to indicate a sample identifier that can be recognized or used by a network element or device that converts the first sample identifier into the type of the first communications device. Optionally, the third communications device can determine the type or format of the sample identifier to be converted into based on the target network element type.

[0195] In some embodiments, the target network element identifier in the fourth message is used to indicate the identifier of the first communications device. For example, the target network element type is used to indicate that the first sample identifier is to be converted into a sample identifier recognizable or usable by the first communications device. The target network element may be the first communications device. Optionally, the third communications device may determine the type or format of the sample identifier to be converted to based on the target network element identifier.

[0196] Exemplarily, the target network element identifier is such as AF instance ID or AF specific ID, so that the third communication device determines the target format of the conversion based on the target network element identifier; for example, the third communication device determines the target type or target format, such as GPSI (External Id) or GPSI (MSISDN), through network element identifiers such as AF instance ID or AF specific ID.

[0197] In one implementation, the fifth message includes at least one of the following:

[0198] The second sample identifier.

[0199] The format or type corresponding to the second sample identifier can be understood as a format or type that can be recognized or used by the first communication device.

[0200] In some embodiments, before the first communication device sends the second message to the at least one second communication device, the method 300 further includes:

[0201] The first communication device sends a sixth message to the third communication device, where the sixth message is used to request format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0202] The first communication device receives a seventh message from the third communication device, where the seventh message is used to indicate a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a target sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier.

[0203] In this case, the second message includes: a second target sample identifier, and optionally, also includes third indication information.

[0204] For example, after a first communication device determines a first target sample identifier, it needs to synchronize the first target sample identifier with a second communication device. If the second communication device cannot recognize or use the first target sample identifier, the first communication device may interact with a third communication device to convert the format of the first target sample identifier, which the second communication device cannot recognize or use, into a target sample identifier that the second communication device can recognize or use. For example, the first communication device initiates a format conversion request for the first target sample identifier to the third communication device, i.e., the first communication device sends a sixth message to the third communication device, and the third communication device receives the sixth message. In response to the sixth message, the third communication device performs format conversion on the first target sample identifier to obtain a second target sample identifier that the second communication device can recognize or use. After the third communication device performs format conversion on the first target sample identifier, the third communication device returns a response message to the first communication device, i.e., the third communication device sends a seventh message to the first communication device. The seventh message may carry the second target sample identifier. After the first communication device receives the second target sample identifier that it can recognize or use, the first communication device sends a second message to the at least one second communication device. The second message includes: the second target sample identifier and / or third indication information.

[0205] In one implementation, the sixth message includes at least one of the following:

[0206] the first target sample identifier;

[0207] The format conversion indication information is used to indicate a request to perform format conversion on the first target sample identifier; for example, converting one type of sample ID data into another type of sample ID data. The sixth message carries the format conversion indication information, which causes the third communication device to perform format conversion on the first target sample identifier. Specifically, after receiving the sixth message, the third communication device, in response to the format conversion indication information, performs format conversion on the first target sample identifier to obtain a sample format that can be used or recognized by the second communication device.

[0208] The target format is used to indicate the sample identifier to be converted from the first target sample identifier to the target format. The target format in the sixth message may be a format recognizable or usable by the second communication device. The target format is also called the target type and is used to indicate the required sample ID type. For example, if SUPI is required, if the sample ID data is of GPSI type, it needs to be converted to SUPI.

[0209] The target network element type is used to indicate the type of the second communication device. Specifically, the target network element type is used to indicate the conversion of the first target sample identifier into a sample identifier that can be identified or used by the second communication device corresponding to the target network element type.

[0210] The target network element identifier is used to indicate the identifier of the second communication device. Specifically, the target network element type is used to indicate a sample identifier that can be recognized or used by a network element or device that converts the first target sample identifier into the type of the second communication device.

[0211] Exemplarily, the target network element identifier is such as AF instance ID or AF specific ID, so that the third communication device determines the target format of the conversion based on the target network element identifier; for example, the third communication device determines the target type or target format, such as GPSI (External Id) or GPSI (MSISDN), through network element identifiers such as AF instance ID or AF specific ID.

[0212] In one implementation, the seventh message includes at least one of the following:

[0213] the second target sample identifier; wherein the third communication device performs format conversion on the first target sample format to obtain the second target sample identifier, and after completing the format conversion, the third communication device sends a seventh message to the first communication device, the seventh message being accompanied by the second target sample identifier, and the first communication device sends the second target sample identifier to the at least one second communication device, so that the second communication device can use or identify the second sample identifier;

[0214] The format or type corresponding to the second target sample identifier may be understood as a format or type that can be recognized or used by the second communication device.

[0215] It should be noted that the above only illustrates several format conversion scenarios on the first communication device side. In other embodiments, the first communication device may also perform format conversion on its own sample identifier before sending the third message to obtain a third sample identifier, or may not perform format conversion on its own sample identifier. This application does not limit this.

[0216] The following describes the specific implementation of format conversion of the sample identifier by the second communication device in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0217] In some embodiments, after the second communication device receives the third message from the first communication device, the method 300 further includes:

[0218] The second communication device sends an eighth message to the third communication device, where the eighth message is used to request format conversion of the third sample identifier;

[0219] The second communication device receives a ninth message from the third communication device, where the ninth message is used to indicate a fourth sample identifier, and the fourth sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by converting the format of the third sample identifier.

[0220] In some embodiments, the eighth message includes at least one of the following:

[0221] the third sample identifier;

[0222] Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the third sample identifier;

[0223] a target format, used to indicate that the third sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier in the target format;

[0224] target network element type, used to indicate the type of the second communication device;

[0225] The target network element identifier is used to indicate the identifier of the second communication device.

[0226] In some embodiments, the ninth message includes at least one of the following:

[0227] the fourth sample identifier;

[0228] The fourth sample identifier corresponds to a format.

[0229] In some embodiments, after the second communication device receives the second message from the first communication device, the method 300 further includes:

[0230] The second communication device sends a tenth message to the third communication device, where the tenth message is used to request format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0231] The second communication device receives an eleventh message from the third communication device, where the eleventh message is used to indicate a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a target sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier.

[0232] In some embodiments, the tenth message includes at least one of the following:

[0233] the first target sample identifier;

[0234] Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0235] A target format, used to indicate that the first target sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format;

[0236] target network element type, used to indicate the type of the second communication device;

[0237] The target network element identifier is used to indicate the identifier of the second communication device.

[0238] In some embodiments, the eleventh message includes at least one of the following:

[0239] the second target sample identifier;

[0240] The second target sample identifier corresponds to a format.

[0241] The manner in which the second communication device performs format conversion is similar to the manner in which the first communication device performs format conversion, and for the sake of brevity, details are not repeated here.

[0242] It should be noted that the above examples only illustrate several format conversion scenarios on the second communication device side. In other embodiments, before sending the first message, in case 1, the second communication device may also perform format conversion on its own sample identifier to obtain the first sample identifier, or it may not perform format conversion on its own sample identifier. In case 2, the second communication device may also perform format conversion on the aligned sample identifier, or it may not perform format conversion on the aligned sample identifier. This application does not limit this. That is, the first sample identifier may be a sample identifier after format conversion, or it may be a sample identifier that has not been format converted.

[0243] The sample alignment method according to the embodiment of the present application is described below with reference to the specific examples in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7 .

[0244] In Example 1 of Figure 4, the Active Participant is the first communication device, the Passive Participant is the second communication device, the NEF / UDM is the third communication device, and the Consumer is the fourth communication device. However, this application is not limited to this. In this example, the Active Participant initiates sample alignment and does not carry its own sample ID information.

[0245] The sample alignment process given in Example 1 may include the following steps:

[0246] S402: The fourth communication device sends a task request to the first communication device, requesting to obtain a model.

[0247] S404: The first communication device performs a network element search process to determine information of network elements participating in the VFL.

[0248] S406: The first communication device sends a third message to the second communication device.

[0249] The third message includes at least one of the following:

[0250] Instructions for requesting sample alignment;

[0251] Instructions for requesting sample identification;

[0252] The type information of the sample identifier requested;

[0253] The type information of the device corresponding to the sample identifier requested;

[0254] Sample filtering information;

[0255] VFL task related information.

[0256] S408. The second communication device sends a first message to the first communication device.

[0257] The first message is used to indicate relevant information of the first sample identifier.

[0258] The relevant information of the first sample identifier includes at least one of the following:

[0259] First sample identification;

[0260] Type information of the first sample identifier;

[0261] Type information of the device corresponding to the first sample identifier;

[0262] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is used to send the first sample identifier, or is used to indicate that the first message is used to transmit its own sample identifier.

[0263] S410. The first communication device sends a fourth message to a third communication device.

[0264] The fourth message is used to request format conversion of the first sample identifier.

[0265] Optionally, the fourth message includes at least one of the following:

[0266] the first sample identifier;

[0267] Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first sample identifier;

[0268] a target format, used to indicate that the first sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format;

[0269] Target network element type;

[0270] Target network element ID.

[0271] S412: The first communication device receives a fifth message from the third communication device.

[0272] The fifth message includes at least one of the following:

[0273] the second sample identifier;

[0274] The second sample identifier corresponds to a format.

[0275] S414: The first communication device determines the first target sample identifier based on the intersection of the second sample identifier and the sample identifier of the first communication device or the intersection of the first sample identifier and the sample identifier of the first communication device.

[0276] It should be noted that if the first communication device cannot recognize or use the first sample identifier, steps S410 to S412 may be performed to convert the format of the first sample identifier. If the first communication device can recognize or use the first sample identifier, steps S410 to S412 may be skipped, and the first communication device determines the first target sample identifier based on the intersection of the first sample identifier and the sample identifier of the first communication device.

[0277] S416. The first communication device sends a sixth message to the third communication device.

[0278] The sixth message is used to request format conversion of the first target sample identifier.

[0279] The sixth message includes at least one of the following:

[0280] the first target sample identifier;

[0281] Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0282] A target format, used to indicate that the first target sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format;

[0283] Target network element type;

[0284] Target network element ID.

[0285] S418. The first communication device receives a seventh message from the third communication device.

[0286] The seventh message is used to indicate a second target sample identifier, which is a target sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier. The seventh message includes at least one of the following:

[0287] the second target sample identifier;

[0288] The second target sample identifier corresponds to a format.

[0289] S420: The first communication device sends a first target sample identifier or a second target sample identifier to the second communication device.

[0290] It should be noted that if the second communication device cannot recognize or use the first target sample identifier, steps S416 to S418 may be performed to convert the format of the first target sample identifier. If the second communication device can recognize or use the first target sample identifier, steps S416 to S418 may be skipped, and the first communication device sends the first target sample identifier to the second communication device.

[0291] It should be noted that steps S416 to S418 may also be performed by the second communication device. Specifically, after determining the first target sample identifier in step S414, step S420 is performed, and then the second communication device sends the tenth message to the third communication device and receives the eleventh message from the third communication device.

[0292] S422: Execute subsequent VFL operations.

[0293] It should be noted that the VFL operation is an exemplary description of model training. It should be noted that there may be more than one second communication device as a passive participant, and each passive participant performs operations similar to the above description.

[0294] It should be noted that the implementation process of the aforementioned S402-S422 can refer to the relevant description in the aforementioned method embodiment 300, and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0295] In addition, in this embodiment, the sample alignment process may include but is not limited to the aforementioned S402-S422. For example, it may include more or fewer steps than the aforementioned S402-S422, which is not limited here.

[0296] Example 2, as shown in Figure 5, the Active Participant can be regarded as the first communication device, the Passive Participant can be regarded as the second communication device, the NEF / UDM can be regarded as the third communication device, and the Consumer can be regarded as the fourth communication device. In this example, the active participant sends the sample alignment and carries its own sample identification information.

[0297] The sample alignment process given in Example 2 is as follows:

[0298] S524: The fourth communication device sends a task request to the first communication device, requesting to obtain the model.

[0299] S526: The first communication device performs a network element search process to determine information of network elements participating in the VFL.

[0300] S528. The first communication device sends a third message to the second communication device.

[0301] The third message further includes at least one of the following:

[0302] a third sample identifier, where the third sample identifier is a sample identifier of the first communication device;

[0303] Instruction information for requesting sample alignment; instruction information for requesting sample identification; type information of the sample identification requested; type information of the device corresponding to the sample identification requested; sample filtering information; VFL task related information.

[0304] S530: The second communication device sends an eighth message to the third communication device, where the eighth message is used to request format conversion of the third sample identifier.

[0305] S532: The second communication device receives a ninth message from the third communication device, where the ninth message indicates a fourth sample identifier, and the fourth sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by formatting the third sample identifier.

[0306] S534: The second communication device performs sample alignment, and obtains the aligned sample identifier (the first sample identifier) ​​according to the intersection of the sample identifier (the third sample identifier or the fourth sample identifier) ​​of the first communication device and the sample identifier of the second communication device.

[0307] It should be noted that steps S530 to S532 are steps for converting the format of the sample identifier, and the execution entity of steps S530 to S532 may be the second communication device. This step for converting the format of the sample identifier may also be performed by the first communication device. For example, before step S528, the first communication device first converts its own sample identifier into a sample identifier that can be recognized or used by the second communication device, and further notifies the second communication device via a third message. In this case, the third sample identifier is the sample identifier after the format conversion.

[0308] It should be noted that if the type of the sample identifier of the second communication device is different from the type of the sample identifier of the first communication device, the sample identifier format conversion steps S530 to S532 may be performed. If the type of the sample identifier of the second communication device is the same as the type of the sample identifier of the first communication device, steps S530 to S532 may be skipped.

[0309] S536: The second communication device sends a format conversion request to the third communication device to convert the format of the aligned sample identifiers.

[0310] S538: The second communication device receives feedback conversion response information for the format conversion request from the third communication device, and obtains aligned sample identifiers after format conversion.

[0311] It should be noted that when the type of the sample identifier of the second communication device is different from the type of the sample identifier of the first communication device, the sample identifier format conversion steps S536 to S538 can be executed, or the sample identifier format conversion steps S536 to S538 can be not executed, and the first communication device can perform the format conversion steps.

[0312] That is, the first sample identifier carried in the first message may be a sample identifier that has not been formatted, or it may be a sample identifier that has been formatted, or, if the type of the sample identifier of the second communication device is the same as the type of the sample identifier of the first communication device, steps S536 to S538 are skipped.

[0313] S540: The second communication device sends a first message to the first communication device, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of the first sample identifier.

[0314] S542: The first communication device performs sample alignment, and determines the first target sample identifier based on the intersection of the first sample identifiers in the first message sent by the at least one second communication device.

[0315] S544: The second communication device receives a second message from the first communication device.

[0316] Optionally, the second message includes at least one of the following:

[0317] First target sample identification;

[0318] a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a target sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0319] second indication information, used to indicate that the second message is used to send the first target sample identifier;

[0320] The third indication information is used to indicate that the second message is used to send the second target sample identifier.

[0321] It is understandable that subsequent VFL operations can be performed after step S544. If the type of the sample identifier of the second communication device is different from the type of the sample identifier of the first communication device, the second message carries the first target sample identifier. After step S544, the second communication device may also send a tenth message to the third communication device, the tenth message being used to request format conversion of the first target sample identifier; the second communication device may also receive an eleventh message from the third communication device, the eleventh message being used to indicate the second target sample identifier, which is the target sample identifier after the format conversion of the first target sample identifier.

[0322] It should be noted that the implementation process of the aforementioned S524-S544 can refer to the relevant description in the aforementioned method embodiment 300, and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0323] In addition, in this embodiment, the sample alignment process may include but is not limited to the aforementioned S524-S544. For example, it may include more or fewer steps than the aforementioned S524-S544, which is not limited here.

[0324] Example 3, as shown in Figure 6, the Coordinator can be regarded as the first communication device, training entity A and training entity B can be regarded as the second communication device, and NEF / UDM can be regarded as the third communication device. The Coordinator acts as the initiator of sample alignment and carries the sample ID information of a training entity. The sample alignment process given in Example 3 is as follows:

[0325] S646. The first communication device determines that vertical federated learning is required and determines a training entity to participate in VFL.

[0326] S648: The first communication device sends a third message to the second communication device (training entity A and training entity B).

[0327] The third message includes at least one of the following: an instruction requesting sample alignment; an instruction requesting sample identification; type information of the sample identification requested; type information of the device corresponding to the sample identification requested; sample filtering information; and VFL task-related information. For example, the Coordinator sends the third message to training entity A and training entity B, respectively.

[0328] Optionally, the third message carries a third sample identifier, and the third sample identifier may be a sample identifier of a certain training entity.

[0329] S650: The second communication device sends an eighth message to the third communication device, where the eighth message is used to request format conversion of the third sample identifier;

[0330] S652: The second communication device receives a ninth message from the third communication device, where the ninth message indicates a fourth sample identifier, and the fourth sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by formatting the third sample identifier.

[0331] S654: The second communication device performs sample alignment, and determines the first sample identifier according to the intersection of the third sample identifier and the sample identifier of the second communication device.

[0332] Exemplarily, training entity A and training entity B respectively perform sample alignment to obtain aligned sample identifiers (denoted as first sample identifier A1 and first sample identifier B1).

[0333] S656: The second communication device sends a format conversion request to the third communication device to convert the format of the aligned sample identifiers.

[0334] Exemplarily, the training entity A requests the third communication device to perform format conversion based on the sample identifier A1, and the training entity B requests the third communication device to perform format conversion based on the sample identifier B1.

[0335] S658: The second communication device receives a response message to the format conversion request feedback from the third communication device, and obtains the aligned sample identifiers after the format conversion.

[0336] Exemplarily, the third communication device feeds back the sample identifier A2 after format conversion of the sample identifier A1. The third communication device feeds back the sample identifier B2 after format conversion of the sample identifier B1.

[0337] S660: The second communication device sends a first message to the first communication device, where the first message carries the aligned sample identifier or the aligned sample identifier after format conversion. That is, the first sample identifier in the first message is the aligned sample identifier or the aligned sample identifier after format conversion.

[0338] For example, training entity A sends sample identification A1 or sample identification A2 to the Coordinator, and training entity B sends sample identification B1 or sample identification B2 to the Coordinator.

[0339] S662: The first communication device calculates an intersection based on the sample identifiers sent by the second communication device to obtain a first target sample identifier.

[0340] For example, the Coordinator obtains the first target sample identifier based on the intersection of sample identifier A1 and sample identifier B1. Alternatively, the Coordinator obtains the first target sample identifier based on the intersection of sample identifier A2 and sample identifier B2.

[0341] S664. The first communication device sends a second message to the second communication device.

[0342] Optionally, the second message may include the first target sample identifier, or the second target sample identifier after format conversion.

[0343] Optionally, after S662, the first communication device may further perform a step of format conversion of the first target sample identifier. For specific implementation, refer to the relevant description in Example 1. Alternatively, the format conversion step may also be performed by the second communication device, which is not limited in this application.

[0344] It should be noted that steps S650 and S652 can be performed by the first communication device before step S648. Steps S656 and S657 can be performed by the first communication device after step S660. It should be noted that the implementation process of the aforementioned S646-S664 can refer to the relevant description in the aforementioned method embodiment S624-S644, and will not be repeated here.

[0345] In addition, in this embodiment, the sample alignment process may include but is not limited to the aforementioned S646-S664. For example, it may include more or fewer steps than the aforementioned S646-S664, which is not limited here.

[0346] In Example 4, as shown in Figure 7, the Coordinator can be considered the first communication device, training entity A and training entity B can be considered the second communication device, and the NEF / UDM can be considered the third communication device. The Coordinator acts as the initiator of sample alignment and does not carry the sample ID information of any training entity. The sample alignment process given in Example 4 is as follows:

[0347] S766. The first communication device determines that vertical federated learning is required and determines a training entity to participate in VFL.

[0348] S768. The first communication device sends a third message to the second communication device (training entity A and training entity B).

[0349] The third message includes at least one of the following: an instruction requesting sample alignment; an instruction requesting sample identification; type information of the sample identification requested; type information of the device corresponding to the sample identification requested; sample filtering information; and VFL task-related information. For example, the Coordinator sends the third message to training entity A and training entity B, respectively.

[0350] S770: The second communication device sends an eighth message to the third communication device, where the eighth message is used to request format conversion of the third sample identifier, where the third sample identifier is its own sample identifier.

[0351] S772: The second communication device receives a ninth message from the third communication device, where the ninth message indicates a fourth sample identifier, and the fourth sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by formatting the third sample identifier.

[0352] S774: The second communication device sends a first message to the first communication device, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of the first sample identifier.

[0353] The first sample identifier may be the sample identifier of the second communication device, or the sample identifier of the second communication device after format conversion. For example, training entity A and training entity B respectively send their respective first sample identifiers (denoted as first sample identifier A1 and first sample identifier B1) to the first communication device.

[0354] S776: The first communication device performs sample alignment, for example, to determine the first target sample identifier based on the intersection of the first sample identifiers sent by the second communication device.

[0355] Exemplarily, the first target sample identifier is determined based on the intersection of the first sample identifier A1 and the first sample identifier B1.

[0356] S778. The first communication device sends a second message to the second communication device.

[0357] The second message includes at least one of the following: a first target sample identifier; a second target sample identifier, which is the target sample identifier after the first target sample identifier is format-converted; second indication information, used to indicate that the second message is used to send the first target sample identifier; and third indication information, used to indicate that the second message is used to send the second target sample identifier.

[0358] S780: The second communication device sends a tenth message to the third communication device, where the tenth message is used to request format conversion of the first target sample identifier.

[0359] Exemplarily, training entity A issues a format conversion request to a third communication device for the first target sample identifier, so that the third communication device performs format conversion on the first target sample identifier. Exemplarily, training entity B issues a format conversion request to a third communication device for the first target sample identifier, so that the third communication device performs format conversion on the first target sample identifier.

[0360] S782: The second communication device receives an eleventh message from the third communication device, where the eleventh message is used to indicate a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is the first target sample identifier after format conversion.

[0361] Exemplarily, the training entity A receives the second target sample identifier obtained by format conversion performed by the third communication device. Exemplarily, the training entity B receives the second target sample identifier obtained by format conversion performed by the third communication device.

[0362] It should be noted that steps S770 and S772 may be performed by the first communication device after step S774, or may not be performed. Steps S780 and S782 may be performed by the first communication device before step S778, or may not be performed. It should be noted that the implementation process of the aforementioned S746-S764 can refer to the relevant description in the aforementioned method embodiment S724-S744 and will not be repeated here.

[0363] It should be noted that the implementation process of the aforementioned S766-S782 can refer to the relevant descriptions in the aforementioned method embodiments S746-S764, and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0364] In addition, in this embodiment, the sample alignment process may include but is not limited to the aforementioned S766-S782. For example, it may include more or fewer steps than the aforementioned S766-S782, which is not limited here.

[0365] The first communication device can obtain relevant information of the first sample identifier from at least one second communication device, further perform sample alignment based on the first sample identifier, and determine the first target sample identifier. In this way, aligned sample data can be obtained according to the aligned sample identifier, and then model training can be performed based on the aligned sample data, which is conducive to improving the efficiency of model training.

[0366] The above text, in combination with Figures 3 to 7, describes in detail the method embodiment of the present application. The following text, in combination with Figures 8 to 14, describes in detail the device embodiment of the present application. It should be understood that the device embodiment and the method embodiment correspond to each other, and similar descriptions can refer to the method embodiment.

[0367] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a sample alignment device 800 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The device 800 includes:

[0368] The communication unit 810 is configured to receive a first message from at least one second communication device, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of a first sample identifier;

[0369] The processing unit 820 is configured to determine a first target sample identifier according to the relevant information of the first sample identifier in the first message.

[0370] In some embodiments, the information related to the first sample identification includes at least one of the following:

[0371] First sample identification;

[0372] type information of the first sample identifier;

[0373] Type information of a device corresponding to the first sample identifier;

[0374] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is used to send the first sample identifier.

[0375] In some embodiments, the communication unit 810 is further configured to:

[0376] Sending a second message to the at least one second communication device, wherein the second message includes at least one of the following:

[0377] First target sample identification;

[0378] a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a target sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0379] second indication information, used to indicate that the second message is used to send the first target sample identifier;

[0380] The third indication information is used to indicate that the second message is used to send the second target sample identifier.

[0381] In some embodiments, before receiving the first message from at least one second communication device, the communication unit 810 is further configured to:

[0382] Sending a third message to at least one second communication device, wherein the third message includes at least one of the following:

[0383] Instructions for requesting sample alignment;

[0384] Instructions for requesting sample identification;

[0385] a third sample identifier, where the third sample identifier is a sample identifier of the first communication device;

[0386] The type information of the sample identifier requested;

[0387] The type information of the device corresponding to the sample identifier requested;

[0388] Sample filtering information;

[0389] VFL task related information.

[0390] In some embodiments, the VFL task related information includes at least one of the following:

[0391] VFL task identifier;

[0392] Time information for VFL;

[0393] Data related information required for VFL.

[0394] In some embodiments, the first sample identification is a sample identification of the second communication device.

[0395] In some embodiments, the processing unit 820 is further configured to:

[0396] The first target sample identifier is determined according to an intersection of the sample identifier of the first communication device and the first sample identifier in the first message sent by the at least one second communication device.

[0397] In some embodiments, the first sample identification is an intersection of a sample identification of the second communication device and a sample identification of the first communication device.

[0398] In some embodiments, the processing unit 820 is further configured to:

[0399] In a case where the at least one second communication device includes one second communication device, determining the first target sample identifier according to the first sample identifier in the first message sent by the second communication device; or

[0400] In a case where the at least one second communication device includes multiple second communication devices, the first target sample identifier is determined according to an intersection of first sample identifiers in first messages sent by the multiple second communication devices.

[0401] In some embodiments, after receiving the first message from at least one second communication device, in some embodiments, the communication unit 810 is further configured to:

[0402] Sending a fourth message to a third communication device, where the fourth message is used to request format conversion of the first sample identifier;

[0403] A fifth message is received from the third communication device, where the fifth message is used to indicate a second sample identifier, where the second sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by converting the format of the first sample identifier.

[0404] In some embodiments, the fourth message includes at least one of the following:

[0405] the first sample identifier;

[0406] Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first sample identifier;

[0407] a target format, used to indicate that the first sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format;

[0408] target network element type, used to indicate the type of the first communication device;

[0409] The target network element identifier is used to indicate the identifier of the first communication device.

[0410] In some embodiments, the fifth message includes at least one of the following:

[0411] the second sample identifier;

[0412] The second sample identifier corresponds to a format.

[0413] In some embodiments, before sending the second message to the at least one second communication device, in some embodiments, the communication unit 810 is further configured to:

[0414] Sending a sixth message to a third communication device, where the sixth message is used to request format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0415] A seventh message is received from the third communication device, where the seventh message is used to indicate a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a target sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier.

[0416] In some embodiments, the sixth message includes at least one of the following:

[0417] the first target sample identifier;

[0418] Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0419] A target format, used to indicate that the first target sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format;

[0420] target network element type, used to indicate the type of the second communication device;

[0421] The target network element identifier is used to indicate the identifier of the second communication device.

[0422] In some embodiments, the seventh message includes at least one of the following:

[0423] the second target sample identifier;

[0424] The second target sample identifier corresponds to a format.

[0425] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the communication unit may be a communication interface or a transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or a system on chip. The processing unit may be one or more processors.

[0426] It should be understood that the device 800 according to the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the first communication device in the method embodiment of the present application, and the above-mentioned and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the device 800 are respectively for realizing the corresponding processes of the first communication device in the method embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 7 and achieving the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be repeated here.

[0427] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a sample alignment device 900 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The device 900 includes:

[0428] The communication unit 910 is configured to send a first message to a first communication device, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of a first sample identifier.

[0429] In some embodiments, the information related to the first sample identification includes at least one of the following:

[0430] First sample identification;

[0431] type information of the first sample identifier;

[0432] Type information of a device corresponding to the first sample identifier;

[0433] The first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is used to send a sample identifier.

[0434] In some embodiments, the communication unit 910 is further configured to:

[0435] A second message is received from the first communication device, wherein the second message includes at least one of the following:

[0436] First target sample identification;

[0437] a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a target sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0438] second indication information, used to indicate that the second message is used to send the first target sample identifier;

[0439] The third indication information is used to indicate that the second message is used to send the second target sample identifier.

[0440] In some embodiments, the communication unit 910 is further configured to:

[0441] The second communication device receives a third message from the first communication device, wherein the third message includes at least one of the following:

[0442] Instructions for requesting sample alignment;

[0443] Instructions for requesting sample identification;

[0444] a third sample identifier, where the third sample identifier is a sample identifier of the first communication device;

[0445] The type information of the sample identifier requested;

[0446] The type information of the device corresponding to the sample identifier requested;

[0447] Sample filtering information;

[0448] VFL task related information.

[0449] In some embodiments, the VFL task related information includes at least one of the following:

[0450] VFL task identifier;

[0451] Time information for VFL;

[0452] Data related information required for VFL.

[0453] In some embodiments, the first sample identification is a sample identification of the second communication device.

[0454] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises:

[0455] A processing unit is configured to determine the first sample identifier according to an intersection of the sample identifier of the first communication device and the sample identifier of the second communication device.

[0456] In some embodiments, the communication unit 910 is further configured to:

[0457] Sending an eighth message to the third communication device, where the eighth message is used to request format conversion of the third sample identifier;

[0458] A ninth message is received from the third communication device, where the ninth message is used to indicate a fourth sample identifier, where the fourth sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by formatting the third sample identifier.

[0459] In some embodiments, the eighth message includes at least one of the following:

[0460] the third sample identifier;

[0461] Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the third sample identifier;

[0462] a target format, used to indicate that the third sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier in the target format;

[0463] target network element type, used to indicate the type of the second communication device;

[0464] The target network element identifier is used to indicate the identifier of the second communication device.

[0465] In some embodiments, the ninth message includes at least one of the following:

[0466] the fourth sample identifier;

[0467] The fourth sample identifier corresponds to a format.

[0468] In some embodiments, the communication unit 910 is further configured to:

[0469] The method further comprises:

[0470] The second communication device sends a tenth message to the third communication device, where the tenth message is used to request format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0471] The second communication device receives an eleventh message from the third communication device, where the eleventh message is used to indicate a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a target sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier.

[0472] In some embodiments, the tenth message includes at least one of the following:

[0473] the first target sample identifier;

[0474] Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0475] A target format, used to indicate that the first target sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format;

[0476] target network element type, used to indicate the type of the second communication device;

[0477] The target network element identifier is used to indicate the identifier of the second communication device.

[0478] In some embodiments, the eleventh message includes at least one of the following:

[0479] the second target sample identifier;

[0480] The second target sample identifier corresponds to a format.

[0481] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the communication unit may be a communication interface or a transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or a system on chip. The processing unit may be one or more processors.

[0482] It should be understood that the device 900 according to the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the second communication device in the method embodiment of the present application, and the above-mentioned and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the device 900 are respectively for realizing the corresponding processes of the second communication device in the method embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 7 and achieving the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be repeated here.

[0483] FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a sample alignment device 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The device 1000 includes:

[0484] A receiving unit 1010 receives a request message from a target communication device, the request message being used to request format conversion of a sample identifier, the target communication device being a communication device participating in vertical federated learning (VFL);

[0485] The sending unit 1020 is configured to send a response message to the target communication device, where the response message is used to indicate the sample identifier after format conversion.

[0486] In some embodiments, when the target communication device is a first communication device, the receiving unit 1010 is further configured to:

[0487] receiving a fourth message from the first communication device, where the fourth message is used to request format conversion of the first sample identifier;

[0488] The sending unit 1020 is further configured to:

[0489] A fifth message is sent to the first communication device, where the fifth message is used to indicate a second sample identifier, where the second sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by converting the format of the first sample identifier.

[0490] In some embodiments, the fourth message includes at least one of the following:

[0491] the first sample identifier;

[0492] Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first sample identifier;

[0493] a target format, used to indicate that the first sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format;

[0494] Target network element type;

[0495] Target network element ID.

[0496] In some embodiments, the fifth message includes at least one of the following:

[0497] the second sample identifier;

[0498] The second sample identifier corresponds to a format.

[0499] In some embodiments, when the target communication device is a first communication device, the receiving unit 1010 is further configured to:

[0500] The third communication device receives a sixth message from the first communication device, where the sixth message is used to request format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0501] The sending unit 1020 is further configured to:

[0502] The third communication device sends a seventh message to the first communication device, where the seventh message is used to indicate a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier.

[0503] In some embodiments, the sixth message includes at least one of the following:

[0504] the first target sample identifier;

[0505] Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0506] A target format, used to indicate that the first target sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format;

[0507] Target network element type;

[0508] Target network element ID.

[0509] In some embodiments, the seventh message includes at least one of the following:

[0510] the second target sample identifier;

[0511] The second target sample identifier corresponds to a format.

[0512] In some embodiments, when the target communication device is a second communication device, the receiving unit 1010 is further configured to:

[0513] The third communication device receives an eighth message from the second communication device, where the eighth message is used to request format conversion of the third sample identifier;

[0514] The sending unit 1020 is further configured to:

[0515] The third communication device sends a ninth message to the second communication device, where the ninth message is used to indicate a fourth sample identifier, and the fourth sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by formatting the third sample identifier.

[0516] In some embodiments, the eighth message includes at least one of the following:

[0517] the third sample identifier;

[0518] Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the third sample identifier;

[0519] a target format, used to indicate that the third sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier in the target format;

[0520] Target network element type;

[0521] Target network element ID.

[0522] In some embodiments, the ninth message includes at least one of the following:

[0523] the fourth sample identifier;

[0524] The fourth sample identifier corresponds to a format.

[0525] In some embodiments, when the target communication device is a second communication device, the receiving unit 1010 is further configured to:

[0526] The third communication device receives a tenth message from the second communication device, where the tenth message is used to request format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0527] The sending unit 1020 is further configured to:

[0528] The third communication device sends an eleventh message to the second communication device, where the eleventh message is used to indicate a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier.

[0529] In some embodiments, the tenth message includes at least one of the following:

[0530] the first target sample identifier;

[0531] Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first target sample identifier;

[0532] A target format, used to indicate that the first target sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format;

[0533] Target network element type;

[0534] Target network element ID.

[0535] In some embodiments, the eleventh message includes at least one of the following:

[0536] the second target sample identifier;

[0537] The second target sample identifier corresponds to a format.

[0538] In some embodiments, the apparatus 1000 further includes:

[0539] The processing unit is configured to convert the format of the sample identifier based on the request message.

[0540] In some embodiments, the first sample identification is an intersection of a sample identification of the second communication device and a sample identification of the first communication device, or the first sample identification is a sample identification of the second communication device.

[0541] In some embodiments, the first target sample identification is an intersection of a sample identification of a second communication device and a sample identification of at least one first communication device, or the first target sample identification is an intersection of at least one first sample identification.

[0542] Optionally, in some embodiments, the transmitting unit or receiving unit may be a communication interface or a transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or a system on chip. The processing unit may be one or more processors.

[0543] It should be understood that the device 1000 according to the embodiment of the present application may correspond to the third communication device in the method embodiment of the present application, and the above-mentioned and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the device 1000 are respectively for realizing the corresponding processes of the third communication device in the method embodiment shown in Figures 3 to 7 and achieving the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be repeated here.

[0544] In some embodiments, the apparatus 800, positioning apparatus 900, or positioning apparatus 1000 in the embodiments of the present application may be an electronic device, such as an electronic device having an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or chip. The electronic device may be a terminal, or may be another device other than a terminal. For example, the terminal may include, but is not limited to, the types of terminal 11 listed above, and the other device may be a server, a network attached storage (NAS), etc., which is not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0545] As shown in Figure 11, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 1500, including a processor 1501 and a memory 1502. The memory 1502 stores a program or instruction that can be run on the processor 1501. For example, when the communication device 1500 is a terminal, the program or instruction is executed by the processor 1501 to implement the steps performed by the terminal in the above-mentioned sample alignment method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect. For example, when the communication device 1500 is a network-side device, the program or instruction is executed by the processor 1501 to implement the steps performed by the network-side device in the above-mentioned sample alignment method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0546] The present application also provides a terminal including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a program or instruction to implement the steps of the method embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 7. This terminal embodiment corresponds to the aforementioned terminal-side method embodiment, and each implementation process and implementation method of the aforementioned method embodiment is applicable to this terminal embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects. Specifically, Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal implementing an embodiment of the present application.

[0547] The terminal 1600 includes but is not limited to: a radio frequency unit 1601, a network module 1602, an audio output unit 1603, an input unit 1604, a sensor 1605, a display unit 1606, a user input unit 1607, an interface unit 1608, a memory 1609 and at least some of the components of the processor 1610.

[0548] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terminal 1600 may also include a power supply (such as a battery) to power various components. The power supply may be logically connected to the processor 1610 via a power management system, thereby enabling the power management system to manage charging, discharging, and power consumption. The terminal structure shown in FIG12 does not limit the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or may combine certain components, or have different component arrangements, which will not be described in detail here.

[0549] It should be understood that in an embodiment of the present application, the input unit 1604 may include a graphics processing unit (GPU) 16041 and a microphone 16042, and the graphics processor 16041 processes the image data of a static picture or video obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in a video capture mode or an image capture mode. The display unit 1606 may include a display panel 16061, and the display panel 16061 may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode, etc. The user input unit 1607 includes a touch panel 16071 and at least one of other input devices 16072. The touch panel 16071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 16071 may include two parts: a touch detection device and a touch controller. Other input devices 16072 may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control keys, switch keys, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, and a joystick, which will not be repeated here.

[0550] In the embodiment of the present application, after receiving downlink data from a network-side device, the RF unit 1601 may transmit the data to the processor 1610 for processing. Furthermore, the RF unit 1601 may send uplink data to the network-side device. Typically, the RF unit 1601 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, an amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low-noise amplifier, a duplexer, and the like.

[0551] Memory 1609 can be used to store software programs or instructions and various data. Memory 1609 may mainly include a first storage area for storing programs or instructions and a second storage area for storing data. The first storage area may store an operating system, applications or instructions required for at least one function (such as a sound playback function, an image playback function, etc.). In addition, memory 1609 may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus random access memory (DRRAM). The memory 1609 in the embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0552] Processor 1610 may include one or more processing units. Optionally, processor 1610 integrates an application processor and a modem processor. The application processor primarily handles operations related to the operating system, user interface, and application programs, while the modem processor primarily processes wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It is understood that the modem processor may not be integrated into processor 1610.

[0553] It can be understood that the implementation process of each implementation method mentioned in this embodiment can refer to the relevant description of the method embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 7, and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be repeated here.

[0554] The present application also provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to execute a program or instruction to implement the steps of the method embodiments shown in Figures 3 to 7. This network-side device embodiment corresponds to the aforementioned network-side device method embodiment, and each implementation process and implementation method of the aforementioned method embodiment can be applied to this network-side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects.

[0555] Specifically, embodiments of the present application also provide a network-side device. As shown in Figure 13, the network-side device 1700 includes: an antenna 1701, a radio frequency device 1702, a baseband device 1703, a processor 1704, and a memory 1705. Antenna 1701 is connected to radio frequency device 1702. In the uplink direction, radio frequency device 1702 receives information via antenna 1701 and sends the received information to baseband device 1703 for processing. In the downlink direction, baseband device 1703 processes the information to be transmitted and sends it to radio frequency device 1702. Radio frequency device 1702 processes the received information and then sends it through antenna 1701.

[0556] The method executed by the access network device in the above embodiment may be implemented in the baseband device 1703 , which includes a baseband processor.

[0557] The baseband device 1703 may include, for example, at least one baseband board, on which multiple chips are arranged, as shown in Figure 13, one of which is a baseband processor, for example, which is connected to the memory 1705 through a bus interface to call the program in the memory 1705 and execute the operations of the access network device shown in the above method embodiment.

[0558] The network side device may further include a network interface 1706 , which is, for example, a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).

[0559] Specifically, the network side device 1700 of the embodiment of the present application also includes: instructions or programs stored in the memory 1705 and executable on the processor 1704. The processor 1704 calls the instructions or programs in the memory 1705 to execute the methods executed by the modules shown in Figures 8 to 10 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be elaborated here.

[0560] Specifically, the embodiment of the present application further provides a network-side device. As shown in FIG14 , the network-side device 1800 includes: a processor 1801, a network interface 1802, and a memory 1803. The network interface 1802 is, for example, a common public radio interface (CPRI).

[0561] Specifically, the network side device 1800 of an embodiment of the present invention also includes: instructions or programs stored in the memory 1803 and executable on the processor 1801. The processor 1801 calls the instructions or programs in the memory 1803 to execute the methods executed by the modules shown in Figures 8 to 10 and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be elaborated here.

[0562] An embodiment of the present application further provides a readable storage medium, on which a program or instruction is stored. When the program or instruction is executed by a processor, each process of the above-mentioned sample alignment method embodiment is implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0563] The processor is a processor in the sample alignment device, communication device, terminal, or network-side device described in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes a computer-readable storage medium, such as a computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transitory readable storage medium.

[0564] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above-mentioned sample alignment method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be repeated here.

[0565] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can also be called a system-level chip, a system chip, a chip system or a system-on-chip chip, etc.

[0566] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium. The computer program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement the various processes of the above-mentioned sample alignment method embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it is not repeated here.

[0567] The processors mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may include general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, etc., such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an artificial intelligence (AI) processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a network processor (NP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, gate circuits, transistors, discrete hardware components, etc.

[0568] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, comprising: a first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the reader is configured to execute the steps of the sample alignment method described above, which are executed by the first communication device; and the second communication device is configured to execute the steps of the sample alignment method described above, which are executed by the second communication device. Optionally, the system further comprises a third communication device configured to execute the steps of the sample alignment method described above, which are executed by the third communication device.

[0569] It should be noted that, in this article, the terms "comprise", "include" or any other variants thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of further restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprises a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device comprising the element. In addition, it should be pointed out that the scope of the methods and devices in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, and may also include performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in the opposite order according to the functions involved. For example, the described method may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may also be added, omitted or combined. In addition, the features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0570] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be implemented by means of a computer software product plus a necessary general-purpose hardware platform, or of course, by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) and includes a number of instructions for enabling a terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in each embodiment of the present application.

[0571] The embodiments of the present application are described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, but the present application is not limited to the above-mentioned specific implementation methods. The above-mentioned specific implementation methods are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Under the guidance of this application, ordinary technicians in this field can also make many forms of implementation methods without departing from the purpose of this application and the scope of protection of the claims. These implementation methods are all within the protection of this application.

Claims

1. A sample alignment method, wherein: include: The first communication device receives a first message from at least one second communication device, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of a first sample identifier; The first communication device determines a first target sample identifier according to relevant information of the first sample identifier in the first message.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The relevant information of the first sample identifier includes at least one of the following: First sample identification; type information of the first sample identifier; Type information of a device corresponding to the first sample identifier; The first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is used to send the first sample identifier.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The method further comprises: The first communication device sends a second message to the at least one second communication device, wherein the second message includes at least one of the following: First target sample identification; a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a target sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier; second indication information, used to indicate that the second message is used to send the first target sample identifier; The third indication information is used to indicate that the second message is used to send the second target sample identifier.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Before the first communication device receives a first message from at least one second communication device, the method further includes: The first communication device sends a third message to at least one second communication device, wherein the third message includes at least one of the following: Instructions for requesting sample alignment; Instructions for requesting sample identification; a third sample identifier, where the third sample identifier is a sample identifier of the first communication device; The type information of the sample identifier requested; The type information of the device corresponding to the sample identifier requested; Sample filtering information; VFL task related information.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein The VFL task related information includes at least one of the following: VFL task identifier; Time information for VFL; Data related information required for VFL.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein: The VFL task identifier includes an analysis identifier.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein The first sample identifier is a sample identifier of the second communication device.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein: The first communication device determines the first target sample identifier according to the relevant information of the first sample identifier in the first message, including: The first target sample identifier is determined according to an intersection of the sample identifier of the first communication device and the first sample identifier in the first message sent by the at least one second communication device.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein The first sample identification is an intersection of the sample identification of the second communication device and the sample identification of the first communication device.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: The first communication device determines the first target sample identifier according to the relevant information of the first sample identifier in the first message, including: In a case where the at least one second communication device includes one second communication device, determining the first target sample identifier according to the first sample identifier in the first message sent by the second communication device; or In a case where the at least one second communication device includes multiple second communication devices, the first target sample identifier is determined according to an intersection of first sample identifiers in first messages sent by the multiple second communication devices.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein After the first communication device receives the first message from at least one second communication device, the method further includes: The first communication device sends a fourth message to the third communication device, where the fourth message is used to request format conversion of the first sample identifier; The first communication device receives a fifth message from the third communication device, where the fifth message is used to indicate a second sample identifier, where the second sample identifier is the first sample identifier after format conversion.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The fourth message includes at least one of the following: the first sample identifier; Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first sample identifier; a target format, used to indicate that the first sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format; target network element type, used to indicate the type of the first communication device; The target network element identifier is used to indicate the identifier of the first communication device.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, wherein: The fifth message includes at least one of the following: the second sample identifier; The second sample identifier corresponds to a format.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein Before the first communication device sends the second message to the at least one second communication device, the method further includes: The first communication device sends a sixth message to the third communication device, where the sixth message is used to request format conversion of the first target sample identifier; The first communication device receives a seventh message from the third communication device, where the seventh message is used to indicate a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a target sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein The sixth message includes at least one of the following: the first target sample identifier; Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first target sample identifier; A target format, used to indicate that the first target sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format; target network element type, used to indicate the type of the second communication device; The target network element identifier is used to indicate the identifier of the second communication device.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein: The seventh message includes at least one of the following: the second target sample identifier; The second target sample identifier corresponds to a format.

17. A sample alignment method, wherein: include: The second communication device sends a first message to the first communication device, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of the first sample identifier.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein The relevant information of the first sample identifier includes at least one of the following: First sample identification; type information of the first sample identifier; Type information of a device corresponding to the first sample identifier; The first indication information is used to indicate that the first message is used to send a sample identifier.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein The method further comprises: The second communication device receives a second message from the first communication device, wherein the second message includes at least one of the following: First target sample identification; a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a target sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier; second indication information, used to indicate that the second message is used to send the first target sample identifier; The third indication information is used to indicate that the second message is used to send the second target sample identifier.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein: Before the second communication device sends the first message to the first communication device, the method further includes: The second communication device receives a third message from the first communication device, wherein the third message includes at least one of the following: Instructions for requesting sample alignment; Instructions for requesting sample identification; a third sample identifier, where the third sample identifier is a sample identifier of the first communication device; The type information of the sample identifier requested; The type information of the device corresponding to the sample identifier requested; Sample filtering information; VFL task related information.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein The VFL task related information includes at least one of the following: VFL task identifier; Time information for VFL; Data related information required for VFL.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein The VFL task identifier includes an analysis identifier.

23. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein: The first sample identifier is a sample identifier of the second communication device.

24. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein: The method further comprises: The first sample identifier is determined according to an intersection of the sample identifier of the first communication device and the sample identifier of the second communication device.

25. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein: After the second communication device receives the third message from the first communication device, the method further includes: The second communication device sends an eighth message to the third communication device, where the eighth message is used to request format conversion of the third sample identifier; The second communication device receives a ninth message from the third communication device, where the ninth message is used to indicate a fourth sample identifier, and the fourth sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by converting the format of the third sample identifier.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein The eighth message includes at least one of the following: the third sample identifier; Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the third sample identifier; a target format, used to indicate that the third sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier in the target format; target network element type, used to indicate the type of the second communication device; The target network element identifier is used to indicate the identifier of the second communication device.

27. The method according to claim 26, wherein The ninth message includes at least one of the following: the fourth sample identifier; The fourth sample identifier corresponds to a format.

28. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein After the second communication device receives the second message from the first communication device, the method further includes: The second communication device sends a tenth message to the third communication device, where the tenth message is used to request format conversion of the first target sample identifier; The second communication device receives an eleventh message from the third communication device, where the eleventh message is used to indicate a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a target sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein The tenth message includes at least one of the following: the first target sample identifier; Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first target sample identifier; A target format, used to indicate that the first target sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format; target network element type, used to indicate the type of the second communication device; The target network element identifier is used to indicate the identifier of the second communication device.

30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, wherein The eleventh message includes at least one of the following: the second target sample identifier; The second target sample identifier corresponds to a format.

31. A sample alignment method, wherein: include: The third communication device receives a request message from a target communication device, the request message being used to request format conversion of the sample identifier, the target communication device being a communication device participating in vertical federated learning (VFL); The third communication device sends a response message to the target communication device, where the response message is used to indicate the sample identifier after format conversion.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein When the target communication device is the first communication device, the third communication device receiving a request message from the target communication device includes: The third communication device receives a fourth message from the first communication device, where the fourth message is used to request format conversion of the first sample identifier; The third communication device sending a response message to the target communication device includes: The third communication device sends a fifth message to the first communication device, where the fifth message is used to indicate a second sample identifier, where the second sample identifier is the sample identifier after the format of the first sample identifier is converted.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein The fourth message includes at least one of the following: the first sample identifier; Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first sample identifier; a target format, used to indicate that the first sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format; Target network element type; Target network element ID.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein: The fifth message includes at least one of the following: the second sample identifier; The second sample identifier corresponds to a format.

35. The method of claim 31 , wherein: When the target communication device is the first communication device, the third communication device receiving a request message from the target communication device includes: The third communication device receives a sixth message from the first communication device, where the sixth message is used to request format conversion of the first target sample identifier; The third communication device sending a response message to the target communication device includes: The third communication device sends a seventh message to the first communication device, where the seventh message is used to indicate a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein The sixth message includes at least one of the following: the first target sample identifier; Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first target sample identifier; A target format, used to indicate that the first target sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format; Target network element type; Target network element ID.

37. The method according to claim 35 or 36, wherein The seventh message includes at least one of the following: the second target sample identifier; The second target sample identifier corresponds to a format.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein When the target communication device is the second communication device, the third communication device receives a request message from the target communication device, including: The third communication device receives an eighth message from the second communication device, where the eighth message is used to request format conversion of the third sample identifier; The third communication device sending a response message to the target communication device includes: The third communication device sends a ninth message to the second communication device, where the ninth message is used to indicate a fourth sample identifier, and the fourth sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by formatting the third sample identifier.

39. The method according to claim 38, wherein The eighth message includes at least one of the following: the third sample identifier; Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the third sample identifier; a target format, used to indicate that the third sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier in the target format; Target network element type; Target network element ID.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein The ninth message includes at least one of the following: the fourth sample identifier; The fourth sample identifier corresponds to a format.

41. The method of claim 31 , wherein: When the target communication device is the second communication device, the third communication device receives a request message from the target communication device, including: The third communication device receives a tenth message from the second communication device, where the tenth message is used to request format conversion of the first target sample identifier; The third communication device sending a response message to the target communication device includes: The third communication device sends an eleventh message to the second communication device, where the eleventh message is used to indicate a second target sample identifier, where the second target sample identifier is a sample identifier obtained by format conversion of the first target sample identifier.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein The tenth message includes at least one of the following: the first target sample identifier; Format conversion indication information, used to indicate a request for format conversion of the first target sample identifier; A target format, used to indicate that the first target sample identifier is converted into a sample identifier of the target format; Target network element type; Target network element ID.

43. The method according to claim 41 or 42, wherein The eleventh message includes at least one of the following: the second target sample identifier; The second target sample identifier corresponds to a format.

44. The method according to any one of claims 31 to 43, wherein The method further comprises: The third communication device converts the format of the sample identifier based on the request message.

45. The method according to claim 32 or 33, wherein The first sample identifier is an intersection of a sample identifier of the second communication device and a sample identifier of the first communication device, or the first sample identifier is a sample identifier of the second communication device.

46. The method according to claim 35 or 41, wherein The first target sample identifier is an intersection of a sample identifier of the second communication device and a sample identifier of at least one first communication device, or the first target sample identifier is an intersection of at least one first sample identifier.

47. A sample alignment device, wherein: include: a receiving unit, configured to receive a first message from at least one second communication device, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of a first sample identifier; A processing unit is configured to determine a first target sample identifier according to relevant information of the first sample identifier in the first message.

48. A sample alignment device, wherein: include: A sending unit is configured to send a first message to a first communication device, where the first message is used to indicate relevant information of a first sample identifier.

49. A sample alignment device, wherein: include: A receiving unit, configured to receive a request message from a target communication device, the request message being used to request format conversion of a sample identifier, the target communication device being a communication device participating in vertical federated learning (VFL); The sending unit is configured to send a response message to the target communication device, where the response message is used to indicate the sample identifier after format conversion.

50. A communication device, wherein: include: A memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the computer program, when executed by the processor, implements the steps of the sample alignment method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or implements the steps of the sample alignment method according to any one of claims 17 to 30, or implements the steps of the sample alignment method according to any one of claims 31 to 46.

51. A readable storage medium, wherein: The readable storage medium stores a program or instruction, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the sample alignment method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or implements the steps of the sample alignment method according to any one of claims 17 to 30, or implements the steps of the sample alignment method according to any one of claims 31 to 46.

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