Message forwarding method and apparatus, and communication device, communication system and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications, and in particular to a message forwarding method and apparatus, and a communication device, a communication system and a storage medium. The message forwarding method comprises: a first device receiving a first SLPP message sent by a second device, wherein the first SLPP message includes first information, and the first information is used for indicating whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded; and / or the second device receiving a second SLPP message sent by the first device, wherein the second SLPP message includes second information, and the second information is used for indicating whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message. On the basis of the present disclosure, in an SLPP message forwarding scenario, after one UE receives an SLPP message from another UE, it is possible to distinguish whether the SLPP message is an SLPP message directly exchanged between the two UEs, or an SLPP message needing to be forwarded to a third party or originating from a third party.

Description

Message forwarding method, device, communication equipment, communication system and storage medium Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a message forwarding method, apparatus, communication equipment, communication system, and storage medium. Background Art

[0002] Sidelink (SL) positioning refers to the ability to locate a terminal based on the sidelink between terminals. The terminal being located is called the target UE, and the other terminals participating in the positioning are called anchor UEs or positioning-assisting terminals.

[0003] The protocol for exchanging positioning messages between two terminals may be the Sidelink Positioning Protocol (SLPP) and / or the Ranging and Sidelink Positioning Protocol (RSPP).

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a message forwarding method, apparatus, communication device, communication system, and storage medium to solve technical problems in the SLPP message forwarding process.

[0006] According to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a message forwarding method is proposed, which is executed by a second device. The method includes: receiving a first SLPP message sent by a first device, where the first SLPP message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0007] According to a second aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a message forwarding method is proposed, which is executed by a first device. The method includes: sending a first SLPP message to a second device, where the first SLPP message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0008] According to a third aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a message forwarding method is proposed, which is executed by a first device. The method includes: receiving a second SLPP message sent by a second device, where the second SLPP message includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a message forwarding method is proposed, which is executed by a second device. The method includes: sending a second SLPP message to a first device, where the second SLPP message includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a message forwarding device is proposed, comprising: a first transceiver module, configured to receive a first SLPP message sent by a first device, wherein the first SLPP message comprises first information, and the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0011] According to the sixth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a message forwarding device is proposed, comprising: a second transceiver module, configured to send a first SLPP message to a second device, wherein the first SLPP message includes first information, and the first information is configured to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0012] According to the seventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a message forwarding device is proposed, comprising: a third transceiver module, configured to receive a second SLPP message sent by a second device, wherein the second SLPP message includes second information, and the second information is configured to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a message forwarding device is proposed, comprising: a fourth transceiver module, configured to send a second SLPP message to a first device, wherein the second SLPP message comprises second information, and the second information is configured to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0014] According to the ninth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first device is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions so that the first device executes the message forwarding method of the first aspect above, and / or the message forwarding method of the third aspect above.

[0015] According to the tenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second device is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions to enable the second device to execute the message forwarding method of the second aspect above, and / or the message forwarding method of the fourth aspect above.

[0016] According to the eleventh aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication device is proposed, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions so that the communication device executes the message forwarding method of the first aspect, the message forwarding method of the second aspect, the message forwarding method of the third aspect, and / or the message forwarding method of the fourth aspect.

[0017] According to the twelfth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a communication system is proposed, comprising a first device and a second device, wherein the first device is configured to implement the message forwarding method of the first aspect and / or the message forwarding method of the third aspect, and the second device is configured to implement the message forwarding method of the second aspect and / or the message forwarding method of the fourth aspect.

[0018] According to the thirteenth aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure, a storage medium is proposed, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the message forwarding method of the first aspect, the message forwarding method of the second aspect, the message forwarding method of the third aspect, and / or the message forwarding method of the fourth aspect.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first SLPP message with first information added thereto is sent by a first device to a second device, so that the second device can determine whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded based on the first information. Accordingly, in an SLPP message forwarding scenario, after a terminal receives an SLPP message from another terminal, it can determine whether the SLPP message is an SLPP message for direct interaction between the two terminals or an SLPP message that needs to be forwarded to a third party (such as an LMF or a server UE), thereby ensuring that the SLPP message is correctly processed and, in turn, ensuring the reliability of the positioning service.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second SLPP message with second information added thereto is sent to a first device by a second device, so that the first device can determine whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message based on the second information. Accordingly, in an SLPP message forwarding scenario, after a terminal receives an SLPP message from another terminal, it can determine whether the SLPP message is an SLPP message directly exchanged between the two terminals or an SLPP message from a third party (such as an LMF or a server UE), thereby ensuring that the SLPP message is correctly processed and, in turn, ensuring the reliability of the positioning service. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative work.

[0022] FIG1 is a schematic diagram showing a positioning method based on DL-TDOA according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG2A is a schematic diagram showing SLPP message forwarding according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG2B is a schematic diagram showing another SLPP message forwarding according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG3 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG4 is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a message forwarding method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG5 is a schematic flowchart showing a message forwarding method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG6 is a schematic flowchart showing a message forwarding method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG7 is a schematic flowchart showing a message forwarding method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG8 is a schematic flowchart showing a message forwarding method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG9 is a schematic block diagram showing a message forwarding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG10 is a schematic block diagram of a message forwarding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG11 is a schematic block diagram of a message forwarding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG12 is a schematic block diagram of a message forwarding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG13 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a message forwarding method, apparatus, communication device, communication system, and storage medium.

[0038] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a message forwarding method, which is executed by a second device. The method includes: receiving a first SLPP message sent by a first device, where the first SLPP message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0039] In the above embodiment, a first SLPP message with first information added thereto is sent by the first device to the second device, so that the second device can determine whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded based on the first information. Accordingly, in the SLPP message forwarding scenario, after a terminal receives an SLPP message from another terminal, it can determine whether the SLPP message is an SLPP message for direct exchange between the two terminals or an SLPP message that needs to be forwarded to a third party (such as an LMF or a server UE), thereby ensuring that the SLPP message is correctly processed and, in turn, ensuring the reliability of the positioning service.

[0040] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect. In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a third device; the third device; whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a server UE; whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to an LMF; the application layer identifier of the server UE; or the application layer identifier of the first device.

[0041] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded based on the application layer identifier of the first device indicated by the first information; or determining that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded based on the fact that the first information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the first device.

[0042] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the message header of the first SLPP message includes the first information; or the message body of the first SLPP message includes the first information.

[0043] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: removing the first information from the first SLPP message.

[0044] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a message forwarding method, which is executed by a first device, and the method includes: sending a first SLPP message to a second device, where the first SLPP message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0045] In the above embodiment, a first SLPP message with first information added thereto is sent by the first device to the second device, so that the second device can determine whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded based on the first information. Accordingly, in the SLPP message forwarding scenario, after a terminal receives an SLPP message from another terminal, it can determine whether the SLPP message is an SLPP message for direct exchange between the two terminals or an SLPP message that needs to be forwarded to a third party (such as an LMF or a server UE), thereby ensuring that the SLPP message is correctly processed and, in turn, ensuring the reliability of the positioning service.

[0046] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect. In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a third device; the third device; whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a server UE; whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to an LMF; the application layer identifier of the server UE; or the application layer identifier of the first device.

[0047] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect. In some embodiments, the first information indicates an application layer identifier of the first device, and the first information is used by the second device to determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded; or, the first information does not indicate an application layer identifier of the first device, and the first information is used by the second device to determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0048] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the message header of the first SLPP message includes the first information; or the message body of the first SLPP message includes the first information.

[0049] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: adding the first information to a first SLPP message to be sent to the second device.

[0050] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a message forwarding method, which is executed by a first device, and the method includes: receiving a second SLPP message sent by a second device, the second SLPP message including second information, and the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0051] In the above embodiment, the second SLPP message to which the second information is added is sent by the second device to the first device, so that the first device can determine whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message based on the second information. Accordingly, in the SLPP message forwarding scenario, after a terminal receives an SLPP message from another terminal, it can determine whether the SLPP message is an SLPP message directly exchanged between the two terminals or an SLPP message from a third party (such as an LMF or a server UE), thereby ensuring that the SLPP message is correctly processed and, in turn, ensuring the reliability of the positioning service.

[0052] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect. In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the second SLPP message comes from a third device; the third device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE through the second device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through the second device; the application layer identifier of the server UE; and the application layer identifier of the second device.

[0053] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message based on that the second information indicates an application layer identifier of the second device; or determining that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message based on that the second information does not indicate an application layer identifier of the second device.

[0054] In combination with some embodiments of the third aspect, in some embodiments, the message header of the second SLPP message includes the second information; or the message body of the second SLPP message includes the second information.

[0055] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a message forwarding method, which is executed by a second device, and the method includes: sending a second SLPP message to the first device, the second SLPP message including second information, and the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the second SLPP message to which the second information is added is sent by the second device to the first device, so that the first device can determine whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message based on the second information. Accordingly, in the SLPP message forwarding scenario, after a terminal receives an SLPP message from another terminal, it can determine whether the SLPP message is an SLPP message directly exchanged between the two terminals or an SLPP message from a third party (such as an LMF or a server UE), thereby ensuring that the SLPP message is correctly processed and, in turn, ensuring the reliability of the positioning service.

[0057] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect. In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the second SLPP message comes from a third device; the third device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE through the second device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through the second device; the application layer identifier of the server UE; and the application layer identifier of the second device.

[0058] In combination with some embodiments of the fourth aspect. In some embodiments, the second information indicates an application layer identifier of the second device, and the second information is used by the first device to determine that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message; or, the second information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the second device, and the second information is used by the first device to determine that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the fourth aspect, in some embodiments, the message header of the second SLPP message includes the second information; or the message body of the second SLPP message includes the second information.

[0060] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a message forwarding device, which includes: a first transceiver module, used to receive a first SLPP message sent by a first device, the first SLPP message including first information, and the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0061] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a message forwarding device, which includes: a second transceiver module, used to send a first SLPP message to a second device, wherein the first SLPP message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0062] In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a message forwarding device, which includes: a third transceiver module, used to receive a second SLPP message sent by a second device, the second SLPP message includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0063] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a message forwarding device, which includes: a fourth transceiver module, used to send a second SLPP message to a first device, wherein the second SLPP message includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0064] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a first device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions to enable the first device to execute the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect, and / or the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned third aspect and the optional embodiment of the third aspect.

[0065] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a second device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions to enable the second device to execute the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect, and / or the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned fourth aspect and the optional embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0066] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions to enable the communication device to execute the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect, the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect, the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned third aspect and the optional embodiment of the third aspect, and / or the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned fourth aspect and the optional embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0067] In the twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a communication system, comprising a first device and a second device, wherein the first device is configured to implement the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect and / or the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned third aspect and the optional embodiment of the third aspect, and the second device is configured to implement the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect and / or the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned fourth aspect and the optional embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0068] In the thirteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a storage medium, which stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the message forwarding method described in the first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect, the message forwarding method described in the second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect, the message forwarding method described in the third aspect and the optional embodiment of the third aspect, and / or the message forwarding method described in the fourth aspect and the optional embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0069] In the fourteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a program product. When the program product is executed by a communication device, the communication device executes the message forwarding method described in the first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect, the message forwarding method described in the second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect, the message forwarding method described in the third aspect and the optional embodiment of the third aspect, and / or the message forwarding method described in the fourth aspect and the optional embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0070] In the fifteenth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure proposes a computer program, which, when running on a computer, enables the computer to execute the message forwarding method described in the first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect, the message forwarding method described in the second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect, the message forwarding method described in the third aspect and the optional embodiment of the third aspect, and / or the message forwarding method described in the fourth aspect and the optional embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0071] It is understandable that the first device, the second device, the communication device, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, and the computer program are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects of the corresponding method and will not be repeated here.

[0072] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a message forwarding method, apparatus, communication device, communication system, and storage medium. In some embodiments, the terms "message forwarding method" and "message processing method" and "information processing method" and "communication method" are interchangeable; the terms "message forwarding apparatus" and "message processing apparatus" and "information processing apparatus" and "communication apparatus" are interchangeable; and the terms "message forwarding system" and "message processing system" and "information processing system" and "communication system" are interchangeable.

[0073] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive and are merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to be a specific limitation on the scope of protection of the present disclosure. In the absence of contradiction, each step in a certain embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a certain embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily exchanged. In addition, the optional embodiments in a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; in addition, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a certain embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional embodiments of other embodiments.

[0074] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified or provided for by logic, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0075] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0076] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise specified, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a", "an", "the", "above", "said", "aforementioned", "this", etc., may mean "one and only one", or "one or more", "at least one", etc.

[0077] For example, when using articles such as “a”, “an”, and “the” in English in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0078] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, “plurality” refers to two or more.

[0079] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one," "one or more," "a plurality of," "multiple," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0080] In some embodiments, descriptions such as "at least one of A and B," "A and / or B," "A in one case, B in another case," or "in response to one case A, in response to another case B" may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); and in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0081] In some embodiments, "A or B" and other descriptions may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed independently of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed independently of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The above is also applicable when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0082] The prefixes such as "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only used to distinguish different description objects and do not constitute any restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. For the statement of the description objects, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary restrictions should be constituted due to the use of prefixes.

[0083] For example, if the description object is "field," the ordinal number preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" does not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the modified "fields" are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of the "first field" and "second field." For another example, if the description object is "level," the ordinal number preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" does not restrict the priority of the "levels." For another example, the number of description objects is not restricted by the ordinal number and can be one or more. For example, in the case of "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the description object is "device," "first device" and "second device" can be the same or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. For another example, if the description object is "information," "first information" and "second information" can be the same or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0084] In some embodiments, “including A,” “comprising A,” “used to indicate A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0085] In some embodiments, terms such as "in response to...", "in response to determining...", "in the case of...", "at the time of...", "when...", "if...", "if...", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0086] In some embodiments, terms such as "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not less than", and "above" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", and "below" can be replaced with each other.

[0087] In some embodiments, devices and the like can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those in the embodiments.

[0088] The recorded names, "device", "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject" and other terms can be used interchangeably.

[0089] In some embodiments, "network" may be interpreted as devices included in the network (eg, access network equipment, core network equipment, etc.).

[0090] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)", "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station" "fixed station", "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)" and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0091] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0092] In some embodiments, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device can be replaced by a terminal. For example, the various embodiments of the present disclosure can also be applied to a structure in which the communication between the access network device, the core network device, or the network device and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (for example, device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, it is also possible to set the structure in which the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channels, downlink channels, etc. can be replaced by side channels, and uplinks, downlinks, etc. can be replaced by side links.

[0093] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, the core network device, or the network device may have a structure that has all or part of the functions of the terminal.

[0094] In some embodiments, obtaining data, information, etc. may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the data is obtained.

[0095] In some embodiments, data, information, etc. may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0096] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in the table of the embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of any elements, any rows, and any columns can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0097] In some embodiments, sidelink (SL) positioning refers to the ability to locate a terminal based on a sidelink between terminals. SL positioning can include absolute positioning, relative positioning, and ranging. Absolute positioning is used to determine the absolute coordinates of a terminal, relative positioning is used to determine the coordinates of a terminal relative to a reference point, and ranging is used to determine the distance and / or angle of a terminal relative to a reference point.

[0098] It should be noted that the Sidelink involved in this disclosure can also be translated as a direct link, side link, side link, etc., and this disclosure does not limit it.

[0099] In some embodiments, ranging may typically involve two terminals participating in ranging, and absolute positioning and relative positioning may typically involve two or more terminals participating in positioning. The terminal being positioned may be referred to as a target UE, and the other terminals participating in positioning may be referred to as anchor UEs or positioning assistance terminals. In one possible implementation, if positioning involves only two terminals, the two terminals serve as each other's anchor terminals.

[0100] In some embodiments, anchor terminals come in different types. For example, a roadside unit (RSU) type anchor terminal is a type of infrastructure that can provide positioning services by collaborating with other RSUs. For example, an ordinary terminal can also serve as an anchor terminal, but it may be difficult for it to collaborate with other terminals to provide positioning services. For example, some anchor terminals have location information such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) and can be used to assist other terminals in absolute positioning, while other anchor terminals may not have location information such as GPS.

[0101] For example, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a positioning method based on downlink-time difference of arrival (DL-TDOA) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, a terminal, such as a user equipment (UE), can determine the specific position of the UE relative to multiple RSUs by measuring the sidelink position reference signal (SL PRS) sent by multiple RSUs through the sidelink. In one possible implementation, if the positioning result is not converted into absolute position coordinates based on the absolute position information such as GPS of the RSU, then the positioning result is relative positioning; otherwise, it is absolute positioning.

[0102] In addition to DL-TDOA, there are also uplink-time difference of arrival (UL-TDOA), multiple round-trip time (multiple RTT), angle of arrival (AOA) / angle of departure (AOD), carrier phase positioning and other positioning solutions, which will not be listed here one by one.

[0103] In some embodiments, the protocol for exchanging positioning messages between two terminals may be the Sidelink Positioning Protocol (SLPP) and / or the Ranging and Sidelink Positioning Protocol (RSPP).

[0104] In some embodiments, the SLPP / RSPP protocol may be located above the PC5-S, PC5-U, PC5-RRC, or control plane Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer.

[0105] In some embodiments, SLPP messages can be exchanged directly between the LMF and the UE, that is, there is no need to forward them through another UE. In this case, since the non-access stratum protocol (NAS) message that encapsulates the SLPP message can carry a routing identifier (such as a routing ID) and / or a correlation identifier (correlation ID), the routing identifier and / or correlation identifier can be used to distinguish between each parallel session between the LMF and the UE. Therefore, the SLPP message does not need to carry a session identifier (such as a session ID). In some embodiments, different UEs can also directly exchange SLPP messages.

[0106] Currently, some technical issues still exist in SLPP message forwarding scenarios. For example, a device may not correctly process an SLPP message received from another device, resulting in reduced reliability of positioning services. This is explained below with reference to Figures 2A and 2B.

[0107] Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of SLPP message forwarding according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2A, for a SLPP message sent by UE#1 to LMF via UE#2, UE#1 can first send the SLPP message to UE#2; further, after receiving the SLPP message, UE#2 can place it as a payload in a supplementary RSPP message and send the supplementary RSPP message to the LMF. For a SLPP message sent by LMF to UE#1 via UE#2, LMF can first place the SLPP message as a payload in a supplementary RSPP message and send the supplementary RSPP message to UE#2; further, after receiving the supplementary RSPP message, UE#2 can extract the SLPP message from it and send the SLPP message to UE#1.

[0108] FIG2B is a schematic diagram of another SLPP message forwarding according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2B , the implementation method of UE#1 sending an SLPP message to a server user equipment (server UE) via UE#2 is similar to the implementation method of UE#1 sending an SLPP message to the LMF via UE#2 in the embodiment shown in FIG2A , and is not described in detail here. The implementation method of the server UE sending an SLPP message to UE#1 via UE#2 is similar to the implementation method of the LMF sending an SLPP message to UE#1 via UE#2 in the embodiment shown in FIG2A , and is not described in detail here.

[0109] In the above embodiment, on the one hand, after UE#2 receives an SLPP message from UE#1, UE#2 cannot determine whether the SLPP message is an SLPP message exchanged directly between UE#1 and itself, an SLPP message that needs to be forwarded to the LMF, or an SLPP message that needs to be forwarded to the server UE. On the other hand, after UE#2 receives a supplementary RSPP message from the LMF or server UE, since UE#2 obtained the SLPP message through the received supplementary RSPP message, UE#2 knows that the SLPP message needs to be forwarded to UE#1. However, after UE#1 receives the SLPP message from UE#2, UE#1 cannot determine whether the SLPP message is an SLPP message exchanged directly between UE#2 and itself, an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through UE#2, or an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE through UE#2.

[0110] In view of this, the present disclosure proposes some embodiments to solve at least one technical problem in the SLPP message forwarding scenario.

[0111] FIG3 is a schematic diagram showing the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0112] As shown in FIG3 , a communication system 300 includes a first device 301 and a second device 302 .

[0113] In some embodiments, the first device 301 may include any one of the following: an anchor UE; a target UE. The second device 302 may include any one of the following: an anchor UE; a target UE.

[0114] In some embodiments, the communication system 300 may further include a third device. In some embodiments, the third device may communicate with the first device 301 through the second device 302 .

[0115] In some embodiments, the third device may include any one of the following: a server terminal (server UE); a location management function (LMF); an anchor UE; or a target UE.

[0116] In one possible implementation, the first device may be an anchor UE, the second device may be a target UE, and the third device may be a server UE. For example, the anchor UE may send an SLPP message to the target UE to assist the target UE in positioning (e.g., the anchor UE provides its own location information and moving speed to the target UE). Furthermore, the target UE may send relevant positioning information to the server UE, so that the server UE can perform positioning calculations (e.g., position calculation).

[0117] In one possible implementation, the first device may be an anchor UE, the second device may be a target UE, and the third device may be an anchor UE. For example, anchor UE#1 may not be able to send an SLPP message directly to anchor UE#2, so anchor UE#1 may forward the message to anchor UE#2 via the target UE.

[0118] In one possible implementation, the first device may be an anchor UE, the second device may be an anchor UE, and the third device may be an LMF. For example, the LMF may perform positioning calculations, but anchor UE#1 cannot directly send SLPP messages to the LMF. Therefore, anchor UE#1 may first send relevant positioning information to anchor UE#2, which then forwards it to the LMF.

[0119] In some embodiments, the terminal includes, for example, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a car with communication function, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver function, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and at least one of a wireless terminal device in a smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0120] In some embodiments, the network device includes at least one of the following: an access network device, a core network device.

[0121] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 5G communication system, a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved nodeB (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an open base station (Open RAN), a cloud base station (Cloud RAN), a base station in other communication systems, and at least one of an access node in a Wi-Fi system, but is not limited thereto.

[0122] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a device including one or more network elements, or may be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of the one or more network elements. The network element may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0123] In some embodiments, the technical solution of the present disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0124] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can be used to split the protocol layer of the access network device, with the functions of some protocol layers centrally controlled by the CU, and the functions of the remaining part or all of the protocol layers distributed in the DU, which is centrally controlled by the CU, but is not limited to this.

[0125] In some embodiments, the core network device may include a location management function (LMF).

[0126] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiment of the present disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solution of the embodiment of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure. Ordinary technicians in this field can know that with the evolution of the system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solution proposed in the embodiment of the present disclosure is also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0127] The following embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to the communication system 300 shown in Figure 3, or a portion thereof, but are not limited thereto. The entities shown in Figure 3 are illustrative only. The communication system may include all or part of the entities shown in Figure 3, or may include other entities outside of Figure 3. The number and form of the entities are arbitrary, and the entities may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the entities is illustrative only. The entities may be connected or disconnected, and the connection may be in any manner, including direct or indirect, wired or wireless.

[0128] The embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), future radio access (FRA), new radio access technology (RAT), new radio (NR), new radio access (NX), future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), systems utilizing other communication methods, and next-generation systems based on and extending these methods. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (for example, a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0129] FIG4 is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a message forwarding method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0130] As shown in FIG4 , the message forwarding method includes:

[0131] Step S401: A first device sends a first SLPP message to a second device.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first SLPP message includes first information.

[0133] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded. Alternatively, the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a third device. Alternatively, the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a third party. Alternatively, the first information is used by the second device to determine whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded. Alternatively, the first information is used by the second device to determine whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a third party. Alternatively, the first information is used by the second device to determine whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a third device.

[0134] It should be noted that in related technologies, SLPP messages directly exchanged between two terminal devices generally do not include the first information. However, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, in order to enable the second device to distinguish whether it needs to forward the received first SLPP message in the SLPP message forwarding scenario, the first device can additionally add the first information to the first SLPP message to be sent to the second device, so that the second device can determine whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded based on the first information.

[0135] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a third device; the third device; whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a server UE; whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a LMF; an application layer identifier of the server UE; or an application layer identifier of the first device. In some possible implementations, the first information is used to indicate the server UE or the LMF.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first information may be represented by one or more bits, or one or more fields, or the first information may be represented by the presence of one or more fields.

[0137] In order to help those skilled in the art better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, several implementations of the first information are described below by way of example.

[0138] (1-1) In a possible implementation manner, the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first information may be represented by 1 bit. For example, if the value of the 1 bit is 0, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded; if the value of the 1 bit is 1, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first information may be represented by the presence of a first field. For example, if the first field is present in the first information, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded; if the first field is absent in the first information, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded.

[0141] It should be noted that the above embodiment is merely an exemplary description and does not constitute a specific limitation on the present disclosure. For example, the first information can be represented by a single bit, with the value of this bit being 1, indicating that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded. For example, the first information can be represented by the presence of a first field; if the first field is present in the first information, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded. Similar situations also exist in other embodiments of the first information and the second information in the present disclosure, and will not be further described below.

[0142] (1-2) In a possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate a third device.

[0143] In some embodiments, the first information may be represented by 1 bit. For example, if the value of the 1 bit is 0, the first information indicates the LMF; if the value of the 1 bit is 1, the first information indicates the server UE.

[0144] In some embodiments, the first information may be represented by the presence of the second field. For example, if the second field is present in the first information, the first information indicates LMF; if the second field is not present in the first information, the first information indicates server UE.

[0145] It should be noted that the above (1-1) and (1-2) can indicate the first information separately or jointly.

[0146] For example, when the above (1-1) indicates the first information alone, if the first information indicates that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded, the second device can forward the first SLPP message to the default device (that is, the default forwarding object). Alternatively, the second device can determine to which device the first SLPP message is forwarded in a predefined manner; wherein the predefined manner may include: forwarding the first SLPP message to a third device for performing positioning calculations, and the third device for performing positioning calculations may include a server UE and / or LMF. Alternatively, the third device may determine to which device the first SLPP message is forwarded based on other information contained in the first SLPP message in addition to the first information. Alternatively, the third device may determine to which device the first SLPP message is forwarded based on other fields in the first information in addition to the first field.

[0147] For example, in the case where the above (1-2) indicates the first information alone, if the first information indicates a third device, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the third device.

[0148] For example, the above (1-1) and (1-2) can jointly indicate the first information, and the second device can determine whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded according to (1-1), and if the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded, it can determine to whom the first SLPP message is forwarded according to (1-2).

[0149] (1-3) In a possible implementation manner, the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the server UE.

[0150] In some embodiments, the first information may be represented by 1 bit. For example, if the value of the 1 bit is 0, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the server UE; if the value of the 1 bit is 1, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded to the server UE.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first information may be represented by the presence of the third field. For example, if the third field is present in the first information, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the server UE; if the third field is absent in the first information, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded to the server UE.

[0152] (1-4) In a possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the LMF.

[0153] In some embodiments, the first information may be represented by 1 bit. For example, if the value of the 1 bit is 0, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the LMF; if the value of the 1 bit is 1, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded to the LMF.

[0154] In some embodiments, the first information may be indicated by the presence of the fourth field. For example, if the fourth field is present in the first information, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the LMF; if the fourth field is absent in the first information, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded to the LMF.

[0155] (1-5) In a possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate an application layer ID of the server UE.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first information can be represented by the presence of the fifth field, which can include the application layer identifier of the server UE. For example, if the third device is UE#3, UE#3 is the server UE, and the first information contains the application layer ID of UE#3, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the server UE; if the first information does not contain the application layer ID of UE#3, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded. For the relevant definition of the application layer ID, please refer to TS23.287 and will not be repeated in this disclosure.

[0157] (1-6) In a possible implementation, the first information is used to indicate an application layer identifier (application ID) of the first device.

[0158] In some embodiments, the first information may be represented by the presence of a sixth field (presence), which may include an application layer identifier of the first device. For example, if the first device is UE#1 and the first information contains the application ID of UE#1, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded to the server UE. That is, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message is an SLPP message directly exchanged between the first device and the second device. If the first information does not contain the application ID of UE#1, the first information indicates that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first information indicates an application layer identifier of the first device, and the first information is used by the second device to determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded. Alternatively, the first information does not indicate an application layer identifier of the first device, and the first information is used by the second device to determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first SLPP message includes the first information in a message header. Alternatively, the first SLPP message includes the first information in a message body. That is, the first device may add the first information to the message header of the first SLPP message to be sent, or the first device may add the first information to the message header of the first SLPP message to be sent. The first device may add the first information to the message body of the first SLPP message to be sent.

[0161] In some embodiments, the second device receives a first SLPP message from the first device.

[0162] In a further embodiment, the second device parses the first information from the first SLPP message. In some possible implementations, the second device parses the first information from a message header of the first SLPP message, or parses the first information from a message body of the first SLPP message.

[0163] Step S402: The second device determines whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded according to the first information included in the first SLPP message.

[0164] In some embodiments, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded based on the first information indicating that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded. Alternatively, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded based on the first information indicating that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded.

[0165] In some embodiments, according to the first information indicating the third device, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the third device.

[0166] In some embodiments, according to the first information indicating that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded and indicating the third device, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the third device.

[0167] In some embodiments, based on the first information indicating that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the server UE, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the server UE. Alternatively, based on the first information indicating that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded to the server UE, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded to the server UE.

[0168] In some embodiments, based on the first information indicating that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the LMF, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the LMF. Alternatively, based on the first information indicating that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded to the LMF, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded to the LMF.

[0169] In some embodiments, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the server UE based on the first information indicating the application layer identifier of the server UE. Alternatively, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded to the server UE based on the first information not indicating the application layer identifier of the server UE.

[0170] In some embodiments, based on the first information indicating the application layer identifier of the first device, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded, that is, the first SLPP message is an SLPP message directly exchanged between the first device and the second device. Alternatively, based on the first information not indicating the application layer identifier of the first device, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0171] In some embodiments, after the second device determines that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded, it may append the first SLPP message as a payload to a first supplementary RSPP message and send the first supplementary RSPP message to the third device. In some embodiments, the third device may receive the first supplementary RSPP message from the second device. In further embodiments, the third device may obtain the first SLPP message from the first supplementary RSPP message.

[0172] In some embodiments, after the second device determines that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded, it may remove the first information from the received first SLPP message. In further embodiments, the second device may append the first SLPP message, after removing the first information, as a payload to a first supplemental RSPP message. In further embodiments, the second device may send the first supplemental RSPP message to a third device. In some embodiments, the third device may receive the first supplemental RSPP message from the second device. In further embodiments, the third device may obtain the first SLPP message, after removing the first information, from the first supplemental RSPP message.

[0173] It should be noted that, in the above embodiment, since the first information is used by the second device to determine whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded, after the second device determines that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded, it can first remove the first information from the first SLPP message and then perform other processing on the first SLPP message. This will not affect other subsequent processing. For example, adding the first information to the first SLPP message to be sent may cause the data length of the first SLPP message actually sent to the second device to increase, and the data length of the lengthened first SLPP message may exceed the payload length limit of the first supplementary RSPP message. Therefore, the second device needs to remove the first information contained in the first SLPP message before forwarding. Alternatively, adding the first information to the first SLPP message will not affect the data length of the first SLPP message, nor will it affect the relevant processing of the first SLPP message by the third device. In this case, the second device does not need to remove the first information contained in the first SLPP message and can directly forward the first SLPP message received from the first device to the third device.

[0174] Step S403: The second device sends a second SLPP message to the first device.

[0175] In some embodiments, the second SLPP message includes second information.

[0176] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message. Alternatively, the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is from a third party. Alternatively, the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is from a third device. Alternatively, the second information is used by the first device to determine whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message. Alternatively, the second information is used by the first device to determine whether the second SLPP message is from a third party. Alternatively, the second information is used by the first device to determine whether the second SLPP message is from a third device.

[0177] It should be noted that in related technologies, SLPP messages directly exchanged between two terminal devices generally do not include the second information. However, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, in order to enable a first device to distinguish whether a received second SLPP message is from a third party in an SLPP message forwarding scenario, the third party or the second device may additionally add the first information to the second SLPP message to be sent to the first device, so that the first device can determine whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message based on the second information.

[0178] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the second SLPP message originates from a third device; the third device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE via the second device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF via the second device; an application layer identifier of the server UE; or an application layer identifier of the second device. In some possible implementations, the second information indicates the server UE or the LMF.

[0179] In some embodiments, the second information may be represented by one or more bits, or one or more fields, or the presence of one or more fields.

[0180] In order to help those skilled in the art better understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, several implementations of the second information are described below by way of example.

[0181] (2-1) In a possible implementation manner, the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0182] In some embodiments, the second information may be represented by 1 bit. For example, if the value of the 1 bit is 0, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message; if the value of the 1 bit is 1, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message.

[0183] In some embodiments, the second information may be represented by the presence of the seventh field. For example, if the seventh field is present in the second information, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message; if the seventh field is absent in the second information, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message.

[0184] (2-2) In a possible implementation, the second information is used to indicate a third device.

[0185] In some embodiments, the second information may be represented by 1 bit. For example, if the value of the 1 bit is 0, the second information indicates the LMF; if the value of the 1 bit is 1, the second information indicates the server UE.

[0186] In some embodiments, the second information may be represented by the presence of the eighth field. For example, if the eighth field is present in the second information, the second information indicates LMF; if the eighth field is absent in the second information, the second information indicates server UE.

[0187] It should be noted that the above (2-1) and (2-2) can indicate the second information separately or jointly.

[0188] For example, in the case where the above (2-1) indicates the second information alone, if the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message, the first device can determine that the second SLPP message is an SLPP message sent by the default device through the second device. Alternatively, the first device can determine which third-party device the second SLPP message comes from in a predefined manner; wherein the predefined manner may include: the second SLPP message comes from a third device for performing positioning calculations, and the third device for performing positioning calculations may include a server UE and / or LMF. Alternatively, the first device can determine which third-party device the second SLPP message comes from based on other information contained in the second SLPP message in addition to the second information. Alternatively, the first device can determine which third-party device the second SLPP message comes from based on other fields in the second information in addition to the seventh field.

[0189] For example, in the case where the above (2-2) indicates the second information alone, if the second information indicates a third device, the second device may believe that the second SLPP message comes from the third device.

[0190] For example, the above (2-1) and (2-2) can jointly indicate the second information, and the second device can determine that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message based on (2-1), and when the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message, it can determine which third-party device the second SLPP message comes from based on (2-2).

[0191] (2-3) In a possible implementation manner, the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE through the second device.

[0192] In some embodiments, the second information may be represented by one bit. For example, if the value of the one bit is 0, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE through the second device; if the value of the one bit is 1, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is not an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE through the second device.

[0193] In some embodiments, the second information may be represented by the presence of the ninth field. For example, if the ninth field is present in the second information, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE via the second device; if the ninth field is absent in the second information, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is not an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE via the second device.

[0194] (2-4) In a possible implementation, the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through the second device.

[0195] In some embodiments, the second information may be represented by one bit. For example, if the value of the one bit is 0, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through the second device; if the value of the one bit is 1, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is not an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through the second device.

[0196] In some embodiments, the second information may be represented by the presence of the tenth field. For example, if the tenth field is present in the second information, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF via the second device; if the tenth field is absent in the second information, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is not an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF via the second device.

[0197] (2-5) In a possible implementation, the second information is used to indicate an application layer ID of the server UE.

[0198] In some embodiments, the second information may be represented by the presence of an eleventh field, which may include an application layer identifier of the server UE. For example, if the third device is UE#3, UE#3 is a server UE, and the second information contains the application layer ID of UE#3, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message; if the second information does not contain the application layer ID of UE#3, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message.

[0199] (2-6) In a possible implementation, the second information is used to indicate an application layer identifier (application ID) of the second device.

[0200] In some embodiments, the second information may be represented by the presence of a twelfth field, which may include an application layer identifier of the second device. For example, if the second device is UE#2 and the second information contains the application ID of UE#2, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message, that is, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is an SLPP message directly exchanged between the first and second devices; if the second information does not contain the application ID of UE#2, the second information indicates that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0201] In some embodiments, the second information indicates an application layer identifier of the second device, and the second information is used by the first device to determine that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message. Alternatively, the second information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the second device, and the second information is used by the first device to determine that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0202] In some embodiments, the header of the second SLPP message includes the second information. Alternatively, the body of the second SLPP message includes the second information. That is, the third device may add the second information to the header of the second SLPP message to be forwarded to the first device via the second device, place the second SLPP message containing the second information as a payload in a second supplementary RSPP message, and send the message to the second device. The second device then receives the second supplementary RSPP message, extracts the second SLPP message containing the second information from the second supplementary RSPP message, and forwards the message to the first device. Alternatively, the third device may place the second SLPP message containing the second information as a payload in a second supplementary RSPP message and send the message to the second device. The second device then receives the second supplementary RSPP message, extracts the second SLPP message from the second supplementary RSPP message, adds the second information to the second SLPP message, and sends the message to the first device. Alternatively, the third device may add the second information to the body of the second SLPP message, which will not be described in detail here. Alternatively, the second device may add the second information to the body of the second SLPP message, which will not be described in detail here.

[0203] In some embodiments, the first device receives a second SLPP message from the second device.

[0204] In a further embodiment, the first device parses the second information from the second SLPP message. In some possible implementations, the first device parses the second information from a message header of the second SLPP message, or parses the second information from a message body of the second SLPP message.

[0205] Step S404: The first device determines whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message according to the second information included in the second SLPP message.

[0206] In some embodiments, based on the second information indicating that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message, the first device may determine that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message. Alternatively, based on the second information indicating that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message, the first device may determine that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message.

[0207] In some embodiments, based on the second information indicating the third device, the first device may determine that the second SLPP message is an SLPP message from the third device.

[0208] In some embodiments, according to the second information indicating that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message and indicates the third device, the first device may determine that the second SLPP message is an SLPP message from the third device.

[0209] In some embodiments, based on the second information indicating that the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE via the second device, the first device may determine that the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE via the second device. Alternatively, based on the second information indicating that the second SLPP message is not an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE via the second device, the first device may determine that the second SLPP message is not an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE via the second device.

[0210] In some embodiments, based on the second information indicating that the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through the second device, the first device may determine that the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through the second device. Alternatively, based on the second information indicating that the second SLPP message is not an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through the second device, the first device may determine that the second SLPP message is not an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through the second device.

[0211] In some embodiments, based on the second information indicating the application layer identifier of the server UE, the first device may determine that the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE via the second device. Alternatively, based on the second information not indicating the application layer identifier of the server UE, the first device may determine that the second SLPP message is not an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE via the second device.

[0212] In some embodiments, based on the second information indicating the application layer identifier of the second device, the first device may determine that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message, that is, the second SLPP message is an SLPP message directly exchanged between the first and second devices. Alternatively, based on the second information not indicating the application layer identifier of the second device, the second device may determine that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0213] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may include at least one of steps S401 to 404. For example, step S401 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S402 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S403 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S404 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S401+S402 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S403+S404 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S401+S403 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S402+S404 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0214] In some embodiments, steps S401+S402 and S403+S404 may be executed in an interchanged order or simultaneously.

[0215] In some embodiments, step S401 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0216] In some embodiments, step S402 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0217] In some embodiments, step S403 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0218] In some embodiments, step S404 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0219] In some embodiments, reference may be made to other optional embodiments described before or after the description corresponding to FIG. 4 .

[0220] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a message forwarding method. Figure 5 is a schematic flow chart illustrating a message forwarding method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The message forwarding method illustrated in this embodiment may be executed by a second device.

[0221] As shown in FIG5 , the message forwarding method may include the following steps:

[0222] In step S501, a first SLPP message sent by a first device is received, where the first SLPP message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0223] For example, the first information can be represented by 1 bit. In the SLPP message forwarding scenario shown in Figure 2A, UE#2 can receive a first SLPP message from UE#1, and the first SLPP message contains the first information; further, based on the value of the first information being 0, UE#2 can determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the LMF, or, based on the value of the first information being 1, UE#2 can determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded to the LMF.

[0224] It should be noted that the embodiment shown in FIG5 can be implemented independently or in combination with at least one other embodiment of the present disclosure. The specific selection can be made as needed and is not limited by the present disclosure. For any details not described in detail in the embodiment shown in FIG5, please refer to the description of steps S401 and S402 in the embodiment shown in FIG4, and will not be repeated here.

[0225] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first SLPP message with first information added thereto is sent by a first device to a second device, so that the second device can determine whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded based on the first information. Accordingly, in an SLPP message forwarding scenario, after a terminal receives an SLPP message from another terminal, it can determine whether the SLPP message is an SLPP message for direct interaction between the two terminals or an SLPP message that needs to be forwarded to a third party (such as an LMF or a server UE), thereby ensuring that the SLPP message is correctly processed and, in turn, ensuring the reliability of the positioning service.

[0226] Optionally, the first device sends a first SLPP message to the second device, where the first SLPP message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0227] In some embodiments, the first information may be represented by one or more bits, or one or more fields, or the first information may be represented by the presence of one or more fields.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a third device; the third device; whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the LMF; the application layer identifier of the server UE; or the application layer identifier of the first device. In some possible implementations, the first information is used to indicate the server UE or the LMF.

[0229] In some embodiments, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded based on the first information indicating the application layer identifier of the first device. Alternatively, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded based on the first information not indicating the application layer identifier of the first device.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first information is included in a message header of the first SLPP message or in a message body of the first SLPP message.

[0231] In some embodiments, the second device may forward the first SLPP message to a third device. In some possible implementations, the second device may add the first SLPP message as a payload to a first supplemental RSPP message. In further embodiments, the second device may send the first supplemental RSPP message to the third device. Alternatively, the third device may receive the first supplemental RSPP message from the second device. In further embodiments, the third device may extract the first SLPP message from the first supplemental RSPP message.

[0232] In some embodiments, the second device may remove the first information from the first SLPP message. In further embodiments, the second device may add the first SLPP message after the first information has been removed as a payload to the first supplemental RSPP message. In further embodiments, the second device may send the first supplemental RSPP message to a third device. Alternatively, the third device may receive the first supplemental RSPP message from the second device. In further embodiments, the third device may extract the first SLPP message after the first information has been removed from the first supplemental RSPP message.

[0233] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a message forwarding method. Figure 6 is a schematic flow chart illustrating a message forwarding method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The message forwarding method illustrated in this embodiment may be executed by a first device.

[0234] As shown in FIG6 , the message forwarding method may include the following steps:

[0235] In step S601, a first SLPP message is sent to a second device, where the first SLPP message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0236] For example, the first information can be represented by 1 bit. In the SLPP message forwarding scenario shown in Figure 2A, if the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the LMF, UE#1 can send the first SLPP message to UE#2, and the first SLPP message includes the first information, and the value of the first information is 0; or, if the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded to the LMF, UE#1 can send the first SLPP message to UE#2, and the first SLPP message includes the first information, and the value of the first information is 1.

[0237] It should be noted that the embodiment shown in FIG6 can be implemented independently or in combination with at least one other embodiment of the present disclosure. The specific selection can be made as needed and is not limited by the present disclosure. For any details not fully described in the embodiment shown in FIG6, please refer to the description of steps S401 and S402 in the embodiment shown in FIG4, and will not be repeated here.

[0238] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first SLPP message with first information added thereto is sent by a first device to a second device, so that the second device can determine whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded based on the first information. Accordingly, in an SLPP message forwarding scenario, after a terminal receives an SLPP message from another terminal, it can determine whether the SLPP message is an SLPP message for direct interaction between the two terminals or an SLPP message that needs to be forwarded to a third party (such as an LMF or a server UE), thereby ensuring that the SLPP message is correctly processed and, in turn, ensuring the reliability of the positioning service.

[0239] Optionally, the second device receives a first SLPP message from the first device, the first SLPP message including first information, the first information being used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded. In a further embodiment, the second device determines whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded based on the first information.

[0240] In some embodiments, the first device adds the first information to a first SLPP message to be sent to the second device.

[0241] In some embodiments, the first information may be represented by one or more bits, or one or more fields, or the presence of one or more fields.

[0242] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a third device; the third device; whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a server UE; whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to an LMF; an application layer identifier of the server UE; or an application layer identifier of the first device. In some possible implementations, the first information indicates the server UE or the LMF.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first information indicates an application layer identifier of the first device, and the first information is used by the second device to determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded. Alternatively, the first information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the first device, and the first information is used by the second device to determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded. Optionally, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded based on the application layer identifier of the first device indicated in the first information. Alternatively, the second device may determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded based on the fact that the first information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the first device.

[0244] In some embodiments, the first information is included in a message header of the first SLPP message or in a message body of the first SLPP message.

[0245] In a third aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a message forwarding method. Figure 7 is a schematic flow chart illustrating a message forwarding method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The message forwarding method illustrated in this embodiment may be executed by a first device.

[0246] As shown in FIG7 , the message forwarding method may include the following steps:

[0247] In step S701, a second SLPP message sent by a second device is received, where the second SLPP message includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0248] For example, the first information can be represented by 1 bit. In the SLPP message forwarding scenario shown in Figure 2A, UE#1 can receive a second SLPP message from UE#2, and the second SLPP message contains the second information; further, based on the value of the second information being 0, UE#1 can determine that the second SLPP message comes from the LMF, that is, UE#1 can determine that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message; or, based on the value of the second information being 1, UE#1 can determine that the second SLPP message comes from UE#2, that is, UE#1 can determine that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message.

[0249] It should be noted that the embodiment shown in FIG7 can be implemented independently or in combination with at least one other embodiment of the present disclosure. The specific selection can be made as needed and is not limited by the present disclosure. For any details not fully described in the embodiment shown in FIG7, please refer to the description of steps S403 and S404 in the embodiment shown in FIG4, and will not be repeated here.

[0250] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second SLPP message with second information added thereto is sent to a first device by a second device, so that the first device can determine whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message based on the second information. Accordingly, in an SLPP message forwarding scenario, after a terminal receives an SLPP message from another terminal, it can determine whether the SLPP message is an SLPP message directly exchanged between the two terminals or an SLPP message from a third party (such as an LMF or a server UE), thereby ensuring that the SLPP message is correctly processed and, in turn, ensuring the reliability of the positioning service.

[0251] Optionally, the second device sends a second SLPP message to the first device, where the second SLPP message includes second information, where the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0252] In some embodiments, the second information may be represented by one or more bits, or one or more fields, or the presence of one or more fields.

[0253] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the second SLPP message originates from a third device; the third device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE via the second device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF via the second device; an application layer identifier of the server UE; or an application layer identifier of the second device. In some possible implementations, the second information indicates the server UE or the LMF.

[0254] In some embodiments, the first device may determine that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message based on the application layer identifier of the second device indicated by the second information. Alternatively, the first device may determine that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message based on the fact that the second information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the second device.

[0255] In some embodiments, the second information is included in a message header of the second SLPP message or in a message body of the second SLPP message.

[0256] In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a message forwarding method. Figure 8 is a schematic flow chart illustrating a message forwarding method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The message forwarding method illustrated in this embodiment may be executed by a second device.

[0257] As shown in FIG8 , the message forwarding method may include the following steps:

[0258] In step S801, a second SLPP message is sent to a first device, where the second SLPP message includes second information, where the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0259] For example, the first information can be represented by 1 bit. In the SLPP message forwarding scenario shown in Figure 2A, UE#2 can send a second SLPP message to UE#1, and the second SLPP message includes second information. The value of the second information is 1, which is used to indicate that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message, that is, it is used to indicate that the second SLPP message comes from the LMF; UE#2 can send a second SLPP message to UE#1, and the second SLPP message includes second information. The value of the second information is 0, which is used to indicate that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message, that is, it is used to indicate that the second SLPP message comes from UE#2.

[0260] It should be noted that the embodiment shown in FIG8 can be implemented independently or in combination with at least one other embodiment of the present disclosure. The specific selection can be made as needed and is not limited by the present disclosure. For any details not fully described in the embodiment shown in FIG8, please refer to the description of steps S403 and S404 in the embodiment shown in FIG4, and will not be repeated here.

[0261] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second SLPP message with second information added thereto is sent to a first device by a second device, so that the first device can determine whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message based on the second information. Accordingly, in an SLPP message forwarding scenario, after a terminal receives an SLPP message from another terminal, it can determine whether the SLPP message is an SLPP message directly exchanged between the two terminals or an SLPP message from a third party (such as an LMF or a server UE), thereby ensuring that the SLPP message is correctly processed and, in turn, ensuring the reliability of the positioning service.

[0262] Optionally, the first device receives a second SLPP message from the second device, the second SLPP message including second information, the second information being used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message. In a further embodiment, the first device determines whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message based on the second information.

[0263] In some embodiments, the second device may receive a second supplementary RSPP message from a third device and extract the second SLPP message from the second supplementary RSPP message. In a further embodiment, the second device may first add the second information to the second SLPP message and then send the second SLPP message with the second information added to the first device.

[0264] In some embodiments, the second device may receive a second supplementary RSPP message from the third device and extract a second SLPP message with the second information added thereto from the second supplementary RSPP message. In a further embodiment, the second device may forward the second SLPP message with the second information added thereto to the first device.

[0265] In some embodiments, the second information may be represented by one or more bits, or one or more fields, or the presence of one or more fields.

[0266] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the second SLPP message originates from a third device; the third device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE via the second device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF via the second device; an application layer identifier of the server UE; or an application layer identifier of the second device. In some possible implementations, the second information indicates the server UE or the LMF.

[0267] In some embodiments, the second information indicates the application layer identifier of the second device, and the second information is used by the first device to determine that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message; or, the second information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the second device, and the second information is used by the first device to determine that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0268] In some embodiments, the message header of the second SLPP message includes the second information; or the message body of the second SLPP message includes the second information.

[0269] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc. are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codeword", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0270] In some embodiments, terms such as "moment", "time point", "time", and "time position" can be replaced with each other, and terms such as "duration", "period", "time window", "window", and "time" can be replaced with each other.

[0271] In some embodiments, the terms "component carrier (CC)", "cell", "frequency carrier", "carrier frequency" and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0272] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be interchangeable, and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining by self-processing, autonomous implementation, etc.

[0273] In some embodiments, terms such as "send", "transmit", "report", "download", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably.

[0274] Corresponding to the aforementioned embodiments of the message forwarding method, the present disclosure also provides embodiments of a message forwarding device.

[0275] FIG9 is a schematic block diagram of a message forwarding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG9 , the message forwarding device 900 includes a first transceiver module 901 .

[0276] In some embodiments, the first transceiver module is configured to receive a first SLPP message sent by a first device, where the first SLPP message includes first information, where the first information is configured to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0277] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a third device; the third device; whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the server UE; whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the LMF; the application layer identifier of the server UE; the application layer identifier of the first device.

[0278] In some embodiments, the message forwarding device 900 further includes a first processing module.

[0279] In some embodiments, the first processing module is used to determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded based on that the first information indicates the application layer identifier of the first device; or determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded based on that the first information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the first device.

[0280] In some embodiments, the message header of the first SLPP message includes the first information; or, the message body of the first SLPP message includes the first information.

[0281] In some embodiments, the first processing module is further configured to remove the first information from the first SLPP message.

[0282] FIG10 is a schematic block diagram of a message forwarding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG10 , the message forwarding device 1000 includes a second transceiver module 1001 .

[0283] In some embodiments, the second transceiver module is configured to send a first SLPP message to the second device, where the first SLPP message includes first information, where the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0284] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a third device; the third device; whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the server UE; whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the LMF; the application layer identifier of the server UE; the application layer identifier of the first device.

[0285] In some embodiments, the first information indicates the application layer identifier of the first device, and the first information is used by the second device to determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded; or, the first information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the first device, and the first information is used by the second device to determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

[0286] In some embodiments, the message header of the first SLPP message includes the first information; or, the message body of the first SLPP message includes the first information.

[0287] In some embodiments, the message forwarding device 1000 further includes a second processing module.

[0288] In some embodiments, the second processing module is configured to add the first information to a first SLPP message to be sent to the second device.

[0289] FIG11 is a schematic block diagram of a message forwarding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG11 , the message forwarding device 1100 includes a third transceiver module 1101 .

[0290] In some embodiments, the third transceiver module is configured to receive a second SLPP message sent by a second device, where the second SLPP message includes second information, and the second information is configured to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0291] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the second SLPP message comes from a third device; the third device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE through the second device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through the second device; the application layer identifier of the server UE; the application layer identifier of the second device.

[0292] In some embodiments, the message forwarding device 1100 further includes a third processing module.

[0293] In some embodiments, the third processing module is used to determine that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message based on the application layer identifier of the second device indicated by the second information; or, based on the fact that the second information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the second device, determine that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0294] In some embodiments, the message header of the second SLPP message includes the second information; or the message body of the second SLPP message includes the second information.

[0295] FIG12 is a schematic block diagram of a message forwarding device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG12 , the message forwarding device 1200 includes a fourth transceiver module 1201 .

[0296] In some embodiments, the fourth transceiver module is configured to send a second SLPP message to the first device, where the second SLPP message includes second information, where the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0297] In some embodiments, the second information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the second SLPP message comes from a third device; the third device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE through the second device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through the second device; the application layer identifier of the server UE; the application layer identifier of the second device.

[0298] In some embodiments, the second information indicates the application layer identifier of the second device, and the second information is used by the first device to determine that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message; or, the second information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the second device, and the second information is used by the first device to determine that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

[0299] In some embodiments, the message header of the second SLPP message includes the second information; or the message body of the second SLPP message includes the second information.

[0300] It should be noted that the modules included in the message forwarding device 900, the message forwarding device 1000, the message forwarding device 1100 and / or the message forwarding device 1200 are not limited to the modules described in the above embodiments, and may also include other modules, such as a positioning module, a calculation module, a storage module, a display module, etc.

[0301] For the device embodiment, since it basically corresponds to the method embodiment, the relevant parts can be referred to the partial description of the method embodiment. The device embodiment described above is merely illustrative, wherein the modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as modules may or may not be physical modules, that is, they may be located in one place, or they may be distributed on multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the scheme of this embodiment. Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand and implement it without paying any creative work.

[0302] An embodiment of the present disclosure also proposes a first device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions to enable the first device to execute the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect, and / or the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned third aspect and the optional embodiment of the third aspect.

[0303] An embodiment of the present disclosure also proposes a second device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions to enable the second device to execute the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect, and / or the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned fourth aspect and the optional embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0304] An embodiment of the present disclosure also proposes a communication device, comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processor is used to call instructions to enable the communication device to execute the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect, the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect, the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned third aspect and the optional embodiment of the third aspect, and / or the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned fourth aspect and the optional embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0305] An embodiment of the present disclosure also proposes a communication system, comprising a first device and a second device, wherein the first device is configured to implement the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect and / or the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned third aspect and the optional embodiment of the third aspect, and the second device is configured to implement the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect and / or the message forwarding method described in the above-mentioned fourth aspect and the optional embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0306] An embodiment of the present disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions. When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device executes the message forwarding method described in the first aspect and the optional embodiment of the first aspect, the message forwarding method described in the second aspect and the optional embodiment of the second aspect, the message forwarding method described in the third aspect and the optional embodiment of the third aspect, and / or the message forwarding method described in the fourth aspect and the optional embodiment of the fourth aspect.

[0307] The embodiments of the present disclosure further provide an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is provided, comprising units or modules for implementing each step performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0308] It should be understood that the division of the various units or modules in the above device is merely a division of logical functions. In actual implementation, they may be fully or partially integrated into a physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, the units or modules in the device may be implemented in the form of a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor, the processor is connected to a memory, and the memory stores instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or implement the functions of the various units or modules of the above device, wherein the processor is, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory within the device or a memory outside the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits, and the functions of some or all of the units or modules can be realized by designing the hardware circuits. The above-mentioned hardware circuits can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), which realizes the functions of some or all of the above units or modules by designing the logical relationship of the components in the circuit; for example, in another implementation, the above-mentioned hardware circuit can be realized by a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by configuring the configuration file, thereby realizing the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. All units or modules of the above devices can be realized in the form of software called by the processor, or in the form of hardware circuits, or in part by the form of software called by the processor, and the rest by hardware circuits.

[0309] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and execution capabilities, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationship of the hardware circuit. The logical relationship of the above-mentioned hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and implementing the hardware circuit configuration can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0310] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 13100 proposed in an embodiment of the present disclosure. Communication device 13100 can be a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., a user device, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor that supports a terminal to implement any of the above methods. Communication device 13100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. For details, please refer to the description of the above method embodiments.

[0311] As shown in Figure 7, the communication device 13100 includes one or more processors 13101. The processor 13101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (such as a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. The processor 13101 is used to call instructions to enable the communication device 13100 to perform any of the above methods.

[0312] In some embodiments, the communication device 13100 further includes one or more memories 13102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 13102 may be located outside the communication device 13100.

[0313] In some embodiments, the communication device 13100 further includes one or more transceivers 13103. When the communication device 13100 includes one or more transceivers 13103, the communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceiver 13103, and the other steps are performed by the processor 13101.

[0314] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, and transceiver circuit may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, and transmitting circuit may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, and receiving circuit may be used interchangeably.

[0315] Optionally, the communication device 13100 further includes one or more interface circuits 13104, which are connected to the memory 13102. The interface circuits 13104 may be configured to receive signals from the memory 13102 or other devices, and may be configured to send signals to the memory 13102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 13104 may read instructions stored in the memory 13102 and send the instructions to the processor 13101.

[0316] The communication device 13100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 13100 described in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 13100 may not be limited by FIG. 7 . The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: 1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the above IC collection may also include a storage component for storing data or programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, an intelligent terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handheld device, a mobile unit, an in-vehicle device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0317] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip 14200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. If the communication device 13100 can be a chip or a chip system, reference can be made to the schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 14200 shown in FIG8 , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0318] The chip 14200 includes one or more processors 14201 , and the processor 14201 is used to call instructions so that the chip 14200 executes any of the above methods.

[0319] In some embodiments, the chip 14200 further includes one or more interface circuits 14202, which are connected to the memory 14203. The interface circuit 14202 can be used to receive signals from the memory 14203 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory.

[0320] 14203 or other devices to send signals. For example, the interface circuit 14202 can read the instructions stored in the memory 14203 and send the instructions to the processor 14201. Optionally, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0321] In some embodiments, chip 14200 further includes one or more memories 14203 for storing instructions. Alternatively, all or part of memory 14203 may be located outside chip 14200.

[0322] The present disclosure also proposes a storage medium having instructions stored thereon. When the instructions are executed on the communication device 13100, the communication device 13100 is caused to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but is not limited thereto and may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0323] The present disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by the communication device 13100, enables the communication device 13100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0324] The present disclosure also proposes a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform any one of the above methods.

Claims

1. A message forwarding method, characterized in that: Executed by a second device, the method includes: A first Sidelink Positioning Protocol (SLPP) message sent by a first device is received, where the first SLPP message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a third device; the third device; Whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the server user equipment server UE; Whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the location management function LMF; The application layer identifier of the server UE; An application layer identifier of the first device.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: determining, according to the application layer identifier of the first device indicated by the first information, that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded; or According to the fact that the first information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the first device, it is determined that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The message header of the first SLPP message includes the first information; or the message body of the first SLPP message includes the first information.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first information is removed from the first SLPP message.

6. A message forwarding method, characterized in that: Executed by a first device, the method includes: A first SLPP message is sent to the second device, where the first SLPP message includes first information, where the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first information is used to indicate at least one of the following: whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to a third device; the third device; Whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the server UE; Whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded to the LMF; The application layer identifier of the server UE; An application layer identifier of the first device.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The first information indicates the application layer identifier of the first device, and the first information is used by the second device to determine that the first SLPP message does not need to be forwarded; or, the first information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the first device, and the first information is used by the second device to determine that the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that The message header of the first SLPP message includes the first information; or the message body of the first SLPP message includes the first information.

10. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: The first information is added to a first SLPP message to be sent to the second device.

11. A message forwarding method, characterized in that: Executed by a first device, the method includes: A second SLPP message sent by a second device is received, where the second SLPP message includes second information, where the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following ： whether the second SLPP message comes from a third device; the third device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE through the second device; Whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through the second device; The application layer identifier of the server UE; An application layer identifier of the second device.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: determining, according to the application layer identifier of the second device indicated by the second information, that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message; or According to the fact that the second information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the second device, it is determined that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that The message header of the second SLPP message includes the second information; or the message body of the second SLPP message includes the second information.

15. A message forwarding method, characterized in that: Executed by a second device, the method includes: A second SLPP message is sent to the first device, where the second SLPP message includes second information, where the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The second information is used to indicate at least one of the following ： whether the second SLPP message comes from a third device; the third device; whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the server UE through the second device; Whether the second SLPP message is an SLPP message forwarded by the LMF through the second device; The application layer identifier of the server UE; An application layer identifier of the second device.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The second information indicates the application layer identifier of the second device, and the second information is used by the first device to determine that the second SLPP message is not a forwarded SLPP message; or, the second information does not indicate the application layer identifier of the second device, and the second information is used by the first device to determine that the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that The message header of the second SLPP message includes the second information; or the message body of the second SLPP message includes the second information.

19. A message forwarding device, characterized in that: The device comprises: The first transceiver module is configured to receive a first SLPP message from a first device, where the first SLPP message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

20. A message forwarding device, characterized in that: The device comprises: The second transceiver module is configured to send a first SLPP message to the second device, where the first SLPP message includes first information, and the first information is used to indicate whether the first SLPP message needs to be forwarded.

21. A message forwarding device, characterized in that: The device comprises: The third transceiver module is configured to receive a second SLPP message from the second device, where the second SLPP message includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

22. A message forwarding device, characterized in that: The device comprises: The fourth transceiver module is configured to send a second SLPP message to the first device, where the second SLPP message includes second information, and the second information is used to indicate whether the second SLPP message is a forwarded SLPP message.

23. A first device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The processor is configured to call an instruction to cause the first device to execute any of claims 1-5, 11-14. A message forwarding method.

24. A second device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The processor is used to call instructions to enable the second device to execute the message forwarding method described in any one of claims 6-10 and 15-18.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: include: one or more processors; The processor is configured to call instructions to enable the communication device to execute the message forwarding method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

26. A communication system, characterized in that: The method comprises a first device and a second device, wherein the first device is configured to implement the message forwarding method according to any one of claims 1-5 and 11-14, and the second device is configured to implement the message forwarding method according to any one of claims 6-10 and 15-18.

27. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that: When the instruction is executed on a communication device, the communication device is caused to execute the message forwarding method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

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