Data collection method, communication method, apparatus, and communication device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and discloses a data collection method, a communication method, an apparatus, and a communication device. The data collection method in the embodiments of the present application comprises: a first network element receives a first message from a second network element, wherein the first message comprises related information of N terminals, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; and the first network element executes at least one of the following operations on the basis of the first message: sending a second message to the N terminals; and sending the second message to M target terminals, wherein the N terminals comprise the M target terminals, and the second message is used for requesting to collect positioning data.

Description

Data collection methods, communication methods, devices and communication equipment

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202410656963.0, filed in China on May 24, 2024, and Chinese Patent Application No. 202411094246.X, filed in China on August 9, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application belongs to the field of communication technology, specifically relating to a data collection method, a communication method, an apparatus, and a communication device. Background Technology

[0004] In related technologies, the idea of ​​training or inferring positioning models in core network elements (such as Location Management Functions, LMFs) has been proposed. This requires core network elements to collect positioning data, which can then be used to train artificial intelligence (AI) positioning models. However, core network elements are unsure which devices' positioning data to collect. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a data collection method, a communication method, an apparatus, and a communication device, which can solve the problem that core network elements are unsure which terminals to collect location data from.

[0006] Firstly, a data collection method is provided, executed by a first network element, the method comprising:

[0007] The first network element receives a first message from the second network element. The first message contains relevant information about N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0008] Based on the first message, the first network element performs at least one of the following operations:

[0009] Send a second message to the N terminals;

[0010] Send a second message to M target terminals, wherein the N terminals include the M target terminals;

[0011] The second message is used to request the collection of location data.

[0012] Secondly, a communication method is provided, executed by a second network element, the method comprising:

[0013] The second network element sends a first message to the first network element. The first message contains relevant information about N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0014] The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that supports the collection of location data.

[0015] or,

[0016] The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that consents to the collection of location data;

[0017] or,

[0018] The first message is used to request the first network element to determine the location information of the first terminal, and the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following:

[0019] Capability information of the first terminal;

[0020] The third identifier of the first terminal, wherein the third identifier is an identifier that identifies the terminal;

[0021] The fourth indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier of the first terminal.

[0022] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, executed by a terminal, the method comprising:

[0023] The terminal receives a fifth message from a first network element or a seventh message from a second network element; wherein the fifth message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification; the seventh message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification.

[0024] Fourthly, a data collection device is provided, the device comprising:

[0025] The receiving module is used to receive a first message from the second network element, the first message containing relevant information of N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1;

[0026] The first sending module is configured to perform at least one of the following operations based on the first message:

[0027] Send a second message to the N terminals;

[0028] Send a second message to M target terminals, wherein the N terminals include the M target terminals;

[0029] The second message is used to request the collection of location data.

[0030] Fifthly, a communication apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising:

[0031] The first sending module is used to send a first message to the first network element. The first message contains relevant information of N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0032] The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that supports the collection of location data.

[0033] or,

[0034] The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that consents to the collection of location data;

[0035] or,

[0036] The first message is used to request the first network element to determine the location information of the first terminal, and the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following:

[0037] Capability information of the first terminal;

[0038] The third identifier of the first terminal, wherein the third identifier is an identifier that identifies the terminal;

[0039] The fourth indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier of the first terminal.

[0040] Sixthly, a communication apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising:

[0041] The first receiving module is configured to receive a fifth message from a first network element or a seventh message from a second network element; wherein the fifth message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification; the seventh message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification.

[0042] In a seventh aspect, a data collection apparatus is provided, the apparatus being configured to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or to implement the steps of the method described in the third aspect.

[0043] Eighthly, a terminal is provided, the terminal including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the third aspect.

[0044] In a ninth aspect, a terminal is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is configured to: receive a fifth message from a first network element or a seventh message from a second network element; wherein the fifth message is configured to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is configured to request privacy verification; the seventh message is configured to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is configured to request privacy verification.

[0045] In a tenth aspect, a network-side device is provided, the network-side device including a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of the method as described in the first aspect, or implementing the steps of the method as described in the second aspect.

[0046] Eleventhly, a network-side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to: receive a first message from a second network element, the first message containing relevant information of N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the first network element performs at least one of the following operations based on the first message: sending a second message to the N terminals; sending a second message to M target terminals, the N terminals including the M target terminals; wherein the second message is used to request the collection of location data.

[0047] In a twelfth aspect, a network-side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to: send a first message to a first network element, the first message containing relevant information of N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1;

[0048] The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that supports the collection of location data.

[0049] or,

[0050] The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that consents to the collection of location data;

[0051] or,

[0052] The first message is used to request the first network element to determine the location information of the first terminal. The relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following: the capability information of the first terminal; the third identifier of the first terminal, which is an identifier that identifies the terminal; and the fourth indication, which is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier of the first terminal.

[0053] In a thirteenth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect, or the steps of the method described in the second aspect, or the steps of the method described in the third aspect.

[0054] In a fourteenth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, comprising: a first network element and a second network element, wherein the first network element is configured to perform the steps of the method described in the first aspect, and the second network element is configured to perform the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0055] In a fifteenth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface coupled to the processor, the processor being configured to run a program or instructions to implement the method as described in the first aspect, or the method as described in the second aspect, or the method as described in the third aspect.

[0056] In a sixteenth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by N processors to implement the steps of the data collection method as described in the first aspect, or the steps of the communication method as described in the second aspect, or the steps of the communication method as described in the third aspect.

[0057] In this embodiment, a first network element receives a first message from a second network element. The first message contains relevant information about N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Based on the first message, the first network element performs at least one of the following operations: sending a second message to the N terminals; sending a second message to M target terminals, where the N terminals include the M target terminals. The second message is used to request the collection of location data. Thus, by receiving the first message from the second network element, the first network element can obtain the relevant information about the N terminals, thereby determining which terminals to collect location data from. Attached Figure Description

[0058] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network structure applicable to the embodiments of this application;

[0059] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a data collection method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 5 is a flowchart provided in Embodiment 1 of this application;

[0063] Figure 6 is a flowchart provided in Embodiment 2 of this application;

[0064] Figure 7 is a structural diagram of a data collection device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 8 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 9 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 10 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 11 is a structural diagram of a terminal provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0069] Figure 12 is a structural diagram of a network-side device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0070] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0071] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be used interchangeably where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same class, not limited in number; for example, the first object can be one or more. Furthermore, "or" in this application indicates at least one of the connected objects. For example, the scope of protection for "A or B" covers at least three scenarios: Scenario 1: including A but not B; Scenario 2: including B but not A; Scenario 3: including both A and B. In addition, the terms "A and / or B," "at least one of A and B," and "at least one of A or B" also cover at least the above three scenarios. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0072] The term "instruction" in this application can be either a direct instruction (or explicit instruction) or an indirect instruction (or implicit instruction). A direct instruction can be understood as one in which the sender explicitly informs the receiver of specific information, the operation to be performed, or the requested result, etc., in the instruction sent. An indirect instruction can be understood as one in which the receiver determines the corresponding information based on the instruction sent by the sender, or makes a judgment and determines the operation to be performed or the requested result, etc., based on the judgment result.

[0073] It is worth noting that the technologies described in this application are not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, but can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technologies can be used with the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, as well as with other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes New Radio (NR) systems for illustrative purposes, and the term NR is used in most of the following description; however, these technologies can also be applied to systems other than NR systems, such as 6th generation (6G) radio systems. th Generation 6G communication system.

[0074] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. The terminal 11 can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld computer, netbook, ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), mobile internet device (MID), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) device, robot, wearable device, flight vehicle, vehicle user equipment (VUE), shipboard equipment, pedestrian user equipment (PUE), smart home (home devices with wireless communication capabilities, such as refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, or furniture), game console, personal computer (PC), ATM, or self-service machine, etc. Wearable devices include: smartwatches, smart bracelets, smart headphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart chains, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart anklets, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among these, in-vehicle devices can also be referred to as in-vehicle terminals, in-vehicle controllers, in-vehicle modules, in-vehicle components, in-vehicle chips, or in-vehicle units, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of terminal 11 is not limited in this application embodiment. Network-side equipment 12 may include access network equipment or core network equipment, wherein access network equipment may also be referred to as Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment, radio access network function, or radio access network unit. Access network equipment may include base stations, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access points (APs), or Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) nodes, etc.The term "base station" can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), Next Generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), Access Point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Radio Base Station, Radio Transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), Home Node B (HNB), Home Evolved Node B, Transmit / Receive Point (TRP), or any other suitable term in the relevant field, as long as the same technical effect is achieved. The term "base station" is not limited to any specific technical terminology. It should be noted that this application embodiment only uses a base station in an NR system as an example for description and does not limit the specific type of base station.

[0075] Core network equipment, also known as core network nodes, core network functions, or core network elements, includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: Mobility Management Entity (MME), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Unified Data Repository (UDR), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Centralized network configuration (CNC), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), Local NEF (or L-NEF), and Binding Support. The core network functions include: BSF (Block Network Function), Application Function (AF), Location Management Function (LMF), Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC), and Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF). It should be noted that this application embodiment only uses core network equipment in the NR system as an example and does not limit the specific type of core network equipment. If the name of the core network equipment mentioned in this application embodiment changes in subsequent protocol versions (e.g., 6G), it will still be within the scope of protection of this application.

[0076] Optionally, the core network equipment can be implemented by one or more functional modules in a single device, or by multiple devices working together; this application does not specifically limit this. It is understood that the aforementioned functional modules can be network elements in hardware devices, software functional modules running on dedicated hardware, or virtualized functional modules instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0077] Before describing the embodiments of this application, the relevant technologies are briefly introduced below:

[0078] I. Positioning Architecture

[0079] In related technologies, location requests initiated by mobile devices (Mobile Originated Location Request, MO-LR), terminated by mobile devices (Mobile Terminated Location Request, MT-LR), or deferred MT-LR all first reach the AMF (Applicable Location Provider). The AMF assigns a Location Services (LCS) correlation ID to the LMF (Location Management Provider). The LMF is responsible for determining the location method and performing the location process. The LMF interacts with the User Equipment (UE) or RAN (Radio RAN) using Long Time Evolution Positioning Protocol (LPP) messages or NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa) messages. All control plane messages must be relayed through the AMF. The LCS correlation ID is used between the LMF and AMF to identify the UE; the LMF is unaware of the UE ID. Generally, after the LMF completes the location task, this LCS correlation ID is released by both the AMF and the LMF.

[0080] II. Periodic Reporting Measurement

[0081] The LPP protocol in related technologies supports the LMF to require the UE to periodically report location and / or location measurement. In an LPP session, the LMF sends a request, which includes the number of periodic reports and the time interval. The UE can continuously report location and / or location measurement as required.

[0082] The LPP protocol in related technologies supports LMF (Local Messaging Function) which requires base stations to periodically report location measurements. LMF carries the periodic requirement in the location measurement request, and the base station reports the location measurement response according to the periodic requirement after receiving it.

[0083] The above are the relevant technologies for positioning.

[0084] Related technologies also propose an architecture for training or inferring Artificial Intelligence (AI) models in core network elements (such as LMF). Under this architecture, the LMF may need to collect data for AI models to train and infer models on the LMF side. However, there is no clear solution in these technologies for how the LMF determines which UEs / RANs to collect AI data for model training and inference on the LMF side.

[0085] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a data collection method, a communication method, an apparatus, and a communication device to solve the problem in related technologies where core network elements are unsure which terminals to collect location data from.

[0086] The data collection method provided in this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, through some embodiments and application scenarios.

[0087] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a data collection method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the data collection method includes the following steps:

[0088] Step 201: The first network element receives a first message from the second network element. The first message contains relevant information about N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0089] Step 202: Based on the first message, the first network element performs at least one of the following operations:

[0090] Send a second message to the N terminals;

[0091] Send a second message to M target terminals, wherein the N terminals include the M target terminals;

[0092] The second message is used to request the collection of location data.

[0093] In this embodiment of the application, the first network element can be understood as a core network element that needs to be trained or inferred by the AI ​​positioning model. The first network element can be, for example, a core network element such as LMF, NWDAF or sensing function (SF), or other core network elements.

[0094] The second network element can be understood as a core network element that can provide relevant information about the terminal. For example, the second network element can be an AMF or other core network elements.

[0095] When the first network element receives the first message sent by the second network element, it indicates that the first network element can obtain relevant information about N terminals. In one implementation, the first network element can directly send a second message to these N terminals to request them to collect location data. In another implementation, the first network element can send a second message to some of the N terminals (i.e., M target terminals) to request them to collect location data. These M target terminals can be arbitrarily selected by the first network element from the N terminals, or they can be selected by the first network element from the N terminals based on some considerations; this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0096] In this embodiment, a first network element receives a first message from a second network element. The first message contains relevant information about N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Based on the first message, the first network element performs at least one of the following operations: sending a second message to the N terminals; sending a second message to M target terminals, where the N terminals include the M target terminals. The second message is used to request the collection of location data. Thus, by receiving the first message from the second network element, the first network element can obtain the relevant information about the N terminals, thereby determining which terminals to collect location data from.

[0097] In some embodiments, the second message includes at least one of the following:

[0098] The sixth instruction is used to instruct the periodic reporting of positioning data;

[0099] The seventh instruction is used to indicate the data type of the reported location data;

[0100] Information about the target area.

[0101] The second message can be understood as a location data collection request message. For example, the second message could be an LPP message, meaning that the first network element and the terminal can interact by transmitting LPP messages. The second message can also be a Location Service Supplementary Service (LCS-SS) message. The second message can be transmitted via control plane signaling or user plane signaling.

[0102] The second message can carry an indication of a periodic report, i.e., the sixth indication. The second message can also carry an indication of the data type for data collection, i.e., the seventh indication. The second message can also carry an indication of measurement requirement. The second message can also carry information about the target area.

[0103] In this embodiment, the target area can be understood as the range in which the AI ​​positioning model is applicable, or the area where the first network element expects to collect positioning data. The target area can be, for example, a region of interest (AOI), which can be represented as a cell list or a tracking area (TA) list, or it can be a specific area formed by coordinate points. Subsequent descriptions will follow the same interpretation, and to avoid repetition, further elaboration will not be provided.

[0104] For the terminal, after receiving the second message, it can report measurement data or location data. Specifically, the terminal can perform periodic reporting of location data based on the sixth instruction, or report location data that conforms to the data type to the first network element based on the seventh instruction.

[0105] It should be noted that, in addition to collecting location data from terminals, the first network element can also collect location data from the RAN. For example, the first network element can select the RAN within the target area to collect location data using the RAN-related information stored internally.

[0106] The location data in this application embodiment may include the following:

[0107] Measurement data includes Channel Impulse Response (CIR), Power Delay Profile (PDP), Delay Profile (DP), Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Power Path (RSRPP), and Reference Signal Time Difference (RSTD). Measurement data refers to the data used in the positioning process. The UE or other network elements can perform calculations based on the measurement data to obtain location information data.

[0108] Location information data includes location (such as geodetic location or civic location); location information can include geographic location, latitude and longitude, neighborhood information or city information, etc.

[0109] Intermediate features data, including Time of Arrival (TOA) or path phase, refer to the data generated by devices such as the UE / Positioning Reference Unit (PRU) / RAN during the processing of measurement data. This data may be generated based on certain algorithms or models that process the measurement data.

[0110] Assistance data includes Reference Signal (RS) configuration, etc.; assistance data refers to data that can assist in positioning, such as radio signaling configuration information, reference cell information, neighbor cell information, RSTD search time window, etc.

[0111] The measurement data source indicates whether the measurement data or intermediate feature data originates from the UE, RAN, or PRU.

[0112] Data time refers to the time when the data was generated.

[0113] It should be noted that the data type of the location data refers to the type indicator mentioned above. It's easy to understand that when a requester requests a data type, it means they want data of that type. For example, if the requester requests location data of the Time of Arrival (TOA), the provider must provide the specific TOA value as the location data.

[0114] In this application embodiment, the first network element mainly provides the following two technical approaches to determine which UEs to collect location data from: First, the second network element determines the UEs that support location data collection and informs the first network element of the relevant information of the UEs that support location data collection; second, the first network element determines the UEs that support location data collection itself. The implementation of the first technical approach will be described below.

[0115] In some embodiments, the first message is used to provide information about the terminal that supports the collection of location data;

[0116] or,

[0117] The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that consents to the collection of location data.

[0118] In this implementation, a terminal that supports location data collection can be understood as a terminal capable of collecting location data, i.e., a terminal with location data collection capabilities. A terminal that agrees to location data collection can be understood as a terminal that supports location data collection and agrees to the collection of location data.

[0119] In one implementation, the first message is used to provide information about a terminal that supports location data collection and consents to the location data collection.

[0120] In this embodiment, since the first message is used to provide information about the terminal that supports location data collection, or to provide information about the terminal that consents to location data collection, this means that the second network element determines the UE that supports location data collection, or the second network element determines the UE that consents to location data collection, and the second network element informs the first network element of the relevant information of the determined UE.

[0121] In some embodiments, the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following:

[0122] Each of the N terminals has a corresponding first identifier, which is an identifier associated with location;

[0123] The second identifier is a group identifier associated with location and is associated with the N terminals; the third identifier corresponds to each of the N terminals and is an identifier that identifies the terminal.

[0124] The first indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals;

[0125] The ninth instruction is used to instruct data collection for model training;

[0126] The serving cell identifiers corresponding to each of the N terminals.

[0127] The first identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals can be understood as N first identifiers, each corresponding one-to-one with one of the N terminals. The first identifier can be represented, for example, as an LCS correlation ID list. The LCS correlation ID list can include multiple LCS correlation IDs. Here, a single LCS Correlation ID is used to associate a terminal involved in a data collection task, or to associate a terminal involved in a data collection session.

[0128] The number of second identifiers can be one, meaning that N terminals correspond to one second identifier. The second identifier can be represented, for example, as an LCS correlation group ID. One LCS correlation group ID can correspond to multiple LCS correlation IDs. Here, the LCS Correlation group ID is a data collection task or data collection session associated with a group of terminals (which includes N terminals).

[0129] The N third identifiers, each corresponding to one of the N terminals, can be understood as N third identifiers, each corresponding one-to-one with one of the N terminals. The third identifier can be represented as a UE ID list, which may include the identifier for each UE in the corresponding LCS correlation ID list or LCS correlation group ID, such as a Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI) or a Generic Public Subscription Identifier (GPSI). Since the third identifier is used to identify the terminal's identity, it can also be called terminal identification information, and the term "terminal identification information" will be understood as referring to the third identifier. Here, a single third identifier is used to associate a terminal involved in a data collection task, or a terminal involved in a data collection session.

[0130] It should be noted that the third identifier can also be a newly added terminal obfuscated identifier (or obfuscated terminal identifier), or in other words, a newly added temporary identifier used to obfuscate the UE's identity. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the third identifiers of N terminals and N terminals. The terminal obfuscated identifier prevents the LMF from knowing the direct SUPI information, and its lifespan (or validity period) can exceed the lifespan of the LCS correlation ID. As mentioned earlier, the LCS correlation ID is released by network elements such as the AMF or LMF after a positioning task is completed. Therefore, within a specific time period, the LMF and AMF can use this terminal obfuscated identifier to identify a certain terminal and process its data collection requests.

[0131] When the third identifier is a newly added temporary identifier, the first message can also carry the validity period of the third identifiers of N terminals. Specifically, the first message can carry a first indication to indicate the validity period of the third identifiers of the N terminals. The validity period can include a valid interval, or it can include a valid start time and a valid end time. If the validity period of the third identifier of a terminal expires, the third identifier of that terminal will not be saved by the AMF and LMF, and the LMF will also be unable to collect positioning data for that terminal.

[0132] In one implementation, the ninth instruction is used to instruct data collection for model training. Through the ninth instruction, the first network element can know that the data collection involving any terminal in the terminal-related information carried in the first message is for model training. This helps the first network element to process the data appropriately by distinguishing its purpose. For example, data used for model training might be stored in the network by the LMF for a period of time for the LMF or other network elements such as the Network Access and Delivery Framework (NWADF) to train various models.

[0133] The serving cell identifiers corresponding to each of the N terminals can help the first network element determine the base station identifiers involved in data collection. For example, the first network element, such as the LMF (Local Management Function), determines that it needs to collect measurement data for an uplink positioning method (which can be understood as the terminal transmitting a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), the base station measuring the signal, and the network calculating the location) to train an AI positioning model for that method. In this case, the LMF needs to select which base stations to collect data from. Using the serving cell identifier of the terminal, it can identify the target base station within that cell for data collection. Without serving cell identifier information, the first network element needs to initially determine the cell where the terminal is located before selecting a base station to participate in the positioning process and collect its measurement data.

[0134] In some embodiments, before the first network element receives the first message from the second network element, the method further includes:

[0135] The first network element sends a third message to the second network element. The third message is used to request the establishment of a location data collection task, or the third message is used to request relevant information of the terminal that supports location data collection.

[0136] In the implementation method where the second network element determines the UE that supports location data collection, the first network element may first request relevant information about the UE that supports location data collection from the second network element.

[0137] For example, when the first network element decides to collect location data to train an AI location model, or when the first network element decides to collect location data from UEs within a target area, the first network element can send a third message to the second network element, requesting information from the second network element regarding terminals that support location data collection, or requesting information from the second network element regarding terminals that support location data collection within the target area, or requesting the second network element to establish a task for location data collection. Here, terminals that support location data collection can be understood as terminals that are capable of (or can) collect location data.

[0138] Optionally, the third message includes at least one of the following:

[0139] The second instruction is used to instruct the third message to request relevant information from a terminal that provides support for location data collection;

[0140] The third instruction is used to confirm user privacy or user wishes;

[0141] Information about the target area;

[0142] The first quantity is used to indicate the minimum number of terminals required to provide relevant information by the second network element;

[0143] The second quantity is used to indicate the maximum number of terminals required by the second network element to provide relevant information;

[0144] The third quantity is used to indicate the number of terminals that the second network element needs to provide relevant information;

[0145] The tenth instruction is used to instruct data collection for model training;

[0146] The eleventh instruction is used to direct data collection for model inference;

[0147] The data source type is one or more of the following: terminal, positioning reference unit, and base station;

[0148] The first address is used to indicate the address of the target network element of the notification message.

[0149] The second indicator could be, for example, an event ID to indicate the type of event, or a data collection request indicator to indicate information about terminals and / or base stations that can collect location data.

[0150] The third instruction is used to instruct the second network element to confirm user privacy (privacy verification is required) or to instruct the second network element to confirm user consent (user consent verification is needed). The third message may or may not carry the third instruction. If the third message carries the third instruction, the second network element needs to select the relevant information of the UE that agrees to data reporting and send it to the first network element. In other words, the second network element needs to select the relevant information of the UE that has passed privacy verification or consent verification and send it to the first network element (indicates: the UE must either be notified or notified with privacy verification).

[0151] It should be noted that, in the case where the second instruction is used to request subscription to information on terminals and / or base stations that can collect location data, the second network element can subsequently update the information on terminals and / or base stations that collect location data at any time using notification messages, and can dynamically adjust it according to information such as the user's wishes, privacy verification, UE movement, and power saving instructions.

[0152] Regarding the first quantity, second quantity, and third quantity mentioned above, when the first network element explicitly provides the third quantity, the first and second quantities may not be provided; when the first network element provides the first or second quantity, the third quantity may not be provided.

[0153] The tenth instruction indicates that the data collection is for model training. Through this tenth instruction, the second network element can know that the location data of the terminal requested or subscribed to by the first network element in the third message is for model training. This helps the second network element consider whether the terminal agrees to report data for training purposes when selecting a terminal; for example, some terminals may prefer their data to be used only for inference and not for training. If the terminal's privacy settings explicitly state that data collection for model training is not supported, the second network element will not select that terminal after querying the privacy settings. Furthermore, if the terminal's privacy settings explicitly state that user privacy confirmation (i.e., user confirmation of consent) is required when data collection is used for model training, the second network element also needs to send a privacy notification message to the terminal informing it of the data collection for model training and requesting user privacy verification.

[0154] The eleventh instruction indicates that the data collection is for model inference. Through this instruction, the second network element can know that the location data of the terminal requested or subscribed to by the first network element in the third message is for model inference. This helps the second network element consider whether the terminal agrees to report data for inference during the terminal selection process; for example, some terminals may prefer their data to be used only for training and not for inference. If the terminal's privacy settings explicitly state that data collection for model inference is not supported, the second network element will not select that terminal after querying the privacy settings. Furthermore, if the terminal's privacy settings explicitly state that user privacy confirmation (i.e., user confirmation of consent) is required when data collection is used for model inference, the second network element also needs to send a privacy notification message to the terminal informing it of the data collection for model inference and requesting user verification.

[0155] The data source type indicates the target object of the positioning data that the first network element wishes to collect. Upon receiving this information, the second network element selects the target object as needed. The data source type can be one or more of the following: terminal, positioning reference unit, and base station. For example, when the first network element determines that it needs to collect uplink positioning method data (which can be understood as the terminal sending SRS, the base station measuring, and finally the network calculating the location), the data source type can indicate the base station. In this case, the second network element can reply with the serving cell identifier or base station identifier in the first message. When the first network element determines that it needs to collect downlink positioning method data (which can be understood as the base station sending Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), the terminal measuring, and finally the terminal or network calculating the location), the data source type can indicate the terminal or positioning reference unit. In this case, the second network element can reply with the terminal identifier (SUPI) or the positioning correlation ID (LCS correlation ID) in the second message. The first address is used to indicate the address of the target network element of the notification message. It can be understood that the first address is used to inform the second network element that the notification message should be sent to the target network element with the first address. It should be noted that the notification message is a message that notifies the relevant information of N terminals that support the collection of location data. For example, the notification message can be the first message mentioned above, and the first address can be the address of the first network element.

[0156] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0157] The first network element sends a fourth message to the second network element. The fourth message is used to request the release of the location data collection task, or the fourth message is used to request the release of relevant information of the terminal associated with the location data collection.

[0158] In one implementation, if the collection of location data is sufficient to meet the training or inference requirements of the AI ​​location model, or if the first network element actively decides to terminate the collection of location data, then the first network element can send a fourth message to the second network element to request the release of the location data collection task or to request the release of the location association identifier assigned by the second network element.

[0159] As an example, the fourth message may carry at least one of the following: a first indication, a first identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals, a second identifier, and a third identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals.

[0160] The above describes the implementation methods of the first technical approach. The following describes the implementation methods of the second technical approach.

[0161] In some embodiments, the first message is used to request the first network element to determine the location information of the first terminal, and the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following:

[0162] Capability information of the first terminal;

[0163] The third identifier of the first terminal, wherein the third identifier is an identifier that identifies the terminal;

[0164] The fourth indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier of the first terminal.

[0165] In this implementation, the first message is a message used to request the determination of the terminal's location. That is, the second network element sends the first message specifically for the positioning task of the first terminal. This process is independent of the positioning data collection process performed by the first network element, such as MO-LR / MT-LR / deferred MT-LR. This occurs before the first network element decides to collect data for the AI ​​positioning model of the terminal, for example, a month ago, or even a minute ago. Although this process is independent of the positioning data collection process performed by the first network element, it enables the first network element to store the terminal's capability information and third identifier, providing relevant terminal information for subsequent positioning data collection by the first network element.

[0166] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal's capability information may include at least one of the following:

[0167] The ability of a terminal to support data collection or not to support data collection refers to the terminal's ability to support data collection (or reporting) of AI models, or the terminal's ability to not support data collection (or reporting) of AI models.

[0168] Supporting AI positioning or not supporting AI positioning, that is, the terminal's ability to support AI positioning (UE capability of supporting AI positioning), refers to the feature of the terminal that supports AI positioning, or the feature of the terminal that does not support AI positioning.

[0169] Supporting LPP or not supporting LPP, that is, the terminal's ability to support LPP (UE capability of supporting LPP), refers to whether the terminal supports LPP features or not.

[0170] The ability of a terminal to support an LCS notification mechanism or not to support an LCS notification mechanism refers to the characteristics of a terminal that support an LCS notification mechanism, or the characteristics of a terminal that do not support an LCS notification mechanism.

[0171] Supported AI positioning methods include direct positioning, indirect positioning, AI measurement, or AI positioning assisted by the core network side (such as LMF).

[0172] Supported data types for location data collection indicate the types of data that the terminal can report, i.e., the types of location data that the UE can send to the core network side (such as LMF) during the location interaction process. For example, it can be a location result type (such as at least one of intermediate features, location and measurements), or location-related measurement data, etc.

[0173] Supported measurement data types indicate the types of measurement data that the terminal can report, such as CIR, PDP, RSRP, RSRPP, or RSTD.

[0174] In addition to carrying the relevant information of the first terminal mentioned above, the first message may also carry a fourth identifier, such as the LCS correlation ID of the first terminal, to identify that the first message is a location request for the first terminal.

[0175] It should be noted that, in one embodiment, when the second network element, such as the AMF, receives a location request for a certain UE, it determines whether the UE supports AI positioning or AI positioning data collection. If the UE supports AI positioning and / or supports AI positioning data collection, the AMF sends a first message to the first network element, carrying the content of the first message, such as the capability information of the first terminal, the third identifier of the first terminal, and the validity period of the third identifier.

[0176] After the first network element receives the first message sent by the second network element, the first network element can save the capability information of the first terminal, the third identifier of the first terminal, and the validity period of the third identifier carried in the first message. The first network element can then continue to execute the positioning request from the second network element, such as subsequent steps of MO-LR / MT-LR / deferred MT-LR. Even after the positioning request has been completed, the information carried in the first message, such as the capability information of the first terminal and the third identifier of the first terminal, can still be stored at the first network element.

[0177] Subsequently, the first network element decides to collect location data for training or inference of the AI ​​location model. For example, the first network element decides to collect location data from terminals within the target area. In this case, the first network element can select M target terminals based on pre-saved information about N terminals. The following describes the relevant implementation methods for the first network element to select M target terminals.

[0178] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0179] The first network element determines M target terminals from the N terminals based on the first information;

[0180] The first information includes at least one of the following:

[0181] Capability information of the N terminals;

[0182] The location information of the N terminals can be, for example, historical location information;

[0183] The location service load of the N terminals can be considered. For example, if the current location service load is too high, they will not be selected for the time being; if the current location service load is low, they can be selected.

[0184] Information about the service area (e.g., LMF serving area) of the first network element;

[0185] Information about the target area.

[0186] In this embodiment, the first network element can directly determine M target terminals from N terminals based on the aforementioned first information.

[0187] In one implementation, the first network element can initially select a portion of potential terminals based on the aforementioned first information, then perform privacy verification or user consent verification on the initially selected terminals, and determine M target terminals based on the results of the privacy verification or user consent verification.

[0188] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0189] The first network element sends a fifth message to the second terminal, the fifth message being used to notify the collection of location data, and / or, the fifth message being used to request privacy verification, the N terminals including the second terminal;

[0190] The first network element sends a sixth message to the third network element. The sixth message is used to request the subscription information of the third terminal. The N terminals include the third terminal.

[0191] The first network element sends a fifth message to the second terminal, which can be understood as an interaction between the first network element and the terminal to verify privacy. The fifth message is used to notify the AI ​​positioning model of its data collection request and / or confirm privacy requirements.

[0192] Optionally, the fifth message includes at least one of the following:

[0193] The fourth instruction is used to indicate location data collection, that is, to indicate that privacy verification is for the purpose of performing data collection privacy checks for AI location models;

[0194] The fifth instruction indicates whether a privacy verification response is required.

[0195] Information about the target area;

[0196] The identifier of the first network element (e.g., LMF ID).

[0197] It should be noted that the privacy verification interaction between the first network element and the UE can be conducted via control plane signaling or user plane signaling. If it is control plane signaling, the first network element can carry the terminal's third identifier and a fifth message in the message sent to the second network element. This fifth message can be understood as a message container carrying LPP or LCS-SS information. After receiving the message from the first network element, the second network element can determine which UE to forward the fifth message to based on the terminal's third identifier. If it is user plane signaling, the first network element needs to send the fifth message via user plane signaling after the user plane connection is established. During the user plane connection establishment process, the first network element carries the terminal's third identifier in the message sent to the second network element. After receiving this message, the second network element can determine which UE to forward the user plane connection establishment message to based on the terminal's third identifier, thus successfully establishing the user plane connection.

[0198] It should be noted that one implementation involves using a newly added set of LCS-SS messages specifically for data collection for the fifth message interaction. Upon receiving the fifth message, the UE knows that the network is notifying it of location data collection. If the message also includes a privacy confirmation instruction, the UE needs to confirm whether to allow the location data collection.

[0199] The UE sends a reply message to the first network element, which can be sent via control plane signaling or user plane signaling, to confirm the privacy confirmation result. If the UE agrees, the first network element can select the UE for location data collection; if the UE does not agree, the first network element will not select the UE for location data collection.

[0200] The first network element sends a sixth message to the third network element. This can be understood as the first network element interacting with the third network element (such as UDM) to query the subscription information of the UE ID initially selected by the first network element, such as user consent. If the subscription information, such as user consent, shows that the UE agrees to report data for the AI ​​positioning model, or agrees to the network side collect data for the AI ​​positioning model, then the first network element can select this UE for location data collection. If the UE does not agree, then the first network element will not select this UE for location data collection.

[0201] The above are method embodiments for the first network element side. The following describes method embodiments for the second network element side.

[0202] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0203] Step 301: The second network element sends a first message to the first network element. The first message contains relevant information about N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0204] The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that supports the collection of location data.

[0205] or,

[0206] The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that consents to the collection of location data;

[0207] or,

[0208] The first message is used to request the first network element to determine the location information of the first terminal, and the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following:

[0209] Capability information of the first terminal;

[0210] The third identifier of the first terminal, wherein the third identifier is an identifier that identifies the terminal;

[0211] The fourth indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier of the first terminal.

[0212] The first message is used to provide information about the terminals that support the collection of location data. It can be understood that the second network element selects (or determines) the terminals that support the collection of location data. In this way, the first network element can know which terminals to collect location data from based on the first message.

[0213] The first message is used to provide information about the terminals that consent to the collection of location data. It can be understood that the second network element selects (or determines) the terminals that consent to the collection of location data. In this way, the first network element can know which terminals to collect location data from based on the first message.

[0214] The first message is used to request the first network element to determine the location information of the first terminal. It can be understood that the second network element initiates a location request to locate the first terminal, and carries the capability information of the first terminal, the third identifier, and the validity period of the third identifier at the same time as initiating the location request. In this way, the first network element can obtain the relevant information of the first terminal based on the first message, so that when location data collection is required in the future, it can determine to collect location data from the first terminal based on the obtained relevant information of the first terminal.

[0215] It should be noted that in the first message, when the second network element determines that the UE's capability information indicates that the UE supports data collection for the AI ​​positioning model and / or that the UE supports AI positioning, the second network element may provide the aforementioned capability information, the third identifier, or the validity period of the third identifier in the first message. If the UE does not support data collection for the AI ​​positioning model and / or that the UE does not support AI positioning, the second network element may omit the aforementioned capability information, the third identifier, and the validity period of the third identifier in the first message.

[0216] In some embodiments, the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following:

[0217] Each of the N terminals has a corresponding first identifier, which is an identifier associated with location;

[0218] The second identifier is a group identifier associated with the location, and the second identifier is associated with the N terminals;

[0219] The third identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals is an identifier that identifies the terminal.

[0220] The first indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals;

[0221] The ninth instruction is used to instruct data collection for model training;

[0222] The serving cell identifiers corresponding to each of the N terminals.

[0223] In some embodiments, before the second network element sends the first message to the first network element, the method further includes:

[0224] The second network element receives a third message from the first network element. The third message is used to request the establishment of a location data collection task, or the third message is used to request relevant information of a terminal that supports location data collection.

[0225] Optionally, the third message includes at least one of the following:

[0226] The second instruction is used to instruct the third message to request relevant information from a terminal that provides support for location data collection;

[0227] The third instruction is used to confirm user privacy or user wishes;

[0228] Information about the target area;

[0229] The first quantity is used to indicate the minimum number of terminals required to provide relevant information by the second network element;

[0230] The second quantity is used to indicate the maximum number of terminals required by the second network element to provide relevant information;

[0231] The third quantity is used to indicate the number of terminals that the second network element needs to provide relevant information;

[0232] The tenth instruction is used to instruct data collection for model training;

[0233] The eleventh directive is used to instruct data collection for model inference.

[0234] The data source type is one or more of the following: terminal, positioning reference unit, and base station;

[0235] The first address is used to indicate the address of the target network element of the notification message.

[0236] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0237] The second network element selects the N terminals based on the second information;

[0238] The second information includes at least one of the following:

[0239] Capability information of the N terminals;

[0240] Location information of the N terminals;

[0241] The connection status of the N terminals;

[0242] Information about the service area of ​​the first network element;

[0243] The first quantity is used to indicate the minimum number of terminals required to provide relevant information by the second network element;

[0244] The second quantity is used to indicate the maximum number of terminals required by the second network element to provide relevant information;

[0245] The third quantity is used to indicate the number of terminals that the second network element needs to provide relevant information;

[0246] Information about the target area;

[0247] User privacy settings for the N terminals.

[0248] In this embodiment, the second network element can select N terminals based on the aforementioned second information and send the relevant information of the N terminals to the first network element through a first message.

[0249] In one implementation, the second network element can initially select a portion of potential terminals based on the aforementioned second information, then perform privacy verification or user consent verification on the initially selected terminals, and determine N terminals based on the results of the privacy verification or user consent verification.

[0250] In one implementation, if the third message received by the second network element includes the aforementioned third instruction, i.e., the first network element requests the second network element to select a UE that agrees to report location data, or a UE that passes privacy verification, or a UE that passes user consent verification, then the second network element performs privacy verification or user consent verification on the initially selected terminals, and determines N terminals based on the results of privacy verification or user consent verification.

[0251] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0252] The second network element sends a seventh message to the fourth terminal, the seventh message being used to notify the collection of location data, and / or, the seventh message being used to request privacy verification, the N terminals including the fourth terminal;

[0253] The second network element sends an eighth message to the third network element. The eighth message is used to request the subscription information of the fifth terminal. The N terminals include the fifth terminal.

[0254] The second network element sends a seventh message to the fourth terminal, which can be understood as an interaction between the second network element and the terminal to verify privacy. The seventh message is used to notify the AI ​​positioning model of its data collection request and / or confirm privacy requirements.

[0255] The second network element can send the seventh message to the fourth terminal in various ways, such as by using a non-access stratum (NAS) location notification invoke request / return or by adding a new set of LCS-SS messages dedicated to data collection.

[0256] Optionally, the seventh message includes at least one of the following:

[0257] The fifth instruction is used to instruct the collection of location data;

[0258] The sixth instruction indicates whether a privacy verification response is required;

[0259] Information about the target area;

[0260] The identifier of the first network element.

[0261] For the terminal, upon receiving the seventh message, it knows that the network side has notified it to collect location data. If the seventh message also carries a sixth instruction, the terminal needs to confirm whether it allows / agrees to the collection of location data. Then, the terminal sends a reply message to the second network element, replying with the privacy confirmation result. If it agrees, the second network element can send the terminal's relevant information to the first network element for location data collection; if it does not agree, the second network element will not send the terminal's relevant information to the first network element.

[0262] It should also be noted that the privacy verification here can reuse the privacy verification in the existing LCS. When the terminal agrees to be located, it implicitly means that the terminal agrees to the collection of location data.

[0263] The second network element sends an eighth message to the third network element. This can be understood as the second network element interacting with the third network element (such as UDM) to query the subscription information of the UE ID initially selected by the second network element, such as user consent. If the subscription information, such as user consent, shows that the UE allows / agrees to report AI positioning data, or agrees to the network side collecting AI positioning data, then the second network element can send the relevant information of the terminal to the first network element for location data collection. If the UE does not agree, the second network element will not send the relevant information of the terminal to the first network element.

[0264] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0265] The second network element receives a fourth message from the first network element, the fourth message being used to request the release of the location data collection task, or the fourth message being used to request the release of relevant information of the terminal associated with the location data collection;

[0266] The second network element releases the relevant information of the N terminals.

[0267] In this implementation, when the collection of location data is sufficient to meet the training or inference requirements of the AI ​​location model, or when the first network element actively decides to terminate the collection of location data, the first network element can inform the second network element, and the second network element can release the relevant information of the terminal, which can appropriately reduce resource consumption.

[0268] For related descriptions of the embodiments of this application, please refer to the related descriptions of the method embodiments in Figure 2, which can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again.

[0269] The above are method embodiments for the second network element side. The following describes the method embodiments for the terminal side.

[0270] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the communication method includes the following steps:

[0271] Step 401: The terminal receives a fifth message from a first network element or a seventh message from a second network element; wherein the fifth message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification; the seventh message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification.

[0272] Optionally, the fifth message or the seventh message includes at least one of the following:

[0273] The fifth instruction is used to instruct the collection of location data;

[0274] The sixth instruction indicates whether a privacy verification response is required;

[0275] Information about the target area;

[0276] The identifier of the first network element.

[0277] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0278] The terminal receives a second message from the first network element, the second message being used to request the collection of location data;

[0279] The terminal reports the collected location data to the first network element.

[0280] Optionally, the second message includes at least one of the following:

[0281] The seventh instruction is used to instruct the periodic reporting of positioning data;

[0282] The eighth instruction is used to indicate the data type of the reported location data;

[0283] Information about the target area.

[0284] In some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0285] When the terminal leaves the target area, it stops collecting location data and / or stops reporting location data to the first network element.

[0286] In this implementation, the terminal periodically reports location data when it is within the target area, and stops reporting location data when it leaves the target area.

[0287] Correspondingly, the second network element can also execute the relevant scheme shown in the method embodiment of Figure 3 for the newly entered terminal according to the terminal's movement status, and inform the first network element of the relevant information of the new terminal to collect positioning data.

[0288] For related descriptions of the embodiments of this application, please refer to the related descriptions of the method embodiments in Figures 2 and 3, which can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again.

[0289] To better understand the embodiments of this application, specific embodiments are provided below for illustrative purposes.

[0290] In the following embodiments, the first network element is LMF as an example, the second network element is AMF as an example, data collection can be understood as the collection of positioning data, and the AI ​​model can be understood as the AI ​​positioning model.

[0291] Example 1: The LMF requests UE information from the AMF, and the LMF performs data collection from the target UE.

[0292] As shown in Figure 5, the steps include:

[0293] Step 1: The LMF decides to collect data to train an AI model. For example, the LMF decides to collect data from UEs within the target area AOI. The LMF sends a third message to the AMF, requesting the AMF to provide terminal information that can perform AI data collection or requesting the AMF to provide terminal information that can perform data collection within the target area. This third request can also be a subscription message, such as Namf_Location_AIPosData_Subscribe, or an existing AMF service message. The third message includes at least one of the following:

[0294] The second indicator, such as event ID or data collection UErequest indicator, is used to indicate the event type and to indicate terminal information that can be requested / subscribed to for AI data collection.

[0295] The third instruction (optional), such as "privacy verification is required" or "user consent verification is needed," is used to instruct the AMF to confirm user privacy or user consent. It should be noted that if the third instruction is included, the AMF needs to select the UE that consents to data reporting to the LMF. In other words, the AMF needs to select the UE that has passed privacy verification or consent verification to the LMF.

[0296] Target area (optional), such as AOI, can be represented as a list of cells / tracking areas, cell list or TA list, or a specific area formed by coordinate points;

[0297] The first quantity (optional) indicates the minimum amount of terminal information provided by the AMF;

[0298] The second quantity (optional) is used to indicate the maximum amount of terminal information provided by the AMF;

[0299] The third quantity (optional) is used to indicate the amount of terminal information provided by the AMF;

[0300] The tenth instruction is used to instruct data collection for training AI localization models;

[0301] The eleventh instruction is used to direct data collection for inference in AI localization models;

[0302] The data source type is one or more of UE, Positioning Reference Unit (PRU), and RAN;

[0303] The first address is used to indicate the address of the target network element of the notification message; here, it indicates the address of the LMF itself.

[0304] It should be noted that when LMF explicitly provides a third quantity, it is not necessary to provide the first and second quantities; conversely, when LMF provides the first and second quantities, it is not necessary to provide the third quantity.

[0305] Step 2: The AMF selects a subset of potential UEs for privacy verification or willingness verification. The initial UE selection is based on at least one of the following criteria:

[0306] UE capability information includes at least one of the following: UE capability of supporting data collection, UE capability of supporting AI positioning, UE capability of supporting LPP, UE capability of supporting LCS notification mechanism, AI positioning methods supported by the terminal, data types that the terminal can send, and measurement data supported by the terminal.

[0307] The UE's connection status, such as connected state and idle state;

[0308] Target area AOI;

[0309] UE location information, UE location information at the TA or cell level;

[0310] The quantity information required by LMF, including the first quantity, the second quantity, and the third quantity;

[0311] LMF service area.

[0312] It should be noted that one implementation is to skip steps 3 to 4, with AMF only executing steps 2 and 5. Furthermore, steps 2 and 5 can be combined into one step. If steps 3 to 4 are executed, the criteria used here also apply to step 5.

[0313] It should be noted that UE capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0314] UE capability of supporting data collection refers to the terminal's ability to support or not support data collection / reporting of AI models.

[0315] UE capability of supporting AI positioning refers to whether the terminal supports AI positioning or not.

[0316] UE capability of supporting LPP refers to whether the terminal supports LPP or not.

[0317] UE capability of supporting LCS notification mechanism refers to whether the terminal supports the LCS notification mechanism or not.

[0318] Supported AI positioning methods (direct positioning, indirect positioning, AI measurement, and AI positioning assisted by LMF);

[0319] The data types that can be sent indicate the supported and reportable data types, i.e., the data types that the UE can send to the core network (such as LMF) during the positioning interaction. For example, it can be a positioning result type: at least one of intermediate features, location, measurements, etc.; or it can be positioning-related measurement data, etc.

[0320] Supported measurement data indicates the types of measurement data that can be reported, such as CIR, PDP, RSRP, RSRPP, RSTD, etc. (LMF may be pre-configured to know that when certain measurement data is supported, positioning modes such as network-assisted AI positioning or UE-assisted AI positioning can be performed. That is, the UE reports measurement data, and the LMF calculates / generates the positioning results based on the AI / ML model).

[0321] Steps 3 to 4 are divided into Plan A and Plan B. Plan A is a privacy check, and Plan B is a user consent check.

[0322] Option A (including steps 3a and 4a) involves the AMF and UE engaging in privacy verification interaction. The AMF sends a seventh message to the UE to notify the UE of the AI ​​model's data collection request and / or confirm privacy requirements. The seventh message carries at least one of the following:

[0323] The fifth instruction is used to indicate that privacy verification is performed for the purpose of data collection privacy check of AI models;

[0324] Target area AOI;

[0325] LMF identification information, such as LMF ID;

[0326] The sixth instruction indicates whether privacy verification is required.

[0327] It should be noted that, in one implementation, if a third instruction is received in step 1, the LMF requests the AMF to select a UE that agrees to report data or a UE that passes privacy verification or willingness verification. The AMF then executes step 3a and sends a seventh message to the UE.

[0328] After receiving the seventh message, the UE knows that the network has notified it to collect data. If it also carries a privacy confirmation instruction, the UE needs to confirm whether to allow data collection in step 4a.

[0329] Steps 3a and 4a can use NAS location Notification Invoke request / return or add a new set of LCS-SS messages dedicated to data collection.

[0330] The UE sends a response message to the AMF, confirming the privacy settings. If the UE agrees, the AMF can send the UE information to the LMF for data collection in step 5; otherwise, the AMF will not send the UE information to the LMF for data collection in step 5.

[0331] It should also be noted that the privacy verification here can reuse the privacy verification in the existing LCS. When the UE agrees to location, it implicitly means that the terminal agrees to data collection.

[0332] Option B (including steps 3b and 4b) involves the AMF and UDM interacting to query. The AMF sends an eighth message to the UDM to query the subscription information of the UE ID confirmed in step 2, such as user consent. Similarly, in Option A, if the subscription information, such as user consent, shows that the UE agrees to report AI model data or agrees to the network side collect AI model data, then the AMF can send the UE information to the LMF for data collection in step 5. If the UE does not agree, the AMF will not send the UE information to the LMF for data collection in step 5.

[0333] Step 5: The AMF determines the final participating UEs based on the user privacy verification result (optional) or willingness verification result (optional) and the considerations in Step 2, and assigns an LCS correlation ID to each UE to form an LCS correlation ID list, or assigns a group identifier (e.g., LCS correlation group ID) to this group of UEs.

[0334] It should be noted that if it is an LCS correlation ID list, then when the LMF collects data in the Control Plane (CP), the LMF provides a single LCS correlation ID to the AMF during the interaction with the AMF. The AMF can then find the target UE ID and forward the location data collection message to that UE. If it is an LCS correlation group ID, then when the LMF collects data in the CP plane, the LMF provides the LCS correlation group ID to the AMF during the interaction with the AMF. The AMF then determines all UE IDs in this group at once and forwards the location data collection message to all UEs.

[0335] Step 6: The AMF replies to the LMF with the first message. This third request can also be a notification message, such as Namf_Location_AIPosData_Notify, or an existing AMF service message. The first message carries at least one of the following:

[0336] The first identifier is represented as an LCS correlation ID list.

[0337] The second identifier is represented by the LCS correlation group ID.

[0338] The third identifier (optional) is represented as a UE ID list, containing the identifier of each UE in the corresponding LCS correlation ID list or LCS correlation group ID, such as SUPI, GPSI, etc.; or it can be represented as other IDs to obfuscate the identity of the UE.

[0339] The ninth instruction is used to instruct data collection for training models used in AI localization;

[0340] The serving cell identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals, such as the serving cell ID of the UE;

[0341] The fourth identifier, represented as a cell ID list or NG-RAN node ID list, provides identification information for a set of base stations. This fourth identifier can be used for subsequent data collection.

[0342] Steps 7 to 8: LMF and UE collect data.

[0343] The LMF sends a data collection request message (i.e., the second message) to the UE. The message carries an indication of periodic report, an indication of measurement is required, the type of AI data collection, and optionally the target area AOI.

[0344] After receiving the data collection request message, the UE performs measurement data reporting or AI positioning measurement data reporting, and reports the data in the AI ​​data collection type to the LMF.

[0345] It should be noted that the LMF and UE can interact by transmitting LPP messages, which can be sent via signaling from either the control plane positioning scheme or the user plane positioning scheme.

[0346] Step 9 (optional): The UE performs periodic reporting in the AOI, and terminates reporting after leaving the AOI.

[0347] Step 10: Based on the UE's mobility status, the AMF can optionally execute steps 2 to 6 for newly arrived UEs, inform the LMF of the new UE information to collect data for the AI ​​model, and the LMF executes steps 7 to 8.

[0348] Step 11: Since data collection has met the training requirements, or the LMF actively decides to terminate data collection, the LMF sends a fourth message to the AMF. This message is used to release the data collection task or request the AMF to release the allocated location association identifier. The fourth message carries at least one of the following: the first indication, the first identifier, the second identifier, and the third identifier.

[0349] Example 2: The LMF uses the stored UE information to automatically determine which UEs participate in data collection.

[0350] As shown in Figure 6, the steps include:

[0351] It should be noted that steps 0 to 2 in this embodiment are independent of steps 3 to 10. Steps 0 to 2 refer to the UE's positioning process, such as MO-LR / MT-LR / deferred MT-LR. This occurs before the LMF decides to collect AI model data for the UE; the positioning could have occurred a month ago or a minute ago. After step 0 or step 1, the LMF has the capability to save the UE's identifier and information, thus providing the conditions for subsequent data collection.

[0352] Step 0: The AMF sends a third message to the LMF, the third message being used to request the determination of the terminal's location, and the third message includes at least one item:

[0353] The fourth identifier, LCS correlation ID, is used to identify a location request for a target UE;

[0354] UE capability information includes at least one of the following: UE capability of supporting data collection, UE capability of supporting AI positioning, UE capability of supporting LPP, UE capability of supporting LCS notification mechanism, AI positioning methods supported by the terminal, data types that the terminal can send, and measurement data supported by the terminal.

[0355] Terminal identification information (i.e., third identifiers), such as SUPI, GPSI, or other newly added identifiers that can obscure the identity of the terminal;

[0356] Valid time is used to indicate the validity period of the terminal's fuzzy identifier.

[0357] Step 1: The LMF saves the UE capability information, terminal identification information, validity period and other information carried in the third message.

[0358] Step 2: LMF continues to execute the location request. For example, the subsequent steps for MO-LR / MT-LR / deferred MT-LR.

[0359] Step 3: The LMF decides to collect data to train an AI localization model. For example, the LMF decides to collect data on the UEs within the target area AOI.

[0360] LMF initially selects a subset of potential UEs, and the initial criteria for judging UEs include at least one of the following:

[0361] UE capability information includes at least one of the following: UE capability of supporting data collection, UE capability of supporting AI positioning, UE capability of supporting LPP, UE capability of supporting LCS notification mechanism, AI positioning methods supported by the terminal, data types that the terminal can send, and measurement data supported by the terminal.

[0362] The target area of ​​interest (AOI) can be the range in which the model is applicable or the area where data is expected to be collected.

[0363] UE location information, such as historical location information;

[0364] The LMF service area;

[0365] The current location service load on the UE will be considered. For example, if the load is too high, the UE will not be selected for the time being; if the load is low, the UE can be selected.

[0366] Steps 4 and 5 are divided into Plan A and Plan B. Plan A is a privacy check, and Plan B is a user consent check.

[0367] Option A (including steps 4a and 5a) involves privacy verification interaction between the LMF and the UE. The LMF sends a fifth message to the UE to notify the AI ​​model of its data collection request and / or confirm privacy requirements. The message may carry at least one of the following:

[0368] The fifth instruction is used to indicate that privacy verification is performed for the purpose of data collection for AI models;

[0369] Target area AOI;

[0370] LMF identification information, such as LMF ID;

[0371] The sixth instruction indicates whether privacy verification is required.

[0372] It should be noted that the LMF and UE can perform privacy verification interactions via control plane signaling or user plane signaling. If it's control plane signaling, the LMF includes terminal identification information and a fifth message in the message sent to the AMF. This fifth message can be understood as a message container carrying LPP or LCS-SS information. Upon receiving it, the AMF determines which UE to forward the fifth message to based on the terminal identification information. If it's user plane signaling, the LMF needs to send the fifth message via user plane signaling after the user plane connection is established. During the user plane connection establishment process, the LMF includes the terminal identification information in the message sent to the AMF. Upon receiving it, the AMF determines which UE to forward the user plane connection establishment message to based on the terminal identification information, thus successfully establishing the user plane connection.

[0373] It should be noted that one implementation method is to use a new set of LCS-SS messages specifically for data collection for the fifth message interaction.

[0374] Upon receiving the fifth message, the UE knows that the network has notified it to collect data. If the message also includes a privacy confirmation instruction, the UE needs to confirm whether to allow data collection in step 5a.

[0375] Step 5a: The UE sends a reply message to the LMF, which can be sent via control plane signaling or user plane signaling, to reply with the privacy confirmation result. If the UE agrees, the LMF can select the UE for data collection in step 6; if the UE does not agree, the LMF will not select the UE for data collection in step 6.

[0376] It should also be noted that in one implementation, the LMF can reuse steps 3a to 4a from Embodiment 1 when performing steps 4 to 5. That is, the LMF sends terminal identification information and a privacy verification instruction to the AMF, the AMF executes steps 3a to 4a from Embodiment 1 based on the terminal identification information, and then feeds back the result to the LMF. The privacy verification here can reuse the LCS privacy verification in related technologies. When the UE agrees to location, it implicitly indicates that the terminal agrees to the collection of AI model data.

[0377] It should be noted that the LMF may not have the latest location information for a UE and cannot determine whether the UE is still in the AOI. In this case, the LMF can choose to send the terminal identification information and the target area AOI information (in TA / cell list format) to the AMF at some point between steps 3 and 6, so that the AMF can confirm whether the UE is in the target area AOI. Then, based on the AMF's response, the LMF selects the UE in the AOI in step 6 to collect AI model data.

[0378] Option B (including steps 4b and 5b) involves the LMF and UDM interacting to query the UE ID confirmed in step 3, with the LMF sending a sixth message to the UDM to retrieve the subscription information, such as user consent, for the UE ID. Similarly, in Option A, if the subscription information, such as user consent, shows that the UE agrees to report AI model data or agrees to the network side collect AI model data, the LMF can select the UE for data collection in step 6. If the UE does not agree, the AMF will not select the UE for data collection in step 6.

[0379] Step 6: The LMF, combining the user's privacy verification or willingness verification results with the considerations from Step 3, determines the UEs for AI data collection. For example, the LMF selects UEs that support AI positioning, support data collection, and are located in the AOI for data collection. The number of terminals participating in data collection can be determined by the LMF itself.

[0380] Steps 7 to 9: Same as in Example 1.

[0381] Step 10: The LMF dynamically adjusts (including reducing or increasing) the number of UEs participating in the AI ​​model's data collection based on the saved UE information and capabilities. If a UE is added, the LMF can repeat steps 3 to 8. If a UE is removed, the LMF does not need to repeat steps 3 to 8; it can directly send a cancellation signal to the UE, or wait for the periodic measurement to end before resuming step 7.

[0382] It should be noted that the dashed lines in Figures 5 and 6 represent optional steps.

[0383] In summary, the embodiments of this application provide a new method for AMF and LMF interaction, which enables the LMF to identify the UEs participating in the data collection of the AI ​​positioning model, thereby supporting the LMF to collect positioning data and train the model.

[0384] The data collection method provided in this application can be executed by a data collection device. This application uses an example of a data collection device executing the data collection method to illustrate the data collection device provided in this application.

[0385] The communication method provided in this application can be executed by a communication device. This application uses an example of a communication device executing the communication method to illustrate the communication device provided in this application.

[0386] This application provides a data collection device. As an example, the data collection device may be a communication device or a component within a communication device, such as a chip. The communication device may be a terminal, a network-side device, or a server, etc. Exemplarily, the terminal may include, but is not limited to, the type of terminal 11 listed above, and the network-side device may include, but is not limited to, the type of network-side device 12 listed above. This application does not impose specific limitations.

[0387] This application provides a communication apparatus. As an example, the communication apparatus may be a communication device or a component within a communication device, such as a chip. The communication device may be a terminal, a network-side device, or a server, etc. Exemplarily, the terminal may include, but is not limited to, the type of terminal 11 listed above, and the network-side device may include, but is not limited to, the type of network-side device 12 listed above. This application does not impose specific limitations.

[0388] The data collection device includes a receiving module, a transmitting module, and a processing module. These modules can be implemented in software or hardware. When implemented in hardware, the processing module can be implemented by a processor. For example, the processor can include general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), microprocessor, Digital Signal Processor (DSP), Artificial Intelligence (AI) processor, Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Network Processor (NP), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, gate circuits, transistors, discrete hardware components, etc. The receiving and transmitting modules can be implemented by a communication interface, which can include one or more of the following: transceiver, pins, circuits, bus, radio frequency unit, etc.

[0389] Specifically, referring to Figure 7, when the data collection device is a network-side device or a component within a network-side device, the data collection device 700 includes:

[0390] The receiving module 701 is used to receive a first message from the second network element, the first message containing relevant information of N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1;

[0391] The first sending module 702 is configured to perform at least one of the following operations based on the first message:

[0392] Send a second message to the N terminals;

[0393] Send a second message to M target terminals, wherein the N terminals include the M target terminals;

[0394] The second message is used to request the collection of location data.

[0395] Optionally, the first message is used to provide information about the terminal supporting the collection of location data; or,

[0396] The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that consents to the collection of location data.

[0397] Optionally, the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following:

[0398] Each of the N terminals has a corresponding first identifier, which is an identifier associated with location;

[0399] The second identifier is a group identifier associated with the location, and the second identifier is associated with the N terminals;

[0400] The third identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals is an identifier that identifies the terminal.

[0401] The first indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals;

[0402] The ninth instruction is used to instruct data collection for model training;

[0403] The serving cell identifiers corresponding to each of the N terminals.

[0404] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0405] The second sending module is used to send a third message to the second network element. The third message is used to request the establishment of a location data collection task, or the third message is used to request relevant information of the terminal that supports location data collection.

[0406] Optionally, the third message includes at least one of the following:

[0407] The second instruction is used to instruct the third message to request relevant information from a terminal that provides support for location data collection;

[0408] The third instruction is used to confirm user privacy or user wishes;

[0409] Information about the target area;

[0410] The first quantity is used to indicate the minimum number of terminals required to provide relevant information by the second network element;

[0411] The second quantity is used to indicate the maximum number of terminals required by the second network element to provide relevant information;

[0412] The third quantity is used to indicate the number of terminals that the second network element needs to provide relevant information;

[0413] The tenth instruction is used to instruct data collection for model training;

[0414] The eleventh directive is used to instruct data collection for model inference.

[0415] The data source type is one or more of the following: terminal, positioning reference unit, and base station;

[0416] The first address is used to indicate the address of the target network element of the notification message.

[0417] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0418] The third sending module is used to send a fourth message to the second network element. The fourth message is used to request the release of the location data collection task, or the fourth message is used to request the release of relevant information of the terminal associated with the location data collection.

[0419] Optionally, the first message is used to request the first network element to determine the location information of the first terminal, and the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following:

[0420] Capability information of the first terminal;

[0421] The third identifier of the first terminal, wherein the third identifier is an identifier that identifies the terminal;

[0422] The fourth indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier of the first terminal.

[0423] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0424] The processing module is used to determine M target terminals from the N terminals based on the first information;

[0425] The first information includes at least one of the following:

[0426] Capability information of the N terminals;

[0427] Location information of the N terminals;

[0428] The location service load of the N terminals;

[0429] Information about the service area of ​​the first network element;

[0430] Information about the target area.

[0431] Optionally, the device further includes at least one of the following:

[0432] The fourth sending module is used to send a fifth message to the second terminal, the fifth message being used to notify the collection of location data, and / or, the fifth message being used to request privacy verification, wherein the N terminals include the second terminal;

[0433] The fifth sending module is used to send a sixth message to the third network element. The sixth message is used to request the subscription information of the third terminal. The N terminals include the third terminal.

[0434] Optionally, the fifth message includes at least one of the following:

[0435] The fifth instruction is used to instruct the collection of location data;

[0436] The sixth instruction indicates whether a privacy verification response is required;

[0437] Information about the target area;

[0438] The identifier of the first network element.

[0439] Optionally, the capability information includes at least one of the following:

[0440] Supports or does not support the collection of location data;

[0441] Supports AI positioning or does not support AI positioning;

[0442] Supports Long Term Evolution (LTE) Location Protocol (LPP) or does not support LPP;

[0443] Supports or does not support the notification mechanism of Location Services (LCS);

[0444] Supported data types for location data collection;

[0445] Supported measurement data types.

[0446] Optionally, the second message includes at least one of the following:

[0447] The seventh instruction is used to instruct the periodic reporting of positioning data;

[0448] The eighth instruction is used to indicate the data type of the reported location data;

[0449] Information about the target area.

[0450] The data collection device provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the method embodiment of FIG2 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0451] The communication device includes a receiving module, a transmitting module, and a processing module. These modules can be implemented in software or hardware. When implemented in hardware, the processing module can be implemented by a processor. For example, the processor can include general-purpose processors, special-purpose processors, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), microprocessor, Digital Signal Processor (DSP), Artificial Intelligence (AI) processor, Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Network Processor (NP), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, gate circuits, transistors, discrete hardware components, etc. The receiving and transmitting modules can be implemented by a communication interface, which can include one or more of the following: transceiver, pins, circuits, bus, radio frequency unit, etc.

[0452] Specifically, referring to Figure 8, when the communication device is a network-side device or a component within a network-side device, the communication device 800 includes:

[0453] The first sending module 801 is used to send a first message to the first network element. The first message contains relevant information of N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0454] The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that supports the collection of location data.

[0455] or,

[0456] The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that consents to the collection of location data;

[0457] or,

[0458] The first message is used to request the first network element to determine the location information of the first terminal, and the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following:

[0459] Capability information of the first terminal;

[0460] The third identifier of the first terminal, wherein the third identifier is an identifier that identifies the terminal;

[0461] The fourth indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier of the first terminal.

[0462] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0463] The receiving module is configured to receive a third message from the first network element, wherein the third message is used to request the establishment of a location data collection task, or the third message is used to request relevant information of a terminal that supports location data collection.

[0464] Optionally, the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following:

[0465] Each of the N terminals has a corresponding first identifier, which is an identifier associated with location;

[0466] The second identifier is a group identifier associated with the location, and the second identifier is associated with the N terminals;

[0467] The third identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals is an identifier that identifies the terminal.

[0468] The first indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals;

[0469] The ninth instruction is used to instruct data collection for model training;

[0470] The serving cell identifiers corresponding to each of the N terminals.

[0471] Optionally, the third message includes at least one of the following:

[0472] The second instruction is used to instruct the third message to request relevant information from a terminal that provides support for location data collection;

[0473] The third instruction is used to confirm user privacy or user wishes;

[0474] Information about the target area;

[0475] The first quantity is used to indicate the minimum number of terminals required to provide relevant information by the second network element;

[0476] The second quantity is used to indicate the maximum number of terminals required by the second network element to provide relevant information;

[0477] The third quantity is used to indicate the number of terminals that the second network element needs to provide relevant information;

[0478] The tenth instruction is used to instruct data collection for model training;

[0479] The eleventh directive is used to instruct data collection for model inference.

[0480] The data source type is one or more of the following: terminal, positioning reference unit, and base station;

[0481] The first address is used to indicate the address of the target network element of the notification message.

[0482] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0483] The first processing module is used to select the N terminals based on the second information;

[0484] The second information includes at least one of the following:

[0485] Capability information of the N terminals;

[0486] Location information of the N terminals;

[0487] The connection status of the N terminals;

[0488] Information about the service area of ​​the first network element;

[0489] The first quantity is used to indicate the minimum number of terminals required to provide relevant information by the second network element;

[0490] The second quantity is used to indicate the maximum number of terminals required by the second network element to provide relevant information;

[0491] The third quantity is used to indicate the number of terminals that the second network element needs to provide relevant information;

[0492] Information about the target area;

[0493] User privacy settings for the N terminals.

[0494] Optionally, the device further includes at least one of the following:

[0495] The second sending module is used to send a seventh message to the fourth terminal, the seventh message being used to notify the collection of location data, and / or, the seventh message being used to request privacy verification, the N terminals including the fourth terminal;

[0496] The third sending module is used to send an eighth message to a third network element. The eighth message is used to request the subscription information of the fifth terminal. The N terminals include the fifth terminal.

[0497] Optionally, the seventh message includes at least one of the following:

[0498] The fifth instruction is used to instruct the collection of location data;

[0499] The sixth instruction indicates whether a privacy verification response is required;

[0500] Information about the target area;

[0501] The identifier of the first network element.

[0502] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0503] The receiving module is configured to receive a fourth message from the first network element, wherein the fourth message is used to request the release of the location data collection task, or the fourth message is used to request the release of relevant information of the terminal associated with the location data collection.

[0504] The second processing module is used to release the relevant information of the N terminals.

[0505] The communication apparatus provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the method embodiment of FIG3 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0506] Specifically, referring to Figure 9, when the communication device is a terminal or a component within a terminal, the communication device 900 includes:

[0507] The first receiving module 901 is configured to receive a fifth message from a first network element or a seventh message from a second network element; wherein the fifth message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification; the seventh message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification.

[0508] Optionally, the fifth message or the seventh message includes at least one of the following:

[0509] The fifth instruction is used to instruct the collection of location data;

[0510] The sixth instruction indicates whether a privacy verification response is required;

[0511] Information about the target area;

[0512] The identifier of the first network element.

[0513] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0514] The second receiving module is used to receive a second message from the first network element, the second message being used to request the collection of location data;

[0515] The sending module is used to report the collected positioning data to the first network element.

[0516] Optionally, the second message includes at least one of the following:

[0517] The seventh instruction is used to instruct the periodic reporting of positioning data;

[0518] The eighth instruction is used to indicate the data type of the reported location data;

[0519] Information about the target area.

[0520] Optionally, the device further includes:

[0521] The processing module is configured to stop collecting location data and / or stop reporting location data to the first network element when leaving the target area.

[0522] The communication apparatus provided in this application embodiment can implement the various processes implemented in the method embodiment of FIG4 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0523] As shown in Figure 10, this application embodiment also provides a communication device 1000, including a processor 1001 and a memory 1002. The memory 1002 stores a program or instructions that can run on the processor 1001. For example, when the communication device 1000 is a terminal, the program or instructions executed by the processor 1001 implement the various steps of the above-described terminal-side method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. When the communication device 1000 is a network-side device, the program or instructions executed by the processor 1001 implement the various steps of the above-described first network element-side method embodiment or the various steps of the above-described second network element-side method embodiment and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, further details are omitted here.

[0524] This application also provides a terminal, including a processor and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps in the method embodiment shown in FIG4. This terminal embodiment corresponds to the above-described terminal-side method embodiment, and all implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this terminal embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect. The terminal can be the communication device shown in FIG9. Specifically, FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal implementing an embodiment of this application.

[0525] The terminal 1100 includes, but is not limited to, at least some of the following components: radio frequency unit 1101, network module 1102, audio output unit 1103, input unit 1104, sensor 1105, display unit 1106, user input unit 1107, interface unit 1108, memory 1109, and processor 1110.

[0526] Those skilled in the art will understand that terminal 1100 may also include a power supply (such as a battery) for powering various components. The power supply can be logically connected to processor 1110 through a power management system, thereby enabling functions such as charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. The terminal structure shown in Figure 11 does not constitute a limitation on the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements, which will not be elaborated here.

[0527] It should be understood that, in this embodiment, the input unit 1104 may include a graphics processor 11041 and a microphone 11042. The graphics processor 11041 processes image data of still images or videos obtained by an image capture device (such as a camera) in video capture mode or image capture mode. The display unit 1106 may include a display panel 11061, which may be configured in the form of a liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, or the like. The user input unit 1107 includes at least one of a touch panel 11071 and other input devices 11072. The touch panel 11071 is also called a touch screen. The touch panel 11071 may include a touch detection device and a touch controller. Other input devices 11072 may include, but are not limited to, physical keyboards, function keys (such as volume control buttons, power buttons, etc.), trackballs, mice, and joysticks, which will not be described in detail here.

[0528] In this embodiment, after receiving downlink data from the network-side device, the radio frequency unit 1101 can transmit it to the processor 1110 for processing; in addition, the radio frequency unit 1101 can send uplink data to the network-side device. Typically, the radio frequency unit 1101 includes, but is not limited to, antennas, amplifiers, transceivers, couplers, low-noise amplifiers, duplexers, etc.

[0529] The memory 1109 can be used to store software programs or instructions, as well as various data. The memory 1109 may primarily include a first storage area for storing programs or instructions and a second storage area for storing data. The first storage area may store the operating system, application programs or instructions required for N functions (such as sound playback function, image playback function, etc.). Furthermore, the memory 1109 may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DRRAM). The memory 1109 in this embodiment includes, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0530] Processor 1110 may include one or more processing units; optionally, processor 1110 integrates an application processor and a modem processor, wherein the application processor mainly handles operations involving the operating system, user interface, and applications, and the modem processor mainly handles wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It is understood that the aforementioned modem processor may also not be integrated into processor 1110.

[0531] The radio frequency unit 1101 is used for:

[0532] Receive a fifth message from a first network element or a seventh message from a second network element; wherein the fifth message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification; the seventh message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification.

[0533] It is understood that the implementation process of each implementation method mentioned in this embodiment can refer to the relevant description of the data collection method embodiment and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0534] This application also provides a network-side device, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps of the method embodiment shown in FIG2 or FIG3. This network-side device embodiment corresponds to the above-described first network element-side method embodiment or the above-described second network element-side method embodiment. All implementation processes and methods of the above-described method embodiments can be applied to this network-side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effect.

[0535] Specifically, this application embodiment also provides a network-side device, which may be the data collection device shown in FIG. 2, or the communication device shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 12, the network-side device 1200 includes: a processor 1201, a network interface 1202, and a memory 1203. The network-side device may be the data collection device shown in FIG. 12. The network interface 1202 is, for example, a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).

[0536] Specifically, the network-side device 1200 in this application embodiment further includes: instructions or programs stored in memory 1203 and executable on processor 1201. Processor 1201 calls the instructions or programs in memory 1203 to execute the methods executed by the modules shown in FIG7 or FIG8 and achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0537] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a program or instructions. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, they implement the various processes of the above-described data collection method embodiments or the various processes of the above-described communication method embodiments, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, they will not be described again here.

[0538] The processor mentioned above is the processor in the terminal described in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk, or optical disk. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transient readable storage medium.

[0539] This application embodiment also provides a chip, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the various processes of the above data collection method embodiment or the various processes of the above communication method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0540] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0541] This application also provides a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and executed by N processors to implement the various processes of the above-described data collection method embodiment or the various processes of the above-described communication method embodiment, and can achieve the same technical effect. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0542] This application also provides a communication system, including a first network element and a second network element. The first network element can be used to perform the steps of the data collection method described above, and the first network element can be used to perform the steps of the communication method described above.

[0543] Optionally, the communication system further includes a terminal, which can be used to perform the steps of the communication method described above.

[0544] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and apparatuses in the embodiments of this application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0545] From the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of computer software products plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms, and of course, they can also be implemented by hardware. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) and includes several instructions to cause the terminal or network-side device to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this application.

[0546] The embodiments of this application have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The specific embodiments described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other implementations under the guidance of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. All of these implementations are within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A data collection method, comprising: The first network element receives a first message from the second network element. The first message contains relevant information about N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Based on the first message, the first network element performs at least one of the following operations: Send a second message to the N terminals; Send a second message to M target terminals, wherein the N terminals include the M target terminals; The second message is used to request the collection of location data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first message contains information about the terminal that supports the collection of location data; or, The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that consents to the collection of location data.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following: Each of the N terminals has a corresponding first identifier, which is an identifier associated with location; The second identifier is a group identifier associated with the location, and the second identifier is associated with the N terminals; The third identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals is an identifier that identifies the terminal. The first indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals; The ninth instruction is used to instruct data collection for model training; The serving cell identifiers corresponding to each of the N terminals.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Before the first network element receives the first message from the second network element, the method further includes: The first network element sends a third message to the second network element. The third message is used to request the establishment of a location data collection task, or the third message is used to request relevant information of the terminal that supports location data collection.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the third message comprises at least one of the following: The second instruction is used to instruct the third message to request relevant information from a terminal that provides support for location data collection; The third instruction is used to confirm user privacy or user wishes; Information about the target area; The first quantity is used to indicate the minimum number of terminals required to provide relevant information by the second network element; The second quantity is used to indicate the maximum number of terminals required by the second network element to provide relevant information; The third quantity is used to indicate the number of terminals that the second network element needs to provide relevant information; The tenth instruction is used to instruct data collection for model training; The eleventh instruction is used to direct data collection for model inference; The data source type is one or more of the following: terminal, positioning reference unit, and base station; The first address is used to indicate the address of the target network element of the notification message.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: The first network element sends a fourth message to the second network element. The fourth message is used to request the release of the location data collection task, or the fourth message is used to request the release of relevant information of the terminal associated with the location data collection.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first message is used to request the first network element to determine the location information of the first terminal, and the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following: Capability information of the first terminal; The third identifier of the first terminal, wherein the third identifier is an identifier that identifies the terminal; The fourth indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier of the first terminal.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 7, further comprising: The first network element determines M target terminals from the N terminals based on the first information; The first information includes at least one of the following: Capability information of the N terminals; Location information of the N terminals; The location service load of the N terminals; Information about the service area of ​​the first network element; Information about the target area.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1, 7 to 8, further comprising at least one of the following: The first network element sends a fifth message to the second terminal, the fifth message being used to notify the collection of location data, and / or, the fifth message being used to request privacy verification, the N terminals including the second terminal; The first network element sends a sixth message to the third network element. The sixth message is used to request the subscription information of the third terminal. The N terminals include the third terminal.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The fifth message includes at least one of the following: The fifth instruction is used to instruct the collection of location data; The sixth instruction indicates whether a privacy verification response is required; Information about the target area; The identifier of the first network element.

11. The method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The capability information includes at least one of the following: Supports or does not support the collection of location data; Supports AI positioning or does not support AI positioning; Supports Long Term Evolution (LTE) Location Protocol (LPP) or does not support LPP; Supports or does not support the notification mechanism of Location Services (LCS); Supported data types for location data collection; Supported measurement data types.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The second message contains at least one of the following: The seventh instruction is used to instruct the periodic reporting of positioning data; The eighth instruction is used to indicate the data type of the reported location data; Information about the target area.

13. A method of communication, comprising: The second network element sends a first message to the first network element. The first message contains relevant information about N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that supports the collection of location data. or, The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that consents to the collection of location data; or, The first message is used to request the first network element to determine the location information of the first terminal, and the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following: Capability information of the first terminal; The third identifier of the first terminal, wherein the third identifier is an identifier that identifies the terminal; The fourth indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier of the first terminal.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following: Each of the N terminals has a corresponding first identifier, which is an identifier associated with location; The second identifier is a group identifier associated with the location, and the second identifier is associated with the N terminals; The third identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals is an identifier that identifies the terminal. The first indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier corresponding to each of the N terminals; The ninth instruction is used to instruct data collection for model training; The serving cell identifiers corresponding to each of the N terminals.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, Before the second network element sends the first message to the first network element, the method further includes: The second network element receives a third message from the first network element. The third message is used to request the establishment of a location data collection task, or the third message is used to request relevant information of a terminal that supports location data collection.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The third message includes at least one of the following: The second instruction is used to instruct the third message to request relevant information from a terminal that provides support for location data collection; The third instruction is used to confirm user privacy or user wishes; Information about the target area; The first quantity is used to indicate the minimum number of terminals required to provide relevant information by the second network element; The second quantity is used to indicate the maximum number of terminals required by the second network element to provide relevant information; The third quantity is used to indicate the number of terminals that the second network element needs to provide relevant information; The tenth instruction is used to instruct data collection for model training; The eleventh directive is used to instruct data collection for model inference. The data source type is one or more of the following: terminal, positioning reference unit, and base station; The first address is used to indicate the address of the target network element of the notification message.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising: The second network element selects the N terminals based on the second information; The second information includes at least one of the following: Capability information of the N terminals; Location information of the N terminals; The connection status of the N terminals; Information about the service area of ​​the first network element; The first quantity is used to indicate the minimum number of terminals required to provide relevant information by the second network element; The second quantity is used to indicate the maximum number of terminals required by the second network element to provide relevant information; The third quantity is used to indicate the number of terminals that the second network element needs to provide relevant information; Information about the target area; User privacy settings for the N terminals.

18. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, further comprising at least one of the following: The second network element sends a seventh message to the fourth terminal, the seventh message being used to notify the collection of location data, and / or, the seventh message being used to request privacy verification, the N terminals including the fourth terminal; The second network element sends an eighth message to the third network element. The eighth message is used to request the subscription information of the fifth terminal. The N terminals include the fifth terminal.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The seventh message includes at least one of the following: The fifth instruction is used to instruct the collection of location data; The sixth instruction indicates whether a privacy verification response is required; Information about the target area; The identifier of the first network element.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, further comprising: The second network element receives a fourth message from the first network element, the fourth message being used to request the release of the location data collection task, or the fourth message being used to request the release of relevant information of the terminal associated with the location data collection; The second network element releases the relevant information of the N terminals.

21. A method of communication, comprising: The terminal receives a fifth message from a first network element or a seventh message from a second network element; wherein the fifth message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification; the seventh message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein, The fifth message or the seventh message includes at least one of the following: The fifth instruction is used to instruct the collection of location data; The sixth instruction indicates whether a privacy verification response is required; Information about the target area; The identifier of the first network element.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, further comprising: The terminal receives a second message from the first network element, the second message being used to request the collection of location data; The terminal reports the collected location data to the first network element.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, The second message contains at least one of the following: The seventh instruction is used to instruct the periodic reporting of positioning data; The eighth instruction is used to indicate the data type of the reported location data; Information about the target area.

25. The method according to claim 22 or 24, further comprising: When the terminal leaves the target area, it stops collecting location data and / or stops reporting location data to the first network element.

26. A data collection device, the data collection device being applied to a first network element, the device comprising: The receiving module is used to receive a first message from the second network element, the first message containing relevant information of N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1; The first sending module is configured to perform at least one of the following operations based on the first message: Send a second message to the N terminals; Send a second message to M target terminals, wherein the N terminals include the M target terminals; The second message is used to request the collection of location data.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein, The first message contains information about the terminal that supports the collection of location data; or, The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that consents to the collection of location data.

28. The apparatus according to claim 26 or 27, further comprising: The second sending module is used to send a third message to the second network element. The third message is used to request the establishment of a location data collection task, or the third message is used to request relevant information of the terminal that supports location data collection.

29. The apparatus according to any one of claims 26 to 28, further comprising: The third sending module is used to send a fourth message to the second network element. The fourth message is used to request the release of the location data collection task, or the fourth message is used to request the release of relevant information of the terminal associated with the location data collection.

30. The apparatus according to claim 26, wherein, The first message is used to request the first network element to determine the location information of the first terminal, and the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following: Capability information of the first terminal; The third identifier of the first terminal, wherein the third identifier is an identifier that identifies the terminal; The fourth indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier of the first terminal.

31. The apparatus according to claim 26 or 30, further comprising: The processing module is used to determine M target terminals from the N terminals based on the first information; The first information includes at least one of the following: Capability information of the N terminals; Location information of the N terminals; The location service load of the N terminals; Information about the service area of ​​the first network element; Information about the target area.

32. The apparatus according to any one of claims 26, 30 to 31, further comprising at least one of the following: The fourth sending module is used to send a fifth message to the second terminal, the fifth message being used to notify the collection of location data, and / or, the fifth message being used to request privacy verification, wherein the N terminals include the second terminal; The fifth sending module is used to send a sixth message to the third network element. The sixth message is used to request the subscription information of the third terminal. The N terminals include the third terminal.

33. A communication apparatus, said communication apparatus being applied to a second network element, said apparatus comprising: The first sending module is used to send a first message to the first network element. The first message contains relevant information of N terminals, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that supports the collection of location data. or, The first message is used to provide information about the terminal that consents to the collection of location data; or, The first message is used to request the first network element to determine the location information of the first terminal, and the relevant information of the N terminals includes at least one of the following: Capability information of the first terminal; The third identifier of the first terminal, wherein the third identifier is an identifier that identifies the terminal; The fourth indication is used to indicate the validity period of the third identifier of the first terminal.

34. The apparatus according to any one of claims 33, further comprising: The first processing module is used to select the N terminals based on the second information; The second information includes at least one of the following: Capability information of the N terminals; Location information of the N terminals; The connection status of the N terminals; Information about the service area of ​​the first network element; The first quantity is used to indicate the minimum number of terminals required to provide relevant information by the second network element; The second quantity is used to indicate the maximum number of terminals required by the second network element to provide relevant information; The third quantity is used to indicate the number of terminals that the second network element needs to provide relevant information; Information about the target area; User privacy settings for the N terminals.

35. The apparatus according to claim 33 or 34, further comprising at least one of the following: The second sending module is used to send a seventh message to the fourth terminal, the seventh message being used to notify the collection of location data, and / or, the seventh message being used to request privacy verification, the N terminals including the fourth terminal; The third sending module is used to send an eighth message to a third network element. The eighth message is used to request the subscription information of the fifth terminal. The N terminals include the fifth terminal.

36. The apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 35, further comprising: The receiving module is configured to receive a fourth message from the first network element, wherein the fourth message is used to request the release of the location data collection task, or the fourth message is used to request the release of relevant information of the terminal associated with the location data collection. The second processing module is used to release the relevant information of the N terminals.

37. A communication apparatus, the communication apparatus being applied to a terminal, the apparatus comprising: The first receiving module is configured to receive a fifth message from a first network element or a seventh message from a second network element; wherein the fifth message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification; the seventh message is used to notify the collection of location data, and / or the fifth message is used to request privacy verification.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising: The processing module is configured to stop collecting location data and / or stop reporting location data to the first network element when leaving the target area.

39. A communication device comprising a processor and a memory, the memory storing a program or instructions executable on the processor, the program or instructions, when executed by the processor, implementing the steps of a data collection method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, or the steps of a communication method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 20, or the steps of a communication method as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 25.

40. A readable storage medium storing a program or instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of a data collection method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, or the steps of a communication method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 20, or the steps of a communication method as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 25.

41. A computer program product comprising computer instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of a data collection method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, or the steps of a communication method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 20, or the steps of a communication method as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 25.

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