Data collection methods, communication devices, communication system, storage medium and program product

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are data collection methods, communication devices, a communication system, a storage medium and a program product. A method is executed by a first node, and comprises: receiving first information sent by a plurality of second nodes, wherein the first information is used for indicating the data provision capability of the second nodes, the data provision capability is used for indicating data supported to be provided by the second nodes to the first node, and the data provision capability is further used by the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second nodes. The technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure facilitates the provision of data collection services for different pieces of data of different data source entities by the first node, thereby improving the flexibility of data collection. Moreover, the first node learns of the data provision capability of the plurality of second nodes, thereby facilitating the management of the plurality of second nodes by the first node in a subsequent data collection process.

Description

Data collection methods, communication equipment, communication systems, storage media and software products Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to data collection methods, communication equipment, communication systems, storage media, and program products. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of communication technology, more and more network functions (such as Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF), LMF, etc.) support providing data collection services for network service consumers, so that network service consumers can perform corresponding processing (such as model training, perceptual computing, etc.) based on the data collected by the above network functions. However, the data collection services provided by the above network functions all have certain limitations. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure provides a data collection method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a data collection method is provided, wherein the method is performed by a first node, the method comprising: receiving first information sent by a plurality of second nodes, the first information being used to indicate the data provision capability of the second nodes, the data provision capability being used to indicate that the second nodes support providing data to the first node, and the data provision capability being used to enable the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second nodes.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a data collection method is provided, wherein the method is performed by a second node, the method comprising: sending first information to a first node, the first information being used to indicate the data provision capability of the second node, the data provision capability being used to indicate that the second node supports providing data to the first node, and the data provision capability being further used to allow the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second node.

[0006] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a data collection method is provided, wherein the method is performed by a communication system, the method comprising: a plurality of second nodes sending first information to a first node, the first information being used to indicate the data provision capability of the second nodes, the data provision capability being used to indicate that the second nodes support providing data to the first node, and the data provision capability being used to enable the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second nodes.

[0007] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, wherein the communication device includes: a transceiver module configured to receive first information sent by a plurality of second nodes, the first information being used to indicate the data provision capability of the second nodes, the data provision capability being used to indicate that the second nodes support providing data to a first node, and the data provision capability being used to enable the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second nodes.

[0008] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, wherein the communication device includes: a transceiver module configured to send first information to a first node, the first information being used to indicate the data provision capability of a second node, the data provision capability being used to indicate that the second node supports providing data to the first node, and the data provision capability being further used to allow the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second node.

[0009] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, wherein the communication device includes: a memory including executable instructions; one or more processors; wherein, when the executable instructions are executed by the processors, the communication device performs the data collection method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0010] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, wherein the communication system includes: a first node and a second node, wherein the first node is configured to perform a data collection method provided in the first aspect, and the second node is configured to perform a data collection method provided in the second aspect.

[0011] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, wherein the storage medium stores instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the data collection method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0012] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, a program product is provided that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the data collection method provided by the first or second aspect.

[0013] The technical solution provided by the embodiments of this disclosure is beneficial to enabling the provision of data collection services for different data sources of different entities through a first node, thereby improving the flexibility of data collection. Furthermore, by knowing the data provision capabilities of multiple second nodes, the first node is better able to manage multiple second nodes during the subsequent data collection process.

[0014] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments of the invention.

[0016] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0017] Figure 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a usage scenario of a 6G mobile communication network according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0018] Figure 1C is a schematic diagram illustrating the function of a 6G mobile communication network according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0019] Figure 1D is a schematic diagram of an architecture for data collection and reporting according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0020] Figure 1E is a schematic diagram illustrating a data collection architecture using data collection coordination according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0021] Figure 1F is a schematic diagram illustrating a terminal-assisted or terminal-based positioning process according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0022] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram of a data collection method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0023] Figure 2B is an interactive schematic diagram of a data collection method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0024] Figure 3 is an interactive schematic diagram of a data collection method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0025] Figure 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a unified data collection framework according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0026] Figure 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating the data collection service provided by a 6G system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0029] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0030] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0031] This disclosure provides a data collection method, communication device, communication system, storage medium, and program product.

[0032] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a data collection method, wherein the method is executed by a first node, and the method includes: receiving first information sent by a plurality of second nodes, the first information being used to indicate the data provision capability of the second nodes, the data provision capability being used to indicate that the second nodes support providing data to the first node, and the data provision capability being used to allow the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second nodes.

[0033] In the above embodiments, the first node can learn, based on the first information sent by multiple second nodes, that multiple second nodes support providing data to the first node (i.e., learn the data provision capabilities of multiple data source entities). This allows the first node to determine, based on the data provision capabilities of multiple second nodes, which second nodes to collect data from during the data collection process for other nodes. This is beneficial in two ways: firstly, it enables the provision of data collection services for different data from different data source entities through the first node, improving the flexibility of data collection; secondly, the first node's knowledge of the data provision capabilities of multiple second nodes facilitates its management of these second nodes during subsequent data collection processes.

[0034] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the data provision capability is also used to indicate at least one of the following: the device type to which the second node belongs; the data type supported by the second node; the data format supported by the second node; and the data transmission method supported by the second node.

[0035] In the above embodiments, the data provision capability of the second node can be used to indicate at least one of the device type to which the second node belongs, the data type that the second node supports, the data format that the second node supports, and the data transmission method that the second node supports. This enables the first node to more accurately know the data provision capability of the data source entity based on the above information, which is beneficial for the first node to collect and manage data from different data source entities.

[0036] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving second information sent by at least one third node, the second information being used to request a first node to collect first data for the third node; multiple second nodes supporting data provided to the first node including the first data; and sending third information to at least one third node, the third information including the first data.

[0037] In the above embodiments, the first node can receive second information sent by at least one third node, and in response to the second information, collect the first data requested by the third node from the second node and send it to the third node, thereby enabling the first node to open up different data from multiple different data source entities to the third node for corresponding processing, and realize the effective utilization of the resources of the data source entities.

[0038] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, after receiving second information sent by at least one third node, the method further includes: selecting at least one fourth node from the plurality of second nodes based on the data provision capabilities of the plurality of second nodes; the data provision capabilities of the fourth node are used to indicate that the fourth node supports providing first data to the first node; and collecting the first data from the at least one fourth node.

[0039] In the above embodiments, in response to the received second information, the first node can determine at least one fourth node that can provide the first data requested by the second information based on the data providing capabilities of multiple second nodes, so as to collect the first data from the data source entity (i.e., the fourth node). The first node determines the fourth node based on the data providing capabilities pre-indicated by multiple second nodes, thereby effectively improving the data collection efficiency.

[0040] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, collecting first data from at least one fourth node includes: determining that multiple second messages have been received from multiple third nodes, and the first data requested by the multiple second messages is the same; sending fourth messages to the fourth nodes, the fourth messages being used to request the fourth nodes to provide the first data; and receiving the first data sent by the fourth nodes based on the fourth messages, the first data being used by the first node to send third messages to the multiple third nodes.

[0041] In the above embodiments, when a first node receives second information from multiple third nodes requesting the same first data, the first node can coordinate the same data collection requests from multiple third nodes and collect the first data from the fourth node by sending a fourth message to the fourth node once. The first data is then provided to multiple third nodes respectively, so that the data collection requests from multiple third nodes can be completed by the first node and the fourth node only needing to interact once. This can effectively reduce the waste of duplicate resources to transmit the same first data and is beneficial to saving communication resources.

[0042] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, collecting first data from at least one fourth node includes: determining that the first data for the second information request includes a plurality of second data, and that the plurality of second data are provided by the plurality of fourth nodes to the first node respectively; sending fifth information to the plurality of fourth nodes, the fifth information being used to request the fourth nodes to provide second data; receiving the second data sent by the plurality of fourth nodes based on the fifth information; the second data being used by the first node to send third information to a third node.

[0043] In the above embodiments, when the first data requested by the third node comes from multiple fourth nodes, the first node can send fifth information to the multiple fourth nodes to request the collection of second data provided by the multiple fourth nodes, and send the multiple second data from the multiple fourth nodes to the third node. Thus, the first node can provide the third node with a collection service for multiple different data from multiple different data source entities, thereby improving the comprehensiveness of data collection.

[0044] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following: first indication information for indicating the data type of the first data; second indication information for indicating the data collection purpose of the first data; and first identification information for indicating a third node.

[0045] In the above embodiments, the second information may include at least one of the first instruction information, the second instruction information, and the first identification information, so that the first node can know the request scope of the first data requested by the third node based on at least one of the above information, which is beneficial for the first node to refine the authorization granularity of the third node's collection behavior.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, before collecting the first data from at least one fourth node, the method further includes: determining that the first node is authorized to collect the first data from at least one fourth node.

[0047] In the above embodiments, the first node collects the first data from at least one fourth node only after obtaining authorization for the first node to collect the first data from at least one fourth node. This can prevent the first data of at least one fourth node from being exposed to unauthorized nodes and achieve privacy protection for the fourth node.

[0048] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, a first node is authorized to collect first data from at least one fourth node, including one of the following: the first node is authorized to collect the first data based on a data type; the second information includes first indication information for indicating the data type of the first data; the first node is authorized to collect the first data based on a data collection purpose; the second information includes second indication information for indicating the data collection purpose of the first data; the first node is authorized to collect the first data based on first identification information; the second information includes first identification information for indicating a third node.

[0049] In the above embodiments, when the second information sent by the third node contains different information, the granularity of the authorization obtained by the first node for the collection behavior of collecting the first data from at least one fourth node is also different. This allows the authorization obtained by the first node to both meet the processing needs of the third node for the first data and reduce the abuse of the authorization for the first data, thus effectively protecting the privacy of the fourth node.

[0050] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, sending third information to at least one third node includes: processing first data; and sending third information to at least one third node, the third information including the processed first data.

[0051] In the above embodiments, the first node can process the collected first data and then send the processed first data to at least one third node, so that the first data provided by the first node to the third node can better meet the needs of the third node.

[0052] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first data is processed, including at least one of the following: performing format conversion processing on the first data; performing anonymization processing on the first data; performing standardization processing on the first data; and performing aggregation processing on the first data.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, sending third information to at least one third node includes one of the following: sending third information to at least one third node via a user; or sending third information to at least one third node via control.

[0054] In the above embodiments, the first node can send third information to at least one third node through the user plane or control plane to provide the collected first data to at least one third node, thereby improving the flexibility of the data collection service.

[0055] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a data collection method, wherein the method is executed by a second node, the method comprising: sending first information to a first node, the first information being used to indicate the data provision capability of the second node, the data provision capability being used to indicate that the second node supports providing data to the first node, and the data provision capability being used to enable the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second node.

[0056] In the above embodiments, the second node can send first information to the first node to inform the first node of the data it supports providing to the first node (i.e., its own data provision capability). In order for the first node to provide data collection for other nodes, the first node can determine which second nodes to collect data from based on the data provision capabilities of multiple second nodes. In this way, on the one hand, the first node can collect different data from different data source entities, improving the flexibility of data collection. On the other hand, it is beneficial for the first node to manage multiple second nodes in the subsequent data collection process.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the data provision capability is also used to indicate at least one of the following: the device type to which the second node belongs; the data type supported by the second node; the data format supported by the second node; and the data transmission method supported by the second node.

[0058] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth node is selected by the first node from a plurality of second nodes after receiving second information sent by at least one third node, the second information being used to request the first node to collect first data for the third node.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the fourth node is selected by the first node from a plurality of second nodes based on the data provision capabilities of the plurality of second nodes. The data provision capabilities of the fourth node are used to indicate that the fourth node supports providing first data to the first node, and the fourth node is used for the first node to collect the first data.

[0060] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving fourth information sent by a first node, the fourth information being used to request the fourth node to provide first data; the fourth information being sent by the first node after receiving multiple second information from multiple third nodes, and the first data requested by the multiple second information being the same; and sending first data to the first node based on the fourth information, the first data being used by the first node to send third information to the multiple third nodes.

[0061] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving fifth information sent by a first node, the fifth information being used to request a fourth node to provide second data; the fifth information being sent by the first node when the first data requested by the second information includes multiple second data, and the multiple second data are provided to the first node by multiple fourth nodes respectively; sending the second data to the first node based on the fifth information; the second data being used by the first node to send third information to a third node.

[0062] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following: first indication information for indicating the data type of the first data; second indication information for indicating the data collection purpose of the first data; and first identification information for indicating a third node.

[0063] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first node is authorized to collect first data from at least one fourth node.

[0064] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first node being authorized to collect first data from at least one fourth node includes one of the following: the first node is authorized to collect the first data based on a data type; the second information includes first indication information for indicating the data type of the first data; the first node is authorized to collect the first data based on a data collection purpose; the second information includes second indication information for indicating the data collection purpose of the first data; the first node is authorized to collect the first data based on first identification information; the second information includes first identification information for indicating a third node.

[0065] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a data collection method, wherein the method is executed by a communication system, and the method includes: a plurality of second nodes sending first information to a first node, the first information being used to indicate the data provision capability of the second nodes, the data provision capability being used to indicate that the second nodes support providing data to the first node, and the data provision capability being used to allow the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second nodes.

[0066] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, wherein the communication device includes: a transceiver module configured to receive first information sent by a plurality of second nodes, the first information being used to indicate the data provision capability of the second nodes, the data provision capability being used to indicate that the second nodes support providing data to the first nodes, and the data provision capability being used to enable the first nodes to determine whether to collect data from the second nodes.

[0067] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, wherein the communication device includes: a transceiver module configured to send first information to a first node, the first information being used to indicate the data provision capability of a second node, the data provision capability being used to indicate that the second node supports providing data to the first node, and the data provision capability being used to enable the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second node.

[0068] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device, wherein the communication device includes: a memory including executable instructions; one or more processors; wherein, when the executable instructions are executed by the processors, the communication device performs the data collection method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0069] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system, wherein the communication system includes a first node and a second node, the first node being configured to implement the data collection method provided in the first aspect, and the second node being configured to implement the data collection method provided in the second aspect.

[0070] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the data collection method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0071] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the data collection method provided in the first or second aspect.

[0072] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the data collection method described in an optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0073] It is understood that the aforementioned terminals, network devices, communication devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, and computer programs are all used to execute the methods provided in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0074] This disclosure provides a data collection method, a communication device, a communication system, a storage medium, and a program product. In some embodiments, the terms "data collection method," "communication method," "information processing method," and "information transmission method," etc., can be used interchangeably, as can the terms "communication system" and "information processing system."

[0075] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments. In all embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terminology and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent and can be mutually referenced. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0076] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0077] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0078] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

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

[0080] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether there is a branch B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether there is a branch A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0081] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether a branch B exists); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether a branch A exists); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0082] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0083] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0084] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0085] In some embodiments, terms such as “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “when…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all refer to the device making a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances. They do not necessarily limit the time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there must be other limitations.

[0086] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0087] In some embodiments, devices, etc., may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as “device,” “equipment,” “circuit,” “network element,” “network function,” “network device,” “function,” “node,” “unit,” “section,” “system,” “network,” “chip,” “chip system,” “entity,” and “subject” are interchangeable.

[0088] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0089] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0090] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0091] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0092] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0093] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0094] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0095] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0096] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102. In some embodiments, the network device 102 may include at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0097] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, for example, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home, but is not limited thereto.

[0098] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in 6G system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in Wi-Fi system.

[0099] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0100] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0101] In some embodiments, the CU may include a control plane (CP) and a user plane (UP).

[0102] In some embodiments, the CP (CU-CP) and UP (CU-UP) of the CU can be on different physical devices. Alternatively, the CU-CP and CU-UP can be on the same physical device.

[0103] In some embodiments, the CU may include a CU-CP and one or more CU-UPs. The CU-CP and CU-UP are connected via an E1 interface; the CU-CP and DU are connected via an F1-C interface; and the CU-UP and DU are connected via an F1-U interface.

[0104] In some embodiments, a core network device may be a single device including one or more network functions, or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including all or part of one or more network functions. Network functions may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of the following: evolved packet core (EPC), 5G core network (5GCN), 6G core network (6GCN), and next-generation core (NGC).

[0105] In some embodiments, the first node may be a core network device. In some embodiments, the first node may be a network function (NF) of the core network device.

[0106] In some embodiments, the first node can be used to collect and manage different types of data from different data source entities. In some embodiments, the first node can also be used to further process the collected data.

[0107] In some embodiments, the name of the first node is not limited, and for example it may be a data collection function (DCF).

[0108] In some embodiments, the second node may be a data source entity.

[0109] In some embodiments, the second node may be a terminal. In some embodiments, the second node may be a non-third-generation partner program (non-3G) node. rd Equipment from the generation partnership project (non-3GPP).

[0110] In some embodiments, the second node may be an NF (Network Function). In one embodiment, the second node may be a location management function (LMF), a network data analytics function (NWDAF), a unified data repository (UDR), an analytics data repository function (ADRF), a sensing function (SF), an application function (AF), or an application service (AS), etc.

[0111] In some embodiments, the third node may be a data collection service consumer. In some embodiments, the third node may be an AF or an NF.

[0112] In some embodiments, the fourth node may be the second node selected by the first node. In some embodiments, the fourth node may generate the data requested by the third node.

[0113] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0114] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1A, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1A. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0115] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), Super 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th Generation Mobile Communication System (4G), 5G, 5G New Radio (NR), 6G, Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New Radio Access (NX), Future Generation Radio Access (FX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth, and public terrestrial mobile communication networks. Land mobile networks (PLMNs), device-to-device (D2D) systems, machine-to-machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing other information processing methods, and next-generation systems built upon them. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE or LTE-A with 5G).

[0116] In some embodiments, the use cases of 6G mobile communication networks will expand upon those of 5G mobile communication networks. In addition to the use cases of 5G mobile communication networks—namely, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC)—6G mobile communication networks will also support new use cases driven by capabilities such as artificial intelligence and sensing technologies, capabilities that previous generations of mobile communication networks were not designed to support.

[0117] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1B, FIG1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a use case of a 6G mobile communication network according to an exemplary embodiment. Based on the three use cases of 5G mobile communication networks (i.e., eMBB, mMTC, and URLLC), 6G mobile communication networks extend outward to include six use cases, which include: AI and communication, immersive communication, ultra-reliable low-latency communication, ubiquitous connectivity, massive communication, and integrated sensing and communication.

[0118] In particular, AI and communication scenarios will support distributed computing and artificial intelligence applications. Typical use cases for distributed computing and artificial intelligence applications include: autonomous driving assistance; autonomous collaboration between devices to achieve medical assistance applications; decentralizing computationally intensive operations across devices and networks; and creating digital twins for event prediction, etc.

[0119] The aforementioned scenarios will require support for high regional traffic capacity and user experience rates, as well as low latency and high reliability, depending on the specific use case. Beyond communications, this use case is expected to include a range of new capabilities related to the integration of artificial intelligence and computing functions into IMT-2030, including data acquisition, preparation, and processing from diverse sources; distributed AI model training, model sharing, and distributed inference across systems; and computing resource coordination and interlocking.

[0120] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1C, FIG1C is a schematic diagram illustrating the functionality of a 6G mobile communication network according to an exemplary embodiment. In FIG1C, the lined areas indicate enhanced functions in the 6G mobile communication network, and the unfilled areas indicate newly added functions in the 6G mobile communication network.

[0121] Compared to 5G mobile communication networks, 6G mobile communication networks will offer nine enhanced features: peak data rate, user experience data rate, spectrum efficiency, regional traffic capacity, connection density, mobility, latency, reliability, security, and resilience. Additionally, they will include six new features supporting expanded use cases: coverage, positioning, sensing capabilities, AI-related capabilities, sustainability, and interoperability. Furthermore, each feature may have different relevance and applicability in different use cases.

[0122] Among them, the target range for reliability supported by 5G mobile communication networks is 1-10. -5 That is, 99.999%, the target range for reliability supported by 6G mobile communication networks is enhanced to 1-10. -5 Up to 1-10 -7 That is, 99.999% to 99.99999%.

[0123] Compared to the 1ms latency supported by 5G mobile communication networks, the latency supported by 6G mobile communication networks is enhanced to 0.1 to 1ms.

[0124] Compared to the 500 km / h mobility target supported by 5G mobile communication networks, the mobility target supported by 6G mobile communication networks is enhanced to 500 to 1000 km / h.

[0125] Compared to the connection density supported by 5G mobile communication networks, which is 10 per square kilometer 6 The number of devices supported by 6G mobile communication networks has been increased to 10. 6 Up to 10 8 Taiwan equipment.

[0126] For example, AI-related capabilities and interoperability capabilities. AI-related capabilities refer to the ability to provide certain functions in 6G mobile communication networks to support AI applications. These functions include distributed data processing, distributed learning, AI computation, AI model execution, and AI model inference. Interoperability capabilities refer to radio interfaces based on member inclusion and transparency to enable functionality between different entities within the system.

[0127] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1D, FIG1D is a schematic diagram of a data collection and reporting architecture according to an exemplary embodiment. This architecture includes a data collection AF, a direct data collection client, an indirect data collection client, a UE application, an AS, an NWDAF, a network repository function (NRF), an application service provider, and a provisioning AF.

[0128] The Data Collection AF can be deployed within or outside a trust domain and is responsible for managing the configuration state of data collection and reporting. When its configuration state changes, the Data Collection AF updates the set of NFs configuration files available in the NRF.

[0129] The data collection AF provides data collection and reporting configuration to the direct data collection client through reference point R2, to the indirect data collection client through reference point R3, or to the application server instance through reference point R4, and receives data reports through these reference points.

[0130] The data collection AF processes the received data reports according to the processing instructions in its configuration state. Processing activities include, but are not limited to: converting report formats, normalizing data, anonymizing specific data in the report domain, and aggregating or deaggregating data so that the data can be displayed as events.

[0131] The data collection AF is responsible for exposing the processed terminal data to event notification subscribers, which can be within the trust domain (e.g., NWDAF) or outside the trust domain (e.g., event consumer AF in an application service provider).

[0132] The direct data collection client is responsible for collecting relevant data from the terminal and sending data reports to the data collection AF via reference point R2.

[0133] The endpoint application is responsible for sharing relevant data with the direct data collection client via reference point R7. This can be achieved through application design, application configuration via R8, and / or application configuration via R7.

[0134] Application server instances (labeled AS) both inside and outside the trusted domain can also collect data and report it to the data collection AF via reference point R4.

[0135] NWDAF is the primary consumer of the processed terminal UE.

[0136] In some embodiments, data collection coordination and delivery is responsible for coordinating the collection and distribution of data requested by NF consumers. It prevents data sources from having to process multiple subscription requests for the same data and send multiple notifications containing the same information due to uncoordinated requests from data consumers.

[0137] Data collection coordination and delivery are supported by the data collection coordination and delivery function (DCCF) through the data management (Ndccf_DataManagement) service, or by NWDAF through the data management (Nnwdaf_DataManagement) service.

[0138] In some embodiments, data collection coordination and delivery are applicable to the following situations: an NWDAF (e.g., for computational analysis) requesting data from a data source, an NF consumer requesting analysis from an NWDAF data source, an NF consumer requesting data from an ADRF data source, and an ADRF receiving data from an NF data source.

[0139] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG1E, FIG1E is a schematic diagram illustrating a data collection architecture using data collection coordination according to an exemplary embodiment. This architecture defines an Ndccf interface for NWDAF to support requests to subscribe to data delivery from DCCF, cancel subscriptions to data delivery, and request specific data reports. If data has not yet been collected, DCCF will request data from the data source using the Nnf service. DCCF can collect data and deliver it to NWDAF, or DCCF can rely on a messaging framework to collect data from NF and deliver it to NWDAF.

[0140] In some embodiments, the data collection function allows the NWDAF to retrieve data from various data sources as the basis for computational network analysis. In some embodiments, the aforementioned data sources may include, but are not limited to: NFs (such as access and mobility management functions (AMF), session management functions (SMF), policy control functions (PCF), network slice assisted control functions (NSACF), and geographic location / mapping functions (GMLC)), AFs, and Operations, Administration and Maintenance (OAM) functions.

[0141] In some embodiments, all available data includes: OAM global network function data, data existing in network functions, network function data (e.g., NRF) existing in the 5G core network, and data in application functions.

[0142] In some embodiments, data present in network functions, such as user behavior data related to individual user devices or groups of user devices (e.g., user device accessibility), and pre-computed metrics covering groups of user devices (e.g., the number of user devices in a specific geographic area), are categorized by spatial and temporal dimensions (e.g., by region and time period).

[0143] In some embodiments, for the location service (LCS) in a 5G system, the LMF is responsible for calculating the location of the target terminal using location data collected from the terminal or access network equipment. As shown in FIG1F, FIG1F is a schematic diagram of a terminal-assisted or terminal-based positioning procedure according to an exemplary embodiment. The steps indicated by dashed boxes or lines in FIG1F are optional steps in the positioning procedure. The prerequisite for executing this positioning procedure (such as a UE-assisted and UE-based positioning procedure) is that the LCS-related identifier and the access and mobility management function (AMF) identifier have been passed from the serving AMF to the LMF. The positioning procedure may include the following steps:

[0144] Step 1. The LMF sends an N1N2 interface transfer (Namf_Communication_N1N2Message Transfer) message to the AMF to request the transmission of downlink (DL) location information to the terminal. This N1N2 interface transfer message includes the DL location information.

[0145] The session ID parameter of the N1N2 interface transmission (Namf_Communication_N1N2Message Transfer) message can be set to an LCS-related identifier. DL positioning information can request location information from the terminal, provide auxiliary data to the terminal, or query the terminal's capabilities when the LMF has not received the UE's positioning capabilities from the AMF.

[0146] Step 2. If the terminal is in the connection management-idle (CM-IDLE) state, the AMF will initiate a network-triggered service request procedure to establish a signaling connection with the terminal.

[0147] In some embodiments, the AMF wakes up a terminal in CM-IDLE state by initiating a service request process triggered by the network.

[0148] Step 3. The AMF uses the DL non-access stratum (NAS) to forward the DL location information to the terminal.

[0149] DL NAS transmission messages may include a routing identifier, which can be set to an LCS-related identifier. DL location information can request a response from the terminal to the network; for example, it can request the terminal to acknowledge the DL location information, return location information, or return capabilities.

[0150] Step 4. The terminal stores any auxiliary data provided in the DL positioning information and performs any positioning measurements and / or location calculations requested by the DL positioning information.

[0151] In one embodiment, during the process of performing the positioning measurement and / or location calculation requested by the DL positioning information, if the terminal has not interacted with the network for a long time, the terminal can switch from the connection management-connected (CM-Connected) state to the CM-IDLE state.

[0152] Step 5. If the terminal entered the CM-IDLE state during step 4 and needs to respond to the request received in step 3, the terminal will initiate a terminal-triggered service request procedure to establish a signaling connection with the AMF. In this case, the terminal switches from the CM-IDLE state to the CM-Connected state.

[0153] Step 6. The terminal sends an uplink (UL) NAS transmission message to the AMF. This UL NAS transmission message may include UL location information. This UL location information can be used to respond to the network, for example, to confirm DL location information, return any location information obtained in step 4, or return any capabilities requested in step 3.

[0154] In some embodiments, when the terminal sends UL location information using UL NAS transmission messages, the terminal should also include the routing identifier received in step 3 in the UL NAS transmission messages.

[0155] Step 7. The AMF provides the LMF with an N1 information notification (Namf_Communication_N1InfoNotify y) message containing UL location information.

[0156] In some embodiments, the LMF can be used to collect positioning measurement data and / or collect terminal location data. The LMF can use the collected positioning measurement data and / or location data to determine the location of the terminal, or it can also use the positioning measurement data and / or location data to train an AI positioning model.

[0157] In summary, DCAF is used to collect terminal data from the terminal through the application layer, but it does not support data collection from NFs. DCCF is used to coordinate the collection and distribution of data requested by NF consumers. It can prevent data sources from having to process multiple subscription requests for the same data and send multiple notifications containing the same information due to uncoordinated requests from data consumers. However, it does not support the direct collection of user data. NWDAF supports the collection of data from different NFs, DCAF, and AF, but it relies on DCAF to collect user data and does not support the direct collection of user data or terminal data from the terminal without DCAF. LMF is only used to collect positioning measurement data from the terminal side to calculate the terminal location. It does not support the collection of other types of user data and / or the collection of data from other NFs within the core network. That is, currently there is no unified data collection framework in the core network to support the collection of various types of data, including different types of user data, data from different NFs, and application data from AFs.

[0158] Figure 2A is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a data collection method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 2A, this disclosure relates to a data collection method for a communication system 100, the method including steps S2101 to S2107.

[0159] In step S2101, multiple second nodes send first information to the first node.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first node may receive first information sent by multiple second nodes.

[0161] In some embodiments, the second node can be used to provide its own data to the first node. In some embodiments, the second node can be a data source entity. In one embodiment, the second node can be a terminal, a non-3GPP device. In one embodiment, the second node can be an NF, AF, or AS.

[0162] In some embodiments, the first node can be used to provide data collection services. In some embodiments, the first node can be a service provider of the data collection services. In some embodiments, the first node can be a DCF (Distributed Data Function).

[0163] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to indicate the data provision capabilities of the second node.

[0164] In some embodiments, data provision capability can be used to indicate that a second node supports providing data to a first node. In some embodiments, the data that multiple second nodes support providing to the first node may be different. In some embodiments, the data that multiple second nodes support providing to the first node may be the same or related.

[0165] In some embodiments, the data provision capability may be used to indicate at least one of the following: the device type to which the second node belongs, the data type that the second node supports providing, the data format that the second node supports providing, and the data transmission method that the second node supports.

[0166] In some embodiments, the device type to which the second node belongs can be used to determine the data type that the second node can generate. In some embodiments, the data type that the second node can generate is related to the device type to which the second node belongs. In one embodiment, if the device type to which the second node belongs is a camera, it can be determined that the data the second node supports providing is at least one of image data and / or video data. In one embodiment, if the device type to which the second node belongs is a sensor, it can be determined that the data the second node supports providing is sensor data.

[0167] In some embodiments, the device type to which the second node belongs can be used to assist the first node in determining the data that the second node supports.

[0168] In some embodiments, the data types supported by the second node can be used to indicate the data types that the second node can generate. In some embodiments, the data types supported by the second node may include, but are not limited to: location data, user data, application data, terminal data, sensor data, image data, and video data.

[0169] In some embodiments, the data format provided by the second node can be used to indicate the data format of the data generated by the second node. In some embodiments, the data format may include, but is not limited to: image data, audio data, and text data.

[0170] In some embodiments, the data transmission mode supported by the second node can be used to indicate that the second node supports data transmission via a control plane connection or a user plane connection.

[0171] In some embodiments, the data provision capability of the second node can be used by the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second node. In one embodiment, after the first node learns of the data provision capability of the second node based on the first information sent by the second node, it can determine whether the second node is capable of generating that type of data when it needs to collect a certain type of data in the future, thereby determining whether to collect that type of data from the second node.

[0172] In some embodiments, the name of the first information is not limited; for example, the first information may be registration information, capability information, etc.

[0173] In step S2102, at least one third node sends second information to the first node.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first node may receive second information sent by at least one third node. In some embodiments, when the first node receives second information sent by multiple third nodes, the first data requested by the second information sent by the multiple third nodes may be different. In some embodiments, the first data requested by the second information sent by the multiple third nodes may be the same.

[0175] In some embodiments, the third node may be a service consumer of the data collection service. In some embodiments, the third node may send a second message to the first node to request the first node to provide the data collection service requested by the second message.

[0176] In some embodiments, the third node may be a service consumer authorized by the first node. In one embodiment, the third node may be an authorized AS, an authorized AF, or an authorized NF. In one embodiment, when the third node is a service consumer authorized by the first node, the first node will only provide the data collection service requested by the second message to the third node upon receiving the second message sent by the third node.

[0177] In one example, if the third node is an authorized AS, AF, or NF, only the authorized AS, AF, or NF can send the second information to the first node; alternatively, the first node will only respond to the second information sent by the authorized AS, AF, or NF. In another example, if the third node is not an authorized AS, AF, or NF, the first node can ignore the second information sent by the unauthorized AS, AF, or NF. In this case, steps S2103 to S2107 can be omitted.

[0178] In some embodiments, the name of the second information is not limited; for example, the second information may be service request information or data request information.

[0179] In some embodiments, the second information may be used to request the first node to provide data collection services. In some embodiments, the second information may be service request information, which may be used to request the first node to provide data collection services.

[0180] In one example, the service request information may include a service identifier that can be used to identify a data collection service. In this way, the third node can send the service request information to the first node to request the first node to provide the data collection service associated with the service identifier in the service request information.

[0181] In some embodiments, the second information may be used to request the first node to collect first data for the third node. In some embodiments, the second information may be data request information, which may be used to request the first node to collect first data.

[0182] In some embodiments, the second information may be used to indicate at least one of the data type and data format of the first data requested by the third node.

[0183] In some embodiments, the second information may also indicate the scope of authorization requested by the third node in relation to the first data. In some embodiments, different information content of the second information may be used to indicate different scopes of authorization requested by the third node.

[0184] In some embodiments, the second information may include at least one of the first instruction information, the second instruction information, and the first identification information.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first indication information may be used to indicate the data type of the first data.

[0186] In some embodiments, where the second information includes first indication information, the second information may also be used to indicate the data type of the first data that the third node requests to collect. In one embodiment, the third node may use the first indication information in the second information to inform the first node what type of first data it requests to collect, so that the first node can provide the third node with that type of first data.

[0187] In some embodiments, where the second information includes the first indication information, the second information may also be used to request the first node to collect the first data according to the data type of the first data indicated by the first indication information.

[0188] In some embodiments, the second indication information may be used to indicate the data collection purpose of the first data. In some embodiments, the data collection purpose of the first data may include, but is not limited to: AI model training; data analysis.

[0189] In some embodiments, where the second information includes second instruction information, the second information can also be used to indicate the purpose for which the third node requests the collection of the first data, such as the data collection purpose. In one embodiment, the third node can use the second instruction information in the second information to inform the first node of its purpose for collecting the first data, so that when the first node requests the second node's authorization for collecting the first data, the first node can request authorization from the second node for that data collection purpose.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first identification information can be used to indicate a third node. In some embodiments, the first identification information can be used to uniquely identify a third node. For example, the first identification information can be the identity identifier of the third node; or, the first identification information can be the IP address of the third node.

[0191] In some embodiments, where the second information includes first identification information, the second information may also be used to request the first node to collect first data based on the first identification information in the second information.

[0192] In some embodiments, where the second information includes first identification information, the second information can also be used to request the first node to disclose the collected first data to the third node indicated by the first identification information. In some embodiments, the first data that the third node requests the first node to collect may be data that is permitted to be disclosed to the third node. In one embodiment, the third node may use the first identification information in the second information to inform the first node of its request to collect the first data, so that when the first node requests authorization from the second node to collect the first data, the first node can request authorization from the second node to disclose the first data to the third node.

[0193] In some embodiments, the second information may further include: third indication information. In some embodiments, the third indication information may be used to indicate a first time window. In some embodiments, the first time window may be used to indicate a time period, which indicates the time range within which the third node requests the collection of the first data. That is, within the first time window, the third node can request the first node to collect the first data, while outside the first time window, the third node cannot request the first node to collect the first data.

[0194] In some embodiments, the third indication information may be used to indicate at least two of the following: the start time of the first time window, the end time of the first time window, and the duration of the first time window. In one embodiment, when the third indication information indicates at least two of the start time, end time, and duration of the first time window, the first node may determine the time range of the first time window based on the third indication information.

[0195] In some embodiments, where the second information includes third instruction information, the second information can also be used to request the first node to collect first data within a first time window indicated by the third instruction information. In one embodiment, the third node can use the third instruction information in the second information to inform the first node of the time range (i.e., the first time window) in which it requests to collect the first data, so that the first node can collect the first data from the second node within the time range requested by the third node and stop collecting the first data outside the time range requested by the third node.

[0196] In some embodiments, if the first node does not receive the second information sent by the third node, steps S2102 to S2107 can be omitted.

[0197] In step S2103, the first node selects the fourth node from a plurality of second nodes.

[0198] In some embodiments, the fourth node may be a second node selected by the first node. In some embodiments, the fourth node is capable of providing the first node with the first data requested by the third node. In some embodiments, the fourth node is capable of generating the first data requested by the third node.

[0199] In some embodiments, a first node may select a fourth node from a plurality of second nodes based on the data provision capabilities of the second nodes. In some embodiments, the data provision capabilities of the fourth node may be used to indicate that the fourth node supports providing first data to the first node. In some embodiments, the multiple second nodes supporting the provision of data to the first node may include the first data. In one embodiment, the first node may determine the data that the multiple second nodes support providing to the first node based on the data provision capabilities of the multiple second nodes, thereby selecting a fourth node from the multiple second nodes that supports providing the first data.

[0200] In some embodiments, when a first node receives second information sent by multiple third nodes, and the first data requested by the multiple second messages is different, the terminal may select a fourth node from the multiple second nodes that can provide the first data requested by the second message for each second message.

[0201] In some embodiments, when a first node receives second information sent by multiple third nodes, and the first data requested by the multiple second messages is the same, the terminal can select a fourth node from the multiple second nodes that can provide the first data requested by the multiple third nodes. In some embodiments, when the second information sent by multiple different third nodes requests the same first data, the first node can coordinate the second information from the multiple different third nodes and select a fourth node from the multiple second nodes that can provide the first data to the multiple third nodes, so as to avoid wasting resources on transmitting the same first data.

[0202] In step S2104, the first node sends the fourth information to the fourth node.

[0203] In some embodiments, the fourth node receives fourth information sent by the first node.

[0204] In some embodiments, the fourth information may be used to request the fourth node to provide the first data.

[0205] In some embodiments, the fourth information may include at least one of the first indication information, the second indication information, and the first identification information.

[0206] In some embodiments, where the fourth information includes the first indication information, the fourth information can be used to request the fourth node to collect the first data according to the data type of the first data indicated by the first indication information. In one embodiment, the fourth information requests the fourth node to collect the first data with the same data type as indicated by the first indication information.

[0207] In some embodiments, where the fourth information includes second indication information, the fourth information can be used to request a fourth node to collect the first data according to the data collection purpose indicated by the second indication information. In one embodiment, the first data that the fourth information requests the fourth node to collect is data that is permissible to be processed by the first node based on the data collection purpose indicated by the second indication information.

[0208] In some embodiments, where the fourth information includes the first identification information, the fourth information can also be used to request the terminal to collect first data based on the first identification information. In one embodiment, the first data that the fourth information requests the fourth node to collect is data that is allowed to be made available to the third node indicated by the first identification information.

[0209] In some embodiments, the fourth information may also include third instruction information.

[0210] In some embodiments, where the fourth information includes third indication information, the fourth information can be used to request the fourth node to collect first data according to the first time window indicated by the third indication information. In one embodiment, the fourth information can also be used to request the fourth node to collect first data within the first time window and not collect first data outside the first time window. In one embodiment, the terminal not collecting first data outside the first time window can be understood as the terminal not starting to collect first data, or it can be understood as the terminal stopping collecting first data.

[0211] In some embodiments, before sending the fourth information to the fourth node, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect the first data from the fourth node. In some embodiments, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect the first data from the fourth node by performing a user consent check.

[0212] In some embodiments, where the second information includes first indication information, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect first data of the data type indicated by the first indication information from the fourth node. In one embodiment, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect data based on the data type indicated by the first indication information.

[0213] In some embodiments, where the second information includes second instruction information, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect the first data according to the data collection purpose indicated by the second instruction information. In one embodiment, the first node may determine whether the first data of the fourth node is authorized to be processed based on the data collection purpose indicated by the second instruction information.

[0214] In some embodiments, where the second information includes first identification information, the first node can determine whether it is authorized to collect first data based on the first identification information. In one embodiment, the first node can determine whether the first data of the fourth node is authorized to be shared with the third node indicated by the first identification information.

[0215] In some embodiments, where the second information includes third indication information, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect the first data within a first time window indicated by the third indication information. In one embodiment, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect the first data within the first time window indicated by the third indication information.

[0216] In some embodiments, if the first node is authorized to collect first data from the fourth node, the first node sends fourth information to the fourth node.

[0217] In some embodiments, where the first node is authorized to collect first data based on data type, the first node may send fourth information to the fourth node. In some embodiments, the first node may send fourth information containing first indication information to the fourth node.

[0218] In some embodiments, where the first node is authorized to collect first data for data collection purposes, the first node may send fourth information to the fourth node. In some embodiments, the first node may send fourth information containing second instruction information to the fourth node.

[0219] In some embodiments, if a first node is authorized to collect first data based on first identification information, the first node may send fourth information to a fourth node. In some embodiments, the first node may send fourth information containing the first identification information to the fourth node.

[0220] In some embodiments, where the first node is authorized to collect first data based on a first time window, the first node may send fourth information to the fourth node. In some embodiments, the first node may send fourth information containing third indication information to the fourth node.

[0221] In step S2105, the fourth node sends the first data to the first node.

[0222] In some embodiments, the first node receives first data sent by the fourth node.

[0223] In some embodiments, the fourth node can send first data to the first node via a user plane connection. In some embodiments, if the data provision capability of the fourth node indicates that the data transmission mode supported by the fourth node is user plane transmission, the fourth node can send first data to the first node via a user plane connection. In some embodiments, if the data provision capability of the fourth node indicates that the data transmission mode supported by the fourth node is user plane transmission, the first node can receive the first data sent by the fourth node via a user plane connection.

[0224] In some embodiments, the fourth node can send first data to the first node via a control plane connection. In some embodiments, if the data provision capability of the fourth node indicates that the data transmission mode supported by the fourth node is control plane transmission, the fourth node can send first data to the first node via a control plane connection. In some embodiments, if the data provision capability of the fourth node indicates that the data transmission mode supported by the fourth node is control plane transmission, the first node can receive the first data sent by the fourth node via a control plane connection.

[0225] In some embodiments, after receiving the first data sent by the fourth node, the first node may store the first data. In some embodiments, if the second information sent by multiple different third nodes requests the same first data, the first node may send the stored first data to the third node without having to request the fourth node to collect the first data again.

[0226] In step S2106, the first node processes the first data.

[0227] In some embodiments, the first node may perform format conversion processing on the first data. In some embodiments, if the data format provided by the fourth node is different from the data format of the first data requested by the third information, the first node may perform format conversion processing on the first data after obtaining the first data from the fourth node.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first node may anonymize the first data. In some embodiments, where the fourth node has privacy protection requirements, after the first node obtains the first data from the fourth node, the first node may anonymize data in a specific field of the first data.

[0229] In some embodiments, the first node may perform standardization processing on the first data. In some embodiments, when the third node has a data standardization requirement, the first node may perform standardization processing on the first data after obtaining it from the fourth node.

[0230] In some embodiments, if the first data sent by the fourth node to the first node can meet the needs of the third node, the first node may not process the first data and directly send the first data obtained from the fourth node to the third node. In this case, step S2106 can be omitted.

[0231] In step S2107, the first node sends third information to the third node.

[0232] In some embodiments, the third node may receive third information sent by the first node. In some embodiments, the third information may include first data. In some embodiments, where the first node processes the first data, the third information may include the processed first data.

[0233] In some embodiments, the first node can send third information to the third node via a user plane connection. In some embodiments, the first node can send third information to the third node via a control plane connection.

[0234] In some embodiments, a third node may receive third information sent by a first node via a user plane connection. In some embodiments, a third node may receive third information sent by a first node via a control plane connection.

[0235] In some embodiments, the term "information" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "message," "signal," "signaling," "report," "configuration," "indication," "instruction," "command," "channel," "parameter," "field," and "data."

[0236] In some embodiments, the term "send" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "transmit," "report," or "transmit."

[0237] The data collection method disclosed herein may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2107. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, steps S2101 to S2102 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, and steps S2101 to S2105 combined with step S2107 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0238] In some embodiments, steps S2102 to S2107 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0239] In some embodiments, steps S2103 to S2107 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0240] In some embodiments, step S2106 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0241] Figure 2B is a second interactive schematic diagram illustrating a data collection method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 2B, this disclosure relates to a data collection method for a communication system 100, the method including steps S2201 to S2207.

[0242] In step S2201, multiple second nodes send first information to the first node.

[0243] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2201 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2101 in FIG2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0244] In step S2202, at least one third node sends second information to the first node.

[0245] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2202 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2102 in FIG2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0246] In step S2203, the first node selects a plurality of fourth nodes from a plurality of second nodes.

[0247] In some embodiments, the fourth node may be a second node selected by the first node. In some embodiments, the fourth node is capable of providing the first node with the first data requested by the third node. In some embodiments, the fourth node is capable of generating the first data requested by the third node.

[0248] In some embodiments, where the first data requested by the first node includes multiple second data, the first node may select multiple fourth nodes from the multiple second nodes. In some embodiments, where the first data includes multiple second data, and the multiple second data are provided by multiple fourth nodes respectively, the first node may select multiple fourth nodes from the multiple second nodes.

[0249] In some embodiments, a first node may select a plurality of fourth nodes from a plurality of second nodes based on the data provision capabilities of the plurality of second nodes. In some embodiments, the data provision capabilities of the fourth nodes may be used to indicate that the fourth nodes support providing second data to the first node. In one embodiment, the first node may determine, based on the data provision capabilities of the plurality of second nodes, the data that the plurality of second nodes support to be provided to the first node, thereby selecting a plurality of fourth nodes from the plurality of second nodes that support providing a plurality of second data.

[0250] In some embodiments, when a first node receives second information sent by multiple third nodes, and the first data requested by the multiple second messages is different, the terminal may select multiple fourth nodes from the multiple second nodes that can jointly provide the first data requested by the second message for each second message.

[0251] In some embodiments, when a first node receives second information sent by multiple third nodes, and the first data requested by the multiple second messages is the same, the terminal can select multiple fourth nodes from the multiple second nodes that are capable of providing the first data requested by the multiple third nodes. In some embodiments, when the second information sent by multiple different third nodes requests the same first data, the first node can coordinate the second information from the multiple different third nodes and select multiple fourth nodes from the multiple second nodes that are capable of jointly providing the first data to the multiple third nodes, so as to avoid wasting duplicate resources to transmit the same first data.

[0252] In step S2204, the first node sends the fifth information to multiple fourth nodes.

[0253] In some embodiments, multiple fourth nodes may receive fifth information sent by the first node.

[0254] In some embodiments, the fifth piece of information can be used to request the fourth node to provide the second data.

[0255] In some embodiments, the fifth information may include at least one of the first instruction information, the second instruction information, and the first identification information.

[0256] In some embodiments, where the fifth information includes the first indication information, the fifth information can be used to request the fourth node to collect the second data according to the data type of the second data indicated by the first indication information. In one embodiment, the fifth information requests the fourth node to collect the second data of the same data type as the data type indicated by the first indication information.

[0257] In some embodiments, where the fifth information includes second indication information, the fifth information may be used to request the fourth node to collect the second data according to the data collection purpose indicated by the second indication information. In one embodiment, the second data that the fifth information requests the fourth node to collect is data that can be processed by the first node based on the data collection purpose indicated by the second indication information.

[0258] In some embodiments, where the fifth information includes the first identification information, the fifth information can also be used to request the terminal to collect second data based on the first identification information. In one embodiment, the second data that the fifth information requests the fourth node to collect is data that is permitted to be made available to the third node indicated by the first identification information.

[0259] In some embodiments, the fifth information may also include third instruction information.

[0260] In some embodiments, where the fifth information includes the third indication information, the fifth information can be used to request the fourth node to collect the second data according to the first time window indicated by the third indication information. In one embodiment, the fifth information can also be used to request the fourth node to collect the second data within the first time window and not collect the second data outside the first time window. In one embodiment, the terminal not collecting the second data outside the first time window can be understood as the terminal not starting to collect the second data, or it can be understood as the terminal stopping collecting the second data.

[0261] In some embodiments, before sending the fifth information to multiple fourth nodes, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect the second data from the fourth nodes. In some embodiments, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect the second data from the fourth nodes by performing a user consent check.

[0262] In some embodiments, where the second information includes first indication information, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect second data of the data type indicated by the first indication information from a plurality of fourth nodes. In one embodiment, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect data based on the data type indicated by the first indication information.

[0263] In some embodiments, where the second information includes second instruction information, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect the second data according to the data collection purpose indicated by the second instruction information. In one embodiment, the first node may determine whether the second data of a plurality of fourth nodes is authorized to be processed based on the data collection purpose indicated by the second instruction information.

[0264] In some embodiments, where the second information includes first identification information, the first node can determine whether it is authorized to collect second data based on the first identification information. In one embodiment, the first node can determine whether the second data of a plurality of fourth nodes is authorized to be shared with a third node indicated by the first identification information.

[0265] In some embodiments, where the second information includes third indication information, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect the second data within a first time window indicated by the third indication information. In one embodiment, the first node may determine whether it is authorized to collect the second data within the first time window indicated by the third indication information.

[0266] In some embodiments, where the first node is authorized to collect second data from multiple fourth nodes, the first node sends fifth information to the multiple fourth nodes.

[0267] In some embodiments, where the first node is authorized to collect second data based on data type, the first node may send fifth information to multiple fourth nodes. In some embodiments, the first node may send fifth information containing first indication information to multiple fourth nodes.

[0268] In some embodiments, where a first node is authorized to collect second data for data collection purposes, the first node may send fifth information to a plurality of fourth nodes. In some embodiments, the first node may send fifth information containing second indication information to a plurality of fourth nodes.

[0269] In some embodiments, where a first node is authorized to collect second data based on first identification information, the first node may send fifth information to multiple fourth nodes. In some embodiments, the first node may send fifth information containing the first identification information to multiple fourth nodes.

[0270] In some embodiments, where a first node is authorized to collect second data based on a first time window, the first node may send fifth information to multiple fourth nodes. In some embodiments, the first node may send fifth information containing third indication information to multiple fourth nodes.

[0271] In step S2205, multiple fourth nodes send second data to the first node.

[0272] In some embodiments, the first node receives second data sent by a plurality of fourth nodes.

[0273] In some embodiments, the fourth node can send second data to the first node via a user plane connection. In some embodiments, if the data provision capability of the fourth node indicates that the data transmission mode supported by the fourth node is user plane transmission, the fourth node can send second data to the first node via a user plane connection. In some embodiments, if the data provision capability of the fourth node indicates that the data transmission mode supported by the fourth node is user plane transmission, the first node can receive the second data sent by the fourth node via a user plane connection.

[0274] In some embodiments, the fourth node can send second data to the first node via a control plane connection. In some embodiments, if the data provision capability of the fourth node indicates that the data transmission mode supported by the fourth node is control plane transmission, the fourth node can send second data to the first node via a control plane connection. In some embodiments, if the data provision capability of the fourth node indicates that the data transmission mode supported by the fourth node is control plane transmission, the first node can receive the second data sent by the fourth node via a control plane connection.

[0275] In some embodiments, after receiving the second data sent by the fourth node, the first node may store the second data. In some embodiments, if the second information sent by multiple different third nodes requests the same first data, the first node may send the stored second data to the third node without needing to request the fourth node to collect the second data again.

[0276] In step S2206, the first node processes multiple sets of second data.

[0277] In some embodiments, the first node may perform format conversion processing on the second data. In some embodiments, if the data format provided by the fourth node is different from the data format of the second data requested by the third information, the first node may perform format conversion processing on the second data after obtaining it from the fourth node.

[0278] In some embodiments, the first node may anonymize the second data. In some embodiments, where the fourth node has privacy protection requirements, after the first node obtains the second data from the fourth node, the first node may anonymize data in specific fields of the second data.

[0279] In some embodiments, the first node may perform standardization processing on the second data. In some embodiments, if the third node has a data standardization requirement, the first node may perform standardization processing on the second data after obtaining it from the fourth node.

[0280] In some embodiments, the first node may aggregate multiple sets of second data. In some embodiments, after the first node obtains second data from multiple fourth nodes, the first node may aggregate the multiple sets of second data to obtain the first data requested by the third node.

[0281] In some embodiments, if the second data sent by the fourth node to the first node can meet the needs of the third node, the first node may not process the second data and directly send the second data obtained from the multiple fourth nodes to the third node. In this case, step S2206 can be omitted.

[0282] In step S2207, the first node sends third information to the third node.

[0283] In some embodiments, other optional implementations of step S2207 can be found in the optional implementations of step S2107 in FIG2A and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2A, which will not be repeated here.

[0284] In some embodiments, the term "information" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "message," "signal," "signaling," "report," "configuration," "indication," "instruction," "command," "channel," "parameter," "field," and "data."

[0285] In some embodiments, the term "send" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "transmit," "report," or "transmit."

[0286] The data collection method disclosed herein may include at least one of steps S2201 to S2207. For example, step S2201 may be implemented as a standalone embodiment, steps S2201 to S2202 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, and steps S2201 to S2205 combined with step S2207 may be implemented as standalone embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0287] In some embodiments, steps S2202 to S2207 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0288] In some embodiments, steps S2203 to S2207 are optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0289] In some embodiments, step S2206 is optional, and one or more of these steps may be omitted or substituted in different embodiments.

[0290] Figure 3 is an interactive schematic diagram of a data collection method according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the embodiments of this disclosure relate to an information processing method, which includes step S3101.

[0291] In step S3101, multiple second nodes send first information to the first node.

[0292] In some embodiments, the first node receives first information sent by a plurality of second nodes.

[0293] In some embodiments, the first information is used to indicate the data provision capability of the second node. In some embodiments, the data provision capability is used to indicate that the second node supports providing data to the first node. In some embodiments, the data provision capability is also used to allow the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second node.

[0294] In some embodiments, the data provision capability is also used to indicate at least one of the following: the device type to which the second node belongs, the data type that the second node supports, the data format that the second node supports, and the data transmission method that the second node supports.

[0295] In some embodiments, the first node may receive second information sent by at least one third node. In some embodiments, the second information is used to request the first node to collect first data for the third node. In some embodiments, multiple second nodes support providing the first node with data including the first data;

[0296] In some embodiments, the first node may send third information, including first data, to at least one third node. In some embodiments, the first node may send third information to at least one third node via a user. In some embodiments, the first node may send third information to at least one third node via control.

[0297] In some embodiments, after the first node receives second information sent by at least one third node, the first node selects at least one fourth node from the plurality of second nodes based on the data provision capabilities of the plurality of second nodes; and collects first data from the at least one fourth node. In some embodiments, the data provision capabilities of the fourth node are used to indicate that the fourth node supports providing the first data to the first node.

[0298] In some embodiments, if a first node receives multiple second messages from multiple third nodes, and the first data requested by the multiple second messages is the same, the first node sends a fourth message to a fourth node. In some embodiments, the fourth message is used to request the fourth node to provide the first data.

[0299] In some embodiments, the first node receives first data sent by the fourth node based on fourth information, and the first data is used by the first node to send third information to multiple third nodes.

[0300] In some embodiments, where the first data in the second information request includes a plurality of second data, and the plurality of second data are provided to the first node by a plurality of fourth nodes respectively, the first node sends fifth information to the plurality of fourth nodes. In some embodiments, the fifth information is used to request the fourth nodes to provide the second data.

[0301] In some embodiments, the first node receives second data sent by a plurality of fourth nodes based on fifth information; the second data is used by the first node to send third information to the third node.

[0302] In some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the first instruction information, the second instruction information, and the first identification information.

[0303] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the data type of the first data.

[0304] In some embodiments, the second instruction information is used to indicate the data collection purpose of the first data.

[0305] In some embodiments, the first identification information is used to indicate the third node.

[0306] In some embodiments, if the first node determines that it is authorized to collect first data from at least one fourth node, the first node collects first data from at least one fourth node.

[0307] In some embodiments, the first node is authorized to collect first data from at least one fourth node, including one of the following:

[0308] The first node is authorized to collect first data based on data type; the second information includes first indication information, which is used to indicate the data type of the first data.

[0309] The first node is authorized to collect first data for a data collection purpose; the second information includes second instruction information, which is used to indicate the data collection purpose of the first data.

[0310] The first node is authorized to collect first data based on the first identification information; the second information includes the first identification information, which is used to instruct the third node.

[0311] In some embodiments, the first node may process the first data before sending the third information to the third node. In some embodiments, the first node may send the third information to the third node, the third information including the processed first data.

[0312] In some embodiments, the first node may perform format conversion processing on the first data.

[0313] In some embodiments, the first node may anonymize the first data.

[0314] In some embodiments, the first node may perform standardization processing on the first data.

[0315] In some embodiments, the first node may perform aggregation processing on the first data.

[0316] To better understand the embodiments of this disclosure, the following exemplary embodiments will be used to further illustrate this disclosure.

[0317] In some embodiments, this disclosure proposes a unified data collection framework for 6G systems, which performs the following functions by defining new NFs: (1) maintaining a data capability registration of data source entities; (2) discovering and selecting data source entities that can provide the required data based on the registered data capabilities; (3) performing user consent checks at a finer granular level before collecting data from data source entities, such as user consent checks based on collection purpose, data type, or consumer ID; (4) further processing the collected data if necessary, such as data format conversion, data anonymization, or aggregation; and (5) delivering the processed or collected data to data collection consumers via user plane (UP) or control plane (CP) connections.

[0318] In some embodiments, the data source entity may include, but is not limited to: a terminal, a non-3GPP device behind the terminal, or a 6G NF (e.g., LMF, NMDAF, UDR, ADRF, and AF).

[0319] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG4A, FIG4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a unified data collection framework according to an exemplary embodiment. A new data collection function DCF is defined in this framework for collecting and managing different types of data from different data source entities (e.g., UE, NWDAF, LMF, UDM, AF, or ADRF, etc.).

[0320] In some embodiments, DCF can also support the collection and transmission of data via control plane and user plane connections. It also supports the transmission of collected data to data consumers via either control plane or user plane connections.

[0321] In some embodiments, different data source entities (e.g., UE, NWDAF, LMF, UDM, etc.) register data capabilities with the DCF, so that when a data collection service request is received from a data collection service consumer (e.g., AF or NF, etc.), the DCF can discover and select the correct data source entity based on the registered data capabilities.

[0322] In some embodiments, DCF also supports processing of the collected data, such as coordinating different data collection service consumers that request the same data, thus avoiding wasting resources on repeatedly transmitting the same data, and also supports processing operations such as data format conversion, data standardization, domain-specific data anonymization, and data aggregation.

[0323] In some embodiments, DCF supports user consent mechanisms to ensure data privacy. In some embodiments, the user consent mechanism supported by DCF can reach a more granular level, such as performing user consent checks based on collection purpose, data type, or consumer ID.

[0324] In some embodiments, data capability is defined as indicating the type of data that the NF, terminal, or device can generate or provide, such as camera video data in [3K, 4K] format, or sensor data in [].

[0325] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG4B, FIG4B is a schematic flowchart illustrating a data collection service provided by a 6G system according to an exemplary embodiment. The process includes the following steps:

[0326] Step 1: The data source entity registers its data capabilities with DCF.

[0327] In some embodiments, a data source entity may register its data capabilities with the DCF, including device capabilities, data types, data formats, user plane or control plane indications for collecting and transmitting data, etc.

[0328] Step 2: DCF receives data collection service requests from data collection service consumers.

[0329] In some embodiments, a data collection service request includes: data type, application ID, and customer ID.

[0330] Step 3: DCF discovers and selects data source entities based on the registered data capabilities.

[0331] In some embodiments, if the data collection service request is successfully authenticated and authorized, the DCF can discover and select a data source entity based on the registered data capabilities.

[0332] Step 4: DCF performs a user consent check to determine whether the terminal or user allows data collection.

[0333] In some embodiments, when the data source entity is a 6G NF, the DCF can determine whether to allow data collection based on a policy pre-configured by the mobile network operator (MNO).

[0334] Step 5: The DCF request collects data from the selected data source entity.

[0335] In some embodiments, in step 5a, the DCF collects data from a 6G NF or AF via the NEF. In some embodiments, in step 5b, the DCF collects data from a terminal or a non-3GPP device.

[0336] Step 6: DCF processes or stores the collected data.

[0337] In some embodiments, the DCF may process the collected data in ways including but not limited to: coordinating different data collection service consumers that request the same data, data format conversion, data standardization, domain-specific data anonymization, and data aggregation.

[0338] Step 7: DCF delivers the collected or processed data to the data collection service consumer via a user plane or control plane connection.

[0339] This disclosure also proposes an apparatus (also referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0340] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through a configuration file, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0341] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a CPU, microprocessor, graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an ASIC or PLD, such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), tensor processing unit (TPU), deep learning processing unit (DPU), etc.

[0342] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment. The network device 5100 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5A, the network device 5100 may include a transceiver module 5101, configured to receive first information sent by a plurality of second nodes. The first information is used to indicate the data provision capability of the second nodes, indicating that the second nodes support providing data to the first nodes. The data provision capability is also used by the first nodes to determine whether to collect data from the second nodes. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the first node in any of the above methods, which will not be described further here. Optionally, the network device 5100 may include a processing module, which is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the first node in any of the above methods, which will not be described further here.

[0343] In some embodiments, the data provision capability is also used to indicate at least one of the following: the device type to which the second node belongs; the data type that the second node supports providing; the data format that the second node supports providing; and the data transmission method that the second node supports.

[0344] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to receive second information sent by at least one third node, the second information being used to request the first node to collect first data for the third node; multiple second nodes support providing data to the first node including the first data; and send third information to at least one third node, the third information including the first data.

[0345] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to select at least one fourth node from a plurality of second nodes based on the data provision capabilities of the second nodes; the data provision capabilities of the fourth node are used to indicate that the fourth node supports providing first data to the first node; and to collect the first data from at least one fourth node.

[0346] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is configured to determine that it has received multiple second messages from multiple third nodes, and the first data requested by the multiple second messages is the same; send fourth messages to a fourth node, the fourth messages being used to request the fourth node to provide the first data; and receive the first data sent by the fourth node based on the fourth messages, the first data being used by the first node to send third messages to the multiple third nodes.

[0347] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is configured to determine that the first data of the second information request includes a plurality of second data, and the plurality of second data are provided by a plurality of fourth nodes to the first node respectively; send fifth information to the plurality of fourth nodes, the fifth information being used to request the fourth nodes to provide the second data; receive the second data sent by the plurality of fourth nodes based on the fifth information; and the second data being used by the first node to send third information to the third node.

[0348] In some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following: first indication information for indicating the data type of the first data; second indication information for indicating the data collection purpose of the first data; and first identification information for indicating a third node.

[0349] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to determine that the first node is authorized to collect first data from at least one fourth node.

[0350] In some embodiments, a first node is authorized to collect first data from at least one fourth node, including one of the following: the first node is authorized to collect the first data based on a data type; the second information includes first indication information for indicating the data type of the first data; the first node is authorized to collect the first data based on a data collection purpose; the second information includes second indication information for indicating the data collection purpose of the first data; the first node is authorized to collect the first data based on first identification information; the second information includes first identification information for indicating a third node.

[0351] In some embodiments, the processing module is further configured to process the first data; the transceiver module is configured to send third information to at least one third node, the third information including the processed first data.

[0352] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to perform at least one of the following: format conversion processing of the first data; anonymization processing of the first data; standardization processing of the first data; and aggregation processing of the first data.

[0353] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is configured to: send third information to at least one third node via a user; or send third information to at least one third node via control.

[0354] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment. The communication device 5200 is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 5B, the communication device 5200 may include a transceiver module 5201, which is configured to send first information to a first node. The first information is used to indicate the data provision capability of a second node. The data provision capability is used to indicate that the second node supports providing data to the first node. The data provision capability is also used to allow the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second node. Optionally, the transceiver module is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the second node in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. Optionally, the communication device 5200 may also include a processing module, which is used to perform at least one of the other steps performed by the second node in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0355] In some embodiments, the data provision capability is also used to indicate at least one of the following: the device type to which the second node belongs; the data type that the second node supports providing; the data format that the second node supports providing; and the data transmission method that the second node supports.

[0356] In some embodiments, the fourth node is selected by the first node from a plurality of second nodes after receiving second information sent by at least one third node, the second information being used to request the first node to collect first data for the third node.

[0357] In some embodiments, the fourth node is selected by the first node from a plurality of second nodes based on the data provision capabilities of the multiple second nodes. The data provision capabilities of the fourth node are used to indicate that the fourth node supports providing first data to the first node, and the fourth node is used for the first node to collect the first data.

[0358] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to receive fourth information sent by the first node, the fourth information being used to request the fourth node to provide first data; the fourth information is sent by the first node when it receives multiple second information from multiple third nodes, and the first data requested by the multiple second information is the same; based on the fourth information, the first data is sent to the first node, the first data being used by the first node to send third information to the multiple third nodes.

[0359] In some embodiments, the transceiver module is further configured to receive a fifth message sent by a first node, the fifth message being used to request a fourth node to provide second data; the fifth message being sent by the first node when the first data requested by the second message includes multiple second data, and the multiple second data are provided to the first node by multiple fourth nodes respectively; based on the fifth message, sending the second data to the first node; the second data being used by the first node to send third information to a third node.

[0360] In some embodiments, the second information includes at least one of the following: first indication information for indicating the data type of the first data; second indication information for indicating the data collection purpose of the first data; and first identification information for indicating a third node.

[0361] In some embodiments, the first node is authorized to collect first data from at least one fourth node.

[0362] In some embodiments, the first node being authorized to collect first data from at least one fourth node includes one of the following: the first node is authorized to collect the first data based on a data type; the second information includes first indication information for indicating the data type of the first data; the first node is authorized to collect the first data based on a data collection purpose; the second information includes second indication information for indicating the data collection purpose of the first data; the first node is authorized to collect the first data based on first identification information; the second information includes first identification information for indicating a third node.

[0363] In some embodiments, the transceiver module may include a transmitting module and / or a receiving module, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0364] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module.

[0365] In some embodiments, the processing module can be replaced by the processor, and the transceiver module can be replaced by the transceiver.

[0366] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment. The communication device 6100 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 6100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0367] As shown in Figure 6A, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 includes one or more processors 6101. The processor 6101 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 6100 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 6100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0368] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6103. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6103, the transceiver 6103 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method, and the processor 6101 performs at least one of the other steps. In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0369] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6102 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 6102 to cause the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 6102 may also be located outside the communication device 6100. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 6100 may include one or more interface circuits 6104. Optionally, the interface circuit 6104 is connected to the memory 6102 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 6102 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 6102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 6104 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 6102 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 6101.

[0370] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 6100 may not be limited by FIG. 6A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0371] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of a chip structure according to an exemplary embodiment. For cases where the communication device 6100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of the chip 6200 shown in Figure 6B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0372] Chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201. Chip 6200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0373] In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6203 may be located outside of chip 6200. Optionally, interface circuit 6202 is connected to memory 6203, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from memory 6203 or other devices, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to send data and / or instructions to memory 6203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 6202 can read data and / or instructions stored in memory 6203 and send the data and / or instructions to processor 6201.

[0374] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 performs at least one of the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method. For example, the interface circuit 6202 performing the communication steps, such as sending and / or receiving, in the above-described method means that the interface circuit 6202 performs data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 6201, the chip 6200, the memory 6203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 6201 performs at least one of the other steps.

[0375] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0376] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0377] This disclosure also proposes a program product, including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the storage medium.

[0378] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0379] Other embodiments of the invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the invention are indicated by the following claims.

[0380] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise structure described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A data collection method, wherein, Executed by the first node, the method includes: The system receives first information sent by multiple second nodes. The first information is used to indicate the data provision capability of the second nodes. The data provision capability is used to indicate that the second nodes support providing data to the first nodes. The data provision capability is also used by the first nodes to determine whether to collect data from the second nodes.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The data provision capability is also used to indicate at least one of the following: The device type to which the second node belongs; The second node supports the provided data types; The second node supports the provided data formats; The data transmission methods supported by the second node.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The method further includes: The first node receives a second message sent by at least one third node, the second message being used to request the first node to collect first data for the third node; the data that the plurality of second nodes support providing to the first node includes the first data. Send third information to the at least one third node, the third information including the first data.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, After receiving second information sent by at least one third node, the method further includes: Based on the data provision capabilities of the plurality of second nodes, at least one fourth node is selected from the plurality of second nodes; the data provision capabilities of the fourth node are used to indicate that the fourth node supports providing the first data to the first node; The first data is collected from the at least one fourth node.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The collection of the first data from the at least one fourth node includes: It is determined that multiple second messages have been received from multiple third nodes, and the first data requested by the multiple second messages is the same; Send a fourth message to the fourth node, the fourth message being used to request the fourth node to provide the first data; The first data is received by the fourth node based on the fourth information, and the first data is used by the first node to send the third information to the plurality of third nodes.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein, The collection of the first data from the at least one fourth node includes: It is determined that the first data in the second information request includes multiple second data, and the multiple second data are provided to the first node by multiple fourth nodes respectively; Send a fifth message to the plurality of fourth nodes, the fifth message being used to request the fourth nodes to provide the second data; The system receives the second data sent by the plurality of fourth nodes based on the fifth information; the second data is used by the first node to send the third information to the third node.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein, The second information includes at least one of the following: First indication information, used to indicate the data type of the first data; The second instruction information is used to indicate the purpose of data collection for the first data; The first identification information is used to indicate the third node.

8. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein, Before collecting the first data from the at least one fourth node, the method further includes: It is determined that the first node is authorized to collect the first data from the at least one fourth node.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, The first node is authorized to collect the first data from the at least one fourth node, including one of the following: The first node is authorized to collect the first data based on the data type; the second information includes first indication information, which is used to indicate the data type of the first data; The first node is authorized to collect the first data for a data collection purpose; the second information includes second indication information, which is used to indicate the data collection purpose of the first data; The first node is authorized to collect the first data based on the first identification information; the second information includes the first identification information, which is used to indicate the third node.

10. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein, Sending third information to the at least one third node includes: The first data is processed; The third information, which includes processed first data, is sent to the at least one third node.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The processing of the first data includes at least one of the following: Perform format conversion processing on the first data; The first data is anonymized; The first data is standardized. The first data is then aggregated.

12. The method according to any one of claims 3 to 11, wherein, Sending third information to the at least one third node includes one of the following: The third information is sent by the user to at least one third node; The third information is sent to the at least one third node by control.

13. A data collection method, wherein, Executed by the second node, the method includes: Send a first message to the first node, the first message being used to indicate the data provision capability of the second node, the data provision capability being used to indicate that the second node supports providing data to the first node, the data provision capability also being used by the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second node.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The data provision capability is also used to indicate at least one of the following: The device type to which the second node belongs; The second node supports the provided data types; The second node supports the provided data formats; The data transmission methods supported by the second node.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein, The fourth node is selected by the first node from a plurality of second nodes after receiving second information sent by at least one third node, the second information being used to request the first node to collect the first data for the third node.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The fourth node is selected by the first node from the plurality of second nodes based on the data provision capabilities of the plurality of second nodes. The data provision capabilities of the fourth node are used to indicate that the fourth node supports providing first data to the first node. The fourth node is used for the first node to collect the first data.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The method further includes: The system receives a fourth message sent by the first node, the fourth message being used to request the fourth node to provide first data; the fourth message is sent by the first node when it receives multiple second messages from multiple third nodes, and the first data requested by the multiple second messages is the same. Based on the fourth information, the first data is sent to the first node, and the first data is used by the first node to send the third information to the plurality of third nodes.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The method further includes: The first node receives a fifth message, which requests the fourth node to provide second data. The fifth message is sent by the first node when the first data requested by the second message includes multiple pieces of second data, and the multiple pieces of second data are provided to the first node by multiple fourth nodes respectively. Based on the fifth information, the second data is sent to the first node; the second data is used by the first node to send the third information to the third node.

19. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein, The second information includes at least one of the following: First indication information, used to indicate the data type of the first data; The second instruction information is used to indicate the purpose of data collection for the first data; The first identification information is used to indicate the third node.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, wherein, The first node is authorized to collect the first data from at least one of the fourth nodes.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein, The first node is authorized to collect the first data from at least one of the fourth nodes, including one of the following: The first node is authorized to collect the first data based on the data type; the second information includes first indication information, which is used to indicate the data type of the first data; The first node is authorized to collect the first data for a data collection purpose; the second information includes second indication information, which is used to indicate the data collection purpose of the first data; The first node is authorized to collect the first data based on the first identification information; the second information includes the first identification information, which is used to indicate the third node.

22. A data collection method, wherein, Performed by a communication system, the method includes: Multiple second nodes send a first message to a first node. The first message is used to indicate the data provision capability of the second nodes. The data provision capability is used to indicate that the second nodes support providing data to the first node. The data provision capability is also used by the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second nodes.

23. A communication device, wherein, The communication device includes: The transceiver module is configured to receive first information sent by multiple second nodes. The first information is used to indicate the data provision capability of the second nodes. The data provision capability is used to indicate that the second nodes support providing data to the first nodes. The data provision capability is also used to allow the first nodes to determine whether to collect data from the second nodes.

24. A communication device, wherein, The communication device includes: The transceiver module is configured to send first information to a first node, the first information being used to indicate the data provision capability of a second node, the data provision capability being used to indicate that the second node supports providing data to the first node, and the data provision capability being used for the first node to determine whether to collect data from the second node.

25. A communication device, wherein, The communication device includes: Memory, including executable instructions; One or more processors; When the executable instructions are executed by the processor, the communication device performs the data collection method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, 13 to 21.

26. A communication system, wherein, The communication system includes a first node and a second node, wherein the first node is configured to implement the data collection method of any one of claims 1 to 12, and the second node is configured to implement the data processing method of any one of claims 13 to 21.

27. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device performs the data collection method as described in any one of claims 1 to 12, 13 to 21.

28. A program product comprising at least one of a program and instructions, characterized in that, When at least one of the programs or instructions is executed by the communication device, it implements the steps of the data collection method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, 13 to 21.

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