CN114125742A

CN114125742A - Positioning service charging method and device

Info

Publication number: CN114125742A
Application number: CN202010888284.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨明月; 周润泽
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-08-28
Filing date: 2020-08-28
Publication date: 2022-03-01
Also published as: WO2022042553A1

Abstract

The application relates to the technical field of communication, and discloses a positioning service charging method and a positioning service charging device, which are used for solving the problems that the existing positioning service charging scheme does not charge for positioning which refuses to send a result of positioning terminal equipment to a positioning client, and does not accord with business strategies, so that operator loss is caused. The method comprises the following steps: the gateway mobile positioning center network element refuses to send a result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client according to the first indication; the gateway mobile positioning center network element generates positioning charging information, and the positioning charging information comprises the positioning event; and the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning charging information to a charging function network element.

Description

Positioning service charging method and device

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the technical field of communication, in particular to a positioning service charging method and device.

Background

In the prior art, when a location client (client) wants to locate a terminal device, two privacy authentications (privacy checks) of a core network are required, and after the authentications are passed, a location result is sent to the location client. After receiving a positioning request of a positioning client, a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) network element accesses a privacy profile (privacy profile) of a terminal device in a Unified Data Management (UDM) network element, and judges whether the terminal device agrees to positioning of the positioning client; and performing privacy authentication for the second time, wherein the core network executes the positioning process because the terminal equipment may have different privacy settings for different areas, and after the GMLC network element obtains the result of positioning the terminal equipment, inquiring whether the terminal equipment allows the positioning result to be returned to the positioning client.

According to the charging scheme of the positioning service defined by the current protocol, the GMLC network element records the positioning charging information of the positioning only under the condition that the terminal equipment allows the positioning result to be returned to the positioning client, and then sends the positioning charging information to a charging function (CHF) network element to generate a charging call record (CDR). And under the condition that the terminal equipment refuses to return the positioning result to the positioning client, the GMLC network element only returns an error cause (error cause) to the positioning client, and then the positioning is ended without charging the positioning service of the positioning. However, for an operator, in a case that the terminal device refuses to return the positioning result to the positioning client, the whole set of positioning procedures has been executed, and network resources (such as core network resources, air interface resources, and the like) are consumed, but the positioning service for this positioning is not charged and does not conform to the business policy.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a positioning service charging method and device, which are used for solving the problems that the existing positioning service charging scheme does not charge for positioning which refuses to send a result of positioning terminal equipment to a positioning client, and the operator loss is caused because the positioning is not in accordance with a business strategy.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a method for charging a location service, where the method includes: the gateway mobile positioning center network element refuses to send a result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client according to the first indication; the gateway mobile positioning center network element generates positioning charging information, and the positioning charging information comprises the positioning event; and the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning charging information to a charging function network element. Optionally, the method further includes: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines to refuse to send a result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client according to the first indication.

By adopting the method, when the result of positioning the terminal equipment is refused to be sent to the first positioning client, the gateway mobile positioning center network element can still record the positioning charging information of the positioning service and report (namely send) the positioning charging information to the charging function network element, and the charging function network element can generate a charging ticket according to the positioning charging information for charging the first positioning client, so that the positioning service charging scheme is more in line with the business strategy, and the loss of an operator is avoided.

In one possible design, the first indication includes area information indicating an area allowing a result of the positioning to be returned; alternatively, the area information is used to indicate an area where the result of positioning is not allowed to be returned. Wherein the area allowing return of the located result does not include the located result; alternatively, the area not allowing the result of the positioning to be returned includes the result of the positioning.

In the above design, the gateway mobile positioning center network element may determine whether the terminal device refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the area indicated by the terminal device, where the return of the result of positioning is allowed, or the area where the return of the result of positioning is not allowed, so as to be beneficial to protecting the privacy (e.g., location) of the terminal device.

In one possible design, the method further includes: the gateway mobile positioning center network element receives the first indication from the terminal equipment; the first indication is used for indicating the terminal equipment to refuse to send the positioning result to the first positioning client.

In the above design, the gateway mobile positioning center network element may further refuse to send the result of positioning to the first positioning client according to an instruction that the terminal device refuses to send the result of positioning to the first positioning client, which is beneficial to protecting the privacy of the terminal device.

In one possible design, the number of results of the positioning is one or more.

In the above design, the network element mobile positioning center network element may report the positioning charging information to the charging function network element after one or more times of refusing to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client, which is beneficial to meeting different positioning service charging requirements and saving signaling overhead.

In a possible design, before the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning charging information to a charging function network element, the method further includes: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines that the number of the positioning results reaches or exceeds a number threshold value.

In the above design, the gateway mobile positioning center network element may report the positioning charging information to the charging function network element when the number of the results of rejecting sending the positioning to the terminal device to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold, which is beneficial to meeting different positioning service charging requirements.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element receives the number threshold from the charging function network element.

In the above design, the gateway mobile positioning center network element can report the positioning charging information according to the number threshold indicated by the charging function network element, which is beneficial to meeting the requirement of the charging function network element on the positioning service charging.

In a possible design, before the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning charging information to a charging function network element, the method further includes: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines to send a result of positioning the terminal equipment to a second positioning client according to the second instruction.

In the above design, the gateway mobile positioning center network element may send the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning that refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client to the charging function network element after successfully sending the result of positioning the terminal device to the second positioning client, which is beneficial to meeting different charging requirements of positioning services.

In one possible design, the method further includes: the method further comprises the following steps: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element receives a third instruction from the charging function network element, wherein the third instruction is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element and generating positioning charging information for the positioning refusing to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client.

In the above design, the gateway mobile location center network element may generate the location charging information for the location that refuses to send the result of locating the terminal device to the first location client according to the indication of the charging function network element, which is favorable for meeting the requirement of the charging function network element for the location service charging.

In one possible design, the third indication includes a first positioning charging information reporting rule and/or a second positioning charging information reporting rule; the first positioning charging information reporting rule is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element, and sending the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning to the charging function network element after refusing to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client; and the second positioning charging information reporting rule is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element, and after determining that the result of positioning the terminal equipment is sent to a second positioning client, sending the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning which refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client to the charging function network element.

In the above design, the gateway mobile positioning center network element can report the positioning charging information according to the positioning charging information reporting rule indicated by the charging function network element, which is favorable for meeting the requirement of the charging function network element on the positioning service charging.

In one possible design, the located event includes one or more of: a result of the positioning service, a time of the positioning service, a precision of the positioning service, a requester of the positioning service, an object of the positioning service, and a fourth indication of refusing to provide the result of the positioning.

In the above design, the event of positioning includes a fourth indication (e.g., a number) that the providing of the result of positioning is rejected, which is beneficial for the charging functional network element to identify the event of positioning that the providing of the result of positioning to the first positioning client is rejected, and to charge for the positioning service.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for charging a location service, where the method includes: the charging function network element receives positioning charging information from a gateway mobile positioning center network element, wherein the positioning charging information comprises an event for positioning the terminal equipment, and the positioned event comprises a fourth instruction for refusing to provide a positioning result; and the charging function network element generates a charging ticket according to the positioning charging information.

By adopting the method, the positioning event comprises the fourth indication (such as times) that the terminal equipment refuses to provide the positioning result, which is beneficial to the identification of the charging function network element on the positioning which refuses to provide the positioning result for the positioning client and the charging of the positioning service.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the charging function network element sends a number threshold to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, wherein the number threshold is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element, and after the number of the results of rejecting sending the terminal equipment positioning to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold, the charging function network element sends the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of the results of rejecting sending the terminal equipment positioning to the first positioning client.

In the above design, the charging function network element may indicate the number threshold to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, which is beneficial for the gateway mobile positioning center network element to report the positioning charging information according to the number threshold indicated by the charging function network element, and meets the requirement of the charging function network element for the positioning service charging.

In one possible design, the method further includes: and the charging function network element sends a third instruction to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, wherein the third instruction is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element and generating positioning charging information for the positioning of the result of rejecting to send the positioning of the terminal equipment to the first positioning client.

In the above design, the charging function network element may instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to generate the positioning charging information for the positioning that refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client through the third instruction, which is favorable for meeting the requirement of the charging function network element for charging the positioning service.

In the above design, the charging function network element may indicate a rule for reporting the positioning charging information of the network element of the gateway mobile positioning center, which is beneficial to meeting the requirement of the charging function network element for charging the positioning service.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a location service charging apparatus, where the apparatus has a function of implementing the first aspect or any one of the possible design methods of the first aspect, and the function may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units (modules) corresponding to the above functions, such as a transceiver unit and a processing unit.

In one possible design, the device may be a chip or an integrated circuit.

In one possible design, the apparatus includes a processor and a transceiver, the processor being coupled to the transceiver for implementing the functions of the method described in the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect. The apparatus may further comprise a memory storing a program executable by the processor for implementing the functions of the method as described in the first aspect above or in any one of the possible designs of the first aspect.

In one possible design, the apparatus may be a gateway mobile positioning center network element.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a location service charging apparatus, where the apparatus has a function of implementing the second aspect or any one of the possible design methods of the second aspect, and the function may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units (modules) corresponding to the above functions, such as a transceiver unit and a processing unit.

In one possible design, the device may be a chip or an integrated circuit.

In one possible design, the apparatus includes a processor and a transceiver, the processor being coupled to the transceiver for implementing the functions of the method described in the second aspect or any of the possible designs of the second aspect. The apparatus may further comprise a memory storing a program executable by the processor for implementing the functions of the method as described in the second aspect above or in any of the possible designs of the second aspect.

In one possible design, the apparatus may be a charging function network element.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a location service charging system, where the location service charging system may include a gateway mobile location center network element and a charging function network element, where the gateway mobile location center network element may perform the method described in the foregoing first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect, and the charging function network element may perform the method described in the foregoing second aspect or any one of the possible designs of the second aspect.

In a sixth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instructions for performing the method of the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect, or performing the method of the second aspect or any one of the possible designs of the second aspect.

In a seventh aspect, this application further provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions, and when the computer program or instructions are executed, the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect or the second aspect is implemented, or the method described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect is implemented.

In an eighth aspect, the present application further provides a chip for implementing the method as described in the first aspect or any one of the possible designs of the first aspect, or implementing the method as described in the second aspect or any one of the possible designs of the second aspect.

For technical effects that can be achieved by the third aspect to the eighth aspect, please refer to the technical effects that can be achieved by the first aspect and the second aspect, which will not be repeated herein.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a location service charging scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a charging flow of a conventional location service according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a location service charging method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a second schematic flowchart of a charging method for location services according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a third schematic flowchart of a location service charging method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a location service charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a second schematic diagram of a location service charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a third schematic diagram of a location service charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a fourth schematic view of a location based service charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical scheme provided by the application can be suitable for a fifth generation (5th generation, 5G) communication system, a future communication system and the like, such as a 6G system and the like.

Specifically, as shown in fig. 1, an architecture of a 5G communication system applied in the embodiment of the present application may take a terminal device as a User Equipment (UE) as an example, and includes: a Location Management Function (LMF) network element, a charging function (CHF) network element, a UE, an access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) network element, a location acquisition function (LRF) network element, a Radio Access Network (RAN) device, and a location service (LCS) client (client), etc. For example, the location service client may also be referred to as a location client, the AMF network element may be connected to the UE through an N1 interface, connected to the RAN device through an N2 interface, connected to the LMF network element through an NL1 interface, and connected to the GMLC network element through an NL2 interface, the GMLC network element may be connected to the CHF network element through an NL4 interface, and connected to the LCS client through an Le interface, and the LRF network element may be connected to the LCS client through an Le interface. It should be understood that the architecture of the communication system shown in fig. 1 is illustrated here as an example only, and not as a limitation of the network elements or interfaces comprised in the architecture of the communication system to which the method of the present application is applicable. As shown in fig. 1, the network architecture may further include one or more of a Unified Data Management (UDM) network element, a network open function (NEF) network element, an Application Function (AF) network element, a Policy Control Function (PCF) network element, a Session Management Function (SMF) network element, a User Plane Function (UPF) network element, and a data network (data network, DN). The functions of some network elements or devices in the communication system will be briefly described below.

A terminal device (terminal device) is a device with radio transceiving function, and the terminal device can communicate with a core network via a RAN, and exchange voice and/or data with the RAN. The terminal equipment can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface (such as a ship and the like); and may also be deployed in the air (e.g., airplanes, balloons, satellites, etc.). The terminal device may be a mobile phone (mobile phone), a tablet computer (pad), a computer with a wireless transceiving function, a Virtual Reality (VR) terminal, an Augmented Reality (AR) terminal, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a wireless terminal in self driving (self driving), a wireless terminal in remote medical (remote medical), a wireless terminal in smart grid (smart grid), a wireless terminal in transportation safety (transportation safety), a wireless terminal in smart city (smart city), a wireless terminal in smart home (smart home), and the like. The terminal device may include, for example, a User Equipment (UE), a wireless terminal device, a mobile terminal device, a device-to-device communication (D2D) terminal device, a vehicle-to-outside (V2X) terminal device, a machine-to-machine/machine-type communication (M2M/MTC) terminal device, an internet of things (IoT) terminal device, a subscriber unit (subscriber unit), a subscriber station (subscriber station), a mobile station (mobile station), a remote station (remote station), an access point (access point, AP), a remote terminal (remote), an access terminal (access terminal), a user terminal (user terminal), a user agent (user), or user equipment (user equipment). For example, mobile telephones (or so-called "cellular" telephones), computers with mobile terminal equipment, portable, pocket, hand-held, computer-included mobile devices, and the like may be included. For example, Personal Communication Service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phones, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) stations, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and the like. Also included are constrained devices, such as devices that consume less power, or devices that have limited storage capabilities, or devices that have limited computing capabilities, etc. Examples of information sensing devices include bar codes, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), sensors, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), laser scanners, and the like.

By way of example and not limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. Wearable equipment can also be called wearable smart device or intelligent wearable equipment etc. is the general term of using wearable technique to carry out intelligent design, develop the equipment that can dress to daily wearing, like glasses, gloves, wrist-watch, dress and shoes etc.. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the clothing or accessories of the user. The wearable device is not only a hardware device, but also realizes powerful functions through software support, data interaction and cloud interaction. The generalized wearable smart device includes full functionality, large size, and can implement full or partial functionality without relying on a smart phone, such as: smart watches or smart glasses and the like, and only focus on a certain type of application functions, and need to be used in cooperation with other devices such as smart phones, such as various smart bracelets, smart helmets, smart jewelry and the like for monitoring physical signs.

The various terminal devices described above, if located on a vehicle (e.g., placed in or installed in the vehicle), may be considered to be vehicle-mounted terminal devices, which are also referred to as on-board units (OBUs), for example.

The terminal device may establish a connection with the carrier network through an interface (e.g., N1, etc.) provided by the carrier network, and use data and/or voice services provided by the carrier network. The terminal device may also access the DN via an operator network, use operator services deployed on the DN, and/or services provided by a third party. The third party may be a service party other than the operator network and the terminal device, and may provide services such as data and/or voice for the terminal device. The specific expression form of the third party may be determined according to an actual application scenario, and is not limited herein.

The RAN is a sub-network of the operator network and is an implementation system between the service node and the terminal device in the operator network. The terminal device is to access the operator network, first through the RAN, and then may be connected to a service node of the operator network through the RAN. The RAN device in the embodiment of the present application is a device that provides a wireless communication function for a terminal device, and is also referred to as an access network device and a network device. RAN equipment includes, for example but not limited to: next generation base stations (5G nodeB, gNB), evolved node BS (eNB), Radio Network Controllers (RNC), Node BS (NB), Base Station Controllers (BSC), Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), home base stations (e.g., home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), Base Band Unit (BBU), transmission point (TRP), Transmission Point (TP), WiFi Access Point (AP), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (worldwide interoperability for microwave access, WiMax), Base Stations (BS), mobile switching center, and the like in 5G.

The AMF network element is mainly responsible for authentication of the terminal device, mobility management, and the like, and specifically may be responsible for registration, location update, mobility state switching management, and the like of the terminal device.

The SMF network element is mainly responsible for session management (including session establishment, modification, and release) of the terminal device, such as allocating an Internet Protocol (IP) address to the terminal device, and selecting an UPF network element that provides a message forwarding function.

The PCF network element is mainly responsible for policy control decisions, and may be used to provide policies, such as quality of service (QoS) policies, slice selection policies, and the like, to the AMF network element and the SMF network element.

The CHF network element is mainly responsible for charging problems, such as issuing a charging policy, collecting charging information, generating a charging ticket, and the like.

And the UDM network element is mainly responsible for storing user data, such as subscription information, authentication/authorization information and the like.

And the LMF network element is mainly responsible for positioning request management and positioning resource allocation during positioning service.

The UPF network element is mainly responsible for processing the messages (or data packets) of the terminal equipment, such as forwarding and charging.

The GMLC network element is mainly responsible for location request processing of the location service, such as selecting a suitable AMF network element for the location service, or performing location service authentication, etc.

DN, refers to an operator network providing data transmission services for the terminal device, such as IP Multimedia Service (IMS), Internet (Internet), etc.

In addition, it should be understood that the network element may be a functional module (software) or a hardware entity.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a location service charging scenario based on a 5G network architecture, where introduction of functions of a network element may refer to introduction of functions of a corresponding network element in fig. 1 and is not described again.

As shown in fig. 3, an example of a process for charging for an existing location service includes:

s301: the GMLC network element receives a location request (location request) message from a location client, where the location request message is used to request location of a terminal device (e.g., request location of a certain terminal device or a specific terminal device).

S302: after the first privacy authentication is passed, the GMLC network element sends a charging data request (charging data request) message to the CHF network element.

Specifically, after the GMLC network element receives a location request message from a location client to a terminal device (taking UE as an example), the GMLC network element accesses a privacy profile of the terminal device in the UDM network element to identify whether the terminal device allows the location of the located client, and if the terminal device allows the location of the located client, the first privacy authentication is passed, and the GMLC network element sends a charging data request message to a CHF network element.

The charging data request message is used to initiate a location service charging request to a CHF network element, and may further include a location service requester, a location service object (i.e., a target to be located, such as a terminal device to be located), a location request type, a location request accuracy, and the like.

S303: and the GMLC network element receives a charging data response (charging data response) message returned by the CHF network element.

S304: the GMLC network element transmits a location provision request (location provision request) message to the AMF network element.

Wherein the location providing request message is used for providing the location information of the terminal equipment for the request AMF network element.

S305: and the AMF network element acquires the position information of the terminal equipment.

The method includes that an LMF network element is selected for a positioning service by an AMF network element, the LMF network element is a real execution subject of the positioning service, after the LMF network element receives a location providing request message sent (or transmitted) by the AMF network element, a proper positioning algorithm (positioning method) is selected, the positioning method represents a positioning calculation mode or algorithm, after the positioning method is selected, the LMF network element notifies RAN equipment(s) and terminal equipment of what positioning method the RAN equipment uses, then the terminal equipment sends out sounding signals, and the RAN equipment(s) measure sounding signals sent by the terminal equipment, such as measure signal strength of the sounding signals sent by the terminal equipment, and the like. The RAN device(s) sends the measurement result to the LMF network element, and the LMF network element calculates location information (location information) of the terminal device in combination with the used location method, and feeds back the location information of the terminal device to the AMF network element.

S306: the AMF network element transmits a location provision response (location offer response) message to the GMLC network element.

Wherein, the location providing response message includes the location information of the terminal device, i.e. the result of locating the terminal device.

S307: the GMLC network element sends a location verification request message to the terminal equipment.

S308: the GMLC network element receives a location verification response (location verification response) message from the terminal device.

The GMLC network element may perform the second privacy authentication by sending a location verification request message to the terminal device and receiving a location verification response message from the terminal device, where the location verification response message returned by the terminal device includes whether the terminal device allows sending the result of the positioning to the positioning client, if so, the GMLC network element performs S309A, and if not, the GMLC network element performs S309B.

S309A: and the GMLC network element sends a positioning response message to the positioning client, wherein the positioning response message comprises a result of positioning the terminal equipment.

In addition, when the terminal device allows the positioning result to be sent to the positioning client, the GMLC network element generates positioning charging information, and can send the positioning charging information to the CHF network element by sending a charging data report (charging data report) message carrying the positioning charging information to the CHF network element, and the CHF network element generates a charging ticket to charge the positioning service.

S309A: the GMLC network element sends an error cause (error cause) to the location client, and ends the location service.

In the prior art, if the terminal equipment refuses to return the positioning result to the positioning client, the GMLC network element does not return the positioning result to the positioning client, but only returns an error reason to the positioning client, such as the terminal equipment refuses to provide the positioning result, and then ends the positioning service without charging the positioning service.

However, for the operator, under the condition that the terminal device refuses to return the positioning result to the positioning client, the whole set of positioning process has been executed, and network resources (such as core network resources, air interface resources, and the like) are consumed, but no charging is made for the positioning service, and the service does not conform to the business strategy.

The method aims to improve the positioning service charging scheme, and charges the positioning refusing to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the positioning client, so that the positioning service charging is more consistent with the business strategy, and the loss of an operator is avoided. In addition, it should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, at least one may also be described as one or more, and a plurality may be two, three, four or more, and the present application is not limited thereto. In the embodiments of the present application, "/" may indicate a relationship in which the objects associated before and after are "or", for example, a/B may indicate a or B; "and/or" may be used to describe that there are three relationships for the associated object, e.g., A and/or B, which may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone, wherein A and B can be singular or plural. For convenience in describing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to distinguish technical features having the same or similar functions. The terms "first", "second", and the like do not necessarily limit the number and execution order, and the terms "first", "second", and the like do not necessarily differ. In the embodiments of the present application, the words "exemplary" or "such as" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or illustrations, and any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "e.g.," should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. The use of the terms "exemplary" or "such as" are intended to present relevant concepts in a concrete fashion for ease of understanding.

The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of a location service charging method provided in an embodiment of the present application, where the flowchart includes:

s401: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element refuses to send a result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client according to the first indication.

In the embodiment of the present application, if the positioning service charging method is applied to a 5G network architecture, the network element mobile positioning center network element may be a GMLC network element in the 5G network architecture, and the charging function network element may be a CHF network element in the 5G network architecture; if the location service charging method is applied to other network architectures, such as a future 6G network architecture, the gateway mobile location center network element may be another network element in the network architecture having the same or similar function as the GMLC network element, and the charging function network element may be another network element in the network architecture having the same or similar function as the CHF network element.

Since the terminal device may have different privacy settings in different areas, for example: and the terminal equipment allows the positioning client to send the positioning result of the Pudong new area in Shanghai city, and refuses to send the positioning client to the positioning client according to the positioning result of the Pudong new area in non-Shanghai city. Therefore, after the gateway mobile positioning center network element receives the positioning request from the first positioning client to the terminal device and obtains the result of positioning the terminal device, it is necessary to perform privacy authentication (or judgment) on whether the terminal device allows the positioning result to be returned (i.e., sent) to the first positioning client.

The gateway mobile positioning center network element may determine, according to the first indication corresponding to the terminal device, a result of rejecting sending the terminal device positioning to the first positioning client. For example, the first indication may be received from a terminal device, or may be locally configured by a gateway mobile positioning center network element. The first indication may be first indication information or a first indication message.

In a possible embodiment, the first indication comprises area information for indicating an area where the terminal device allows returning (i.e. sending) the result of the positioning; or an area for indicating that the terminal device does not allow (i.e. rejects) the return of the result of the positioning. After the gateway mobile positioning center network element obtains the result of positioning the terminal device, it may determine whether to allow the positioning result to be returned to the first positioning client according to whether the positioning result is in the area indicated by the area information included in the first indication.

The following are exemplified: taking the area where the area information included in the first indication is used to indicate the area where the terminal device allows the return of the positioning result as an example, the gateway mobile positioning center network element initiates positioning of the terminal device at the first positioning client (for example, receiving a positioning request message sent by the first positioning client, where the positioning request message is used to request positioning of the terminal device), after the gateway mobile positioning center network element obtains the positioning result of the terminal device (for example, after obtaining the positioning result of the terminal device by providing a response message through the position of S306 in fig. 3), the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines that the area where the terminal device allows the return of the positioning result does not include the positioning result of the terminal device, and determines that the transmission of the positioning result of the terminal device to the first positioning client is denied.

In another possible implementation, after the gateway mobile positioning center network element obtains the result of positioning the terminal device, the gateway mobile positioning center network element may inquire whether the terminal device allows the result of positioning to be returned (i.e., sent) to the first positioning client, and if the gateway mobile positioning center network element receives a first indication from the terminal device for indicating the terminal device to reject sending the result of positioning to the first positioning client, it determines to reject sending the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client.

The following are exemplified: after the gateway mobile positioning center network element obtains the result of positioning the terminal device, the gateway mobile positioning center network element may send a location verification request message to the terminal device (see S307 in fig. 3), where the location verification request message may include information such as identification information of the first positioning client and the result of positioning the terminal device, and after receiving the location verification request message, the terminal device replies a location verification response message to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, where the location verification response message carries a first indication that the terminal device refuses to send the result of positioning to the first positioning client, and then the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines to refuse to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the first indication carried in the location verification response message.

S402: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element generates positioning charging information, wherein the positioning charging information comprises the positioning event.

For example, the positioning event includes one or more of a result of the positioning service, a positioning service time, a positioning service precision, a positioning service requester, a positioning service object, a fourth indication, and the like. Wherein the fourth indication is for indicating a result of the refusal to provide positioning. For example, the fourth indication may be a number of times the result of providing a position fix is rejected.

S403: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning charging information to a charging function network element, and the charging function network element receives the positioning charging information.

Different from the existing positioning service charging method, the positioning which refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client is not charged, only an error reason is returned to the first positioning client, and the positioning service is ended. In the embodiment of the present application, for the positioning that refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client, the gateway mobile positioning center network element generates the positioning charging information including the positioned event, and sends the positioning charging information to the charging function network element for charging the positioning service. The following are exemplified: the positioning charging information may be sent to a charging function network element through a charging data report (charging data report) message.

As an example, after the gateway mobile positioning center network element receives a positioning request for the terminal device from the first positioning client, obtains a result of positioning the terminal device, and refuses to send the result of positioning to the first positioning client according to the first indication corresponding to the terminal device, the gateway mobile positioning center network element may generate positioning charging information including the positioned event, and send the positioning charging information to the charging function network element.

S404: and the charging function network element generates a charging ticket according to the positioning charging information.

And the charging functional network element receives the positioning charging information sent by the gateway mobile positioning center network element, generates a charging bill according to the positioning charging information, and realizes charging for the positioning refusing to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client. And the charging ticket can be sent to a charging domain (billing domain) to charge the first positioning client.

As an example: the charging ticket (CDR) may include a record type (record type), such as a first positioning client requesting a gateway mobile positioning center network element to locate a terminal device, identification information (GMLC identity) of the gateway mobile positioning center network element, such as an IP address of the gateway mobile positioning center network element, identification information (client identity) of the first positioning client, a type (client type) of the first positioning client, a type (location type) of requested location information, and recording time (record time).

In the scheme of fig. 4, after the gateway mobile positioning center network element mainly rejects sending the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client each time, the corresponding positioning charging information is reported to the charging function network element, and charging of the positioning service that rejects sending the result of positioning is completed. Optionally, the gateway mobile positioning center network element may also report the corresponding positioning charging information to the charging function network element after one or more times of refusing to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client, so as to complete charging for the positioning service refusing to send the result of positioning.

In a possible implementation, the gateway mobile positioning center network element may report the corresponding positioning charging information to the charging function network element when determining that the number "N" (N is a positive integer) of the results of rejecting sending the positioning of the terminal device to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold, thereby completing charging for the positioning service that rejects sending the results of positioning.

For example, the flow of the location service charging method is shown in fig. 5, and includes:

s501: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element refuses to send a result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client according to the first indication.

S502: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines that the number of the positioning results reaches or exceeds a number threshold value.

Different from the situation that the gateway mobile positioning center network element reports the corresponding positioning charging information to the charging function network element after rejecting to send the terminal device positioning result to the first positioning client every time, the gateway mobile positioning center network element can also report the corresponding positioning charging information to the charging function network element when the number 'N' (N is a positive integer) of the results of rejecting to provide the terminal device positioning to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold.

Specifically, the gateway mobile positioning center network element initiates positioning of the terminal device at the first positioning client each time, and after obtaining the result of positioning the terminal device, the gateway mobile positioning center network element refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the first indication, which may refer to the related description in fig. 4, and repeated parts are not described again.

In a possible implementation, each time the gateway mobile positioning center network element rejects sending the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client, the number of times (flag number) +1 of rejecting providing the result of positioning may indicate that the procedure of positioning the terminal device has been successfully performed once, but the result of positioning is not returned to the first positioning client.

In addition, it should be understood that, if the first indication includes area information, the area information is used to indicate an area where the terminal device allows returning (or sending) the result of the positioning; or an area for indicating that the terminal device does not allow (or reject) the return of the positioning result, wherein the first indication is obtained from the terminal device by a gateway mobile positioning center network element, the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines to reject sending the positioning result of the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the first indication for N times, the terminal device does not need to send the first indication for multiple times, and only the terminal device needs to send the first indication once; if the gateway mobile positioning center network element acquires the result of positioning the terminal device, inquires whether the terminal device allows the result of positioning to be returned (i.e. sent) to the first positioning client, and the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines to refuse to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the first indication for N times, the terminal device is required to send a first indication for indicating to refuse to send the result of positioning to the first positioning client to the gateway mobile positioning center network element when the gateway mobile positioning center network element inquires whether the terminal device allows the result of positioning to be returned (i.e. sent) to the first positioning client (M times), and for the N times of positioning for refusing to send the result of positioning to the first positioning client, wherein M is a positive integer not less than N.

S503: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element generates positioning charging information, wherein the positioning charging information comprises the positioning event.

For example, the location charging information includes the N location events, the location event includes one or more of a result of the location service, a location service time, a location service accuracy, a location service requester, a location service object, and a fourth indication of rejecting providing a location result, and the fourth indication of rejecting providing a location result may be a number of times rejecting providing a location result. For example: the method comprises a positioning request party 'first positioning client terminal', a positioning service object 'terminal device', the positioning service time of N positioning, the positioning service precision of N positioning (when the precision of N positioning services is the same, the precision can also be expressed by one positioning service precision), the frequency of refusing to provide positioning results 'N times' and the like.

S504: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning charging information to a charging function network element, and the charging function network element receives the positioning charging information.

When the number (N) of the results of the terminal equipment positioning, which are refused to be provided to the first positioning client by the gateway mobile positioning center network element, reaches or exceeds the number threshold, the gateway mobile positioning center network element generates positioning charging information and sends the positioning charging information to the charging function network element for charging the positioning service. The following are exemplified: the positioning charging information can be sent to a charging function network element through a charging data report message.

As an example, the number threshold may be predefined by a protocol and configured in the gateway mobile positioning center network element, or may be determined by the charging function network element according to the charging requirement or requirement of the positioning service, and sent to the gateway mobile positioning center network element.

S505: and the charging function network element generates a charging ticket according to the positioning charging information.

And the charging functional network element receives the positioning charging information sent by the gateway mobile positioning center network element, generates a charging bill according to the positioning charging information, and realizes charging for N times of positioning which refuse to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client. And the charging ticket can be sent to billing domain to charge the first positioning client.

In another possible implementation, after determining to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the second positioning client, the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the result of rejecting to send the terminal device positioning to the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of the first positioning client to the charging function network element, and completes charging for the positioning service rejecting to send the positioning result.

For example, the flow of the location service charging method is shown in fig. 6, and includes:

s601: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client according to the first indication.

S602: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines to send a result of positioning the terminal equipment to a second positioning client according to the second instruction.

Different from the situation that the gateway mobile positioning center network element refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client every time, the gateway mobile positioning center network element reports the corresponding positioning charging information to the charging function network element, and the gateway mobile positioning center network element can also report the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning refusing to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client to the charging function network element after determining to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the second positioning client. The second positioning client may be the same as the first positioning client or different from the first positioning client, and the positioning result sent to the second positioning client may be the same as or different from the positioning result rejected to the first positioning client.

The second indication may be the same as the first indication, such as both including area information, where the area information is used to indicate an area where the terminal device allows returning (i.e., sending) the positioning result; or an area for indicating that the terminal device does not allow (i.e. rejects) the return of the result of the positioning. The following are exemplified: taking the area where the area information included in the second indication is used to indicate the area where the terminal device allows the return of the positioning result as an example, the gateway mobile positioning center network element initiates the positioning of the terminal device at the second positioning client, after the gateway mobile positioning center network element obtains the positioning result of the terminal device (for example, after obtaining the positioning result of the terminal device through the position providing response message of S306 in fig. 3), the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines that the area where the terminal device allows the return of the positioning result includes the positioning result of the terminal device, and determines that the positioning result of the terminal device is sent to the second positioning client.

The second indication may also be an indication indicating that the terminal device allows sending the result of the positioning to the second positioning client. The following are exemplified: after the gateway mobile positioning center network element obtains the result of positioning the terminal device, the gateway mobile positioning center network element may send a location verification request message to the terminal device (see S307 in fig. 3), where the location verification request message may include information such as identification information of the second positioning client and the result of positioning the terminal device, and after receiving the location verification request message, the terminal device replies a location verification response message to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, where the location verification response message carries a second indication that the terminal device allows sending the result of positioning to the second positioning client, and the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the second positioning client according to the second indication carried in the location verification response message.

In addition, before the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the second positioning client according to the second indication, the gateway mobile positioning center network element may indicate that the process of positioning the terminal device has been successfully performed once, but does not return the result of positioning to the first positioning client, for each time the gateway mobile positioning center network element refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client once (flag number) + 1).

In addition, the gateway mobile positioning center network element initiates positioning of the terminal device at the first positioning client each time, and after obtaining the result of positioning the terminal device, the gateway mobile positioning center network element refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the first indication, which may refer to the above description in fig. 4 or fig. 5, and repeated parts are not described again.

S603: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element generates positioning charging information, wherein the positioning charging information comprises the positioning event for refusing to send the positioning result of the terminal equipment to the first positioning client.

After the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the second positioning client, the gateway mobile positioning center network element generates positioning charging information, wherein the positioning charging information includes the event (S) of rejecting sending the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client, and S is a positive integer not less than 1.

For example, the location charging information includes the S location events, the location events include one or more of a result of the location service, a location service time, a location service accuracy, a location service requester, a location service object, and a fourth indication of rejecting providing a location result, and the fourth indication of rejecting providing a location result may be a number of times of rejecting providing a location result. For example: the method comprises a positioning request party 'first positioning client terminal', a positioning service object 'terminal device', positioning service time of S positioning, positioning service precision of S positioning (when the precision of S positioning services is the same, the precision can also be expressed by one positioning service precision), and the frequency of refusing to provide positioning results 'S times'.

S604: and the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning charging information to a charging function network element, and the charging function network element receives the positioning charging information.

S605: and the charging function network element generates a charging ticket according to the positioning charging information.

And the charging functional network element receives the positioning charging information sent by the gateway mobile positioning center network element, generates a charging bill according to the positioning charging information, and realizes charging for S times of positioning for refusing to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client. And the charging ticket can be sent to billing domain to charge the first positioning client.

In a possible implementation, in order to satisfy different location service charging requests, the charging function network element may further send a third instruction to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, and the gateway mobile positioning center network element starts, only after receiving the third instruction, to generate location charging information for location that rejects sending a result of locating the terminal device to the first location client.

Wherein the third indication is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element to generate positioning charging information for the positioning that refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client.

As an example, the third indication may be sent to the gateway mobile positioning center network element via a charging data response message. As shown in fig. 3, after the charging function network element sends the charging data request message to the charging function network element, the charging function network element may carry a third indication in a charging data response message replied to the gateway mobile positioning center network element.

In a possible implementation, the charging function network element may further carry the first positioning charging information reporting rule and/or the second positioning charging information reporting rule in the sent third indication, and indicate the rule for reporting the charging information to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, so as to meet the charging requirements of different positioning services; the rule for reporting the charging information of the gateway mobile positioning center network element can also be indicated through the number threshold value sent to the gateway mobile positioning center network element so as to meet the charging requirements of different positioning services.

The first positioning charging information reporting rule is used to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to refuse to send a result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client, and then to send positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning to the charging function network element, and is used to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to perform positioning service charging according to the scheme shown in fig. 4.

The second positioning charging information reporting rule is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element, sending the result of positioning the terminal device to the second positioning client, and then sending the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning that refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client to the charging function network element, and is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element to perform positioning service charging according to the scheme shown in fig. 6.

The number threshold is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element, and after the number of the results of rejecting sending the terminal device positioning to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold, sending the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning rejecting sending the terminal device positioning result to the first positioning client to the charging function network element, and is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element to perform positioning service charging according to the scheme shown in fig. 5.

The above-mentioned scheme provided by the present application is introduced mainly from the perspective of interaction between a gateway mobile positioning center network element and a charging function network element. It is to be understood that, in order to implement the above functions, each network element includes a corresponding hardware structure and/or software module (or unit) for performing each function. Those of skill in the art would readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

In case of integrated units (modules), fig. 7 shows a possible exemplary block diagram of a location service charging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application, and the location service charging apparatus 700 may be in the form of software. The apparatus 700 may include: a processing unit 702 and a transceiver unit 703.

In one possible design, the processing unit 702 is configured to perform the corresponding processing functions. The transceiver unit 703 is used to support communication of the apparatus 700 with other network entities. Optionally, the transceiver unit 703 may include a receiving unit and/or a transmitting unit, which are respectively configured to perform receiving and transmitting operations. Optionally, the apparatus 700 may further comprise a storage unit 701 for storing program codes and/or data of the apparatus 700.

The apparatus 700 may be a gateway mobile positioning center network element in any of the above embodiments, or may also be a chip or other component disposed in the gateway mobile positioning center network element. The processing unit 702 may enable the apparatus 700 to perform the actions of the gateway mobile positioning center network element in the above method examples. Alternatively, the processing unit 702 mainly executes the internal actions of the network element of the gateway mobile positioning center in the method example, and the transceiver unit 703 may support the communication between the apparatus 700 and the charging function network element, etc.

Specifically, in an embodiment, the processing unit 702 is configured to refuse to send a result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client according to the first indication;

the processing unit 702 is further configured to generate positioning charging information, where the positioning charging information includes the positioned event;

the transceiver 703 is configured to send the positioning charging information to a charging function network element.

In a possible design, the processing unit 702 is further configured to determine, according to the first indication, to reject sending the result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client.

In one possible design, the first indication includes area information indicating an area where the result of the positioning is allowed to be returned, or the area information indicating an area where the result of the positioning is not allowed to be returned. Wherein the area allowing return of the located result does not include the located result; alternatively, the area not allowing the result of the positioning to be returned includes the result of the positioning.

In one possible design, the first indication is used to instruct the terminal device to reject sending the result of the positioning to the first positioning client.

In a possible design, the processing unit 702 is further configured to determine that the number of the positioning results reaches or exceeds a number threshold before the transceiver unit 703 sends the positioning charging information to a charging function network element.

In a possible design, the transceiver 703 is further configured to receive the number threshold from the charging function network element.

In a possible design, the processing unit 702 is further configured to determine, before the transceiver unit 703 sends the positioning charging information to a charging function network element, to send a result of positioning the terminal device to a second positioning client according to a second instruction.

In a possible design, the transceiver 703 is further configured to receive a third indication from the charging function network element, where the third indication is used to indicate that location-based charging information is generated for a location that rejects sending a result of locating the terminal device to the first location client.

In one possible design, the third indication includes a first positioning charging information reporting rule and/or a second positioning charging information reporting rule; the first positioning charging information reporting rule is used for indicating that the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning is sent to the charging function network element after the result of the positioning of the terminal equipment is refused to be sent to the first positioning client; and the second positioning charging information reporting rule is used for indicating that after the result of positioning the terminal equipment is sent to a second positioning client side, sending the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of the result of rejecting to send the terminal equipment to the first positioning client side to the charging function network element.

As shown in fig. 8, an embodiment of the present application further provides a location service charging apparatus 800, where the location service charging apparatus 800 includes a processor 810 and a transceiver 830, and may further include a memory 820. In one possible design, the memory 820 stores instructions or programs or data, and the memory 820 may be used to implement the functions of the storage unit 701 in the above embodiments. The processor 810 is used to read instructions or programs or data stored in the memory 820. When the instructions or programs stored in the memory 820 are executed, the processor 810 is configured to perform the operations performed by the processing unit 702 in the above embodiments, and the transceiver 830 is configured to perform the operations performed by the transceiver 703 in the above embodiments.

In case of integrated units (modules), fig. 9 shows a possible exemplary block diagram of a further location services charging apparatus, which is referred to in the embodiments of the present application, and the location services charging apparatus 900 may exist in the form of software. The apparatus 900 may include: a processing unit 902 and a transceiving unit 903.

In one possible design, the processing unit 902 is configured to perform corresponding processing functions. The transceiving unit 903 is used to support communication of the apparatus 900 with other network entities. Alternatively, the transceiving unit 903 may comprise a receiving unit and/or a transmitting unit for performing receiving and transmitting operations, respectively. Optionally, the apparatus 900 may further comprise a storage unit 901 for storing program codes and/or data of the apparatus 900.

The apparatus 900 may be a charging function network element in any of the above embodiments, or may also be a chip or other component arranged in the charging function network element. The processing unit 902 may enable the apparatus 900 to perform the actions of the charging function network element in the above method examples. Alternatively, the processing unit 902 mainly performs the internal actions of the charging function network element in the method example, and the transceiver unit 903 may support the communication between the apparatus 900 and the gateway mobile positioning center network element, etc.

Specifically, in an embodiment, the transceiver 903 is configured to receive positioning charging information from a gateway mobile positioning center network element, where the positioning charging information includes an event of positioning a terminal device, and the event of positioning includes a fourth indication of rejecting providing a result of positioning; the processing unit 902 is configured to generate a charging ticket according to the positioning charging information.

In a possible design, the transceiver 903 is further configured to send a number threshold to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, where the number threshold is used to indicate the gateway mobile positioning center network element, and after the number of results of rejecting sending the terminal device positioning to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold, send the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning that rejects sending the result of sending the terminal device positioning to the first positioning client.

In a possible design, the transceiver 903 is further configured to send a third instruction to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, where the third instruction is used to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to generate positioning charging information for positioning that rejects sending a result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client.

In one possible design, the third indication includes a first positioning charging information reporting rule and/or a second positioning charging information reporting rule; the first positioning charging information reporting rule is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element to send the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning after rejecting to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client; and the second positioning charging information reporting rule is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element, and sending positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of the result of rejecting sending the terminal equipment to the first positioning client after determining to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the second positioning client.

As shown in fig. 10, an embodiment of the present application further provides a location service charging apparatus 1000, where the location service charging apparatus 1000 includes a processor 1010 and a transceiver 1030, and may further include a memory 1020. In one possible design, the memory 1020 stores instructions or programs or data, and the memory 1020 can be used for implementing the functions of the storage unit 901 in the above embodiments. The processor 1010 is used to read instructions or programs or data stored in the memory 1020. When the instructions or programs stored in the memory 1020 are executed, the processor 1010 is configured to perform the operations performed by the processing unit 902 in the above embodiments, and the transceiver 1030 is configured to perform the operations performed by the transceiver 903 in the above embodiments.

As another form of the present embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which instructions are stored, and when executed, the instructions may perform the location service charging method applicable to a gateway mobile positioning center network element or a charging function network element in the above method embodiments.

As another form of this embodiment, a computer program product is provided, which contains instructions that when executed can perform the location service charging method applicable to the gateway mobile location center network element or the charging function network element in the above method embodiments.

As another form of this embodiment, a chip is provided, and when the chip runs, the positioning service charging method applicable to a gateway mobile positioning center network element or a charging function network element in the foregoing method embodiments may be executed.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present application may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present application may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present application may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, and the like) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.

The present application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the application. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.

While the preferred embodiments of the present application have been described, additional variations and modifications in those embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art once they learn of the basic inventive concepts. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as including preferred embodiments and all alterations and modifications as fall within the scope of the application.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the embodiments of the present application without departing from the scope of the embodiments of the present application. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is also intended to encompass such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A method for charging for location services, comprising:

the gateway mobile positioning center network element refuses to send a result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client according to the first indication;

the gateway mobile positioning center network element generates positioning charging information, and the positioning charging information comprises the positioning event;

and the gateway mobile positioning center network element sends the positioning charging information to a charging function network element.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first indication comprises area information indicating an area allowing a result of positioning to be returned; alternatively, the area information is used to indicate an area where the result of positioning is not allowed to be returned.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the area allowing return of located results does not include the located results; alternatively, the area not allowing the result of the positioning to be returned includes the result of the positioning.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first indication is used to instruct the terminal device to reject sending the result of the positioning to the first positioning client.

5. The method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the number of results of said locating is one or more.

6. The method as claimed in any of claims 1-5, wherein before said gateway mobile positioning center network element sending said positioning charging information to a charging function network element, further comprising:

and the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines that the number of the positioning results reaches or exceeds a number threshold value.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method further comprises:

and the gateway mobile positioning center network element receives the number threshold from the charging function network element.

8. The method as claimed in any one of claims 1-7, wherein before said gateway mobile positioning center network element sends said positioning charging information to a charging function network element, further comprising:

and the gateway mobile positioning center network element determines to send a result of positioning the terminal equipment to a second positioning client according to the second instruction.

9. The method of any one of claims 1-8, further comprising:

and the gateway mobile positioning center network element receives a third instruction from the charging function network element, wherein the third instruction is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element and generating positioning charging information for the positioning refusing to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the third indication comprises a first positioning charging information reporting rule and/or a second positioning charging information reporting rule; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the first positioning charging information reporting rule is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element, and sending the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning to the charging function network element after refusing to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client;

and the second positioning charging information reporting rule is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element, and after determining that the result of positioning the terminal equipment is sent to a second positioning client, sending the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning which refuses to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client to the charging function network element.

11. The method of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the located event comprises one or more of:

a result of the positioning service, a time of the positioning service, a precision of the positioning service, a requester of the positioning service, an object of the positioning service, and a fourth indication of refusing to provide the result of the positioning.

12. A method for charging for location services, comprising:

the charging function network element receives positioning charging information from a gateway mobile positioning center network element, wherein the positioning charging information comprises an event for positioning the terminal equipment, and the positioned event comprises a fourth instruction for refusing to provide a positioning result;

and the charging function network element generates a charging ticket according to the positioning charging information.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the method further comprises:

and the charging function network element sends a number threshold to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, wherein the number threshold is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element, and after the number of the results of rejecting sending the terminal equipment positioning to the first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold, the charging function network element sends the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of the results of rejecting sending the terminal equipment positioning to the first positioning client.

14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the method further comprises:

and the charging function network element sends a third instruction to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, wherein the third instruction is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element and generating positioning charging information for the positioning of the result of rejecting to send the positioning of the terminal equipment to the first positioning client.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the third indication comprises a first positioning charging information reporting rule and/or a second positioning charging information reporting rule; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

16. A location services charging apparatus, comprising: a processing unit and a transceiver unit;

the processing unit is used for refusing to send a result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client according to the first indication;

the processing unit is further configured to generate positioning charging information, where the positioning charging information includes the positioned event;

and the transceiver unit is configured to send the positioning charging information to a charging function network element.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first indication comprises area information indicating an area allowing return of a result of positioning; alternatively, the area information is used to indicate an area where the result of positioning is not allowed to be returned.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the area that allows for return of results of positioning does not include the results of positioning; alternatively, the area not allowing the result of the positioning to be returned includes the result of the positioning.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first indication is to instruct the terminal device to reject sending the result of the positioning to the first positioning client.

20. The apparatus of any one of claims 16-19, wherein the number of results of said positioning is one or more.

21. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16-20, wherein the processing unit is further configured to determine that the number of results of the positioning reaches or exceeds a number threshold before the transceiver unit sends the positioning charging information to a charging function network element.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein said transceiver unit is further configured to receive said number threshold from said charging function network element.

23. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 16-22, wherein the processing unit is further configured to determine, according to the second indication, to send the result of positioning the terminal device to the second positioning client before the transceiver unit sends the positioning charging information to the charging function network element.

24. The apparatus according to any of claims 16-23, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a third indication from the charging function network element, where the third indication is used to indicate that location charging information is generated for a location that rejects sending a result of the location of the terminal device to the first location client.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the third indication comprises a first positioning charging information reporting rule and/or a second positioning charging information reporting rule; wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the first positioning charging information reporting rule is used for indicating that the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning is sent to the charging function network element after the result of the positioning of the terminal equipment is refused to be sent to the first positioning client;

and the second positioning charging information reporting rule is used for indicating that after the result of positioning the terminal equipment is sent to a second positioning client side, sending the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of the result of rejecting to send the terminal equipment to the first positioning client side to the charging function network element.

26. The apparatus of any one of claims 16-25, wherein the located event comprises one or more of:

27. A location services charging apparatus, comprising: a processing unit and a transceiver unit;

the receiving and sending unit is configured to receive positioning charging information from a gateway mobile positioning center network element, where the positioning charging information includes an event of positioning a terminal device, and the event of positioning includes a fourth indication of rejecting providing a result of positioning;

and the processing unit is used for generating a charging ticket according to the positioning charging information.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to send a number threshold to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, where the number threshold is used to instruct the gateway mobile positioning center network element to send, after the number of results of rejecting sending the terminal device positioning to a first positioning client reaches or exceeds the number threshold, the location charging information corresponding to the positioning that rejects sending the result of sending the terminal device positioning to the first positioning client.

29. The apparatus of claim 27 or 28, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to send a third indication to the gateway mobile positioning center network element, where the third indication is used to indicate the gateway mobile positioning center network element to generate positioning charging information for positioning that rejects sending a result of positioning the terminal device to the first positioning client.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the third indication comprises a first positioning charging information reporting rule and/or a second positioning charging information reporting rule; the first positioning charging information reporting rule is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element to send the positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning after rejecting to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the first positioning client;

and the second positioning charging information reporting rule is used for indicating the gateway mobile positioning center network element, and sending positioning charging information corresponding to the positioning of the result of rejecting sending the terminal equipment to the first positioning client after determining to send the result of positioning the terminal equipment to the second positioning client.

31. A computer-readable storage medium, in which a computer program or instructions is stored which, when executed by a location service charging apparatus, implements a method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, or implements a method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15.

32. A chip, wherein the chip when running implements the method of any one of claims 1-11, or implements the method of any one of claims 12-15.

33. A communication system, characterized in that the system comprises a gateway mobile positioning centre network element for performing the method according to any of claims 1-11 and a charging function network element for performing the method according to any of claims 12-15.