WO2025201857A1

WO2025201857A1 - Apparatus, method and computer program

Info

Publication number: WO2025201857A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/056435
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jafar MOHAMMADI; Saurabh Khare; Bo Holm BJERRUM; Apostolos KOUSARIDAS; Chaitanya Aggarwal
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2024-03-28
Filing date: 2025-03-10
Publication date: 2025-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 2026-09-28
Also published as: GB202404447D0; GB2639919A

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing receiving, from a network device of a network, an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at the network and based on the received indication, providing a further indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to an application layer of the apparatus.

Description

Title

Apparatus, method and computer program

Field

The present application relates to a method, apparatus, system and computer program and in particular but not exclusively to sensing service notification for surveillance and privacy.

Background

A communication system can be seen as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities such as user terminals, base stations and/or other nodes by providing carriers between the various entities involved in the communications path. A communication system can be provided for example by means of a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. The communication sessions may comprise, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, video, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and/or content data and so on. Non-limiting examples of services provided comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services and access to a data network system, such as the Internet.

In a wireless communication system at least a part of a communication session between at least two stations occurs over a wireless link. Examples of wireless systems comprise public land mobile networks (PLMN), satellite based communication systems and different wireless local networks, for example wireless local area networks (WLAN). Some wireless systems can be divided into cells, and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

A user can access the communication system by means of an appropriate communication device or terminal. A communication device of a user may be referred to as user equipment (UE) or user device. A communication device is provided with an appropriate signal receiving and transmitting apparatus for enabling communications, for example enabling access to a communication network or communications directly with other users. The communication device may access a carrier provided by a station, for example a base station of a cell, and transmit and/or receive communications on the carrier. The communication system and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted to do and how that should be achieved. Communication protocols and/or parameters which shall be used for the connection are also typically defined. One example of a communications system is Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) (3G radio). Other examples of communication systems are the long-term evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology and so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) networks. NR is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Other examples of communication systems include 5G-Advanced (NR Rel-18 and beyond) and 6G.

Summary

In a first aspect there is provided a method comprising receiving, from a network device of a network, an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at the network and based on the received indication, providing a further indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to an application layer of the apparatus.

The received indication may be comprised in a system information block.

The received indication may be comprised in a non-access stratum message.

The method may comprise, based on the received indication, performing at least one of the following: causing the apparatus to generate a notification relating to the received indication, disconnecting from the network, selecting a further network, stopping an ongoing sensing session at the apparatus or an ongoing sensing session initiated by the apparatus, providing updated sensing configuration parameters for the sensing session ongoing at the network, selecting or requesting a sensing service associated with the ongoing sensing session, providing, to the network device, a request to prevent the sensing session ongoing at the network from being performed on the apparatus or providing a request to the network to participate in the sensing session ongoing at the network or a further sensing session.

The performing may be further based on a user intervention in response to the notification. Stopping the ongoing sensing session at the apparatus or the ongoing sensing session initiated by the apparatus may comprise stopping the ongoing session for a period of time or within a region.

The method may be performed at/in/on/by a vehicle and comprises selecting an alternative trajectory of the vehicle, based on the received indication.

The received indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network may comprise sensing session information.

The sensing session information may relate to at least one of the following: geographical area of the sensing session, type of sensing session, sensing resolution information, sensing accuracy information and sensing capability information.

The method may be performed at/in/on/by a user equipment.

In a second aspect there is provided a method comprising causing an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at a network to be provided to a user equipment.

Causing the indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to be provided to the user equipment may comprise causing the indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to be provided to the user equipment if at least one of the following: a sensing service is ongoing, a sensing service is started, at least one sensing notification rule is met, at least one sensing rule is met, or receiving, from a network entity, a sensing notification request.

Causing the indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to be provided to the user equipment may comprises causing the indication to be provided to the user equipment in a system information block.

The method may be performed at/in/on/by a radio access node of the network.

Causing the indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to be provided to the user equipment may comprise causing the indication to be provided to the user device in a non-access stratum message. The method may be performed at/in/on/by an application management function or a sensing management function.

In a third aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing receiving, from a network device of a network, an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at the network and based on the received indication, providing a further indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to an application layer of the apparatus.

The received indication may be comprised in a system information block.

The received indication may be comprised in a non-access stratum message.

The apparatus may comprise means for, based on the received indication, performing at least one of the following: causing the apparatus to generate a notification relating to the received indication, disconnecting from the network, selecting a further network, stopping an ongoing sensing session at the apparatus or an ongoing sensing session initiated by the apparatus, providing updated sensing configuration parameters for the sensing session ongoing at the network, selecting or requesting a sensing service associated with the ongoing sensing session, providing, to the network device, a request to prevent the sensing session ongoing at the network from being performed on the apparatus or providing a request to the network to participate in the sensing session ongoing at the network or a further sensing session.

The performing may be further based on a user intervention in response to the notification.

Stopping the ongoing sensing session at the apparatus or the ongoing sensing session initiated by the apparatus may comprise stopping the ongoing session for a period of time or within a region.

The apparatus may comprise a vehicle and comprises means for performing selecting an alternative trajectory of the vehicle, based on the received indication.

The received indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network may comprise sensing session information. The sensing session information may relate to at least one of the following: geographical area of the sensing session, type of sensing session, sensing resolution information, sensing accuracy information and sensing capability information.

The apparatus may comprise a user equipment.

In a fourth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing causing an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at a network to be provided to a user equipment.

The apparatus may comprise a radio access node of the network.

Causing the indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to be provided to the user equipment may comprise causing the indication to be provided to the user device in a non-access stratum message.

The apparatus may comprise an application management function or a sensing management function.

In a fifth aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform a method according to the first or second aspects. In a sixth aspect there is provided a computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to the first or second aspects.

In a seventh aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to the first or second aspects.

In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the embodiments described above.

Description of Figures

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example 5GS communication system;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example mobile communication device;

Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example control apparatus;

Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment;

Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment;

Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment;

Figure 7 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment;

Figure 8 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment.

Detailed description

Before explaining in detail the examples, certain general principles of a wireless communication system and mobile communication devices are briefly explained with reference to Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 to assist in understanding the technology underlying the described examples.

An example of a suitable communications system is the 5G or NR concept. Network architecture in NR may be similar to that of LTE-advanced. Base stations of NR systems may be known as next generation NodeBs (gNBs). Changes to the network architecture may depend on the need to support various radio technologies and finer Quality of Service (QoS) support, and some on-demand requirements for e.g. QoS levels to support Quality of Experience (QoE) for a user. Also network aware services and applications, and service and application aware networks may bring changes to the architecture. Those are related to Information Centric Network (ICN) and User-Centric Content Delivery Network (UC-CDN) approaches. NR may use Multiple Input - Multiple Output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than the LTE (a so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and perhaps also employing a variety of radio technologies for better coverage and enhanced data rates.

Future networks may utilise network functions virtualization (NFV) which is a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions into “building blocks” or entities that may be operationally connected or linked together to provide services. A virtualized network function (VNF) may comprise one or more virtual machines running computer program codes using standard or general type servers instead of customized hardware. Deployments may be cloud-native network function (CNF) based, where network functions comprise one or more pods. Cloud computing or data storage may also be utilized. In radio communications this may mean node operations are to be carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head. It is also possible that node operations will be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes or hosts. It should also be understood that the distribution of labour between core network operations and base station operations may differ from that of LTE or may even be nonexistent.

Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a 5G system (5GS) 100. The 5GS may comprise a user equipment (UE) 102 (which may also be referred to as a communication device or a terminal), a 5G radio access network (5GRAN) 104, a 5G core network (5GC) 106, one or more internal or external application functions (AF) 108 and one or more data networks (DN) 110. An example 5G core network (CN) comprises functional entities. The 5GC 106 may comprise one or more Access and mobility Management Functions (AMF) 112, one or more session management functions (SMF) 114, an authentication server function (ALISF) 116, a Unified Data Management (UDM) 118, one or more user plane functions (UPF) 120, a Unified Data Repository (UDR) 122 and/or a Network Exposure Function (NEF) 124. The UPF is controlled by the SMF (Session Management Function) that receives policies from a PCF (Policy Control Function).

The CN may be connected to a UE via the Radio Access Network (RAN) or through fixed access via a non-3GPP Interworking Function (N3IWF). The 5GRAN may comprise one or more gNodeB (gNB) Distributed Unit (DU) functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) Centralized Unit (CU) functions. The RAN may comprise one or more access nodes.

A User Plane Function (UPF) referred to as PDU Session Anchor (PSA) may be responsible for forwarding frames back and forth between the DN and the tunnels established over the 5G towards the UE(s) exchanging traffic with the DN.

A possible mobile communication device will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 2 showing a schematic, partially sectioned view of a communication device 200. Such a communication device is often referred to as user equipment (UE) or terminal. An appropriate mobile communication device may be provided by any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals (e.g., via a communication component). Non-limiting examples comprise a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), or any combinations of these or the like. A mobile communication device may provide, for example, communication of data for carrying communications such as voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia and so on. Users may thus be offered and provided numerous services via their communication devices. Non-limiting examples of these services comprise two-way or multi-way calls, data communication or multimedia services or simply an access to a data communications network system, such as the Internet. Users may also be provided broadcast or multicast data. Non-limiting examples of the content comprise downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alerts, and other information.

A mobile device is typically provided with at least one data processing entity 201 , at least one memory 202 and other possible components 203 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other relevant components can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 204. The user may control the operation of the mobile device by means of a suitable user interface such as key pad 205, voice commands, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. A display 208, a speaker and a microphone can be also provided. Furthermore, a mobile communication device may comprise appropriate connectors (either wired or wireless) to other devices and/or for connecting external accessories, for example hands-free equipment, thereto.

The mobile device 200 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 207 via appropriate apparatus for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 2 transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 206. The transceiver apparatus 206 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device.

Figure 3 shows an example of a control apparatus 300 for a communication system, for example to be coupled to and/or for controlling a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, e.g. a base station, eNB or gNB, a relay node or a core network node such as an MME or Serving Gateway (S-GW) or Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW), or a core network function such as AMF/SMF, or a server or host. The method may be implemented in a single control apparatus or across more than one control apparatus. The control apparatus may be integrated with or external to a node or module of a core network or RAN. In some embodiments, base stations comprise a separate control apparatus unit or module. In other embodiments, the control apparatus can be another network element such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. In some embodiments, each base station may have such a control apparatus as well as a control apparatus being provided in a radio network controller. The control apparatus 300 can be arranged to provide control on communications in the service area of the system. The control apparatus 300 comprises at least one memory 301 , at least one data processing unit 302, 303 and an input/output interface 304. Via the interface the control apparatus can be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the base station. The receiver and/or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head.

Network sensing may be introduced in 6G systems and in 5G advanced systems. A communication network may provide sensing services to support various use cases/applications. The use cases may take place in various geographical areas. The sensing services may involve sensing different types of information (e.g., vehicle, people, buildings, health features, environmental features etc.). Some of these applications, use cases, geographical areas and/or types of information may be privacy sensitive.

A goal of a sensing service may be to obtain awareness of the scene (or environment) surrounding a sensing device. Obtaining awareness of the scene may involve detecting, localizing and tracking objects, to form images and/or to extract features for recognition/classification purposes, etc. A sensing device may have the capability to detect, localize and track objects, to form images and/or to extract features for recognition/classification purposes, etc.

A sensing service may be provided by a sensing session performed by an apparatus according to configuration parameters (e.g., but not limited to sensing area, sensing QoS, sensing object, sensing quality (e.g., accuracy or resolution), sensing type, sensing timing (e.g., duration or periodicity). A sensing session may be referred to as a sensing procedure or sensing operation.

The integration of sensing and communication (ISAC) has been proposed. The ISAC may help to achieve both high-data rate communications and high-resolution obstacle detection using the same hardware and spectrum resources. The ISAC may increase sensing capabilities, improve sensing accuracy for scenarios or situations that traditional sensing techniques may not perform well (e.g., Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) conditions, requirement for high velocity resolution etc.), enhance spectrum efficiency by sharing communication and sensing spectrum bands and/or reduce hardware cost by combining sensing and communication equipment/hardware.

Different types of services and target vertical applications may benefit from ISAC services that a 5G or beyond 5G system could provide. Different use cases and corresponding technical requirements have been described to make use of 5G-based sensing services. Example use cases include intrusion detection (e.g., Intruder detection in smart home, Pedestrian/animal intrusion detection on a highway), Support Autonomous Driving (e.g., Sensing Assisted Automotive Maneuvering and Navigation, Sensing for Parking Space Determination etc), Support Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Flight (e.g., UAV flight trajectory tracing, Network assisted sensing to avoid UAV collision), Support Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV)/ Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) in Factories (e.g., AGV detection and tracking in factories), AMR collision avoidance in smart factories), Environment/Weather monitoring (e.g., rain, pollution, flooding), Health Monitoring (e.g., fall detection, contactless sleep monitoring service, Health monitoring at home), extended reality (XR)-relevant services.

In order to enable 5G/beyond-5G wireless sensing services, a Functionality (e.g., Sensing Management Function (SeMF) Functionality) may be introduced in 5GC. The Functionality may be responsible for receiving different types of sensing request from a Sensing Client (e.g., UE or Application Function (AF) or Network Function (NF)), coordinating sensing functions and collecting sensing measurement (sensing data) and provide sensing data and/or sensing outputs to the sensing Client either directly, or via NEF, e.g., if the requesting client is a third-party external Application or AF. The SeMF receives requests that may include information about the type of the Sensing Area, the Sensing QoS, (optionally UE(s) that should be sensed).

There are different sensing methods/types that could be used in an integrated sensing and communication system. RAN nodes (e.g., base stations (BSs)) can participate in a sensing procedure either for monostatic sensing or for bi-static sensing.

For monostatic RAN-based sensing, a BS acts as transmitter/sounder (transmitting Sensing Signal) and the same BS acts as a receiver/Sensor (receiving Sensing Signal). The BS may employ a system in which the transmit and receive arrays are placed together.

For bi-static RAN-based sensing, a BS acts as transmitter/sounder (transmitting Sensing Signal) band one or more other BSs act as Receiver(s)/Sensor(s) (receiving Sensing Signal).

For bi-static RAN and UE sensing, a BS transmits a sensing signal and UE(s) receives the sensing signal to obtain sensing data. In addition, the UE(s) transmits a sensing signal and the BS receives the sensing signal to obtain sensing data. The sensing data (or sensing measurement or sensing measurement information) may include data derived from radio signals (e.g., 3GPP, non-3GPP, WiFi, radar, Lidars, etc.) impacted (e.g. reflected, refracted, diffracted) by an object or environment of interest for sensing purposes, and optionally processed (e.g., within a 5G/6G system, external server, application server, edge server, etc.). Sensing output(s) includes processed sensing data, e.g., requested by a service consumer (or sensing client).

According to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), surveillance, and the resulting data collection, of any sort is subject to certain regulations. Chief among them is the right of Ell citizens to be informed about the type of data collected (video, voice, gesture, presence), quality (resolution of recording/ data collection), and the use of this data (e.g., whether it is stored or processed in situ, whether it is shared with third party). The following text in italics is taken verbatim from an Ell website regarding video surveillance.

Data quality - Cameras can and should be used intelligently and should only target specifically identified security problems thus minimizing the gathering of irrelevant footage (data minimisation). This not only reduces intrusions into privacy but also helps to ensure a more targeted, and ultimately, more efficient, use of video-surveillance.

Right of information - Notices can be found in EU institution buildings informing staff and visitors about the security cameras in place. These signs are mandatory because individuals affected by video-surveillance must be informed upon its installation about the monitoring, its purpose and the length of time for which the footage is to be kept and by whom.

Retention period - Although the installation of cameras might be justified for security purposes, the timely and automatic deletion of footage is essential. The EDPS requires all EU institutions to have clear policies regarding the use of video surveillance on their premises including on potential storage.

Since sensing is envisioned to be a part of 5G-A and 6G systems, compliance with GDPR (and/or other similar acts/rules/regulation) involves a technical question of how to inform UEs (e.g., vehicles, smart phones) which are in or are entering a sensing zone of a sensing session about the collection of their sensed information (e.g., quality, type and/or use of data). Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed at/in/by an apparatus. For example, the apparatus may be, comprise or be configured on a UE (e.g., UE 102 shown in FIG. 1), a vehicle, or a UAV.

In 401 , the method comprises receiving, from a network device of a network, an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at the network. In some embodiments, the indication that a sensing session is ongoing at the network is called sensing ongoing indication or sensing notification.

In 402, the method comprises, based on the received indication, providing a further indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to an application layer of the apparatus and/or an application performed by/on/at the apparatus.

In an additional or alternative embodiment, the indication may stay at the communication component of the apparatus and trigger adaptations at the apparatus. A communication component may include the functions related to transmission and reception of communication signals and configurations for the Tx/Rx of communication signals (e.g., 3GPP communication component, WiFi communication etc). The adaptations may include the example UE actions described below or further actions, such as selecting another RAT or changing used resources.

Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a method according to an example embodiment. The method may be performed at an apparatus, such as a RAN node of a network (e.g., a base station (BS) such as a gNB) or network function such as an application function (AF) or sensing management function (SeMF).

In 501 , the method comprises causing an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at a network to be provided to a user equipment.

Providing may comprise transmitting or signalling from an apparatus.

The methods as described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 may provide a dynamic signaling/messaging scheme for UEs who are in an area for which a sensing session is ongoing (whether the sensing session starts when the UEs are already in the area or the UEs (are going to) move into the area when the sensing session is ongoing). The received indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network may comprise sensing session information. The sensing session information may relate to least one of the following: geographical area of the sensing session, type of sensing session, sensing resolution information, sensing accuracy information and sensing capability information.

In an example embodiment, the quality (e.g., resolution or accuracy), duration, and periodicity of the sensing session may be publicly shared via certain types of messaging.

The received indication may be comprised in a system information block (SIB) and/or a non- access stratum (NAS) message.

In one example embodiment (which may be referred to as a SIB based approach), the indication is comprised in a SIB.

In one example embodiment (which may be referred to as a NAS based approach), the indication is comprised in a NAS message.

The indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network may be provided to the user equipment if at least one of the following: a sensing service is ongoing, a sensing service is started/triggered, at least one sensing rule is met, at least one sensing notification rule is met or a sensing request is received (e.g., from a network entity such as SeMF or AMF).

A network entity (e.g., an OAM, PCF) or an AF may configure sensing rules in a base station (BS). Sensing rules include conditions (e.g., associated with time/location/type) for which a sensing session/service is configured and carried out in the BS. Once/lf/When sensing rules are met in the BS, the BS starts the configured sensing session/service. Once/lf/When the BS starts a sensing session, based on the sensing rules, the BS may deliver the indication that a sensing session is ongoing to UEs.

A sensing notification rule may include filters/events that are be used to configure the indication parameters, for example, when and/or whether to send the indication. A network entity (e.g., an OAM, PCF) or an AF may configure, set or update sensing notification rules.

A sensing notification rule may be based on at least one of the following: the type of sensing session (e.g., do not send the Sensing Ongoing notification for “Public Safety” services), the area of the sensing session (e.g., if a sensing session is starting in the area, start sending the Sensing Ongoing indication), object type (e.g., humans), sensing QoS levels or attributes of sensed objects( e.g., size/velocity of object).

In some embodiments, the sensing notification rule(s) may indicate whether to send the sensing ongoing indication if/when certain type(s) of sensing session is started/triggered/ongoing. For example, the sensing notification rule(s) may indicate that the Sensing Ongoing notification is not sent when/if a sensing service/session for “Public Safety” is started/triggered/ongoing.

In some embodiments, the sensing notification rule indicates whether to send the sensing ongoing indication in a certain area. For instance, the sensing notification rule may indicate that the sensing ongoing indication is sent in a certain area if a sensing service/session is started/triggered/ongoing in this certain area.

In some embodiments, the sensing notification rule(s) may indicate whether to send the sensing ongoing indication for an object type of an ongoing/triggered/started sensing session/service. For example, the sensing notification rule(s) may indicate to send the sensing ongoing indication if/when an object type of an ongoing/triggered/started sensing session/service is “Humans”.

In some embodiments, the sensing notification rule(s) may indicate whether to send the sensing ongoing indication if/when certain type(s) of sensing session is started/triggered/ongoing in a certain area.

In some embodiments, the sensing notification rule(s) may indicate whether to send the sensing ongoing indication if/when certain type(s) of sensing session is started/triggered/ongoing for certain object type(s).

In some embodiments, the sensing notification rule(s) may indicate whether to send the Sensing Ongoing indication if/when a sensing session is started/triggered/ongoing in a certain area for certain object type(s).

In some embodiments, the sensing notification rule(s) may indicate whether to send the Sensing Ongoing indication if/when certain type(s) of sensing session is started/triggered/ongoing in a certain area for certain object type(s). In some embodiments, the indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network may be provided to the user equipment if a sensing service is started/triggered For example, when/if a sensing session is started at the BS due to a trigger/request from the CN (e.g., SeMF), the BS may transmit/broadcast the Sensing Ongoing indication (e.g., via SIB messages) and/or the CN (e.g., the AMF) may transmit the Sensing Ongoing indication in/via NAS message(s) to UE(s).

The indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network may be provided to the user equipment if a sensing notification request is received from a network entity (e.g., SeMF). The sensing notification request may be a trigger or request for providing the sensing ongoing indication.

Figure 6 shows a flowchart for an example SIB based approach.

In the example embodiment shown in Figure 6, The CAM configures the sensing notification rules to the BS. If a sensing session is started according to sensing rules, the BS provides the indication that the sensing session is ongoing to the UE in (periodic) SIB. If a sensing session is started due to a different reason, then the sensing notification rules are checked and SIB is updated accordingly. This is an example where the indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network is provided to the user equipment when a sensing service/session is ongoing, a sensing service/session is started or at least one sensing notification rule is met.

Once/lf/When the UE receives the indication that a sensing session is ongoing, it displays a notification a user and the user takes appropriate action. This is an example where based on the received indication the apparatus is caused to generate a notification relating to the received indication and performing actions at the apparatus based on the received indication is based on a user intervention in response to the generated notification. In some embodiments, the notification comprises at least one of the following: a message (e.g., an icon) displayed on the apparatus, a vibration pattern caused/generated by the apparatus, or a light signal/pattern caused/generated by the apparatus. Note that the notification caused/generated by the apparatus may be generated/displayed by/on at least one device associated with the apparatus (e.g., controller of the apparatus and/or a display connected/attached to the apparatus).

Figure 7 shows a flowchart for an example SIB based approach. In the example embodiment shown in Figure 7, a SeMF determines to trigger the indication that a sensing session is ongoing at the network (referred to in Figure 7 as a sensing notification), the SeMF determines the BS and transmits the notification to BS via AMF. The BS sends the SIB broadcast including the sensing ongoing notification to all the UEs served by the BS. This is an example where the indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network is provided to the UE when/if a sensing notification request is received from a network entity (SeMF via AMF in the example shown in Figure 7).

Figure 8 shows a flowchart for an example NAS based approach.

In the example embodiment shown in Figure 8, an AF sends sensing notification rules to the SeMF. The SeMF determines areas and UE lists in that area that should be notified. The SeMF sends a sensing notification request to a AMF and the AMF informs those UEs determined based on the sensing notification rules via an indication in NAS message that a sensing session is ongoing at the network.

In an example embodiment, an AF may subscribe via a Network Exposure Function to request and receive notification about sensing services that are ongoing in a specific area.

For example, the AF may indicate the sensing area for which notifications on the ongoing sensing services are to be provided, providing also configuration parameters e.g., subscription-based request, one time request, the update rate of the notifications in case of a subscription and other filters on sensing service type, sensing QoS that can used by the network to determine when a notification should be send and/or the information that need to be included.

The SeMF or another NF responsible for the coordination of sensing procedures may be the entity that receives the request for the notifications, triggers the notifications and/or prepares the notification. The notification response can include information about whether there is an ongoing sensing service in a specific sensing area, and optionally additional information about the type of sensing Service, type of sensed object, sensing QoS levels, ... , etc.

A method as described with reference to Figure 4 may comprise, based on the received causing the apparatus to generate a notification relating to the received indication. In an example embodiment, once a UE receives indication that a sensing session is ongoing, the UE may inform the application layer at the UE so that a notification can be displayed or delivered to a user of the UE.

Accordingly, the user may take action, to the information received in the notification, and/or the type of device comprising the apparatus (e.g., car, UAV, robot).

A method as described with reference to Figure 4 may comprise, based on the received indication, performing at least one of the following: disconnecting from the network, selecting a further network, stopping an ongoing sensing session at the apparatus or an ongoing sensing session initiated by the apparatus, providing updated sensing configuration parameters for the sensing session ongoing at the network, selecting or requesting a sensing service associated with the ongoing sensing session or providing a request to the network to participate in the sensing session ongoing at the network or a further sensing session. The above list are all examples of actions which may be performed at the apparatus (e.g., “UE actions”).

Performing actions at the apparatus based on the received indication may be based on a user intervention in response to the generated notification. In an example embodiment, some or all actions may be automated in the apparatus or may be performed with user intervention.

One example of a UE action is selecting another PLMN or disconnecting from the PLMN. This is an example of selecting a further network, or disconnecting from the network, respectively.

One example of a UE action is stopping its own sensing operation at the UE or another sensing operation that this UE has initiated, since there is another ongoing sensing session. This is an example of stopping an ongoing sensing session at the apparatus or an ongoing sensing session initiated by the apparatus. Stopping the ongoing sensing session at the apparatus, or the ongoing sensing session initiated by the apparatus, may comprise stopping the ongoing session for a period of time or within a region.

For example, a UE may pause/halt its own sensing procedure for a specific period of time or within a specific region. One example of a UE action is selecting or requesting as a sensing client (at the UE) a notified sensing service from the sensing session that is ongoing. This is an example of selecting or requesting a sensing service associated with the ongoing sensing session.

One example of a UE action is requesting to update an ongoing sensing service providing updated sensing configuration parameters (e.g., sensing accuracy, sensing resolution). This is an example of providing updated sensing configuration parameters for the sensing session ongoing at the network.

One example of a UE action is sending an indication to participate as an assistance UE in an ongoing or another sensing operation. This is an example of providing a request to the network to participate in the sensing session ongoing at the network or a further sensing session.

The apparatus as mentioned in the method of Figure 4 may comprise or be configured on a vehicle. The method may comprise selecting an alternative trajectory of the vehicle, based on the received indication. The vehicle may comprise, e.g., a car (which may be partially or fully automated), a drone or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or other mobile robot.

In an example embodiment, a UE action includes selecting another path or trajectory in case of drone or automated car.

An apparatus may comprise means for performing receiving, from a network device of a network, an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at the network and based on the received indication, providing a further indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to an application layer of the apparatus.

The apparatus may comprise a user equipment as described with reference to Figure 2, be the user equipment or be comprised in the user equipment or a chipset for performing at least some actions of/for the user equipment.

An apparatus may comprise means for performing causing an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at a network to be provided to a user equipment.

The apparatus may comprise a network entity e.g., a BS a network function such as AMF, UDM or SMF, be the network entity or be comprised in the network entity or a chipset for performing at least some actions of/for the network entity. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprising a network function refers to a device/apparatus which is configured to perform or performs at least part of functionalities of the network function or to a device/apparatus which comprises circuitry (e.g., chipset) configured to perform or performing at least part of functionalities of the network function.

It should be understood that the apparatuses may comprise or be coupled to other units or modules etc., such as radio parts or radio heads, used in or for transmission and/or reception. Although the apparatuses have been described as one entity, different modules and memory may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

It is noted that whilst some embodiments have been described in relation to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied in relation to other networks and communication systems such as 6G networks or 5G-Advanced networks. Therefore, although certain embodiments were described above by way of example with reference to certain example architectures for wireless networks, technologies and standards, embodiments may be applied to any other suitable forms of communication systems than those illustrated and described herein.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, there are several variations and modifications which may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As used herein, “at least one of the following: <a list of two or more elements>” and “at least one of <a list of two or more elements>” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

In general, the various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuitry, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):

(i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and

(ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

I hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.”

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

The embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of the mobile device, such as in the processor entity, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or program, also called program product, including software routines, applets and/or macros, may be stored in any apparatus-readable data storage medium and they comprise program instructions to perform particular tasks. A computer program product may comprise one or more computerexecutable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it.

Further in this regard it should be noted that any blocks of the logic flow as in the Figures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD. The physical media is a non-transitory media. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may comprise one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), FPGA, gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

Embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is by and large a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available for converting a logic level design into a semiconductor circuit design ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

The scope of protection sought for various embodiments of the disclosure is set out by the independent claims. The embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the disclosure.

The foregoing description has provided by way of non-limiting examples a full and informative description of the exemplary embodiment of this disclosure. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of this disclosure will still fall within the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed, there is a further embodiment comprising a combination of one or more embodiments with any of the other embodiments previously discussed.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising means for performing: receiving, from a network device of a network, an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at the network; and based on the received indication, providing a further indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to an application layer of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the received indication is comprised in a system information block.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the received indication is comprised in a non-access stratum message.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for, based on the received indication, performing at least one of the following: causing the apparatus to generate a notification relating to the received indication; disconnecting from the network; selecting a further network; stopping an ongoing sensing session at the apparatus or an ongoing sensing session initiated by the apparatus; providing updated sensing configuration parameters for the sensing session ongoing at the network; selecting or requesting a sensing service associated with the ongoing sensing session; providing, to the network device, a request to prevent the sensing session ongoing at the network from being performed on the apparatus; or providing a request to the network to participate in the sensing session ongoing at the network or a further sensing session.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein stopping the ongoing sensing session at the apparatus or the ongoing sensing session initiated by the apparatus comprises stopping the ongoing session for a period of time or within a region.

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the apparatus is configured on a vehicle and comprises means for performing selecting an alternative trajectory of the vehicle, based on the received indication.

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the performing is further based on a user intervention in response to the notification.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the received indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network comprises sensing session information.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the sensing session information relates to at least one of the following: geographical area of the sensing session, type of sensing session, sensing resolution information, sensing accuracy information and sensing capability information.

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the apparatus comprises a user equipment.

11. An apparatus comprising means for performing: causing an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at a network to be provided to a user equipment.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein causing the indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to be provided to the user equipment comprises: causing the indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to be provided to the user equipment if at least one of the following: a sensing service is ongoing, a sensing service is started, at least one sensing notification rule is met, at least one sensing rule is met, or receiving, from a network entity, a sensing notification request.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein causing the indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to be provided to the user equipment comprises: causing the indication to be provided to the user equipment in a system information block.

14. The apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the apparatus comprises a radio access node of the network.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein causing the indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to be provided to the user equipment comprises: causing the indication to be provided to the user device in a non- access stratum message.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus comprises an application management function or a sensing management function.

17. A method comprising: receiving, from a network device of a network, an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at the network; and based on the received indication, providing a further indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to an application layer of the apparatus.

18. A method comprising: causing an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at a network to be provided to a user equipment.

19. An apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: receiving, from a network device of a network, an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at the network; and based on the received indication, providing a further indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to an application layer of the apparatus.

20. An apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: causing an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at a network to be provided to a user equipment.

21. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving, from a network device of a network, an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at the network; and based on the received indication, providing a further indication that the sensing session is ongoing at the network to an application layer of the apparatus.

22. A computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: causing an indication that a sensing session is ongoing at a network to be provided to a user equipment.