CONTEXTUAL-BASED SERVICES FOR THE DYNAMIC MANAGEMENT OF DEVICE LOCATIONING GROUP

Abstract

Methods are described for dynamically managing device locationing groups. According to some aspects, mobile devices may be tracked on a group basis, e.g., as opposed to being tracking on an individual basis. For example, location information for each of a plurality of mobile devices may be received at a location group server (LGS) and the LGS may determine (e.g., based on the location information) that each of the plurality of devices are in a physical location. One or more location group operations may be triggered by the location group server (e.g., based on determining that each of the plurality of devices are in the physical location) and the LGS may receive a location update from a device of the plurality of mobile devices (e.g., wherein the location update is not received from a remainder of the plurality of mobile devices).

Description

BACKGROUND

3GPP SA6 defines additional location and group management services to complement and interface to the group and location management functions defined by 3GPP SA2. These services are hosted on a UE and in the network and enable a UE to send location reports to a location server in the network such that the location of the UE can be shared with other authorized entities. Also defined is a service for creating a group of UEs based on their location (e.g., group UEs that are in the same location). See 3GPP TS 23.434 V16.5.0.

3GPP as well as other networking standards currently lack intelligent services to assist with the dynamic and opportunistic grouping of devices located within proximity of one another and that have similar location service requirements. By opportunistically grouping together devices having similar location service requirements and that are within the vicinity of one another, location reporting and tracking can be optimized such that it is performed on a group-basis rather than on an individual device-basis. This can save device, network and application resources by reducing the number of location reporting messages and overhead in the system. For example, rather than each individual device having to send separate location reports to a location server, a single device in the group can report location on behalf of all the members in the group. However, this is not realistically feasible in present day network deployments. Intelligent services are currently lacking the capability to dynamically collect and analyze situational context from the network, devices, application clients hosted on the devices and the remote applications and servers communicating with the devices, and dynamically detect opportunities for grouping devices within proximity of one another and that have similar location service requirements.

SUMMARY

Described herein are methods, apparatus, and systems for dynamically managing device locationing groups. According to one aspect, locationing group (LG) services may address a shortcoming of a lack of intelligent services to manage situational grouping of devices located within vicinity of one another for the purpose of tracking location on a group-basis.

According to some aspects, LG services may support the capability to dynamically collect and analyze situational context from various entities including communication networks, devices, application clients hosted on the devices and remote applications and servers. LG services may determine optimal conditions and times for triggering group management operations to be performed on a set of devices for purposes of tracking their location on a group basis rather than on an individual device basis. According to some aspects, this may result in a reduction of location tracking overhead on member devices of the group, a network used by the devices for location tracking, and applications receiving device location information.

According to some aspects, mobile devices may be tracked on a group basis, e.g., as opposed to being tracking on an individual basis. For example, location information for each of a plurality of mobile devices may be received at a location group server. The location information may be part of a request from one or more location group clients. The location group server (LGS) may determine (e.g., based on the location information) that each of the plurality of devices are in a physical location (e.g., a geographic location or proximity to a geographic location). The location information may include one or more of a location group client (LGC) identifier, a LGC credential, identifiers (IDs) of application clients (ACs) associated with a LGC, an AC context, an LGC registration result, LGC policies, and/or LGS context.

According to some aspects, one or more location group operations may be triggered by the location group server (e.g., based on determining that each of the plurality of devices are in the physical location). For example, the location group operations may include one or more of selecting a lead device of the plurality of devices, forming a location group, adding or removing a member from a location group, assigning a leader to a location group, configuring a client to start or stop reporting location information, and/or controlling a frequency at which location information is reported. The location group server may receive a location update from a device of the plurality of mobile devices (e.g., wherein the location update is not received from a remainder of the plurality of mobile devices).

According to some aspects, a User Equipment (UE) may include a processor, communications circuitry, and a memory. The memory may include instructions which, when executed by the processor cause the UE to perform one or more operations. For example, the UE may transmit location information associated with the UE to a location group server. The UE may receive (e.g., from the location group server) one or more location group operations. The one or more location group operations may be based at least in part on the location information and the location group operations may include forming a location group including the UE and a plurality of mobile devices. For example, the one or more location group operations may include one or more of selecting the UE as a lead device of the location group, adding or removing a member from the location group, configuring a client to start or stop reporting location information, or controlling a frequency at which location information is reported.

According to some aspects, the UE may transmit (e.g., based on the one or more location group operations) a location update. The location update may include a group location of the plurality of mobile devices (e.g., where\ the location update is not transmitted by a remainder of the plurality of devices).

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to features that solve any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more detailed understanding may be had from the following description, given by way of example in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of Individual Device-based Location Reporting and Tracking.

FIG. 2 shows an example of Locationing Group-based Reporting and Tracking.

FIG. 3 shows an example Locationing Group Service Framework.

FIG. 4 shows an example of LG Management Operations.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a Procedure for sharing LG context via LG leader.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an LG Configuration;

FIG. 7 shows example LG Registrations;

FIG. 8 shows example LG Subscriptions;

FIG. 9 shows an example of LGS Initiated LG Context Sharing;

FIG. 10 shows an example of LGC Initiated LG Context Sharing;

FIG. 11 shows an example of AC Initiated LG Context Sharing;

FIG. 12 shows an example of AS Initiated LG Context Sharing;

FIG. 13 shows an example of CN Initiated LG Context Sharing;

FIG. 14 shows an example of LGS Initiated LG Discovery;

FIG. 15 shows an example of LGC Initiated LG Formation;

FIG. 16 shows an example of AC Initiated LG Discovery;

FIG. 17 shows an example of AS Initiated LG Discovery;

FIG. 18 shows an example of LGS Initiated LG Formation/Disbandment;

FIG. 19 shows an example of LGC Initiated LG Formation/Disbandment;

FIG. 20 shows an example of AC Initiated LG Formation/Disbandment;

FIG. 21 shows an example of AS Initiated LG Formation/Disbandment;

FIG. 22 shows an example of CN Initiated LG Formation/Disbandment;

FIG. 23 shows an example of LGS Initiated LG Member Addition/Removal;

FIG. 24 shows an example of LGC Initiated LG Member Addition/Removal;

FIG. 25 shows an example of AC Initiated LG Member Addition/Removal;

FIG. 26 shows an example of AS Initiated LG Member Addition/Removal;

FIG. 27 shows an example of CN Initiated LG Member Addition/Removal;

FIG. 28 shows an example of LGS Initiated LG Leader Management;

FIG. 29 shows an example of LGC Initiated LG Leader Management;

FIG. 30 shows an example of AC Initiated LG Member Leader Management;

FIG. 31 shows an example of AS Initiated LG Leader Management;

FIG. 32 shows an example of CN Initiated Leader Management;

FIG. 33 shows an example of an ILGC-AC Reference Point;

FIG. 34 shows an example of ILGC-LGS Functionality;

FIG. 35 shows an example of ILGC-LGC Functionality;

FIG. 36 shows an example of ILGC-CN Functionality;

FIG. 37 shows an example of ILGC-LGMF Functionality;

FIG. 38 shows an example of ILGS-AS Functionality;

FIG. 39 shows an example of ILGS-CN Functionality;

FIG. 40 shows an example of ILGS-LGMF Functionality;

FIG. 41 shows an example of ILGS-LGS Functionality;

FIG. 42 shows an example of ILGS-LS Functionality;

FIG. 43 shows an example of a 3GPP SA6 SEAL Embodiment;

FIG. 44 shows an example of a 3GPP SA6 EDGEAPP Embodiment;

FIG. 45 shows an example of a 3GPP SA6 V2X Embodiment;

FIG. 46 shows an example of a 3GPP SA6 Mission Critical Embodiment;

FIG. 47 shows an example of a oneM2M Embodiment;

FIG. 48 shows an example of an LWM2M Embodiment;

FIG. 49 shows an example of a GUI for Configuring LG Policies;

FIG. 50A shows an example communications system in which the methods and apparatuses described and claimed herein may be embodied;

FIG. 50B is a block diagram of an example apparatus or device configured for wireless communications;

FIG. 50C is a system diagram of an example radio access network (RAN) and core network;

FIG. 50D is a system diagram of another example RAN and core network;

FIG. 50E is a system diagram of another example RAN and core network;

FIG. 50F is a block diagram of an example computing system; and

FIG. 50G is a block diagram of another example communications system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Table 0.1 describes some of the abbreviations used herein.

TABLE 0.1
Abbreviations
5GC  5G Core Network
API  Application Programming Interface
AS   Application Server
AC   Application Client
CN   Core Network
LGC  Locationing Group Client
LGS  Locationing Group Server
LGMF Locationing Group Management Function
EAS  Application Server
ECS  Edge Configuration Server
EES  Edge Enabler Server
EEC  Edge Enabler Client
GUI  Graphical User Interface
NEF  Network Exposure Function
NF   Network Function
SCS  Service Capability Server
SCEF Service Capability Exposure Function
SEAL Service Enabler Architecture Layer
SL   Service Layer
TLS  Transport Layer Security
UE   User Equipment
URI  Universal Resource Identifier
VAE  V2X Application Enabler
V2X  Vehicle to Everything

Terms and Definitions

The following is a list of terms that may appear in the following description. Unless otherwise specified, the terms used herein are defined as follows.

Device—A user endpoint (UE) or unmanned endpoint node in the system.

Locationing Group (LG)—A group of mobile or stationary devices formed for the purposes of reporting and tracking location on a group basis rather than on an individual device basis.

LG Service—A service for managing LGs.

LG-aware Entity—An entity that either provides or consumes LG services such as but not limited to an AC, AS, LGC, LGS, LGMF, or a location server or group management function located in a communication network or affiliated with a 3rd party.

Locationing Group Server (LGS)—An entity that provides the server-side LG services.

Locationing Group Client (LGC)—An entity that provides client-side LG services.

Locationing Group Management Function (LGMF)—An entity that provides configuration services to LGCs and LGSs (e.g., bootstrapping of LG identifiers, credentials and policies)

LG Context—Information that is associated with an existing LG or an LG that is a candidate for formation (e.g., LG members, location of LG members, LG status, etc.).

LG Policies—Define criteria that that must be met for an LG operation to be performed.

3GPP Group and Location Management Functionality

3GPP SA2 defines a set of functions within the 3GPP core network to perform lower level group and location management operations on a set of UEs such as forming a group, disbanding a group, adding a member, removing a member, and reporting the location of a group. 3GPP also defines a set of APIs to expose these core network functions to applications and services to call and use. See 3GPP TS 29.122 v16.7.0 and 3GPP TS 29.522 V16.5.0.

3GPP SA6 defines additional location and group management services to complement and interface to the group and location management functions defined by 3GPP SA2. These services are hosted on a UE and in the network and enable a UE to send location reports to a location server in the network such that the location of the UE can be shared with other authorized entities. Also defined is a service for creating a group of UEs based on their location (e.g., group UEs that are in the same location). See 3GPP TS 23.434 V16.5.0.

3GPP as well as other networking standards currently lack intelligent services to assist with the dynamic and opportunistic grouping of devices located within proximity of one another and that have similar location service requirements. By opportunistically grouping together devices having similar location service requirements and that are within the vicinity of one another, location reporting and tracking can be optimized such that it is performed on a group-basis rather than on an individual device-basis. This can save device, network and application resources by reducing the number of location reporting messages and overhead in the system. For example, rather than each individual device having to send separate location reports to a location server, a single device in the group can report location on behalf of all the members in the group. However, this is not realistically feasible in present day network deployments. Intelligent services are currently lacking the capability to dynamically collect and analyze situational context from the network, devices, application clients hosted on the devices and the remote applications and servers communicating with the devices, and dynamically detect opportunities for grouping devices within proximity of one another and that have similar location service requirements.

For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a mass transit use case involving a bus traveling along its route. Passengers enter and exit the bus at each stop along the route. While traveling on the bus, passengers use various types of applications on their personal devices (e.g., UEs). Some types of applications require location services (e.g., maps, traffic, weather, social media, etc.). Depending on the type of application, the location service requirements may differ (e.g., location reporting frequency, location precision, etc.). There currently is a lack of services to enable the opportunistic grouping of passenger UEs having similar location service requirements such that their location can be opportunistically tracked on a group basis rather than on an individual device basis to reduce location service overhead. Hence in these types of use cases, device location messaging must occur on an individual device basis. For example, device location messaging must flow between individual devices, applications on the devices, 3GPP network functions, location servers and network applications that interface with the location servers (e.g., to track the location of devices). These individual messages can result in significant overhead on these devices, 3GPP network functions, location servers and network applications.

To address the aforementioned problems and shortcomings regarding a lack of intelligent services to assist with the dynamic and opportunistic grouping of devices located within proximity of one another and that have similar location service requirements, one aspect proposes advanced Locationing Group (LG) services. The LG services consist of an LG Client (LGC) hosted on the device and an LG Server (LGS) and LG Management Function (LGMF) hosted in the network. The LG services support the capability to dynamically collect situational context from the network, devices, application clients hosted on the devices and the remote applications and servers communicating with the devices. The LG services analyze this context to determine optimal conditions and times for triggering group management operations to be performed on a set of devices for purposes of reporting the location on a group basis rather than on an individual device basis. Once a group is formed, the LG service manages the group to assign a lead device that performs locationing services (e.g., reporting) on behalf of the group members. Once the LG leader has been assigned, the leader can perform operations such as reporting and disseminating location information to various entities in the system on behalf of the group. This results in the reduction of location reporting overhead on the member devices of the group, the network used by the devices for location reporting, and the applications receiving device location information.

This is especially useful in more dynamic and opportunistic types of use cases involving not only mobile devices but also scenarios in which different devices enter and leave the proximity of each other in an unplanned/uncoordinated manner (e.g., based on user travel/commute patterns). In these types of use cases, managing device groups and coordinating location management operations can be especially challenging for users and applications and use of an intelligent LG service is needed. For example, FIG. 2 illustrates the same aforementioned mass transit use case involving a bus traveling along its route. Instead of reporting and tracking device location on an individual device basis, a locationing group is dynamically formed by the proposed LG services. The LG services collect and analyze situational context. The LG services opportunistically detect passenger devices on the bus having similar location service requirements and that are in proximity of one another. The LG services then dynamically form and manage an LG consisting of those devices and assign a leader of the LG. As a result, location can be reported in a group-based manner. This results in a significant reduction in overhead regarding the number of device locationing messages that are required to flow between devices, applications on the devices, 3GPP network functions, location servers and network applications that interface with the location servers (e.g., to track the location of devices).

Aspect #1

A summary of LG service functionality according to one aspect is described below. A Locationing Group Client (LGC) may be hosted on a device and may perform one or more operations to manage the dynamic grouping of mobile devices such that the location of the devices is reported and tracked on a group basis rather than on an individual device basis.

For example, the LGC may send a request to an LGMF to configure the LGC and receive a response, where the request or response may include one or more types of information, e.g., device identifier, device location, LGC identifier, LGC credential, LGC LG context, LGS identifiers, LGS context information, information of ACs hosted on same device as LGC, or LGC policies.

As another example, the LGC may receive a request from an AC and return a response, where the request or response may include one or more of types of information, e.g., AC identifier, AC credential, AC context, AC registration result, AC policies, or LGC context.

As another example, the LGC may send a request to an LGS to share LG information and receive a response, where the request or response may include one or more types of information, e.g., LGC identifier, LGC credential, IDs of ACs associated with LGC, AC context, LGC registration result, LGC policies, or LGS context.

As another example, the LGC may send a request to another LG-aware entity and receive a response, where the request or response may include one or more types of information, e.g., LGC identifier, LG subscription context, or LG Subscription Identifier.

As another example, the LGC may receive context from other LG-aware entities that may include one or more types of information, e.g., AC context, LG context, LGC context, or LGS context.

As another example, the LGC may sending context to other LG-aware entities that may include one or more types of information, e.g., AC context, LG context, LGC context, or LGS context.

As another example, the LGC may receive requests from other LG-aware entities to perform LG operations, e.g., discover LGs, form an LG, disband an LG, join an LG, add a member, leave an LG, remove a member, or assign/re-assign LG leader.

As another example, the LGC may analyze context and trigger LG operations to be performed based on the proximity of devices and location service requirements of ACs active on those devices, where analyzing context may include monitoring AC, LG, LGC and/or LGS context, comparing context or LG operation requests received against the LG policy rules. Based on the permitted type(s) of LG operations and the operation criteria defined within each LG policy rule, the LGC may determine whether an LG operation should be triggered and performed or not.

As another example, the LGC may perform LG operations that include discovering an LG, forming an LG, disbanding an LG, adding a member to an LG, removing a member from an LG, an LG leader management operation, sending LG context to other entities when the LGC is hosted on the LG leader device, or receiving LG context from another LGC when this LGC is not hosted on the LG leader device.

As another example, the LGC may send LG operation requests to other LG-aware entities to perform and receive LG operation responses, where the request or response may include one or more types of information, e.g., Identifier of LG-aware entity, LG identifier, LG operation to perform, LG context, or AC context.

Aspect #2

A summary of a Locationing Group Server (LGS) according to one aspect is described below. The LGS may perform one or more operations to manage the dynamic grouping of mobile devices such that the location of the devices is reported and tracked on a group basis rather than on an individual device basis.

For example, the LGS may send a request to an LGMF and receive a response, where the request or response may include one or more types of information, e.g., LGS identifier, LGS credential, LGS context, LGS policies, LGC identifiers, or LGC credentials.

As another example, the LGS may receive requests from LGCs and return responses, where the request or response may include one or more types of information, e.g., LGC identifier, LGC credential, IDs of ACs associated with LGC, AC context, LGC registration result, LGC policies, or LGS context.

As another example, the LGS may send a request to another LG-aware entity and receive a response, where the request or response may include one or more types of information, e.g., LGC identifier, LG subscription context, or LG Subscription Identifier.

As another example, the LGS may receive context from other LG-aware entities that may include one or more types of information, e.g., AC context, LG context, LGC context, LGS context, or CN context.

As another example, the LGS may send context to other LG-aware entities that may include one or more types of information, e.g., AS context, Device context, AC context, LG context, LGC context, or LGS context.

As another example, the LGS may receive requests to perform LG operations from other LG-aware entities that may include one or more types of information, e.g., Identifier of LG-aware entity, LG identifier, LG operation to perform, or LG context.

As another example, the LGS may analyze context and triggering LG operations to be performed based on proximity of devices and location service requirements of ACs active on those devices, where analyzing context may involve one or more operations, e.g., Monitoring AS context, Device context, AC context, LG context, LGC context, LGS context, or LG operation requests received and comparing it against the LG policy rules defined in Table 3. Moreover, the LGS may, based on the permitted type(s) of LG operations and the operation criteria defined within each LG policy rule, determine whether an LG operation should be triggered and performed or not.

As another example, the LGS may perform LG operations, e.g., discovering an LG, forming an LG, disbanding an LG, adding a member to an LG, removing a member from an LG, a leader management operation, sending and receiving LG location context to/from an LG leader and other LG entities once an LG has been formed, or configuring LG client behavior (e.g., location reporting frequency).

As another example, the LGS may send LG operation requests to other LG-aware entities to perform and receive LG operation responses, where the request or response may include one or more types of information, e.g., Identifier of LG-aware entity, LG identifier, LG operation to perform, LG context, or AC context.

Aspect #3

According to one aspect, an Application Client may receive a request or notification that the client is in a group, but is not the group leader. The Application Client may use the information in this request or notification to disable or decrease the frequency of its location reports.

Aspect #4

According to one aspect, an Application Client may receive a request or notification that the client is in a group, and is the group leader. The Application Client may use the information in this request or notification to enable or increase the frequency of its location reports.

Locationing Group Service Framework

To enable locating devices in a dynamic group-based manner, a Locationing Group (LG) Service Framework is defined. The LG Service Framework may be deployed in a distributed manner consisting of Locationing Group Clients (LGC), Locationing Group Servers (LGS) and Locationing Management Functions (LGMF) as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The Locationing Group Client (LGC) and Locationing Group Server (LGS) interface to various other entities in the system such as one or more Application Clients (ACs), Application Servers (ASs), Locationing Group Management Functions (LGMFs), Communication Networks and 3rd party locationing and group management servers. The interfaces to these other entities are defined as the ILGC-AC, ILGS-AS, ILGS-LGMF, ILGC-LGMF ILGS-CN, ILGC-CN and ILGS-LS reference points, respectively. An LGC and LGS may interface to one another via the ILGC-LGS reference point. An LGC may interface to another LGC via the ILGC-LGC reference point. An LGS may interface to another LGS via the ILGS-LGS reference point.

An LGC is defined such that it may be hosted on a device in the system and interacts with one or more LGSs as well as other instances of LGCs hosted on other devices. An LGC may be deployed as a standalone function on the device or as a sub-function of an existing function on a device (e.g., part of a V2X client on a device). The LGC may interface and interact with various other functions in the system when assisting with management of LGs. This may involve the LGC sharing information, receiving events, and performing operations involving other functions in the system. Further details of this interaction are described herein.

An LGS is defined such that it may be deployed external to devices within the system. An LGS may be deployed as a standalone function in the system or as a sub-function of an existing function (e.g., part of a V2X Server). An LGS may be deployed within an edge data network, within a cloud network or within a communication network (e.g., 3GPP network). An LGS may also interface and interact with various other functions in the system when assisting with management of LGs. This may involve the LGS sharing information, receiving events, and performing operations involving other functions in the system. Further details of this interaction are described herein.

An LGMF is defined such that it may be deployed external to devices within the system. An LGMF may be deployed as a standalone function in the system or as a sub-function of an existing function such as a function in a communication network (e.g., 3GPP) or as a function in a cloud or edge network that interfaces to a communication network. An LGMF may interact with LGSs to receive information about the capabilities and instantiation of LGSs and configure LGSs with LG policies. An LGMF may interact with LGCs to configure the LGCs and send LG policies to LGCs. An LGMF may also interface and interact with various other functions in the system when assisting with LG management. This may involve the LGMF sharing information, receiving events, and performing operations involving other functions in the system. In alternative embodiment, the functionality of the LGMF may be combined and supported by an LGS. Further details of this interaction are described herein.

Locationing Group Procedures

One aspect proposes a top-level LG procedure that defines how individual LG operations are performed by the different LG-aware entities in the system and the interdependencies that these individual LG operations may have on one another. Some of the individual steps defined within this top-level LG procedure reference lower-level LG procedures that are performed by one or more LG-aware entities in the system. These lower-level procedures are defined in subsequent sub-sections and are referenced by this top-level procedure. The individual LG operations used within the top-level as well as lower level procedures are the same operations defined for each of the proposed reference points.

Note, although not explicitly captured in the following procedures, other sequences involving cascading of the defined operations together with one another may also be performed by an LGC or LGS. For example, an Application Server sends a member addition request to an LGS, and the LGS forwards this request to a LGC to perform the operation.

Top Level Locationing Group Procedures

LG Management Operations

FIG. 4 illustrates a procedure for LG management operations including discovering an LG, forming an LG, disbanding an LG, adding a member to an LG, removing a member from an LG, and assigning/re-assigning a leader of an LG. These LG operations are performed by various entities in the system. Within each of the individual steps of this top-level procedure, multiple LG operations may be performed by one or more entities resulting in a lower level procedure defined in subsequent sub-sections. When this occurs, a reference is provided to the lower-level procedure. In addition, for some steps defined in this top-level procedure, different variants of lower-level procedures are defined which define different possible solutions.

• • Step 1: Before LG-aware entities in the system can perform LG operations, some LG configuration operations may first need to be performed according to the procedures defined herein.
  • Step 2: Before LG-aware entities in the system can perform LG operations, some LG registration operations may first need to be performed according to the procedures defined herein.
  • Step 3: Before LG-aware entities in the system can perform LG operations, some LG subscription operations may first need to be performed according to the procedures defined herein.
  • Step 4: Once any necessary LG configuration, registration and/or subscription operations have been completed, LGC(s) and LGS(s) begin to monitor for any LG related context information that they receive according to the procedures defined herein as well as any explicit requests they receive to perform LG operations. LGC(s) and LGS(s) compare any LG context information or LG operation requests they receive against the LG policy rules defined in Table 13. Based on the permitted type(s) of LG operations and the operation criteria defined within each LG policy rule, an LGC and LGS can determine whether an LG operation should be triggered and performed.
  • Step 5: If/when the LGC or LGS detects that all the criteria defined by an LG policy rule has been met, the LGC or LGS triggers performing the permitted LG operation. For example, triggering LG operations when detecting the following trigger criteria have been met:
    • Trigger the formation of an LG group when detecting that a group of devices are moving together, within range of one another and/or on the same route as one another (e.g., devices belonging to passengers on a train, bus, or plane) and the devices are requiring location services;
    • Trigger removing one or more members from an LG or disbanding an LG altogether when detecting that a single member or all members of an LG are no longer moving together, within range of one another and/or on the same route as one another;
    • Trigger the formation of an LG group or the addition of devices as new members of an existing LG when detecting an event from a communication network (e.g., the communication network has become congested in an area where there are a large number of devices in proximity to one another and where the devices are using location services)
    • Trigger the formation of an LG group or the addition of devices as new members of an existing LG when detecting a device level event (e.g., battery level is getting low) from a device that is using individual device locationing services and that could benefit from becoming a member of an LG. In doing so, the device could be relieved from having to perform individual device locationing operations (e.g., report its own location) and could instead rely on other devices in the group to perform operations that allow the location of the group to be tracked.
  • Step 6: The LGC or LGS first determines the type of LG operation to perform. If an LG operation is triggered by a request that the LGC or LGS received to perform the operation, the LGC or LGS may extract the type of LG operation to perform from the LG request it receives. If instead, the LG operation is triggered by the LGC or LGS monitoring LG related context that an LGC or LGS receives, then the LG operation is defined by the LG policy rule. If the LG operation is to perform only an LG discovery, then the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 25. Otherwise the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 7.
  • Step 7: The LGC or LGS checks whether the determined LG operation is to add a device to an LG. If so, the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 10. Otherwise the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 8.
  • Step 8: The LGC or LGS checks whether the determined LG operation is to assign/re-assign the leader device of an LG. If so, then the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 17. Otherwise the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 9.
  • Step 9: The LGC or LGS checks whether the determined LG operation is to remove a device from an LG. If so, then the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 18. Otherwise the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 24.
  • Step 10: The LGC or LGS checks whether the LG to add the device is specified. If the LG is specified, the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 16. Otherwise the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 11.
  • Step 11: If the LG is not specified, the LGC or LGS that triggered the LG operation performs an LG discovery according to the procedures defined herein.
  • Step 12: If the LGC or LGS that issues the LG discovery operation finds an existing LG that is compatible and meets the requirements of the device to be added, the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 16. Otherwise, the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 13.
  • Step 13: If the LGC or LGS that issues the LG discovery operation does not find an existing LG that is compatible and meets the requirements of the device to be added, then the LGC or LGS checks whether the criteria (as defined in the LG policies) for forming a new LG have been met. If the criteria are met, it proceeds to Step 14, otherwise it proceeds to Step 15.
  • Step 14: If the criteria for forming a new LG have been met, the LGC or LGS forms a new LG according to the procedures defined herein and then proceeds to Step 16.
  • Step 15: If the criteria for forming a new LG have not been met, the LGC or LGS generates an error indicating that it is unable to complete the LG operation to add the device to an LG and then proceeds to Step 4.
  • Step 16: The LGC or LGS adds the device to an LG group according to the procedures defined herein and then proceeds to Step 17.
  • Step 17: The LGC or LGS identifies the best candidate device that is a member of the LG to be the LG leader according to the procedures defined herein. The LGC or LGS then proceeds to Step 1.
  • Step 18: The LGC or LGS checks if the device to remove from the LG is the LG leader. If so, the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 19. Otherwise, the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 22.
  • Step 19: The LGC or LGS checks if the device to remove from the LG is the only member of the LG. If so, LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 23. Otherwise, the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 20.
  • Step 20: The LGC or LGS attempts to find a new LG leader amongst the remaining LG members according to the procedures defined herein and then proceeds to Step 21.
  • Step 21: If a new LG leader amongst the remaining LG members is found, the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 22. Otherwise, the LGC or LGS proceeds to Step 23.
  • Step 22: The LGC or LGS removes the device from the LG according to the procedures defined herein and then proceeds to Step 1.
  • Step 23: The LGC or LGS disbands the LG according to the procedures defined in herein and then proceeds to Step 1.
  • Step 24: The LGC or LGS generates an error indicating that the requested LG operation to perform is not supported and proceeds to Step 4.
  • Step 24: The LGC or LGS performs an LG discovery operation according to the procedures defined in herein and proceeds to Step 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates a procedure for sharing LG context information between the entities in the system after an LG is formed and a member device is selected to be LG leader. For example, the LG leader can report the location of the LG to various entities in the system such as local ACs on the same device as the LGC, other LGCs on other member devices in the same LG that are not the LG leader, LGSs and LGMFs. LGSs can in turn share LG location (as well as other LG context) that is reported to it from an LG leader with other LGSs, CNs, LGMFs and LSs. This LG context that is shared between entities, can be used by the entities to adjust their behavior. For example, based on its role in the LG (e.g., whether or not the device is selected as the LG leader), a device (or one or more ACs on a device) may enable/disable location reporting or change how frequently it reports its location.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 5, LG context such as LG location can also be sent to an LGC on the LG leader device from other entities in the system. For example, an LGS may obtain LG location from a CN or an LS. The LGS may then send this LG location information to the LGC on the LG leader device. The LGC may then forward this LG location to local ACs on the same device as the LGC and/or to other LGCs on other member devices in the same LG that are not functioning as the LG leader. The other LGs can in turn forward the LG context to ACs hosted on their respective devices.

Procedure for sharing LG context via LG leader

• • Step 1: The LGC on the LG leader device may send a request to share LG context (e.g., location of LG) with an AC hosted on the same device and receive a response in return.
  • Step 2: The LGC on the LG leader device may send a request to share LG context (e.g., location of LG) with an LGC on a different device that is also member of the same LG and receive a response in return.
  • Step 3: An LGC on device that is a member of an LG and that receives LG context (e.g., location of LG) from the LGC on the LG leader device, may send a request to share the LG context with an AC hosted on the same device and receive a response in return.
  • Step 4: The LGC on the LG leader device may send a request to share LG context (e.g., location of LG) with an LGS in the network and receive a response in return.
  • Step 5: An LGS may send a request to share LG context (e.g., location of LG) that it receives from an LGC on the LG leader device with another LGS in the system. The LGS may receive a response in return.
  • Step 6: An LGS may receive a request from an AS to share LG context (e.g., location of LG) with the AS. The LGS may send a response in return to the AS which contains the LG context.
  • Step 7: An LGS may send a request to share LG context (e.g., location of LG) that it receives from an LGC on the LG leader device with a 3rd party location or group management server. The LGS may receive a response in return.
  • Step 8: An LS may receive a request from an AS to share LG context (e.g., location of LG) that it indirectly received from an LGC on a LG leader device via an LGS. The LS may send a response in return to the AS which contains the LG context.
  • Step 9: An LGS may send a request to share LG context (e.g., LG status, LG member device identifiers, LG leader) that it receives from an LGC on the LG leader device with a CN. The LGS may receive a response in return.
  • Step 10: An LGS may send a request to share LG context (e.g., location of LG) that it receives from an LGC on the LG leader device with a LGMF. The LGS may receive a response in return.

LG Configuration

Configuration of LG information to the various entities in the system may take place in a pre-provisioned manner that occurs out-of-band of the system. Alternatively, configuration of LG information can take place in-band within the system using a procedure that is illustrated in FIG. 6. In this procedure, LGC(s) and LGS(s) in the system may be bootstrapped and initialized with LG configuration information from LGMF(s). An LGC or LGS may initiate a LG configuration request to an LGMF based on trigger conditions such as but not limited to the LGC or LGS initially connecting to a network, transitioning connectivity to a different network or domain, detecting an error condition or expiration condition requiring an update of one or more configuration information elements to resolve the issue. The LG configuration information may include LG centric identifiers, credentials, settings and policies as defined in Table 11, Table 12 and Table 13. Note, that the LG configuration operations illustrated in FIG. 6 may be performed independent of each other and/or in a different order than illustrated in FIG. 6. Note, instead of or in addition to receiving this configuration information from an LGMF, an LGC or LGS may be configured with LG information from other entities in the system such as but not limited to AC(s), User(s) interfacing to AC(s), function(s) in the communication network (e.g., Location Servers, Group Management Servers, etc.), or other LGC(s) and LGS(s). However, this is not illustrated in FIG. 6. An LGS or LGC may retrieve LG policies from these entities or subscribe to these entities to receive notifications if/when changes to LG policies are required (not illustrated in FIG. 6).

LG Configuration

Step 1a and 1b: An LGC or LGS may send one or more configuration requests to an LGMF over the ILGC-LGMF and ILGS-LGMF reference points, respectively. The requests may contain LGC or LGS configuration information as defined in Table 5 and Table 8, respectively.

• • Step 2: The LGMF receives and processes the configuration requests. The LGMF may perform operations such as authenticating the LGC or LGS to verify whether the LGC or LGS can be trusted to use LG services. The LGMF may also perform authorization checks to verify if the LGC or LGS has privileges to perform LG operations. An LGMF may also generate LG policies for the LGC or LGS and configure these policies. The policies may be comprised of a set of one or more LG policy rules. Each LG policy rule may be comprised of information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 13.
  • Step 3a and 3b: The LGMF returns LG configuration responses to the LGC(s) and/or LGS(s). The responses may include configuration response information defined in Table 5, Table 8 as well as LG policy rules defined in Table 13.
  • Step 4a and 4b: The LGC and/or LGS receives the LG configuration responses from LGMF. The LGC and/or LGS extracts and stores the LG configuration information such that the information can be factored into LG decisions and operations that are performed by the LGC and/or LGS. An LGC or LGS may use the LG configuration information to trigger the initiation of LG operations with other entities in the system. Some examples of these other LG operations may include LG registrations, LG subscriptions, LG context requests, LG discovery requests, etc.

LG Registration

As illustrated in FIG. 7, there may be several types of LG related registration operations performed in the system. If applicable, these registration operations may be performed after an LGC and/or LGS have successfully completed LG configuration with an LGMF. These registration operations may be performed as dedicated LG registrations occurring between entities in the system. Alternatively, these registration operations may be combined with other configuration operations occurring between entities such that LG specific registration information and actions are combined together with other non-LG specific registration information and actions (not illustrated in FIG. 7). Note, that the order that LG registration operations illustrated in FIG. 7 may be performed independent of each other and/or in a different order than illustrated in FIG. 7.

LG Registrations

Step 1a, 1b and 1c: An AC may send a registration request to an LGC for the purposes of performing an authentication with the LGC to establish trust between an AC and LGC and to perform trusted LG operations on one another's behalf. Within this registration request, an AC may include information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 1. Upon receiving the registration request, an LGC may perform an authentication procedure to establish trust with the AC based on information provided in the request such as identifiers and credentials and information configured in the LGC. Once authenticated, the LGC may also check its local LG policies to determine if the AC is permitted to register to the LGC and use LG services. The LGC may also communicate with one or more LGS, LGC or LGMF in the system to determine if the AC is permitted to register and use LG services (not illustrated in FIG. 7). If the LGC determines that the AC is permitted to register, the LGC may locally store LG related context information provided by the AC such that the information can later be used by the LGC to perform LG operations on behalf of the AC if/when required. The LGC may share any context information provided by the AC with other entities in the system such as but not limited to an LGS, LGC or LGMF (not illustrated in FIG. 7). After processing the registration request, the LGC may return a response to the AC indicating the results and status of the registration request. This response may include information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 1.

• • Step 2a, 2b and 2c: An LGC may send a registration request to one or more peer LGCs for performing an authentication with the peer LGC(s) to establish trust between peer LGCs to perform trusted LG operations on one another's behalf. Within this registration request, an LGC may include LG context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 3. Upon receiving the registration request, an LGC may perform an authentication procedure to establish trust with a peer LGC based on information provided in the request such as identifiers and credentials and any information configured locally in the LGC. Once authenticated, the LGC may also check its local LG policies to determine if a peer LGC is permitted to register to the LGC and use LG services. The LGC may also communicate with one or more LGS, LGC or LGMF in the system to determine if the peer LGC is permitted to register and use LG services (not illustrated in FIG. 7). If the LGC determines that the peer LGC is permitted to register, the LGC may locally store LG related context information provided by the peer LGC such that the information can later be used by the LGC to perform LG operations on behalf of the peer LGC if/when required. The LGC may share any LG context information provided by the peer LGC with other entities in the system such as but not limited to an LGS, LGC or LGMF (not illustrated in FIG. 7). After processing the registration request, the LGC may return a response to the peer LGC indicating the results and status of the registration request. This response may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 3.
  • Step 3a, 3b and 3c: An LGC may send a registration request to one or more LGSs for performing an authentication with the LGS(s) to establish trust with the LGS(s) to perform trusted LG operations on one another's behalf. Within this registration request, an LGC may include LG context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 2. Upon receiving the registration request, an LGS may perform an authentication procedure to establish trust with the LGC based on information provided in the request such as identifiers and credentials and any information configured locally in the LGS. Once authenticated, the LGS may also check its local LG policies to determine if the LGC is permitted to register to the LGS and use LG services. The LGS may also communicate with one or more LGS, LGC or LGMF in the system to determine if an LGC is permitted to register and use LG services (not illustrated in FIG. 7). If the LGS determines that a peer LGC is permitted to register, the LGS may locally store LG related context information provided by the LGC such that the information can later be used by the LGS to perform LG operations on behalf of the LGC if/when required. The LGS may share any LG context information provided by the LGC with other entities in the system such as but not limited to an LGS, LGC or LGMF (not illustrated in FIG. 7). After processing the registration request, the LGS may return a response to the LGC indicating the results and status of the registration request. This response may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 2.
  • Step 4a, 4b and 4c: An LGS may send a registration request to one or more peer LGSs for performing an authentication with the peer LGS(s) to establish trust between peer LGSs to perform trusted LG operations on one another's behalf. Within this registration request, an LGS may include LG context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 10. Upon receiving the registration request, an LGS may perform an authentication procedure to establish trust with a peer LGS based on information provided in the request such as identifiers and credentials and any information configured locally in the LGS. Once authenticated, the LGS may also check its local LG policies to determine if a peer LGS is permitted to register to the LGS and use LG services. The LGS may also communicate with one or more LGS, LGC or LGMF in the system to determine if a peer LGS is permitted to register and use LG services (not illustrated in FIG. 7). If the LGS determines that a peer LGS is permitted to register, the LGS may locally store LG related context information provided by a peer LGS such that the information can later be used by the LGS to perform LG operations on behalf of a peer LGS if/when required. The LGS may share any LG context information provided by a peer AC with other entities in the system such as but not limited to an LGS, LGC or LGMF (not illustrated in FIG. 7). After processing the registration request, the LGS may return a response to a peer LGS indicating the results and status of the registration request. This response may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 10.
  • Step 5a, 5b and 5c: An AS may send a registration request to an LGS for the purposes of performing an authentication with the LGS to establish trust between an AS and LGS to perform trusted LG operations on one another's behalf. Within this registration request, an AS may include LG context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 6. Upon receiving the registration request, an LGS may perform an authentication procedure to establish trust with the AS based on information provided in the request such as identifiers and credentials and information configured in the LGS. Once authenticated, the LGS may also check its local LG policies to determine if the AS is permitted to register to the LGS and use LG services. The LGS may also communicate with one or more LGS, LGC or LGMF in the system to determine if the AS is permitted to register and use LG services (not illustrated in FIG. 7). If the LGS determines that the AS is permitted to register, the LGS may locally store LG related context information provided by the AS such that the information can later be used by the LGS to perform LG operations on behalf of the AS if/when required. The LGS may share any LG context information provided by the AS with other entities in the system such as but not limited to an LGS, LGC or LGMF (not illustrated in FIG. 7). After processing the registration request, the LGS may return a response to the AS indicating the results and status of the registration request. This response may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 6.

LG Subscriptions

As illustrated in FIG. 8, there may be several types of LG related subscription operations performed between different LG-aware entities in the system. If applicable, these subscription operations may be performed after an entity has successfully completed LG configuration with an LGMF and/or LG registration operations. An LG subscription may define LG centric notification criteria that may be used to subscribe to another entity and receive LG notifications if/when these other entities detect that the LG centric notification criteria have been satisfied. The order that LG subscription operations are performed may be different than the order illustrated in FIG. 8.

LG Subscriptions

• • Step 0: An LGC or LGS may send subscription requests, as defined in Table 5 and Table 8, respectively, to an LGMF to receive LG notifications from the LGMF if/when specified LG notification criteria have been satisfied and detected by the LGMF. A subscription request from an LGC to an LGMF may include subscription criteria based on events such as but not limited to a change in availability status of an LGS that the LGC is using or a change in LGC configuration or policy settings. A subscription request from an LGS to an LGMF may include subscription criteria based on events such as but not limited to a change in availability status of an LGC, another LGS, a location server, or a group management server, or a change in LGC configuration or policy settings. Based on these subscriptions, an LGMF may send notifications to an LGC informing the LGC that the availability status of an LGS that the LGC is using has changed or that a change in LGC configuration or policy settings has occurred. Likewise, an LGMF may send notifications to an LGS informing the LGS that there has been a change in availability status of an LGC or another LGS or a change in LGS configuration or policy settings has occurred.

Step 1a, 1b and 1c: An AC may send an LG subscription request to an LGC for the purposes of subscribing to LG events of interest. Within this LG subscription request, an AC may include a callback URI to receive LG notifications, criteria for receiving LG notifications such as conditions based on LG context information defined in Table 12 (e.g., number of LG members in a group exceeds a specified threshold), or an event based on an LG operation that is performed (e.g., LG formed or disbanded, LG member added or removed, change in LG leader, change in location of LG, etc.). Upon receiving the subscription request, an LGC may store the subscription and monitor the LG subscription criteria specified by the AC to detect if/when the criteria has been met. The LGC may also communicate with one or more LGS, LGC or LGMF in the system to create corresponding subscriptions with these entities to assist the LGC with detecting if/when the LG subscription criteria specified by the AC has been met (not illustrated in FIG. 8). After processing the subscription request, the LGC may return a response to the AC indicating the results and status of the subscription request. This response may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 1. Later, if the LGC determines that the subscription criteria has been met, the LGC may send a notification to the AC indicating that the subscription criteria has been met (not illustrated in FIG. 8). This notification may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 1.

• • Step 2a, 2b and 2c: An LGC may send an LG subscription request to a peer LGC for the purposes of subscribing to LG events of interest. Within this LG subscription request, an LGC may include a callback URI to receive LG notifications, criteria for receiving LG notifications such as conditions based on LG context information defined in Table 12 (e.g., number of LG members in a group exceeds a specified threshold), or an event based on an LG operation that is performed (e.g., LG formed or disbanded, LG member added or removed, change in LG leader, change in location of LG, etc.). Upon receiving the subscription request, a peer LGC may store the subscription and monitor the LG subscription criteria specified to detect if/when the criteria has been met. The peer LGC may also communicate with one or more LGS, LGC or LGMF in the system to create corresponding subscriptions with these entities to assist it with detecting if/when the LG subscription criteria specified has been met (not illustrated in FIG. 8). After processing the subscription request, the peer LGC may return a response indicating the results and status of the subscription request. This response may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 3. Later, if the peer LGC determines that the subscription criteria has been met, it may send a notification indicating that the subscription criteria has been met (not illustrated in FIG. 8). This notification may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 3.
  • Step 3a, 3b and 3c: An LGC may send an LG subscription request to an LGS for the purposes of subscribing to LG events of interest. Within this LG subscription request, an LGC may include a callback URI to receive LG notifications, criteria for receiving LG notifications such as conditions based on LG context information defined in Table 12 (e.g., number of LG members in a group exceeds a specified threshold), or an event based on an LG operation that is performed (e.g., LG formed or disbanded, LG member added or removed, change in LG leader, change in location of LG, etc.). Upon receiving the subscription request, a LGS may store the subscription and monitor the LG subscription criteria specified to detect if/when the criteria has been met. The LGS may also communicate with one or more LGS, LGC or LGMF in the system to create corresponding subscriptions with these entities to assist it with detecting if/when the LG subscription criteria specified has been met (not illustrated in FIG. 8). After processing the subscription request, the LGS may return a response indicating the results and status of the subscription request. This response may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 2. Later, if the LGS determines that the subscription criteria has been met, it may send a notification indicating that the subscription criteria has been met (not illustrated in FIG. 8). This notification may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 2.
  • Step 4a, 4b and 4c: An LGS may send an LG subscription request to a peer LGS for the purposes of subscribing to LG events of interest. Within this LG subscription request, an LGS may include a callback URI to receive LG notifications, criteria for receiving LG notifications such as conditions based on LG context information defined in Table 12 (e.g., number of LG members in a group exceeds a specified threshold), or an event based on an LG operation that is performed (e.g., LG formed or disbanded, LG member added or removed, change in LG leader, change in location of LG, etc.). Upon receiving the subscription request, a peer LGS may store the subscription and monitor the LG subscription criteria specified to detect if/when the criteria has been met. The peer LGS may also communicate with one or more LGS, LGC or LGMF in the system to create corresponding subscriptions with these entities to assist it with detecting if/when the LG subscription criteria specified has been met (not illustrated in FIG. 8). After processing the subscription request, the peer LGS may return a response indicating the results and status of the subscription request. This response may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 9. Later, if the peer LGS determines that the subscription criteria has been met, it may send a notification indicating that the subscription criteria has been met (not illustrated in FIG. 8). This notification may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 9.
  • Step 5a, 5b and 5c: An AS may send an LG subscription request to an LGS for the purposes of subscribing to LG events of interest. Within this LG subscription request, an AS may include a callback URI to receive LG notifications, criteria for receiving LG notifications such as conditions based on LG context information defined in Table 12 (e.g., number of LG members in a group exceeds a specified threshold), or an event based on an LG operation that is performed (e.g., LG formed or disbanded, LG member added or removed, change in LG leader, change in location of LG, etc.). Upon receiving the subscription request, an LGS may store the subscription and monitor the LG subscription criteria specified to detect if/when the criteria has been met. The LGS may also communicate with one or more LGS, LGC or LGMF in the system to create corresponding subscriptions with these entities to assist it with detecting if/when the LG subscription criteria specified has been met (not illustrated in FIG. 8). After processing the subscription request, the LGS may return a response indicating the results and status of the subscription request. This response may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 6. Later, if the LGS determines that the subscription criteria has been met, it may send a notification indicating that the subscription criteria has been met (not illustrated in FIG. 8). This notification may include information such as but not limited to the types of information defined in Table 6.

Locationing Group Context Sharing

Context information may include but is not limited to the types of information defined in Table 12. This context may be factored into LG decisions made by LG-aware entities to perform LG operations (e.g., forming or disbanding an LG, adding or removing an LG member, changing a leader, etc.). Received or locally generated context may be stored and/or shared with other LG-aware entities in the system. This information may be shared by one LG-aware entity sending a request to another LG-aware entity and receiving a response back that contains the LG context information. Alternatively, one LG-aware entity may subscribe to another LG-aware entity to receive notifications containing context information if/when a specified set of LG criteria regarding the context have been met and detected by the other LG-aware entity.

LGS Initiated LG Context Sharing

As illustrated in FIG. 9, an LGS may exchange context information defined in Table 12 with other LG-aware entities in the system. The LG context may be shared or requested by the LGS initiating a request to these other LG-aware entities. Alternatively (not illustrated in FIG. 9), an LGS may subscribe to other LG-aware entities regarding context that the LGS is interested in, and receive LG notifications from these other LG-aware entities containing context if/when criteria defined within the subscription has been met. Conversely, an LGS may also receive LG subscriptions from other LG-aware entities regarding context they are interested in receiving from the LGS. The LGS can in turn send LG notifications containing context to these other LG-aware entities if/when the LGS detects that the criteria defined in the subscription has been met.

• • Step 1a: An LGS sends a request to an 3rd Party Location Server to either share or request context with the 3rd Party Location Server. This context may include but is not limited to one or more of the elements defined in Table 12.
  • Step 1b: A 3rd Party Location Server receives and processes the request and either returns a response to the LGS confirming that the 3rd Party Location Server received the context information or returns context information to the LGS.
  • Step 2a: An LGS may send a request to a communication network to either share or request context. This context may include but is not limited to one or more of the elements defined in Table 12.
  • Step 2b: A CN receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS confirming that the CN received the context information or returns context information to the LGS.
  • Step 3a: An LGS may send a request to an LGC to either share or request context. This context may include but is not limited to one or more of the elements defined in Table 12.
  • Step 3b: The LGC receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS confirming that it received the context information or returns context information to the LGS.
  • Step 4a: An LGS may send a request to another LGS to either share or request context. This context may include but is not limited to one or more of the elements defined in Table 12.
  • Step 4b: The other LGS receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS confirming that it received the context information or returns context information to the LGS.
  • Step 5a: An LGS may send a request to an AS to either share or request context. This context may include but is not limited to one or more of the elements defined in Table 12.
  • Step 5b: The AS receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS confirming that it received the context information or returns context information to the LGS.

LGC Initiated LG Context Sharing

As illustrated in FIG. 10, an LGC may exchange context information defined in Table 12 with other LG-aware entities in the system. The context may be shared or requested by the LGC initiating a request to these other LG-aware entities. Alternatively (not illustrated in FIG. 10), an LGC may subscribe to other LG-aware entities regarding context that the LGC is interested in, and receive LG notifications from these other LG-aware entities containing context if/when criteria defined within the subscription has been met. Conversely, an LGC may also receive LG subscriptions from other LG-aware entities regarding context they are interested in receiving from the LGC. The LGC can in turn send LG notifications containing context to these other LG-aware entities if/when the LGC detects that the criteria defined in the subscription has been met.

• • Step 1a: An LGC sends a request to an AC to either share or request LG context. This context may include but is not limited to one or more of the elements defined in Table 12.
  • Step 1b: An AC receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGC confirming that the AC received the context information or returns context information to the LGC.
  • Step 2a: An LGC may send a request to a communication network protocol stack (CN) on the same device to either share or request context. This context may include but is not limited to one or more of the elements defined in Table 12.
  • Step 2b: An CN receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGC confirming that the CN received the context information or returns context information to the LGC.
  • Step 3a: An LGC may send a request to another LGC on a different device to either share or request context. This context may include but is not limited to one or more of the elements defined in Table 12.
  • Step 3b: The LGC on the different device receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGC confirming that it received the context information or returns context information to the LGC.
  • Step 4a: An LGC may send a request to an LGS to either share or request context. This context may include but is not limited to one or more of the elements defined in Table 12.
  • Step 4b: The LGS receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGC confirming that it received the context information or returns context information to the LGC.

AC Initiated LG Context Sharing

As illustrated in FIG. 11, an AC may exchange context information defined in Table 12 with an LGC. The L context may be shared or requested by the AC initiating a request to an LGC. Alternatively (not illustrated in FIG. 11), an AC may subscribe to an LGC regarding context that the AC is interested in, and receive LG notifications from an LGC containing context if/when criteria defined within the subscription has been met.

• • Step 1: An AC may send a request to an LGC to either share or request context. This LG context may include but is not limited to one or more of the elements defined in Table 12. The LGC may factor this information into its decision on whether to initiate an LG operation on behalf of the AC. For example, adding the device that the AC and LGC are hosted on to an LG that meets the LG requirements of the AC.
  • Step 2: If the LGC receives context information from the AC, the LGC may immediately process the context information to determine whether the LGC needs to perform an LG operation as a result. In addition, the LGC may store the context information such that the LGC may factor this information into future LG operations that it performs on behalf of the AC.

AS Initiated LG Context Sharing

As illustrated in FIG. 12, an AS may exchange LG context information defined in Table 12 with an LGS. The context may be shared or requested by the AS initiating a request to an LGS. Alternatively (not illustrated in FIG. 12), an AS may subscribe to an LGS regarding context that the AS is interested in, and receive LG notifications from an LGS containing context if/when criteria defined within the subscription has been met.

• • Step 1: An AS may send a request to an LGS to either share or request context. This context may include but is not limited to one or more of the elements defined in Table 12. The LGS may factor this information into its decision on whether to initiate an LG operation on behalf of an AS and the devices it interacts with.
  • Step 2: If the LGS receives context information from the AS, the LGS may immediately process the context information to determine whether the LGS needs to perform an LG operation as a result. In addition, the LGS may store the context information such that the LGS may factor this information into future LG operations that it performs on behalf of the AS.

CN Initiated LG Context Sharing

As illustrated in FIG. 13, an CN may exchange context information defined in Table 12 with another LG-aware entity such as an LGS or LGC. The context may be shared or requested by the CN initiating a request to an LG-aware entity. Alternatively (not illustrated in FIG. 13), a CN may subscribe to an LG-aware entity regarding context that the CN is interested in, and receive LG notifications from the entity containing context if/when criteria defined within the subscription has been met.

• • Step 1a: A CN sends a request to an LGS to either share or request context. This context may include but is not limited to one or more of the elements defined in Table 12.
  • Step 1b: An LGS receives and processes the request and either returns a response to the CN confirming that the LGS received the context information or returns context information to the CN.
  • Step 2a: A CN protocol stack may send a request to an LGC to either share or request context. This context may include but is not limited to one or more of the elements defined in Table 12.
  • Step 2b: An LGC receives and processes the request and returns a response to the CN protocol stack confirming that the LGC received the context information or returns context information to the CN protocol stack.

Locationing Group Discovery

LGS Initiated LG Discovery

An LGS may receive LG discovery requests from other LG-aware entities in the system. An LGS may also trigger an LG discovery operation itself while performing other LG operations. For example, to determine whether creation of a new LG is required or not. When performing an LG discovery operation, the LGS may use LG context information that it stores locally for tracking existing LG groups, and/or the LGS may issue one or more LG discovery requests to LG-aware entities in the system as illustrated in FIG. 14.

• • Step 1a: An LGS sends an LG discovery request to a 3rd Party Location or Group Management Server to discover available LGs. The request is issued via the ILGS-LS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 10.
  • Step 1b: The 3rd Party Location Server receives and processes the request and returns a response containing LG discovery information. The response is issued via the ILGS-LS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 10.
  • Step 2a: An LGS sends an LG discovery request to a CN to discover available LGs. The request is issued via the ILGS-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 7.
  • Step 2b: The CN receives and processes the request and returns a response containing LG discovery information. The response is issued via the ILGS-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 7.
  • Step 3a: An LGS may send a request to another LGS to discover available LGs. The request is issued via the ILGS-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 9.
  • Step 3b: The LGS receives and processes the request and returns a response containing LG discovery information. The response is issued via the ILGS-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 9.

LGC Initiated LG Discovery

An LGC may receive and forward LG discovery requests it receives from one LG-aware entity (e.g., an AC) to another LG-Aware entity in the system (e.g., An LGS or another LGC). An LGC may also trigger an LG discovery operation itself while performing other LG operations. For example, to determine whether creation of a new LG is required or not. When performing an LG discovery operation, the LGC may use LG context information that it stores locally for tracking existing LG groups, and/or the LGC may issue one or more LG discovery requests to LG-aware entities in the system to access context regarding other LGs that the LGC is unaware of but that may exist. For example, an LGC may issue an LG discovery operation to an LGS via the ILGC-LGS reference point.

When forming an LG, an LGC may coordinate with other entities in the system as illustrated in FIG. 15.

• • Step 1a: An LGC may send a request to an LGS to request the LGS perform an LG discovery operation on behalf of the LGC. The determination of whether to issue the request to the LGS may be based on the LG policies configured at the LGC and/or whether the LGC has the capability to discovery an LG itself or not. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2.
  • Step 1b: The LGS receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGC containing the LG discovery results. The response is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2.
  • Step 2a: A first LGC may send a request to a second LGC to discover LGs on behalf of the first LGC. The determination of whether to issue the request to the second LGC may be based on the LG policies configured at the first LGC and/or whether the first LGC has the capability to discover LGs itself or not. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGC reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 3.
  • Step 2b: The second LGC receives and processes the request and returns a response to the first LGC containing LG discovery results. The response is issued via the ILGC-LGC reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 3.
  • Step 3a: An LGC may send a request to a communication network protocol stack on the local device to leverage device group discovery functionality supported by the CN. The request is issued via the ILGC-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 4.
  • Step 3b: A CN protocol stack receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGC containing device group related information. The response is issued via the ILGC-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 4.

AC Initiated LG Discovery

As illustrated in FIG. 16, an AC may issue an LG discovery request to an LGC hosted on the same device as the AC and receive an LG discovery response via the ILGC-AC reference point. The LG discovery operation performed by the AC may contain information as defined in Table 1.

Step 1: An AC may send a request to an LGC to discover available LGs. This LG discovery request may contain LG discovery criteria defined by the AC and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGC may factor this information into the LG discovery operation it performs on behalf of the AC.

• • Step 2: The LGC processes the LG discovery request and returns any LGs it discovers, and which meets the defined LG discovery criteria defined by the AC. When processing the LG discovery request, the LGC may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., an LGS).

AS Initiated LG Discovery

As illustrated in FIG. 17, an AS may issue an LG discovery request to an LGS and receive an LG discovery response via the ILGS-AS reference point. The LG discovery request and response performed may contain information as defined in Table 6.

Step 1: An AS may send a request to an LGS to discover available LGs. This LG discovery request may contain LG discovery criteria defined by the AS and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGS may factor this information into the LG discovery operation it performs on behalf of the AS.

• • Step 2: The LGS processes the LG discovery request and returns any LGs it discovers, and which meets the defined LG discovery criteria defined by the AS. When processing the LG discovery request, the LGS may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., other LGSs).

Locationing Group Formation/Disbandment

LGS Initiated LG Formation/Disbandment

An LGS may receive LG formation or disbandment requests from other LG-aware entities in the system. An LGS may also trigger an LG formation or disbandment operation itself. An LGS may support the capability to analyze context (defined in Table 12) that it locally collects and stores as well as receives from other LG-aware entities in the system. An LGS may compare this context against LG policies (defined in Table 13). Based on this comparison, an LGS may determine if/when the formation or disbandment of an LG is required. An LGS may then trigger the formation or disbandment of an LG group.

Since an LGS may be privy to context information from various entities in the system (e.g., devices, ACs, ASs, LGCs, other LGSs, CN, LGMF, 3rd party location and group management servers), the LGS may support the capability to aggregate this information and make an LG formation or disbandment decision. This decision may be optimized based on the context information collected and processed from all these entities. For example, if there are multiple devices located in proximity to one another and/or moving along the same route, and these devices host ACs that require locationing functionality and the locationing requirements of the ACs are similar (e.g., location reporting frequency, location precision, etc.), then the LGS, with possible coordination and assistance from one or more other LG-aware entities in the system, may decide to initiate the formation of an LG consisting of these devices. Likewise if there are one or more ASs that require tracking the location of one or more of the devices that are in proximity of one another and the location requirements of the ASs are similar, then the LGS, with possible coordination and assistance from one or more other LG-aware entities in the system, may decide to initiate the formation of an LG consisting of these devices.

When forming or disbanding an LG, an LGS may coordinate with other entities in the system as illustrated in FIG. 18.

• • Step 1a: An LGS may send a request to an 3rd Party Location Server to collect location information for devices to determine which devices are in proximity/range of one another and that make the best candidates as members of an LG. The request is issued via the ILGS-LS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 10
  • Step 1b: A 3rd Party Location Server receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS. The response is issued via the ILGS-LS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 10.
  • Step 2a: An LGS may send a request to a communication network to collect location information for devices such as which devices are in proximity/range of one another and that make the best candidates as members of an LG. An LGS may also send a request to a communication network to leverage device group management functionality supported by the CN. The requests may be issued via the ILGS-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 7. For example, the CN may support functionality for forming a group of devices which the LGS can leverage and extend with additional higher-level LG functionality. Some examples of additional functionality that an LGS can provide that may not be supported by CN group management functionality may include:
    • selecting the devices to be included in the group based on LG context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting the devices to be included in the group based on AC context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting the devices to be included in the group based on AS context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting the devices to be included in the group based on Device context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting a leader of the LG based context information captured in Table 12
  • Step 2b: A CN receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS containing device locationing or group related information. The response is issued via the ILGS-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 7.
  • Step 3a: An LGS may send a request to an LGC to form or disband a group. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2. When an LGC receives the request, it may perform local LG formation or disbandment operations such as but not limited to joining or leaving an IP broadcast or multicast group associated with the LG, notifying one or more ACs of the LG formation or disbandment, notifying other LGCs of the LG formation or disbandment (e.g., if LGC is the LG leader).
  • Step 3b: The LGC receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS confirming that it received and processed the LG formation or disbandment request. The response is issued via ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2.
  • Step 4a: An LGS may send a request to another LGS to form or disband a group. The request is issued via the ILGS-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 9.
  • Step 4b: The other LGS receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS confirming that it received and processed the LG formation or disbandment request. The response is issued via ILGS-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 9.
  • Step 5a: An LGS may send a request to an AS to form or disband a group. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2.
  • Step 5b: The AS receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS confirming that it received and processed the LG formation or disbandment request. The response is issued via ILGS-AS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 6.

LGC Initiated LG Formation/Disbandment

An LGC may receive LG formation or disbandment requests from other LG-aware entities in the system. An LGC may also trigger an LG formation or disbandment operation itself. An LGC may support the capability to analyze context (defined in Table 12) that it locally collects and stores as well as receives from other LG-aware entities in the system. An LGC may compare this context against LG policies (defined in Table 13). Based on this comparison, an LGC may determine if/when an LG formation or disbandment is required. An LGC may then trigger the formation or disbandment of an LG group.

Since an LGC may be privy to context information from various entities in the system (e.g., devices, ACs, LGSs, other LGCs, CN, LGMF), the LGC may support the capability to aggregate this information and determine when to form or disband an LG. The decision to form or disband an LG may be based on the context information that the LGC collects and processes from all these entities. Since an LGC may be privy to locationing requirements and context information of multiple ACs hosted on the same device as the LGC, the LGC may support the capability to aggregate this information to make an LG formation and disbandment decision that is optimized across all the ACs on the device. An LGC may also support coordinating with other LGCs hosted on other devices (e.g., in local proximity). If the ACs requiring locationing functionality on the local device have similar locationing requirements as each other and similar locationing requirements as ACs on other devices in the vicinity and/or moving along the same route, then the LGC (with possible coordination with one or more other LG-aware entities) may initiate the formation of an LG that includes the device hosting the LGC and other devices in its proximity.

When forming or disbanding an LG, an LGC may coordinate with other entities in the system as illustrated in FIG. 19.

• • Step 1a: An LGC may send a request to an LGS to request the LGS to form or disband an LG on behalf of the LGC. The determination of whether to issue the request to the LGS may be based on the LG policies configured at the LGC and/or whether the LGC has the capability to form or disband an LG itself or not. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2.
  • Step 1b: The LGS receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGC confirming that it received and performed the request to form or disband an LG. The response is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2.
  • Step 2a: A first LGC may send a request to a second LGC to form or disband an LG on behalf of the first LGC. The determination of whether to issue the request to the second LGC may be based on the LG policies configured at the first LGC and/or whether the first LGC has the capability to form or disband an LG itself or not. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGC reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 3.
  • Step 2b: The second LGC receives and processes the request and returns a response to the first LGC confirming that it received and performed the request to form or disband an LG. The response is issued via the ILGC-LGC reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 3.
  • Step 3a: An LGC may send a request to a communication network protocol stack on the local device to collect location information for the local device and/or other devices in range/proximity to the local device. An LGC may also send a request to a communication network protocol stack to leverage device group management functionality supported by the CN. The requests are issued via the ILGC-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 4. For example, the CN protocol stack may support functionality for forming or disbanding a group of devices in the proximity which the LGC can leverage and extend with additional higher-level LG functionality. Some examples of additional functionality that an LGC can provide that may not be supported by CN protocol stack group management functionality may include:
    • selecting the devices to be included in the group based on LG context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting the devices to be included in the group based on AC context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting the devices to be included in the group based on Device context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting a leader of the LG based context information captured in Table 12
  • Step 3b: A CN protocol stack receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGC containing device locationing or group related information. The response is issued via the ILGC-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 4.

AC Initiated LG Formation/Disbandment

As illustrated in FIG. 20, an AC may issue an LG formation or disbandment request to an LGC hosted on the same device as the AC and receive an LG formation or disbandment response via the ILGC-AC reference point. The LG formation or disbandment operation performed by the AC may contain information as defined in Table 1.

• • Step 1: An AC may send a request to an LGC to form or disband an LG. This LG formation or disbandment request may contain LG formation or disbandment criteria defined by the AC and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGC may factor this information into the LG formation or disbandment operation it performs on behalf of the AC.
  • Step 2: The LGC processes the LG formation or disbandment request and returns the LG context information, as defined in Table 12, for the formed or disbanded LG which meets the defined LG formation or disbandment criteria defined by the AC. When processing the LG formation or disbandment request, the LGC may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., an LGS).

AS Initiated LG Formation/Disbandment

As illustrated in FIG. 21, an AS may issue an LG formation or disbandment request to an LGS and receive an LG formation or disbandment response via the ILGS-AS reference point. The LG request and response performed may contain information as defined in Table 6.

Step 1: An AS may send a request to an LGS to form or disband an LG. This LG formation or disbandment request may contain LG formation or disbandment criteria defined by the AS and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGS may factor this information into the LG formation operation it performs on behalf of the AS.

• • Step 2: The LGS processes the LG formation or disbandment request and returns the LG context information, as defined in Table 12, for the newly formed or disbanded LG which meets the defined LG formation or disbandment criteria defined by the AS. When processing the LG formation or disbandment request, the LGS may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., an LGS).

CN Initiated LG Formation/Disbandment

A CN may trigger an LG formation or disbandment operation. A CN may support the capability to analyze CN and device context (defined in Table 12) that it locally collects and stores as well as receives from other LG-aware entities in the system. A CN may analyze this context and determine if/when an LG formation or disbandment is required. An CN may then trigger the formation or disbandment of an LG group.

When forming or disbanding an LG, a CN may coordinate with other entities in the system as illustrated in FIG. 22.

• • Step 1a: A CN may send a request to an LGS to form or disband an LG. This LG formation or disbandment request may contain LG formation or disbandment criteria defined by the CN and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGS may factor this information into the LG formation or disbandment operation it performs on behalf of the CN.
  • Step 1b: The LGS processes the LG formation or disbandment request and returns the LG context information, as defined in Table 12, for the newly formed or disbanded LG which meets the defined LG formation or disbandment criteria defined by the CN. When processing the request, the LGS may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., an LGS).
  • Step 2a: A CN may send a request to an LGC to form or disband an LG. This request may contain LG formation or disbandment criteria defined by the CN and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGC may factor this information into the LG formation or disbandment operation it performs on behalf of the CN.
  • Step 2b: The LGC processes the LG formation or disbandment request and returns the LG context information, as defined in Table 12, for the newly formed or disbanded LG which meets the defined LG formation or disbandment criteria defined by the CN. When processing the request, the LGC may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., an LGS).

Locationing Group Member Addition/Removal

LGS Initiated LG Member Addition/Removal

An LGS may receive LG member addition or removal requests from other LG-aware entities in the system. An LGS may also trigger an LG member addition or removal operation itself. An LGS may support the capability to analyze context (defined in Table 12) that it locally collects and stores as well as receives from other LG-aware entities in the system. An LGS may compare this context against LG policies (defined in Table 13). Based on this comparison, an LGS may determine if/when the addition or removal of a member to an LG is required. An LGS may then trigger and perform the operation.

Since an LGS may be privy to context information from various entities in the system (e.g., devices, ACs, ASs, LGCs, other LGSs, CN, LGMF, 3rd party location and group management servers), the LGS may support the capability to aggregate this information and make an LG member addition or removal decision. This decision may be optimized based on the context information collected and processed from all these entities. For example, if there are multiple devices located in proximity to one another and/or moving along the same route, and these devices host ACs that require locationing functionality, or there are one or more ASs that require tracking the location of one or more of the devices, then the LGS, with possible coordination and assistance from one or more other LG-aware entities in the system, may decide to initiate the addition or removal of a member to or from an LG.

When adding or removing an LG member, an LGS may coordinate with other entities in the system as illustrated in FIG. 23.

• • Step 1a: An LGS may send a request to an 3rd Party Location Server to collect location information for devices to determine which devices are in proximity/range of one another and that make the best candidates as members of an LG. The request is issued via the ILGS-LS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 10
  • Step 1b: A 3rd Party Location Server receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS. The response is issued via the ILGS-LS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 10.
  • Step 2a: An LGS may send a request to a communication network to collect location information for devices such as which devices are in proximity/range of one another and that make the best candidates as members of an LG. An LGS may also send a request to a communication network to leverage device group management functionality supported by the CN. The requests are issued via the ILGS-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 7. For example, the CN may support functionality for adding or removing a member device from a group of devices which the LGS can leverage and extend with additional higher-level LG functionality. Some examples of additional functionality that an LGS can provide that may not be supported by CN group management functionality may include:
    • selecting the devices to be added or removed from a group based on LG context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting the devices to be added or removed from a group based on AC context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting the devices to be added or removed from a group based on AS context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting the devices to be added or removed from a group based on Device context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting a leader of the LG when a device is added or removed from an LG based context information captured in Table 12
  • Step 2b: A CN receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS containing device locationing or group related information. The response is issued via the ILGS-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 7.
  • Step 3a: An LGS may send a request to an LGC to add or remove a member from an LG. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2.
  • Step 3b: The LGC receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS confirming that it received and processed the LG member addition or removal request. The response is issued via ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2. When processing the request, if the LGC is associated with the device that is being added or removed from the LG, then the LGC may perform operations such as notifying ACs on the device that the device has been added or removed from the LG, joining or leaving a multicast or broadcast group, or start or stop listening for multicast or broadcast messages for the LG. When processing the request, if the LGC is not associated with the device that is being added or removed from the LG, then the LGC may forward the request to another LGC that either is associated with the device that is being added or removed or is able to forward it to that device.
  • Step 4a: An LGS may send a request to another LGS to add or remove a member of an LG. The request is issued via the ILGS-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 9.
  • Step 4b: The other LGS receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS confirming that it received and processed the LG request to add or remove a member. The response is issued via ILGS-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 9.
  • Step 5a: An LGS may send a request to an AS to add or remove a member of an LG. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2.
  • Step 5b: The AS receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS confirming that it received and processed the LG member addition or removal request. The response is issued via ILGS-AS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 6.

LGC Initiated LG Member Addition/Removal

An LGC may receive LG member addition or removal requests from other LG-aware entities in the system. An LGC may also trigger an LG member addition or removal operation itself. An LGC may support the capability to analyze context (defined in Table 12) that it locally collects and stores as well as receives from other LG-aware entities in the system. An LGC may compare this context against LG policies (defined in Table 13). Based on this comparison, an LGC may determine if/when an LG member addition or removal is required. An LGC may then trigger the formation of an LG group.

Since an LGC may be privy to context information from various entities in the system (e.g., devices, ACs, LGSs, other LGCs, CN, LGMF), the LGC may support the capability to aggregate this information and determine when to add or remove a member of an LG. The decision to add or remove a member of an LG may be based on the LG context information that the LGC collects and processes from all these entities. Since an LGC may be privy to locationing requirements and context information of multiple ACs hosted on the same device as the LGC, the LGC may support the capability to aggregate this information to make an LG formation decision that is optimized across all the ACs on the device. An LGC may also support coordinating with other LGCs hosted on other devices (e.g., in local proximity). If the ACs requiring locationing functionality on the local device have similar locationing requirements as each other and similar locationing requirements as ACs on other devices in the vicinity and/or moving along the same route, then the LGC (with possible coordination with one or more other LG-aware entities) may initiate the member addition or removal of an LG that includes the device hosting the LGC and other devices in its proximity.

When adding or removing a member of an LG, an LGC may coordinate with other entities in the system as illustrated in FIG. 24.

• • Step 1a: An LGC may send a request to an LGS to request the LGS add or remove a member for an LG on behalf of the LGC. The determination of whether to issue the request to the LGS may be based on the LG policies configured at the LGC and/or whether the LGC has the capability to form an LG itself or not. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2.
  • Step 1b: The LGS receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGC confirming that it received and performed the request. The response is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2. When processing the response, if the LGC is associated with the device that is being added or removed from the LG, then the LGC may perform operations such as notifying ACs on the device that the device has been added or removed from the LG, joining or leaving a multicast or broadcast group, or start or stop listening for multicast or broadcast messages for the LG. When processing the response, if the LGC is not associated with the device that is being added or removed from the LG, then the LGC may forward the request to another LGC that either is associated with the device that is being added or removed or is able to forward it to that device.
  • Step 2a: A first LGC may send a request to a second LGC to add or remove a member for an LG on behalf of the first LGC. The determination of whether to issue the request to the second LGC may be based on the LG policies configured at the first LGC and/or whether the first LGC has the capability to add or remove a member for an LG itself or not. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGC reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 3.
  • Step 2b: The second LGC receives and processes the request and returns a response to the first LGC confirming that it received and performed the request. Note, the processing of the request may involve the second LGC sending a request (not illustrated in FIG. 24) to an LGS or another LGC to add or remove the member. The response is issued via the ILGC-LGC reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 3. When receiving the response, if the LGC is associated with the device that is being added or removed from the LG, then the LGC may perform operations such as notifying ACs on the device that the device has been added or removed from the LG, joining or leaving a multicast or broadcast group, or start or stop listening for multicast or broadcast messages for the LG. When processing the request, if the LGC is not associated with the device that is being added or removed from the LG, then the LGC may forward the request to another LGC that either is associated with the device that is being added or removed or is able to forward it to that device.
  • Step 3a: An LGC may send a request to a communication network protocol stack on the local device to collect location information for the local device and/or other devices in range/proximity to the local device. An LGC may also send a request to a communication network protocol stack to leverage device group management functionality supported by the CN. The requests are issued via the ILGC-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 4. For example, the CN protocol stack may support functionality for adding or removing a member of a group of devices in the proximity which the LGC can leverage and extend with additional higher-level LG functionality. Some examples of additional functionality that an LGC can provide that may not be supported by CN protocol stack group management functionality may include:
    • selecting the devices to be added or removed in the group based on LG context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting the devices to be added or removed in the group based on AC context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting the devices to be added or removed in the group based on Device context defined in Table 12,
    • selecting a leader of the LG based context information captured in Table 12
  • Step 3b: A CN protocol stack receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGC containing device locationing or group related information. The response is issued via the ILGC-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 4.

AC Initiated LG Member Addition/Removal

As illustrated in FIG. 25, an AC may issue an LG member addition or removal request to an LGC hosted on the same device as the AC and receive an LG member addition or removal response via the ILGC-AC reference point. The LG member addition or removal operation performed by the AC may contain information as defined in Table 1.

• • Step 1: An AC may send a request to an LGC to add or remove a member for an LG. This LG member removal or addition request may contain LG member addition or removal criteria defined by the AC and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGC may factor this information into the LG member addition or removal operation it performs on behalf of the AC.
  • Step 2: The LGC processes the LG member addition or removal request and returns the LG context information, as defined in Table 12, for the updated LG which meets the defined LG member addition or removal criteria defined by the AC. When processing the LG member addition or removal request, the LGC may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., an LGS).

AS Initiated LG Member Addition/Removal

As illustrated in FIG. 26, an AS may issue an LG member addition or removal request for an LGS and receive an LG member addition or removal response via the ILGS-AS reference point. The LG member or removal request and response performed may contain information as defined in Table 6.

• • Step 1: An AS may send a request to an LGS to add or remove a member of the LG. This LG member addition or removal request may contain LG member addition or removal criteria defined by the AS and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGS may factor this information into the LG member addition or removal operation it performs on behalf of the AS.
  • Step 2: The LGS processes the LG member addition or removal request and returns the LG context information, as defined in Table 12, for the updated LG which meets the defined LG member addition or removal criteria defined by the AS. When processing the LG member addition or removal request, the LGS may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., an LGS).

CN Initiated LG Member Addition/Removal

A CN may trigger an LG member or addition or removal LG operation. A CN may support the capability to analyze CN and device context (defined in Table 12) that it locally collects and stores as well as receives from other LG-aware entities in the system. A CN may analyze this context and determine if/when an LG member addition or removal operation is required. An CN may then trigger the member addition or removal for the LG group.

When adding or removing a member for an LG, a CN may coordinate with other entities in the system as illustrated in FIG. 27.

• • Step 1a: A CN may send a request to an LGS to add or remove a member for an LG. This LG member or addition request may contain LG member addition or removal criteria defined by the CN and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGS may factor this information into the LG member addition or removal operation it performs on behalf of the CN.
  • Step 1b: The LGS processes the LG member addition or removal request and returns the LG context information, as defined in Table 12, for the updated LG which meets the defined LG member addition or removal criteria defined by the CN. When processing the LG member addition or removal request, the LGS may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., an LGS).
  • Step 2a: A CN may send a request to an LGC to add or remove a member for an LG. This LG request may contain LG member addition or removal criteria defined by the CN and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGC may factor this information into the LG member addition or removal operation it performs on behalf of the CN.
  • Step 2b: The LGC processes the LG member addition or removal request and returns the LG context information, as defined in Table 12, for the updated LG which meets the defined LG member addition or removal criteria defined by the CN. When processing the LG request, the LGC may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., an LGS).

Locationing Group Leader Management

LGS Initiated LG Leader Management

An LGS may receive requests to perform an LG leader management operation from other LG-aware entities in the system. An LG leader management operation may include but is not limited to assigning a designated member device as the leader of an LG such that the location of that device is used as the location of the LG, or an operation to switch the leader of an LG from one device to another device.

An LGS may also trigger an LG leader management operation itself. An LGS may support the capability to analyze LG context (defined in Table 12) that it locally collects and stores as well as receives from other LG-aware entities in the system. An LGS may compare this context against LG policies (defined in Table 13). Based on this comparison, an LGS may determine if/when performing an LG leader management operation is required. An LGS may then trigger and perform the LG leader operation.

Since an LGS may be privy to LG context information from various entities in the system (e.g., devices, ACs, ASs, LGCs, other LGSs, CN, LGMF, 3rd party location and group management servers), the LGS may support the capability to aggregate this information and make an LG leader management operation decision. This decision may be optimized based on the LG context information collected and processed from all these entities. For example, if there is one device that is more centrally located amongst the member devices in the LG, or there is a device that has more resources (e.g., battery or processing resources) and is deemed more capable and suited to serve as an LG leader, then the LGS, with possible coordination and assistance from one or more other LG-aware entities in the system, may decide to initiate selection and configuration of a device as leader of an LG. Likewise, as conditions and status of the member devices change such as devices are added or removed from an LG or devices move and their locations change with respect to one another, or the resources of devices changes (e.g., battery level of lead devices becomes low), then the LGS, with possible coordination and assistance from one or more other LG-aware entities in the system, may decide to initiate a re-selection and re-configuration of a different device as leader of an LG.

When performing an LG leader management operation, an LGS may coordinate with other entities in the system as illustrated in FIG. 28.

• • Step 1a: An LGS may send a request to an 3rd Party Location Server to collect location information for devices to determine which devices are in proximity/range of one another and that make the best candidates to be the leader of an LG. The request is issued via the ILGS-LS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 10
  • Step 1b: A 3rd Party Location Server receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS. The response is issued via the ILGS-LS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 10.
  • Step 2a: An LGS may send a request to a CN to collect location information for devices such as which devices are in proximity/range of one another and that make the best candidates to be leader of an LG. An LGS may communicate the device that it selects to be leader of an LG such that the CN can use this information to selectively collect location information for just the leader device in the group and not the other devices in a group. This can allow the CN to reduce overhead and congestion in the CN by reducing the overhead with tracking all the location of devices in a group. A CN can also support functionality to notify an LGS if/when the leader leaves the group or is no longer the most centrally located device in the group. This information can assist the LGS with determining if/when switching the leader role to a new device is needed. If/when switching the leader role to a new member device in the LG, the LGS can send a request to the CN to perform this switch. The CN can in turn enable location tracking of the new leader device in the LG and disabling the location tracking of the old leader device.
  • Step 2b: A CN receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS containing device locationing or group related information. The response is issued via the ILGS-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 7.
  • Step 3a: An LGS may send a notification to an LGC to inform it of an LG leader management operation that was performed. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2. In another embodiment, an LGS may send request to an LGC for the LGC to perform an LG leader management operation.
  • Step 3b: The LGC receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS confirming that it received and processed the LG member addition or removal request. The response is issued via ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2. When processing this request, an LGC can perform operations such as enabling or disabling location reporting from one or more ACs based on whether the LGC's device has been selected to function as the leader of the LG.
  • Step 4a: A first LGS may send a request to a second LGS to perform an LG leader management operation on an LG. For example, the second LGS may be functioning as the managing LGS of an LG and therefore may be better suited to perform an LG leader management operation on an LG. The request is issued via the ILGS-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 9.
  • Step 4b: The second LGS receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS confirming that it received and processed the LG leader management operation. The response is issued via ILGS-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 9.
  • Step 5a: An LGS may send a request to an AS to notify the AS that an LG leader management operation was performed. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2.
  • Step 5b: The AS receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGS confirming that it received and processed the notification. The response is issued via ILGS-AS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 6. When processing this request, an AS can perform operations such as enabling or disabling location reporting from one or more ACs hosted on member devices based on whether the devices have been selected to function as the leader of the LG.

LGC Initiated LG Leader Management

An LGC may receive LG leader management operation requests from other LG-aware entities in the system. An LGC may also trigger an LG leader management operation itself. An LGC may support the capability to analyze context (defined in Table 12) that it locally collects and stores as well as receives from other LG-aware entities in the system. An LGC may compare this context against LG policies (defined in Table 13). Based on this comparison, an LGC may determine if/when an LG leader management operation is required. An LGC may then trigger the leader management operation.

Since an LGC may be privy to LG context information from various entities in the system (e.g., devices, ACs, LGSs, other LGCs, CN, LGMF), the LGC may support the capability to aggregate this information and determine when to trigger a leader management operation on an LG such as assign a device as leader or switch the leader of an LG to another member device. The decision to perform a leader management operation on an LG may be based on the context information that the LGC collects and processes from all these entities. Since an LGC may be privy to device and AC context information for the device on which the LGC is hosted, the LGC may support the capability to aggregate this information and to trigger an LG leader management operation.

When performing an LG leader management operation, an LGC may coordinate with other entities in the system as illustrated in FIG. 29.

• • Step 1a: An LGC may send a request to an LGS to request the LGS to perform an LG leader management operation on behalf of the LGC. The determination of whether to issue the request to the LGS may be based on the LG policies configured at the LGC and/or whether the LGC has the capability to perform an LG leader management operation itself or not. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2.
  • Step 1b: The LGS receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGC confirming that it received and performed the request. The response is issued via the ILGC-LGS reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 2.
  • Step 2a: A first LGC may send a request to a second LGC to either collect information that can be used to make decisions on whether to perform an LG leader management operation or to request that the second LGC perform a leader management operation on behalf of the first LGC. For example, an LGC may request ranging information from each LGC hosted on devices in its proximity and that are members of an LG. Based on this ranging information, an LGC can determine whether the device it is hosted on is the most centrally located in the LG and therefore the best candidate to serve as leader of the LG. If it is not, the LGC can initiate a request to another LGC to request that it perform an LG leader management operation to become leader of the LG since it is the most centrally located device in the LG. The determination of whether to issue the request to other LGCs may be based on the LG policies configured at the first LGC and/or whether the first LGC has the capability to perform an LG leader management operation. The request is issued via the ILGC-LGC reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 3.
  • Step 2b: The second LGC receives and processes the request and returns a response to the first LGC confirming that it received and performed the request. The response is issued via the ILGC-LGC reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 3.
  • Step 3a: An LGC may send a request to a communication network protocol stack on the local device to collect location information for the local device and/or other devices in range/proximity to the local device. The requests are issued via the ILGC-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 4. For example, the CN protocol stack may support functionality for determining the proximity/range of the device hosting the LGC with respect to one or more other devices hosting other LGCs. Based on this ranging information, the LGC can determine whether or not it should perform an LG leader management operation to request that its device be assigned the LG leader role or another member device (e.g., that is more centrally located in the LG based on the ranging information of all the member devices).
  • Step 3b: A CN protocol stack receives and processes the request and returns a response to the LGC containing device locationing or group related information. The response is issued via the ILGC-CN reference point and may contain information as defined in Table 4.

AC Initiated LG Leader Management

As illustrated in FIG. 30, an AC may issue an LG leader management request to an LGC hosted on the same device as the AC and receive an LG leader management response via the ILGC-AC reference point. The LG leader management operation performed by the AC may contain information as defined in Table 1.

• • Step 1: An AC may send a request to an LGC to perform a leader management operation for an LG. This LG request may contain LG leader management operation criteria defined by the AC and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGC may factor this information into the LG leader management operation it performs on behalf of the AC.
  • Step 2: The LGC processes the LG leader management request and returns the LG context information, as defined in Table 12, for the updated LG which meets the defined LG leader management criteria defined by the AC. When processing the LG leader management request, the LGC may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., an LGS).

AS Initiated LG Leader Management

As illustrated in FIG. 31, an AS may issue an LG leader management request for an LGS and receive an LG leader management response via the ILGS-AS reference point. The LG leader management request and response performed may contain information as defined in Table 6.

Step 1: An AS may send a request to an LGS to perform a leader management operation on an LG. This LG request may contain LG leader management criteria defined by the AS and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGS may factor this information into the LG leader management operation it performs on behalf of the AS.

• • Step 2: The LGS processes the LG leader management request and returns the LG context information, as defined in Table 12, for the updated LG which it performed the leader management operation for. When processing the LG leader management request, the LGS may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., an LGS).

CN Initiated LG Leader Management

A CN may trigger an LG leader management operation. A CN may support the capability to analyze CN and device context (defined in Table 12) that it locally collects and stores as well as receives from other LG-aware entities in the system. A CN may analyze this context and determine if/when an LG leader management operation is required. An CN may then trigger the leader management operation for the LG.

When performing an LG leader management operation, a CN may coordinate with other entities in the system as illustrated in FIG. 32.

• • Step 1a: A CN may send a request to an LGS to perform a leader management operation on an LG. This LG leader management operation may contain LG leader management operation criteria defined by the CN and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGS may factor this information into the LG leader management operation it performs on behalf of the CN.
  • Step 1b: The LGS processes the LG leader management operation request and returns the LG context information, as defined in Table 12, for the updated LG upon which the leader management operation is performed. When processing the LG leader management operation request, the LGS may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., an LGS).
  • Step 2a: A CN protocol stack may send a request to an LGC to perform a leader management operation for an LG. This LG request may contain LG leader management operation criteria defined by the CN protocol stack and that take into account context information such as but not limited to the information defined in Table 12. The LGC may factor this information into the LG leader management operation it performs on behalf of the CN protocol stack.
  • Step 2b: The LGC processes the LG leader management operation request and returns the LG context information, as defined in Table 12, for the updated LG which meets the defined LG member addition or removal criteria defined by the CN protocol stack. When processing the LG request, the LGC may forward the request to other LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., an LGS).

Locationing Group Reference Points

ILGC-AC Reference Point

As illustrated in FIG. 33, an LGC may support a reference point (ILGC-AC) to interface with ACs hosted on the device. Via ILGC-AC an LGC may support various types of LG operations between itself and the ACs such as but not limited to those described in Table 1.

TABLE 1
ILGC-AC Operations
Operation	Description	Parameters
AC	An AC may send this request to an LGC to	AC identifier
Registration	perform a 1-way or 2-way authentication	(Table 10)
Request	handshake with the LGC. An AC may also	AC credential as defined
	share AC and/or LG context information	(Table 10)
	with the LGC during registration.	AC or LG context
	Alternatively, the AC may skip the	(Table 11)
	registration and simply rely on the operations
	defined in this table to interface with an
	LGC.
AC	An LGC may return this response to the AC	AC registration result
Registration	to indicate whether the requested AC	AC LG policies
Response	registration was completed successfully or	(Table 12)
	not.	LGC context
		(Table 11)
LG	A request to share LG context between an	AC or LGC identifier
Context	AC and LGC.	(Table 10)
Request		AC or LG context
		(Table 11)
LG	A response that is returned to an LG context	Status indicator
Context	request.	AC, LG or LGC context
Response		(Table 11)
LG	A request that is sent to request that an LG	AC or LGC identifier
Operation	operation be performed. For example, a	(Table 10)
Request	request to join or leave an LG, or a request to	LG identifier
	become the leader of an LG.	(Table 10)
		LG operation to perform
		(Table 11)
		LG leader preferences
		(Table 11)
		LG context
		(Table 11)
LG	A response returned to an LG operation	LG identifier
Operation	request.	(Table 10)
Response		LG operation result
		(Table 11)
		LG context
		(Table 11)
LG	A request to create or update an LG	LG subscription context
Subscription	subscription.	(Table 11)
Request
LG	A response that indicates whether the LG	LG Subscription Identifier
Subscription	subscription was created or updated	(Table 10)
Response	successfully or not.	Status indicator of whether
		the LG subscription was
		created or updated
LG	A LG notification to initiate an LG operation	LG Subscription Identifier
Notification	or to share LG context. For example, an LG	(Table 10)
Request	notification request to an AC to notify it that	LG operation(s)
	an LG operation has occurred.	(Table 11)
		LG operation result
		(Table 11)
LG	A response to indicate whether an LG	Status indicator whether
Notification	notification was received and processed. For	notification was received
Response	example, LG operation was initiated, or LG	and processed.
	context was successfully received.
LG	Request to delete an LG subscription such	AC identifier
Subscription	that LG notifications are no longer generated.	(Table 10)
Delete		LG Subscription Identifier
Request		(Table 10)
LG	A response to indicate whether the LG	Status indicator whether
Subscription	subscription was deleted successfully or not.	subscription was deleted
Delete
Response

ILGC-LGS Reference Point

As illustrated in FIG. 34, an LGC may support a reference point (ILGC-LGS) to communicate with one or more LGSs in the system. Via ILGC-LGS an LGC may support various types of LG operations between itself and an LGS such as but not limited to those described in Table 2. For example, an LGC may support the capability to interface to an LGS to share information about ACs with the LGS such that the LGS can assist the LGC with performing LG operations on behalf of the ACs.

TABLE 2
ILGC-LGS Operations
Operation	Description	Parameters
LGC	An LGC may send this request to an LGS to	LGC identifier
Registration	perform a 1-way or 2-way authentication	(Table 10)
Request	handshake with the LGS. An LGC may also	LGC credential
	share AC, LG and/or LGC context	(Table 10)
	information with the LGS.	IDs of ACs associated with
	Alternatively, the LGC may skip the	LGC
	registration and simply rely on the operations	(Table 10)
	defined in this table to interface with an LGS.	AC, LG or LGC context
		(Table 11)
LGC	An LGS may return this response to the LGC	LGC registration result
Registration	to indicate whether the requested LG	LGC policies
Response	registration was completed successfully or	(Table 12)
	not.	LGS context
		(Table 11)
LG Context	A request to exchange LG context between an	LGC or LGS identifier
Request	LGS and LGC. LG context may be locally	(Table 10)
	stored and/or factored into LG decisions and	IDs of ACs associated with
	operations. For example, the LGS may factor	LGC
	this context into its determination of if/when	(Table 10)
	to form or disband an LG or if/when to add or	AC, LG, LGC or LGS
	remove a device to an LG.	context
		(Table 11)
LG Context	Response is returned to indicate that reception	Status indicator
Response	of LG context information.	AC, LG, LGC or LGS
		context
		(Table 11)
LG	A request exchanged between an LGC and	LGC or LGS identifier
Discovery	LGS to perform an LG discovery operation.	(Table 10)
Request	For example, a query to see if an LG exists	LG discovery criteria
	that meets a specified set of criteria.	(Table 11)
LG	Response indicating LG discovery results.	Operation status
Discovery		LG operation result
Response		(Table 11)
LG	A request to perform an LG operation.	LGC or LGS identifier
Operation		(Table 10)
Request		LG identifier
		(Table 10)
		AC identifiers
		(Table 10)
		AC types
		(Table 10)
		AC context
		(Table 11)
		LG operation to perform
		(Table 11)
		LG leader preferences
		(Table 11)
		Criteria that must be met to
		perform LG operation
		(Table 11)
LG	This response is retuned to indicate whether	LG identifier
Operation	the requested LG operation was completed	(Table 10)
Response	successfully or not.	LG operation result
		(Table 11)
		LG context
		(Table 11)
LG	A request to subscribe to receive LG	LGC or LGS identifier
Subscription	notifications if/when the LG criteria defined	(Table 10)
Request	within the request have been met. The	LG subscription context
	request includes LG notification criteria	(Table 11)
	which define what conditions LG
	notifications are generated.
LG	A response returned to indicate whether the	LG Subscription Identifier
Subscription	LG subscription was created or updated	(Table 10)
Response	successfully or not.	Status indicator of whether
		the LG subscription was
		created or updated
LG	A request to notify LG subscription criteria	LG subscription identifier
Notification	have been met (e.g. an LG operation has been	(Table 10)
Request	performed).	LG notification context
		(Table 11)
LG	A response that is sent to indicate whether an	Status indicator whether
Notification	LG notification was received and processed	notification was received
Response	including any LG operations specified in the	and processed
	notification.
LG	A request to delete an LG subscription.	LGC or LGS identifier
Subscription		(Table 10)
Delete		LG subscription identifier
Request		(Table 10)
LG	A response to indicate whether the LG	Status indicator whether
Subscription	subscription was deleted successfully or not.	subscription was deleted
Delete
Response

ILGC-LGC Reference Point

As illustrated in FIG. 35, an LGC may support a reference point (ILGC-LGC) to communicate with other LGCs in the system. Via ILGC-LGC an LGC may support various types of LG operations between itself and another LGC such as but not limited to those described in Table 3. For example, to discover other LGs within the system.

TABLE 3
ILGC-LGC Operations
Operation	Description	Parameters
LGC	A first LGC may send this request to a second	LGC identifier
Registration	LGC to perform a 1-way or 2-way authentication	(Table 10)
Request	handshake with the second LGC. The first LGC	LGC credential
	may also share AC, LG and/or LGC context	(Table 10)
	information with the second LGC.	AC, LG, LGC
	Alternatively, the first LGC may skip the	context
	registration and simply rely on the operations	(Table 11)
	defined in this table to interface with another
	LGC.
LGC	The second LGC may return this response to the	LGC registration
Registration	first LGC to indicate whether the requested LGC	result
Response	registration was completed successfully or not.	(Table 10)
		AC, LG or LGC
		context
		(Table 11)
LG	A request exchanged between LGCs to share AC,	LGC identifier
Context	LGC or LG context.	(Table 10)
Request		AC, LG, LGC context
		(Table 11)
LG	A response that is returned to indicate an LG	Status indicator
Context	context request was received and processed.	AC, LG, LGC context
Response		(Table 11)
LG	A first LGC may send this request to a second	LGC identifier
Discovery	LGC to explicitly request that the second LGC	(Table 10)
Request	perform an LG discovery operation. For	LG discovery criteria
	example, a query to see if an LG exists that meets	(Table 11)
	a specified set of criteria.
LG	The second LGC returns this response to the first	LG operation result
Discovery	LGC to indicate the LG discovery results.	(Table 11)
Response
LG	A first LGC may send this request to a second	LGC identifier
Operation	LGC to explicitly request that the second LGC	(Table 10)
Request	perform an LG operation.	LG identifier
		(Table 10)
		AC identifiers
		(Table 10)
		AC types
		(Table 10)
		AC context
		(Table 11)
		LG operation to
		perform
		(Table 11)
		LG leader preferences
		(Table 11)
		Criteria that must be
		met to perform LG
		operation
		(Table 11)
LG	The second LGC returns this response to the first	LG identifier
Operation	LGC to indicate whether the requested LG	(Table 10)
Response	operation was completed successfully or not.	LG operation result
		(Table 11)
		LG context
		(Table 11)
LG	A first LGC sends this request to a second LGC	LG subscription
Subscription	to create or update an LGC subscription. An	context
Request	LGC subscription is used by a first LGC to	(Table 11)
	subscribe to a second LGC to receive
	notifications from the second LGC.
LG	The second LGC returns this response to the first	LG Subscription
Subscription	LGC to indicate whether the LGC subscription	Identifier
Response	was created or updated successfully or not.	(Table 10)
		Status indicator of
		whether the LG
		subscription was
		created or updated
LG	An LGC may send LG notification request to	LG Subscription
Notification	another LGC to notify it that an LG operation has	Identifier
Request	occurred, to trigger an LGC to perform an LG	(Table 10)
	related operation or to share LG context	LG notification
	information with another LGC.	context
		(Table 11)
LG	An LGC that receives an LG notification sends	Status indicator
Notification	this response to the LGC that initiated the LG	whether notification
Response	notification to indicate whether it received and	was received and
	processed the LG notification.	processed by the LGC
LG	A first LGC sends this request to delete an LG	LGC identifier
Subscription	subscription from a second LGC such that it no	(Table 10)
Delete	longer receives LG notifications from the second	LG Subscription
Request	LGC.	Identifier
		(Table 10)
LG	The second LGC returns this response to the first	Status indicator
Subscription	LGC to indicate whether the LGC subscription	whether subscription
Delete	was deleted successfully or not.	was deleted by the
Response		LGC

ILGC-CN Reference Point

As illustrated in FIG. 36, an LGC may support a reference point (ILGC-CN) to communicate with a communication network (e.g., 3GPP) protocol stack that is hosted on the same device as the LGC. Via ILGC-CN, an LGC may support initiating various types of LG operations as shown in Table 4 and exchanging LG centric information via the communication network protocol stack. The communication network protocol stack in turn connects the device hosting the LGC to a communication network such that the LGC can interface to LGSs, LGMFs and other LGCs in the system.

TABLE 4
ILGC-CN Operations
Operation	Description	Parameters
Device	An LGC may issue this request to the	device identifier
Location	Communication Network Protocol Stack to	(Table 10)
Request	obtain location information for the local	location server
	device hosting the LGC or for the location of	identifier(s)
	other device(s) hosting other LGC(s). The	(Table 10)
	LGC may specify the identifier(s) of location
	servers in the system that the Communication
	Network Protocol Stack is to contact to obtain
	this location.
Device	A communication network protocol stack	Device LG context
Location	returns this response to an LGC containing	(Table 11)
Response	location information that the communication
	network protocol stack receives from a
	location server in the communication network
	or from a local location sensor on the device
	(e.g. GPS)
CN	An LGC may issue this request to subscribe to	Callback URI to receive
Subscription	the communication network protocol stack and	location notifications
Request	receive notifications regarding location	Location criteria that
	information (i.e. location reports) that the	define if/when an LGC is
	communication network protocol stack	interested in receiving
	receives from the communication network or	location notifications
	from a local location sensor (e.g. GPS).	from the communication
		network protocol stack
		and the contents of these
		notifications:
		Device identifier(s)
		Range/distance
		threshold (e.g. range
		from peer devices)
		Geo boundary (e.g.
		polygon coordinates)
		A time duration that
		the device must
		remain in the same
		location
		A number of devices
		that must be in the
		same range as one
		another.
CN	A communication network protocol stack	Location subscription
Subscription	returns this response to the LGC to indicate	Identifier which can be
Response	whether the CN subscription was created or	used by the LGC to
	updated successfully or not.	associate location
		notifications to this
		subscription as well as to
		perform future updates or
		delete this subscription.
		Status indicator of
		whether the location
		subscription was created
		or updated
CN	A communication network protocol stack may	CN subscription
Notification	issue this request to an LGC to notify it of	identifier
Request	location information that the communication	Device identifier(s)
	network protocol stack receives from the	Device LG context
	communication network or from a local	(Table 11)
	location sensor (e.g. GPS).	Location event that has
		occurred
		Device has entered/
		left specified geo-
		boundary of interest
		Device has crossed a
		specified range/
		distance criterion
CN	An LGC sends this response to the	Status indicator whether
Notification	communication network protocol stack to	notification was received
Response	indicate whether it received and processed the	and processed by the
	location notification.	LGC
Group	An LGC may issue this request to the	Device identifiers
Operation	Communication Network Protocol Stack to	Type of group operation:
Request	perform a group management operation	Discovery device
	related to a group of	groups
	devices in order to assist	Form a device group
	the LGC in managing an LG. The LGC may	Disband a device
	specify the identifier(s) of group management	group
	functions in the system that the	Join a device group
	Communication Network Protocol Stack is to	Leave a device group
	contact to perform the group operation.
Group	A Communication Network Protocol Stack	Group identifier
Operation	returns this response to the LGC to indicate	Group context
Response	whether the LG operation was completed	information
	successfully or not.	Number of members
		Member device
		identifiers

ILGC-LGMF Reference Point

As illustrated in FIG. 37, an LGC may support a reference point (ILGC-LGMF) to communicate with a Locationing Group Management Function (LGMF) in the system. An LGC may interface to an LGMF to be bootstrapped with configuration information and LGC policies that contain rules that an LGC uses to make LG management decisions. Via ILGC-LGMF an LGC may support various types of LG operations between itself and an LGMF such as but not limited to those described in Table 5.

TABLE 4
ILGS-AS Operations
Operation	Description	Parameters
AS	An AS may send this request to an LGS to	AS identifier
Registration	perform a 1-way or 2-way authentication	(Table 10)
Request	handshake with the LGS. An AS may also	AS Credential
	share AS and/or LG context information with	(Table 10)
	the LGS.	AS or LG context
	Alternatively, the AS may skip the registration	(Table 11)
	and simply rely on the operations defined in
	this table to interface with an LGS.
AC	An LGS may return this response to the AS to	AS registration result
Registration	indicate whether the requested AS registration	AS policies
Response	was completed successfully or not.	(Table 12)
		LGS context
		(Table 11)
Location	A request exchanged between and AS and	AS or LGS identifier
Context	LGS to share LG related context.	(Table 10)
Request		AS, LG or LGS context
		(Table 11)
Location	A response returned to share or indicate	Status indicator
Context	location context information was received.	AS, LG or LGS context
Response		(Table 11)
LG	A request sent to performs an LG operation.	AS or LGS identifier
Operation		(Table 10)
Request		AS type
		Device identifier(s)
		(Table 10)
		Device type(s)
		AC identifier(s)
		(Table 10)
		AC type(s)
		LGC identifier(s)
		(Table 10)
		LG identifier
		(Table 10)
		LG operation to perform
		(Table 11).
		LG leader preferences
		(Table 11)
		Criteria that must be met
		to perform LG operation
		as defined in
		(Table 11)
LG	A response returned to indicate whether the	LG operation result
Operation	LG operation was completed successfully or	(Table 11)
Response	not.	LG identifier
		(Table 10)
LG	A request to create or update an LG	LG subscription context
Subscription	subscription. An LG subscription is used to	(Table 11)
Request	subscribe to receive LG notifications if/when
	LG criteria have been met.
LG	A response returned to indicate whether the	LG Subscription Identifier
Subscription	LG subscription was created or updated	(Table 10)
Response	successfully or not.	Status indicator of whether
		the LG subscription was
		created or updated
LG	A request to notify LG subscription criteria	LGS Subscription
Notification	have been met e.g. an LG operation has been	Identifier
Request	performed) or to request that the AS perform a	(Table 10)
	specified LG operation.	LG notification context
		(Table 11)
LG	A response that is sent to indicate whether an	Status indicator whether
Notification	LG notification was received and processed	notification was received
Response	including any LG operations specified in the	and processed by the AS
	notification.
LG	A request to delete an LG subscription.	AS identifier
Subscription		(Table 10)
Delete		LG Subscription Identifier
Request		(Table 10)
LG	A response to indicate whether the LG	Status indicator whether
Subscription	subscription was deleted successfully or not.	subscription was deleted
Delete
Response

ILGS-AS Reference Point

As illustrated in FIG. 38, an LGS may support a reference point (ILGS-AS) to communicate with Application Servers (AS) in the system. Via ILGS-AS, an LGS may support various types of LG centric operations between itself and ASs such as but not limited to those proposed in Table 6.

TABLE 5
ILGS-CN Operations
Operation	Description	Parameters
Device	An LGS may issue this request to the	device identifier(s)
Location	Communication Network to obtain location	(Table 10)
Request	information for one or more devices. The	location server identifier(s)
	LGS may specify the identifier(s) of	(Table 10)
	location servers in the system that the
	Communication Network Protocol Stack is
	to contact to obtain this location.
Device	A communication network may return this	Device LG context
Location	response to an LGS containing location	(Table 11)
Response	information that the communication
	network receives from a location server in
	the communication network.
CN	An LGS may issue this request to subscribe	Callback URI to receive
Subscription	to the communication network and receive	location notifications
Request	notifications regarding location information	Location criteria that define
	(change in location reports) that the	if/when an LGS is
	communication network receives from	interested in receiving
	location server(s)	location notifications from
		the communication network
		protocol stack and the
		contents of these
		notifications:
		Device identifier(s)
		Range/distance
		threshold (e.g. range
		from peer devices)
		Geo boundary (e.g.
		polygon coordinates)
CN	A communication network returns this	Location subscription
Subscription	response to the LGS to indicate whether the	Identifier which can be
Response	CN subscription was created or updated	used by the LGS to
	successfully or not.	associate location
		notifications to this
		subscription as well as to
		perform future updates or
		delete this subscription.
		Status indicator of whether
		the location subscription
		was created or updated
CN	A communication network may issue this	CN subscription identifier
Notification	request to an LGS to notify it of location	Device identifier(s)
Request	information that the communication	(Table 10)
	network receives from location servers in	Device LG context
	the communication network.	(Table 11)
		Location event that has
		occurred
		Device has entered/
		left specified geo-
		boundary of interest
		Device has crossed a
		specified range/
		distance criterion
CN	An LGS sends this response to the	Status indicator whether
Notification	communication network to indicate whether	notification was received
Response	it received and processed the location	and processed by the LGS
	notification.
Group	An LGS may issue this request to the	Device identifiers
Operation	communication network to perform a group	(Table 10)
Request	management operation	Type of group operation:
	related to a group of	Discovery device groups
	devices in order to assist the LGS in	Form a device group
	managing an LG. The LGS may specify the	Disband a device group
	identifier(s) of group management functions	Join a device group
	in the system that the Communication	Leave a device group
	Network is to contact to perform the group
	operation.
Group	A communication network returns this	Group identifier
Operation	response to the LGS to	Group context information
Response	indicate whether the	Number of members
	LG operation was completed successfully	Member device
	or not.	identifiers

ILGS-CN Reference Point

As illustrated in FIG. 39, an LGS may support a reference point (ILGS-CN) to communicate with a Communication Network (e.g., 3GPP) and its respective functions (e.g., NEF). Via ILGS-CN an LGS may support initiating various types of LG centric operations such as but not limited to those proposed in Table 7 and exchanging LG centric information with a Communication Network. For example, an LGS may send a request to a 3GPP Network to have group together a set of devices in proximity to one another such that they can perform group-based locationing.

TABLE 6
ILGS-LGMF Operations
Operation	Description	Parameters
LGS	An LGS may issue this request to bootstrap	LGS identifier
Configuration	itself with configuration information that	(Table 10)
Request	that the LGMF provides and which the LGS	LGS credential
	requires to communicate with other entities	(Table 10)
	in the system.	LGS context
		(Table 11)
		Type(s) of requested LGS
		policies
		(Table 12)
		Preferred LGS policy
		settings
		(Table 12)
LGS	An LGMF returns this response to the LGS	Configuration status
Configuration	to indicate whether the configuration request	LGS identifier
Response	was completed successfully or not.	(Table 10)
		LGS credential
		(Table 10)
		LGC identifiers, credentials
		and/or addresses that are
		authorized to connect to the
		LGS
		(Table 10)
		LGS policies
		(Table 12)
LG	An LGS may send this request to an LGMF	Callback URI to receive
Subscription	to create or update an LG subscription. This	LGMF notifications
Request	subscription is used by an LGS to subscribe	LGMF criteria that define
	to an LGMF and receive notifications	if/when an LGS is interested
	if/when the LGMF determines that it needs	in receiving LGMF
	to share LGMF centric information or status	notifications from LGMF
	with the LGS.	and the contents of these
		notifications:
		Type of LGMF event:
		Change in availability
		status of an LGC
		another LGS, or
		another entity in the
		system such as a
		Location Server or
		Group Management
		Server.
		Change in LGS
		configuration settings
		Change in LGS
		policy settings
LG	An LGMF returns this response to the LGS	LG subscription Identifier
Subscription	to indicate whether the subscription was	(Table 10)
Response	created or updated successfully or not.	Status indicator of whether
		the LGMF subscription was
		created or updated
LG	An LGMF may issue this request to an LGS	LG subscription identifier
Notification	to notify it of changes in LGS configuration	(Table 10)
Request	settings or LGS policies.	LGS identifier
		(Table 10)
		Updated LGS Configuration
		settings
		Updated LGS policies
		(Table 12)
LG	An LGS sends this response to the LGMF to	Status indicator whether
Notification	indicate whether it received and processed	notification was received
Response	the notification.	and processed by the LGS

ILGS-LGMF Reference Point

As illustrated in FIG. 40, an LGS may support a reference point (ILGS-LGMF) to communicate with Locationing Group Management Functions (LGMF) in the system. LGMFs in the system may have responsibility for managing LGSs deployed in the system. For example, the installation/de-installation, activation/de-activation, configuration/re-configuration of LGSs hosted on cloud and edge nodes within the system. Via ILGS-LGMF, an LGS may support communicating with LGMFs to assist with the management of LGs and performing operations such as but not limited to those proposed in Table 8. For example, an LGS may support the capability to interface to an LGMF to be configured with LGS policies that contain rules that an LGS uses to manage LGs in the system.

TABLE 7
ILGS-LGS Operations
Operation	Description	Parameters
LGS	A first LGS may send this request to a second	LGS identifier
Registration	LGS to a perform 1-way or 2-way	(Table 10)
Request	authentication handshake with the second	LGS credential
	LGS. The first LGS may also share AC	(Table 10)
	and/or LG context information with the	AC or LG context
	second LGS.	(Table 11)
	Alternatively, the first LGS may skip the	LGS context
	registration and simply rely on the operations	(Table 11)
	defined in this table to interface with another
	LGS.
LGS	The second LGS may return this response to	LGS registration result
Registration	the first LGS to indicate whether the	LGS context
Response	requested LGS registration was completed	(Table 11)
	successfully or not.
LG	An LGS may send this request to a second	LGS identifier
Context	LGS to share LG context.	(Table 10)
Request		AC, LG or LGS context
		(Table 11)
LG	The second LGS returns this response to the	Status indicator
Context	first LGS to indicate that it received the LG
Response	context information.
LG	A first LGS may send this request to a second	LGS identifier
Discovery	LGS to explicitly request that the second LGS	(Table 10)
Request	perform an LG discovery operation. For	LG discovery criteria
	example, a query to see if an LG exists that	(Table 11)
	meets a specified set of criteria.
LG	The second LGS returns this response to the	LG Operation result
Discovery	first LGS to indicate the LG discovery results.	(Table 11)
Response
LG	A first LGS sends this request to a second	LG subscription context
Subscription	LGS to create or update an LGS subscription.	(Table 11)
Request	An LG subscription is used by a first LGS to
	subscribe to a second LGS to receive
	notifications if/when the second LGS
	determines that it needs to share LG centric
	information or status.
LG	The second LGS returns this response to the	LG Subscription
Subscription	first LGS to indicate whether the LG	Identifier
Response	subscription was created or updated	(Table 10)
	successfully or not.	Status indicator of
		whether the LGS
		subscription was created
		or updated
LG	An LGS may send LG notification request to	LG notification context
Notification	another LGS to notify it that an LG operation	(Table 11)
Request	has occurred, to trigger an LGS to perform an
	LG related operation or to share LG context
	information with another LGS.
LG	An LGS that receives an LG notification	Status indicator whether
Notification	sends this response to the LGS that initiated	notification was received
Response	the LG notification to indicate whether it	and processed by the LGS
	received and processed the LG notification.
LG	A first LGS sends this request to delete an LG	LGS identifier
Subscription	subscription from a second LGS such that it	(Table 10)
Delete	no longer receives LG notifications from the	LG Subscription
Request	second LGS.	Identifier
		(Table 10)
LG	The second LGS returns this response to the	Status indicator whether
Subscription	first LGS to indicate whether the LG	subscription was deleted
Delete	subscription was deleted successfully or not.	by the LGS
Response

ILGS-LGS Reference Point

As illustrated in FIG. 41, an LGS may support a reference point (ILGS-LGS) to communicate with other LGSs in the system. Via ILGS-LGS an LGS may support initiating various types of LG centric operations to another LGS such as but not limited to those proposed in Table 9. For example, to discover LGs within the system.

TABLE 8
ILGS-LS Operations
Operation	Description	Parameters
LG	An LGS and a 3rd Party Location or Group	LS, LGS identifier
Context	Management Server may exchange this request to	(Table 10)
Request	share or request LG context with one another.	AC, LG, LGS context
		(Table 11)
LG	This response is returned indicate that LG context	Status indicator
Context	information was received or to share LG context.	AC, LG, LGS context
Response		(Table 11)
LG	A request exchanged to perform an LG discovery	LS, LGS identifier
Discovery	operation. For example, a query to see if an LG	(Table 10)
Request	exists that meets a specified set of criteria.	LG discovery criteria
		(Table 11)
LG	Response indicating LG discovery results.	Operation result
Discovery		(Table 11)
Response
LG	A request to subscribe to receive LG notifications	LG subscription
Subscription	if/when the LG criteria defined within the request	context
Request	have been met. The request includes LG	(Table 11)
	notification criteria which define what conditions
	LG notifications are generated.
LG	A response returned to indicate whether the LG	LG Subscription
Subscription	subscription was created or updated successfully	Identifier
Response	or not.	(Table 10)
		Status indicator of
		whether the LGS
		subscription was
		created or updated
LG	A request to notify LG subscription criteria have	LG notification context
Notification	been met (e.g. an LG operation has been	(Table 11)
Request	performed).
LG	A response that is sent to indicate whether an LG	Status indicator
Notification	notification was received and processed including	whether notification
Response	any LG operations specified in the notification.	was received and
		processed
LG	A request to delete an LG subscription.	LGS identifier
Subscription		(Table 10)
Delete		LG Subscription
Request		Identifier
		(Table 10)
LG	A response to indicate whether the LG	Status indicator
Subscription	subscription was deleted successfully or not.	whether subscription
Delete		was deleted
Response

ILGS-LS Reference Point

As illustrated in FIG. 42, an LGS may support a reference point (ILGS-LS) to communicate with Location Servers and/or Group Management Servers in the system. Via ILGS-LS an LGS may support initiating various types of LG centric operations such as but not limited to those proposed in Table 10. For example, to discover LGs within the system.

TABLE 9
LG Identifiers and Credentials
Metadata      Description
LG Identifier A unique identifier of a Locationing Group
LG            A unique identifier of an LG subscription that a subscriber can use to
subscription  update or delete the subscription as well as associate LG notifications
identifier    that are received from another LG-aware entity.
LGC           A unique identifier that is pre-provisioned or bootstrapped to an LGC to
Identifier    enable the LGC to be uniquely identified in the system.
LGC           A credential used by an LGC to authenticate with an AC, LGMF, LGS
Credential    or another LGC.
LGS           A unique identifier that is pre-provisioned or bootstrapped to an LGS to
Identifier    enable the LGS to be uniquely identified in the system.
LGS           A credential used by an LGS to authenticate with an AS, LGMF, LGC
Credential    or another LGS.
LGMF          A unique identifier that is pre-provisioned or bootstrapped to an LGMF
Identifier    to enable the LGMF to be uniquely identified in the system.
LGMF          A credential used by an LGMF to authenticate with an LGS, LGC or
Credential    another LGMF.
Device        A unique identifier that is pre-provisioned or bootstrapped to a device to
Identifier    enable the device to be uniquely identified in the system.
Device        A credential used by a device to authenticate with other entities in the
Credential    system.
AC Identifier A unique identifier that is pre-provisioned or bootstrapped to an AC to
              enable the AC to be uniquely identified in the system.
AC            A credential used by an AC to authenticate with an LGC.
Credential
AS Identifier A unique identifier that is pre-provisioned or bootstrapped to an AS to
              enable the AS to be uniquely identified in the system.
AS            A credential used by an AS to authenticate with an LGS.
Credential
Location      A unique identifier of a location server in the system.
Server
Identifier
Group         A unique identifier of a group management server in the system.
Management
Server
Identifier

Locationing Group Metadata

LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., LGC, LGS, LGMF, AC, AS, CN, 3rd party location and group management servers) may share various types of LG metadata with one another over the LG reference points described herein. This may include LG identifiers, credentials, context and policies.

Locationing Group Identifiers and Credentials

TABLE 10
LG Context
Metadata        Description
LG context      Information that is associated with an existing LG or an LG that is a
                candidate for formation. Information may include but is not limited to
                the following:
                LG state or status
                LG member device identifiers
                LG identifier
                General location of the LG (e.g. building, train, bus)
                Precise locations of individual member devices
                Past, current or planned/predicted locations or routes of member
                devices
                Range info for each LG member device (e.g. proximal distances
                between member devices)
                Information regarding the lead device in an LG and whose location
                represents the location of the LG. The information may include but
                is not limited to identity, location, range, device status (e.g. battery
                level), willingness to be leader, how frequently the lead device is
                able to report its location, and with what precision the lead device
                is able to report its location
                Rate of how often location is reported for the LG. Multiple value
                may be included, for example one value that is used by the leader
                and another value that is used by members who are not the leader.
                AC instances or types of ACs hosted on member devices
                AS instance or type of AS responsible for initiating the formation
                of the LG
                Authorization rules defining the LG operations that can be
                performed by LG-aware entities on the LG
                max/min numbers of LG members
                Allowed locations/routes of the LG
                LG lifetime information such as LG creation time, expiration time,
                time last updated
                LG history information such as operations performed on the LG,
                locations of the LG, members that have joined or left the LG,
                change in LG leadership, locations/ranges/routes of individual
                member devices in LG
LG Operation    The different types of operations performed on LGs such as but not
types           limited to the following:
                Discover LGs
                Form an LG
                Disband an LG
                Disband an LG
                Join an LG (i.e. add a member)
                Leave an LG (i.e. remove a member)
                Leader management (i.e. assign/re-assign LG leader)
LG operation    Result of an LG operation that is performed. The result may include but
result          is not limited to a status indicating whether the LG operation was
                performed successfully or not, a list of discovered LGs, and context
                information of the applicable LG(s).
LG discovery    Criteria used to query and find LGs of interest that may include but is
criteria        not limited to any of the LG context information defined in this paper
LG              Context information for an LG subscription that may include but is not
subscription    limited to a callback URI to receive LG notifications, criteria for
context         receiving LG notifications such any conditions based on LG context
                information (e.g. number of LG members in a group exceeds a specified
                threshold), or an event based on an LG operation that is performed (e.g.
                LG formed or disbanded, LG member added or removed, change in LG
                leader, change in location of LG, etc.).
LG notification May contain LG context, a list of results of one or more LG operations
context         that were performed or a list of one or more LG operations for the
                recipient of the LG notification to perform.
AC context      Information that is determined by or tracked by an AC and that has
                relevance to an existing LG or that has relevance to performing an LG
                operation by an LG-aware entity. The information may include but is
                not limited to:
                current location or route of the device hosting the AC
                historical location or route of the device hosting the AC
                planned/anticipated location or route of the device hosting the
                AC
                required location reporting rate of the AC
                required location reporting latency of the AC
                required location reporting precision of the AC
                duration of time an LG is required by the AC
                AC determined criteria that must be met to perform an LG
                operation:
                Schedule of when to perform LG operation
                Location that device must be in to perform operation
                Max range/distance from peer devices to perform LG
                operation
                Min number of peer devices to perform LG operation
                Type(s) of peer devices or ACs on peer devices required
                to perform LG operation
                Preferences for becoming the leader of an LG such as
                leader role required, leader role preferred, leader role not
                preferred, unable to perform leader role
AS context      Information that is determined by or tracked by an AS having relevance
                to an existing LG or that has relevance to performing an LG operation
                by an LG-aware entity. The information may include but is not limited
                to:
                identifiers of devices the AS is interesting in tracking the
                location of,
                locationing or routing history of an AS or the devices the AS is
                tracking,
                planned/anticipated locations or routes of devices that the AS
                is tracking
                required location reporting rate of the devices that the AS is
                interesting in tracking
                required location reporting latency of the devices that the AS is
                interesting in tracking
                required location reporting precision of the devices that the AS
                is interesting in tracking
                AS determined criteria that must be met to perform an LG
                operation:
                Schedule of when to perform LG operation
                Location that device must be in to perform operation
                Max range/distance from peer devices to perform LG
                operation
                Min number of peer devices to perform LG operation
                Type(s) of peer devices or ACs on peer devices required
                to perform LG operation
                Preferences for leader of an LG such as leader role
                required, leader role preferred, leader role not preferred,
                unable to perform leader role
LGC context     Information that is determined by or tracked by an LGC that may
                include but is not limited to:
                the types of LG operations supported by the LGC,
                the availability schedule of the LGC,
                history regarding the LG operations performed by the LGC
                ACs registered to the LGC
                LGC policies
LGS Context     Information that is determined by or tracked by an LGS that may
                include but is not limited to:
                the types of LG operations supported by the LGS,
                the availability schedule of the LGS,
                history regarding the LG operations performed by the LGS
                LGCs registered to the LGS
                LGS policies
Device LG       Device information having relevance to an existing LG or that has
context         relevance to performing an LG operation by an LG-aware entity. The
                information may include but is not limited to:
                Geo-location of device
                Network location of device (e.g. cell ID)
                Relative location of device with respect to another device
                Preferences for becoming the leader of an LG such as leader role
                required, leader role preferred, leader role not preferred, unable to
                perform leader role
Communication   Communication network information having relevance to an existing
Network LG      LG or that has relevance to performing an LG operation by an LG-
context         aware entity. The information may include but is not limited to:
                Device location information that is tracked and reported
                Information concerning groups of devices (e.g. member devices,
                location of group)
                the status of a communication network (e.g. congestion levels)
                which can be used to trigger LG operations (e.g. the formation
                of LGs to remedy congestion issues in the communication
                network

Locationing Group Context

TABLE 11
LG Policies
Rule         Description
Permitted LG Defines a list of one or more operations that an LG-aware entity may
operations   perform if/when all the criteria defined for this specific LG policy rule have
             been met. The types of LG operation may include but are not limited to the
             following:
             Discover LGs
             Form a new LG
             Disband an existing LG
             Add member device(s) to an existing LG
             Remove member device(s) from an existing LG
             Assign a device as a leader of an LG such that the location of this
             device is used to represent the location of all devices in the LG
             Switch the leader of an LG from one device to another device
LG Operation Criteria
Applicable   Defines a list of one or more applicable LG-aware entities that can initiate
LG entities  the LG operation.
Applicable   Defines a list of one or more device instances, device types, devices having
devices      required capabilities (e.g. devices supporting a specified feature), devices
             with certain status (e.g. devices with battery level exceeding a defined
             threshold) that the LG operation may be performed upon
Applicable   Defines a list of one or more AC instances or AC types that must be hosted
ACs          on a device in order for LG operation to be performed on the device
Applicable   Defines a list of one or more users of an AC or types of users of an AC that
users        must be using a device in order for LG operation to be performed on the
             device
Applicable   Defines a list of one or more locations (e.g. geographical or network
locations    regions, zones, domains etc.) that a device must reside in for the LG
             operation to be performed on the device. Furthermore, the policy indicates
             what happens when the device enters or leaves the applicable location.
             For example, the policy may indicate that the LGC on the device should
             deregister from the LG when it is not in the applicable location for a certain
             length of time, or the policy may indicate that the LGC will be implicitly
             removed from the LG by the LGS if the LGC is found to be outside of the
             applicable location for a certain length of time
Applicable   Defines a list of one or more applicable routes (e.g. vehicles traveling on
LG device    certain roadways) that device must be on for the LG operation to be
routes       performed
Min devices  Defines a minimum threshold number of devices that must meet the all the
             criteria defined by this rule in order for the LG operation to be performed.
Max devices  Defines a maximum threshold number of devices that the LG operation can
             be performed upon.
Max range    Defines a maximum range (e.g. distance) between devices that must not be
             exceeded for the LG operation to be performed on the devices. The policy
             may further define the LGC's actions when the LGC is found to be outside
             of the maximum range. For example, the LGC may be configured to notify
             the LGS so that the LGS should decide what actions to take into account for
             the Max Range violation (i.e. which device to remove form the group).
             Alternatively, the LGC may be authorized to notify the LGS that it is
             leaving the LG or to command the other LGC that it should leave the LG.
Max Speed    Defines a maximum speed for the LGC in order for the LGC to be able to
             join and stay in the LG. The policy may indicate that the device should
             deregister from the LG when its speed is above the Max Speed, or the
             policy may indicate that the LGC will be implicitly removed from the LG
             by the LGS if the LGC is found to be above the Mas Speed for a certain
             length of time.
Min Speed    Defines a minimum speed for the LGC in order for the LGC to be able to
             join and stay in the LG. The policy may indicate that the device should
             deregister from the LG when its speed is below the Min Speed, or the policy
             may indicate that the LGC will be implicitly removed from the LG by the
             LGS if the LGC is found to be below the Min Speed for a certain length of
             time.
LG leader    Defines LG leader selection criteria applicable when the LG operation is to
selection    select/re-select an LG leader. LG leader selection criteria may include but
criteria     are not limited to the following:
             Required set of capabilities of a device to become a leader
             Presence of a particular type of AC that must be on a device for it to
             become leader
             Required location and/or range of device with respect to other
             devices in the LG for it to become leader and/or maintain leader role
             Consent from device, AC or user for device to be assigned leader
             Device settings or context (e.g. battery level) for device to be
             assigned leader
             Accessibility (network, security, etc.) of device to other member
             devices in the group
LG schedules Defines time windows when the LG operations can be performed. LG
             Schedules may also indicate when group members can communicate with
             each other directly or via the network.

Locationing Group Policies

LG policies may apply to any LG-aware entities in the system (e.g., LGCs, LGSs, ACs, ASs, LGMFs, etc.) and are used to control the initiation or execution of LG operations by LG-aware entities. See Table 13—LG Policies.

TABLE 12
3GPP SA6 SEAL Reference Point Applicability
Reference
Point     SA6 SEAL Reference Points
ILGC-AC   LM-C, GM-C
ILGC-LGS  LM-UU, GM-UU
ILGC-LGC  LM-PC5, GM-PC5
ILGC-CN   Possible new reference point
ILGC-LGMF LM-UU, GM-UU
ILGS-AS   LM-S, GM-S
ILGS-CN   T8
ILGS-LGMF Possible new reference point
ILGS-LGS  Possible new reference point
ILGS-LS   Possible new reference point

EMBODIMENTS

The Locationing Group (LG) ideas defined herein may be applicable to several service layer technologies such as but not limited to 3GPP SA6 (e.g., 3GPP TS 23.286 v16.4.0; 3GPP TR 23.764, v17.0; 3GPP TS 23.558, v1.1.0; and 3GPP TS 23.434 V16.5.0), oneM2M (e.g. oneM2M TS-0026, v4.2.0), and LWM2M (e.g., OMA LWM2M, v1.1). According to some aspects, a service layer may include a service supporting capabilities through a set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). The service may be provided as a middleware for IoT services, the middleware service may be a layer located on top of network protocol stacks, and/or the service layer may be defined according to ETSI/oneM2M standards.

3GPP SA6 SEAL Embodiment

FIG. 43 illustrates an embodiment of how the functionality defined herein may be realized in the 3GPP SA6 defined Service Enabler Architecture Layer for Verticals (SEAL) (e.g., 3GPP TS 23.434 V16.5.0).

The defined LGC functionality may be realized as new functionality within the existing Location Management Client or Group Management Client. Alternatively, the LGC may be realized as a new standalone function of a UE (not illustrated in FIG. 43). In this case, new reference points may be defined to support interaction with the new standalone LGC.

The defined LGS functionality may be realized as new functionality of a Location Management Server or Group Management Server. Alternatively, the LGS may be realized as a new standalone function within the system (not illustrated in FIG. 43). New reference points may also be defined to support interaction between a new standalone the LGS and an EAS, Location Management Server, Group Management Server, a UE and/or a 3GPP Core Network.

Table 14 provides an embodiment of how the reference points of the SA6 SEAL architecture could be aligned and enhanced with the functionality defined for each of the respective reference points defined herein.

TABLE 13
3GPP SA6 EDGEAPP Reference Point Applicability
Reference
Point     SA6 EDGEAPP Reference Points
ILGC-AC   EDGE-5, EDGE-14(new)
ILGC-LGS  EDGE-1, EDGE-13(new)
ILGC-LGC  Possible new reference point
ILGC-CN   EDGE-16 (new)
ILGC-LGMF EDGE-4
ILGS-AS   EDGE-3, EDGE-10(new)
ILGS-CN   EDGE-2, EDGE-12(new)
ILGS-LGMF EDGE-6
ILGS-LGS  EDGE-9
ILGS-LS   Possible new reference point

3GPP SA6 EDGEAPP Embodiment

FIG. 44 illustrates an embodiment of how the functionality defined herein may be realized in the 3GPP SA6 defined architecture for enabling edge applications (e.g., 3GPP TS 23.558, v1.1.0).

The defined LGC functionality may be realized as new functionality within the existing Edge Enabler Client function. Alternatively, the LGC may be realized as a new standalone function of a UE. In this case, new reference points (e.g., Edge-13 and Edge-14) may be defined to support interaction with the new standalone LGC.

The defined LGS functionality may be realized as new functionality of an Edge Enabler Server or Edge Data Network Configuration Server functions. Alternatively, the LGS may be realized as a new standalone function within the system. This new standalone function may be deployed in the cloud or at the edge of the network. New reference points may also be defined to support interaction between a new standalone the LGS and an EAS, Edge Enabler Server, Edge Data Network Configuration Server, a UE and/or a 3GPP Core Network.

Table 15 provides an embodiment of how the reference points of the SA6 EDGEAPP architecture could be aligned and enhanced with the functionality defined for each of the respective reference points defined herein.

TABLE 14
3GPP SA6 V2X Reference Point Applicability
Reference
Point     SA6 V2X Reference Points
ILGC-AC   Vc, SEAL-C
ILGC-LGS  V1-AE, SEAL-UU
ILGC-LGC  V5-AE, SEAL-PC5
ILGC-CN   V6-LGC (New)
ILGC-LGMF Possible new reference point
ILGS-AS   Vs
ILGS-CN   T8, V2, Rx, xMB-C, xMB-U,
          MB2-C, MB2-U
ILGS-LGMF Possible new reference point
ILGS-LGS  VAE-E
ILGS-LS   Possible new reference point

3GPP SA6 V2X Embodiment

FIG. 45 illustrates an embodiment of how the functionality defined herein may be realized in the 3GPP SA6 V2X Architecture (e.g., 3GPP TS 23.286 v16.4.0 and 3GPP TR 23.764, v17.0.0).

The defined LGC functionality may be realized as new functionality added to the existing VAE Client and/or SEAL Client functions hosted on a UE. Alternatively, the LGC may be realized as a new standalone function of a UE (not illustrated in FIG. 45). In this case, new reference points may be defined to support interaction with the new standalone LGC.

The defined LGS functionality may be realized as new functionality added to the existing V2X Application Enabler (VAE) Server. Alternatively, the LGS may be realized as a new standalone function within the system (not illustrated in FIG. 45). This new standalone function may be deployed in the cloud or at the edge of the network. In this case, new reference points may be defined to support interaction with the new standalone LGS.

Table 16 provides an embodiment of how the reference points of the SA6 V2X architecture could be aligned and enhanced with the functionality defined for each of the respective reference points herein.

TABLE 15
3GPP SA6 Mission Critical Reference Point Applicability
Reference SA6 Mission Critical
Point     Reference Points
ILGC-AC   Possible new reference point
ILGC-LGS  CSC-2, CSC-14
ILGC-LGC  Possible new reference point
ILGC-CN   Possible new reference point
ILGC-LGMF CSC-4, Possible new reference
          point
ILGS-AS   CSC-3
ILGS-CN   Possible new reference point
ILGS-LGMF Possible new reference point
ILGS-LGS  Possible new reference point
ILGS-LS   CSC-2/3/5/7/14/15/16/19/23

3GPP SA6 Mission Critical Embodiment

FIG. 46 illustrates an embodiment of how the functionality defined herein may be realized in the 3GPP SA6 Mission Critical Architecture (e.g., 3GPP TR 23.744 v17.1.0).

The defined LGC functionality may be realized as new functionality added to the existing Location Management Client, Group Management Client and/or Configuration Management Client on a UE. Alternatively, the LGC may be realized as a new standalone function of a UE (not illustrated in FIG. 46). In this case, new reference points may be defined to support interaction with the new standalone LGC.

The defined LGS functionality may be realized as new functionality added to the existing Location Management Server and/or Group Management Server. Alternatively, the LGS may be realized as a new standalone function within the system (not illustrated in FIG. 46). This new standalone function may be deployed in the cloud or at the edge of the network. In this case, new reference points may be defined to support interaction with the new standalone LGS.

The defined LGMF functionality may be realized as new functionality added to the existing Location Management Server, Group Management Server and/or Configuration Management Server. Alternatively, the LGMF may be realized as a new standalone function within the system (not illustrated in FIG. 46). This new standalone function may be deployed in the cloud or at the edge of the network. In this case, new reference points may be defined to support interaction with the new standalone LGMF.

Table 17 provides an embodiment of how the reference points of the SA6 Mission Critical architecture could be aligned and enhanced with the functionality defined for each of the respective reference points herein.

TABLE 16
oneM2M Reference Point Applicability
Reference
Point     oneM2M Reference Points
ILGC-AC   Mca
ILGC-LGS  Mcc
ILGC-LGC  Mcc
ILGC-CN   Mcn
ILGC-LGMF Mcc, Mca or possible new
          reference point
ILGS-AS   Mca
ILGS-CN   Mcn
ILGS-LGMF Mcc, Mca or possible new
          reference point
ILGS-LGS  Mcc, Mcc′
ILGS-LS   Mca, Mcn

oneM2M Embodiment

FIG. 47 illustrates an embodiment of how the functionality defined herein may be realized in the oneM2M Architecture (e.g., oneM2M TS-0026, v4.2.0).

The defined LGC functionality may be realized as new functionality added to the existing oneM2M ASN/MN-CSE hosted on a UE. The defined LGS functionality may be realized as new functionality added to the existing oneM2M IN-CSE. The defined LGMF functionality may be realized as new functionality added to the existing oneM2M IN-CSE. Alternatively, the LGMF may be realized as a new standalone function within the system (not illustrated in FIG. 47). In this case, new reference points may be defined to support interaction with the new standalone LGMF.

Table 18 provides an embodiment of how the reference points of the SA6 EDGEAPP architecture could be aligned and enhanced with the functionality defined for each of the respective reference points herein.

LWM2M Embodiment

FIG. 48 illustrates an embodiment of how the functionality defined herein may be realized in the OMA LWM2M Architecture (e.g., OMA LWM2M, v1.1).

The LGC defined functionality may be realized as new functionality added to the existing LWM2M Client hosted on a UE. The LGS defined functionality may be realized as new functionality added to the existing LWM2M Server function. The defined LGMF functionality may be realized as new functionality added to the existing LWM2M Server. Alternatively, the LGMF may be realized as a new standalone function within the system (not illustrated in FIG. 48). In this case, new reference points may be defined to support interaction with the new standalone LGMF.

Locationing Group Protocol Embodiment

Each of the reference points defined herein may support the exchange of LG operational messages between each of the applicable entities in the system. The collection of these messages may form a protocol that is used to enable the exchange and performing of LG operations throughout the system.

In one embodiment, an LG protocol can be realized as a client/server messaging protocol where LGCs and LGSs can function in the role of a client and/or a server to exchange LG request and response messages with each other as well as other entities in the system (e.g., LGMF). For example, the information elements of the LG request and response protocol messages can be encapsulated and carried within the payloads of existing client/server protocols such HTTP, COAP or Web Sockets.

In another embodiment, these LG information elements can be encapsulated and carried within lower level protocols such as TCP or UDP without the use of higher layer protocols such as HTTP, COAP or Web Sockets.

In yet another embodiment, the LG requests and responses can be encapsulated and carried within publish/subscribe messaging protocols. For example, an entity in the system (e.g., LGS or another entity) can support message broker functionality. This broker functionality can be used by the LGC and LGS to exchange LG requests and responses with one another and/or other entities in the system (e.g., LGMF). This exchange can be facilitated by each entity subscribing to the message broker to receive messages from other entities. Likewise, each entity can publish messages to the message broker that target other entities. The information elements of the LG request and response protocol messages can be encapsulated and carried within the payloads of existing publish/subscribe protocols such MQTT or AMQP.

In yet another embodiment, user-defined content-aware operation information elements may be embedded within other protocols such as PC5 protocols for direct communication between LGCs.

GUI

FIG. 49 shows an example GUI that may be used by a person who is operating a cellular device to configure LG policy settings associated with the cellular device. These policies may be used by the proposed LGC and/or LGS functionality defined herein.

FIG. 50A illustrates one embodiment of an example communications system 100 in which the methods and apparatuses described and claimed herein may be embodied. As shown, the example communications system 100 may include wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, and/or 102g (which generally or collectively may be referred to as WTRU 102), a radio access network (RAN) 103/104/105/103b/104b/105b, a core network 106/107/109, a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 108, the Internet 110, other networks 112, and V2X server (or ProSe function and server) 113, though it will be appreciated that the disclosed embodiments contemplate any number of WTRUs, base stations, networks, and/or network elements. Each of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g may be any type of apparatus or device configured to operate and/or communicate in a wireless environment. Although each WTRU 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, 102g is depicted in FIGS. 50A-50E as a hand-held wireless communications apparatus, it is understood that with the wide variety of use cases contemplated for 5G wireless communications, each WTRU may comprise or be embodied in any type of apparatus or device configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals, including, by way of example only, user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a laptop, a tablet, a netbook, a notebook computer, a personal computer, a wireless sensor, consumer electronics, a wearable device such as a smart watch or smart clothing, a medical or eHealth device, a robot, industrial equipment, a drone, a vehicle such as a car, truck, train, or airplane, and the like.

The communications system 100 may also include a base station 114a and a base station 114b. Base stations 114a may be any type of device configured to wirelessly interface with at least one of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c to facilitate access to one or more communication networks, such as the core network 106/107/109, the Internet 110, and/or the other networks 112. Base stations 114b may be any type of device configured to wiredly and/or wirelessly interface with at least one of the RRHs (Remote Radio Heads) 118a, 118b, TRPs (Transmission and Reception Points) 119a, 119b, and/or RSUs (Roadside Units) 120a and 120b to facilitate access to one or more communication networks, such as the core network 106/107/109, the Internet 110, the other networks 112, and/or V2X server (or ProSe function and server) 113. RRHs 118a, 118b may be any type of device configured to wirelessly interface with at least one of the WTRU 102c, to facilitate access to one or more communication networks, such as the core network 106/107/109, the Internet 110, and/or the other networks 112. TRPs 119a, 119b may be any type of device configured to wirelessly interface with at least one of the WTRU 102d, to facilitate access to one or more communication networks, such as the core network 106/107/109, the Internet 110, and/or the other networks 112. RSUs 120a and 120b may be any type of device configured to wirelessly interface with at least one of the WTRU 102e or 102f, to facilitate access to one or more communication networks, such as the core network 106/107/109, the Internet 110, the other networks 112, and/or V2X server (or ProSe function and server) 113. By way of example, the base stations 114a, 114b may be a base transceiver station (BTS), a Node-B, an eNode B, a Home Node B, a Home eNode B, a site controller, an access point (AP), a wireless router, and the like. While the base stations 114a, 114b are each depicted as a single element, it will be appreciated that the base stations 114a, 114b may include any number of interconnected base stations and/or network elements.

The base station 114a may be part of the RAN 103/104/105, which may also include other base stations and/or network elements (not shown), such as a base station controller (BSC), a radio network controller (RNC), relay nodes, etc. The base station 114b may be part of the RAN 103b/104b/105b, which may also include other base stations and/or network elements (not shown), such as a base station controller (BSC), a radio network controller (RNC), relay nodes, etc. The base station 114a may be configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals within a particular geographic region, which may be referred to as a cell (not shown). The base station 114b may be configured to transmit and/or receive wired and/or wireless signals within a particular geographic region, which may be referred to as a cell (not shown). The cell may further be divided into cell sectors. For example, the cell associated with the base station 114a may be divided into three sectors. Thus, in an embodiment, the base station 114a may include three transceivers, e.g., one for each sector of the cell. In an embodiment, the base station 114a may employ multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) technology and, therefore, may utilize multiple transceivers for each sector of the cell.

The base stations 114a may communicate with one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over an air interface 115/116/117, which may be any suitable wireless communication link (e.g., radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), visible light, cmWave, mmWave, etc.). The air interface 115/116/117 may be established using any suitable radio access technology (RAT).

The base stations 114b may communicate with one or more of the RRHs 118a, 118b, TRPs 119a, 119b, and/or RSUs 120a and 120b, over a wired or air interface 115b/116b/117b, which may be any suitable wired (e.g., cable, optical fiber, etc.) or wireless communication link (e.g., radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), visible light, cmWave, mmWave, etc.). The air interface 115b/116b/117b may be established using any suitable radio access technology (RAT).

The RRHs 118a, 118b, TRPs 119a, 119b and/or RSUs 120a, 120b, may communicate with one or more of the WTRUs 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f over an air interface 115c/116c/117c, which may be any suitable wireless communication link (e.g., radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), visible light, cmWave, mmWave, etc.). The air interface 115c/116c/117c may be established using any suitable radio access technology (RAT).

The WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, and/or 102g may communicate with one another over an air interface 115d/116d/117d (not shown in the figures), which may be any suitable wireless communication link (e.g., radio frequency (RF), microwave, infrared (IR), ultraviolet (UV), visible light, cmWave, mmWave, etc.). The air interface 115d/116d/117d may be established using any suitable radio access technology (RAT).

More specifically, as noted above, the communications system 100 may be a multiple access system and may employ one or more channel access schemes, such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, and the like. For example, the base station 114a in the RAN 103/104/105 and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, or RRHs 118a, 118b, TRPs 119a, 119b and RSUs 120a, 120b, in the RAN 103b/104b/105b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f, may implement a radio technology such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), which may establish the air interface 115/116/117 or 115c/116c/117c respectively using wideband CDMA (WCDMA). WCDMA may include communication protocols such as High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and/or Evolved HSPA (HSPA+). HSPA may include High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and/or High-Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA).

In an embodiment, the base station 114a and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, or RRHs 118a, 118b, TRPs 119a, 119b, and/or RSUs 120a, 120b, in the RAN 103b/104b/105b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d, may implement a radio technology such as Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA), which may establish the air interface 115/116/117 or 115c/116c/117c respectively using Long Term Evolution (LTE) and/or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A). In the future, the air interface 115/116/117 may implement 3GPP NR technology. The LTE and LTE-A technology includes LTE D2D and V2X technologies and interface (such as Sidelink communications, etc.) The 3GPP NR technology includes NR V2X technologies and interface (such as Sidelink communications, etc.)

In an embodiment, the base station 114a in the RAN 103/104/105 and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, or RRHs 118a, 118b, TRPs 119a, 119b and/or RSUs 120a, 120b, in the RAN 103b/104b/105b and the WTRUs 102c, 102d, 102e, 102f may implement radio technologies such as IEEE 802.16 (e.g., Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX)), CDMA2000, CDMA2000 1×, CDMA2000 EV-DO, Interim Standard 2000 (IS-2000), Interim Standard 95 (IS-95), Interim Standard 856 (IS-856), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), GSM EDGE (GERAN), and the like.

The base station 114c in FIG. 50A may be a wireless router, Home Node B, Home eNode B, or access point, for example, and may utilize any suitable RAT for facilitating wireless connectivity in a localized area, such as a place of business, a home, a vehicle, a campus, and the like. In an embodiment, the base station 114c and the WTRUs 102e, may implement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.11 to establish a wireless local area network (WLAN). In an embodiment, the base station 114c and the WTRUs 102d, may implement a radio technology such as IEEE 802.15 to establish a wireless personal area network (WPAN). In yet another embodiment, the base station 114c and the WTRUs 102e, may utilize a cellular-based RAT (e.g., WCDMA, CDMA2000, GSM, LTE, LTE-A, etc.) to establish a picocell or femtocell. As illustrated in FIG. 50A, the base station 114b may have a direct connection to the Internet 110. Thus, the base station 114c may not be required to access the Internet 110 via the core network 106/107/109.

The RAN 103/104/105 and/or RAN 103b/104b/105b may be in communication with the core network 106/107/109, which may be any type of network configured to provide voice, data, applications, and/or voice over internet protocol (VoIP) services to one or more of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d. For example, the core network 106/107/109 may provide call control, billing services, mobile location-based services, pre-paid calling, Internet connectivity, video distribution, etc., and/or perform high-level security functions, such as user authentication.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 50A, it will be appreciated that the RAN 103/104/105 and/or RAN 103b/104b/105b and/or the core network 106/107/109 may be in direct or indirect communication with other RANs that employ the same RAT as the RAN 103/104/105 and/or RAN 103b/104b/105b or a different RAT. For example, in addition to being connected to the RAN 103/104/105 and/or RAN 103b/104b/105b, which may be utilizing an E-UTRA radio technology, the core network 106/107/109 may also be in communication with another RAN (not shown) employing a GSM radio technology.

The core network 106/107/109 may also serve as a gateway for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, 102e to access the PSTN 108, the Internet 110, and/or other networks 112. The PSTN 108 may include circuit-switched telephone networks that provide plain old telephone service (POTS). The Internet 110 may include a global system of interconnected computer networks and devices that use common communication protocols, such as the transmission control protocol (TCP), user datagram protocol (UDP) and the internet protocol (IP) in the TCP/IP internet protocol suite. The networks 112 may include wired or wireless communications networks owned and/or operated by other service providers. For example, the networks 112 may include another core network connected to one or more RANs, which may employ the same RAT as the RAN 103/104/105 and/or RAN 103b/104b/105b or a different RAT.

Some or all of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d in the communications system 100 may include multi-mode capabilities, e.g., the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, 102d, and 102e may include multiple transceivers for communicating with different wireless networks over different wireless links. For example, the WTRU 102e illustrated in FIG. 50A may be configured to communicate with the base station 114a, which may employ a cellular-based radio technology, and with the base station 114c, which may employ an IEEE 802 radio technology.

FIG. 50B is a block diagram of an example apparatus or device configured for wireless communications in accordance with the embodiments illustrated herein, such as for example, a WTRU 102. As illustrated in FIG. 50B, the example WTRU 102 may include a processor 118, a transceiver 120, a transmit/receive element 122, a speaker/microphone 124, a keypad 113, a display/touchpad/indicators 128, non-removable memory 130, removable memory 132, a power source 134, a global positioning system (GPS) chipset 136, and other peripherals 138. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 may include any sub-combination of the foregoing elements while remaining consistent with an embodiment. Also, embodiments contemplate that the base stations 114a and 114b, and/or the nodes that base stations 114a and 114b may represent, such as but not limited to transceiver station (BTS), a Node-B, a site controller, an access point (AP), a home node-B, an evolved home node-B (eNodeB), a home evolved node-B (HeNB), a home evolved node-B gateway, and proxy nodes, among others, may include some or all of the elements depicted in FIG. 50B and described herein.

The processor 118 may be a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), a state machine, and the like. The processor 118 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the WTRU 102 to operate in a wireless environment. The processor 118 may be coupled to the transceiver 120, which may be coupled to the transmit/receive element 122. While FIG. 50B depicts the processor 118 and the transceiver 120 as separate components, it will be appreciated that the processor 118 and the transceiver 120 may be integrated together in an electronic package or chip.

The transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmit signals to, or receive signals from, a base station (e.g., the base station 114a) over the air interface 115/116/117. For example, in an embodiment, the transmit/receive element 122 may be an antenna configured to transmit and/or receive RF signals. In an embodiment, the transmit/receive element 122 may be an emitter/detector configured to transmit and/or receive IR, UV, or visible light signals, for example. In yet an embodiment, the transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and receive both RF and light signals. It will be appreciated that the transmit/receive element 122 may be configured to transmit and/or receive any combination of wireless signals.

In addition, although the transmit/receive element 122 is depicted in FIG. 50B as a single element, the WTRU 102 may include any number of transmit/receive elements 122. More specifically, the WTRU 102 may employ MIMO technology. Thus, in an embodiment, the WTRU 102 may include two or more transmit/receive elements 122 (e.g., multiple antennas) for transmitting and receiving wireless signals over the air interface 115/116/117.

The transceiver 120 may be configured to modulate the signals that are to be transmitted by the transmit/receive element 122 and to demodulate the signals that are received by the transmit/receive element 122. As noted above, the WTRU 102 may have multi-mode capabilities. Thus, the transceiver 120 may include multiple transceivers for enabling the WTRU 102 to communicate via multiple RATs, such as UTRA and IEEE 802.11, for example.

The processor 118 of the WTRU 102 may be coupled to, and may receive user input data from, the speaker/microphone 124, the keypad 126, and/or the display/touchpad/indicators 128 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display unit). The processor 118 may also output user data to the speaker/microphone 124, the keypad 126, and/or the display/touchpad/indicators 128. In addition, the processor 118 may access information from, and store data in, any type of suitable memory, such as the non-removable memory 130 and/or the removable memory 132. The non-removable memory 130 may include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of memory storage device. The removable memory 132 may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memory stick, a secure digital (SD) memory card, and the like. In an embodiment, the processor 118 may access information from, and store data in, memory that is not physically located on the WTRU 102, such as on a server or a home computer (not shown).

The processor 118 may receive power from the power source 134, and may be configured to distribute and/or control the power to the other components in the WTRU 102. The power source 134 may be any suitable device for powering the WTRU 102. For example, the power source 134 may include one or more dry cell batteries, solar cells, fuel cells, and the like.

The processor 118 may also be coupled to the GPS chipset 136, which may be configured to provide location information (e.g., longitude and latitude) regarding the current location of the WTRU 102. In addition to, or in lieu of, the information from the GPS chipset 136, the WTRU 102 may receive location information over the air interface 115/116/117 from a base station (e.g., base stations 114a, 114b) and/or determine its location based on the timing of the signals being received from two or more nearby base stations. It will be appreciated that the WTRU 102 may acquire location information by way of any suitable location-determination method while remaining consistent with an embodiment.

The processor 118 may further be coupled to other peripherals 138, which may include one or more software and/or hardware modules that provide additional features, functionality and/or wired or wireless connectivity. For example, the peripherals 138 may include various sensors such as an accelerometer, biometrics (e.g., finger print) sensors, an e-compass, a satellite transceiver, a digital camera (for photographs or video), a universal serial bus (USB) port or other interconnect interfaces, a vibration device, a television transceiver, a hands free headset, a Bluetooth® module, a frequency modulated (FM) radio unit, a digital music player, a media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser, and the like.

The WTRU 102 may be embodied in other apparatuses or devices, such as a sensor, consumer electronics, a wearable device such as a smart watch or smart clothing, a medical or eHealth device, a robot, industrial equipment, a drone, a vehicle such as a car, truck, train, or airplane. The WTRU 102 may connect to other components, modules, or systems of such apparatuses or devices via one or more interconnect interfaces, such as an interconnect interface that may comprise one of the peripherals 138.

FIG. 50C is a system diagram of the RAN 103 and the core network 106 according to an embodiment. As noted above, the RAN 103 may employ a UTRA radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c over the air interface 115. The RAN 103 may also be in communication with the core network 106. As illustrated in FIG. 50C, the RAN 103 may include Node-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c, which may each include one or more transceivers for communicating with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 115. The Node-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c may each be associated with a particular cell (not shown) within the RAN 103. The RAN 103 may also include RNCs 142a, 142b. It will be appreciated that the RAN 103 may include any number of Node-Bs and RNCs while remaining consistent with an embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 50C, the Node-Bs 140a, 140b may be in communication with the RNC 142a. Additionally, the Node-B 140c may be in communication with the RNC 142b. The Node-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c may communicate with the respective RNCs 142a, 142b via an Iub interface. The RNCs 142a, 142b may be in communication with one another via an Iur interface. Each of the RNCs 142a, 142b may be configured to control the respective Node-Bs 140a, 140b, 140c to which it is connected. In addition, each of the RNCs 142a, 142b may be configured to carry out or support other functionality, such as outer loop power control, load control, admission control, packet scheduling, handover control, macro-diversity, security functions, data encryption, and the like.

The core network 106 illustrated in FIG. 50C may include a media gateway (MGW) 144, a mobile switching center (MSC) 146, a serving GPRS support node (SGSN) 148, and/or a gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) 150. While each of the foregoing elements are depicted as part of the core network 106, it will be appreciated that any one of these elements may be owned and/or operated by an entity other than the core network operator.

The RNC 142a in the RAN 103 may be connected to the MSC 146 in the core network 106 via an IuCS interface. The MSC 146 may be connected to the MGW 144. The MSC 146 and the MGW 144 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to circuit-switched networks, such as the PSTN 108, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and traditional land-line communications devices.

The RNC 142a in the RAN 103 may also be connected to the SGSN 148 in the core network 106 via an IuPS interface. The SGSN 148 may be connected to the GGSN 150. The SGSN 148 and the GGSN 150 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet 110, to facilitate communications between and the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and IP-enabled devices.

As noted above, the core network 106 may also be connected to the networks 112, which may include other wired or wireless networks that are owned and/or operated by other service providers.

FIG. 50D is a system diagram of the RAN 104 and the core network 107 according to an embodiment. As noted above, the RAN 104 may employ an E-UTRA radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c over the air interface 116. The RAN 104 may also be in communication with the core network 107.

The RAN 104 may include eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c, though it will be appreciated that the RAN 104 may include any number of eNode-Bs while remaining consistent with an embodiment. The eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may each include one or more transceivers for communicating with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 116. In an embodiment, the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may implement MIMO technology. Thus, the eNode-B 160a, for example, may use multiple antennas to transmit wireless signals to, and receive wireless signals from, the WTRU 102a.

Each of the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, and 160c may be associated with a particular cell (not shown) and may be configured to handle radio resource management decisions, handover decisions, scheduling of users in the uplink and/or downlink, and the like. As illustrated in FIG. 50D, the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, 160c may communicate with one another over an X2 interface.

The core network 107 illustrated in FIG. 50D may include a mobility management gateway (MME) 162, a serving gateway 164, and a packet data network (PDN) gateway 166. While each of the foregoing elements are depicted as part of the core network 107, it will be appreciated that any one of these elements may be owned and/or operated by an entity other than the core network operator.

The MME 162 may be connected to each of the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, and 160c in the RAN 104 via an S1 interface and may serve as a control node. For example, the MME 162 may be responsible for authenticating users of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, bearer activation/deactivation, selecting a particular serving gateway during an initial attach of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the like. The MME 162 may also provide a control plane function for switching between the RAN 104 and other RANs (not shown) that employ other radio technologies, such as GSM or WCDMA.

The serving gateway 164 may be connected to each of the eNode-Bs 160a, 160b, and 160c in the RAN 104 via the S1 interface. The serving gateway 164 may generally route and forward user data packets to/from the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c. The serving gateway 164 may also perform other functions, such as anchoring user planes during inter-eNode B handovers, triggering paging when downlink data is available for the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, managing and storing contexts of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, and the like.

The serving gateway 164 may also be connected to the PDN gateway 166, which may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet 110, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and IP-enabled devices.

The core network 107 may facilitate communications with other networks. For example, the core network 107 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to circuit-switched networks, such as the PSTN 108, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and traditional land-line communications devices. For example, the core network 107 may include, or may communicate with, an IP gateway (e.g., an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) server) that serves as an interface between the core network 107 and the PSTN 108. In addition, the core network 107 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to the networks 112, which may include other wired or wireless networks that are owned and/or operated by other service providers.

FIG. 50E is a system diagram of the RAN 105 and the core network 109 according to an embodiment. The RAN 105 may be an access service network (ASN) that employs IEEE 802.16 radio technology to communicate with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c over the air interface 117. As will be further discussed below, the communication links between the different functional entities of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c, the RAN 105, and the core network 109 may be defined as reference points.

As illustrated in FIG. 50E, the RAN 105 may include base stations 180a, 180b, 180c, and an ASN gateway 182, though it will be appreciated that the RAN 105 may include any number of base stations and ASN gateways while remaining consistent with an embodiment. The base stations 180a, 180b, 180c may each be associated with a particular cell in the RAN 105 and may include one or more transceivers for communicating with the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c over the air interface 117. In an embodiment, the base stations 180a, 180b, 180c may implement MIMO technology. Thus, the base station 180a, for example, may use multiple antennas to transmit wireless signals to, and receive wireless signals from, the WTRU 102a. The base stations 180a, 180b, 180c may also provide mobility management functions, such as handoff triggering, tunnel establishment, radio resource management, traffic classification, quality of service (QoS) policy enforcement, and the like. The ASN gateway 182 may serve as a traffic aggregation point and may be responsible for paging, caching of subscriber profiles, routing to the core network 109, and the like.

The air interface 117 between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and the RAN 105 may be defined as an R1 reference point that implements the IEEE 802.16 specification. In addition, each of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c may establish a logical interface (not shown) with the core network 109. The logical interface between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and the core network 109 may be defined as an R2 reference point, which may be used for authentication, authorization, IP host configuration management, and/or mobility management.

The communication link between each of the base stations 180a, 180b, and 180c may be defined as an R8 reference point that includes protocols for facilitating WTRU handovers and the transfer of data between base stations. The communication link between the base stations 180a, 180b, 180c and the ASN gateway 182 may be defined as an R6 reference point. The R6 reference point may include protocols for facilitating mobility management based on mobility events associated with each of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c.

As illustrated in FIG. 50E, the RAN 105 may be connected to the core network 109. The communication link between the RAN 105 and the core network 109 may defined as an R3 reference point that includes protocols for facilitating data transfer and mobility management capabilities, for example. The core network 109 may include a mobile IP home agent (MIP-HA) 184, an authentication, authorization, accounting (AAA) server 186, and a gateway 188. While each of the foregoing elements are depicted as part of the core network 109, it will be appreciated that any one of these elements may be owned and/or operated by an entity other than the core network operator.

The MIP-HA may be responsible for IP address management, and may enable the WTRUs 102a, 102b, and 102c to roam between different ASNs and/or different core networks. The MIP-HA 184 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to packet-switched networks, such as the Internet 110, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and IP-enabled devices. The AAA server 186 may be responsible for user authentication and for supporting user services. The gateway 188 may facilitate interworking with other networks. For example, the gateway 188 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to circuit-switched networks, such as the PSTN 108, to facilitate communications between the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c and traditional land-line communications devices. In addition, the gateway 188 may provide the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c with access to the networks 112, which may include other wired or wireless networks that are owned and/or operated by other service providers.

Although not illustrated in FIG. 50E, it will be appreciated that the RAN 105 may be connected to other ASNs and the core network 109 may be connected to other core networks. The communication link between the RAN 105 the other ASNs may be defined as an R4 reference point, which may include protocols for coordinating the mobility of the WTRUs 102a, 102b, 102c between the RAN 105 and the other ASNs. The communication link between the core network 109 and the other core networks may be defined as an R5 reference, which may include protocols for facilitating interworking between home core networks and visited core networks.

The core network entities described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 50A, 50C, 50D, and 50E are identified by the names given to those entities in certain existing 3GPP specifications, but it is understood that in the future those entities and functionalities may be identified by other names and certain entities or functions may be combined in future specifications published by 3GPP, including future 3GPP NR specifications. Thus, the particular network entities and functionalities described and illustrated in FIGS. 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, and 50E are provided by way of example only, and it is understood that the subject matter disclosed and claimed herein may be embodied or implemented in any similar communication system, whether presently defined or defined in the future.

FIG. 50F is a block diagram of an exemplary computing system 90 in which one or more apparatuses of the communications networks illustrated in FIGS. 50A, 50C, 50D and 50E may be embodied, such as certain nodes or functional entities in the RAN 103/104/105, Core Network 106/107/109, PSTN 108, Internet 110, or Other Networks 112. Computing system 90 may comprise a computer or server and may be controlled primarily by computer readable instructions, which may be in the form of software, wherever, or by whatever means such software is stored or accessed. Such computer readable instructions may be executed within a processor 91, to cause computing system 90 to do work. The processor 91 may be a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), a state machine, and the like. The processor 91 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the computing system 90 to operate in a communications network. Coprocessor 81 is an optional processor, distinct from main processor 91, that may perform additional functions or assist processor 91. Processor 91 and/or coprocessor 81 may receive, generate, and process data related to the methods and apparatuses disclosed herein.

In operation, processor 91 fetches, decodes, and executes instructions, and transfers information to and from other resources via the computing system's main data-transfer path, system bus 80. Such a system bus connects the components in computing system 90 and defines the medium for data exchange. System bus 80 typically includes data lines for sending data, address lines for sending addresses, and control lines for sending interrupts and for operating the system bus. An example of such a system bus 80 is the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus.

Memories coupled to system bus 80 include random access memory (RAM) 82 and read only memory (ROM) 93. Such memories include circuitry that allows information to be stored and retrieved. ROMs 93 generally contain stored data that cannot easily be modified. Data stored in RAM 82 may be read or changed by processor 91 or other hardware devices. Access to RAM 82 and/or ROM 93 may be controlled by memory controller 92. Memory controller 92 may provide an address translation function that translates virtual addresses into physical addresses as instructions are executed. Memory controller 92 may also provide a memory protection function that isolates processes within the system and isolates system processes from user processes. Thus, a program running in a first mode may access only memory mapped by its own process virtual address space; it cannot access memory within another process's virtual address space unless memory sharing between the processes has been set up.

In addition, computing system 90 may contain peripherals controller 83 responsible for communicating instructions from processor 91 to peripherals, such as printer 94, keyboard 84, mouse 95, and disk drive 85.

Display 86, which is controlled by display controller 96, is used to display visual output generated by computing system 90. Such visual output may include text, graphics, animated graphics, and video. The visual output may be provided in the form of a graphical user interface (GUI). Display 86 may be implemented with a CRT-based video display, an LCD-based flat-panel display, gas plasma-based flat-panel display, or a touch-panel. Display controller 96 includes electronic components required to generate a video signal that is sent to display 86.

Further, computing system 90 may contain communication circuitry, such as for example a network adapter 97, that may be used to connect computing system 90 to an external communications network, such as the RAN 103/104/105, Core Network 106/107/109, PSTN 108, Internet 110, or Other Networks 112 of FIGS. 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D, and 50E, to enable the computing system 90 to communicate with other nodes or functional entities of those networks. The communication circuitry, alone or in combination with the processor 91, may be used to perform the transmitting and receiving steps of certain apparatuses, nodes, or functional entities described herein.

FIG. 50G illustrates one embodiment of an example communications system 111 in which the methods and apparatuses described and claimed herein may be embodied. As shown, the example communications system 111 may include wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) A, B, C, D, E, F, a base station, a V2X server, and a RSUs A and B, though it will be appreciated that the disclosed embodiments contemplate any number of WTRUs, base stations, networks, and/or network elements. One or several or all WTRUs A, B, C, D, E can be out of range of the network (for example, in the figure out of the cell coverage boundary shown as the dash line). WTRUs A, B, C form a V2X group, among which WTRU A is the group lead and WTRUs B and C are group members. WTRUs A, B, C, D, E, F may communicate over Uu interface or Sidelink (PC5) interface.

It is understood that any or all of the apparatuses, systems, methods and processes described herein may be embodied in the form of computer executable instructions (e.g., program code) stored on a computer-readable storage medium which instructions, when executed by a processor, such as processors 118 or 91, cause the processor to perform and/or implement the systems, methods and processes described herein. Specifically, any of the steps, operations or functions described herein may be implemented in the form of such computer executable instructions, executing on the processor of an apparatus or computing system configured for wireless and/or wired network communications. Computer readable storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any non-transitory (e.g., tangible or physical) method or technology for storage of information, but such computer readable storage media do not include signals. Computer readable storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other tangible or physical medium which may be used to store the desired information and which may be accessed by a computing system.

Claims

1. A method of tracking mobile devices on a group basis, the method comprising: receiving, at a location group server, location information for each of a plurality of mobile devices;determining, by the location group server based on the location information, that a distance between each of the plurality of mobile devices satisfies a distance threshold;triggering, by the location group server based on the satisfaction of the distance threshold, one or more location group operations; andreceiving, by the location group server, a location update from a device of the plurality of mobile devices.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the location update is not received by the location group server from a remainder of the plurality of mobile devices.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more location group operations comprises selecting a lead mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices.

4. (canceled)

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more location group operations comprises adding or removing a member from a location group.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more location group operations comprises assigning a leader to a location group.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more location group operations comprises configuring a client to start or stop reporting location information.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more location group operations comprises controlling a frequency at which location information is reported.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information is selected from a group consisting of a location group client identifier, a location group client credential, an identifier of an application client associated with a location group client, an application client context, a location group client registration result, a location group client policy, a location group server context, a device identifier, a time duration, and a threshold number of mobile devices.

10. An apparatus, the apparatus being a locationing group server comprising a processor, communications circuitry, and a memory comprising instructions which, when executed by the processor cause the apparatus to: receive location information for each of a plurality of mobile devices;determine, based on the location information, that a distance between each of the plurality of mobile devices satisfies a distance threshold;trigger, based on the satisfaction of the distance threshold, one or more location group operations; andreceive a location update from a device of the plurality of mobile devices.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the location update is not received from a remainder of the plurality of mobile devices.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more location group operations comprises selecting a lead mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices.

13. (canceled)

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more location group operations comprises adding or removing a member from a location group.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more location group operations comprises assigning a leader to a location group.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more location group operations comprises configuring a client to start or stop reporting location information.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more location group operations comprises controlling a frequency at which location information is reported.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the location information is selected from a group consisting of a location group client identifier, a location group client credential, an identifier of an application client associated with a location group client, an application client context, a location group client registration result, a location group client policy, a location group server context, a device identifier, a time duration, and a threshold number of mobile devices.

19. An apparatus, the apparatus being a User Equipment (UE) comprising a processor, communications circuitry, and a memory comprising instructions which, when executed by the processor cause the apparatus to: transmit location information associated with the UE to a location group server;receive, from the location group server, one or more location group operations, wherein the one or more location group operations are based at least in part on determining, based on the location information, that a distance between each of a plurality of mobile devices satisfies a distance threshold and the location group operations comprise forming a location group including the UE and the plurality of mobile devices; andtransmit, based on the one or more location group operations, a location update, wherein the location update comprises a group location of the plurality of mobile devices.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the location update is not transmitted by a remainder of the plurality of mobile devices.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving, by the location group server, a request to subscribe to a location group, wherein the request to subscribe to the location group comprises the distance threshold and the one or more location group operations are based on the request to subscribe to the location group.

22. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the apparatus to receive, by the location group server, a request to subscribe to a location group, wherein the request to subscribe to the location group comprises the distance threshold and the one or more location group operations are based on the request to subscribe to the location group.