Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communication, in particular to a method for receiving information, a base station, and a computer-readable storage medium.

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is a kind of unmanned aircraft operated by a radio remote control device and a self-contained program control apparatus. The UAV is actually the general name of the unmanned aircrafts, and from the technical view, can be divided into: unmanned fixed wing aircrafts, unmanned vertical takeoff and landing aircrafts, unmanned airships, unmanned helicopters, unmanned multi rotor aircrafts, unmanned parasol aircrafts and the like.

With rapid development, reduction of cost and improvement of functions of the UAV technology, UAVs are increasingly used in all aspects of life. At present, application of UAVs in the fields of aerial photography, agriculture, plant protection, micro self photography, express transportation, disaster rescue, wildlife observation, infectious disease monitoring, surveying and mapping, news reporting, power inspection, disaster relief, film and television shooting, romance creating and the like greatly expands self-use of the UAVs, and each country is actively expanding the industry application and developing the UAV technology.

In order to further expand the application scope of UAVs, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has approved the project of Enhanced Support for Aerial Vehicles, aiming at studying and standardizing the project of enabling cellular networks to provide UAVs with services that meet various demands.

There are generally two flight modes for UAVs. One of them is a fixed mode, that is, an operator plans a flight path of a UAV on a controller, so that the UAV can fly according to the planned path, and the controller does not have to control the UAV all the time. As for the fixed mode, since the flight path and trajectory of the UAV are fixed, the cellular network can predict which cellular network base stations the UAV will pass through. However, the content of the flight path information of the cellular network UAV needs to be further determined. Flight path communication is disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>.

In view of this, the present disclosure discloses a method for receiving flight path information, a base station, and a computer-readable storage medium, so as to determine content of the flight path information to be reported by a cellular network UAV, so that a base station determines flight-related information according to the content, so as to prepare for handover in advance.

According to a first aspect, a method for receiving information is provided as defined by claim <NUM>.

In one embodiment, determining the flight-related information according to the received flight path information of the UAV includes:
determining the planned flight path of the UAV according to the flight path information of the UAV.

In one embodiment, under a situation that the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the flight speed of the UAV and the position and altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported, determining the flight-related information according to the flight path information of the UAV includes:
determining the identification of the serving base station to which the UAV is to be handed over, and the handover duration according to the flight path information of the UAV.

In one embodiment, under a situation that the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the flight altitude of the UAV, determining the flight-related information according to the flight path information of the UAV includes:
determining the identification of the serving base station to which the UAV is to be handed over, according to the flight path information of the UAV.

In one embodiment, under a situation that the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the flight speed of the UAV, the reporting time, and the position of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported, determining the flight-related information according to the flight path information of the UAV includes:
determining a flight path after the UAV reports the flight path information of the UAV, according to the flight path information of the UAV.

According to a second aspect, a base station is provided as defined by claim <NUM>.

According to a third aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided as defined by claim <NUM>.

It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description refers to the accompanying drawings, the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The implementation models described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all implementation models consistent with the present disclosure. On the contrary, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method for reporting flight path information that is not within the scope of the invention but is provided for background only, the method is described from the UAV side, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the method for reporting the flight path information includes the following steps.

In step S101, content of the flight path information of a UAV is determined, wherein the content includes at least one of the following: a path positioning point of the UAV, a flight speed of the UAV, a flight altitude of the UAV, a reporting time of the flight path information of the UAV, or a position and altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported.

In the method, the content of the flight path information of the UAV may at least one of the following: a path positioning point of the UAV, a flight speed of the UAV, a flight altitude of the UAV, a reporting time of the flight path information of the UAV, or a position and altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported, wherein the path positioning point of the UAV may be Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates. The flight altitude refers to a flight altitude set when the UAV is in the coverage area of a base station, for example, the flight altitude set in the coverage area of a base station <NUM> is <NUM> meters, and the flight altitude set in the coverage area of a base station <NUM> is <NUM> meters. The altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported refers to the altitude of the UAV at the time point of reporting the flight path information of the UAV, for example, if the UAV is located in the coverage of the base station <NUM> when the flight path information of the UAV is reported, then the altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported is <NUM> meters.

In addition, the content of the flight path information of the UAV may further include an indicating bit for indicating whether transmission of the flight path information of the UAV is completed.

In step S102, the flight path information of the UAV is reported to a base station by means of radio resource control (RRC) signalling.

The RRC signalling may be, but is not limited to, UE assistance information (UEAssistancelnformation) signalling or UE information response (UElnformationResponse) signalling, etc..

Alternatively, if the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the indicating bit for indicating whether transmission of the flight path information of the UAV is completed, the UAV sends part of the flight path information related to a current serving base station to the current serving base station when transmission data amount of the flight path information of the UAV calculated by the UAV according to the indicating bit is greater than a preset threshold value. That is, if the flight path of the UAV is relatively long, the number of bits of the flight path information to be reported may be relatively large, the UAV may merely inform the current serving base station of a certain or several sections of the flight path information related to the current serving base station, so as to reduce the transmission data amount and reduce the system energy consumption.

In the above example, the content of the flight path information of the UAV is determined, and the flight path information of the UAV is reported to the base station by means of the RRC signalling, so that the base station can determine the flight-related information through the content, so as to prepare for handover in advance.

<FIG> is a flowchart of signalling of a method for receiving information illustrated in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the embodiment is described from the base station side, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the method includes the following steps.

In step S201, the flight path information of the UAV reported by the UAV is received, wherein content of the flight path information of the UAV includes at least one of a path positioning point, a flight speed and a flight altitude of the UAV, a reporting time of the flight path information of the UAV, and a position and altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported.

In step S202, flight-related information is determined according to the flight path information of the UAV, wherein the flight-related information includes at least one of a flight path of the UAV, a to-be-switched service base station identification and a to-be-switched duration.

The flight path of the UAV includes a flight path after the UAV reports the flight path information of the UAV.

In the embodiment, when the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the path positioning point of the UAV, the base station can determine the flight path of the UAV according to the flight path information of the UAV. When the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the flight speed of the UAV, and the position and the altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported, the base station can determine the to-be-switched service base station identification and the to-be-switched duration according to the flight path information of the UAV. When the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the flight altitude of the UAV, the base station can determine the to-be-switched service base station identification according to the flight path information of the UAV. When the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the flight speed of the UAV, the reporting time, and the position of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported, the base station can determine the flight path after the UAV reports the flight path information of the UAV according to the flight path information of the UAV.

In the above embodiment, the flight path information of the UAV reported by the UAV is received, and the flight-related information is determined according to the flight path information of the UAV so as to prepare for handover in advance.

<FIG> is a flowchart of signalling of a method for receiving information illustrated in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the embodiment is described from a perspective of interaction between the base station and the UAV, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the method includes the following steps.

In step S301, content of flight path information of the UAV is determined by the UAV, wherein the content includes at least one of the following: a path positioning point of the UAV, a flight speed of the UAV, a flight altitude of the UAV, a reporting time of the flight path information of the UAV, or a position and altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported.

In step S302, the flight path information of the UAV is reported by the UAV to a base station by means of radio resource control (RRC) signalling.

In step S303, the flight path information of the UAV reported by the UAV is received by the base station.

In step S304, flight-related information is determined by the base station according to the flight path information of the UAV, wherein the flight-related information includes at least one of a flight path of the UAV, an identification of a serving base station to which the UAV is to be handed over, or a handover duration.

In the above embodiment, through the interaction between the base station and the UAV, the base station can determine the flight-related information through the flight path information of the UAV reported by the UAV, so as to prepare for handover in advance.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an apparatus for reporting flight path information that is not within the scope of the invention but is provided for background only, the apparatus may be located in the UAV, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus includes a determining module <NUM> and a reporting module <NUM>.

The determining module <NUM> is configured to determine content of flight path information of the UAV, wherein the content includes at least one of the following: a path positioning point of the UAV, a flight speed of the UAV, a flight altitude of the UAV, a reporting time of the flight path information of the UAV, or a position and altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported.

In the example, the content of the flight path information of the UAV may include at least one of the following: a path positioning point of the UAV, a flight speed of the UAV, a flight altitude of the UAV, a reporting time of the flight path information of the UAV, or a position and altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported, wherein the path positioning point of the UAV may be Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates.

The reporting module <NUM> is configured to report the flight path information of the UAV determined by the determining module <NUM> to a base station by means of radio resource control (RRC) signalling.

The RRC signalling may be, but is not limited to, UE assistance information signalling or UE information response signalling, etc..

In the above example, the content of the flight path information of the UAV is determined, and the flight path information of the UAV is reported to the base station by means of the RRC signalling, so that the base station can determine the flight-related information according to the content, so as to prepare for handover in advance.

<FIG> is a block diagram of another apparatus for reporting flight path information that is not within the scope of the invention but is provided for background only, in the example, the content of the flight path information of the UAV may further include an indicating bit for indicating whether transmission of the flight path information of the UAV is completed, and as illustrated in <FIG>, on the basis of the example illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus may further include a sending module <NUM>.

The sending module <NUM> is configured to send part of the flight path information related to the base station to the base station when transmission data amount of the flight path information of the UAV calculated according to the indicating bit is greater than a preset threshold value.

Alternatively, if the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the indicating bit for indicating whether transmission of the flight path information of the UAV is completed, part of the flight path information related to a current serving base station is sent to the current serving base station when the transmission data amount of the flight path information of the UAV calculated by the UAV according to the indicating bit is greater than a preset threshold value. That is, if the flight path of the UAV is relatively long, the to-be-reported number of bits of the flight path information may be relatively large, the UAV may merely inform the current serving base station of a certain or several sections of the flight path information related to the current serving base station, so as to reduce the transmission data amount and reduce the system energy consumption.

In the above example, part of the flight path information related to the base station is sent to the base station when transmission data amount of the flight path information of the UAV calculated according to the indicating bit is greater than a preset threshold value, so that the transmission data amount is reduced, and the system energy consumption is reduced.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an apparatus for receiving information illustrated in an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus may be located in a base station, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus includes: a receiving module <NUM> and an information determining module <NUM>.

The receiving module <NUM> is configured to receive flight path information of the UAV reported by the UAV, wherein content of the flight path information of the UAV includes at least one of the following: a path positioning point of the UAV, a flight speed of the UAV, a flight altitude of the UAV, a reporting time of the flight path information of the UAV, or a position and altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported.

The information determining module <NUM> is configured to determine flight-related information according to the flight path information of the UAV received by the receiving module, wherein the flight-related information includes at least one of a flight path of the UAV, an identification of a serving base station to which the UAV is to be handed over, or a handover duration.

A flight path of the UAV includes a flight path after the UAV reports the flight path information of the UAV.

In the embodiment, when the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the path positioning point of the UAV, the base station may determine the flight path of the UAV according to the flight path information of the UAV. When the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the flight speed of the UAV, and the position and altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported, the base station may determine the to-be-switched service base station identification and the to-be-switched duration according to the flight path information of the UAV. When the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the flight altitude of the UAV, the base station may determine an identification of a serving base station to which the UAV is to be handed over according to the flight path information of the UAV. When the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the flight speed of the UAV, the reporting time, and the position of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported, the base station may determine the flight path after the UAV reports the flight path information of the UAV according to the flight path information of the UAV.

In the above embodiment, the flight path information of the UAV reported by the UAV is received, and the flight-related information is determined according to the flight path information of the UAV, so as to prepare for handover in advance.

<FIG> is a block diagram of another apparatus for receiving information illustrated in an exemplary embodiment, and as illustrated in <FIG>, on the basis of the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, when the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the path positioning point of the UAV, the information determining module <NUM> may include a first determining submodule <NUM>.

The first determining submodule <NUM> is configured to determine the flight path of the UAV according to the flight path information of the UAV.

In the embodiment, when the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the path positioning point of the UAV, the base station may determine the flight path of the UAV according to the flight path information of the UAV.

In the above embodiment, the flight path of the UAV is determined according to the flight path information of the UAV so as to facilitate the corresponding operation according to the flight path.

<FIG> is a block diagram of another apparatus for receiving information illustrated in an exemplary embodiment, and as illustrated in <FIG>, on the basis of the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, when the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the flight speed of the UAV, the reporting time of the flight path information of the UAV, and the position and the altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported, the information determining module <NUM> may include:
a second determining submodule <NUM>, configured to determine an identification of a serving base station, to which the UAV is to be handed over, and a handover duration according to the flight path information of the UAV.

In the above embodiment, the identification of the serving base station, to which the UAV is to be handed over, and the handover duration are determined according to the flight path information of the UAV, so as to prepare for handover in advance.

<FIG> is a block diagram of another apparatus for receiving information illustrated in an exemplary embodiment, and as illustrated in <FIG>, on the basis of <FIG>, when the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the flight altitude of the UAV, the information determining module may include a third determining submodule <NUM>.

The third determining submodule <NUM> is configured to determine identification of the serving base station, to which the UAV is to be handed over, according to the flight path information of the UAV.

In the above embodiment, the identification of the serving base station, to which the UAV is to be handed over, is determined according to the flight path information of the UAV, so as to prepare for handover in advance.

<FIG> is a block diagram of another apparatus for receiving information illustrated in an exemplary embodiment, and as illustrated in <FIG>, on the basis of the embodiment illustrated in <FIG>, when the content of the flight path information of the UAV includes the flight speed of the UAV, the reporting time, and the position of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported, the information determining module <NUM> may include a fourth determining submodule <NUM>.

The fourth determining submodule <NUM> is configured to determine a flight path after the UAV reports the flight path information of the UAV, according to the flight path information of the UAV.

In the above embodiment, the flight path after the UAV reports the flight path information of the UAV is determined according to the flight path information of the UAV so as to facilitate the corresponding operation according to the flight path.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an apparatus suitable for reporting flight path information that is not within the scope of the invention but is provided for background only. For example, the apparatus <NUM> may be user equipment such as a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, messaging equipment, a game console, tablet equipment, medical equipment, fitness equipment, and a UAV.

Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> may include one or more following components: a processing component <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a power component <NUM>, a multimedia component <NUM>, an audio component <NUM>, an input/output (I/O) interface <NUM>, a sensor component <NUM>, and a communication component <NUM>.

The processing component <NUM> generally controls overall operations of the apparatus <NUM>, such as operations related to displaying, telephone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component <NUM> may include one or more processors <NUM> to execute instructions, so as to complete all or part of the steps of the method described above. In addition, the processing component <NUM> may include one or more modules to facilitate the interaction between the processing component <NUM> and other components. For example, the processing component <NUM> may include a multimedia module to facilitate interaction between the multimedia component <NUM> and the processing component <NUM>.

One of the processors <NUM> of the processing component <NUM> may be configured to:.

The memory <NUM> is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of the apparatus <NUM>. Examples of such data include instructions for any application program or method operated on the apparatus <NUM>, contact data, phone book data, messages, pictures, videos, and the like. The memory <NUM> may be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage apparatuses or a combination thereof, such as a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Programming Read-Only Memory (EPROM), a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

The power component <NUM> provides power for various components of the apparatus <NUM>. The power component <NUM> may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power for the apparatus <NUM>.

The multimedia component <NUM> includes a screen providing an output interface between the apparatus <NUM> and a user. In some examples, the screen may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) and a Touch Panel (TP). If it includes the TP, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive an input signal from a user. The TP includes one or more touch sensors to sense touch, swipe, and gestures on the TP. The touch sensors may not only sense a boundary of a touch or swipe action, but also detect a time of duration and a pressure associated with the touch or swipe action. In some examples, the multimedia component <NUM> includes a front camera and/or a rear camera. The front camera and/or the rear camera may receive external multimedia data while the apparatus <NUM> is in an operation mode, such as a photographing mode or a video mode. Each front camera and each rear camera may be fixed optical lens systems or may have focal lengths and optical zoom capabilities.

The audio component <NUM> is configured to output and/or input audio signals. For example, the audio component <NUM> includes a microphone (MIC), and the microphone is configured to receive an external audio signal when the apparatus <NUM> is in an operation mode, such as a calling mode, a recording mode, and a voice identification mode. The received audio signals may be further stored in the memory <NUM> or transmitted via the communication component <NUM>. In some examples, the audio component <NUM> may further include a speaker to output audio signals.

The I/O interface <NUM> provides an interface between the processing component <NUM> and peripheral interface modules, which may be keyboards, click wheels, buttons, etc. These buttons may include, but not limited to: a home button, a volume button, a start button, and a lock button.

The sensor component <NUM> includes one or more sensors configured to provide state assessment of various aspects for the apparatus <NUM>. For example, the sensor component <NUM> may detect an on/off status of the apparatus <NUM>, and relative positioning of components. For example, the components are a display and a keypad of the apparatus <NUM>. The sensor component <NUM> may also detect a change in position of the apparatus <NUM> or a component of the apparatus <NUM>, presence or absence of a user being in contact with the apparatus <NUM>, an orientation or an acceleration/deceleration of the apparatus <NUM>, and a change in temperature of the apparatus <NUM>. The sensor component <NUM> may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of objects nearby without any physical contact. The sensor component <NUM> may also include light sensors, such as CMOS or CCD image sensors, for use in imaging disclosures. In some examples, the sensor component <NUM> may also include an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

The communication component <NUM> is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communications between the apparatus <NUM> and other apparatuses. The apparatus <NUM> may access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as WiFi, <NUM> or <NUM>, or a combination thereof. In an example, the communication component <NUM> receives a broadcast signal or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In one example, the communication component <NUM> further includes a Near Field Communication (NFC) module to promote short-range communications. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) technology, an Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) technology, a Bluetooth (BT) technology and other technologies.

In the example, the apparatus <NUM> may be implemented by one or more Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Digital Signal Processing Devices (DSPDs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic components to perform the above method.

In the example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including an instruction, such as a memory <NUM> including an instruction, is further provided. The instruction may be executed by a processor <NUM> of an apparatus <NUM> to complete the foregoing method. For example, the non-transitory computer readable storage medium may be a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical data storage apparatus, and the like.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an apparatus suitable for determining information that is not within the scope of the invention but is provided for background only. The apparatus <NUM> may be provided as a base station. Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> includes a processing component <NUM>, a wireless transmitting/receiving component <NUM>, an antenna component <NUM> and a specific signal processing part of a wireless interface, and the processing component <NUM> may further include one or more processors.

One of the processors of the processing component <NUM> may be configured to:.

receive flight path information of the UAV reported by the UAV, wherein content of the flight path information of the UAV includes at least one of the following: a path positioning point of the UAV, a flight speed of the UAV, a flight altitude of the UAV, a reporting time of the flight path information of the UAV, or a position and altitude of the UAV when the flight path information of the UAV is reported; and
determine flight-related information according to the flight path information of the UAV, wherein the flight-related information includes at least one of a flight path of the UAV, an identification of a serving base station to which the UAV is to be handed over, or a handover duration.

In the example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions is further provided, and the above instructions may be executed by the processing component <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> to implement the above method for receiving information. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical data storage apparatus, and the like.

For the apparatus examples, reference will now be made in part to the description of the method embodiments since they substantially correspond to the method examples. The apparatus examples described above are only schematic, wherein the units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, i.e., may be located in one place or may be distributed over multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the scheme of the examples. Those ordinarily skilled in the art would understand and practice without involving any inventive effort.

It should be noted that in this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like are used solely to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between such entities or operations. The terms 'includes', 'including", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or equipment that includes a list of elements not only includes those elements but also may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or equipment. An element defined by the phrase 'includes one. ' does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or equipment that includes the element.

Other embodiments of the present invention will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the present disclosure disclosed herein. The scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims.

Claim 1:
A method for receiving information, applied to a base station, the method characterized by comprising:
receiving (S201, S303) flight path information of an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, reported by the UAV in UE information response field of radio resource control signaling,
wherein content of the flight path information of the UAV comprises at least a path positioning point of the UAV and a reporting time of the flight path information of the UAV;
the flight path information is planned flight path information; and
the path positioning point of the UAV is a location of a planned flight path of the UAV.