Methods and Apparatus for Setting Up a Collaborative Sensing Process

A method performed by a first user equipment (UE) for setting up a collaborative sensing process with observer equipment, the method comprising:

• receiving a first signal from the observer equipment, wherein:
• the first signal includes a first sensing signal used by the observer equipment to sense an environment or an object in the environment, and
• the first signal comprises information about the identity of the observer equipment;
• determining the identity of the observer equipment from the information comprised in the received first signal;
• transmitting, to the observer equipment, a second signal requesting the observer equipment to participate in the collaborative sensing process;
• and
• setting up the collaborative sensing process upon agreement from the observer equipment, wherein the setting up comprises establishing one or more communication channels between the first UE and the observer equipment.

First user equipment (UE) configured to set up a collaborative sensing process with observer equipment, wherein:

• the first UE comprises a processor and memory that are operably coupled;
• and
• the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the first UE to:
• receive a first signal from the observer equipment, wherein:
• the first signal includes a first sensing signal used by the observer equipment to sense an environment or an object in the environment, and
• the first signal comprises information about the identity of the observer equipment;
• determine the identity of the observer equipment from the information comprised in the received first signal;
• transmit, to the observer equipment, a second signal requesting the observer equipment to participate in the collaborative sensing process;
• and
• set up the collaborative sensing process upon agreement from the observer equipment, wherein the setting up comprises establishing one or more communication channels between the first UE and the observer equipment.

Observer equipment configured to set up a collaborative sensing process with a first user equipment (UE), wherein:

• the observer equipment comprises a processor and memory that are operably coupled;
• and
• the memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the observer equipment to:
• transmit a first signal to the first UE, wherein:
• the first signal includes a first sensing signal used by the observer equipment to sense an environment or an object in the environment, and
• the first signal comprises information about the identity of the observer equipment;
• receive, from the first UE, a second signal requesting the observer equipment to participate in the collaborative sensing process with the first UE;
• accept the request to participate in the collaborative sensing process with the first UE;
• and
• set up the collaborative sensing process with the first UE, including establishing one or more communication channels between the first UE and the observer equipment.