CN114945015A - Information acquisition method, device and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides an information acquisition method, an information acquisition device and a storage medium, which relate to the field of communication, and the method comprises the following steps: a Session Management Function (SMF) network element receives deployment information ED I of a first edge application server, which is sent by a Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element; the first ED I comprises a data network name DNN, single network slice selection assistance information S-NSSA I and a full name domain name FQDN of the edge application server EAS; when the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time length, the SMF network element receives an updated first ED I sent by the UDR network element, wherein the first time period comprises: a time period after the SMF network element receives the first ED I, and/or a time period after the UDR network element sends the first ED I. The method is suitable for the SMF network element to configure the DNS message processing rule for the EASDF network element, and is used for solving the problem of ED I failure in the configuration process.

Description

Information acquisition method, device and storage medium

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to an information acquisition method and apparatus, and a storage medium.

Background

Currently, it is defined in the 3rd generation partnership project (3 GPP) edge computing standard (3GPP SA 2R 17) that a Session Management Function (SMF) network element can obtain and store deployment information (EDI) of an edge application server from a Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element to generate Domain Name System (DNS) message processing rules. The SMF network element may allocate an Edge Application Server (EAS) in an edge environment using DNS message processing rules.

However, there may be invalid EDIs stored in the SMF network elements, which may cause the SMF network elements to fail to correctly allocate EAS.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides an information acquisition method, an information acquisition device and a storage medium, which can continuously update EDI stored in an SMF network element, thereby improving the effectiveness of the EDI stored in the SMF network element.

In a first aspect, the present application provides an information obtaining method, including: a Session Management Function (SMF) network element receives Domain Name System (DNS) query information sent by an Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF) network element; the DNS query information comprises address information of the first user equipment UE and a full-name domain name FQDN of the edge application server EAS; the SMF network element determines DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification respectively corresponding to the first UE according to the address information of the first UE and the FQDN of the EAS; the SMF network element sends subscription information to a Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI and the application identifier which correspond to the first UE in the DNS query information respectively; the subscription information comprises DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification which are respectively corresponding to the first UE; the SMF network element receives a first EDI sent by the UDR network element, wherein the first EDI is determined by the UDR network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI includes DNN, S-NSSAI, application identity and FQDN of EAS; the SMF network element determines a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI; the SMF network element sends a first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element so that the EASDF network element queries an internet protocol IP address of EAS corresponding to the FQDN for the first UE according to the first DNS message processing rule; and when the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time length, the SMF network element receives an updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, where the first time period includes: and the SMF network element receives a time period after the first EDI, and/or the UDR network element sends the time period after the first EDI.

In a possible implementation manner, when a first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time duration, the SMF network element receives an updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, where the first time period includes: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI, includes: when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element; the SMF network element receives update response information sent by the UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

In another possible implementation manner, the updated first EDI is obtained by the UDR network element and sent to the SMF network element when a time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period.

In another possible implementation manner, when the first time period is greater than or equal to the preset time period, the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, where the first time period includes: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI, includes: when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is longer than or equal to the preset time period and the SMF network element does not receive the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element; the SMF network element receives the update response information sent by the UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

In another possible implementation manner, when the first time period is greater than or equal to the preset time period, after the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, the method further includes: and the SMF network element clears the cache of the first EDI. In the information acquisition method provided by the application, under the condition that the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period, the SMF network element can receive the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, and compared with an edge calculation item in 3GPP SA 2R 17, the first EDI in the SMF network element can be updated in real time by using the information acquisition method provided by the application, the probability of failure of the first EDI is lower on the whole, the effectiveness of the EDI stored in the SMF network element is improved, and therefore, a guarantee is provided for the SMF network element to distribute EAS.

In a second aspect, the present application provides an information obtaining apparatus, which may be applied to a session management function SMF network element. The apparatus may include: a receiving and sending module and a processing module. The receiving and sending module is connected with the processing module. The receiving and sending module is used for receiving DNS query information sent by the EASDF network element, wherein the DNS query information comprises address information of the first UE and FQDN of the EAS; the processing module is used for determining DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification respectively corresponding to the first UE according to the address information of the first UE and the FQDN of the EAS in the DNS query information; the receiving and sending module is further configured to send subscription information to a unified data repository UDR network element according to the DNN, S-NSSAI and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE, where the subscription information includes the DNN, S-NSSAI and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE; receiving a first EDI sent by the UDR network element, wherein the first EDI is determined by the UDR network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification which respectively correspond to first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI includes DNN, S-NSSAI, application identity and FQDN of EAS; the processing module is further used for determining a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI; the receiving and sending module is further configured to send a first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element, so that the EASDF network element queries, according to the first DNS message processing rule, an EAS internet protocol IP address corresponding to the FQDN for the first UE; the transceiver module is further configured to receive an updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element when the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time duration, where the first time period includes: and the time period after the transceiver module receives the first EDI, and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is specifically configured to send update request information to the UDR network element when a time period after receiving the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period; receiving update response information sent by the UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

In another possible implementation manner, the updated first EDI is obtained by the UDR network element and sent to the transceiver module when a time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the transceiver module is greater than or equal to a preset time period.

In another possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is specifically configured to send update request information to the UDR network element when a time period after receiving the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period and an updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element is not received; receiving update response information sent by the UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

In another possible implementation manner, the processing module is further configured to, when the first time period is greater than or equal to the preset time period, clear the cache of the first EDI after the transceiver module receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element.

In a third aspect, the present application provides an information obtaining method, including: a Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element receives subscription information sent by a Session Management Function (SMF) network element, wherein the subscription information comprises DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to first User Equipment (UE); the UDR network element determines a first EDI according to DNN, S-NSSAI and an application identifier which correspond to the first UE in the subscription information respectively; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identification and a full name domain name FQDN of the edge application server EAS; the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element; and under the condition that the first time period is greater than or equal to the preset time length, the UDR network element obtains the updated first EDI, wherein the first time period comprises: a time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or a time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI. And the UDR network element sends the updated first EDI to the SMF network element.

In a possible implementation manner, when the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time period, the UDR network element obtains the updated first EDI, where the first time period includes: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI, includes: the UDR network element receives update request information sent by the SMF network element; the updating request information is sent by the SMF network element when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period; and the UDR network element responds to the update request information and acquires the updated first EDI.

In another possible implementation manner, when the first time period is greater than or equal to the preset time period, the UDR network element obtains the updated first EDI, where the first time period includes: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI, includes: when the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period, the UDR network element sends query request information to an Application Function (AF) network element, wherein the query request information is used for requesting to query the latest first EDI; and the UDR network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the AF network element.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides an information acquisition apparatus, where the apparatus is applied to a UDR network element in a unified data repository, and the apparatus includes a transceiver module and a processing module, where the transceiver module is connected to the processing module. And the transceiver module is used for receiving subscription information sent by the SMF network element, wherein the subscription information comprises DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE. The processing module is used for determining a first EDI according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI and the application identifier which correspond to the first UE in the subscription information respectively; the first EDI comprises the DNN, the S-NSSAI, the application identity and the full name domain FQDN of the edge application server EAS. And the transceiver module is further used for sending the first EDI to the SMF network element. The processing module is further configured to obtain an updated first EDI when the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time duration, where the first time period includes: and the SMF network element receives a time period after the first EDI, and/or the transceiver module sends the time period after the first EDI. And the transceiver module is further configured to send the updated first EDI to the SMF network element.

In a possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is specifically configured to receive update request information sent by an SMF network element; the update request information is sent by the SMF network element when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period. And the processing module is specifically used for responding to the update request information and acquiring the updated first EDI.

In another possible implementation manner, the transceiver module is specifically configured to send query request information to an AF network element when a time period after the first EDI is sent to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period, where the query request information is used to request for querying a latest first EDI; and receiving the updated first EDI sent by the AF network element.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory stores instructions executable by the processor; the processor is configured to execute the instructions to cause the communication device to implement the method of the first or third aspect.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising: computer software instructions; the computer software instructions, when executed in a computer, cause the computer to implement the method of the first or third aspect.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer program product, which when run on a computer causes the computer to perform the steps of the method according to the first aspect, so as to implement the method according to the first aspect or the third aspect.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a chip system, comprising: a processor and an interface circuit; an interface circuit for receiving a computer program or instructions and transmitting the same to a processor; the processor is adapted to execute the computer program or instructions to cause the system-on-chip to perform the method according to the first or third aspect.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication system comprising an SMF network element for performing the method of the first aspect and a UDR network element for performing the method of the third aspect.

The beneficial effects of the second to ninth aspects may refer to the description of the first aspect, and are not repeated.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly described below, it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to the drawings without creative efforts.

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

fig. 2 is a schematic flowchart of an information acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is another schematic flow chart of an information acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of another information acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic flowchart of another information acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of another information acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic flowchart of another information acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic flowchart of another information acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic composition diagram of an information acquisition apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of another composition of an information acquisition apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic composition diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to mean serving as examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described herein as "exemplary" or "e.g.," is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present concepts related in a concrete fashion.

For the convenience of clearly describing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first", "second", and the like are used to distinguish the same items or similar items with basically the same functions and actions, and those skilled in the art can understand that the terms "first", "second", and the like do not limit the quantity and execution order.

Furthermore, the terms "including" and "having," and any variations thereof, as referred to in the description of the present application, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of steps or elements is not limited to only those steps or elements listed, but may alternatively include other steps or elements not listed, or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Currently, in a 5G system supporting edge computing, a terminal equipment (UE) may obtain an edge application service through EAS. Before obtaining edge application services, the UE needs to find the appropriate EAS IP address. For example, the UE may send an EAS DNS query to an Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF) network element; the EASDF network element can send EAS DNS query sent by UE to a DNS server according to DNS message processing rules configured by the SMF network element; the EASDF network element may also feed back the EAS DNS query result to the UE.

The DNS message processing rule may be obtained according to EDI, among others. For example, the UDR network element may interact with the AF network element, obtain EDI, and store it; the SMF network element may obtain and store EDI from the UDR network element, and determine the DNS message processing rule according to the EDI.

However, there may be stale EDIs in the EDIs stored in the SMF network elements. A failed EDI may result in the SMF network element failing to properly allocate EAS.

In this background technology, an embodiment of the present application provides an information acquisition method, and an SMF network element using the method may receive updated EDI sent by a UDR network element at regular time, so as to improve the validity of EDI stored in the SMF network element, thereby providing a guarantee for the SMF network element to allocate EAS. This process will be described in the following embodiments shown in fig. 2 to 8, and will not be described herein.

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 1, a communication system 100 may include an SMF network element 101 and a UDR network element 102. A plurality of EDIs may be stored in the UDR network element 102. The SMF network element 101 may be configured to receive the first EDI sent by the UDR network element 102. The first EDI is one of a plurality of EDIs stored in the UDR network element 102. A timer may be set in the SMF network element 101 and/or the UDR network element 102, and the first EDI may be updated periodically.

Optionally, the SMF network element 101 may also be configured to be responsible for tunnel maintenance, IP-to-IP allocation and management, UP function selection, policy enforcement, charging data collection, roaming, and the like.

Optionally, the UDR network element 102 may also be configured to provide services such as data storage and retrieval for other network elements in the 5G network.

Optionally, the communication system 100 may further include at least one of the following network elements: AF network elements, NEF network elements, or EASDF network elements (not shown in fig. 1).

The AF network element may be configured to interact with other network elements in the 5G network and provide a service. The NEF network element can be used for opening the 5G core network element and providing a standard interface for the outside. The EASDF network element may be configured to send an EAS DNS query sent by the UE to the DNS server according to the guidance of the SMF network element, and feed back a DNS query result to the UE.

First, an SMF network element is introduced as an execution subject in the information acquisition method provided by the embodiment of the present application. Fig. 2 is a schematic flow chart of an information acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 2, the method may include S101 to S107.

S101, the SMF network element receives DNS query information sent by the EASDF network element.

The DNS query information may include address information of the first UE (e.g., an IP address of the first UE or a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the first UE, etc.) and a Full Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) of the EAS.

S102, the SMF network element determines a Data Network Name (DNN), single network slice selection assistance information (S-NSSAI) and an application identifier (application ID) corresponding to the first UE according to the address information of the first UE and the FQDN of the EAS in the DNS query information.

For example, the address information of the first UE may have a corresponding relationship with a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, the configuration information of the PDU session may include DNN and S-NSSAI, and the SMF network element may query the PDU session corresponding to the address information according to the address information of the first UE, and obtain DNN and S-NSSAI in the configuration information of the PDU session as DNN and S-NSSAI corresponding to the first UE.

For another example, an EAS may correspond to application identifiers of a plurality of edge applications, and the SMF network element may query the application identifier of the edge application corresponding to the EAS according to the FQDN of the EAS.

And S103, the SMF network element sends subscription information to the UDR network element according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE.

The subscription information may include DNN, S-NSSAI, and application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE.

And S104, the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element.

Wherein, the UDR network element may store a plurality of EDIs. The first EDI is one of a plurality of EDIs stored in the UDR network element. And the first EDI is determined by the UDR network element according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information. The first EDI may include DNN, S-NSSAI, application identification, and FQDN of EAS.

Optionally, the first EDI may further include any one or more items of Domain Name System (DNS) server information (DNS server information), EAS Internet Protocol (IP) address range information (EAS IP address range information), and the like.

Optionally, after S104, the SMF network element may further store the first EDI.

In a possible implementation manner, as described above, the SMF network element may receive, by the NEF network element, the first EDI sent by the UDR network element.

And S105, the SMF network element determines a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI.

The first DNS message processing rule may include DNN, S-NSSAI, an application identifier, and a first corresponding relationship that correspond to the first UE, respectively, where the first corresponding relationship refers to a corresponding relationship between an FQDN and DNS server information.

Optionally, the first DNS message handling rule may further include a first identifier for indicating relevant information of the first DNS message handling rule. For example, the first identifier may indicate at least one of:

1. the priority of the DNS message processing rule is used for selecting the DNS message processing rule when a plurality of DNS message processing rules are simultaneously suitable for DNS query of certain UE.

2. DNS message types, including DNS queries (messages) and DNS feedback (messages).

3. The DNS message processing behaviors comprise a reporting behavior (the EASDF network element reports the DNS feedback to the SMF network element), a forwarding behavior (the EASDF network element forwards the DNS query sent by the UE to a DNS server specified by the DNS message processing rule) or a control behavior (the EASDF network element caches or deletes the DNS feedback).

S106, the SMF network element sends the first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element, so that the EASDF network element queries the EAS IP address corresponding to the FQDN for the first UE according to the first DNS message processing rule.

The first time period may include a time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or a time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI. It should be noted that, a plurality of EDIs may be stored in the UDR network element and/or the SMF network element, and the first EDI may be one of the EDIs. The preset durations corresponding to different first EDIs may be the same or different, and this is not limited in this embodiment of the application.

For example, after the EASDF network element receives the first DNS message processing rule sent by the SMF network element, the EASDF may determine, according to the first correspondence in the first DNS message processing rule, DNS server address information corresponding to the FQDN in the DNS query (message) sent by the first UE, and send the DNS query (message) of the first UE to the DNS server corresponding to the DNS server address information corresponding to the FQDN. The DNS server may store a mapping between FQDN and EAS IP address. The first UE may determine an appropriate IP address of the EAS according to a mapping relationship between the FQDN stored in the DNS server and the IP address of the EAS, and obtain the edge service application.

And S107, the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element under the condition that the first time period is greater than or equal to the preset time period.

In a possible implementation manner, the preset duration may be preset in the SMF network element. For example, after receiving the first EDI sent by the UDR network element, the SMF network element may set a timer for the first EDI. In this case, fig. 3 is another schematic flow chart of the information acquisition method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 3, S107 may specifically include S201 and S202.

S201, when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element.

The preset duration can be preset by a manager. For example, the preset time period may be 1 day, 7 days, 15 days, or the like. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific duration of the preset duration. The update request information may be used to request an update of the first EDI. Illustratively, the update request information may include the DNN, the S-NSSAI, and the application identification in the first EDI.

S202, the SMF network element receives the update response information sent by the UDR network element.

Wherein the update response information may include the updated first EDI. Taking the first EDI including DNN, S-NSSAI, application identification, FQDN, DNS server information, and EAS internet protocol address range information as an example, the updated first EDI may include at least one of: updated FQDN, updated DNS server information, and updated EAS internet protocol address range information. Optionally, the updated first EDI further includes: DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification.

In another possible implementation manner, the preset duration may also be preset in the UDR network element. For example, the UDR network element may store a first EDI therein, and the UDR network element may set a timer for the first EDI. And when the timer reaches the preset time, the UDR network element can acquire the updated first EDI and send the updated first EDI to the SMF network element. In this case, the updated first EDI received by the SMF network element is obtained by the UDR network element and sent to the SMF network element when the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period.

In another possible implementation manner, the preset duration may be preset in the SMF network element and the UDR network element at the same time. For example, the UDR network element is configured to update the first EDI to the SMF network element according to a preset time duration. And the SMF network element judges whether the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element is received every preset time. In this case, fig. 4 is a schematic flowchart of another information acquisition method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 4, S107 may specifically include S301 to S302.

S301, when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period and the SMF network element does not receive the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element.

The update request information in S301 may refer to the above-mentioned S201, and is not described herein again.

S302, the SMF network element receives the update response information sent by the UDR network element.

S302 may refer to S202 described above, and is not described herein again.

Optionally, after S302, S201, or S107, the SMF network element may further clear the cache of the first EDI.

Optionally, after S107, the SMF network element may further determine, according to the updated first EDI, the updated DNS message processing rule and send the DNS message processing rule to the ESADF network element. The updated DNS message processing rule may refer to the DNS message processing rule, which is not described herein again.

In the information acquisition method provided by the embodiment of the application, after the time length for receiving the first EDI sent by the UDR network element by the SMF network element reaches the preset first time length, the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element may also be received, and compared with the edge calculation item in 3GPP SA 2R 17, the first EDI in the SMF network element using the information acquisition method provided by the embodiment of the application may be automatically updated at regular time when the DNS query (message) for querying the edge service application sent by the first UE is not received, and the probability of the first EDI failing is lower as a whole, so that the validity of the EDI stored in the SMF network element is improved, and thereby providing a guarantee for allocating EAS to the SMF network element.

The foregoing description takes the SMF network element as an execution subject of the information acquisition method as an example. Optionally, the execution subject of the method may also be a UDR network element. Fig. 5 is a schematic flowchart of another information acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 5, the method may include S401 to S405.

S401, the UDR network element receives the subscription information sent by the SMF network element.

S401 may refer to S103 described above, and is not described herein again.

And S402, the UDR network element determines a first EDI according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI and the application identifier which correspond to the first UE in the subscription information respectively.

For example, the UDR network element may store a plurality of EDIs, and the UDR network element may look up and determine the first EDI including the DNN, S-NSSAI and the application identifier corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information, with the DNN, S-NSSAI and the application identifier corresponding to the first UE respectively as indexes.

And S403, the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element.

S404, under the condition that the first time period is greater than or equal to the preset time period, the UDR network element obtains the updated first EDI.

The first time period may refer to the above S107, and is not described herein again.

In a possible implementation manner, the preset duration may be preset in the SMF network element. In this case, fig. 6 is a schematic flowchart of another information acquisition method provided in the embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 6, S404 may specifically include S501 and S502.

S501, the UDR network element receives the update request information sent by the SMF network element.

The updating request information is sent by the SMF network element when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period. The update request information may include the DNN, the S-NSSAI, and the application ID in the first EDI.

S502, the UDR network element responds to the updating request information to obtain the updated first EDI.

For example, the UDR network element may send query request information to the AF network element in response to the update request information, and the query request information may be used to request to query the latest first EDI. Illustratively, the query request information includes the DNN, the S-NSSAI, and the application ID in the first EDI. The AF network element may collect the updated first EDI according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI, and the application ID in the first EDI and send the updated first EDI to the UDR network element. That is, the above S502 may specifically include: and the UDR network element responds to the update request information, interacts with the AF network element and acquires the updated first EDI.

For another example, the UDR network element may receive and store the updated first EDI sent by the AF network element; and the updated first EDI is collected by the AF network element and sent to the UDR network element after the AF network element determines that the first EDI is invalid.

In another possible implementation manner, the preset duration may be preset in the UDR network element. In this case, fig. 7 is another schematic flow diagram of the information acquiring method according to the embodiment of the present application, and as shown in fig. 7, S404 may specifically include S601 and S602.

S601, when the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period, the UDR network element sends query request information to the AF network element.

S602, the UDR network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the AF network element.

S601 and S602 may refer to the description of interactive acquisition of the updated first EDI by the UDR network element and the AF network element in S502, which is not described herein again.

And S405, the UDR network element sends the updated first EDI to the SMF network element.

The above description takes an individual SMF network element or UDR network element as an example of the execution subject of the information acquisition method. The information obtaining method provided in the embodiment of the present application is introduced in a manner of multiple network element interactions. Fig. 8 is a schematic flowchart of another information acquisition method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 8, the method may include S701 to S710.

S701, the EASDF network element sends DNS query information to the SMF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives DNS query information from the EASDF network element.

The DNS query information may include address information of the first UE and the FQDN of the EAS, among others. For example, an IP address of the first UE or a MAC address of the first UE, etc. The first UE may be any one of a plurality of UEs served by the EASDF network element.

S702, the SMF network element determines DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification corresponding to the first UE respectively according to the address information of the first UE and the FQDN of the EAS.

S702 may refer to the above-mentioned location where the first EDI and the first UE have the corresponding relationship in S101, and is not described herein again.

And S703, the SMF network element sends subscription information to the UDR network element through the NEF network element according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE. Accordingly, the UDR network element receives subscription information from the SMF network element via the NEF network element.

The subscription information may include DNN, S-NSSAI, and application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE.

Optionally, after determining the DNN, the S-NSSAI, and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE according to the address information of the first UE, the SMF network element may further determine whether the SMF network element stores the first EDI corresponding to the first UE according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI, and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE. The S702 may specifically include: and when the SMF network element does not store the first EDI corresponding to the first UE, the first SMF sends subscription information to the UDR network element through the NEF network element according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE.

And S704, the UDR network element determines a first EDI according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI and the application identifier which correspond to the first UE in the subscription information respectively.

S704 may refer to S404 described above, and is not described herein again.

And S705, the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element through the NEF network element. Accordingly, the SMF network element receives the first EDI from the UDR network element through the NEF network element.

S706, the SMF network element determines a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI.

S706 may refer to the above-mentioned S105, and is not described herein again.

S707, the SMF network element sends the first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element.

Correspondingly, the EASDF network element may receive the first DNS message processing rule sent by the SMF network element.

S707 may refer to S106 described above, and is not described herein again.

And S708, when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element through the NEF network element.

For example, the SMF network element may set a timer for a first EDI sent by the UDR network element when the first EDI is received by the NEF network element. And when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period, triggering the SMF network element to send the update request information to the UDR network element by using the timer of the first EDI.

And S709, interacting the UDR network element and the AF network element to obtain the updated first EDI.

S709 may refer to S502 described above, and is not described herein again.

And S710, the UDR network element sends the updated first EDI to the SMF network element through the NEF network element.

Correspondingly, the SMF network element may receive, through the NEF network element, the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element.

For example, the UDR network element may send the update response information to the SMF network element through the NEF network element. The update response information may include the updated first EDI.

Optionally, after the SMF network element receives the update response information sent by the UDR network element through the NEF network element, it may further determine whether the update response information includes the updated first EDI. If so, the SMF network element may delete the cache of the first EDI.

Optionally, after S710, the SMF network element may further reset a timer for the updated first EDI.

Optionally, after S710, the SMF network element may further determine the updated first DNS message processing rule according to the updated first EDI, and send the updated first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element.

The scheme provided by the embodiment of the application is mainly introduced from the perspective of a method. To implement the above functions, it includes hardware structures and/or software modules for performing the respective functions. Those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

In an exemplary embodiment, an embodiment of the present application provides an information obtaining apparatus, which may be applied to the SMF network element. Fig. 9 is a schematic composition diagram of an information acquisition apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 9, the apparatus may include: a transceiver module 901 and a processing module 902. The transceiver module 901 is connected with the processing module 902. A transceiver module 901, configured to receive DNS query information sent by an EASDF network element, where the DNS query information includes address information of the first UE and an FQDN of the EAS;

a processing module 902, configured to determine, according to address information of a first UE and an FQDN of an EAS in the DNS query information, a DNN, an S-NSSAI, and an application identifier that correspond to the first UE, respectively;

the transceiver module 901 is further configured to send subscription information to a unified data repository UDR network element according to the DNN, S-NSSAI and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE, where the subscription information includes the DNN, S-NSSAI and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE; receiving a first EDI sent by the UDR network element, wherein the first EDI is determined by the UDR network element according to DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification which respectively correspond to first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI includes DNN, S-NSSAI, application identity and FQDN of EAS;

the processing module 902 is further configured to determine a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI;

the transceiver module 901 is further configured to send a first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element, so that the EASDF network element queries, according to the first DNS message processing rule, an internet protocol IP address of the EAS corresponding to the FQDN for the first UE;

the transceiver module 901 is further configured to receive the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element when the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time duration, where the first time period includes: the time period after the transceiver module 901 receives the first EDI, and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI.

In some possible embodiments, the transceiver module 901 is specifically configured to send update request information to the UDR network element when a time period after receiving the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period; receiving update response information sent by the UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

In other possible embodiments, the updated first EDI is obtained by the UDR network element and sent to the transceiver module 901 when the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the transceiver module 901 is greater than or equal to the preset time period.

In some possible embodiments, the transceiver module 901 is specifically configured to send update request information to the UDR network element when a time period after receiving the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period and an updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element is not received; receiving update response information sent by the UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

In some possible embodiments, the processing module 902 is further configured to, when the first time period is greater than or equal to the preset time period, after the transceiver module 901 receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, clear the cache of the first EDI.

In an exemplary embodiment, an embodiment of the present application provides another information obtaining apparatus, which may be applied to the UDR network element. Fig. 10 is another schematic composition diagram of an information acquisition apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 10, the apparatus may include a transceiver module 1001 and a processing module 1002, wherein the transceiver module 1001 and the processing module 1002 are connected. The transceiver module 1001 is configured to receive subscription information sent by a session management function SMF network element, where the subscription information includes DNN, S-NSSAI, and an application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE. A processing module 1002, configured to determine a first EDI according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI comprises the DNN, the S-NSSAI, the application identity and the full name domain FQDN of the edge application server EAS. The transceiver module 1001 is further configured to send the first EDI to the SMF network element. The processing module 1002 is further configured to obtain the updated first EDI when the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time period, where the first time period includes: a time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or a time period after the transceiver module 1001 transmits the first EDI; and sending the updated first EDI to the SMF network element.

In some possible embodiments, the transceiver module 1001 is specifically configured to receive update request information sent by an SMF network element; the update request information is sent by the SMF network element when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to the preset time period. The processing module 1002 is specifically configured to obtain the updated first EDI in response to the update request information.

In other possible embodiments, the transceiver module 1001 is specifically configured to send query request information to an AF network element when a time period after the first EDI is sent to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period, where the query request information is used to request to query a latest first EDI; and receiving the updated first EDI sent by the AF network element.

Those of skill in the art would readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

It should be noted that the division of the modules in fig. 9 and fig. 10 is schematic, and is only one division of logic functions, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation. For example, two or more functions may also be integrated in one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode.

In an exemplary embodiment, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus, where the communication apparatus may be applied to the above-mentioned SMF network element or UDR network element. Fig. 11 is a schematic composition diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 11, the communication device may include a processor 10, a memory 20, a communication line 30, and a communication interface 40. The processor 10, the memory 20 and the communication interface 40 may be connected by a communication line 30.

The processor 10 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a general purpose processor Network (NP), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 201 may also be any other device having a processing function, such as a circuit, a device, or a software module, which is not limited by the embodiments of the present application. In one example, the processor 10 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 11. As an alternative implementation, the communication device comprises a plurality of processors, for example, as shown in fig. 11, in addition to the processor 10, a processor 50 may be included.

The memory 20 is used for storing program instructions or data to be accessed by an application process, and the processor 10 can implement the information obtaining method provided by the embodiment of the application by executing the program instructions in the memory 20. For example, the instructions stored in the memory 20 may be a computer program. The memory 20 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and/or instructions, a Random Access Memory (RAM) or other types of dynamic storage devices that can store information and/or instructions, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray disc, etc.), a magnetic disc storage medium or other magnetic storage devices, and the like. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific form of the memory 20. The memory 20 may exist separately from the processor 10 or may be integrated with the processor 10. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

A communication line 30 for transmitting information between the respective components included in the communication apparatus.

A communication interface 40 for communicating with other devices or other communication networks. The other communication network may be an ethernet, a Radio Access Network (RAN), a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), or the like. Communication interface 40 may be a module, a circuit, a transceiver, or any device capable of enabling communication.

It should be noted that the components shown in fig. 11 do not constitute a limitation of the communication device provided in the embodiments of the present application, and the communication device may include more or less components than those shown in fig. 11, or may combine some components, or may have different component arrangements.

In a simple embodiment, the processor 10 in fig. 11 may cause the communication device to perform the method described in the above method embodiment by calling a computer stored in the memory 20 to execute instructions.

Illustratively, the function/implementation procedure of the transceiver module 901 in fig. 9 may be implemented by the processor 10 in fig. 11 calling a computer executing instruction stored in the memory 20. Alternatively, the function/implementation process of the transceiver module 901 in fig. 9 may be implemented by the communication interface 40 in fig. 11.

Illustratively, the functions/implementation procedures of the transceiver module 1001 and the processing module 1002 in fig. 10 may be implemented by the processor 10 in fig. 11 calling a computer executing instruction stored in the memory 20. Alternatively, the function/implementation process of the processing module 1002 in fig. 10 may be implemented by the processor 10 in fig. 11 calling a computer executing instruction stored in the memory 20, and the function/implementation process of the transceiver module 1001 in fig. 10 may be implemented by the communication interface 40 in fig. 11.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present application further provides a computer program product, which when run on a communication apparatus, causes the communication apparatus to execute the above related method steps to implement the method in the foregoing method embodiment.

In an exemplary embodiment, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer program instructions; the computer program instructions, when executed by a communication apparatus, cause the communication apparatus to implement a method as described in the preceding embodiments. The computer readable storage medium may be a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, which may be, for example, a ROM, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like.

In an exemplary embodiment, an embodiment of the present application further provides a chip system, including: a processor and an interface circuit; an interface circuit for receiving a computer program or instructions and transmitting the same to a processor; the processor is used to execute the computer program or instructions to make the chip system implement the method as described in the foregoing embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication system, where the communication system includes an SMF network element for performing the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, and a UDR network element for performing the method provided in the embodiment of the present application.

Although the present application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments thereof, it will be evident that various modifications and combinations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are merely illustrative of the present application as defined in the appended claims and are intended to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of the application. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the application. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application is intended to include such modifications and variations as well.

The above description is only an embodiment of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application should be covered within the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims (12)

1. An information acquisition method, characterized in that the method comprises:

a Session Management Function (SMF) network element receives Domain Name System (DNS) query information sent by an Edge Application Server Discovery Function (EASDF) network element; the DNS query information comprises address information of first User Equipment (UE) and a full-name domain name (FQDN) of an Edge Application Server (EAS);

the SMF network element determines DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification respectively corresponding to the first UE according to the address information of the first UE and the FQDN of the EAS in the DNS query information;

the SMF network element sends subscription information to a Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE; the subscription information comprises DNN, S-NSSAI and application identification which are respectively corresponding to the first UE;

the SMF network element receives a first EDI sent by the UDR network element, wherein the first EDI is determined by the UDR network element according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identification and a full name domain name FQDN of an edge application server EAS; the SMF network element determines a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI;

the SMF network element sends the first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element so that the EASDF network element queries an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the EAS corresponding to the FQDN for the first UE according to the first DNS message processing rule;

and when the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time length, the SMF network element receives an updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, where the first time period includes: and the SMF network element receives a time period after the first EDI, and/or the UDR network element sends the time period after the first EDI.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element when the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time period, and wherein the first time period includes: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI, includes:

when the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element;

the SMF network element receives the update response information sent by the UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the updated first EDI is obtained by the UDR network element and sent to the SMF network element when a time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element when the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time period, and wherein the first time period includes: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI, includes:

when a time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is longer than or equal to a preset time period and the SMF network element does not receive the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, the SMF network element sends update request information to the UDR network element;

the SMF network element receives the update response information sent by the UDR network element; the update response information includes the updated first EDI.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the case that the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time period, after the SMF network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element, the method further comprises:

and the SMF network element clears the cache of the first EDI.

6. An information acquisition method, characterized in that the method comprises:

a Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element receives subscription information sent by a Session Management Function (SMF) network element, wherein the subscription information comprises DNN, S-NSSAI and application identifiers respectively corresponding to first User Equipment (UE);

the UDR network element determines a first EDI according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI and the application identifier which respectively correspond to the first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identification and a full name domain name FQDN of an edge application server EAS;

the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element;

and under the condition that the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time length, the UDR network element obtains the updated first EDI, wherein the first time period comprises: a time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or a time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI;

and the UDR network element sends the updated first EDI to the SMF network element.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the UDR network element obtains the updated first EDI if the first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time period, and wherein the first time period includes: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI includes:

the UDR network element receives the update request information sent by the SMF network element; the update request information is sent by the SMF network element when a time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI sent by the UDR network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period;

and the UDR network element responds to the updating request information to acquire the updated first EDI.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the UDR network element obtains the updated first EDI if a first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time period, the first time period comprising: the time period after the SMF network element receives the first EDI, and/or the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI includes:

when the time period after the UDR network element sends the first EDI to the SMF network element is greater than or equal to a preset time period, the UDR network element sends query request information to an Application Function (AF) network element; the query request information is used for requesting to query the latest first EDI;

and the UDR network element receives the updated first EDI sent by the AF network element.

9. An information acquisition device, wherein the device is applied to a Session Management Function (SMF) network element, and the device comprises: a transceiver module and a processing module;

the receiving and sending module is used for receiving domain name system DNS query information sent by an EASDF network element; the DNS query information comprises address information of first User Equipment (UE) and a full-name domain name FQDN of an Edge Application Server (EAS);

the processing module is configured to determine, according to the address information of the first UE and the FQDN of the EAS in the DNS query information, a DNN, an S-NSSAI, and an application identifier that correspond to the first UE, respectively;

the receiving and sending module is further configured to send subscription information to a unified data block UDR network element, where the subscription information includes DNN, S-NSSAI, and application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE; receiving a first EDI sent by the UDR network element, wherein the first EDI is determined by the UDR network element according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identification and FQDN of EAS;

the processing module is further configured to determine a first DNS message processing rule according to the first EDI;

the transceiver module is further configured to send the first DNS message processing rule to the EASDF network element, so that the EASDF network element queries, according to the first DNS message processing rule, an EAS internet protocol IP address corresponding to the FQDN for the first UE; receiving an updated first EDI sent by the UDR network element when a first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time length, wherein the first time period comprises: and the transceiver module receives a time period after the first EDI, and/or the UDR network element sends the time period after the first EDI.

10. An information acquisition apparatus, wherein the apparatus is applied to a Unified Data Repository (UDR) network element, the apparatus comprises: a transceiver module and a processing module;

the receiving and sending module is configured to receive subscription information sent by a session management function SMF network element, where the subscription information includes DNN, S-NSSAI, and application identifiers respectively corresponding to the first UE;

the processing module is configured to determine a first EDI according to the DNN, the S-NSSAI, and the application identifier respectively corresponding to the first UE in the subscription information; the first EDI comprises DNN, S-NSSAI, application identification and a full name domain name FQDN of an edge application server EAS;

the transceiver module is further configured to send the first EDI to the SMF network element;

the processing module is further configured to obtain an updated first EDI when a first time period is greater than or equal to a preset time period, where the first time period includes: the SMF network element receives a time period after the first EDI, and/or the transceiver module sends the time period after the first EDI; and sending the updated first EDI to the SMF network element.

11. A communication apparatus, characterized in that the communication apparatus comprises: a processor and a memory;

the memory stores instructions executable by the processor;

the processor is configured to, when executing the instructions, cause the communication device to implement the method of any of claims 1-5 or 6-8.

12. A computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium comprising: computer software instructions;

the computer software instructions, when executed in a computer, cause the computer to implement the method of any one of claims 1-5 or 6-8.

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