Method, system, and storage medium for obtaining user status within a group

Abstract

The disclosure provides a method, system and storage medium for obtaining user status in a group, and relates to the field of wireless communication and terminals. The method comprises the following steps: an AF server obtains, through an NEF entity, user status information of a second UE belonging to the same group as a first UE from a GMCF module; and the AF server sends the user status information of the second UE to the first UE. The disclosure can enhance the autonomous management capability of group communication of users.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the fields of wireless communication and terminals, and more particularly to a method, system, and storage medium for obtaining the status of users within a group. Background Technology

[0002] Operators provide 5G LAN (Local Area Network) services for vertical industries, such as industrial internet, enterprise offices, and home environments. These services are similar to local area networks or VPN (Virtual Private Network) types. Customers can customize 5G LAN communication groups according to their actual needs. Within the group, UEs (User Equipment) can communicate with each other in point-to-point or point-to-multipoint ways, including Ethernet and IP communication.

[0003] In the current R16 / R17 5G LAN standards, users within a 5G LAN group cannot know the status information of other users in the current VN (Virtual Network) group. For example, they cannot know which UEs are online in the current group, or whether all users in the VN group can receive their own multicast or broadcast data packets when a VN group user initiates a multicast or broadcast session. This is detrimental to users' VN group communication management. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One technical problem this disclosure aims to solve is to provide a method, system, and storage medium for obtaining the status of users within a group, which can enhance users' self-management capabilities in group communication.

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a method for obtaining the status of users within a group is proposed, comprising: an Application Function (AF) server obtaining user status information of a second UE belonging to the same group as a first User Equipment (UE) from a Group Management Function (GMCF) module through a Network Open Function (NEF) entity; and the AF server sending the user status information of the second UE to the first UE.

[0006] In some embodiments, the AF server obtains user status information of a second UE belonging to the same group as the first UE from the GMCF module through the NEF entity, including: the AF server sending a group status subscription message to the GMCF module through the NEF entity, wherein the group status subscription message carries the group external identifier of the first UE; the GMCF module determines that the first UE has subscribed to the online status function of users in the group based on the correspondence between the group internal identifier and the group external identifier, and when a user in the group to which the first UE belongs establishes or deletes a session, the GMCF module sends a group status notification message to the AF server through the NEF entity.

[0007] In some embodiments, the NEF entity determines the GMCF module corresponding to the group to which the first UE belongs based on the group external identifier of the first UE.

[0008] In some embodiments, the AF server obtains user status information of a second UE belonging to the same group as the first UE from the GMCF module through the NEF entity, including: the AF server sending a group status request message to the GMCF module through the NEF entity, wherein the group status request message carries the identifier of the second UE; the GMCF module finding the status of the second UE based on the identifier of the second UE, and sending the status of the second UE to the AF server through the NEF entity.

[0009] In some embodiments, the group status request message also carries the group external identifier of the first UE, wherein the NEF entity determines the GMCF module corresponding to the group to which the first UE belongs based on the group external identifier of the first UE.

[0010] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a system for obtaining user status within a group is also proposed, comprising: an application function (AF) server configured to obtain user status information of a second UE belonging to the same group as a first user equipment (UE) from a group management function (GMCF) module via a network open function (NEF) entity, and to send the user status information of the second UE to the first UE; and a GMCF module configured to manage the user status information of UEs within the group.

[0011] In some embodiments, the AF server is configured to send a group status subscription message to the GMCF module via a NEF entity, wherein the group status subscription message carries the group external identifier of the first UE; the GMCF module is configured to determine, based on the correspondence between the group internal identifier and the group external identifier, that the first UE has subscribed to the online status function of users in the group, and when a user in the group to which the first UE belongs establishes or deletes a session, it sends a group status notification message to the AF server via the NEF entity.

[0012] In some embodiments, the NEF entity is configured to determine the GMCF module corresponding to the group to which the first UE belongs, based on the group external identifier of the first UE.

[0013] In some embodiments, the AF server is configured to send a group status request message to the GMCF module via a NEF entity, wherein the group status request message carries the identifier of the second UE; and the GMCF module is configured to look up the status of the second UE based on the identifier of the second UE, and send the status of the second UE to the AF server via the NEF entity.

[0014] In some embodiments, the group status request message also carries the group external identifier of the first UE, wherein the NEF entity is configured to determine the GMCF module corresponding to the group to which the first UE belongs based on the group external identifier of the first UE.

[0015] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an electronic device is also proposed, comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute, based on instructions stored in the memory, the method described above for obtaining user status within a group.

[0016] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is also proposed, on which computer program instructions are stored, which, when executed by a processor, implement the method for obtaining the user status within a group as described above.

[0017] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the terminal obtains VN group status information from the GMCF module through the group AF server and the NEF entity of the 5G core network, thereby enhancing the group communication self-management capability of 5G LAN users.

[0018] Other features and advantages of this disclosure will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of this disclosure and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of this disclosure.

[0020] This disclosure will become clearer with reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating some embodiments of the method for obtaining user status within a group disclosed herein;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating some other embodiments of the method for obtaining the status of users within a group disclosed herein;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating some other embodiments of the method for obtaining the status of users within a group disclosed herein;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating some other embodiments of the method for obtaining the status of users within a group disclosed herein;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating some other embodiments of the method for obtaining the status of users within a group disclosed herein;

[0026] Figure 6This is a schematic diagram of the structure of some embodiments of the system for obtaining the status of users within a group according to this disclosure;

[0027] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of some other embodiments of the system for obtaining the status of users within a group according to this disclosure; and

[0028] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of some embodiments of the electronic device disclosed herein. Detailed Implementation

[0029] Various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0030] At the same time, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to actual scale.

[0031] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit this disclosure or its application or use.

[0032] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0033] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0034] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this disclosure clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with specific embodiments and the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating some embodiments of the method for obtaining the status of users within a group as disclosed herein.

[0037] In step 110, the AF (Application function) server obtains the user status information of the second UE, which belongs to the same group as the first UE, from the GMCF (Group Management Control Function) module through the NEF (Network Exposure Function) entity.

[0038] In some embodiments, the GMCF module can be a new functional module in an existing standard network element, or it can be a new network element. The GMCF module is a policy control module for group sessions, capable of obtaining information on the establishment and deletion of user sessions in a VN group, and managing group service parameters such as the maximum bandwidth of the user's VN group and QoS (Quality of Service). The GMCF module can manage all VN groups belonging to it within its jurisdiction.

[0039] In some embodiments, the second UE can be one UE or multiple UEs. The user status information of the second UE includes online status and offline status.

[0040] In some embodiments, the user status information of the second UE is obtained through subscription or request.

[0041] For example, the AF server sends a group status subscription message to the GMCF module through the NEF entity. The group status subscription message carries the group external identifier of the first UE. The GMCF module determines that the first UE has subscribed to the online status function of users in the group based on the correspondence between the group internal identifier and the group external identifier. When a user in the group where the first UE is located establishes or deletes a session, the GMCF module sends a group status notification message to the AF server through the NEF entity.

[0042] For example, the AF server sends a group status request message to the GMCF module through the NEF entity. The group status request message carries the identifier of the second UE. The GMCF module looks up the status of the second UE based on the identifier of the second UE and sends the status of the second UE to the AF server through the NEF entity.

[0043] In step 120, the AF server sends the user status information of the second UE to the first UE.

[0044] The first UE, based on the VN group user status information, knows which users are offline when it initiates a multicast or broadcast session. When it receives a notification message that a user is online, it can choose to resend the data packet to that user via unicast.

[0045] In the above embodiments, the terminal obtains VN group status information from the GMCF module through the group AF server and the NEF entity of the 5G core network, thereby enhancing the group communication self-management capability of 5G LAN users.

[0046] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating some other embodiments of the method for obtaining the status of users within a group as disclosed herein.

[0047] In step 210, the first UE sends a group state subscription message to the AF server, which includes the group external identifier of the first UE.

[0048] In some embodiments, the UE interacts with the AF server through the application layer.

[0049] In some embodiments, the external group identifier is a network identifier defined by external clients. When a user logs in or out of the group, the internal network process carries the internal identifier. Distinguishing between internal and external identifiers improves network security. There is a one-to-one correspondence between the internal and external group identifiers, and this correspondence is stored in the UDM (Unified Data Management) entity or GMCF module when the VN group is activated.

[0050] In step 220, the AF server sends a group state subscription message to the NEF entity.

[0051] In step 230, the NEF entity sends a group state subscription message to the GMCF module.

[0052] In some embodiments, the NEF entity uses the group external identifier of the first UE to determine the GMCF module corresponding to the group to which the first UE belongs.

[0053] In some embodiments, NEF entities can discover the corresponding GMCF module through NRF (NF Repository Function).

[0054] In step 240, when a second UE session is established or deleted within the group, the GMCF module sends a group status notification message to the NEF entity. The group status notification message includes the second UE identifier, the online or offline status of the second UE, and the external identifier of the group.

[0055] In some embodiments, the GMCF module matches the external identifier of the first UE with the correspondence between the internal identifier and the external identifier of the group, and uses the internal identifier of the group to determine the group to which the first UE belongs, and whether the first UE has subscribed to the online status function of users in the group.

[0056] Enterprise users subscribe to the online status feature for users within a VN group using the GMCF module. The GMCF module can then send online status information of other users within the same VN group to that user, enhancing their group communication management capabilities.

[0057] In some embodiments, business users can also subscribe to the user online status feature within a VN group in the UDM entity. The GMCF module interacts with the UDM entity to determine whether the user has subscribed to the user online status feature within the VN group.

[0058] In step 250, the NEF entity sends a group status notification message to the AF server.

[0059] In step 260, the AF server sends the updated status information of the group users to the first UE. This step is performed through application layer interaction.

[0060] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the signaling flowchart for a terminal to obtain the status of users within a group via a subscription method is as follows: Figure 3 As shown.

[0061] In step 310, a group user status update subscription relationship is established between UE A and the AF server.

[0062] In step 320, the AF server sends a 5G LAN group status subscription message to the NEF entity, which carries the group external identifier.

[0063] In step 330, the NEF entity sends a 5G LAN group status subscription message to the GMCF module, which carries the group external identifier.

[0064] In step 340, one of the group users, UE B, initiates a 5G LAN session establishment or deletion request.

[0065] In step 350, the SMF (Session Management Function) entity sends a 5G LAN group update request to the GMCF module, which carries the UE B identifier and the group internal identifier.

[0066] In step 360, the GMCF module matches the internal identifier of the group with the external identifier of the group, and then determines that the group has a subscription relationship.

[0067] In step 370, the GMCF module sends a 5G LAN group status notification message to the NEF entity. This message includes the UEB identifier, UE B online / offline identifier, and group external identifier, etc., to send the online / offline status of UE B to the NEF entity.

[0068] In step 380, the NEF entity sends a 5G LAN group status notification to the AF server, which includes the UE B identifier, the UE B online / offline identifier, and the group external identifier.

[0069] In step 390, UE A completes the status update of group user UE B between UE A and the AF server.

[0070] In the above embodiments, group users can obtain the status of other group users through NEF by subscribing, and then perform session management based on the status information of other terminals, thereby enhancing the group communication self-management capability of 5G LAN users.

[0071] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating some other embodiments of the method for obtaining the status of users within a group as disclosed herein.

[0072] In step 410, the first UE sends a group status request message to the AF server, wherein the group status request message carries the identifier of the second UE and the group external identifier.

[0073] In some embodiments, this step is performed through application layer interaction.

[0074] In step 420, the AF server sends a group status request message to the NEF entity.

[0075] In step 430, the NEF entity sends a group status request message to the GMCF module.

[0076] In some embodiments, the NEF entity uses the group external identifier of the first UE to determine the GMCF module corresponding to the group to which the first UE belongs.

[0077] In some embodiments, NEF entities can discover the corresponding GMCF module via NRF.

[0078] In step 440, the GMCF module sends a group status request response message to the NEF entity, which carries the status information of the second UE.

[0079] In some embodiments, the status information of the second UE includes online status and offline status.

[0080] In some embodiments, the response message may also include an external group identifier.

[0081] In step 450, the NEF entity forwards the group status request response message to the AF server.

[0082] In step 460, the AF server sends the updated status information of the group users to the first UE. This step is performed through application layer interaction.

[0083] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the signaling flowchart for a terminal to obtain the status of users within a group via a request method is as follows: Figure 5 As shown.

[0084] In step 510, UE A requests the AF server to obtain the status of UE B in the group.

[0085] In step 520, the AF server sends a request to the NEF entity to obtain the 5G LAN group status, which carries the group external identifier and the UE B identifier.

[0086] In step 530, the NEF entity sends a request to the GMCF module to obtain the 5G LAN group status, which carries the group external identifier and the UE B identifier.

[0087] In step 540, the GMCF module sends a 5G LAN group status response to the NEF entity, which includes the group external identifier and the online or offline indication of UE B.

[0088] In step 550, the NEF entity sends a 5G LAN group status response to the AF server, which includes the group external identifier and an indication of whether UE B is online or offline.

[0089] In step 560, the AF server sends a status update of UE B within the group to UE A.

[0090] In the above embodiments, group users obtain the status of other group users through NEF by requesting, and then can perform session management based on the status information of other terminals, thereby enhancing the group communication self-management capability of 5G LAN users.

[0091] Using the above solution, when operators provide 5G LAN services to vertical industries such as the Industrial Internet, enterprise offices, and home environments, they can offer enterprises the function of subscribing to the online status of 5G LAN group users. This enhances the management capabilities of operators and enterprise customers over 5G LAN groups and expands the multi-dimensional billing capabilities of 5G LAN.

[0092] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of some embodiments of a system for obtaining the status of users within a group according to this disclosure. The system includes an AF server 610, a NEF entity 620, and a GMCF module 630.

[0093] AF server 610 is configured to obtain user status information of a second UE belonging to the same group as the first UE from GMCF module 630 via NEF entity 620, and then send the user status information of the second UE to the first UE. GMCF module 630 is configured to manage the user status information of UEs within the group.

[0094] In some embodiments, the AF server 610 is configured to send a group status subscription message to the GMCF module 630 via the NEF entity 620, wherein the group status subscription message carries the group external identifier of the first UE; the GMCF module 630 is configured to determine, based on the correspondence between the group internal identifier and the group external identifier, that the first UE has subscribed to the online status function of users in the group, and when a user in the group to which the first UE belongs establishes or deletes a session, it sends a group status notification message to the AF server 610 via the NEF entity 620.

[0095] In some embodiments, NEF entity 620 is configured to determine the GMCF module corresponding to the group to which the first UE belongs, based on the group external identifier of the first UE.

[0096] In some embodiments, the AF server 610 is configured to send a group status request message to the GMCF module 630 via the NEF entity 620, wherein the group status request message carries the identifier of the second UE; and the GMCF module 630 is configured to look up the status of the second UE based on the identifier of the second UE, and send the status of the second UE to the AF server 610 via the NEF entity 620.

[0097] In some embodiments, the group status request message also carries the group external identifier of the first UE, wherein the NEF entity 620 is configured to determine the GMCF module 630 corresponding to the group to which the first UE belongs based on the group external identifier of the first UE.

[0098] In some embodiments, the second UE can be one UE or multiple UEs. The user status information of the second UE includes online status and offline status.

[0099] In the above embodiments, such as Figure 7 As shown, the terminal obtains VN group status information from the GMCF module through the group AF server and the NEF entity of the 5G core network, thereby enhancing the group communication self-management capability of 5G LAN users.

[0100] Figure 8This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of some embodiments of the electronic device disclosed herein. When performing the functions of an AF server, the electronic device is located at the AF server; when performing the functions of a NEF entity, it is located at the NEF entity; and when performing the functions of a GMCF module, it is located at the GMCF module. The electronic device 800 includes a memory 810 and a processor 820. The memory 810 can be a disk, flash memory, or any other non-volatile storage medium. The memory is used to store instructions in the above embodiments. The processor 820 is coupled to the memory 810 and can be implemented as one or more integrated circuits, such as a microprocessor or microcontroller. The processor 820 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory.

[0101] In some embodiments, the processor 820 is coupled to the memory 810 via a BUS bus 830. The electronic device 800 can also be connected to an external storage system 850 via a storage interface 840 to access external data, and can also be connected to a network or another computer system (not shown) via a network interface 860. Further details are omitted here.

[0102] In this embodiment, storing data instructions in a memory and then processing those instructions with a processor enhances the user's ability to manage group communication autonomously.

[0103] In other embodiments, a computer-readable storage medium stores computer program instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the methods described above. Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this disclosure can be provided as methods, apparatus, or computer program products. Therefore, this disclosure can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this disclosure can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable non-transitory storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0104] This disclosure is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create a machine for implementing the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0105] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0106] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0107] This concludes the detailed description of the present disclosure. To avoid obscuring the concept of the disclosure, some details known in the art have not been described. Those skilled in the art will fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein based on the above description.

[0108] While specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail by way of example, those skilled in the art should understand that the examples are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining the status of users within a group, comprising: The Application Function (AF) server obtains user status information of a second UE belonging to the same group as the first User Equipment (UE) from the Group Management Function (GMCF) module through the Network Open Function (NEF) entity. This includes: the AF server sending a group status subscription message to the GMCF module through the NEF entity, wherein the group status subscription message carries the group external identifier of the first UE; the GMCF module determining, based on the correspondence between the group internal identifier and the group external identifier, that the first UE has subscribed to the user online status function within the group, and then sending a group status notification message to the AF server through the NEF entity when a user in the group of the first UE establishes or deletes a session; and The AF server sends the user status information of the second UE to the first UE.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The NEF entity determines the GMCF module corresponding to the group to which the first UE belongs based on the group external identifier of the first UE.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The AF server, through the NEF entity, obtains user status information of the second UE belonging to the same group as the first UE from the GMCF module, which also includes: The AF server sends a group status request message to the GMCF module through the NEF entity, wherein the group status request message carries the identifier of the second UE; The GMCF module finds the status of the second UE based on the identifier of the second UE, and sends the status of the second UE to the AF server through the NEF entity.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The group status request message also carries the group external identifier of the first UE, wherein, The NEF entity determines the GMCF module corresponding to the group to which the first UE belongs based on the group external identifier of the first UE.

5. A system for obtaining the status of users within a group, comprising: An Application Function (AF) server is configured to obtain user status information of a second UE belonging to the same group as the first User Equipment (UE) from a Group Management Function (GMCF) module via a Network Open Function (NEF) entity, and send the user status information of the second UE to the first UE. The AF server is also configured to send a group status subscription message to the GMCF module via the NEF entity, wherein the group status subscription message carries the group external identifier of the first UE. The GMCF module is configured to manage user status information of UEs within a group. The GMCF module is configured to determine whether the first UE has subscribed to the online status function of users within the group based on the correspondence between internal group identifiers and external group identifiers. When a user in the group where the first UE is located establishes or deletes a session, the GMCF module sends a group status notification message to the AF server through the NEF entity.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein, The NEF entity is configured to determine the GMCF module corresponding to the group to which the first UE belongs, based on the group external identifier of the first UE.

7. The system according to claim 5, wherein, The AF server is also configured to send a group state request message to the GMCF module through the NEF entity, wherein the group state request message carries the identifier of the second UE; and The GMCF module is also configured to look up the status of the second UE based on the identifier of the second UE, and send the status of the second UE to the AF server through the NEF entity.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein, The group status request message also carries the group external identifier of the first UE, wherein, The NEF entity is configured to determine the GMCF module corresponding to the group to which the first UE belongs, based on the group external identifier of the first UE.

9. An electronic device, comprising: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory, the processor being configured to execute the method for obtaining the user status within a group as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, based on instructions stored in the memory.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer program instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the method for obtaining the status of users within a group as described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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