5G LAN Group Charging Using Internal and External Identifiers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LAN charging systems struggle to efficiently manage and bill for 5G LAN groups, particularly in scenarios where user equipment is distributed across wide areas, as they lack the ability to associate network-side charging information with the correct customer account.
Innovation Solution
A charging method and apparatus that utilizes a charging enablement function entity to obtain and process LAN group information, including identifiers and membership details, to accurately charge for 5G LAN services by associating network-side charging information with customer accounts through internal and external group identifiers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a 5G LAN group charging system is implemented without group identifier association, then charging functionality is provided, but charging accuracy deteriorates and cannot be associated with correct customer accounts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces group identifiers (internal group identifier and external group identifier) as intermediary elements that bridge the charging system and customer accounts. These identifiers act as mediators to associate network-side charging information with the correct customer accounts, enabling accurate charging without requiring direct complex connections between all system components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the group identification mechanism into two distinct identifiers: internal group identifier for network-side operations and external group identifier for customer-account operations. This segmentation allows each identifier to serve its specific function independently, improving charging accuracy while maintaining system modularity and manageable complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If 5G LAN services are provided across wide areas with distributed user equipment, then service coverage is improved, but the ability to associate charging information with customer accounts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The group identifiers serve as persistent intermediary elements that maintain the association between distributed user equipment and customer accounts across wide geographic areas. Even when user equipment is distributed across different locations, the group identifier remains a stable reference that enables accurate charging information association regardless of physical location.
3Device complexity
If traditional charging systems are used for 5G LAN groups, then system simplicity is maintained, but administrative complexity increases due to inability to accurately manage group billing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing the group identifier association mechanism before charging operations begin. The internal and external group identifiers are set up in advance to link network-side information with customer accounts, so that when charging is performed, the association is already in place, simplifying administrative management rather than complicating it.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary
This application discloses a LAN group charging method and an apparatus. The method includes: A charging processing function entity obtains first group information of a LAN group, and performs charging for the LAN group based on the first group information, where the first group information includes an identifier of a customer to which the LAN group belongs, an external group identifier of the LAN group, an internal group identifier of the LAN group, and/or a quantity of members in the LAN group. The charging processing function entity obtains the first group information from a charging enablement function entity; or the charging processing function entity obtains second group information of the LAN group from a management function entity, and obtains the first group information based on the second group information. The method implements charging at a granularity of the LAN group, and meets a charging requirement of a LAN service.