AoC Information Transfer in SIP and DCCA Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems lack an efficient method to transfer Advice of Charge (AoC) related information from the Online Charging System (OCS) to the AoC Function and other network entities in SIP and DCCA environments, leading to additional signaling and load on the OCS.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating additional AoC related attribute value pairs (AVPs) in SIP messages and DCCA credit control requests and answers to directly convey AoC information, reducing the need for redundant rating requests and optimizing signaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the AoC Function requests AoC information directly from the OCS, then the AoC information can be obtained, but additional signaling and load are generated on the OCS

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAoC information deliveryVSAvoidsignaling load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the S-CSCF include AoC indication information in the initial INVITE message sent to the IMS-GW before the actual service execution. This allows the OCS to prepare and include AoC information in the DCCA INITIAL_REQUEST message, avoiding the need for separate rating requests and reducing signaling load on the OCS.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If the S-CSCF forwards AoC information to the AoC Function, then the information can be delivered, but additional signaling steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAoC information transferVSAvoidsignaling steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple information transfer steps into a single efficient path. The S-CSCF includes AoC indication in the INVITE message to the IMS-GW, which then forwards it to the OCS. The OCS includes AoC information in the DCCA answer message back to the IMS-GW, which forwards it to the S-CSCF and subsequently to the AoC Function. This consolidated approach reduces the number of separate signaling steps compared to traditional methods where the AoC Function would need to make separate rating requests.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2274871B1System, method, and network elements for providing service information such as advice of charge information in a communication network

Publication Date: 2019.09.25 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY

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AI summary

The invention provides a method, comprising detecting, at a network element, a type of a supplementary service requested by a user equipment, sending, by the network element, a message containing the detected type of the requested supplementary service to a charging system, receiving, at the network element, a message including information related to the detected type of the requested supplementary service from the charging system. The present invention further provides a respective system and network elements.