Online Mediation System for CAMEL Reauthorization
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Solution Overview
Problem
CAMEL systems lack native support for reauthorization functionality, leading to termination of user sessions despite sufficient credit, disrupting both users and service providers.
Innovation Solution
An online mediation system with a charging module is introduced to control ApplyCharging/ApplyChargingReports and RAR/RAA messages, enabling reauthorization functionality over CAMEL networks, allowing users to continue their activities and supporting advanced charging features like On-The-Fly top-ups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If CAMEL systems are used for roaming services, then service coverage and adaptability are improved, but reauthorization functionality is lost leading to session termination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an online mediation system as an intermediary component between the CAMEL network and the OCS. This mediator translates and bridges the functionality gap, allowing CAMEL networks to support reauthorization operations by mediating between the MSC and OCS, thus preserving session continuity while maintaining service coverage.
2Device complexity
If native CAMEL functionality is used, then system complexity is reduced, but advanced charging features like On-The-Fly top-up cannot be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging system into distinct functional components: the existing CAMEL infrastructure handles basic service operations, while a separate online mediation system handles advanced charging features. This segmentation allows the core CAMEL system to remain simple while adding sophisticated charging capabilities through the mediation layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The online mediation system acts as an intermediary that enables advanced charging features without modifying the core CAMEL system. It translates between CAMEL's ApplyCharging/ApplyChargingReports and the OCS's RAR/RAA protocols, allowing On-The-Fly top-up and other advanced features while keeping the original system architecture intact.
3Reliability
If reauthorization is implemented in CAMEL, then credit control reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional messaging protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The online mediation system serves as a protocol translation intermediary, converting between CAMEL's ApplyCharging/ApplyChargingReports messaging format and the OCS's RAR/RAA reauthorization format. This abstraction layer handles protocol complexity internally, providing reliable credit control without requiring the CAMEL network elements to directly implement complex reauthorization protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method which overcome the limitations of CAMEL systems which do not natively support reauthorization functionality. The system and method provide a mediation mechanism by which an online charging systems that supports reauthorization functionality can run using the mediation mechanism over CAMEL system. The mediation mechanism provides a means for added user credits to be utilized and allows the user to continue with the activity in which the user was engaged. This is advantageous both to the user and the service provider.