Credit Control Server Session State Preservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Credit control systems face challenges in maintaining session-related parameters during account replenishment in Multiple Services Credit Control (MSCC) sessions, leading to session termination and loss of state information when end users' accounts are depleted.

Innovation Solution

A new state machine is introduced with 'Pre-Redirect' and 'Redirect' states to preserve MSCC session parameters, allowing for account replenishment without closing the MSCC session, thus maintaining state information and session continuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the credit control system terminates the MSCC session when account units are depleted to enable account replenishment, then the account can be refilled, but the session-related parameters and state information are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccount replenishment capabilityVSAvoidsession state information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The MSCC session is segmented into distinct states: active state for normal operation, redirect state for account replenishment, and resumed state for continuation. This segmentation allows the system to preserve session parameters while enabling account replenishment by transitioning to a specialized redirect state that maintains parameter storage rather than terminating the entire session.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by preserving and storing session-related parameters before redirecting to account replenishment. The credit control server proactively saves session state information and maintains it in memory during the redirect, ensuring that when the user returns after replenishment, the session can be seamlessly resumed without information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the MSCC session is terminated for account replenishment, then account refilling is enabled, but service continuity is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccount replenishmentVSAvoidsession continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining the MSCC session in a redirect state rather than terminating it. Session parameters including used service units, granted service units, and other state information are preserved in memory throughout the account replenishment process, enabling seamless resumption of service without interruption to the overall session duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The session state machine is made dynamic by introducing state transitions between active, redirect, and resumed states. This dynamic state management allows the session to adapt its behavior based on account status - transitioning to redirect state for replenishment while maintaining parameter integrity, then transitioning back to active state for continued service, thus preserving service continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional credit control methods are used for MSCC sessions, then implementation is simple, but session parameters cannot be preserved during account replenishment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidparameter preservation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter state by introducing new session states (redirect state and resumed state) to the traditional credit control state machine. This parameter change in the state machine structure enables the preservation of session parameters during account replenishment while building upon existing credit control implementation frameworks, thus maintaining relative simplicity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2436145B1Maintaining charging state during final unit redirect in credit-control systems

Publication Date: 2018.05.23 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

A method is implemented in a credit control server (CCS). The method includes receiving, at the CCS from a credit control client (CCC), a message associated with a multiple services credit control (MSCC) session, where the message includes a request for service units associated with a service account. The method further includes determining, at the CCS, that insufficient service units are available in the service account and notifying the CCC that service units need to be added to the service account. The method also includes maintaining, at the CCS, MSCC session related parameters while the CCC adds service units to the service account.