Aggregating Charging Information for MTC User Equipment Groups

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication networks face significant burdens due to the large volume of charging processing information from Machine Type Communication (MTC) systems, particularly with numerous user equipment subscriptions, leading to increased communication traffic and processing delays.

Innovation Solution

The method involves aggregating charging information for user equipment within the same group or sub-group, reducing repetitive data transmission by generating aggregated charging records, which are then processed in batches, thereby alleviating system burden and accelerating processing speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If charging information of each user equipment is transmitted and processed individually, then complete charging data can be obtained for each user, but the communication traffic increases and system burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging data completenessVSAvoidcommunication traffic
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges charging information of multiple user equipments into a single aggregated charging data record. The network element receives charging information from multiple UEs, aggregates it by UE identifier, and transmits the aggregated data to the charging system, thereby reducing communication traffic while maintaining complete charging data for each individual user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Quantity of substance

If charging information of multiple user equipments is aggregated into a single record, then communication traffic is reduced and system burden is alleviated, but individual user information detail may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication trafficVSAvoiduser information detail
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the aggregated charging data record into individual charging records for each user equipment. The charging system receives the aggregated data, separates it by UE identifier, and processes each user's charging information independently, thereby preserving complete user information details while benefiting from reduced communication traffic during aggregation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If charging information is processed in real-time for each user equipment, then individual charging accuracy is maintained, but processing speed decreases due to system burden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharging processing accuracyVSAvoidcharging processing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary aggregation of charging information at the network element before transmission to the charging system. By pre-aggregating charging data from multiple user equipments into consolidated records, the system reduces the volume of data requiring detailed processing, thereby improving processing speed while the charging system subsequently segments and processes each user's data accurately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2957096B1Method, apparatus and system for aggregating charging information
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 ALCATEL LUCENT SA
  • EP2957096B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2957096B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2957096B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and system for aggregating charging information. The network element of the present application collects, within a time window, charging information of a plurality of user equipments belonging to a same group, aggregates said charging information to obtain a charging aggregation result, and sends said result to a corresponding device in said system. The charging system of the present application receives a plurality of pieces of aggregated charging information and time windows sent by a network element in said system, wherein each piece of charging information respectively corresponds to one of the time windows, and aggregates the plurality of pieces of aggregated charging information based on the time windows and the group(s) to which the user equipments belong, to generate charging data record(s), wherein the time windows and the user equipments correspond to the plurality of pieces of aggregated charging information.