Charging Client Timer Control for Telecommunication Quota Reservations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunication networks face inefficiencies in quota reservation operations due to standard approaches that do not accommodate diverging operating conditions between charging clients and servers, leading to suboptimal signaling overhead and processing burdens.
Innovation Solution
The charging client determines and requests tailored timer values for quota reservations based on its own operating conditions, such as signaling activity and memory utilization, allowing it to adjust the duration of reservations and improve resource allocation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the server controls the resource reservation parameters using standard approaches, then the charging server maintains centralized control and consistency, but the charging client cannot adapt reservations to its specific operating conditions, leading to suboptimal signaling overhead and processing burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional control model by allowing the charging client to determine and request timer values for quota reservations based on its own operating conditions, rather than having the server unilaterally control all reservation parameters. This inversion enables the client to adapt reservations to its specific conditions (improving adaptability) while the server maintains oversight by granting or modifying requests (maintaining controlled decentralization).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic timer values that are determined by the charging client based on its current operating conditions such as signaling activity and memory utilization. Instead of static, server-determined timer values, the system now uses dynamic values that adapt to changing client conditions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and control complexity.
2Loss of energy
If larger or longer lived quota reservations are made, then signaling overhead is reduced because new reservations are needed less frequently, but the subscriber account is tied up with reservations, potentially causing account deficiencies for other services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic timer values that adjust based on client operating conditions. When signaling overhead is high or memory is constrained, the client can request shorter timer values, reducing the duration of quota reservations. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to balance between reducing signaling overhead (by having longer reservations when conditions permit) and maintaining account availability (by using shorter reservations when conditions demand), thus resolving the contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of timer value duration based on operating conditions. By dynamically adjusting the timer value parameter, the system can optimize the balance between signaling overhead reduction (benefiting from longer reservations) and account liquidity (benefiting from shorter reservations), allowing adaptive response to changing network and client conditions.
3Device complexity
If shorter timer values are used for quota reservations, then the number of active reservations at charging nodes is reduced, but new reservations need to be made more frequently, increasing signaling overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic timer values determined by the charging client based on its operating conditions. When the client experiences high signaling activity or memory constraints, it can request shorter timer values to reduce the number of active reservations it must track (reducing device complexity). Conversely, when conditions permit, it can request longer timer values to reduce the frequency of reservation requests (reducing signaling overhead). This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between these two competing concerns.
4Productivity
If the charging client determines timer values based on its operating conditions, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but the charging server must process and evaluate client requests, adding to its processing burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reservation control function into two parts: the charging client determines appropriate timer values based on its operating conditions (local decision-making improving efficiency), while the charging server evaluates and grants these requests (centralized control). This segmentation allows the client to perform the computationally intensive analysis of its own conditions without burdening the server, while the server maintains final authority, thus resolving the contradiction between efficiency improvement and server processing burden.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one aspect of this disclosure, a charging client in a telecommunication network controls, or at least influences, the time over which a granted resource quota is considered valid for use in initiating or continuing a communication session that is subject to online charging control. When sending a given reservation request to a controlling charging server, the charging client indicates the requested timer value. Provided the requested timer value is acceptable to the charging server, the server sends a reservation response that includes a conforming granted timer value, and the charging client times expiration of the granted resource quota according to the granted timer value. In case the reservation response is non-conforming, the charging client decides whether or not to use the granted resource quota. Such operations allow the charging client to tune quota timer values, for example, in dependence on loading at the charging client.