Charging Control Node Carry-Over Quota Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication networks, subscribers face excessive charging and premature denial of service due to unintentional interruptions in service charging sessions, leading to incorrect accounting and resource allocation, especially when Quota-Holding-Time timers incorrectly terminate sessions during inactivity or connection losses.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for controlling service charging sessions by managing carry-over service units quotas, where a charging control node receives requests for reservation and usage, deducts carry-over units from granted quotas, and adjusts outstanding units to prevent premature session terminations and overcharging, using mechanisms like Quota-Holding-Time while ensuring accurate charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If Quota-Holding-Time timer is used to terminate service charging sessions during inactivity, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but service charging accuracy deteriorates causing premature session termination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the charging session termination condition adaptive rather than fixed. Instead of using a simple time-based Quota-Holding-Time timer that terminates sessions after a fixed idle period, the system dynamically determines termination based on whether actual service usage has stopped. The charging session continues as long as service usage occurs, regardless of time elapsed, and only terminates when usage genuinely stops, making the termination criterion flexible and usage-driven rather than time-driven.
2Quantity of substance
If service charging sessions are terminated based on Quota-Holding-Time, then unused quota is returned to subscriber account, but overcharging occurs due to rounding up to charging intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by continuously monitoring actual service usage and using this information to adjust charging calculations. The system tracks the relationship between granted quota, used quota, and charged amount, and uses this feedback to correct charging errors. When a session terminates, the system calculates the actual usage based on monitored data and adjusts the final charge to reflect true consumption rather than relying on rounded interval-based charging, thereby preventing overcharging.
3Measurement precision
If multiple service charging sessions are created during a single charging session, then service usage tracking is improved, but charging complexity increases leading to multiple rounding operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by consolidating multiple service charging sessions into a single unified charging session. Instead of creating separate charging sessions for different services or usage types within a single charging period, the system maintains one continuous charging session that encompasses all service usage. This eliminates the need for multiple rounding operations and simplifies the charging management structure while still accurately tracking usage across different services through a unified quota management mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If charging sessions are terminated on inactivity, then subscriber balance availability is improved, but service continuity is disrupted during connection losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a usage-based termination mechanism that acts as a mediator between the Quota-Holding-Time timer and service charging session termination. Instead of directly terminating sessions based on time elapsed (which disrupts service during connection losses), the system uses service usage status as an intermediary criterion. The session continues as long as usage occurs, and only terminates when usage genuinely stops, thereby maintaining service continuity during temporary connection issues while still freeing up quota when service is truly inactive.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for controlling a present service charging session for charging service usage in a communication network. The method comprises receiving a first request for grant of a reservation service unit quota from a charging client, the first request including at least data identifying an account to charge for the service usage. A first granted service unit quota for the first request is determined and a first carry-over service units quota from a previous service charging session associated with the identified account is accessed. A first reservation service unit quota is determined by deducting the first carry-over service units quota from the first granted service unit quota. According to the method it is reserved for the first reservation service unit quota from the account and the first granted service unit quota is sent to the charging client. Further, a clearing request is received from the charging client including data enabling a first used amount of service units to be determined. An outstanding service unit quota is determined by deducting the first carry-over service unit quota from the first used amount of service unit and the outstanding service unit quota from the account is deducting for. An advantage is that for example mechanisms for reducing resource usage in the communication network, such as for example Quota-Holding-Time defined in 3GPP 32.299, may be used and still get a correct charging of used services thereby avoiding premature denial of service when the account is extinct.