Charging Function for Analytics Service Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing and charging for analytics services, particularly in coordinating between Management Data Analytics Service (MDAS) and Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), which are interdependent and require accurate tracking of computational resources and data usage for billing purposes.

Innovation Solution

The system implements a method where an apparatus receives a request for analytics, sends a coordination request to another apparatus, and manages charging data records by reporting computational resources and data usage, allowing for the creation or update of charging records based on the analytics provided, using a 'master-slave' paradigm to handle interdependent processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If analytics services are coordinated between multiple apparatuses (MDAS and NWDAF), then the accuracy and completeness of analytics data is improved, but the complexity of coordination and resource tracking increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of analytics dataVSAvoidcomplexity of coordination between apparatuses
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the analytics service into two distinct functional components: MDAS (Management Data Analytics Service) that handles service management and NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function) that performs actual analytics computations. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, improving overall accuracy while managing complexity through clear functional boundaries and defined interfaces between the segmented components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a charging function as an intermediary that mediates between the analytics apparatuses and the billing system. This intermediary receives analytics data from both MDAS and NWDAF, coordinates the information flow, and manages the charging data records. The intermediary simplifies the coordination complexity by providing a centralized point of control that handles the integration of data from multiple sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If charging data records are created and updated for each analytics service, then accurate billing is achieved, but the overhead of tracking and managing records increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of billingVSAvoidtime overhead for tracking and managing records
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by creating charging data records in advance before analytics services are fully executed. The charging function pre-allocates record structures and prepares billing frameworks, so that when analytics data is generated by MDAS or NWDAF, the tracking infrastructure is already in place. This eliminates the need for real-time record creation during analytics processing, reducing time overhead while maintaining billing accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes feedback mechanisms where the charging function continuously monitors and updates charging data records based on analytics service execution. The system provides feedback loops that track resource consumption and data usage, automatically updating billing records. This feedback-driven approach ensures accurate billing by continuously synchronizing recorded data with actual service delivery, while automating the process to minimize manual tracking overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4319082A1Method, apparatus and computer program
Publication Date: 2024.02.07 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP4319082A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4319082A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4319082A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method comprising: receiving, at a first apparatus and from a second apparatus, a first request for analytics; based on the first request, sending from the first apparatus to a third apparatus a second request, the second request for coordination between the first apparatus and the third apparatus to provide the analytics, the second request comprising information of the analytics; receiving, at the first apparatus from the third apparatus, a response comprising information reporting at least one of an amount of computational resources used to perform the analytics at the third apparatus and data provided by the analytics at the third apparatus.