Charging Function Service Prioritization Low Credit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current technologies do not allow prepaid subscribers to prioritize one ongoing communication service over others when the credit balance reaches a low threshold, leading to disruptions in essential services during low balance conditions.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a charging function detects a low credit threshold and sends a notification to the User Equipment (UE), allowing the UE to prioritize one ongoing communication service. The charging function then terminates all services except the prioritized one, allocating remaining credit to ensure the prioritized service continues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication services are allowed to consume credit concurrently, then service versatility and user convenience are improved, but the duration of service continuity deteriorates when credit balance reaches low threshold

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice versatilityVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts service availability based on real-time credit balance conditions. When low balance is detected, the charging function dynamically terminates non-prioritized services while maintaining the prioritized service, allowing the system to adapt its behavior according to changing credit conditions rather than having static service policies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different quality levels of service are provided to different services based on their priority status. The prioritized service receives full credit allocation and continues uninterrupted, while non-prioritized services are terminated when low balance occurs, creating local differentiation in service quality within the same system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If automatic service termination is implemented when low balance is reached, then credit resource allocation efficiency is improved, but user experience and service reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredit allocation efficiencyVSAvoidservice reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by allowing service prioritization configuration before credit exhaustion occurs. Users can pre-configure which services should be maintained during low balance conditions, and the charging function is pre-configured to detect low balance states and execute the prioritization logic, avoiding reactive and potentially disruptive termination decisions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the charging function continuously monitors credit balance and provides feedback to both the network and user equipment. When low balance is detected, the system notifies the UE and adjusts service allocation based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that improves both efficiency and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If manual service selection is required when low balance is reached, then service prioritization control is improved, but operation complexity and time loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice prioritization controlVSAvoiddecision time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically detecting low balance conditions and executing service prioritization based on pre-configured user preferences. The charging function autonomously identifies which services to terminate and which to maintain without requiring real-time manual intervention, allowing users to manage their services automatically rather than manually

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Users perform preliminary action by configuring their service prioritization preferences in advance before credit exhaustion. This pre-configuration eliminates the need for real-time decision-making during critical low balance situations, reducing decision time and operational complexity when credit becomes constrained

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3895409B1Method and function for handling a subscriber's communication services

Publication Date: 2025.05.07 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

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AI summary

The embodiments herein relate to a method performed by a charging function (125) for handling a subscriber's communication services. The charging function (125) detects that a subscriber's credit account has reached or fallen below a credit threshold when the subscriber has multiple ongoing communication services consuming credit from the credit account. The charging function (125) sends a threshold notification to a UE (101) on which the subscriber has at least one of the multiple ongoing communication services. The charging function (125) determines if a response to the threshold notification has been received with prioritization of one of the multiple ongoing communication services. If a response with prioritization of one communication service has been received, the charging function (125) initiates termination of all ongoing communication services except the prioritized communication service, and provides all available credit to be available for the prioritized communication service.