Charging Gateway Node Signaling Traffic Exclusion Wireless Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional user charging methods in mobile communication systems overcharge users by including additional signaling traffic, leading to inconsistencies in charging information between Serving GPRS Support Nodes (SGSN) and Gateway GPRS Support Nodes (GGSN), resulting in incorrect billing.
Innovation Solution
A system and method where the GGSN acquires the home server address for a user equipment (UE), clears and re-collects charging information excluding signaling traffic, and synchronizes the charging reference time with the SGSN using update PDP context messages, setting the charging start time at the service initiation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the GGSN includes signaling traffic in charging for the service, then the charging information is complete, but the mobile user is overcharged for signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes signaling traffic from the charging calculation by introducing a charging start time parameter. The GGSN identifies the actual service start time (when PDP address is allocated) and excludes all traffic before this time from charging, thereby separating signaling traffic from user data traffic in the billing calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-establishing the charging start time parameter and pre-clearing charging information before the actual service begins. The GGSN sets the charging start time to the moment PDP address allocation occurs, and clears charging data before this point, ensuring only post-service traffic is charged.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the SGSN and GGSN use different charging start times, then each node can charge independently, but charging information becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by having the GGSN send update PDP context messages to the SGSN to synchronize charging start times. The GGSN notifies the SGSN of the actual service start time (PDP address allocation moment), and the SGSN updates its charging record accordingly, ensuring both nodes use the same charging reference point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the charging synchronization function into the existing PDP context update mechanism. The GGSN incorporates the charging start time information in the update PDP context messages sent to the SGSN, combining charging synchronization with the existing data path establishment protocol.
3Ease of manufacture
If additional signaling traffic is included in charging information, then the charging process is simple, but the billing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging information into two distinct parts: signaling traffic (before charging start time) and user data traffic (after charging start time). The GGSN separates these time periods and only includes the user data portion in the charging information sent to the Charging Gateway, improving billing accuracy without significantly complicating the charging process.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method of charging for user traffic without including signaling costs in a wireless communication system is provided. In a system and method of charging a user equipment (UE) in a gateway node in a mobile communication system having a serving support node within a radio network connected to the UE and the gateway node for connecting the radio network to a home server in an external network, the gateway node acquires from the external network the address of a home server that provides a service requested by the UE, stores the home server address, clears charging information collected with respect to signaling generated prior to the allocation of the home server address, and re-collects charging information about the service that the UE receives.