Charging System Node Hierarchy for Data Service Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging systems in communication networks face challenges in efficiently managing and performing real-time charging for large volumes of data services and content, with high coupling degrees between charging and data service platforms, leading to complexity and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that separates the charging function from the data service platform by implementing a cooperative charging mechanism between the charging system and the data service platform, using a data service ID to query charges and leveraging a data service home node ID to find charges when necessary, thereby reducing coupling and ensuring accurate and fast charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the charging system maintains a complete content management directory tree with hundreds of thousands or millions of content items, then charging coverage is improved, but system complexity and query time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complete content management directory tree into multiple subtree structures, each managed by a separate charging system node. This allows the charging function to handle large volumes of content without a single system becoming overly complex, as each node only needs to manage its specific subtree portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a hierarchical dimension to the charging system architecture, organizing charging nodes in a tree structure that mirrors the content management directory. This dimensional organization allows efficient querying by navigating through hierarchical levels rather than searching through all content items linearly.
2Measurement precision
If the MDSP system performs real-time charging queries on user services, then charging accuracy is improved, but processing time and system load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-organizes content into a hierarchical tree structure with predefined charging rules at each node level before real-time queries occur. This preliminary structuring allows the charging system to quickly navigate and determine applicable charges without performing complex analysis during real-time user service processing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the hierarchical tree structure have specialized charging rules and characteristics tailored to their specific content types. This local quality optimization allows each node to be processed independently with its own charging logic, improving overall query efficiency while maintaining accurate charging for diverse content types.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the charging function is integrated within the data service platform, then system coupling is improved, but system flexibility and maintainability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the charging function from the data service platform into independent charging system nodes, each responsible for specific subtree portions. This segmentation allows the charging system to be independently developed, deployed, and maintained without affecting the data service platform, while still maintaining stable integration through defined interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary hierarchical tree structure that mediates between the data service platform and charging system. This intermediary layer allows loose coupling where changes in one system can be accommodated without directly impacting the other, while still enabling coordinated operation through the shared hierarchical structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, a device and a system for charging are disclosed in the present invention. The method includes: receiving a credit control request (CCR) carrying a data service identifier (ID) sent by a data service platform ); querying, by the charging system, a charge of a product according to the data service ID ; querying, by the charging system, the charge of the product according to a data service home node ID corresponding to the data service ID when the charge of the product is not found according to the data service ID, and performing charging according to the found charge of the product.