Real-Time Charging System Usage Buckets for Flexible Rating Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telecommunication service providers face challenges in quickly introducing and modifying rating plans and promotions due to restrictive rule languages in existing rating systems, which hinder real-time efficiency and flexibility, especially as they transition from circuit-switched to packet-based networks, and struggle with managing multiple accounts and counters in prepaid and postpaid environments.
Innovation Solution
A real-time charging system that utilizes Usage Buckets and Balance Buckets, allowing for multiple definitions at different hierarchical levels, coupled with a rule-based system for real-time rating and charging, and incorporates signaling for calendar restrictions and selective bypass functionality, enabling flexible management of accounts and usage tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If rule-based rating systems are used to enable flexible service offerings, then adaptability is improved, but real-time processing efficiency deteriorates due to restrictive rule languages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the rating system by introducing functional rating capabilities that allow mathematical functions, expressions, and table references to be used within rules. This enables complex pricing policies to be expressed without requiring modifications to executable code, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining real-time processing efficiency through optimized rule evaluation mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple accounts and counters are added to support complex charging applications, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal account and counter framework that can handle multiple subscriber accounts, group accounts, and various counter types (usage counters, balance counters, promotional counters) through a single integrated architecture. This multi-functional design allows the system to support complex charging scenarios without proportionally increasing infrastructure complexity, as the same core mechanisms serve multiple purposes.
3Productivity
If new services are introduced at flat rate to meet market demand, then productivity is improved, but revenue potential is lost due to inability to charge dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary configuration of dynamic rating rules and pricing strategies before services are deployed. Operators can pre-define functional rating expressions, promotional offers, and pricing models that will be automatically applied when services are activated, allowing the system to transition from flat-rate to dynamic charging without delaying service introduction speed.
4Reliability
If fixed hard-coded accounts and counters are used, then reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as software modifications are required for new services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the charging system from a static, hard-coded architecture to a dynamic, configurable system. Accounts and counters are no longer fixed but can be dynamically created, modified, and deleted through functional rating rules. This dynamic approach maintains the reliability of the core charging mechanisms while enabling flexible adaptation to new services without requiring software modifications.
Data Source
AI summary
By coupling a rating engine with call processing, rating rules are generated that enable a flexible interface between call process and call rating without necessitating that fixed data be passed between them. The real time charging system (RCS) provides a process that creates a generic entity, called a bucket, and uses it to keep track of account information and/or to count types of usage. The bucket allows an operator to define accounts and usage counters and how they are used as part of the rating rules. Use of these buckets is defined in rating rules, thus turning control over subscriber account and usage counters to the network operator. Further, the RCS provides a calendar option for limiting times during which calls to general telephone numbers can be made or received.