Concurrent Rating Charging System for Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current charging systems block or delay concurrent usage requests during a re-rating process, leading to service interruptions and potential credit exposure, as they do not allow for simultaneous processing of usage requests while re-rating customer service accounts.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a charging system that enables concurrent usage requests during re-rating by processing them separately and storing information in a cache, allowing continuous service usage without interrupting the re-rating process, and replaying events once the re-rating is complete to ensure accurate billing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the system blocks concurrent usage requests during re-rating, then billing accuracy is improved, but service continuity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the processing of usage requests by creating two distinct pathways: standard processing for normal requests and concurrent processing for requests during re-rating. This segmentation allows the system to maintain billing accuracy for re-rating while enabling service continuity through separate concurrent processing channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (concurrent processing flag and event cache) that mediates between the re-rating process and concurrent usage requests. This intermediary allows the system to handle both processes simultaneously while ensuring that billing accuracy is maintained through proper event tracking and replay.
2Productivity
If the system allows concurrent usage requests during re-rating, then service continuity is improved, but billing accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by setting concurrent processing flags and caching events before the re-rating process completes. This preliminary preparation ensures that when re-rating finishes, all concurrent events are already captured and can be replayed in the correct sequence, maintaining billing accuracy while allowing service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through event caching and replay. Concurrent usage events are captured during re-rating, then replayed after re-rating completes to ensure accurate billing. This feedback loop maintains billing precision while allowing uninterrupted service.
3Measurement precision
If the system processes usage requests sequentially, then billing accuracy is improved, but processing speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its processing mode based on the re-rating state. During normal operation, it processes requests sequentially for accuracy. During re-rating, it dynamically switches to concurrent processing mode with appropriate flagging and caching, maintaining accuracy while improving processing speed by handling multiple requests simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for enabling concurrent rating during a re-rating operation. A first notification is received. The first notification indicates that a re-rating process, which comprises a modification to a customer state for a customer service account, has been initiated for the customer service account. A concurrent usage request is received while the re-rating process is ongoing. The concurrent usage request comprises a request to perform a transaction affecting the customer service account. The concurrent usage request is then processed.