Cost Information AVP for Multiple Balance Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanisms, such as RFC 4006 and 3GPP 32.299, do not provide a way for subscribers to inquire about the cost of services when costs are taken from non-monetary or multiple balances, limiting transparency in cost information for users.
Innovation Solution
Introducing the 'Unit-Cost-Information' AVP and an evolved 'Cost-Information' AVP that allow the Diameter Credit Control Server to list precise cost information from both monetary and non-monetary balances, enabling transparent cost information transfer to users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the existing RFC 4006 and 3GPP 32.299 mechanisms are used to return cost information, then monetary cost information can be provided to subscribers, but cost information from non-monetary or multiple balances cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The cost information is segmented into multiple components corresponding to different balances (monetary balance, non-monetary balance, multiple monetary balances). Each balance type is handled separately with its own cost calculation and reporting mechanism, allowing the system to provide detailed cost breakdowns for each balance type while maintaining overall cost transparency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cost information mechanism is designed to be universal, supporting multiple balance types (monetary and non-monetary) and multiple balances simultaneously. The system can adapt to different charging scenarios by selecting appropriate balance types, making the cost information mechanism versatile across various service contexts.
2Ease of manufacture
If cost information is provided only for monetary balances, then the implementation is simple, but users cannot see accurate cost information when costs are taken from non-monetary or multiple balances
Solution Approach 1:
The cost calculation and reporting process is segmented into distinct stages: retrieving cost information for each balance type separately, calculating costs for monetary and non-monetary balances independently, and presenting the information in a structured format. This segmentation maintains implementation simplicity while enabling accurate cost reporting for multiple balance types.
3Device complexity
If the Cost-Information AVP is used as defined in RFC 4006 and 3GPP 32.299, then a single monetary cost estimate can be returned, but multiple cost sources cannot be represented
Solution Approach 1:
The cost information structure uses a nested format where the Cost-Information AVP contains multiple cost components, each representing a different balance type. Within the main cost information structure, there are nested cost estimates for monetary balance, non-monetary balance, and other balances, allowing multiple cost sources to be represented in a hierarchical, organized manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The cost information mechanism adds a new dimension to the traditional single-cost model by introducing multiple balance dimensions. Instead of a single monetary cost value, the system now provides cost information across multiple dimensions (different balance types), enabling comprehensive cost representation while maintaining the原有 AVP structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed in a first network node, includes the first network node receiving, from a second network node, a request specifying a user account and a media content. The method further includes the first network node retrieving, from a database, a database object associated with the user account, the database object including a first parameter associated with a non-monetary balance. The method further includes the first network node retrieving, from the database, at least one predefined rule associated with the media content. The method further includes the first network node determining an advice of charge using the database object and the at least one predefined rule, the advice of charge specifying a deduction from the non-monetary balance for downloading the media content. The method also includes the first network node transmitting the advice of charge to the second network node.