Billing System for D2D Communication Using LTE
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio access network technologies cannot bill for device-to-device (D2D) communication as they lack information on the start and end of communication, type, data usage, and duration, as they assume involvement of a radio base station.
Innovation Solution
A billing system and method that includes a radio base station, a billing apparatus, and communication control apparatus to manage and generate billing information for D2D communication by transmitting broadcast information for direct communication permissions and necessary configuration, allowing terminals to report billing-related information such as start and end times, data usage, and signal intensity to the billing apparatus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If D2D communication is performed using radio access network, then long-distance and large-capacity communication is achieved, but the radio access network cannot bill for the communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication control apparatus as an intermediary between the radio base station and terminals. This apparatus collects billing-related information (start/end times, data usage, signal intensity) from terminals performing D2D communication and transmits it to the billing apparatus, enabling billing capability without interfering with the long-distance communication function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the billing information collection function from the radio access network core. Instead of requiring the radio base station to track all D2D communication details, the system divides the function: terminals report their own billing data, the communication control apparatus aggregates and validates this data, and only transfers essential billing information to the billing apparatus
2Ease of manufacture
If D2D communication is performed without radio base station involvement, then billing management becomes difficult, but network infrastructure costs are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service billing management where terminals independently report their own communication parameters (start time, end time, data usage, signal intensity) to the communication control apparatus. This eliminates the need for complex network-side tracking of D2D communications while maintaining accurate billing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The communication control apparatus serves as a lightweight intermediary that simplifies billing management. It receives billing-related information from terminals, validates the data, and forwards it to the billing apparatus, thereby reducing the complexity burden on the radio base station and network infrastructure
3Use of energy by moving object
If radio transmission power is reduced for short-range communication, then energy consumption is lowered, but communication distance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of radio transmission power dynamically based on communication distance and requirements. Terminals can adjust their transmission power levels to achieve appropriate communication range, with the billing system accurately recording the actual power usage and data transmitted to enable flexible billing models
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided are a billing system, a billing apparatus, and a billing method capable of billing for device-to-device direct communication (D2D communication) performed using a radio access network such as LTE. A terminal 400A sends a billing apparatus 200 billing-related information to be used to bill for direct communication. The billing apparatus 200 acquires the billing-related information from the radio communication terminal and generates billing information on the direct communication based on the billing-related information acquired.