Dynamic Charging Trigger Selection for Online Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing online charging mechanisms in communication networks face challenges in accurately monitoring and managing resource consumption across heterogeneous networks, leading to inaccurate billing and session termination issues due to lack of real-time information exchange and inadequate monitoring granularity, especially during user mobility, handover, and roaming scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for online charging that dynamically selects charging trigger functions based on user, session, and network conditions, enabling real-time monitoring and accurate determination of resource consumption by monitoring user characteristics, session characteristics, and network conditions, and dynamically selecting new charging trigger functions to perform online charging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If online charging is implemented in heterogeneous networks with session splitting, then real-time charging functionality and user experience are improved, but charging accuracy deteriorates due to lack of interface and interaction between OCS and session-splitting NEs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a PGW as an intermediary component that mediates between the OCS and the eNodeB. The PGW receives charging requests from the OCS, determines the appropriate charging trigger function based on session split information, and coordinates with the eNodeB to enable accurate real-time charging. This intermediary resolves the interface and interaction problems between OCS and session-splitting NEs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the charging functionality into distinct components: the OCS for quota management, the PGW for coordination and determination of charging trigger functions, and the eNodeB for actual charging execution. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, improving overall charging accuracy while managing network complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If session split is performed at eNodeB, then access network flexibility is improved, but charging monitoring capability deteriorates because eNodeB does not perform charging related functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the eNodeB multi-functional by enabling it to perform both session splitting and charging trigger functions. The eNodeB is configured to determine whether to perform the charging trigger function based on information from the PGW, and if selected, it monitors resource consumption and interacts with the OCS for real-time charging. This eliminates the limitation of eNodeB not performing charging functions while maintaining session split flexibility.
3Ease of operation
If PGW performs session split, then core network control is improved, but charging information availability deteriorates due to lack of awareness of session split at Core NEs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the PGW sends session split information to the eNodeB. The eNodeB uses this feedback to determine whether to perform the charging trigger function and to monitor resource consumption accurately. This feedback loop ensures that Core NEs are aware of session splits and can maintain accurate charging information.
4Measurement precision
If dynamic selection of charging trigger functions is implemented, then charging accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to monitoring multiple user, session, and network characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic selection of charging trigger functions based on real-time monitoring of user characteristics, session characteristics, event characteristics, and network conditions. The system can dynamically determine whether the eNodeB should perform the charging trigger function and select appropriate charging elements accordingly. This dynamic approach improves resource consumption determination accuracy while managing system complexity through automated decision-making algorithms.
Data Source
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AI summary
This disclosure relates generally to communication network, and more particularly to a system and method for online charging in a communication network. In one embodiment, a method is provided for online charging in a communication network. The method comprises monitoring at least one of a user characteristic, a session characteristic, an event characteristic, and a network condition during one or more ongoing communication sessions involving an online charging via one or more initial charging trigger functions, determining a need for selection of one or more new charging trigger functions based on at least one of the user characteristic, the session characteristic, the event characteristic, and the network condition, and dynamically selecting the one or more new charging trigger functions in response to the need so as to perform online charging for the one or more ongoing communication sessions based on substantially accurate determination of resource consumption in real-time.