Energy Usage Reporting in Wireless Networks

The patent segments the energy usage reporting function into distinct network entities: the network entity that generates energy usage reports, the policy control function that receives and processes these reports, and the charging function that handles energy-based charging. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, improving energy management efficiency while distributing system complexity across multiple specialized modules rather than concentrating it in a single complex system.

The patent introduces an intermediary policy control function that acts as a mediator between the network entity generating energy usage reports and the charging function that requires this information. The policy control function receives energy usage reports from the network entity, processes the information, and forwards relevant data to the charging function. This intermediary approach ensures that energy consumption information is effectively transmitted and processed without requiring direct complex interactions between all system components, thereby reducing overall information processing requirements.