IoT Charging Aggregation Reduces Signaling Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing communication systems in IoT environments are inefficient due to the high volume of signaling messages required for charging and resource usage notifications from a large number of IoT devices, which overwhelms the infrastructure and communication methods designed for human-driven 3GPP user equipment.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that estimates and batches IoT device notifications, allowing a single message to represent multiple chargeable events, thereby reducing overall signaling by predicting and optimizing the charging interface between the IoT Service Layer and the Online Charging System.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional charging methods are used for IoT devices, then each service request generates a separate signaling message to the OCS, but this results in overwhelming signaling traffic when millions of IoT devices send periodic notifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual charging requests into a single aggregated charging request. The network function groups notifications from multiple IoT devices or multiple periods into one signaling message to the OCS, containing the total number of units consumed. This reduces signaling traffic volume while maintaining accurate charging by summing all individual consumptions in the aggregated request.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring charging rules and parameters in the network function before the actual service consumption occurs. The network function stores charging parameters locally and uses them to batch-process multiple notifications, eliminating the need for real-time individual OCS interactions for each notification while ensuring accurate charging based on pre-established rules.
2Measurement precision
If individual charging requests are sent for each IoT device notification, then charging accuracy is maintained, but the complexity of the charging system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual charging measurements into a single aggregated measurement. The network function accumulates unit consumptions from multiple IoT devices or multiple time periods and submits one consolidated charging request to the OCS. This maintains measurement precision by accurately summing all consumptions while reducing system complexity by eliminating the need for individual processing of each notification.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the existing OCS interface is used for IoT charging, then compatibility with current systems is maintained, but the system cannot efficiently handle the periodic service consumption pattern of IoT devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging process into two distinct parts: (1) aggregation of multiple service consumptions into batched units at the network function, and (2) submission of aggregated charging requests to the OCS. This segmentation allows the system to maintain compatibility with existing OCS interfaces while dramatically improving processing efficiency by reducing the number of individual transactions from potentially millions to a manageable number of aggregated requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-processing and aggregating service consumption data before submitting to the OCS. The network function accumulates units from multiple IoT device notifications over a defined period, then submits a single charging request containing the total. This approach maintains compatibility with existing OCS interfaces while improving productivity by reducing signaling overhead and processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for charging for resource usage by an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The method includes: creating a subscription for the IoT device; estimating, based at least in part on the subscription, a number of event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over a period of time; transmitting a first message including the number of estimated event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over the period of time towards an Online Charging System (OCS); and transmitting a second message including an actual number of event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device over the period of time towards the OCS.