M2M Charging Record Aggregation for Network Traffic Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Call Detail Record (CDR) generation for Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication results in large and unnecessary data volumes, as it records usage information for each individual device, leading to inefficient data management and increased network traffic.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for processing charging information in M2M communication that aggregates usage data across multiple services and sets volume-based and time-based limits for publishing charging records, reducing the frequency and size of data sent over the network by only publishing records when these limits are reached or exceeded.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional CDR generation is applied to M2M communication, then detailed usage information can be recorded for each individual device, but the size of the CDR becomes larger than the actual network usage and the overall volume of data required to record network usage becomes unnecessarily large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple CDRs from different M2M devices into a single aggregated CDR. Instead of maintaining separate charging records for each device, the system merges usage information from multiple devices that share common characteristics (such as same service provider, same service type, or same time period) into one consolidated record. This reduces the total number of CDRs and the overall data volume while preserving essential usage information for billing and analysis purposes.
2Reliability
If individual CDRs are generated for every M2M device activity, then complete usage tracking is achieved, but the frequency of data transmission increases and network resources are consumed inefficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic aggregation of CDRs instead of immediate transmission for each individual device activity. Usage information is collected and accumulated over defined time periods or until certain thresholds are reached, then transmitted as aggregated batches. This periodic approach maintains complete usage tracking while significantly reducing the frequency of data transmissions and optimizing network resource utilization.
3Measurement precision
If charging records are published frequently to ensure up-to-date billing information, then billing accuracy is improved, but the amount of charging-related data sent over the network increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple charging records into aggregated CDRs that summarize usage across multiple devices and services. Instead of publishing individual charging records frequently, the system consolidates usage data from multiple sources into single aggregated records that are published less frequently. This maintains billing accuracy at the aggregate level while dramatically reducing the volume of charging data transmitted over the network.
Data Source
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AI summary
An M2M service provider (41) is a provider of a plurality of services (31-33). A method of processing charging information for machine-to-machine (M2M) communication between at least one M2M device (10) and an M2M service provider (41) comprises creating (102) a charging record (90) for recording usage information of the plurality of services (31-33) of the service provider (41). For each of the plurality of services (31-33) of the service provider (41), per-service usage information (94) is accumulated (105). Usage of the service by the at least one M2M device (10) is aggregated. The per-service usage information (94) is stored (108) in the charging record (90). The charging record can include at least one volume-based limit or time- based limit for publishing the charging record.