Network Data Service Switch for Downlink Packet Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In LTE data services, when a user turns off the data service switch on their UE, only uplink data packets are stopped, but downlink data packets continue to be sent, leading to unnecessary data usage fees.
Innovation Solution
A network-side device determines the status of the data service switch and sends notifications to skip charging for downlink data packets if the switch is off, using a PCRF to instruct servers to stop sending data packets to the UE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the data service switch is turned off to stop uplink data packets, then uplink data usage fee is avoided, but downlink data packets continue to be sent causing unnecessary data usage fee
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a data service switch as an intermediary component that can independently control uplink and downlink data packet transmission. The switch includes separate control mechanisms for uplink packets (from UE to network) and downlink packets (from network to UE), allowing selective blocking of data flow in either direction without affecting the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The data service switch is segmented into distinct functional units: an uplink packet control unit that handles uplink data packets, and a downlink packet control unit that handles downlink data packets. This segmentation enables independent control of each direction's data flow, resolving the contradiction by allowing the uplink to be stopped while the downlink continues or is stopped based on separate control signals.
2Loss of energy
If downlink data packets are stopped to avoid unnecessary fees, then data usage waste is prevented, but data services requiring downlink packets cannot function
Solution Approach 1:
The data service switch implements dynamic control where the uplink and downlink packet transmission states can be independently adjusted based on real-time service requirements. The switch can transition between different operational modes: both uplink and downlink active, only downlink active, only uplink active, or both inactive, allowing flexible adaptation to various service scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from a single binary switch state to multiple independent control states for uplink and downlink separately. Each direction can be controlled by independent signaling mechanisms, allowing the system to optimize data usage fees by selecting appropriate transmission states while maintaining data service functionality when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for implementing a data service in order to avoid generating an unnecessary data usage fee for user equipment (UE) and further avoid data usage waste after a data service switch of the UE is turned off. The method includes determining, by a first network-side device, a status of a data service switch of UE, and sending, by the first network-side device, a first notification message to a second network-side device when the data service switch of the UE is turned off, where the UE is already registered with a network, the first notification message includes first instruction information and an identity of the UE, and the first instruction information instructs the second network-side device to skip charging for data packets of the UE flowing through the second network-side device.