Online Charging System Dynamic Credit Reservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current online charging systems in telecommunications networks often interrupt application downloads when a prepaid subscriber's account is depleted, leading to incomplete downloads and incorrect billing, as the amount of resources reserved is fixed and not adaptable to the actual application size.
Innovation Solution
The Online Charging System (OCS) receives the actual volume of data required for the application download from the user equipment, allowing it to reserve the necessary credits or replenish the account to ensure complete downloads without interruption, and only charges for successful downloads, enabling dynamic credit reservation based on the application size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed amount of resources is reserved in the OCS for application download, then the charging system can prevent over-billing, but the download may be interrupted if the subscriber account is depleted before the download completes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic credit reservation where the OCS adjusts the amount of credits reserved based on the actual application size received during download. Instead of using a fixed pre-configured amount, the system continuously monitors the application size and updates the reservation dynamically, allowing the download to complete even when initial credit estimates were insufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of credit reservation amount from a static fixed value to a dynamic value that adapts based on the actual application size. The OCS receives size information from the application store server and modifies the reservation parameter accordingly, enabling flexible charging that matches actual resource consumption.
2Ease of manufacture
If the OCS uses pre-configured fixed resource amounts for charging, then the charging process is simple, but it leads to incorrect billing when the actual application size differs from the reserved amount
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the OCS receives actual application size information from the application store server during the download process. This feedback allows the system to adjust the credit reservation amount to match the actual resource consumption, ensuring accurate billing while maintaining implementation feasibility through standardized information exchange protocols.
3Ease of operation
If the OCS reserves sufficient credits for complete download, then uninterrupted service is provided, but the subscriber may be overcharged if the download is cancelled or fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts credit reservation based on actual application size received during download. This allows the OCS to reserve exactly the amount needed for complete download without excessive margins, preventing waste of charging credits while ensuring sufficient credits are available for service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The credit reservation parameter is changed from a fixed conservative estimate to a dynamic value that reflects actual resource needs. The OCS continuously updates the reservation amount based on received application size information, optimizing the balance between service continuity and credit efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
This specification presents methods and apparatus in a user equipment, packet data gateway, online charging server and policy server for enabling a user equipment with a prepaid subscription to select an application to download and obtain its downloadable size and reserve charging credits and resources at the network prior to downloading the application in accordance with the downloadable size thus allowing the prepaid user to secure the successful entire download of the application without running the risk of depleting the prepaid account while downloading.