Online Charging System Traffic Management via Account Validation Caching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile stations subscribed to unlimited or capped data plans experience wastage of network resources due to recurring validations with the charging system for each voice and message communication, even when the plan is valid or unexpired.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced Online Charging System (OCS) service that avoids recurring validations from the voice and message network element by storing a response indicating that further account balance checks are not needed for valid prepaid plans, allowing messages to be transmitted without additional verification when the plan is valid or unexpired.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If recurring account balance validations are performed for each voice and message communication, then account balance verification is ensured, but network resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs account balance validation in advance before the prepaid plan expires. The OCS validates the account balance once when the plan is still valid and caches the result, so that subsequent communications during the plan period do not require repeated validations, thus preventing network resource wastage while ensuring account verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The network element stores a response indicating that further account balance checks are not needed when the plan is valid or unexpired. This preliminary determination prevents recurring validation requests for each communication, reducing network traffic to the charging system while maintaining account verification for the plan duration.
2Measurement precision
If account balance validation is performed for each communication, then charging accuracy is maintained, but interaction frequency with charging system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The OCS performs account balance validation in advance and caches the result for the plan duration. This preliminary action ensures charging accuracy is maintained for the entire plan period without requiring repeated interactions with the charging system for each communication, thus improving charging system efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the account balance validation result and stores it in the network element. This cached copy is used for subsequent communications, eliminating the need for repeated charging system interactions while maintaining charging accuracy throughout the plan period.
3Reliability
If recurring validations are performed, then account status is continuously verified, but network traffic to charging system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system validates account status in advance when the prepaid plan is valid and stores the validation result. This preliminary verification ensures account status is confirmed before the plan expires, while subsequent communications use the cached result, significantly reducing network traffic to the charging system during the plan period.
Solution Approach 2:
The network element stores a copy of the account status validation response indicating that further checks are not needed. This cached copy reduces network traffic by eliminating repeated validation requests while maintaining reliable account status verification for the duration of the plan.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for an enhanced online charging system service are described. A first signaling message is received from an originating mobile station for transmission over a network to a destination mobile station, wherein the first signaling message includes a voice message or a data message. A request from a mobile switching center (MSC), Short Message Service Center (SMSC) or Telephony Application Server (TAS) is provided to an online charging system (OCS) to determine an account usage balance associated with the mobile station. When the OCS determines the account is associated with valid monthly prepaid wireless subscription plan, a first response message is received at the MSC, SMC or TAS. The first response message indicates to the MSC, SMC or TAS to not send, for a predetermined time period, further requests to the OCS to determine an account usage balance associated with the mobile station.