Online Charging System Overload Rejection via CCR Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional online charging systems face inefficiencies in handling overload situations by only rejecting initial interrogation signals, which becomes less effective as data services dominate, leading to potential revenue leakage and uneven prioritization between voice and data services.
Innovation Solution
Implementing techniques to selectively reject Charge Control Requests (CCRs) associated with intermediate and final interrogation signals, particularly those without Multiple-Services-Credit-Control (MSCC) information elements, and prioritizing resource allocation between voice and data services during overload conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the online charging system rejects only initial interrogation signals during overload, then the system maintains simplicity in overload handling, but revenue leakage occurs and the approach becomes ineffective as data services dominate traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments CCR messages into three distinct types (Initial, Update, Terminate) and applies different rejection strategies to each type during overload conditions. This segmentation allows the system to selectively reject non-essential CCR-U messages while preserving critical CCR-I and CCR-T messages, thereby preventing revenue leakage while maintaining manageable complexity through structured classification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality characteristics to different CCR message types based on their criticality. CCR-I and CCR-T messages are treated with high priority (non-rejectable) due to their critical nature for session establishment and termination, while CCR-U messages are treated with lower priority (rejectable) as they are less critical for revenue protection. This local differentiation of message quality enables targeted overload handling.
2Reliability
If the online charging system aggressively rejects non-essential CCRs during overload, then revenue leakage is reduced, but service quality may deteriorate for essential services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary classification of CCR messages into essential (CCR-I, CCR-T) and non-essential (CCR-U) categories before overload rejection occurs. By pre-identifying which message types are critical for service quality and revenue protection, the system can confidently reject non-essential messages during overload without compromising essential service delivery, thus maintaining service quality while protecting revenue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the online charging system continuously monitors system load conditions and dynamically adjusts rejection behavior based on current overload status. When overload is detected, the system feedback-drivenly switches to selective rejection mode; when load normalizes, it resumes normal processing. This feedback loop ensures service quality is maintained when possible while enabling aggressive revenue protection when necessary.
3Reliability
If the online charging system prioritizes voice services over data services during overload, then critical services are maintained, but data service quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality differentiation to service types by identifying voice services as critical and data services as less critical. During overload, the system selectively processes CCR messages based on service type, giving priority to voice service messages while allowing data service messages to be rejected. This localized quality assignment to different service categories enables differentiated service delivery during resource constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by proactively preventing data service CCR processing during overload conditions before resource exhaustion occurs. By anticipating the need to protect critical voice services, the system preemptively rejects data service CCR-U messages during overload, thereby preventing potential service degradation of critical voice communications while maintaining acceptable data service quality when resources are available.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and systems for an online charging service to selectively rejecting Charge Control Requests (CCRs) which it receives and which are associated with charging for the provision of telecommunication services when the online charging system is in an overload state are described.