Open Service Gateway Charging Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing charging methods in communication networks are prone to false and fraudulent charges when a telecom operator is responsible for the service receiver, as service providers independently invoke charging modules without adequate verification, potentially harming the telecom operator.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution introduces an open service gateway subsystem that generates and sends rating information to a charging subsystem, distinguishing between trusted and untrustworthy service providers based on pre-stored IDs, allowing for flexible charging and enhanced control over the charging process, ensuring reliable service billing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If service providers independently invoke charging modules to charge for services, then charging flexibility and service provider autonomy are improved, but charging reliability and protection against fraudulent charges deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The open service gateway acts as an intermediary between service providers and the charging system. It receives service requests from service providers, determines service provider types based on pre-stored identification information, and selectively invokes charging modules. This intermediary role maintains charging flexibility while ensuring reliability by preventing untrustworthy service providers from accessing charging functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary determination of service provider types before invoking charging modules. Identification information of service providers is pre-stored in the open service gateway, allowing the system to pre-assess whether a service provider is trustworthy before allowing charging operations. This preliminary action prevents fraudulent charges while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Reliability
If the open service gateway implements type determination and selective charging invocation, then charging reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The open service gateway is segmented into distinct functional modules: a determination module for identifying service provider types and a charging access module for selectively invoking charging modules. This segmentation organizes the complexity into manageable, independent components, each with a specific function, making the system easier to implement and maintain while ensuring reliable charging operations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If untrustworthy service providers are blocked from charging, then fraudulent charges are reduced, but service providing capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different charging policies to different service provider types. Trustworthy service providers are granted full charging access with independent invocation rights, while untrustworthy service providers are restricted to having their charging requests processed by the open service gateway. This local differentiation protects against fraudulent charges while maintaining full service providing capability for legitimate providers.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and a system for charging for communication services in a communication network are provided. The network includes a service providing subsystem, an open service gateway subsystem, a charging subsystem, and a service receiving subsystem. The open service gateway subsystem and the charging subsystem in the communication network may constitute a network system for developing and charging for service in the communication network. Meanwhile, the open service gateway subsystem may also be adapted to provide and charge for service, and may employ difference charging modes for different service providing subsystems. Based on the above devices, a method for charging for communication services in the communication network and a method for providing communication services in the communication network are further provided. By applying the network, system, and method of embodiments of the present invention, the service providing subsystem provides a service for the service receiving subsystem, and the open service gateway subsystem charges for the service, so that the reliability in charging is improved.