Selective Parameter Removal in PCC Control Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Policy and Charging Control (PCC) architectures face limitations in inactivating or removing specific control rule parameters without affecting other related rules, particularly when these parameters are shared across multiple rules, leading to inefficiencies and resource consumption in network signaling and bearer updates.
Innovation Solution
A method for modifying control rules in a PCC architecture that allows for the selective removal of specific parameters from a control rule while maintaining them for other related rules, using a removal indicator to enable precise management of parameters like monitoring keys or quality of service settings, thereby reducing the need for complete rule reinstallation and minimizing network impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a parameter is removed from a control rule, then the rule can be reinstalled to restore the parameter, but this causes increased network signaling and bearer updates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control rule into multiple independent parameters, allowing selective removal and retention of individual parameters. The enforcement device can identify which parameters to remove (e.g., monitoring key for first service) while keeping others (e.g., monitoring key for second service), avoiding complete rule reinstallation and reducing network signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by enabling different parameters of the same control rule to have different states (removed or retained) based on specific service requirements. This allows precise control over which parameters are modified for which services, minimizing unnecessary network updates while maintaining required functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If a control rule is completely removed and reinstalled, then parameter management becomes simple, but this increases operational complexity and time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic parameter management where the enforcement device can selectively remove or retain parameters based on real-time service requirements. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt parameter states without complete rule reinstallation, reducing operational time and complexity while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of specific parameters within a control rule (from active to removed or vice versa) without modifying the entire rule structure. This parameter-level change mechanism simplifies management operations and reduces the time required compared to complete rule removal and reinstallation.
3Productivity
If monitoring keys are shared across multiple services, then resource utilization improves, but selective inactivation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring key parameter into service-specific instances, allowing the enforcement device to remove a monitoring key for one service while retaining it for another. This segmentation maintains resource sharing efficiency while enabling selective inactivation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different services to have different states of the same parameter (monitoring key). One service can have the monitoring key removed while another service retains it, enabling both resource sharing and selective inactivation based on local service requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention faces the issues of inactivating a particular control rule parameter, only for a given control rule and whilst maintaining this particular control rule parameter for other control rules and provides for methods and apparatuses whereby, upon determining by a control server that a particular parameter is no longer applicable for a first control rule, a modified control rule is determined that includes a removal indicator indicating the particular parameter to be removed for the first control rule previously installed and not for other control rules. The modified control rule is submitted to an enforcing device which removes the particular parameter only for the first control rule previously installed and not for others.