Policy Enforcement Node Usage Monitoring via Threshold Rules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing usage monitoring functionality in mobile networks is coarse, leading to resource inefficiencies and increased messaging overhead, particularly when determining if a user is approaching their usage consumption quota, requiring multiple queries from the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) to the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF).

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method and system at the policy enforcement node for installing usage monitoring rules based on threshold values for sending interval reports, including new attribute-value pairs (AVPs) such as Absolute-Granted-Service-Unit-Request and Percent-Granted-Service-Unit-Request, to send timely usage reports without additional querying or rearming messaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing usage monitoring functionality is used in policy nodes, then usage monitoring can be performed, but resource inefficiencies and increased messaging overhead occur due to coarse monitoring and multiple queries required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage monitoring precisionVSAvoidresource efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures usage monitoring rules with threshold values at the policy enforcement node before usage occurs. This allows the node to proactively monitor and automatically send reports when thresholds are met, eliminating the need for reactive multiple queries and reducing messaging overhead while maintaining precise monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The policy enforcement node autonomously monitors usage against configured thresholds and self-initiates reporting when thresholds are met, without requiring external polling or multiple queries from the PCRF. This self-service mechanism reduces resource consumption and messaging overhead while maintaining monitoring precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If multiple queries are sent from PCRF to PCEF to detect usage levels, then usage monitoring accuracy is maintained, but messaging overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage detection accuracyVSAvoidmessaging overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of the PCRF querying the PCEF multiple times to detect usage levels, the system inverts the approach by having the PCEF automatically send usage reports to the PCRF when pre-configured threshold values are met. This reversal maintains accurate usage detection while dramatically reducing messaging overhead by eliminating unnecessary queries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Loss of energy

If interval-based reporting with threshold values is implemented, then messaging overhead is reduced, but real-time monitoring capability may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessaging overheadVSAvoidmonitoring response time

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of monitoring triggers from time-based or query-based to threshold-based events. By configuring specific usage threshold values, the system ensures reports are sent immediately when these thresholds are reached, providing timely notification while reducing overall messaging frequency and overhead compared to continuous or periodic reporting

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10116457B1Methods, systems, and computer readable media for usage monitoring

Publication Date: 2018.10.30 ORACLE INT CORP

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for usage monitoring are disclosed. In some examples, a method occurs at a policy enforcement node for enforcing policies in a mobile network. The method may include installing a rule for reporting user equipment (UE) related usage information based on at least one threshold value indicating an interval for sending usage reports. The method may also include in response to UE related usage meeting or exceeding the at least one threshold value, sending a first usage monitoring report message to a policy rules node.