PDSN Counter Limits Billing for Undelivered Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication network users are often charged for data that is not actually received due to delivery failures or lack of connectivity, leading to discrepancies in billing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where a packet data serving node (PDSN) uses a counter to limit data recording for billing purposes only if an active traffic channel is established with the mobile device, preventing charges for undelivered data packets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If data is recorded for billing purposes without checking delivery status, then billing simplicity is maintained, but billing accuracy deteriorates due to charging for undelivered data
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by checking whether data was actually delivered to the mobile device before finalizing billing. The billing system receives feedback information about delivery status and adjusts billing records accordingly, preventing charges for undelivered data while maintaining accurate billing records.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a counter before billing occurs. The counter tracks the number of data packets sent and compares it against delivery confirmation, allowing the system to prevent inaccurate billing before it is finalized rather than correcting errors after they occur.
2Measurement precision
If a counter is used to limit data recording for billing, then billing accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional tracking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The counter mechanism serves multiple functions: it tracks the number of data packets sent, compares against delivery status, and determines billing eligibility. By making the counter multi-functional, the system improves measurement accuracy without proportionally increasing complexity, as one component performs several critical tasks.
3Reliability
If data recording continues without active traffic channel verification, then network throughput is maintained, but billing reliability deteriorates due to charging for undelivered data
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses feedback from delivery status information to adjust billing records. When data delivery fails, the system receives feedback about the failure and corrects the billing record, ensuring reliable billing that reflects actual successful data delivery while maintaining normal network transmission operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed techniques limit or reduce the amount of data for which a subscriber may be charged that may not actually be received at the subscriber's mobile device. A counter may be started when a node has data to be delivered to a mobile device. The node may send the data through a radio access network for delivery to the mobile device and record an amount of the data sent for the mobile device through the radio access network for data usage billing purposes while running the counter, until the counter reaches a predetermined value. When the counter reaches the predetermined value, if no traffic channel has been set up with the mobile device, the node will stop recording the amount of the data sent for the mobile device through the radio access network for data usage billing purposes.