Preliminary Charging Control for Accurate Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication networks, particularly in 3GPP systems, there is a challenge in accurately charging users due to delays in service information provision, leading to incorrect billing before PCC rule updates are applied, resulting in potential overcharging or undercharging, and existing solutions like timer-based approaches or blocking service flows are not satisfactory as they impact user experience or operator revenue.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an apparatus and method that provides preliminary charging control information initially, which is later adjusted based on received service information, allowing for correct accounting and charging by indicating the preliminary nature of the initial information and ensuring validity for the time before the update, enabling the charging system to correct accounting information retrospectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If preliminary charging control information is provided immediately to enable service usage, then service availability and user experience are improved, but charging accuracy deteriorates because service information is not yet available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing preliminary charging control information (first PCC rules) to the PCEF before the service information is available from the AF. This allows the service to be authorized and used immediately while the charging system prepares for accurate billing once the service information becomes available. The preliminary PCC rules enable service availability without waiting for complete service information provisioning.
2Device complexity
If charging control information is updated only from the point of time onwards when provisioned to PCEF, then system simplicity is maintained, but charging accuracy for past service usage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by establishing a correction mechanism where, upon receiving service information from the AF, the PCRF updates the PCC rules and triggers a feedback loop to correct charging control information. The PCEF receives correction indications and adjusts the charging for service usage that occurred before the update, ensuring accurate billing while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.
3Measurement precision
If timer-based approaches or blocking service flows are used to handle charging delays, then charging accuracy may be improved, but user experience and service continuity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing preliminary charging control information (first PCC rules) to the PCEF before the service information is available from the AF. This allows the service to be authorized and used immediately while the charging system prepares for accurate billing once the service information becomes available. The preliminary PCC rules enable service availability without waiting for complete service information provisioning.
Data Source
AI summary
There is proposed a charging control in which a policy and charging control function provides first (preliminary) charging control information, such as PCC rules, when the communication connection is set up or modified. Then, service information can be retrieved leading to an updated set of charging control information. The policy and charging control function provides then the updated charging control information for enforcement, wherein the charging system is informed about both the preliminary nature of the first charging control information and the validity of the second charging control information for a time before the update, i.e. before the transmission of the second charging control information. The charging system can use this updated charging control information and knows that it has to replace the former charging control information, so that the charging procedure can be corrected accordingly. Thus, charging of a service miming on the communication connection on the basis of correct charging control information is possible over the complete time the service is running.