Rating Group Charging Control for Mobile Network Gateways
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current charging control systems in mobile networks lack the flexibility to manage complex multi-service subscriber sessions effectively, as they primarily operate at the bearer level, which limits fine-grained control and scalability when dealing with multiple services with different cost structures and quality of service requirements.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where the mobile network gateway configures and applies charging control actions at the rating group level, allowing for differential rating and credit control across services, enabling more granular control through defined actionable events and triggers, thereby enhancing flexibility and scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If charging control operates at the bearer level, then system simplicity is maintained, but fine-grained control and scalability are limited when dealing with multiple services with different cost structures and quality of service requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the charging control system by introducing rating groups as intermediate units between bearers and services. Each rating group can independently apply charging actions to specific services within a bearer, enabling fine-grained control without requiring complete system redesign. This segmentation allows differential rating and credit control across services while maintaining the existing bearer structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to the charging control hierarchy by introducing the rating group level. Instead of operating only at the bearer level (single dimension), the system now operates at two levels: bearer level for overall session management and rating group level for service-specific control. This dimensional addition enables scalable fine-grained control without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If charging control operates at the bearer level, then system complexity is reduced, but flexibility to manage complex multi-service subscriber sessions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments charging control into bearer-level operations and rating group-level operations. This segmentation enables flexibility in managing multi-service sessions by allowing independent configuration and application of charging actions at the rating group level, while maintaining simplified bearer-level structure for overall session management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic, configurable charging control at the rating group level. The system can dynamically apply different charging actions (such as credit control, rating, and monitoring) to different rating groups within the same bearer based on service-specific requirements. This dynamic capability provides flexibility without requiring rigid system restructuring.
3Measurement precision
If uniform charging control is applied at the bearer level, then system operation is simplified, but revenue management precision is reduced when applying charging actions to multiple services with different cost structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling different charging control parameters and actions to be applied to different rating groups within the same bearer. Each rating group can have its own charging rules, credit limits, and monitoring parameters tailored to specific service requirements. This local customization achieves precise revenue management for services with different cost structures without requiring complete system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the charging control configuration into bearer-level settings and rating group-level settings. This segmentation allows precise control at the rating group level for revenue management while maintaining simplified configuration at the bearer level. The segmented approach enables precise measurement and control of charging parameters for each service category without proportionally increasing overall configuration complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In general, techniques are described for facilitating fine-grained charging control for multi-service subscriber sessions by configuring charging control actions for application to services at the rating group level. For example, a mobile network gateway includes configuration information that defines a plurality of rating groups for a subscriber session, wherein each of the plurality of rating groups is associated with at least one service, and wherein the configuration information defines an actionable event and a corresponding charging control action for a rating group of the plurality of rating groups. A subscriber management module establishes a bearer of the mobile network for the subscriber session and associates the plurality of rating groups with the bearer. A charging client determines the occurrence of the actionable event defined by the configuration information for the rating group and applies the corresponding charging control action for the actionable event to the rating group.