Service Authorization Control Manager for Mobile Network Policy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile network systems lack effective mechanisms for managing and customizing service policies across multiple applications and services, particularly in IMS and non-IMS wireless networks, which limits user and provider flexibility in service utilization and provisioning.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a Service Authorization and Utilization Control Function (SAUCF) that coordinates multiple application servers and network elements to define and enforce service level policies using SIP and non-SIP network elements, allowing for per-subscriber customization of service usage rules and simplifying provisioning through a single-point configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional bearer level policies are used for quality of service management, then network resource allocation is controlled, but service customization flexibility for users and providers is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Service Policy Management Function (SPMF) as an intermediary component that bridges the gap between users/providers and the network infrastructure. The SPMF enables service customization by allowing users and providers to define and manage service level policies without directly modifying complex network elements, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity through abstraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments policy management into two distinct levels: bearer level policies for network resource allocation and service level policies for application-specific customization. This segmentation allows independent management of each layer, enabling service customization flexibility without overwhelming complexity in the overall system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If service level policies are implemented across multiple applications and services, then user customization capability is enhanced, but coordination complexity among application servers and network elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The Service Policy Management Function (SPMF) is designed as a universal component that can manage service level policies across multiple different applications and services. This multi-functional approach allows a single coordination point to handle diverse service types, enhancing user customization capability while reducing the overall coordination complexity by avoiding multiple separate management mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If per-subscriber service policies are defined and enforced, then service provisioning customization is improved, but provisioning complexity for providers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SPMF acts as an intermediary that simplifies provisioning operations for providers by abstracting the complexity of per-subscriber policy management. Providers can define service level policies through the SPMF interface without needing to directly configure complex network elements, thus improving service provisioning customization while maintaining ease of operation through the intermediary's simplified interface.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is described for managing mobile network services. The apparatus includes a service authorization and utilization control function (SAUCF) element configured to authorize a mobile network service request by acting as a service manager configured to centrally coordinate service authorizations for multiple network services associated with an individual subscriber account by evaluating a service policy defining user access spanning the multiple network services. The service policy includes (a) communication authorization controls affecting permission for a user associated with the subscriber account to access a mobile network service in accordance with one or more criteria applicable to a bundled service category; and (b) charging controls for determining whether a subscriber account includes sufficient credits to use the mobile network service. A real time utilization interface is configured to transmit messages between the SAUCF element and a subscriber service utilization account.