Service Switch Device Timing Error Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional charging systems in communication technology face errors due to time errors caused by intervals between timings in the interaction process between Service Switch Point (SSP) and Service Control Point (SCP), leading to inaccuracies in user service time computation.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a method where the Service Switch Device receives a first time slice, times accordingly, and sends Charging Request information at a specific point, while also acquiring an error time value for the Charging Request interaction process to calculate a second time slice, which is used as the starting point for further timing, thereby correcting the timing error.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the SSP starts timing upon receiving an AC from the SCP each time and terminates timing upon returning an ACR to the SCP, then the interaction process between SSP and SCP is simplified, but timing error occurs due to the interval between timings during which the user terminal is still served by the SSP

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of interaction processVSAvoidaccuracy of user service time computation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by having the SSP continue timing after returning the ACR to the SCP until receiving a new AC. This ensures that the service time is accurately captured even during the interval between charging requests, eliminating the timing gap that would otherwise cause measurement errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If the SSP terminates timing upon returning an ACR to the SCP, then the timing process is reset for the next AC, but the service time during the interval between ACs is not accounted for

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveefficiency of charging interactionVSAvoidaccuracy of charge computation
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention maintains continuity of useful action by keeping the timing function active continuously throughout the service period, including during intervals between AC transmissions. This ensures uninterrupted and accurate accumulation of service time data without gaps that would compromise charging reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If the timing is restarted with each new AC received from the SCP, then the charging process is simplified, but the actual service time which includes error time value is not accurately computed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of timing managementVSAvoidprecision of service time measurement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the timing operations by maintaining a single continuous timing process that spans across multiple AC cycles rather than creating separate timing intervals for each AC. This consolidation eliminates the need to manage multiple timing start-stop cycles while ensuring complete and accurate service time measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2169932B1Method, apparatus and system for charging
Publication Date: 2010.12.29 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP2169932B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2169932B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2169932B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method, apparatus and system for charging are disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. The method includes the following steps: receiving a first time slice from a service control device; timing according to the first time slice; sending Charging Request information to the service control device at a first time point when the timing passes a first time length corresponding to the first time slice; receiving a second time slice from the service control device; and timing by using the first time point as a starting point for the second time slice. In the embodiments of the present invention, timing is performed by using the first time point at which the Charging Request information is sent to the service control device as the starting point for the second time slice, so that the charge error problem caused by the time error due to the interval among multiple timings in the prior art is resolved.