UE Caching Feedback for Fair Data Charging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication systems lack a fair and efficient mechanism for network operators to charge users for data consumption from cached content, as they cannot accurately determine the actual benefit of caching to the user, leading to potential overcharging or undercharging.

Innovation Solution

A method where user equipment processes cached data and transmits consumption information to the network, including environmental details, allowing operators to adapt charging based on the actual benefit provided by the caching service, such as network availability and usage conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If broadcast mechanisms are used for data delivery, then data traffic efficiency is improved, but the ability to charge users accurately for actual data consumption deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata traffic efficiencyVSAvoiddata consumption measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the user equipment transmits consumption information back to the network after processing cached data. This feedback loop enables the network to accurately measure and charge users based on actual cached data consumption, resolving the contradiction between efficient broadcast delivery and accurate consumption measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If caching is implemented to accelerate data availability, then user experience is improved, but the complexity of tracking and charging for data consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata availability timeVSAvoidcharging tracking complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The user equipment autonomously manages the caching process and automatically generates and transmits consumption information to the network. This self-service approach simplifies the charging tracking complexity by having the equipment itself monitor and report its own cached data consumption without requiring complex network-side tracking systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If network operators implement caching services, then data delivery efficiency is improved, but the ability to ensure fair charging based on actual benefit deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata delivery efficiencyVSAvoidcharging adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables dynamic charging by allowing the network to adapt charges based on real-time consumption information and environmental conditions transmitted by the user equipment. The charging model becomes flexible and responsive to actual usage patterns rather than static, ensuring fair charging that adapts to individual user benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3373623B1Method for enabling caching feedback
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 IPCOM GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3373623B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3373623B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3373623B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention provides a method of processing data in a user equipment, UE, device, the method comprising storing in a cache data received from at least one of a mobile communications network and a local access network; at a later time, processing the data stored in the cache; and transmitting a message to the mobile communications network to inform the network that the data stored in the cache has been processed and an availability of another network when the data was processed.