RU2454030C1 - Architecture of online charging in lte/epc communication networks - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technology.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to communication networks and online method of charging in communication systems. A network element that maintains connection with participation of mobile devices, initiates the event of online charging and generates a credit request, such as a request for protocol Diameter credit control, the network element recognises access information, in which the type of access of a mobile device is specified, for connection to the communication network LTE/EPC, and enters information of credit request. A network element is designed with an ability to transfer to the online charging system (server) a credit request, containing access information through the improved interface. Moreover, the access information may be used in the online charging server to control the connection fee.

EFFECT: control reliability for LTE/EPC user service increases In the communication network the network elements are connected to the online charging system by means of an improved interface.

10 cl, 10 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to communication networks, more specifically to the architecture of online charging in communication networks LTE / EPC.

State of the art

Service providers typically provide many voice and / or data services to subscribers using one or more wired and / or wireless networks. Examples of services include cellular telephony, Internet access, games, broadcast or multicast audio, video and multimedia programs, etc. Mobile devices such as cell phones, personal digital assistants, smartphones, pagers, text messaging devices, global positioning system (GPS) devices, network interface cards, laptop computers and desktop computers can access the services provided communication networks, through a radio interface with one or more base stations. Communication between mobile devices and base stations is regulated by various standards and (or) protocols, such as standards and protocols established by the Collaboration Project for the Creation of Third Generation Networks (3GPP, 3GPP2).

Service providers use offline or online billing features to keep track of the fees payable by each subscriber for using various services. The 3GPP / 3GPP2 standards groups have a set of technical requirements that can be used to implement online charging systems and offline charging systems to ensure charging in various network environments (e.g., a circuit-switched network environment, a packet-switched network environment, and ( or) wireless environment), IP Multimedia Subsystems (IMS), and for new 3G / OMA application services.

Online charging is generally defined as a charging mechanism, in which charging data can affect the service provided in real time, which requires direct interaction between the charging mechanism and the connection / service management function. In the case of online charging, data for charging for the use of network resources is recorded simultaneously with their use. However, permission to use network resources must be obtained by the network before the actual use of resources. The network elements of the communication network include the functions of initiating charging (FUVP or CTF, from English - Charging Trigger Functions). In online charging, the FFEP initiates charging events, records the charging data regarding the charging of the event, and compiles the corresponding charging events from the charging data. Then, the FUWP transmits credit requests to the online charging system (ETS or OCS, from the English - Online Charging System) in order to authorize the event / use the network resources requested by the subscriber. FUWP delays the actual use of resources until permission is obtained from the All-In-One. After the provided quota of units of service is received from the All-Union State Customs Service, the Federal Customs Administration exercises budget control during the use of resources. FUWP forcibly terminates the use of resources by the end-user if the permission of the All-Union State Customs Agreement is not granted or its validity has expired.

There are various types of networks that can provide voice and data services to mobile subscribers. One of the modern projects within 3GPP is the development perspective (LTE, from the English - Long Term Evolution), which is a project to improve the standard of the universal mobile communications system (USMS) taking into account future requirements. The architecture defined by this project is known as the deployed packet system (EPS, from the English - Evolved Packet System). EPS architecture includes E-UTRAN (deployed terrestrial radio communication network with USMS subscribers, from English - Evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network) on the access side and ЕРС (deployed core network, from English - Evolved Packet Core) on the core network side.

One of the drawbacks of LTE / EPC networks is that they actually lack a detailed definition of charging (i.e., architecture and charging functions). The 3GPP TU 32.820 technical specifications describe high-level requirements for charging scenarios in LTE / EPC networks for non-roaming and roaming subscribers. 3GPP TU 32.820 from 3GPP TU 32.251 and 32.252 respectively transferred the charging architecture in the packet data medium (PD) and the wireless LAN charging architecture (WLAN), but there is no corresponding description of charging in the LTE / EPC communication network or the corresponding architecture description charging in LTE / EPC. Thus, network operators and developers do not know exactly how to implement online charging in LTE / EPC communication networks.

Disclosure of invention

Mentioned and other related problems are solved in embodiments of the invention due to the new LTE / EPC charging architecture, which can be used for online charging in LTE / EPC communication networks. In accordance with the charging architecture, one or more network elements of the LTE / EPC communication network is connected via an advanced interface to an online charging system (ESTS). An advanced interface allows the In-VNP to receive access information from network elements, and can also allow the In-VNP to receive a charging identifier in the LTE network. The access information indicates the type of access used by the mobile device to access IP services in the LTE / EPC communication network. With access information, the EINS is able to determine the size of connection fees with higher accuracy. With an LTE network toll identifier, the ETSA is able to accurately match connection charge messages received from various network elements and different networks.

In one embodiment, the LTE / EPC communication network includes an ETSA and one or more LTE network elements, such as a packet-switched network gateway (PSC or PDN-GW from English - Packet Data Network Gateway), an AAA server (authentication, authorization and accounting, from English - authentication, authorization and accounting) 3GPP or AAA 3GPP intermediary server, etc. The LTE network elements are connected to the ETSS through an advanced interface, such as an advanced interface via Gy, Wo or Ro protocols. LTE network elements are able to generate a loan request (message requesting a loan) in response to the event of charging a connection fee involving a mobile device. One example of a loan request is a credit control request (CCL or CCR, from the English - Credit Control Request) no to Diameter protocol. LTE network elements are additionally capable of recognizing access information per connection indicating the type of access of the mobile device to the LTE / EPC communication network. LTE network elements are additionally capable of entering access information into a loan request and transmitting a loan request to an ETS through an advanced interface.

ETSA is able to receive and process a loan request in order to recognize access information contained in a loan request. SONVP is additionally able to determine the size of the connection fee based on access information.

If the ConNVP is a guest ConVP in the guest network serving the connection in roaming mode, the guest ConVP can act as follows. The guest ETSA is able to accept the loan request and process the charging rules set for the mobile device to determine whether to control the credit or to allow the control of the credit of the home ETS in the home network. If it is decided to exercise credit control, the guest ETSA is additionally able to generate an online charge request, which asks for charge information, and transmit the online charge request to home EASA through an improved interface via Diameter Rc protocol. The guest ETSA is additionally able to receive from the home ETSA through an improved interface via the Diameter Re protocol a response to an online charge request containing information about charging a connection charge. The charging information includes at least a distribution of the service units provided by the home ETS, and a subscription profile or an abbreviated subscription profile of a user of a mobile device. The guest ETSA is additionally able to process charging information in order to determine the size of the connection fee. The guest SONVP is additionally able to provide a quota of units of service to the network element, based on the distribution of units of service and the size of the fee, and transmit to the network element a response to the credit control request indicating the quota provided. In the process of exercising credit control, the guest ETSA provides quotas for many network elements serving the connection based on distribution.

If a decision has been made to allow home-based ETSA to exercise credit control, the guest EEASC is additionally able to forward the loan request to home ETSA through an improved interface via Diameter Ro protocol. The guest ETSA is additionally able to receive from the home ETSA the response to the credit control request containing the quota provided to the network element, and forward to the at least one network element the response to the credit control request indicating the quota provided. The guest ETSA acts as an intermediary for the home EEOS in such a way that the home EEAR can control the credit.

The invention may contain other embodiments, which are described below.

Description of drawings

The same or the same type of elements are denoted by the same positions in all the drawings, which show:

figure 1 - communication network LTE / EPC according to one example embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing access to information of an Inland Navigation System according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing access information in an ETSA according to one embodiment of the invention,

figure 4 - communication network LTE / EPC, acting on the scenario without the provision of roaming services according to one example embodiment of the invention,

figure 5 - communication network LTE / EPC, acting on the scenario with the provision of roaming services and home services according to one embodiment of the invention,

figure 6 - communication network LTE / EPC, acting on the scenario with the provision of roaming services and guest services according to one example embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a guest EHC based on one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a decision-making method of how online charging is performed in a guest ETS according to one embodiment of the invention,

Fig.9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for monitoring credit in a guest EHC according to one example embodiment of the invention,

10 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing intermediary functions in a guest EHCS according to one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

1-10 and in the following description, specific examples of the invention are presented to explain to those skilled in the art how the invention can be created and applied. In setting forth the principles of the invention, some traditional features of the invention are simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations of these embodiments that are within the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the features described below can be combined in various ways to form many particular embodiments of the invention. Thus, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described below, but only by the claims and their equivalents.

1, an LTE / EPC communication network 100 according to one embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The communication network 100 includes one or more LTE network elements 110, an online charging system 112 (ONE), and a 114 charging and strategy function (FSPVP or PCRF, from the English - Policy and Charging Rules Function). Network element 110 is any system, server, or function capable of providing connection control or connection maintenance in a communication network 100. Examples of the network element 110 include a packet switching network gateway (SSCP), an AAA server or a 3GPP AAA proxy server, and operator IP services (i.e., IMS services). The SONVP 112 is any system, server, or function capable of providing online charging for connections in a communications network 100. FSPVP 114 is any system, server or function in which the strategy and rules for charging a fee from one or more users can be stored.

The network element 110 is connected to the SONVP 112 through an improved interface 120. In accordance with existing LTE / EPC network standards, the interfaces provided between the network elements and the SONVP 112 are not applicable for online charging. According to the described embodiments, the interface 120 is improved over the interfaces provided by the existing EPC standards, so as to enable efficient online charging in the LTE / EPC communication network 100. Interface 120 is enhanced by the fact that messages can contain access information. Access information is any network address, network identifier, or any other data indicating the type of access used by the mobile device 130 to access IP services in the LTE / EPC communication network 100. The access information contains information about the network elements of each access network providing access for the mobile device 130. For example, the access information may contain a network address (for example, an IPv4 or IPv6 address) of the signaling gateway used to connect the mobile device 130 to the network 100 LTE / EPC communications, such as a serving gateway (OSH or SGW, from English - serving gateway) for access in 3GPP environment or serving HRPD (High Speed Packet Data from English - High Rate Packet Data) (OSHVP or HSGW) for deserving present trust or not trust not deserving access in 3GPP environment. The access information may further comprise a network address of the UPCS that serves the connection. The interface 120 may be further or alternatively enhanced by the fact that the messages may contain a charging identifier in the LTE network that is assigned to the connection.

As one example of an improved interface 120, suppose that the LTE network element 110 is a packet-switched network gateway (UPCS). The UPCS is connected to the EANS 112 through an advanced Gy interface in accordance with the charging architecture described in the invention. To provide improvements to the Gy interface, the Gy interface includes one or more attribute-value pairs (PAZ or AVP, from English - Attribute Value Pairs) with access information for mobile device 130. As another example of an improved interface 120, assume that the LTE network element 110 is a 3GPP AAA server or a 3GPP AAA proxy server. The AAA 3GPP server or the AAA 3GPP proxy server is connected to the PoWS 112 through an improved Diameter Wo protocol interface in accordance with the charging architecture described in the invention. To provide improvements to the interface via the Wo protocol, one or more notches with access information for the mobile device 130 are included in the interface via the Wo protocol.

Assume that in this embodiment, the user of the mobile device 130 (also referred to as subscriber equipment (AO)) is registered or is a subscriber to the communication network 100. Also assume that the mobile device 130 initiates a connection or is prompted to establish a connection. During the connection, the network element 110 (and possibly other network elements of the communication network 100, which are not shown for brevity) should provide service to the mobile device 130 or other participants in the connection. The network element 110 comprises a charge initiation function (FCF), which is able to recognize requested service and initiate a service or connection charge. Since there is pre-charge (online) charging, the network element 110 needs to obtain permission from SONVP 112 before the start of service.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method 200 for providing information to an ATA 112 according to one embodiment of the invention. Although the steps of method 200 will be described with reference to the communication network 100 shown in FIG. 1, the method 200 may be implemented by other communication networks. The steps of the flowchart shown in FIG. 2 are not comprehensive, and the flowchart may include other steps that are not shown.

In step 202, the network element 110 generates a credit request for the connection when the FCS in the network element 110 triggers a charging event. A loan request is used to request permission to provide a service. At step 204, the network element 110 recognizes the access information for the connection, which indicates the type of access of the mobile device 130 for the connection. As described above, the access information may include the network address of the signaling gateway used to connect the mobile device 130 to the communication network 100, the UMSC network address that services the mobile device 130, etc. Since an improved interface 120 is implemented between the network element 110 and the In-OAW 112, in step 206 the network element 110 is able to enter or otherwise include access information for the connection in the credit request. For example, a loan request may contain one or more newly defined PAZs that are intended for access information. Thus, the network element 110 can enter the recognized access information in the newly defined PAZ. Then, at step 208, the network element 110, through the interface 120, transmits a credit request to the In-A-line 112.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method 300 for processing access information in an EHSS 112 according to one embodiment of the invention. In step 302, the In-OAW 112 receives a credit request from the network element 110. In step 304, the CTSA 112 processes the loan request in order to recognize the access information contained in the loan request. At step 306, the ETSA 112 processes the access information and other charging information contained in the loan request to determine the size of the fee (as well as the tariff) for the connection. For example, access information may indicate whether the mobile device 130 is in a home network or in roaming mode. The access information may also indicate whether the mobile device 130 accesses IP services using access in a 3GPP environment, trustworthy non-3GPP access (i.e., through the same service provider) or untrusted access not in a 3GPP environment (i.e., through another service provider). The ConTPS 112 uses this information to determine the size of the connection charge.

Through the use of an advanced interface 120 between the network element 110 and the In-VNI 112, the network element 110 is able to effectively provide the In-VNI 112 access information. In this way, the In-AiS 112 may process the access information to more accurately determine the size of the connection fee. In accordance with the current charging architecture offered by 3GPP for LTE / EPC communication networks, access information is not available to the EHEA, as interfaces (or base points) are not able to provide such information. Thus, existing EHCNs are not able to accurately determine the size of the board, while access information is not available to them.

In addition to providing access information in the enhanced interface 120, the network element 110 may also provide LTSS network tolls of the PoE 112, so that the PoI 112 can match connection charge messages. An LTE network charge identifier is any number, sequence, code, or other identifier that uniquely identifies charge data or connection charge data records. FSWP 114 (see FIG. 1) assigns a connection charge identifier in an LTE network. The FSWF 114 receives from the network element 110 and other network elements requests for strategies and charging rules, which typically contain network or access toll identifiers that have already been assigned to the connection. When assigning a charging identifier in an LTE network, the FSWP 114 may associate it with network / access charging identifiers contained in received requests. Then, the FSWF 114 transmits the charging rules and the LTE network charging identifier to the network element 110. After this, the network element 110 enters into the credit request an identifier for charging in the LTE network along with access information.

During the connection, the mobile device 130 may be in the home network (i.e., not in roaming mode) or in the guest network (i.e., in roaming mode). FIG. 4 illustrates an LTE / EPC communication network 400 operating in a scenario without providing roaming services according to one embodiment of the invention. The communication network 400 includes a home network 410 for communication of land mobile objects of general use (PLMN, from English - Public Land Mobile Network), which contains many network elements, and which are not 3GPP networks 440. The home PLMN 410 includes OSH 411 ShKPP 412, FSPVP 413, gateway 414 packet data (broadband or PDG, from English - Packet Data Gateway), server 415 AAA 3GPP, home subscriber server 416 (DAS or HSS, from English - Home Subscriber Server) and IP-services of 417 operators (i.e. .IMS services). Other network elements may be included in the home PLMN 410, which are not illustrated for brevity.

The communication network 400 charging architecture includes an EHSS 418, which is implemented in the home PLMN 410. In this charging system, the SSCW 412 is connected to the HSS 418 through an enhanced Gy interface (or a modified Ro protocol) and supports online charging for data flow / PDP connection (Packet Data Protocol from English - Packet Data Protocol). The 3GPP AAA server 415 is connected to the ATNS 418 via an advanced Wo protocol interface and supports online charging. The operator’s IP services 417 are connected to the Inland Airspace 418 through an enhanced Diameter Ro protocol interface.

The advanced interface using the Gy protocol and the advanced interface using the Wo protocol contain one or more newly defined PAZs with access information for the mobile device. The access information may include a network address (e.g., an IPv4 or IPv6 address) of a signaling gateway used to connect the mobile device to the communication network 400. For example, if a mobile device uses access in a 3GPP environment, the access information may include an OSH 411 network address and an SSK 412 network address. These network addresses indicate to the SSNR 418 that the mobile device is not in roaming mode, that the services are provided by the home PLMN 410 and that access for a mobile device is access in a 3GPP environment. In another example, if the mobile device uses trustworthy non-3GPP access, the access information may contain the network address of the signaling gateway for non-3GPP access (for example, the serving HRPD gateway (OSP)) SSCN network address 412. These network addresses indicate to the EANS 418 that the mobile device is not in roaming mode, that the services are provided by the home PLMN 410, and that the access to the mobile device is trustworthy non-3GPP access (for example, a CDMA network). ShSCP 412 is capable of recognizing access information for a mobile device and entering access information into the PAZ interface using the Gy protocol. Similarly, the AAA server 415 is capable of recognizing access information for a mobile device and inputting access information into the notch of the interface via the Wo protocol.

The advanced Ro protocol interface contains one or more notches with an identifier for charging a connection fee in an LTE network. One or more elements representing the operator’s IP services 417, such as an application server or a service connection management function (OFUS or S-CSCF, from English - Serving-Call Session Control Function), request FSPWP 413 LTE network charging identifier. Then, the operator’s IP IP service element 417 is able to enter the LTE network charging identifier into the slot of the interface using the Ro protocol. The advanced Gy interface and the advanced Wo interface may also contain similar notches designed for LTE network charging identifier.

FIG. 5 illustrates a LTE / EPC communication network 500 operating in a scenario with the provision of roaming and home services according to one embodiment of the invention. The communication network 500 includes the home PLMN 510, which contains many network elements, the guest PLMN 520, which contains many network elements, and non-3GPP networks 540. The home PLMN 510 includes the ShKPP 512, the home FSWPP (dFSPVP) 513, the server 515 AAA 3GPP, DAS 516, home operator IP services 517 and other network elements that are not illustrated for brevity. Guest PLMN 520 includes OSH 521, guest FSWPP (gFSPVP) 523, broadband access 524, an intermediary server 525 AAA 3GPP, and other network elements that are not illustrated for brevity.

The communication network 500 charging architecture includes the home SANWP 518, which is implemented in PLMN 510. In this charging architecture, the SSCW 512 is coupled to the SOSWP 518 via an advanced Gy interface (or a modified Ro protocol) and supports online charging for data flow / PDP connection. 3GPP AAA Server 525 is connected to the In-WAN 518 via an advanced Wo protocol interface and supports online charging. The IP services 517 of the operator are connected to the Inland Navigation 518 through an enhanced Diameter Ro protocol interface.

There are many implementation options for charging direct IP access through non-GPP 3 access. In one embodiment, the 3GPP AAA Mediator Server 525 monitors direct IP access and initiates the transfer of a home Credit Agreement 518 loan via Diameter Wo protocol to the home PoIP. According to another embodiment, the 3GPP proxy server 525 AAA is not connected / not connected to the home PoWS 518. Instead, the proxy server AAA 525 transmits a credit request to the AAA server 515, which initiates the transfer of the home PoIP 518 loan request via Diameter Wo protocol.

FIG. 6 illustrates an LTE / EPC communication network 600 operating in a scenario with the provision of roaming and guest services (also referred to as (local rejection) according to one embodiment of the invention. The communication network 600 includes a home PLMN 610 that contains multiple network elements, the guest PLMN 620, which contains many network elements and is not a 3GPP network of the 640 network. The PLMN 610 home network includes the home FSWP (dFSPVP) 613, the AAA 3GPP server 615, DAS 616, the home operator IP services 617, and other network elements which are not illustrated for the sake of brevity. In the guest PLMN 620 includes OR 621, PDN-GW 622 guest PCRF (gFSPVP) 623, BBA 624, proxy server 625 3GPP AAA, the guest operator IP-based services 627 and other network elements which are not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

The communication network 600 charging architecture includes the home PoIP 618, which is implemented in the home PLMN 610. In this charging architecture, the 3GPP AAA server 615 and the AAA proxy server 625 are connected to the home PoIP 618 through an enhanced Wo interface and support online charging . The IP services of the home operator 617 are connected to the Incoms 618 through an improved Diameter Ro protocol interface. The charging architecture additionally includes the guest SONVP 628, which is implemented in the guest PLMN 620. The SSCP 622 is connected to the guest SONVP 628 through an advanced interface via the Gy protocol (or the modified Ro protocol) and supports online charging for data flow / connection via the PDP protocol. In one of the alternative embodiments, the SSCP 622 may be connected to the home SONWP 618 through an advanced Gy interface. The 3GPP AAA Mediation Server 625 is connected to the guest ETSA 628 through an advanced Wo protocol interface and supports online charging. The IP services of the guest operator 627 are connected to the guest SONWP 628 through an enhanced Diameter Ro protocol interface.

And in this case, there are many options for implementing charging for direct IP access through access not in the 3 GPP environment. In one embodiment, the 3GPP AAA Mediation Server 625 monitors direct IP access and initiates the transfer of a home loan request via Diameter Wo protocol to the home PoIP 618. According to another embodiment, the AAA 625 3GPP mediation server is not connected / not connected to the home AAU 618. Instead, the AAA proxy server 625 transmits a credit request to the AAA server 615, which initiates the transmission of the credit request by the Home Con 632 via Diameter Wo protocol. In yet another embodiment, the AAA 625 intermediary server transmits a credit request to the guest SONVP 628, and the guest SONVP 628 forwards the credit request to the home SONVP 618.

To charge for IP operator services (IMS services) in the described embodiments, when using IP operator services in the home network, charging in the home network is initiated in the home EHSS via the Diameter Ro protocol interface. Otherwise, when using the operator’s IP-services in the guest network (in the case of local denial of service), charging in the guest network is initiated in the home ATSS via an interface via the Diameter Ro protocol or initiated in the guest network of the ATNS via the interface through the Diameter Ro protocol. The guest ETSA also initiates the Ro / Rc interface for the home ETSA. The operator’s IP services (IMS services) are connected to the FSFE using the Rx protocol interface in order to obtain an LTE connection charge identifier, and include the LTE network charge identifier in credit requests transmitted by the home VHSS or guest VHSS.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a guest EHSS 628 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the guest SONVP 628 includes an online charging function 704 (FONVP or OCF, from English - Online Charging Function), an account status management function 706 (FUSS or ABMF, from the English - Account Balance Management Function) and ranking function 708 ( FR or RF, from English - Rating Function). FONVP 704 is any system, server or function that can manage online charging in the guest SONVP 628 by accessing the FUSS 706 and FR 708. FUSS 706 is any system, server or function capable of taking into account the distribution of service units provided by the home VPS 618. FR 708 is any system, server or function capable of determining the size of the connection or service fee in guest PLMN 620, based on the tariff set by the network operator.

Guest SONVP 628 is connected with the database 710 of these rules. The rules database 710 is any server or data structure in which charging rules can be stored that establish how online charging for roaming connections is made between the guest SONVP 628 and the home SONVP 618. When a mobile device initiates a connection in roaming, for example, in the communication network 600 shown in FIG. 6, the network element (eg, SSCC 622) should provide tinning of the connection. The network element contains a charge initiation function (FUWP), which is able to recognize the requested service. Since the user of the mobile device is a subscriber in relation to whom online charging is applied (prepayment), the network element needs to obtain permission before providing the service. Thus, the FUWP of the network element transmits a credit request containing the corresponding request for authorization of service and quotas of service units for budget control to the guest ONVP 628. Then guest SONVP 628 acts as follows.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method 800 for deciding how an online charge is made to a guest EHSS 628 according to one embodiment of the invention. Although the steps of method 800 will be described with reference to a communication network 600 shown in FIG. 6 and a guest SONWP 628 shown in FIG. 7, method 800 may be implemented by other communication networks. The steps shown in FIG. flowcharts are not comprehensive, and flowcharts may contain other steps that are not shown.

At step 802, the guest SONVP 628 receives a credit request from the network element. In step 804, in response to a loan request, the guest SONVP 628 processes the collection rules stored in the database 710 of these rules to decide whether to control the credit for the connection (i.e., to act as a function of credit control) or to allow the home SOP 618 exercise control over the loan (i.e., act as a pure intermediary in relation to home-based ETSA 618). The charging rules establish what role the guest SONVP 628 should play. For example, if a roaming connection is made through trustworthy access outside the 3GPP environment, the guest SONVP 628 will already have a user charging profile for the mobile device. Thus, the charging rules may indicate that instead of home-based ConVP 618, the guest ConVP 628 acts as a credit control function. If the connection in roaming is through unreliable access outside the 3GPP environment, the guest ConVP 628 will not have a collection profile boards from the user. The guest ETSA 628 will have to retrieve the charging profile from the home EEA 618, which can create security difficulties. Thus, the charging rules may indicate that instead of the guest SONVP 628, the home SONVP 618 acts as a function of credit control. The rules for charging may apply to any information received via the interfaces via the Gy / Wo / Ro protocols, and to other subscription data, such as service context identifier, link, access type, service initiation type, interface type (e.g., via Gy, Wo or Ro protocol), application type, media type, quality of service (Qo) in the channel, subscriber category but (for example, the privileged user of the Golden User class or the Silver User class), etc. If it is determined that the guest SONVP 628 should act as a function of credit control, the guest SONVP 628 performs the steps of method 900 illustrated in Fig.9. If it is established that the guest SONVP 628 should act as a pure intermediary, performs the steps of method 1000, illustrated in figure 10.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method 900 for implementing a guest credit monitoring credit system ONE 628 according to an embodiment of the invention. At step 902, the guest SONVP 628 generates an online charge request, which requests the necessary charge information in response to the loan request. The charging information that is required may vary depending on the desired implementation. Nevertheless, it is preferable to receive not a complete subscriber profile of the user, but request a minimum of information on charging. Then, in step 904, the guest ETSA 628 transmits the home ETSA 618 an online charge request via the Diameter Re protocol interface.

In response to a request for online charging, the home SONP 618 recognizes the subscriber profile of the user of the mobile device. The subscriber profile (also referred to as the charging profile) shows the user-subscribed service plan, user class of service, and other relevant charging information. Home SONVP 618 forms an abbreviated version of the subscriber profile of the user. An abbreviated version of the subscriber profile contains information that, as established by home SONVP 618, is necessary or desirable for the guest SONVP 628 in order to rank or control credit according to an agreement between network operators. Home SONVP 618 also determines the balance in the account of a user in roaming mode. Accounting for the account balance is usually carried out by the account state management function (FUSC) of home SONVP 618. The account balance is the amount of money or the number of other service units that the user has purchased in advance for prepaid services. Home SONVP 618 provides the roaming user with units of service from the account balance to pay for connection to the guest PLMN 620. Any part of the account balance that home SONVP 618 provides to the guest SONVP 628 to control the loan can be allocated. For example, if the user’s account balance is 200 units of service, home SONVP 618 may allocate 50 service units to pay for connection to the guest PLMN 620. The allocated amount will be divided into different quotas for various network elements of the guest SONVP 628. In response to a request for online charging the home SONVP 618 introduces an abbreviated subscriber profile and distribution of service units as charging information and transmits the guest SONVP 628 a response to the online charge request.

At step 906, the guest ETSA 628 receives a response from the home ETSA 618 to the online charge request via the Diameter Re protocol interface. In response to a request for online toll collection, FONWP 704 (see FIG. 7), in step 908, processes the billing information to determine the distribution of units of service provided by the home VLSI 618 (if any) and an abbreviated subscription profile. If the distribution has been made, the Social Security Fund 704 may retain the distribution of service units in FUSS 706. If the distribution has not been made, the Social Security Federal District 704 may request to replenish the user account or terminate the connection in step 909.

In step 910, the ranking function 708 determines the rank of the connection based on the abbreviated subscriber profile provided by the home HWSS 618. For example, in the abridged subscriber profile, the tariff applicable to the subscriber’s connections in roaming mode may be indicated. In step 912, the FWEP 704 provides a quota of service units to the requesting network element and other network elements of the guest PLMN 620 based on the distribution of service units, connection rank, and service types and data.

For example, suppose that the network element sends a credit request to the guest of the SONWP 628 to service the connection that the network element should provide. In response to a credit request (for example, a credit control request (CCC) using the Diameter protocol), FONVP 704 provides a quota of service units from the amount allocated by home SONVP 618. After that, FONVP 704 in step 914 transmits a response to the credit control request to the network element (for example , the response to the request for credit control (OZKK) protocol Diameter) indicating the quota provided to the network element. Then the FUWP of the network element can control the budget based on the quota provided. FONVP 704 provides credit control for each of the network elements of the guest PLMN 620 that serve the connection by providing a quota based on the distribution of service units.

While FONVP 704 provides credit control for the network element, FUSS 706 monitors the distribution of units of service. If the distribution of service units has expired, guest ETSA 628 generates another online charge request, which requests a new distribution of service units, and transmits a request for online fees for the home ETA 618. If the balance in the user’s account is sufficient, the home ETA 618 can make another distribution of service units in response to an online charge request, and the process continues.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1000 of implementing a mediation guest GUI 628 according to one embodiment of the invention. In this case, the guest ConVP 628 acts as a pure intermediary in relation to the home ConVP 618, which provides credit control. Guest SONVP 628 does not carry out the functions of ranking and charging, illustrated in Fig.9. In order to act as an intermediary, in step 1002, the guest ETSA 628 sends a home loan request to the ETSA 618 via the Diameter Ro protocol interface. For example, if a credit request received from a network element contains a CCL via Diameter protocol, the guest CWSP 628 sends the home CWSP 618 to the CCC via Diameter protocol via the Diameter Ro interface.

In response to a loan request, home SONVP 618 acts as a traditional loan control function. Home SONVP 618 determines the balance in the account of the user in roaming mode and provides a quota of units of service from the balance in the account to the network element that provides the service. Then, the home ETSA 618 generates a response to the credit control request, such as the OPCS using the Diameter protocol. Home Convp 618 enters the quota provided in response to a credit control request and transmits a response to the credit control request to guest Convp 628.

In step 1004, the guest ETSA 628 receives a response from the home ETSA 618 to the credit control request. At step 1006, the guest SONVP 628 sends a response to the credit control request to the network element indicating the quota granted to the network element. After this, the FUWP of the network element can provide budget control based on the quota provided. If the quota expires, the network element will need to request another quota of service units from the home HSS 618, which provides credit control for the connection.

Although specific embodiments are described in the invention, the scope of the invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. The scope of the invention is limited by the following claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims (10)

1. An LTE / EPC communication network (100) capable of serving a connection involving a mobile device (130), which includes:
online charging system (112); and
at least one LTE network element (110) capable of generating a credit request in response to a connection charge event, and transmitting a credit request to the In-ONP (112),
characterized in that:
at least one LTE network element (110) is coupled to the In-Ai (112) via an improved interface (120),
at least one LTE network element (110) is further able to recognize access information for the connection, which indicates the type of access of the mobile device (130) to the communication network (100), and enter access information into the credit request, and
at least one LTE network element (110) is additionally capable of transmitting a credit request to an ONE (112) via an improved interface (120). 2. The communication network (100) according to claim 1, in which the ConVP (112) is able to receive a loan request, process the loan request in order to recognize the access information contained in the loan request, and determine the size of the connection fee based on the access information. 3. The communication network (100) according to claim 1, in which:
at least one LTE network element (110) is a packet switched network gateway (UPCS),
advanced interface (120) is an advanced interface according to the Gy protocol and
Gy's advanced interface contains at least one attribute-value pair (PA) with access information. 4. The communication network (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one LTE network element (110) is an AAA 3GPP server or an AAA 3GPP proxy server,
Advanced Interface (120) is an advanced Diameter Wo interface and
The Diameter Wo protocol enhanced interface contains an attribute-value (PA) pair with access information. 5. The communication network (100) according to claim 1, in which:
ETSA (112) is a guest ETSA on a guest network and a guest EEAS is able to accept a loan request and process the charging rules set for a mobile device (130) to decide whether to provide credit control or allow a home EEAS to control credit in the home network . 6. The communication network (100) according to claim 5, in which, in the case of a decision to provide credit control, the guest ETSA is additionally able to generate an online charge request requesting charging information, transmit the online charge request of the home ETSA through an improved interface via Diameter Rc protocol, to receive a response to an online charge request containing connection charge information from the home ETS based on an improved Diameter Re protocol interface; At the same time, the charging information contains at least a distribution of the service units that the home EHIF provided for the connection, process the charging information in response to the online charging request in order to determine the connection fee, provide a quota of service units for at least one network LTE (110) element, based on the distribution of service units of the board size, and transmit to at least one LTE (110) network element a response to a credit control request indicating representation quota. 7. The communication network (100) according to claim 5, in which, in the case of a decision to allow the home credit system to control the credit, the guest credit system is additionally able to send a loan request to the home credit system through an improved interface via Diameter Ro protocol, to receive a response to the credit control request from the home credit system, comprising a quota provided to at least one LTE network element (110), and to send at least one LTE network element (110) a response to the credit control request indicating the quota granted. 8. A method of online charging in an LTE / EPC communication network (100), which includes at least one LTE network element (110) serving a connection involving a mobile device (130), the implementation of which:
generate a credit request in at least one LTE network element (110) in response to a connection charge event, and
transmit to the online charging system (112) the credit request,
characterized in that:
recognize access information for the connection, which indicates the type of access of the mobile device (130) to the communication network (100),
enter access information into the loan request and
transmitting to the EECS (112) a credit request through an improved interface. 9. The method of claim 8, in which additionally:
accept a loan request in EEC (112),
process the loan request in order to recognize the access information contained in the loan request, and
determine the size of the connection fee based on access information. 10. The method according to claim 8, in which SONVP (112) is a guest SONVP guest network and in which additionally:
accept a loan request in a guest
process the charging rules set for the mobile device to decide whether to provide credit control in the guest EHC or to allow the home EHC to control the credit in the home network.

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