Abstract:
Systems and methods for performing offline charging for group communications. One embodiment is an application server that identifies data for a group communication, identifies an encryption code assigned to the group, encrypts the data for the group communication using the encryption code, and initiates delivery of the encrypted data for the group communication to the group of mobile devices over an MBMS bearer. The application server collects charging information related to the group communication using MBMS delivery, formats the charging information into an offline charging communication, and transmits the offline charging communication to an offline charging system.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods that offload charging from an Online Charging System (OCS). The OCS includes an offload controller that receives a online charging request from a policy enforcement element for a service, determines whether charging for the service is eligible to be offloaded from the OCS to an Offline Charging System (OFCS), and pushes a charging rule to the policy enforcement element to switch a charging mode for the service to offline charging. An online charging function within the OCS receives another online charging request for the service from the OFCS that reports a charging event detected by the policy enforcement element, and debits an account of an end user based on the online charging request from the OFCS.
Abstract:
Systems and methods that generate a partial Charging Data Record (CDR) when charging transfers from a primary charging function to a secondary charging function due to a failure. In one embodiment, the system receives an interim accounting request for a session from a secondary charging function after charging was transferred from the primary charging function. The system then opens a new partial CDR for the session based on the interim accounting request. The system receives a prior partial CDR for the session from the primary charging function, parses the prior partial CDR to identify a CDR timestamp, and records a start time in the new partial CDR based on the CDR timestamp. The system parses the interim accounting request to identify an accounting timestamp for the session, records an end time in the new partial CDR based on the accounting timestamp, and closes the new partial CDR.
Abstract:
Systems and methods that provide error handling for CDR transport. One embodiment comprises a CGF of an offline charging system. The CGF receives an initial CDR transfer request from a CDF, identifies a data record value inserted in the initial CDR transfer request by the CDF to indicate a number of CDRs in the initial CDR transfer request, and counts the CDRs contained in the initial CDR transfer request. The CGF compares the count of CDRs contained in the initial CDR transfer request with the number of CDRs indicated by the CDF, and rejects the initial CDR transfer request if the count of CDRs does not match the number of CDRs indicated by the CDF. The CGF then assembles a CDR transfer response that includes a cause value indicating a count mismatch, and sends the CDR transfer response to the CDF.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for overload processing in an offline charging system of a communications services provider. A distributor unit is configured to receive accounting messages from a Charging Trigger Function (CTF) and determine that a destination Charging Data Function (CDF) intended for receiving the messages is in an overloaded state. Messages that are for ongoing sessions are transmitted to a selected destination queue of the overloaded destination CDF based on a designated queue status of the selected destination queue and while the destination CDF is in an overloaded state, while messages for new Diameter sessions are not sent to the selected destination queue of the overloaded destination CDF while the destination CDF remains in the overloaded state.
Abstract:
Apparatus and methods that offload charging from an Online Charging System (OCS). The OCS includes an offload controller that receives a online charging request from a policy enforcement element for a service, determines whether charging for the service is eligible to be offloaded from the OCS to an Offline Charging System (OFCS), and pushes a charging rule to the policy enforcement element to switch a charging mode for the service to offline charging. An online charging function within the OCS receives another online charging request for the service from the OFCS that reports a charging event detected by the policy enforcement element, and debits an account of an end user based on the online charging request from the OFCS.
Abstract:
A cellular traffic monitoring system includes: a Traffic Detection Function (TDF) module to monitor cellular traffic associated with a cellular subscriber device, and to generate application detection output indicative of an application used by the cellular subscriber device; an application-based charging module to generate, based on the application detection output of said TDF module, application-based charging data related to said cellular subscriber device; a Policy Charging and Enforcement Function (PCEF) module to enforce one or more charging rules that are Service Data Flow (SDF) based and are related to said cellular subscriber device; an SDF-based charging module to generate SDF-based charging data related to said cellular subscriber device; and a charging correlator module to identify a potential over-charging due to an overlap between the application-based charging data and the SDF-based charging data.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for performing offline charging for proximity services. One embodiment is a proximity service element that controls proximity services for a mobile network. The proximity service element receives a request from User Equipment (UE) for a proximity service, and collects offline charging information related to the proximity service. The proximity service element formats the offline charging information into an offline charging communication, and transmits the offline charging communication to an offline charging system.
Abstract:
A system and method for telecommunications operators to enable group based dynamic policy controls for both pre-paid and post-paid subscribers, who are typically not managed in an Online Charging System (OCS), but rather in an Charging System or a Billing System. Examples of policy controls that may be enabled by this invention include tracking spending for post-paid subscribers, managing subscriber usage across fixed-line and mobile networks, and so on. This is achieved by introducing a new component called the Enhanced Charging System (ECS) and creating a new reference point and interface between the Policy Management System and the ECS.
Abstract:
A distributed collaborative offline charging system and method is provided. Charging is determined by receiving a reduced charging record at a charging control function. The reduced charging record includes a charging data subset and an index for charging parameters that are not included in reduced charging record. The charging control function retrieves the charging parameters that are not included in reduced charging record utilizing the index.