Method for controlling charging of packet data service

• US 20070060101A1
• Filed: 08/11/2006
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Duan, Xiaoqin
• Granted Patent: US 8,009,573 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1403 Architecture for metering, charging or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/204 UMTS; GPRS
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing

Abstract

A method for controlling the charging of packet data service includes: monitoring a number of event triggers; and when one of the event triggers is met, a Traffic Plane Function (TPF) requesting charging rules from a Charging Rule Function (CRF). In the preferred embodiments, the event triggers, which the TPF is required for request charging rules from the CRF according to are set by the CRF and then are provided to the TPF. Charging-relevant input information is provided in the request, based on which the CRF determines proper charging rules and sends the determined charging rules to the TPF. In this way, the timing that the TPF requests charging rules from the CRF becomes controllable, and redundant information caused by the unnecessary charging rule from the TPF becomes avoidable, which enables effective interaction between the TPF and the CRF and reasonable charging control of packet data service.

Claims

1. A method for controlling the charging of packet data service, comprising the steps of:

monitoring a plurality of event triggers; and

sending a charging rule request from a Traffic Plane Function (TPF) to a Charging Rule Function (CRF), when one of said event trigger is met.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said event triggers are set by the CRF and then provided to the TPF.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the TPF stores said event triggers received from the CRF and monitors if any of said event triggers is met.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said request sending from the TPF to the CRF when one of said event trigger is met selectively comprises an event identifier which indicates a corresponding trigger event.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the CRF responses for said request by providing a charging rule in a charging rule provision procedure according to the trigger event.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein said event triggers are set according to self-stored information in the CRF, or charging-relevant input information provided by an Application Function (AF), an Online Charging System (OCS), the TPF, or combinations of the AF, the OCS, and the TPF.