Service utilization control manager
First Claim
1. A method of managing mobile network services, the method comprising:
- receiving by a node, via an electronic network, a mobile network service request, the mobile network service request requesting authorization by a service authorization and utilization control function (SAUCF) element executing on the node and acting as a service manager configured to centrally coordinate service authorizations for multiple network services associated with an individual subscriber account by evaluating a service policy for the subscriber account, the service policy defining user access spanning the multiple network services grouped into a plurality of bundled service categories;
implementing, by the SAUCF element, the service policy via an interface configured to apply the service policy to a bundled service category corresponding to the mobile network service request;
electronically processing, via the SAUCF element, the authorization for the mobile network service request based on the service policy, the service policy comprising;
(a) communication authorization controls affecting permission for a user associated with the subscriber account to access a mobile network service identified in the mobile network service request in accordance with one or more criteria applicable to the bundled service category corresponding to the mobile network service, and(b) charging controls for determining whether a subscriber account includes sufficient credits to use the mobile network service within the corresponding bundled service category;
mapping messages received by the SAUCF element across an application interface from a network element to a real time utilization interface;
transmitting mapped messages across the real time utilization interface from the SAUCF element to a subscriber service utilization account; and
receiving messages across the real time utilization interface from the subscriber service utilization account to the SAUCF element.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus is described for managing mobile network services. The apparatus includes a service authorization and utilization control function (SAUCF) element configured to authorize a mobile network service request by acting as a service manager configured to centrally coordinate service authorizations for multiple network services associated with an individual subscriber account by evaluating a service policy defining user access spanning the multiple network services. The service policy includes (a) communication authorization controls affecting permission for a user associated with the subscriber account to access a mobile network service in accordance with one or more criteria applicable to a bundled service category; and (b) charging controls for determining whether a subscriber account includes sufficient credits to use the mobile network service. A real time utilization interface is configured to transmit messages between the SAUCF element and a subscriber service utilization account.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of managing mobile network services, the method comprising:
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receiving by a node, via an electronic network, a mobile network service request, the mobile network service request requesting authorization by a service authorization and utilization control function (SAUCF) element executing on the node and acting as a service manager configured to centrally coordinate service authorizations for multiple network services associated with an individual subscriber account by evaluating a service policy for the subscriber account, the service policy defining user access spanning the multiple network services grouped into a plurality of bundled service categories; implementing, by the SAUCF element, the service policy via an interface configured to apply the service policy to a bundled service category corresponding to the mobile network service request; electronically processing, via the SAUCF element, the authorization for the mobile network service request based on the service policy, the service policy comprising; (a) communication authorization controls affecting permission for a user associated with the subscriber account to access a mobile network service identified in the mobile network service request in accordance with one or more criteria applicable to the bundled service category corresponding to the mobile network service, and (b) charging controls for determining whether a subscriber account includes sufficient credits to use the mobile network service within the corresponding bundled service category; mapping messages received by the SAUCF element across an application interface from a network element to a real time utilization interface; transmitting mapped messages across the real time utilization interface from the SAUCF element to a subscriber service utilization account; and receiving messages across the real time utilization interface from the subscriber service utilization account to the SAUCF element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for managing mobile network services in a mobile network, the system comprising:
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a service authorization and utilization control function (SAUCF) element executing on a network node, the SAUCF element being configured to authorize a mobile network service request by acting as a service manager configured to centrally coordinate service authorizations for multiple network services associated with an individual subscriber account by evaluating a service policy for the subscriber account, the service policy defining user access spanning the multiple network services grouped into a plurality of bundled service categories, the service policy comprising; (a) communication authorization controls affecting permission for a user associated with the subscriber account to access a mobile network service identified in the mobile network service request in accordance with one or more criteria applicable to a bundled service category corresponding to the mobile network service; and (b) charging controls for determining whether a subscriber account includes sufficient credits to use the mobile network service within the corresponding bundled service category; an interface coupled to the SAUCF element and configured to apply the service policy to the bundled service category corresponding to the mobile network service; and an application interface configured to map messages received by the SAUCF element, from a network element, to a real time utilization interface; wherein the real time utilization interface is configured to transmit mapped messages from the SAUCF element to a subscriber service utilization account; wherein the real time utilization interface is configured to receive messages from the subscriber service utilization account for the SAUCF element; and wherein the mobile network is configured to provide the mobile network service to a subscriber mobile device adapted to request the mobile network service. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for managing a mobile network service in a mobile network, the apparatus comprising:
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a service authorization and utilization control function (SAUCF) element executing on a network node, the SAUCF element being configured to authorize a mobile network service request by acting as a service manager configured to centrally coordinate service authorizations for multiple network services associated with an individual subscriber account by evaluating a service policy for the subscriber account, the service policy defining user access spanning the multiple network services grouped into a plurality of bundled service categories, the service policy comprising; (a) communication authorization controls affecting permission for a user associated with the subscriber account to access a mobile network service identified in the mobile network service request in accordance with one or more criteria applicable to a bundled service category corresponding to the mobile network service; and (b) charging controls for determining whether a subscriber account includes sufficient credits to use the mobile network service within the corresponding bundled service category; and an interface coupled to the SAUCF element and configured to apply the service policy to the bundled service category corresponding to the mobile network service; an application interface configured to map messages received by the service authorization and utilization control function element from a network element to a real time utilization interface; and wherein the real time utilization interface is configured to transmit messages between the service authorization and utilization control function element and a subscriber service utilization account. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification