Method for controlling charging of packet data service

• US 8,531,971 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2011
• Issued: 09/10/2013
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, MAN U
• Application Number:
  US13/277,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20120033560A1
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 370252-259, 370328-389, 455405-422, 709219-229
• US Class Current: 370/241
• 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 is disclosed, which includes: monitoring a number of event triggers; and when one of the event triggers is met, a TPF requesting charging rules from a CRF. 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 interaction between the TPF and the CRF more effective and the charging control of packet data service reasonable and perfect.

Claims

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

receiving, by a Traffic Plane Function (TPF), event triggers to control the TPF from a Charging Rule Function (CRF), wherein the event triggers are determined by the CRF;

determining, by the TPF, whether a request for charging rule is required to be sent to the CRF according to the event triggers; and

sending, by the TPF, the request for charging rule to the CRF, if one or more of the event triggers received from the CRF is met,

wherein the event triggers comprise at least one of a change of a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), a change of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a change of a Radio Access Technology (RAT) type, a change of a Traffic Flow Template (TFT), or a change of Quality of Service (QoS).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the request for charging rule carries an event identifier indicating the met event trigger.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the request for charging rule carries charging-relevant input information which is provided to the CRF for charging rule selection.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the TPF, a charging rule from the CRF in a charging rule provision procedure.

9. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

performing, by the TPF, charging information statistics according to the charging rule.

5. A communication system for controlling charging of packet data service, comprising:

a Traffic Plane Function (TPF) which is in communication with a Charging Rule Function (CRF), wherein the TPF is configured to;

receive, from the CRF, event triggers to control the TPF, wherein the event triggers are determined by the CRF;

determine whether a request for charging rule is required to be sent to the CRF according to the event triggers; and

send the request for charging rule to the CRF if one or more of the event triggers received from the CRF is met,

wherein the event triggers comprise at least one of a change of a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN), a change of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), a change of a Radio Access Technology (RAT) type, a change of a Traffic Flow Template (TFT), or a change of Quality of Service (QoS).

6. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein the request for charging rule carries an event identifier indicating met event trigger.

7. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein the request for charging rule carries charging-relevant input information which is provided to the CRF for charging rule selection.

8. The communication system according to claim 5, the TPF is further configured to receive a charging rule from the CRF in a charging rule provision procedure.

10. The communication system according to claim 8, the TPF is further configured to perform charging information statistics according to the charging rule.

11. The communication system according to claim 5, wherein the communication system is a general packet radio service (GPRS) communication system, and the TPF is a GPRS Support Node (GGSN).