CN1464662A - Mobile phone user authentication charging method supporting grouped data prepayment characteristic - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a mobile user authentication and charging method supporting packet data prepaid features, which is characterized in that the charging request response message sent by AAA to PDSN includes information on the duration of the active session; correspondingly, there is a session in the PDSN Activation trigger and billing cycle trigger. The trigger can reset parameters according to the information received from AAA. When the trigger condition is met, the corresponding intermediate billing request information is triggered and reported to AAA; AAA receives any After receiving the intermediate charging request information, recalculate the duration of the active session and send a charging request response message to the PDSN. In this way, PDSN can apply for fees from AAA in sections, which breaks through the limitation of one-time fee budget and does not cause overdraft, thus paving the way for prepaid users to use data services. At the same time, segment charging can accurately control the time when users use services, and can realize accurate prepayment functions.

Description

Mobile User Authentication and Billing Method Supporting Packet Data Prepaid Feature

Technical field:

The invention relates to a mobile user authentication and charging method supporting the packet data prepayment feature.

Background technique:

The standard CDMA2000 (Code Division Multiple Access, Code Division Multiple Access) network structure is shown in Figure 1. According to different service characteristics, it can be divided into voice network and data network. The core switching network of CDMA2000 uses completely different equipment for the voice network and data network. The voice service signaling is transmitted through the SS7 signaling network, and the data service signaling is transmitted through the IP (Internet Protocol) network. The access network uses the existing base station controller BSC (BaseStation Control) to add a packet control function (PCF, Packet Control Function) module to access the packet data service node PDSN (Packet Data Serving).

The traditional voice network interacts with the mobile switching center MSC (Mobile Switch Control) and the service control point SCP (Service Control Point) through the WIN protocol. The MSC completes the switching function, and the SCP completes the authentication and billing functions. Account cost control.

In the CDMA2000 packet data network, the packet data service node PDSN completes the switching function, and the AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting authentication, authorization, and accounting) equipment completes the authentication, authentication, and accounting functions. The interface protocol between the two is the standard RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial In User Service) protocol that conforms to the CDMA2000 grouping equipment specification. For the standard RADIUS protocol, please refer to RFC2865, RFC2866, RFC2869. For the extension of CDMA2000, please refer to " 3GPP2 P.S0001-A Version 3.0.03 Wireless IPNetwork Standard".

The interactive signaling between PDSN and AAA in a successful mobile user authentication and charging process can be illustrated in Figure 2, and its steps include:

a) The mobile user requests to access the Internet, and the PDSN sends an authentication request message Access-Request to the AAA; b) AAA authenticates the user, confirms that the user has the right to log in, and sends an authentication acceptance message Access-Accept to the PDSN; c) the PDSN sends a counting message to the AAA Fee start request message Accounting-Request (Start); d) AAA receives the accounting start request message Accounting-Request (Start), starts charging the mobile user, and sends an accounting request response message Accounting-Reponse to PDSN; e) PDSN After reaching the intermediate charging reporting period, send an intermediate charging request Accounting-Request (Interim) to AAA; f) AAA generates temporary accounting information after receiving the intermediate charging request Accounting-Request (Interim); g) the mobile user ends When accessing the Internet, the PDSN sends an accounting end request message Accounting-Request (Stop) to the AAA; h) AAA finishes charging the mobile user, and sends an accounting request response message Accounting-Reponse to the PDSN.

The interaction between PDSN and AAA is currently based on the standard RADIUS protocol conforming to the CDMA2000 specification. According to the attributes defined in the current protocol, it can only be realized that when the PDSN sends an authentication request message to the AAA, the AAA will make a one-time budget based on the user account funds, and then send the sustainable time as a parameter of the authentication acceptance message to the PDSN , the PDSN sends an Accounting End Request message to end the session after the time is up.

When the packet data service is opened to users, it is very likely that multiple users will use one account at the same time. For example, users download paid content while surfing the Internet, and use voice services while surfing the Internet. Either it will result in an overage, or it will only allow one user to use the account.

Therefore, the above-mentioned existing technology cannot realize the prepaid function of the packet data service, and cannot control the user fee in real time, that is to say, the prepaid user of the traditional voice network cannot use the packet data service.

A major advantage of the CDMA2000 network is that it can provide rich data services, increase the frequency of mobile users using the network, and improve the profitability of operators. Prepaid users occupy a considerable market share in the traditional voice network (CDMA-IS95), and it is a big loss that these users cannot use data services. Especially when the network evolves to the CDMA20001X stage, how to make the prepaid subscribers belonging to the traditional voice network enjoy the convenience brought by the packet data service becomes an urgent problem to be solved.

Invention content:

The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, provide a mobile user authentication and charging method supporting the packet data prepayment feature, and realize the prepayment function of the packet data service.

In order to achieve the above object, the mobile user authentication and charging method supporting the packet data prepaid feature proposed by the present invention includes the following steps: a) the mobile user requires to surf the Internet, and the PDSN sends an authentication request message (Access-Request) to the AAA; b) the AAA Authenticate the user, if it is confirmed that the user has the right to log in, send an authentication acceptance message (Access-Accept) to the PDSN; c) PDSN sends an accounting start request message (Accounting Request (Start)) to the AAA; d) AAA receives the accounting Charge start request message (Accounting-Request (Start)), start charging the mobile user, and send an accounting request response message (Accounting Reponse) to the PDSN; e) After the PDSN reaches the intermediate accounting reporting period, send the intermediate accounting to the PDSN Request (Accounting-Request(Interim)); f) AAA generates temporary accounting information after receiving the intermediate accounting request (Accounting-Request(Interim)); g) When the mobile user ends the Internet, the PDSN sends the accounting end Request message (Accounting-Request (Stop)); h) AAA finishes billing the mobile user, and sends an Accounting Request Response message (Accounting Reponse) to PDSN; it is characterized in that: the Accounting Request Response message (Accounting Reponse) that AAA sends to PDSN Response) contains information on the duration of the active session; correspondingly, there is a session activation trigger in the PDSN, which can reset the parameters according to the information on the duration of the active session received from AAA. When the trigger condition is met , that is, when the duration of the active session is exhausted, the corresponding intermediate accounting request information (Accounting-Request (Interim-update)) is triggered and reported to AAA; there is also an accounting cycle trigger in the PDSN, which can When the accounting period arrives, trigger the corresponding intermediate accounting request information (Accounting-Request (Interim-update)) and report to AAA; AAA receives any intermediate accounting request information (Accounting-Request (Interim-update)) , recalculate the duration of the active session, and send an Accounting Response message (Accounting Response) to the PDSN.

Due to the adoption of the above scheme, the adoption of the session activation trigger and billing cycle trigger enables PDSN to apply for fees from AAA in sections, thus breaking through the limitation of one-time fee budget, even if multiple users share one account, it will not Lead to overdraft, thus paving the way for prepaid users to use data services. At the same time, segment charging can accurately control the time when users use services, and can realize accurate prepayment functions.

Description of drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the CDMA2000 network structure.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of signaling interaction between PDSN and AAA.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the business process of Embodiment 1 of the present invention (billing by duration, sufficient balance).

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the business process of Embodiment 2 of the present invention (billing by duration, insufficient balance).

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the business process of Embodiment 3 (according to traffic flow, sufficient balance) of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the business process of Embodiment 4 (according to flow rate, insufficient balance) of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the business process of Embodiment 5 of the present invention (charging based on duration and traffic, insufficient balance).

FIG. 8 is a service flow of AAA proactively disconnecting the PDSN (according to flow rate) according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention.

In the figure, RN is Radio Network (wireless network); MN is Mobile Node (mobile node).

Detailed ways:

The present invention will be described in further detail below through specific embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The following embodiments can realize the following key features of packet prepayment:

1. Subsection fee application: For CDMA mobile users, it may happen that multiple users share the same account. How to prevent the overdraft of prepaid users is a problem that must be considered. This purpose can be achieved by realizing the application of the PDSN to the AAA segment fee. PDSN applies for fees from AAA at regular intervals, which can prevent the situation that the actual usage time of multiple users is greater than the actual available time of the account balance.

2. Traffic control: Charging according to traffic is a billing mode that is likely to be adopted in data services. The existing standard RADIUS protocol cannot allow AAA to control the remaining available traffic of prepaid users. Through the expansion of the present invention, accurate control of uplink traffic and downlink traffic that can be maintained by users can be realized.

3. Rate switching: Operators are likely to charge users at different rates for different time periods during actual operation. The existing standard RADIUS protocol cannot enable PDSN to report the traffic and duration before and after rate switching to AAA.

In order to realize the above key prepaid features, the standard RADIUS protocol needs to be expanded. The present invention is described in four parts as follows: RADIUS protocol message extension between PDSN/AAA, protocol extension between AAA/SCP, PDSN/AAA/SCP processing flow, and typical prepaid user protocol flow. 1. PDSN/AAA supports prepaid feature RADIUS extension

1.1 Extension of authentication message:

Add a prepaid feature activation flag in the Access-Accept message. This attribute is AAA notifying PDSN whether to activate the prepaid service feature for this user. If this attribute is not included, the PDSN does not activate the prepaid feature. Its value range:

1 = activate prepaid feature

0 = Disable prepaid feature

1.2 Expansion of billing message:

It includes the following types:

A) In the Accounting-Response message, four attributes are added: the user can maintain the traffic, the duration of the active session, the time interval (S) between the next tariff switching time and the current time, and whether the current session ends.

B) Add reporting trigger type attribute in the Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) message;

The description of the above extended attributes is as follows:

1) Users can maintain uplink traffic, users can maintain uplink traffic

Indicates how many kilobytes the connection can send or receive, respectively. If these two parameters are not present, the PDSN will not cut off the connection because of too much traffic used. These two parameters appear in Accounting-Response. Setting purpose: to control the number of bytes that can be forwarded by the current connection.

2) The duration of the activation session can be maintained

Indicates the sustainable duration of the connection in the session active state within the current segment reservation fee. If this parameter does not appear, the PDSN will not time the sustainable duration of the session active state.

The difference between this parameter and the standard RADIUS parameter Session-Timeout: Session-Timeout indicates the sustainable duration of the PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol, Point-to-Point Protocol) session state within the current segment reservation fee.

This parameter appears in Accounting-Response. Setting purpose: AAA controls the duration that PDSN can maintain the session active state within the current segment reservation fee.

3) The time interval between the tariff switching point and the current time

Indicates how long after which a rate switch will occur. The duration is counted from the last Accounting-Request sent by this connection. If this parameter does not appear, the PDSN considers that tariff switching does not occur. Setting purpose: The AAA device notifies the PDSN device of the tariff switching point.

4) Trigger type reported by Interim-Update message

Indicates that this value is used to indicate the trigger type for reporting Accounting-Request (Interim-Update). There are currently four types: billing cycle trigger, tariff switching trigger, session activation trigger, and traffic trigger. See below for a detailed description.

Ranges:

1 = billing cycle trigger

2 = Rate switching trigger

3 = session activation trigger

4 = traffic trigger

5) Whether the current session ends flag

This attribute appears in Accounting-Response and indicates whether the session should continue. If the value of this attribute is 0, the PDSN immediately reports Accounting-Request (stop) and terminates the session; otherwise, the session continues. If this attribute is not present in the Accounting-Response, the PDSN shall not terminate the session.

Ranges

0 = false (terminate session)

1 = true (continue session)

1.3 Add the Session-Control message that supports AAA to actively disconnect the connection:

During a session, sometimes AAA needs to take the initiative to cut off the current call. The current standard Radius protocol cannot support these features. A new Session-Control message needs to be added, and the AAA sends it to the PDSN to realize the control from the service side to the device side.

Session-Control is a newly added message, Code=20, and its encoding method is the same as the standard message. The Session-Control message can be regarded as a self-defined new protocol, except that it adopts the same packet sealing method and the same UDP port number (authentication port) as the standard Radius; Sent in the order specified herein.

There must be a custom sub-attribute called Command in the message, and the content is a 4-byte integer. At present, there is only one case: the Terminate-Request message, which is used to control the PDSN to actively disconnect the user connection. If other attributes are defined in the standard Radius, they should be placed in the position specified by Radius; if they are extended definitions, they should be placed in Vendor-Specific.

However, since the packet is initiated by AAA, the identifier value is invalid. PDSN can find the connection according to the Correlation ID; 2. AAA/SCP protocol extension

2.1 Interface Overview

AAA completes the authentication, authorization, and accounting functions for packet users in the CDMA2000 packet data network. At present, SCP also has the authentication and accounting functions for smart users in the CDMA circuit voice network (for smart users, account information (amount, user status) ) is stored in the SCP, and the rate and user profile files are stored in the AAA; for ordinary non-intelligent user accounts, they are stored on the AAA). The packet data network also needs to support smart accounts stored in the SCP. Currently, there is no interface between AAA and SCP in the standard network model, so this interface needs to be expanded.

Through the AAA-SCP message interface, SCP can complete the following functions:

1. User account status verification

2. Allocate a period of fees for AAA

3. Handle the fees returned by AAA to SCP

4. Deduct account usage fees

It includes the following message:

1. Authentication request message: the direction is from AAA to SCP, including the following four fields: session identifier (marking a continuous session, required), mobile phone number (required), IP address of AAA server (optional), The number of the AAA server (optional).

2. Authentication request response message: the direction is from SCP to AAA, including the following six fields: session identifier (required), mobile phone number (required), IP address of AAA server (optional), number of AAA server ( Optional), application fee (required), authentication response (required), where the value of the authentication response includes: 0 = authentication passed, 1 = user data does not exist, 2 = stored value card invalid, 3 = The balance of the user is not greater than zero, 4 = the user is blocked, 5 = the system has an error.

3. Fee request message: the direction is from AAA to SCP, including the following eight fields: session identifier (required), mobile phone number (required), IP address of AAA server (optional), number of AAA server (optional) ), operation type (required, 1=fee application message, 2=fee return message), application fee (required when operation type is 1), remaining fee (optional when operation type is 1), return fee (operation type is optional when 2).

4. Fee request response message: the direction is from SCP to AAA, including the following six fields: session identifier (required), mobile phone number (required), IP address of AAA server (optional), number of AAA server (optional) Optional), operation type (required, 1=fee application response message, 2=fee return confirmation message), applied fee (required when operation type is 1). 3. PDSN/AAA/SCP processing method

3.1 Overview of processing flow

Charge allocation by segment is an important feature that supports group prepayment. For prepaid users, AAA needs to allocate PDSN charges by segment to prevent overdraft that may occur when multiple users share one account.

In order to support the packet prepayment feature of time-based traffic billing, the PDSN needs to support four triggers to report Accounting-Request (Interim-Update), the list is shown in Table 1: Table 1: Triggering of Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) device list trigger name value illustrate Applications Billing Cycle Trigger 1 Used to report AAA when the billing cycle arrives Billing by duration/traffic session activation trigger 2 After the available time for CDMA2000 session activation is exhausted, Billing by duration Report to AAA Rate Switching Trigger 3 Used to report AAA when the rate switching point arrives Billing by duration/traffic traffic trigger 4 It is used to report to AAA after the available traffic is exhausted within the maintenance period of segment reservation fees Pay by traffic

3.1.1 Overview of AAA/SCP processing

The message flow between AAA and SCP has the following three stages:

1: Authentication stage

AAA receives the Access-Request message reported by the PDSN, and sends an Auth-Request message to the SCP as part of the authentication process. After the SCP passes the authentication, it returns a Fee-Response message, AuthResult=0, and FeeApplied is the one assigned to the AAA by the SCP. a fee.

Two: Application fee stage

AAA receives the Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) reported by PDSN, AAA calculates the user's used fee in this segment according to the time and traffic reported in the message, and the current rate, and uses the fee applied for in this segment Subtract the used fee to get the remaining fee of this segment, and compare this remaining fee with the application fee threshold saved by AAA (the threshold is determined by AAA and can be configured). If it is less than the threshold, AAA needs to apply to SCP for points fee, and send Fee-Request message, SCP returns Fee-Response message, FeeApplied is the fee allocated by SCP to AAA; if it is greater than or equal to the threshold, AAA will not apply to SCP for fee, according to this section The remaining fee and rate calculate the duration or traffic that the remaining fee can maintain.

The above description is called AAA Fee Application Policy

Three: At the end of the session, AAA receives the Account-Request (Stop) reported by the PDSN, AAA calculates the user's used fee for this segment, and returns the unused fee for this segment to the SCP through the Fee-Request message, and the OperationType parameter = 3, which is Fee return message, the FeeReturn parameter is the returned fee.

3.1.2 Overview of PDSN/AAA processing

For PDSN, the four triggers mentioned above need to be maintained. If any trigger condition is satisfied, the corresponding Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) will be triggered, and the session activation trigger will be reset according to the returned Accounting-Response message. Rate switching trigger, traffic trigger.

When there are multiple cost budget items at the same time, such as the budget duration, uplink traffic, and downlink traffic at the same time, it is necessary to determine a budget amount allocation strategy. This strategy is decided by AAA, and the principle is to ensure that operators do not suffer losses. It is recommended that segment fees be evenly allocated to each budget (duration, uplink traffic, downlink traffic), so as to ensure that users will not be overdrawn.

For AAA, it is divided into various scenarios according to different charging methods. The following discusses the three cases of charging only by duration, only by flow rate, and simultaneously by duration and flow rate:

(1) Billing only by duration:

AAA determines the segment application fee amount according to the configuration policy. After the PDSN reports the Accounting-Request (Start), it calculates the duration of the activation session according to the latest activation session charging rate in the next billing cycle, and fills it in the Accounting-Response The activation session of the message can maintain the duration parameter and determine the time interval between the next charging rate switching time and the current time, fill in the charging rate switching interval parameter, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN. It is further divided into:

Scenario 1: For the Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) reported by the billing cycle trigger and tariff switching trigger, AAA calculates the activation session duration according to the activation session sustainable duration parameter (Acct-Session-Time), and then derives The user has used the fee in this segment. In the case that the fee for this segment has not been used up (in most cases, the exception is that the fee for this segment happens to be exhausted when the message is reported. At this time, it is necessary to re-apply for the fee to the SCP. The same as case 2), AAA does not need to re-apply for the segment fee, just subtract the user’s used fee from the segment reserved fee, recalculate the duration of the activation session in the reserved fee for this segment, and fill it in Accounting- The activation session of the Response message can maintain the duration parameter, and determine the time interval between the next charging rate switching time and the current time, fill in the charging rate switching interval parameter, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN.

Case 2: For the Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) reported by the session activation trigger, AAA needs to re-apply for the segment fee from the SCP, then calculate the duration of the active session based on the segment reservation fee, and fill in the Accounting-Response message The activation session can maintain the duration parameter, and determine the time interval between the next time of the next rate switch and the current time, fill in the rate switch interval (rate switch time length), and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN.

(2) Billing only by flow rate:

AAA determines the segment application fee amount according to the configuration policy. After the PDSN reports the Accounting-Request (Start), it determines the budgeted upstream traffic and downstream traffic fees according to the budget amount allocation strategy, respectively according to the upstream traffic rate and the downlink traffic rate. Calculate the uplink traffic and downlink traffic that can be maintained by the user, fill in the uplink traffic and downlink traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message, determine the time interval between the next tariff switching time and the current time, and fill in the tariff The interval parameter is switched, and the duration parameter of the active session is not processed, and then the Accounting-Response message is sent to the PDSN.

Case 1: For the Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) reported by the billing cycle trigger and tariff switch Output-Octets) parameter to obtain the traffic used by the user, and then to obtain the user's used fee in this segment. The fee for this segment is exhausted. At this time, you need to re-apply for the fee from SCP. The processing is the same as in case 2). AAA does not need to re-apply for the segment fee. It needs to subtract the user’s used fee from the reserved fee for the segment and then recalculate this segment. Reserve the sustainable traffic within the fee, fill in the sustainable traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message, and determine the time interval between the next time of the next rate switching time and the current time, fill in the rate switching interval parameters, and set the Accounting-Response Send the message to the PDSN; do not process the duration parameter of the active session, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN.

Case 2: For the Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) reported by the traffic trigger, AAA needs to re-apply for the segment fee from the SCP, and then use the applied fee or the remaining fee to recalculate the reserved fee for this segment according to the budget allocation strategy Fill in the sustainable upstream traffic and downstream traffic in the Accounting-Response message, and determine the time interval between the next tariff switching time and the current time, and fill in the tariff switching Interval parameter, do not process the duration parameter of the activation session, and then send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN.

(3) Billing according to duration and traffic:

AAA determines the allocation amount of segment reserved fees according to the configuration policy. After the PDSN reports the Accounting-Request (Start), it determines the budgeted duration and upstream traffic and downstream traffic fees according to the budgeted amount allocation strategy. The traffic rate and downlink traffic rate determine the user's maintainable time, maintainable uplink traffic, and maintainable uplink traffic, fill in the Accounting-Response message activation session's maintainable duration, maintainable uplink traffic, and maintainable downlink traffic parameters, and determine Fill in the time interval between the next tariff switching time and the current time, and fill in the tariff switching interval parameter, and then send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN.

Scenario 1: For the Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) reported by the billing cycle trigger and tariff switching trigger, AAA calculates the user’s active session duration and traffic according to the Acct-Session-Time and the sustainable traffic parameters, and then obtains Pay the user's used fee in this segment. In the case that the segment fee is not used up (in most cases), AAA does not need to reapply for the segment fee, and needs to subtract the user's used fee from the segment reserved fee And according to the budget allocation strategy, recalculate the sustainable duration, sustainable upstream traffic, and sustainable downstream traffic in the reserved fee of this segment, and fill in the Accounting-Response message for the sustainable duration, sustainable upstream traffic, and sustainable Downlink traffic parameters, and determine the time interval between the next charging rate switching time and the current time, fill in the charging rate switching interval (tariff switching duration), and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN.

Case 2: For the Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) reported by the session activation trigger, AAA calculates the currently used segment fee according to the Acct-Session-Time, Acct-Input-Octets, and Acct-Output-Octets parameters, and when the user When the segment fee should be higher than a certain threshold (threshold should be determined by AAA and can be configured), the processing is the same as case 1. When the user's current segment fee is lower than a certain threshold, AAA needs to re-apply for the segment fee from SCP, and then use the applied fee or the remaining fee to recalculate the sustainable duration of the reserved fee for this segment according to the budget allocation strategy , can maintain uplink traffic, can maintain downlink traffic, the activation session filled in the Accounting-Response message can last for a long time, can maintain uplink traffic, can maintain downlink traffic parameters, and determine the time of the nearest next tariff switching time and the current time Interval, fill in the rate switch interval (rate switch duration), and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN.

Case 3: For the Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) reported by the traffic trigger, AAA calculates the currently used segment fee according to the Acct-Session-Time, Acct-Input-Octets, and Acct-Output-Octets parameters. When the segment fee is higher than a certain threshold, the processing is the same as case 1. When the user's current segment fee is lower than a certain threshold, AAA needs to send a fee request message to SCP, which includes the unused segment fee parameter FeeLeft, and the parameter application fee is the segment fee to be applied, and then use the applied fee Or the remaining fee is recalculated according to the budget amount allocation strategy for the sustainable duration, uplink traffic, and downlink traffic in the reserved fee of this segment, and the activation session that is filled in the Accounting-Response message can be maintained for a long time, uplink traffic, and It can maintain the downlink traffic parameters, determine the time interval between the next tariff switching time and the current time, fill in the tariff switching interval parameters, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN.

3.1.2 Overview of AAA/SCP processing

There are three types of messages between AAA and SCP:

1. The AAA receives the Access-Request message reported by the PDSN, and sends an authentication request message to the SCP as part of the authentication process. After the SCP passes the authentication, it returns an authentication response message and a section of the fee applied for by AAA.

2. The Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) reported by the PDSN and AAA calculates that the user's fee for this section has been used up. AAA needs to apply for a section fee from the SCP and send a fee request message. SCP returns a fee application response message and returns AAA for a section application fee.

3. AAA receives the Account-Request (Stop) reported by the PDSN, AAA calculates the user's used fee for this section, and returns the unused fee for this section to the SCP through a fee application message (operation type = 2).

3.2 Trigger processing flow

3.2.1 Billing cycle trigger processing flow

1. The PDSN reports the Access-Request message and receives the Access-Accept message after passing the AAA authentication, and determines the reporting period of the charging cycle trigger according to the Acct-Interim-Interval parameter in the Access-Accept message. As an option, PDSN can also report Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) in the middle of a charging cycle according to the local configuration;

2. The trigger condition of the billing cycle trigger is met, the PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update), and the trigger type is 1;

3. AAA receives the Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) (trigger type = 1), and deducts the fee from the billing start time of the segment reservation fee to the report time from the reserved fee of this segment according to the reporting time, Then, according to the remaining portion of the segment reservation fee, reset the activation session maintenance duration parameter and rate switching interval parameter in the Accounting-Response message;

4. After receiving the Accounting-Response message, the PDSN resets the session activation trigger and the charging rate switching trigger according to the parameters of the duration of the active session and the parameters of the charging rate switching interval.

3.2.2 Tariff switching trigger processing flow

1. PSDN reports Accounting-Request (Start) or Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) (trigger type = 1) and receives the Accounting-Response message, and sets the tariff switching trigger according to the tariff switching interval parameter;

2. The trigger condition of the rate switching trigger is met, the PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update), and the trigger type is 2;

3. AAA receives the Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) (trigger type = 2), and deducts the fee from the billing start time of the segment reserved fee to the report time from the reserved fee of this segment according to the reporting time, If billing is based on time, the remaining part of the segment reservation fee will be reset in the Accounting-Response message according to the remaining part of the segment reservation fee. -Reset the maintainable traffic parameters in the Response message;

4. After receiving the Accounting-Response message, the PDSN resets the session activation trigger and the charging rate switching trigger according to the parameters of the duration of the active session and the parameters of the charging rate switching interval.

3.2.3 Session activation trigger triggers processing flow (only billed by duration)

1. PSDN reports Accounting-Request (Start) or Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) (trigger category = 1) and receives the Accounting-Response message, and sets the session activation trigger according to the duration parameter for activating the session;

2. The trigger condition of the session activation trigger is met, the PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update), and the trigger type is 3;

3. AAA receives the Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) (trigger type=3), confirms that it needs to reapply for the fee, and sends a fee request message to the SCP to apply for a segment fee;

4. SCP sends a fee application response message to AAA according to the AAA application quota and the user's current remaining fee, indicating the fee applied by AAA;

5. The PDSN resets the parameters of the duration of the activation session and the parameter of the rate switching interval in the Accounting-Response message according to the applied fee;

6. After receiving the Accounting-Response message, the PDSN resets the session activation trigger and the charging rate switching trigger according to the parameters of the duration of the active session and the parameters of the charging rate switching interval.

3.2.4 Traffic trigger processing flow (only billed by traffic)

1. PSDN reports Accounting-Request (Start) or Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) (trigger type = 1) and receives the Accounting-Response message, and sets the traffic trigger according to the maintainable traffic parameters;

2. When the traffic trigger condition is met, the PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update), and the trigger type is 4;

3. AAA receives the Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) (trigger category=4), confirms that it needs to reapply for the fee, and sends a fee request message to the SCP to apply for a segment fee;

4. The SCP sends a fee application response message to AAA according to the AAA application quota and the user's current remaining fee, and the parameter indicates the fee applied by AAA;

5. After receiving the Accounting-Response message, the PDSN resets the traffic trigger according to the maintainable traffic parameters.

3.3 Abnormal Situation Handling

3.3.1 AAA does not receive the processing of the SCP fee request response message

3.3.1.1 AAA has not received the authentication request response message

The AAA sends an authentication request message to the SCP, and if no response is received, it considers that the SCP authentication fails, and sends an Access-Reject message to the PDSN.

3.3.1.2 AAA has not received a fee request response message with operation category = 1

The AAA sends a fee request message with operation type=1 to the SCP. If no response is received, it considers that the fee application to the SCP fails, and sends an Account-Response message to the PDSN, with Session-Cont=0.

3.3.1.3 AAA has not received the fee request response message with operation type = 2

AAA sends a fee request message with operation category=2 to SCP, and considers that the fee rollback fails if no response is received, and AAA reserves the unused fee for the next session of the user. 4. The following are several examples of typical protocol processes that support prepaid features.

The following procedures all assume that the AAA notifies the PDSN to activate the prepaid feature (the attribute of the prepaid activation flag is set to 1).

Embodiment 1: the business process when the user balance is sufficient (charging by duration, including a rate switching point), as shown in Figure 3, it includes the following steps:

a. The mobile user requests access, and the PDSN sends an Access-Request to the AAA to request authentication;

b. AAA confirms that the calling party is a prepaid user, and sends an authentication request message fee request to the SCP;

c. After user authentication, the SCP allocates a period of fee to the user according to the application fee parameter of the authentication request message and the user's current balance, and returns an authentication response message to AAA, indicating the fee for the allocated user;

d. AAA verification is passed, and the authentication request response Access-Accept message is returned to the PDSN;

e. PDSN reports Accounting-Request (Start) to AAA;

f. The mobile user is a prepaid user and is billed according to the length of time. AAA calculates the maintenance time of the activation session according to the fee allocated by the SCP, fills in the activation session maintenance time parameter (activation session duration) of the Accounting-Response message, and determines Fill in the time interval between the nearest next tariff switching time and the current time, fill in the tariff switching interval (tariff switching duration), and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

g. When the billing cycle trigger arrives, the PDSN triggers an Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to the AAA, the trigger category=1, and the message includes an activation session sustainable duration parameter (Acct-Session-Time);

h. AAA obtains the duration of the activation session based on the parameter (Acct-Session-Time) for the duration of the activation session to obtain the user's used fee in this segment. AAA needs to subtract the user's used fee from the current segment fee to recalculate the cost Fill in the sustainable duration of the activated session in the section reservation fee into the parameter of the sustainable duration of the activated session (activated session duration) of the Accounting-Response message, and determine the time interval between the next time of the next tariff switch and the current time, and fill in Rate switch interval (rate switch duration), send Accounting-Response message to PDSN;

i. When the rate switching trigger arrives, the PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to AAA, trigger type = 2;

j. AAA obtains the duration of the activation session based on the parameter (Acct-Session-Time) for the duration of the activation session to obtain the user's used fee in this segment. AAA needs to subtract the user's used fee from the current segment fee to recalculate the cost Fill in the sustainable duration of the activated session in the section reservation fee into the parameter of the sustainable duration of the activated session (activated session duration) of the Accounting-Response message, and determine the time interval between the next time of the next tariff switch and the current time, and fill in Rate switching interval (rate switching duration), indicating the continuation of the session, and sending the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

k. When the session trigger is activated, the PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to AAA, trigger category = 3;

l. AAA confirms that the user's current segment fee has been used up, and sends a fee request message fee request to the SCP, and the operation category=1 (fee application);

m. The SCP allocates a period of fees to the user according to the application fee parameters of the fee request message and the user's current balance, and returns a fee request response to the AAA, with operation category = 1 (fee application response), indicating the fee for the allocated user;

n. AAA calculates the sustainable time of the active session based on the fee allocated by the SCP, fills in the parameter of the sustainable time of the activated session of the Accounting-Response message, and determines the time interval between the time of the next tariff switching time and the current time, and fills in Rate switching interval parameter, indicating to continue the session, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

o. The user ends the packet service;

p.PDSN reports Accounting-Request (Stop) to AAA, including the duration parameter (Acct-Session-Time) for activating the session;

q. AAA calculates the duration of the activation session based on the sustainable duration parameter of the activation session (Acct-Session-Time), and then obtains the user's used fee in this segment and the unused part of the segment fee applied for. AAA confirms that the fee needs to be returned, and sends a fee request message to the SCP, with operation category=2 (fee return);

r.SCP adds fee to user database according to fee request message return fee parameter, SCP returns fee application response message to AAA, operation type=2 (fee return confirmation);

s. The AAA returns an accounting request response message Account-Response to the PDSN, indicating to end the session.

Note: The above business process can be cut according to the actual situation, for example, the timing trigger part of rate switching and the timing trigger part of activation session may not be included

Embodiment two: the business process when the user balance is insufficient (charging by duration, including a rate switching point), as shown in Figure 4, it includes the following steps:

a. The mobile user requests access, and the PDSN sends an Access-Request to the AAA to request authentication;

b. AAA confirms that the calling party is a prepaid user, and sends a charge request message authentication request to the SCP;

c. The SCP passes the user authentication, allocates a period of fees to the user according to the application fee parameters of the authentication request message and the user's current balance, and returns an authentication response message to the AAA to allocate the user's fee;

d. AAA verification is passed, and the authentication request response Access-Accept message is returned to the PDSN;

e. PDSN reports Accounting-Request (Start) to AAA;

f. The mobile user is a prepaid user and is billed according to the length of time. AAA calculates the maintenance time of the activation session according to the fee allocated by the SCP, fills in the activation session maintenance time parameter (activation session duration) of the Accounting-Response message, and determines Fill in the time interval between the nearest next tariff switching time and the current time, fill in the tariff switching interval (tariff switching duration), and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

g. When the billing cycle trigger arrives, the PDSN triggers an Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to the AAA, the trigger category=1, and the message includes an activation session sustainable duration parameter (Acct-Session-Time);

h. AAA obtains the duration of the activation session based on the parameter (Acct-Session-Time) for the duration of the activation session to obtain the user's used fee in this segment. AAA needs to subtract the user's used fee from the current segment fee to recalculate the cost Fill in the sustainable duration of the activated session in the section reservation fee into the parameter of the sustainable duration of the activated session (activated session duration) of the Accounting-Response message, and determine the time interval between the next time of the next tariff switch and the current time, and fill in Rate switch interval (rate switch duration), send Accounting-Response message to PDSN;

i. When the rate switching trigger arrives, the PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to AAA, trigger type = 2;

j. AAA obtains the duration of the activation session based on the parameter (Acct-Session-Time) for the duration of the activation session to obtain the user's used fee in this segment. AAA needs to subtract the user's used fee from the current segment fee to recalculate the cost Fill in the sustainable duration of the activated session in the section reservation fee into the parameter of the sustainable duration of the activated session (activated session duration) of the Accounting-Response message, and determine the time interval between the next time of the next tariff switch and the current time, and fill in Rate switch interval (rate switch duration), send Accounting-Response message to PDSN;

k. When the session trigger is activated, the PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to AAA, trigger category = 3;

l. AAA confirms that the user's current segment fee has been used up, and sends a fee request message fee request to the SCP, and the operation category=1 (fee application);

m. The SCP confirms that the user's balance has been exhausted, and returns a fee application response message to AAA, with the operation type = 1 (fee application response message), and the applied fee = 0;

n. AAA does not apply for a fee from the SCP, and sends an Accounting-Reponse message to the PDSN, wherein the activation session session end flag parameter = 0, indicating the end of the session;

o. The PDSN terminates the user service according to the session end flag parameter;

p.PDSN reports Accounting-Request (Stop) to AAA, including the duration parameter (Acct-Session-Time) for activating the session;

q. AAA accumulates the total fee for the user's session and returns an Accounting-Response message indicating the end of the session.

Note: The above business process can be cut according to the actual situation, for example, the timing triggering part of rate switching and the timing triggering part of activation session may not be included.

Embodiment three: the business process when the user balance is sufficient (charging by traffic, including a rate switching point), as shown in Figure 5, it includes the following steps:

a. The mobile user requests access, and the PDSN sends an Access-Request to the AAA to request authentication;

b. AAA confirms that the calling party is a prepaid user, and sends a charge request message authentication request to the SCP;

c. After user authentication, the SCP allocates a period of fees to the user according to the application fee parameters of the fee request message and the user's current balance, and returns an authentication response message to AAA, indicating the fee for the allocated user;

d. AAA verification is passed, and the authentication request response Access-Accept message is returned to the PDSN;

e. PDSN reports Accounting-Request (Start) to AAA;

f. The mobile user is a prepaid user and is billed by traffic. AAA calculates the sustainable traffic according to the fee allocated by the SCP, fills in the sustainable traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message, and determines the time and date of the next rate switching time. For the time interval at the current moment, fill in the tariff switching interval parameter, indicate to continue the session, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

g. When the billing cycle trigger arrives, the PDSN triggers an Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to the AAA, the trigger category=1, and the message includes an activation session sustainable duration parameter (Acct-Session-Time);

h. AAA calculates the currently used segment fee parameters based on the account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets) and account output bytes (Acct-Output-Octets) to obtain the activation session duration and obtain the user's time in this segment AAA needs to subtract the user’s used fee from the current segment fee to recalculate the sustainable traffic in this segment fee and fill in the sustainable traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message, and determine the next rate switch recently For the time interval between time and current time, fill in the rate switching interval parameter, indicate the continuation of the session, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

i. When the rate switching trigger arrives, the PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to AAA, trigger type = 2;

j.AAA according to the account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets) and account output bytes (Acct-Output-Octets) parameters, the user has already used the segment fee, AAA needs to subtract the current segment fee from the used fee Then recalculate the sustainable traffic in this segment fee and fill in the sustainable traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message, and determine the time interval between the next tariff switching time and the current time, and fill in the tariff switching interval (tariff handover duration), specify to continue the session, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

k. Traffic trigger arrives, PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to AAA, trigger category=4;

l. AAA confirms that the user's current segment fee has been used up, and sends a fee request message fee request to the SCP, and the operation category=2 (fee application);

m.SCP allocates a period of fees to the user according to the application fee parameters of the fee request message and the user's current balance, and returns a fee application response to the AAA. The operation type = 1 (fee request response), which is specified as the fee allocated to the user;

n. AAA calculates the sustainable traffic based on the cost allocated by the SCP, fills in the sustainable traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message, and determines the time interval between the next tariff switching time and the current time, and fills in the tariff switching interval Parameter, indicating to continue the session, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

o. The user ends the packet service;

p.PDSN reports Accounting-Request (Stop) to AAA, including account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets) and account output bytes (Acct-Output-Octets) parameters;

q. AAA calculates the account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets) and account output bytes (Acct-Output-Octets) parameters used traffic according to the parameters, and then obtains the user's used fees and applications in this segment to the unused portion of the segment fee. AAA confirms that the fee needs to be returned, and sends a fee request message to the SCP, with operation category=2 (fee return);

r.SCP adds the fee to the user database according to the fee return parameter of the fee request message, and the SCP returns a fee return confirmation message to AAA, and the operation category=2 (fee return confirmation);

s. The AAA returns an accounting request response message Account-Response to the PDSN, indicating to end the session.

Embodiment 4: the business process (according to traffic billing, including rate switching point) when the user's balance is insufficient, as shown in Figure 6, it includes the following steps:

a. The mobile user requests access, and the PDSN sends an Access-Request to the AAA to request authentication;

b. AAA confirms that the calling party is a prepaid user, and sends a charge request message charge request to the SCP;

c. Through user authentication, the SCP allocates a period of fees to the user according to the application fee parameters of the authentication request message and the user's current balance, returns an authentication request response to AAA, and specifies the allocated user fee;

d. AAA verification is passed, and the authentication request response Access-Accept message is returned to the PDSN;

e. PDSN reports Accounting-Request (Start) to AAA;

f. The mobile user is a prepaid user and is billed by traffic. AAA calculates the maintenance time of the traffic according to the fee allocated by the SCP, fills in the sustainable traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message, and determines the nearest time for the next rate switching For the time interval from the current time, fill in the tariff switching interval parameter, indicate the continuation of the session, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

g. When the billing cycle trigger arrives, the PDSN triggers an Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to the AAA, the trigger category=1, and the message includes an activation session sustainable duration parameter (Acct-Session-Time);

h. AAA calculates the currently used segment cost parameters according to the account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets) and account output bytes (Acct-Output-Octets) to obtain the activation session duration and obtain the users in this segment Used fee, AAA needs to subtract the user’s used fee from the current segment fee to recalculate the sustainable traffic in this segment fee and fill in the sustainable traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message, and determine the latest next rate For the time interval between the switching time and the current time, fill in the tariff switching interval parameter, indicate the continuation of the session, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

i. When the rate switching trigger arrives, the PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to AAA, trigger type = 2;

j.AAA according to the account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets) and account output bytes (Acct-Output-Octets) parameters, the user has already used the segment fee, AAA needs to subtract the current segment fee from the used fee Then recalculate the sustainable traffic in this segment fee and fill in the sustainable traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message, and determine the time interval between the next tariff switching time and the current time, and fill in the tariff switching interval (tariff handover duration), specify to continue the session, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

k. Traffic trigger arrives, PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to AAA, trigger category=4;

l. AAA confirms that the user's current segment fee has been used up, and sends a fee request message fee request to the SCP, and the operation category=1 (fee application);

m. The SCP confirms that the user's balance has been exhausted, and returns a fee application response message to AAA, with the operation type = 1 (fee application response message), and the applied fee = 0;

n. AAA does not apply for a fee from the SCP, and sends an Accounting-Reponse message to the PDSN, wherein the maintainable flow rate = 0, indicating the end of the session;

o. The PDSN terminates the user service according to the session end flag parameter;

p.PDSN reports Accounting-Request (Stop) to AAA, including account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets) and account output bytes (Acct-Output-Octets) parameters;

q. The AAA returns an accounting request response message Account-Response to the PDSN, indicating to end the session.

Embodiment five: the business process when the user balance is sufficient (according to the length of flow billing, including the rate switching point), as shown in Figure 7, it includes the following steps:

a. The mobile user requests access, and the PDSN sends an Access-Request to the AAA to request authentication;

b. AAA confirms that the calling party is a prepaid user, and sends a charge request message charge request to the SCP;

c. After user authentication, the SCP allocates a period of fees to the user according to the application fee parameters of the fee request message and the user's current balance, returns an authentication request response message to AAA, and specifies the fee for the allocated user;

d. AAA verification is passed, and the authentication request response Access-Accept message is returned to the PDSN;

e. PDSN reports Accounting-Request (Start) to AAA;

f. Mobile users are prepaid users and are billed according to the duration of traffic. AAA determines the cost of budget duration and traffic according to the time traffic amount allocation strategy, and calculates the user's sustainable time and sustainable traffic according to the duration rate and traffic rate. , respectively fill in the sustainable duration parameter and the sustainable traffic parameter of the Accounting-Response message, and determine the time interval between the next tariff switching time and the current time, fill in the tariff switching interval parameter, and indicate the continuation of the session, Send the Accounting-Response message to PDSN;

g. When the billing cycle trigger arrives, the PDSN triggers an Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to the AAA, the trigger category=1, and the message includes an activation session sustainable duration parameter (Acct-Session-Time);

h. AAA calculates the duration of the user's activation session based on the parameters of the sustainable duration of the activation session (Acct-Session-Time), the number of account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets), and the number of account output bytes (Acct-Output-Octets) and traffic, and then get the user's used fee in this segment, AAA will subtract the segment reserved fee from the user's used fee, and then recalculate the sustainable duration and duration of the reserved fee in this segment according to the time traffic amount allocation strategy Sustainable traffic, fill in the sustainable traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message and the sustainable duration parameters of the activated session, and determine the time interval between the next tariff switching time and the current time, fill in the tariff switching interval parameters, and indicate the continuation Session, send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

i. When the rate switching trigger arrives, the PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to AAA, trigger type = 2;

j. AAA calculates the duration of the user's activation session based on the parameters of the sustainable duration of the activation session (Acct-Session-Time), the number of account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets), and the number of account output bytes (Acct-Output-Octets) and traffic, and then get the user's used fee in this segment, AAA will subtract the segment reserved fee from the user's used fee, and then recalculate the sustainable duration and duration of the reserved fee in this segment according to the time traffic amount allocation strategy Sustainable traffic, fill in the sustainable traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message and the sustainable duration parameters of the activated session, and determine the time interval between the next tariff switching time and the current time, fill in the tariff switching interval parameters, and indicate the continuation Session, send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

k. When the session trigger is activated, the PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to AAA, trigger category = 2;

l. AAA can maintain the duration parameter (Acct-Session-Time), the number of account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets), and the number of account output bytes (Acct-Output- Octets) parameter to calculate the currently used segment fee. When it is confirmed that the user’s current segment fee is lower than a certain threshold, AAA needs to re-apply for the segment fee from the SCP and send a fee request message to the SCP. The application fee parameter is the fee that needs to be applied. Then recalculate the sustainable duration in the segment reservation fee and the sustainable traffic segment reservation fee according to the time traffic amount allocation strategy to calculate the sustainable duration of the activation session, and fill in the sustainable traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message And activate the session can maintain the length of time parameters, and determine the time interval between the next charging rate switching time and the current time, fill in the charging rate switching interval (tariff switching time length), and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

m.SCP allocates a period of fees to the user according to the application fee parameters of the fee request message and the user's current balance, and returns a fee application response to the AAA. The operation type = 1 (fee request response), which is specified as the fee allocated to the user;

n. AAA determines the cost of the budget duration and traffic according to the time traffic amount allocation strategy, calculates the user's maintainable time and maintainable traffic according to the duration rate and traffic rate respectively, and fills in the activation session of the Accounting-Response message respectively to maintain Duration parameters and maintainable traffic parameters, and determine the time interval between the next time of tariff switching and the current time, fill in the parameters of the tariff switching interval, indicate the continuation of the session, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

o. Traffic trigger arrives, PDSN triggers Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) to AAA, trigger type=2;

p.AAA according to Accounting-Request (Interim-Update), the activation session can maintain the duration parameter (Acct-Session-Time), the number of account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets), the number of account output bytes (Acct-Output- Octets) parameter to calculate the currently used segment fee. When it is confirmed that the user’s current segment fee is lower than a certain threshold, AAA needs to re-apply to the SCP for the segment fee, and then recalculate the reserved fee for this segment according to the time flow amount allocation strategy Calculate the sustainable duration of the active session and the sustainable duration of the activated session in the Accounting-Response message, and determine the next rate The time interval between the switching time and the current time, fill in the tariff switching interval (tariff switching duration), and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

q. The SCP allocates a period of fees to the user according to the application fee parameters of the fee request message and the user's current balance, and returns a fee application response to the AAA. The operation type = 1 (fee request response), which is specified as the fee allocated to the user;

r. AAA determines the cost of budget duration and traffic according to the time traffic amount allocation strategy, calculates the user's maintainable time and maintainable traffic according to the duration rate and traffic rate respectively, and fills in the activation session of the Accounting-Response message respectively to maintain Duration parameters and maintainable traffic parameters, and determine the time interval between the next time of tariff switching and the current time, fill in the parameters of the tariff switching interval, indicate the continuation of the session, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

s. The user ends the packet service;

t.PDSN reports Accounting-Request (Stop) to AAA, including activation session duration parameter (Acct-Session-Time), account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets), account output bytes (Acct-Output -Octets) parameter;

u.AAA according to the parameters of the activated session duration (Acct-Session-Time), the number of account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets), the number of account output bytes (Acct-Output-Octets) used traffic and duration, Then it is obtained that the user's used fee in this segment and the unused part of the application to the segment fee. AAA confirms that the fee needs to be returned, and sends a fee request message fee request to the SCP, with operation category=2 (fee return);

v.SCP adds fee to user database according to fee request message return fee parameter, SCP returns fee request response message to AAA, operation category=2 (fee return confirmation);

w. The AAA returns an accounting request response message Account-Response to the PDSN, indicating the end of the session.

Embodiment 6: AAA actively cuts off the service flow of PDSN (according to flow rate charging), see Fig. 8, it comprises the following steps:

a. The mobile user requests access, and the PDSN sends an Access-Request to the AAA to request authentication;

b. AAA confirms that the calling party is a prepaid subscriber, and sends a fee request message Fee-Request to the SCP;

c. After user authentication, the SCP allocates a period of fees to the user according to the application fee parameters of the authentication request message and the user's current balance, returns an authentication request response message to AAA, and specifies the fee for the allocated user;

d. The AAA passes the authentication, and the PDSN returns an Access-Accept message in response to the authentication request;

e. PDSN reports Accounting-Request (Start) message to AAA;

f. Mobile users are prepaid users and are billed according to the duration of traffic. AAA determines the cost of budget duration and traffic according to the time traffic amount allocation strategy, and calculates the user's sustainable time and sustainable traffic according to the duration rate and traffic rate. , respectively fill in the duration parameters of the activation session of the Accounting-Response message and the parameters of the uplink and downlink traffic that can be maintained, and determine the time interval between the next tariff switching time and the current time, fill in the tariff switching interval parameters, and indicate the continuation Session, send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

g. Send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

h. When the billing cycle trigger arrives, the PDSN triggers an Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) message to the AAA, the trigger type=1, and the message includes the Acct-Session-Time parameter;

i. AAA calculates the user activation session duration and traffic according to the Acct-Session-Time, Acct-Input-Octets, and Acct-Output-Octets parameters, and then obtains the user's used fee in this segment, and AAA will reserve the segmented fee Subtract the user's used fee and recalculate the sustainable duration and sustainable traffic in the reserved fee of this segment according to the time traffic amount allocation strategy, fill in the sustainable upstream traffic and downstream traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message and activate the session It can maintain the duration parameter, and determine the time interval between the next charging rate switching time and the current time, fill in the charging rate switching interval parameter, indicate the continuation of the session, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

j. Send the Accounting-Response message to PDSN;

k. When the tariff switching trigger arrives, the PDSN triggers an Accounting-Request (Interim-Update) message to the AAA, and the trigger type=2;

l. According to the Acct-Session-Time, Acct-Input-Octets, and Acct-Output-Octets parameters, AAA obtains the user activation session duration and traffic, and then obtains the user's used fee in this segment, and AAA will reserve the segment fee Subtract the user's used fee and recalculate the sustainable duration and sustainable traffic in the reserved fee of this segment according to the time traffic amount allocation strategy, fill in the sustainable upstream traffic and downstream traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message and activate the session It can maintain the duration parameter, and determine the time interval between the next charging rate switching time and the current time, fill in the charging rate switching interval parameter, indicate the continuation of the session, and send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

m. Send the Accounting-Response message to the PDSN;

n.AAA decides to end the call, and sends a Session-Control message to the PDSN, Command parameter=Terminate-Request;

o.PDSN ends the packet service;

p.PDSN reports Accounting-Request (Stop) message to AAA, including Acct-Session-Time, Acct-Input-Octets, Acct-Output-Octets parameters;

q. AAA calculates the user's used fee in this segment and the unused part of the application to the segment fee based on the used traffic and duration of the Acct-Session-Time, Acct-Input-Octets, and Acct-Output-Octets parameters . AAA confirms that the fee needs to be returned, and sends a fee request message to the SCP, and the message parameter operation category=2 (fee return);

r.SCP adds the fee to the user database according to the fee request message return fee parameter, and the SCP returns a fee return confirmation message to AAA, and the message parameter operation category=2 (fee return confirmation);

s. AAA returns the accounting request response message Account-Response to the PDSN, indicating the end of the session;

It can be seen from the above description that the present invention realizes several key features of packet prepayment: 1. segment fee application, 2. flow control (distinguish uplink flow and downlink flow), and 3. charge rate switching. Through these features, real-time control of user fees is realized.

Claims (17)

1. A mobile user authentication and charging method that supports packet data prepaid features, comprising the steps of: a) The mobile user requests to access the Internet, and the PDSN sends an authentication request message (Access-Request) to the AAA; b) AAA authenticates the user, and if it confirms that the user has the right to log in, it sends an authentication acceptance message (Access-Accept) to the PDSN; c) The PDSN sends an accounting start request message (Accounting-Request(Start)) to the AAA; d) AAA receives an accounting start request message (Accounting-Request (Start)), starts charging the mobile user, and sends an accounting request response message (Accounting-Reponse) to the PDSN; e) After the PDSN reaches the intermediate accounting reporting period, it sends an intermediate accounting request (Accounting-Request (Interim)) to the AAA; f) After the AAA receives the intermediate accounting request (Accounting-Request (Interim)), it generates temporary accounting information; and sends an accounting-request response message Accounting-Response message; g) When the mobile user finishes surfing the Internet, the PDSN sends an accounting end request message (Accounting-Request(Stop)) to the AAA; h) AAA finishes charging the mobile user, and sends a charging request response message (Accounting-Reponse) to the PDSN; Its characteristics are: The Accounting-Response message (Accounting-Reponse) sent by AAA to PDSN contains information on the duration of the active session; correspondingly, there is a session activation trigger in the PDSN, which can Maintain the duration information to reset the parameters. When the trigger condition is met, that is, when the duration of the activation session is exhausted, the corresponding intermediate accounting request information (Accounting-Request (Interim-update)) is triggered and reported to AAA; There is also an accounting cycle trigger in the PDSN, which can trigger the corresponding intermediate accounting request information (Accounting-Request (Interim-update)) and report to AAA when the accounting cycle arrives; After receiving any intermediate accounting request information (Accounting-Request (Interim-update)), the AAA recalculates the duration of the active session and sends an accounting-request response message (Accounting-Reponse) to the PDSN. 2. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting packet data prepaid features as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: the charging request response message (Accounting-Reponse) sent by AAA to PDSN also includes charging rate switching Interval parameter, that is, the time interval between the next tariff switching moment and the current moment; correspondingly, there is a tariff switching trigger in the PDSN, which can perform parameter resetting according to the tariff switching interval parameter received from AAA When the trigger condition is satisfied, that is, when the time for the next rate switching arrives, the corresponding intermediate accounting request information (Accounting-Request (Interim-update)) is triggered and reported to AAA. 3. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting the packet data prepaid feature as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: the accounting request response message (Accounting-Reponse) sent by AAA to PDSN also includes the maintainable flow rate Parameters; correspondingly, there is a traffic trigger in the PDSN, which can reset parameters according to the sustainable traffic parameters received from AAA, when the trigger condition is met, that is, when the data traffic transmitted by the user reaches the sustainable traffic When the parameter value is set, the corresponding intermediate accounting request information (Accounting-Request (Interim-update)) is triggered and reported to AAA. 4. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting the packet data prepaid feature as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the process of authenticating the user in step b) is: b1) AAA to The SCP sends a fee request message and an authentication request message; b2) if the SCP passes the user authentication, then the SCP allocates a period of fee to the user according to the application fee parameter in the fee request message and the user's current balance, and returns an authentication response message to the AAA, indicating as The cost of assigning users. 5. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting the packet data prepaid feature as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: when charging only by duration, in step d), AAA receives the charging start request message ( Accounting-Request (Start)), calculate the duration of the activation session based on the latest billing rate for the activation session in the next billing cycle, and fill in the duration of the activation session in the Accounting-Response message (Accounting-Response) Parameters, and determine the time interval between the next charging rate switching time and the current time, fill in the charging rate switching interval parameter, and send the accounting request response message (Accounting-Response) to the PDSN. 6. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting packet data prepaid features as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: in step e), for the intermediate charging reported by the charging cycle trigger and the charging rate switching trigger Request information (Accounting-Request(Interim-Update)), AAA obtains the duration of the activation session according to the parameter (Acct-Session-Time) in which the activation session can be maintained, and then obtains the cost used by the user in this segment. If the segment fee is not used up, AAA will subtract the segment reserved fee from the user's used fee and then recalculate the duration of the active session within the segment reserved fee. In the case that the segment fee is exhausted , AAA needs to re-apply for the segment fee from the SCP, and then calculate the duration of the active session based on the reserved fee for the segment; after calculation, fill in the parameter of the sustainable duration of the activation session in the Accounting-Response message, and Determine the time interval between the next charging rate switching time and the current time, fill in the charging rate switching interval parameter, and send the accounting request response message (Accounting-Response) to the PDSN. 7. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting packet data prepaid features as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: in step e), for the intermediate charging request information (Accounting-Request( Interim-Update)), AAA needs to re-apply for the segment fee from the SCP, and then calculate the duration of the activation session based on the segment reservation fee, and fill in the duration parameter of the activation session in the Accounting-Response , and determine the time interval between the next charging rate switching time and the current time, fill in the charging rate switching interval (tariff switching duration), and send the accounting request response message (Accounting-Response) to the PDSN. 8. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting the packet data prepaid feature as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: when charging only by traffic, in step d), AAA receives the charging start request message ( Accounting-Request(Start)), according to the budget amount allocation strategy to determine the cost of the budgeted upstream traffic and downstream traffic, calculate the user can maintain the upstream traffic and downstream traffic according to the upstream traffic rate and downlink traffic rate, fill in Accounting-Response message (Accounting-Response) can maintain the upstream traffic, can maintain the downstream traffic parameters, and determine the time interval between the next tariff switching time and the current time, fill in the tariff switching interval parameters, and then calculate Accounting-Response is sent to PDSN. 9. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting the packet data prepaid feature according to claim 8, characterized in that: in step e), for the intermediate charging reported by the charging cycle trigger and the rate switching trigger Request information (Accounting-Request(Interim-Update)), AAA obtains the traffic used by the user according to the number of account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets) and the number of account output bytes (Acct-Output-Octets), and then obtains In this segment, the user has used the fee. If the segment fee is not used up, AAA will subtract the user's used fee from the reserved fee for the segment, and then recalculate the sustainable traffic in the reserved fee for this segment. When the segment fee is exhausted, AAA needs to re-apply for the segment fee from the SCP, and then calculate the sustainable traffic based on the segment reserved fee; after calculation, fill the calculated sustainable traffic into the accounting request response message (Accounting -Response), determine the time interval between the next charging rate switching time and the current time, fill in the charging rate switching interval parameter, and send the accounting request response message (Accounting-Response) to the PDSN. 10. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting the packet data prepaid feature according to claim 8, characterized in that: in step e), for the intermediate charging request information (Accounting-Request (Interim -Update)), AAA needs to re-apply for the segment fee from the SCP, then calculate the sustainable traffic according to the segment reservation fee, fill in the sustainable traffic parameters of the Accounting-Response message, and determine the next time of the next rate switch and For the current time interval, fill in the tariff switching interval parameter, and then send the Accounting-Response message (Accounting-Response) to the PDSN. 11. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting packet data prepaid features as claimed in claim 6 or 7 or 9 or 10, characterized in that: when the AAA confirms that the user's current segment charge has been used up, the charge is sent to the SCP When requesting a message to request a fee, if the SCP confirms that the user balance has been exhausted, it returns a fee application response message to the AAA, and the applied fee = 0; AAA does not apply for a fee from the SCP, and sends an accounting request response message to the PDSN (Accounting-Reponse ), where the session end flag=0, indicating that the session is ended; the PDSN terminates the user service according to the session end flag parameter. 12. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting the packet data prepaid feature as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: when charging according to duration and traffic at the same time, in step d), AAA receives a charging start request After the message (Accounting-Request(Start)), determine the budget duration and uplink traffic and downlink traffic charges according to the budget amount allocation strategy, and determine the user's maintenance time according to the duration rate, uplink traffic rate, and downlink traffic rate respectively , can maintain upstream traffic, can maintain upstream traffic, fill in the accounting request response message (Accounting-Response) activation session can maintain the length of time, can maintain upstream traffic, can maintain downstream traffic parameters, and determine the latest next rate switch For the time interval between time and current time, fill in the tariff switching interval parameter, and then send the Accounting-Response message (Accounting-Response) to the PDSN. 13. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting the packet data prepaid feature according to claim 12, characterized in that: in step e), the intermediate charging reported by the charging cycle trigger and the rate switching trigger Request information (Accounting-Request(Interim-Update)), AAA obtains the user activation session duration and traffic according to the activation session sustainable time parameter (Acct-Session-Time) and the sustainable traffic parameter, and then obtains the user in this segment The used fee, in the case that the fee for this segment is not used up, AAA will subtract the reserved fee for the segment from the user's used fee and recalculate the sustainable duration and available time in the reserved fee for this segment according to the budget allocation strategy. Upstream traffic can be maintained, downlink traffic can be maintained, and the activation session that fills in the Accounting-Response message (Accounting-Response) can be maintained for a long time, uplink traffic can be maintained, and downlink traffic parameters can be maintained, and the latest charging rate switching time is determined For the time interval from the current moment, fill in the tariff switching interval (tariff switching duration), and send the accounting request response message (Accounting-Response) to the PDSN. 14. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting packet data prepaid features according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that: in step e), for the intermediate charging request information (Accounting- Request (Interim-Update)), AAA according to the activation session can maintain the length of time parameters (Acct-Session-Time), account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets), account output bytes (Acct-Output-Octets) parameters Calculate the currently used segment fee. If the user's current segment fee is lower than the predetermined threshold, AAA will re-apply for the segment fee from SCP, otherwise go directly to the next step: then use the applied fee or the remaining fee to allocate the strategy according to the budget amount Recalculate the sustainable duration, sustainable upstream traffic, and sustainable downstream traffic in the reserved fee of this segment, and fill in the accounting request response message (Accounting-Response) for the sustainable duration, sustainable upstream traffic, and sustainable Downlink traffic parameters, and determine the time interval between the next charging rate switching time and the current time, fill in the charging rate switching interval parameter, and send the accounting request response message (Accounting-Response) to the PDSN. 15. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting packet data prepaid features as claimed in claim 12 or 13, characterized in that: in step e), for the intermediate charging request information (Accounting-Request) reported by the traffic trigger (Interim-Update)), AAA is calculated according to the parameters of the activation session duration (Acct-Session-Time), the number of account input bytes (Acct-Input-Octets), and the number of account output bytes (Acct-Output-Octets) The currently used segment fee, if the current segment fee of the user is lower than the predetermined threshold, AAA needs to send a fee request message to the SCP, which includes the unused segment fee parameter (FeeLeft) and the segment fee to be applied, otherwise Go directly to the next step: recalculate the sustainable duration in the segment reservation fee and the sustainable traffic segment reservation fee according to the time traffic amount allocation strategy to calculate the sustainable duration of the activation session, and fill in the billing request response message (Accounting-Response) maintainable traffic parameters and activated session maintainable duration parameters, and determine the time interval between the latest next rate switching time and the current time, fill in the rate switching interval parameters, and send the accounting request response message ( Accounting-Response) to the PDSN. 16. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting the packet data prepaid feature according to claim 1, characterized in that: in step b), the authentication acceptance message (Access-Accept) includes the activation of the prepaid feature sign. 17. The mobile user authentication and charging method supporting packet data prepaid features according to claim 1, characterized in that: when AAA is required to actively cut off the current call, AAA sends a session termination request message (Terminate- Request), request to end the call.

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