CN1745539B - Prepaid intelligent network service - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing prepaid intelligent network services for multimedia data in a mobile communication network. Upon receiving the accounting start request and the report condition, the internet protocol accounting system calculates a wireless data service usage of the prepaid IN subscriber by using a call signal generated from the wireless data service network, and transmits information on the usage to a service control point when the report condition is satisfied, and transmits an accounting request for the prepaid IN subscriber to an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server when a session disconnection request is received from the wireless data service device. Accordingly, the present invention performs real-time billing according to a payment class classified by service by combining a prepaid IN service with a price plan of multimedia data.

Description

Prepaid Smart Internet Service

technical field

The invention relates to a system and method for providing prepaid intelligent network service of multimedia data in a mobile communication network. And more particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for applying graded service payment levels to traditional prepaid services to increase wireless data service adoption.

Background technique

With the continuous development of technology and the improvement of economic level, people can use the Internet through PCs or mobile terminals (such as portable phones, personal digital assistants) while moving. Internet of applications. Therefore, there is no longer any location limitation in using the Internet.

Various payment methods for paying service fees for data service usage using mobile terminals, such as prepaid methods, are recently being researched in addition to conventional post-payment methods of billing by usage time and traffic.

Generally, in mobile communication systems, the prepaid method refers to purchasing a prepaid card corresponding to a predetermined amount of currency in advance or prepaying a certain amount of currency for its wireless data use, and the subscription user can use the prepaid card within a predetermined validity period A service with limited wireless data service.

Although conventional prepaid methods are limited to real-time debits mainly for voice calls, with the rapid development of data services in mobile communication networks, recently developed methods are applicable to the total amount of data services calculated by usage time and usage data volume Make a real-time debit.

There has been a strong need to classify various multimedia data services according to specific groups to apply different charging levels to stimulate the application of data services. Examples of groups include content, accessed network, special service plan, target IP address, usage agreement.

invention disclosure

technical problem

However, due to the complexity of real-time debiting and the difficulty of implementing this technology, the traditional prepaid intelligent network (hereinafter referred to as IN) system will have a real-time debiting method (real timedebiting method) of optional charging levels. There are limitations to each classification service.

Although the real-time debit method is applied to charging for multimedia data services, it still has disadvantages such as fixed billing levels for the total amount of services used, additional post-payment procedures for accurate calculations, etc. Since the conventional real-time debit method is to deduct the real-time balance of the prepaid subscription user according to the fixed charging level per unit time or per unit of number of package, the conventional payment device executes the payment from the corresponding subscription user. A real-time balance deduction is deducted from the account balance for the time effectively used or the number of packets. Moreover, another shortcoming of the conventional billing system is that because during a data session (data session), the user uses data services of different service groups, billing devices that do not have a price list of billing levels graded by service cannot perform Instant balance deduction.

Technical solutions

The present invention intends to overcome the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing prepaid intelligent network service of multimedia data in a mobile communication network, wherein the system implements Real-time debiting of billing tiers for service tiers and provides a comprehensive method for minimizing billing data loss.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing prepaid intelligent network services for multimedia data in a mobile communication network, wherein the system can periodically send and Receiving usage information charges the subscriber's account for usage of the multimedia data in real-time debit.

Moreover, another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing prepaid intelligent network services for multimedia data in a mobile communication network, wherein the system eliminates the charge between the billing device and the intelligent network system by using a gateway system. The system load capacity generated in the process of periodically sending and receiving information.

Detailed Description of the Invention

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving said objects, the method for charging in real time the use of wireless data services for prepaid IN subscribers in an Internet Protocol Accounting System (IPAS) of a wireless data service network comprises: Receive a billing start request from a wireless data service device, wherein the wireless data service device is selected from at least one of an interworking function (IWF) and a packet data service node (PDSN); receive a prepaid IN from a service control point (SCP) or an SCP gateway A reporting condition of wireless data service usage by a subscribing user, wherein the reporting condition is selected from at least one of a predetermined time interval and a predetermined usage of wireless data service; calculated by using a call signal generated from a wireless data service network The usage amount of the wireless data service of the prepaid IN subscription user; when the report condition is met, the information of the usage amount of the prepaid IN subscription user is sent to the SCP; The accounting (AAA) server sends an accounting request corresponding to the usage information of the prepaid IN subscriber.

Here, the predetermined amount used in the reporting condition is determined by the balance account of the prepaid IN subscriber, and if multiple service groups adopt different billing levels per package, the available package quantity is determined by the one with the most expensive Service group determination for the per-packet billing class.

Moreover, the call signal generated from the wireless data service network is the transaction data copied and sent to the IPAS by the transaction information sending device connected between the wireless data service device and the IP network.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in order to charge prepaid IN subscribers using wireless data services in real time, for generating information corresponding to the usage of prepaid IN subscribers in a service control point (SCP) or SCP gateway A method for reporting conditions, characterized in that it includes the steps of: when receiving a report condition providing request from an Internet Protocol Accounting System (IPAS) or a user terminal connected to a wireless data service network, returning information on a prepaid IN subscription user settlement account; according to The predetermined billing level of each service group calculates the available package volume corresponding to the balance information; selects the least package volume among the package numbers calculated by multiple service groups as the report condition; and sends the report condition to IPAS.

Here, the method further includes: receiving information on the wireless data service usage amount of the prepaid IN subscription user from the IPAS; calculating second balance information corresponding to the prepaid IN subscription user by applying the usage amount information; The billing level of the service group recalculates the number of available packages corresponding to the second balance information; after extracting the minimum amount of available packages from the recalculated package quantities of multiple service groups, when the usage of the prepaid user is compared with the recalculated When the minimum packet size matches, the minimum amount of usable packets is re-determined as the reporting condition for retransmitting the usage information amount.

In addition, the reporting condition further includes an interval of a predetermined time period.

Description of drawings

The above objects and other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. in:

FIG. 1 is a complete schematic diagram of a system for real-time charging of data service usage of prepaid IN subscribers according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows the data flow chart of the call processing flow and billing processing flow for requesting prepaid IN subscription user data according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

3 is a data flow diagram showing a call processing flow and a billing processing flow for requesting prepaid IN subscription user data according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 4 is a data flow diagram showing a call processing flow and a billing processing flow for requesting prepaid IN subscription user data according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of main part numbers in the drawings>

110: PCS switch (PCX)

115: Interworking Function (IWF)

120: Packet Control Function (PCF)

125: packet data service node (PDSN)

130: Internet Protocol Accounting System (IPAS)

135: Service Control Point (SCP) Gateway

140: Service Control Point (SCP)

143: Service Switching Point (SSP)

145: Authentication Authorization and Accounting (AAA) Server

Embodiment of the invention

The present invention provides optional billing levels classified by service group for prepaid services to increase the use of wireless data services, and by periodically sending and receiving usage information between the billing device and the Intelligent Network (IN) system , reducing the loss of real-time charging data corresponding to wireless data service applications.

Hereinafter, the system and method for providing prepaid intelligent network service for multimedia data in a mobile communication network according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be further described in detail through embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a complete schematic diagram of a system for real-time charging of data service usage of prepaid IN subscribers according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to Fig. 1, the system for providing the prepaid IN service of multimedia data according to the present invention comprises PCS exchange (PCX) 110, interworking function (IWF) 115, packet control function (PCF) 120, packet data service node (PDSN) ) 125, Internet Protocol Accounting System (IPAS) 130, Service Control Point (SCP) Gateway 135, Service Control Point (SCP) 140, Service Switching Point (SSP) 143 and Authentication Authorization and Accounting (AAA) Server 145.

The PCX 110 is a device that performs basic service and value-added service processing functions, incoming and outgoing call processing functions, performs user address registration processing and switching processing functions, and functions to connect one network to other networks. The PCX 110 may include an Access Switch Subsystem (ASS), an Internet Subsystem (INS), a Central Control Subsystem (CCS), an Address Registration Control Subsystem (LRS) and the like.

The IWF 115 is a wireless data device for connection between a mobile communication system and PSTN/Internet.

PCF 120 packages call data received from a user terminal (e.g., mobile phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), notebook computer, etc.) via a base station (BTS) (not shown)/base station controller (BSC) (not shown) , to perform packet communication using call data, or convert packet data received from the PDSN 125 into wireless data for transmission to a user terminal.

The PDSN 125 provides data services to the user terminals based on subscription user information corresponding to the user terminals received from the IN system including the SCP 140 and the AAA server connected through the IP network.

Here, the PDSN 125, the SCP 140, and the AAA server 145 are connected through an IP network or an IP backbone network. Usually they can be connected directly as shown in Figure 1.

The IPAS 130 performs billing processing according to predetermined rules by collecting data transmitted and received between the IWF 115 and/or PDSN 125 and the IP network and analyzing the collected data. That is, the IPAS 130 performs billing processing, a classification billing level function for different data service usage, and a call control function for all calls originating in the data network.

The IPAS 130 includes an Internet Protocol Accounting Filter (IPAF) (not shown), an Internet Protocol Accounting Manager (IPAM) (not shown), and the like.

The IPAF receives transaction data from a Billing Distribution Function (BDF) that replicates transaction data sent and received between the IWF 115 and/or PDSN 125 and the IP network and sends the replicated transaction data to the IPAF, and by analyzing the received transaction data Data collection is performed and billed according to the rules determined by the subscribing user session.

In order to apply respective graded billing levels according to services, IPAM performs functions such as collection for billing, call processing, generation and transmission of billing information, and IN service processing by interconnecting IWF 115, PDSN 125, IPAF, AAA server 145, SCP 140, etc.

The IPAS 130 may not only be composed of an independent IPAF and an independent IPAM, but may also be formed as one device that performs all the functions of the IPAF and the IPAM.

The IN service regarding the present invention refers to a prepaid service as one of a plurality of telecommunication services for quickly and accurately performing new various services in a mobile telecommunication service.

The IN system can be composed of transport network layer, signal network layer and service network layer. The service network layer includes SCP 140 and the transport network layer includes SSP 143 .

To reduce load on SCP 140 and bill users, SCP gateway 135 receives usage data from IPAS 130 corresponding to prepaid subscription users.

The SCP 140 retrieves the IN information corresponding to the prepaid subscriber from an IN information database (not shown), and transmits the retrieved information to the SSP 143 .

The SSP143 receives initial connection request information (for example, information for requesting an initial connection) from the PCX according to the call signal and if the prepaid user is a prepaid IN subscription user, then transmits the IN information from the SCP140 by requesting the SCP140 to receive the corresponding prepaid IN information. The IN information of the subscribing user.

AAA 145 determines whether a prepaid subscriber is a prepaid IN service subscriber by applying a subscriber database corresponding to a prepaid subscriber information request received from PDSN 125 (e.g., for a request to send a request corresponding to prepaid subscriber information) (eg, subscribers who use wireless data services after paying a certain amount of currency in advance). Then, when the prepaid subscriber is a prepaid IN service subscriber, the AAA145 sends a detailed information provision request (for example, a request for requesting detailed information corresponding to the prepaid subscriber) to the SCP140 and receives a corresponding request from the SCP140. Details of prepaid subscribers.

In addition, not shown in FIG. 1, the prepaid IN system for multimedia data according to the present invention also includes the application of billing data corresponding to the use of wireless data services and balances processed by IPAS130, SCP gateway 135, SCP140, AAA145, etc. Billing processing means for billing the total service charge by deducting the data.

FIG. 2 is a data flow diagram showing a call processing flow and billing processing flow for requesting prepaid IN subscription user data according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

That is, FIG. 2 shows the flow of call processing and billing processing in the case where the prepaid IN subscriber requests the PDSN 125 to transmit data as a terminal.

Referring to FIG. 2, the PDSN 125 receives an outgoing call signal from the user terminal 203 of a prepaid subscriber who wants to use a wireless data service (step 210). In step 215 , PDSN 125 sends an authentication and authorization request to AAA server 145 for user terminal 203 .

The AAA server 145 determines whether the prepaid subscriber is prepaid by fetching from the subscriber database (not shown) using the subscriber terminal information (e.g., mobile phone ID, etc.) For prepaid IN subscription users. When the prepaid subscriber is a prepaid IN subscriber, the AAA server 145 sends a detailed information provision request corresponding to the prepaid subscriber to the SCP gateway 135 (for example, for requesting to provide detailed information corresponding to the prepaid subscriber). request) (step 220). The request for providing detailed information may include mobile verification code (MIN) information, initial connection information, and the like.

The SCP gateway 135 sends a verification request corresponding to the prepaid subscription user to the SCP 140 (step 222), and receives a verification result corresponding to the prepaid subscription user from the SCP 140 (step 224). The balance information corresponding to the pre-paid subscriber may be used in the verification process performed by SCP 140 for the pre-paid subscriber. In this case, the SCP 140 can obtain the balance information corresponding to the prepaid subscriber, calculate the number of available packages using the tariff, and send the corresponding prepaid subscriber's detailed information (for example, IN information, available number of packages, etc.). In addition, the SCP 140 retrieves back the detailed information corresponding to the prepaid subscription user retrieved from the IN information database (not shown) in response to the detailed information provision request received from the AAA server 145, and sends the retrieved detailed information to the SCP gateway 135. information.

The SCP gateway 135 sends the detailed information, the verification result received from the SCP 140, etc. to the AAA server 145 (step 225).

AAA server 145 sends an authentication and authorization response (eg, a Subsinfo response) to PDSN 125 including the details received from SCP 140 corresponding to the pre-paid subscriber (step 230).

Here, the authentication and authorization response may include an information processing result field, a subscribing user details field, and an Access Denied Reason (ADR) field 520 .

The information processing result field is a field for indicating whether the processing of the detailed information provision request corresponding to the prepaid subscription user is completely completed, and the ADR field is a field for representing the processing of the detailed information provision request of the corresponding prepaid subscription user Field for reason when not fully completed.

The subscriber detailed information field is a field for expressing detailed information of a subscriber, and includes a virtual private network (VPN) field, an AUTH field, a service classification code (WIN code) field, a price plan (PRICE_PLAN) field, a WIN_CALL_ID field, an SVC_TYPE ( Exchange virtual connection type) field, USBL_TIME field, USBL_PACKET field, etc.

Then, a PPP connection is established between PDSN 115 and user terminal 203 (step 235).

At step 240, PDSN 115 sends to IPAS 130 a billing start request (eg, a request to request to start billing) corresponding to the usage of the wireless data service. The billing start request may include the mobile verification code of the user terminal 203, the IP address information of the PDSN, IN information, and the like.

In step 245 , IPAS 130 sends to SCP 140 (or SCP gateway 135 ) a sending interval request for sending usage information (ie, a request for requesting sending sending interval information).

After the SCP 140 or the SCP gateway 135 generates transmission interval information for receiving usage information corresponding to the prepaid subscription user from the IPAS 130, it transmits the generated transmission interval information to the IPAS 130 (step 250). Although the transmission time interval request is not received at the IPAS 130 , the SCP 140 can correctly transmit the transmission interval information to the IPAS 130 after receiving the detailed information provision request corresponding to the prepaid subscription user from the AAA 145 .

The sending interval information may be regular time information or a predetermined amount of usage. In addition, the transmission interval information may be a combination of regular time information and a predetermined amount of usage. The usage information calculated by SCP 140 (or SCP gateway or other device in the IN system) is sent to IPAS 130, and the usage information is selected as corresponding to the balance, calculated according to a plurality of service groups with predetermined tariffs The minimum number of available packages in the package quantity. For example, assume that the available amount corresponding to the prepaid subscriber balance is 100 bytes for service group A only, 200 bytes for service group B only or 80 bytes for service group C only, and the prepaid subscriber Only one service group among the plurality of service groups is used, and the available amount of the sending interval information can be set as 80 bytes. Although the available total amount is not exhausted, time information for indicating usage amount information periodically transmitted to prepaid subscribers of wireless data services may be further provided to avoid billing data due to system failure, etc. loss.

At step 255, IPAS 130 sends to PDSN 125 a response message corresponding to the start billing message.

Send and receive user data (eg, data transmission request, URL connection request), network data (eg, multimedia data) and the like between the user terminal 203 and the application server 206 (step 260 ). IPAS 130 performs billing processing by applying information corresponding to data transmitted and received by application server 206 (step 265). Here, the IPAS 130 can further use tariff data between the PDSN 125 and the application server 206, which is copied by the Billing Distribution Function (BDF) and received from the BDF.

At step 270 , if the usage information matches the sending interval received by step 250 , IPAS 130 sends usage information (eg, usage information of a service group) corresponding to a prepaid subscriber to SCP gateway 135 . If there is new refill information, SCP gateway 135 sends new refill information (eg, monetary information representing additional additions to its account) to IPAS 130 corresponding to the prepaid subscriber (step 275). The balance deduction response received from SCP 140 may be sent together with the new recharge information or separately. Step 275 may include a step in which the SCP gateway 135 sends usage information to the SCP 140, a step in which the SCP 140 deducts a fee corresponding to the usage from the balance, and a step in which the SCP 140 sends a balance deduction response and/or new recharge information to the SCP gateway 135. step.

A price plan using tiered billing levels according to service group can be used for prepaid subscribers and real-time balance deduction can be performed through steps 270 to 275 . In addition, in step 275 , after generating a new sending interval corresponding to the prepaid user, the SCP gateway 135 (or SCP 140 ) can send information corresponding to the new sending interval to the IPAS 130 . For example, assuming that the available amount is 80 bytes, since the available amount is calculated by using service group C with the most expensive charging class and this calculated usage amount is included in the first sending interval. In this case, however, the prepaid subscribers only use service group A up to 80 bytes, since the usage is consistent with the available amount of the first sending interval, then the IPAS130 will send to the SCP140 (or SCP gateway 135) Usage information for prepaid subscription users. But the balance corresponding to the prepaid subscriber has been completely exhausted. Accordingly, the SCP 140 (or SCP gateway 135) sends the second sending interval after generating the second sending interval corresponding to the remaining balance using the per-service group hierarchical charging class. Here, if new recharging information does not exist, the available amount included in the second transmission interval is smaller than the available amount included in the first transmission interval. Therefore, the present invention can minimize the system load because the balance deduction process is performed after the available amount provided in the sending interval is satisfied. However, if the available usage amount in the transmission interval satisfies the previously prepaid subscription user to end the use of the wireless data service, the balance deduction process can be performed through the following steps.

If the PDSN receives a session disconnect request (for example, a request for requesting to disconnect an established session) (step 280) from the user terminal 203, the PDSN 125 sends a billing stop request (for example, a request for requesting to stop billing) to the IPAS 130. request) (step 283). The session disconnection request may include MIN information of the user terminal 203, IP address information of the user terminal 203, IN information, IP address information of the PDSN, release indicator, usage information, and the like.

The IPAS 130 sends a response to the PDSN 125 in response to the session disconnect information received from the PDSN 125 (step 286), and sends usage information corresponding to the prepaid subscriber to the SCP gateway 135 (step 288). In this case, the usage amount information may include MIN information of the user terminal 203, IN information, classified usage amount information, and the like.

SCP gateway 135 sends to SCP 140 a balance deduction request (e.g., a request for debiting a fee from an account) corresponding to the data service usage information of a prepaid subscriber (step 290), and then receives a balance deduction response from SCP 140 (e.g., , billing data including currency amount information, balance information, new recharge information, etc.). Here, as mentioned above, it may further include the step of the SCP140 deducting the fee corresponding to the amount of information usage from the balance and the SCP140 sending the corresponding prepaid subscription user balance deduction response and/or new recharge information to the SCP gateway 135 A step of.

Then, the IPAS 130 receives a balance deduction response and/or new recharging information from the SCP gateway 135, if there is new recharging information (step 293). The new recharge information may be provided with the balance deduction response received from SCP 140 or separately.

Step 296, send and receive charging request and response information between IPAS130 and AAA145. Then, at step 299, the AAA 145 sends the charge file to the billing processor 209 (or any other device in the IN system).

Up until now, a method for handling data calls and billing a subscriber to a prepaid IN service in the event that the user turns off the wireless data network balance is not exhausted has been described.

However, if the user is a pre-paid subscriber, there are also situations where the balance is used up during the use of the wireless data network and/or the balance is used up during the initial connection phase. A case where the balance is exhausted during use of the wireless data network will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . Hereinafter, the case where the balance has been exhausted at the initial connection stage will be described through the processing performed by PDSN 125 , IPAS 130 , SCP gateway 135 and SCP 140 .

First, the PDSN 125 sends an authentication and authorization request for the user terminal 203 to the AAA 145 after receiving an outgoing call signal from the user terminal 203 .

The AAA 145 sends to the SCP Gateway 135 a detailed information provision request corresponding to the prepaid subscriber. The detailed information provision request includes MIN information of the user terminal 203, initial connection information, and the like.

After the SCP gateway 135 confirms that the balance of the prepaid subscription user is exhausted by using the balance information obtained in cooperation with the SCP 140, it sends to the AAA 145 the balance exhausted information indicating that all balances are used up (for example, the details corresponding to the prepaid subscription user). information).

AAA 145 sends a response message (eg, "Result=unsuccessful, ADR=balance_exhaust") corresponding to the authentication and authorization request to PDSN 125 using the details received from SCP Gateway 135 .

Fig. 3 is a data flow diagram showing a call processing flow and a billing processing flow for requesting prepaid IN subscription user data according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

That is, FIG. 3 shows a case in which session disconnection is performed by the PDSN as an end point of PPP establishment when the prepaid IN service subscriber uses the wireless data service while the balance is exhausted (for example, the account balance is 0). However, since steps 310 to 353 are the same as steps 210 to 265 in FIG. 2, explanations thereof will be omitted here.

Referring to FIG. 3 , step 356 , IPAS 130 sends prepaid user usage (eg, classified usage information) to SCP gateway 135 after performing a charging step by applying information corresponding to data sent and received by application server 206 .

In step 359, the IPAS 130 sends to the SCP 140 a balance deduction request corresponding to the usage amount of the prepaid subscription user of the wireless data service (step 359). The usage amount information sent to the SCP 140 may include MIN information, IN information, classified usage amount, etc. of the user terminal 203 . When the balance corresponding to the prepaid subscription user is exhausted, the SCP 140 transmits balance exhaustion information (for example, interim-cha (ADR=balance_exhaust)) to the IPAS 130 in steps 363 and 366 .

In addition, in order to determine whether the balance corresponding to the prepaid subscriber is completely used up, since the data flow diagram shown in FIG. 3 is for the prepaid IN service subscriber, a periodic The process of sending and receiving information usage, balance deduction response and/or new recharging information can be performed before step 363 .

Since the prepaid balance for using the wireless data service has been exhausted, the IPAS 130 sends a Service Limitation Request to the PDSN 125 for requesting to limit the usage of the prepaid subscriber (eg, QualificationDirective(Reason=balance_exhaust)) (step 369).

PDSN 125 sends a response message corresponding to the service restriction request to IPAS 130 (step 373) and disconnects the session established with user terminal 203 (step 376).

PDSN 125 sends a session disconnection request to IPAS 130 (step 379). The session disconnection request includes MIN information of the user terminal 203, IP address information of the user terminal 203, IP address information of the PDSN, IN information, release indicator, usage information, and the like.

IPAS 130 sends to PDSN 125 a response message corresponding to the session disconnection request (step 383). Then, the IPAS 130 sends an accounting request to the AAA 145 and receives a response message from the AAA 145 (step 386), and sends the charge file to the accounting processing device 209 (step 389).

Fig. 4 is a data flow diagram showing call processing steps and billing processing steps for requesting prepaid IN user data according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

That is, FIG. 4 shows the flow of call processing and billing processing in the case where a prepaid IN subscription user requests an interworking function (IWF) as an end point for transmitting data.

Referring to Fig. 4, PCS exchange 110 (PCX) receives outgoing call signal (step 413) from the subscriber terminal of the prepaid subscription user who wants to use wireless data service, and sends to interworking function (IWF) 115 the signal that is used for setting up PPP connection ISUP message (step 416). Here, the PCX 110 can be divided into an outgoing PCX and an incoming PCX, and each PCX can perform its own processing.

In addition, if the prepaid subscription user is a prepaid IN subscription user, step 416 includes a step in which the PCX110 sends an initial connection request signal corresponding to the outgoing call signal to the SSP143, a step in which the SSP143 requires the SCP140 to send the IN information corresponding to the prepaid subscription user, The step of SCP140 retrieving the IN information corresponding to the prepaid subscription user, the step of SCP140 sending the retrieved IN information to SSP143, and the SSP143 directly (or via PCX110) to IWF115 after receiving the IN information corresponding to the prepaid subscription user from SCP140 ) a step of sending a data service request signal, etc.

Step 419, establishing a PPP connection between the IWF115 and the user terminal 203 through the PCX110.

Then, IWF115 sends to IPAS130 the billing start request (step 423) corresponding to application wireless data service usage, and this billing start request includes mobile identification number (MIN) information of user terminal 203, IN information, IP address of user terminal 203 information, IP address information of IWF, etc.

IPAS 130 transmits response information corresponding to the billing start request to IWF 115 (step 426), and transmits a detailed information provision request corresponding to the prepaid subscription user to SCP gateway 135 (step 429). The detailed information provision request includes MIN information, IN information request, IWF information, and the like.

The SCP gateway 135 sends an authentication request corresponding to the prepaid subscription user to the SCP 140 (step 433), and receives an authentication result corresponding to the authentication request from the SCP 140 (step 436). Here, the balance information corresponding to the prepaid subscriber can be used in the verification process of the prepaid subscriber performed through the SCP 140 . In addition, the SCP 140 (or SCP gateway 135) can obtain the balance information corresponding to the prepaid subscription user, use the price list to calculate the available package quantity, and generate detailed information corresponding to the prepaid subscription subscriber by applying the calculated package quantity (e.g. , can include IN information, available packet volume, etc.), and send detailed information to IPAS130. Further, SCP 140 retrieves detailed information corresponding to a prepaid subscription user from an IN information database (not shown) in response to a detailed information provision request received from IPAS 130 , and transmits the retrieved detailed information to SCP gateway 135 .

In step 439, the SCP gateway 135 sends the detailed information and verification results received from the SCP 140 to the IPAS 130 (step 439).

Step 443 , IPAS 130 sends a sending interval request for sending usage information to SCP 140 (or SCP gateway 135 ).

After SCP 140 (or SCP gateway 135) generates a sending interval request for usage information corresponding to a prepaid subscription user received from IPAS 130, it sends the generated sending interval information to IPAS 130 (step 446).

Here, as described above, even if the transmission interval request is not received from the IPAS 130, the SCP 140 (or the SCP gateway 135) may transmit the transmission interval information to the IPAS 130 at any step (for example, a step of providing detailed information corresponding to a prepaid subscription user). .

Step 449 , sending and receiving user data (for example, data transmission request, URL connection request, etc.), network data (for example, multimedia data) and the like between the user terminal 203 and the application server 206 . IPAS 130 performs billing processing by applying information corresponding to data transmitted and received by application server 206 (step 453). Here, the IPAS 130 may further use the price data copied by the Billing Distribution Function (BDF) and received from the BDF.

Step 456 , if the usage information is consistent with the sending interval information received in step 446 , then IPAS 130 sends the usage information corresponding to the prepaid subscriber (for example, the usage information of each service group). Step 459 , if new recharging information exists, IPAS 130 receives new recharging information corresponding to the prepaid subscriber from SCP gateway 135 . The balance deduction response may be sent with the new recharge message or separately. In this case, further comprising the step of SCP 140 deducting from the balance a currency corresponding to the usage amount of the wireless data service, and SCP 140 sending to SCP Gateway 135 a balance deduction response and/or a new recharge corresponding to the prepaid subscription user step for fee information.

A price plan with graded billing levels according to service group can be used for prepaid subscription users and real-time balance deduction can be performed through steps 456 to 459 .

In addition, the SCP 140 (or the SCP gateway 135 ) can generate new sending interval information corresponding to the prepaid subscription user by using the remaining balance, and send the new sending interval information to the IPAS 130 .

Then, if PCX110 receives a session disconnection request from user terminal 203 in step 463 and there is remaining (for example, the balance is not fully used up) corresponding to the balance of subscribed user at the same time, PCX110 sends ISUP message to IWF115 in step 466 to indicate disconnection in user The PPP connection established between the terminal 203 and the IWF115.

Step 473 , IWF 115 sends a billing stop request to IPAS 130 . The billing stop request includes MIN information of the user terminal 203, IP address information of the user terminal 203, IP address information of the IWF, a release indicator, and the like.

IPAS 130 sends a response message corresponding to the billing stop message to IWF 115 (step 476), and sends prepaid subscription user's data service usage information to SCP 140 (step 479). The data service usage information may include MIN information, IN information, category usage information, etc. of the user 203 .

The SCP gateway 135 sends a balance deduction request (step 481) corresponding to the data service usage information of the prepaid subscription user to the SCP 140, and receives a balance deduction response from the SCP 140 (for example, including currency amount information, remaining balance information, new recharge billing data such as billing information) (step 483).

In step 486, the IPAS 130 receives a balance deduction response (eg, billing data including currency amount information, remaining balance information, new recharge information, etc.) from the SCP gateway 135 corresponding to the prepaid subscription user.

IPAS 130 then sends an accounting request to AAA 145 and receives a response message from AAA 145 (step 489).

Until now, with reference to FIG. 4 , there has been described a method of handling data calls and billing for a prepaid IN system subscription user in the event that the wireless data network balance is not depleted until the user turns off the wireless data network.

However, if the subscribing user is a prepaid subscribing user, there are also situations where the balance is used up during the use of the wireless data network and/or the balance is used up during the initial connection phase. Hereinafter, in each case, processing performed by IWF 115 , IPAS 130 , and SCP 140 will be described.

First, if the subscriber is a prepaid subscriber via IWF and the balance has been exhausted during the initial connection stage, the process of working with IPAS 130 and generating billing data will not be performed due to the IN system performing the process of handling session establishment failure deal with.

Second, when the balance is completely exhausted and the user uses the wireless data service using the IWF 115 as the end point of the PPP connection, the process of managing the session and charging is explained.

After confirming that the prepaid subscriber's balance is exhausted by applying the data service usage information received from IPAS 130, SCP 140 (or SCP gateway 135) sends a balance exhaustion message (e.g., data-err(ADR=balance_exhuast)) to IPAS 130.

IPAS 130 sends a service restriction request (eg, QualificationDirective(Reason=balance_exhaust)) to IWF 115 , and the IWF 115 sends an ISUP message to PCX 110 to disconnect the established session. Then, PCX 110 disconnects the established session between user terminal 203 and PCX 110 . Prepaid subscribers are not charged for wireless data service usage until data service usage is restricted by IWF 115 and PCX 110 .

Since the terms used in the present invention are defined by the functions related to the present invention, those skilled in the art or related technical fields may replace different terms, and the meaning of each definition must be interpreted in conjunction with the entire description of the present invention.

Moreover, since the present invention is described with reference to preferred embodiments so that those skilled in the art can easily modify the present invention depending on the technical difficulty, the above-described embodiments and modifications thereof cannot depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Industrial applicability

As described above, the system and method according to the present invention can charge in real time according to the graded charging level according to the service by combining the prepaid IN service and the price scheme for the multimedia data, and provide comprehensive information for minimizing the loss of charging data. Way.

In addition, the present invention can deduct the fee corresponding to the multimedia data usage amount from the subscription user's account in real time by periodically transmitting and receiving the usage amount information between the billing device and the intelligent network system.

Also, the present invention can solve the problems related to the increase in system load capacity generated in periodically transmitting and receiving usage information between the charging device and the intelligent network system by employing the gateway system.

Claims (6)

1. one kind is used the method for carrying out real charging to the wireless data service of prepaid wise network subscribing user in the Internet protocol accounting system of wireless data service network, comprises step:

Receive keeping accounts from the wireless data service device begins request, wherein said wireless data service device be selected from IWF and packet data serving node at least one of them;

Receive the report condition of the wireless data service use amount of prepaid wise network subscribing user from service control point or service control point gateway, wherein this report condition comprise be selected from predetermined period of time at interval and predetermined wireless data service use amount at least one of them;

The call signal that results from the wireless data service network by employing is calculated the use amount of the wireless data service of prepaid wise network subscribing user;

When satisfying the report condition, send the use amount information of prepaid wise network subscribing user to service control point; And

Send charging request corresponding to the use amount information of prepaid wise network subscribing user to the authentication, authorization, and accounting server when receive session from the wireless data service device when disconnecting request.

2. method according to claim 1, it is characterized in that, predetermined use amount in the described report condition is by the surplus decision of corresponding prepaid wise network subscribing user, if and a plurality of service groups adopts every bag charging step of different classifications, then available bag quantity is by the service groups decision that has the most expensive charging step in each bag.

3. method according to claim 1, it is characterized in that the described call signal of wireless data service network that results from is for to duplicate the transaction data that sends to the Internet protocol accounting system by the Transaction Information dispensing device that is connected between wireless data service device and the IP network.

4. one kind produces method corresponding to the report condition of the used amount of information of prepaid wise network subscribing user at service control point or service control point gateway, is used for collecting to the pre-paid subscription user in real time the usage charges of wireless data service, comprises step:

When receiving the report condition at the Internet protocol accounting system when providing the request or the user terminal of prepaid wise network subscribing user to be connected to the wireless data service network, fetch first balance information of corresponding prepaid wise network subscribing user;

According to the available packages quantity of the predetermined charging step calculating of classifying corresponding to first balance information by a plurality of service groups;

After in the bag quantity that calculates for a plurality of service groups, extracting the minimum number of bag, when the use amount of prepaid wise network subscribing user is consistent with the minimum number of this bag, select the report condition that the minimum conduct of wrapping is used to send use amount information; And

Send this report condition to the Internet protocol accounting system.

5. method according to claim 4 is characterized in that, further comprises:

From the information of Internet protocol accounting system reception about the wireless data service use amount of prepaid wise network subscribing user;

By using this about the information calculations of use amount second balance information corresponding to the prepaid wise network subscribing user;

Recomputate available packages quantity according to predetermined charging step corresponding to second balance information by a plurality of service groups; And

After in the bag quantity that calculates once more for a plurality of service groups, extracting the minimum number of available packages, when prepaid user's use amount was consistent with the minimum number of the bag that calculates at this, the minimum number of selected available packages was as the report condition that is used for sending once more use amount information once more.

6. method according to claim 4 is characterized in that described report condition further comprises the interval of predetermined period of time.

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