CN102984768A - Method and device of real-time adjustment of on-line user bandwidth under shared charge rule - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for real-time adjustment of the bandwidth of an online user under a shared charging rule, comprising: in the general packet radio service GPRS process of the user under the shared charging rule, the online charging system OCS monitors the user's bandwidth Internet access duration/traffic; if the user’s online access duration/traffic reaches the threshold value under the shared charging rule, the OCS constructs a notification message and sends the notification to the policy and charging rule entity PCRF message, so that the PCRF formulates a bandwidth control strategy for online users under the shared charging rule according to the message, and enables the GPRS gateway support node GGSN to adjust the online users under the shared charging rule in real time according to the bandwidth control strategy User's bandwidth. The embodiment of the present invention also provides a corresponding device. By adopting the method provided in this embodiment, the bandwidth of all online users under the shared charging rule can be adjusted in real time, so as to avoid damage to the interests of users and operators.

Description

A method and device for real-time adjustment of online user bandwidth under shared billing rules

technical field

The invention relates to the field of communication technology, in particular to a method and device for real-time adjustment of bandwidth of online users under shared charging rules.

Background technique

General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a mobile packet data service developed on the basis of the existing GSM mobile communication system. GPRS completes data transmission in packet mode by introducing packet switching functional entities in the GSM mobile network. For GPRS services, mobile operators have launched data service package services for family users, group users, and mother-child cards. Users can order a large data service package, including a certain amount of traffic/duration, as family members or sub-cards, group Members share the use of the package.

When the traffic/time length of the package reaches the limit set by the operator, the bandwidth of the user who uses the package needs to be reduced. For example: A family subscribes to a GPRS data service monthly package, the initial bandwidth is 400Kbps, which stipulates that when the accumulated monthly traffic exceeds 30GB, the bandwidth will be reduced to 70% of the initial bandwidth. Then, when the accumulative traffic usage of the users in this family reaches 30GB, the bandwidth needs to be reduced for the users.

In the current bandwidth control scheme, the OCS (Online Charging System, online charging system) records information such as the package traffic and duration used by the user. When the bandwidth needs to be adjusted when the limit is reached, the OCS sends the PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function , policy and charging rule entity) sends a notification message, and the PCRF adjusts the bandwidth.

There is a long connection between OCS and PCRF. PCRF can only adjust the bandwidth of the user corresponding to this connection, and cannot adjust the bandwidth of other users in the package at the same time. The bandwidth cannot be changed until other users report a message next time. A GPRS service interaction takes a long time. If PCRF does not adjust the user’s bandwidth in time, resulting in exceeding the limit of the package, the user’s main fund will be deducted and the tariff is related to the bandwidth, which is not good for the user; if the limit of the package is exceeded, only Reducing bandwidth but allowing users to use it for free will also cause certain losses to operators. It can be seen that, when the existing bandwidth adjustment solution is applied to users sharing charging rules under the same package, one of the above-mentioned disadvantages may occur.

Contents of the invention

In order to solve the problem that the existing bandwidth adjustment scheme can only adjust the bandwidth of the user who currently reaches the threshold, but cannot control the bandwidth of other users under the shared charging rule.

In the first aspect, the embodiment of the present invention provides a method for real-time adjustment of the bandwidth of an online user under a shared charging rule, including:

In the general packet radio service GPRS process of the user under the shared charging rule, the online charging system OCS monitors the online duration/flow of the user;

If the online duration/traffic of the user reaches the threshold value under the shared charging rule, the OCS constructs a notification message, and sends the notification message to the policy and charging rule entity PCRF, so that the The PCRF formulates a bandwidth control strategy for the online users under the shared charging rule according to the message, and enables the GPRS gateway support node GGSN to adjust the bandwidth of the online user under the shared charging rule in real time according to the bandwidth control strategy.

In a first possible implementation of the first aspect, the OCS constructs a notification message, and sends the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF formulates bandwidth control for online users under the shared charging rule according to the message strategies, including:

The OCS collects the identification of the online user under the shared charging rule, and carries the identification of the online user in the notification message;

Sending the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF formulates the bandwidth control policy for each online user according to the identifier of the online user.

In the second possible implementation of the first aspect, the OCS constructs a notification message, and sends the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF formulates bandwidth control for online users under the shared charging rule according to the message strategies, including:

The OCS collects the identifiers of all users under the shared charging rule, and carries the identifiers of all users under the shared charging rule in the notification message;

Sending the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF finds out the currently online users according to the identifiers of all users under the shared charging rule, and formulates the bandwidth control policy for each online user.

In a third possible implementation of the first aspect, the OCS constructs a notification message, and sends the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF formulates bandwidth control for online users under the shared charging rule according to the message strategies, including:

The OCS searches for the group identifier of the user under the shared charging rule, and carries the group identifier in the notification message;

Sending the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF finds out the currently online users according to the group identifier, and formulates the bandwidth control policy for each online user.

In a fourth possible implementation of the first aspect, the OCS constructs a notification message, and sends the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF formulates bandwidth control for online users under the shared charging rule according to the message strategies, including:

The OCS carries the identifier of the shared charging rule in the notification message, and the cumulative usage of the package under the shared charging rule;

Sending the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF formulates bandwidth control for online users under the shared charging rule according to the identity of the shared charging rule and the cumulative usage of the package under the shared charging rule Strategy.

In the second aspect, the embodiment of the present invention provides a device for real-time adjustment of the bandwidth of online users under shared charging rules, including:

The monitoring unit is used to monitor the online duration/flow of the user in the GPRS process of the user under the shared charging rule;

A construction unit, configured to construct a notification message when the monitoring unit detects that the online duration/traffic of the user reaches the threshold value under the shared charging rule;

A sending unit, configured to send the notification message constructed by the construction unit to the policy and charging rule entity PCRF, so that the PCRF formulates a bandwidth control strategy for online users under the shared charging rule according to the message, and makes The GPRS gateway support node GGSN adjusts the bandwidth of online users under the shared charging rule in real time according to the bandwidth control policy.

Using the bandwidth adjustment solution disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention, when the OCS monitors that the current user's online traffic/duration reaches the threshold value under the shared charging rule, it can notify the PCRF to modify the bandwidth of the online user under the shared charging rule accordingly, Therefore, there is no need to wait for other users to change their bandwidth when they report a message next time. In this way, the user's bandwidth can be adjusted in time, avoiding the situation of exceeding the package limit, and maximizing the protection of the interests of users and operators.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows the schematic diagram of the billing networking of the current 3GPP network provided by the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a method for real-time adjustment of online user bandwidth under shared charging rules provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for real-time adjustment of online user bandwidth under shared charging rules provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for real-time adjustment of the bandwidth of online users under shared charging rules provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a hardware architecture diagram of a device for real-time adjustment of bandwidth of online users under shared charging rules provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed ways

In order to facilitate those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a billing networking of a current 3GPP network. The functions of each component in the figure will be described in detail below in conjunction with this figure.

AF (Application Function, application function entity) is the entrance of the IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem, IP Multimedia Subsystem) network. It interacts with PCRF through the Rx interface, and mainly completes the transfer of IMS session information to PCRF, including service flow information and QoS (Quality ofService (Quality of Service) information, to realize functions such as instructing the PCRF to gate the bearer layer and exchange charging information;

PCRF is responsible for decision-making and authorization. Its basic function is to formulate corresponding policies based on factors such as operator policies, user subscription data, user ongoing service information, and user access network information. This policy is called PCC (Policy and Charging Control , Policy and Accounting Control) rules. The PCRF formulates PCC rules and sends them to the PCEF for execution, so as to control the flow of service data.

The basic function of PCEF (Policy and Charging Enforcement Function, Policy and Charging Enforcement Function) is to execute PCC rules, and perform QoS control (including bandwidth and priority, etc.) data flow through), charging control (including online charging and offline charging), etc. As a logical functional entity, PCEF is usually set up together with a gateway device (Gateway);

OCS is an online charging system, and OFCS (Online Charging System) is an offline charging system;

The Gy reference point (Reference Point, which can also be called an interface) completes online charging between PCEF and OCS. The online charging function refers to real-time charging for the provided services. When an online billing user initiates a data service, the PCEF applies for a quota to the OCS in real time, and the OCS will decide whether to allow the user to perform packet data services based on the user information and the amount in the user account, and issue the user quota to the PCEF in real time. OCS tracks the user's usage (time or flow) of purchased resources in real time, deducts the current usage fee from the account balance in real time, and terminates the service or prompts the user when the account funds are exhausted.

The Gz reference point completes the offline charging between PCEF and OCS, sends the bill/information of the MS to OFCS, and OFCS completes the preprocessing work such as storage and standardization of the bill, and sends the standard billing data to the billing system for billing Final processing, no real-time billing for the services provided.

The Sy interface is an interface between the PCRF and the OCS, and is used for the PCRF to request the user's spending limits (spending limits) from the OCS when making policy decisions. PCRF uses the policy counter ID to subscribe, and OCS reports based on the subscription.

Based on the charging networking shown in FIG. 1 , the embodiment of the present invention provides a solution for real-time adjustment of online user bandwidth under shared charging rules. In a GPRS process, when the OCS monitors that the online duration/traffic of a user under a shared charging rule reaches the threshold value under the shared charging rule, it will actively send a notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF Formulate the bandwidth control policy of online users under this shared billing rule, and send the policy to GGSN (Gateway GPRS SupportNode, GPRS gateway support node), so that GGSN can adjust the bandwidth under this shared billing rule in real time according to the bandwidth control policy. The bandwidth of online users protects the best interests of users and operators.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a method for real-time adjustment of online user bandwidth under shared charging rules provided by an embodiment of the present invention. According to the diagram, the steps to detail the scheme are as follows:

Step 201, in the GPRS process of the user under the shared charging rule, the OCS monitors the user's online duration/traffic;

Step 202, if the user's online duration/traffic reaches the threshold value under the shared charging rule, the OCS constructs a notification message, and sends the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF can update the shared charging rule based on this message. The online users under the network formulate a bandwidth control strategy, and make the GGSN adjust the bandwidth of the online users under the shared charging rules in real time according to the bandwidth control strategy.

Using the bandwidth adjustment solution disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention, when the OCS monitors that the current user's online traffic/duration reaches the threshold value under the shared charging rule, it can notify the PCRF to modify the bandwidth of the online user under the shared charging rule accordingly, Therefore, there is no need to wait for other users to change their bandwidth when they report a message next time. In this way, the user's bandwidth can be adjusted in time, avoiding the situation of exceeding the package limit, and maximizing the protection of the interests of users and operators.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for real-time adjustment of online user bandwidth under shared charging rules provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The steps in the process are detailed below:

Step 301, in a GPRS process, the OCS monitors the user's online duration/traffic, if the user belongs to the user under the shared charging rule, then when it is detected that the user's online duration/traffic reaches the threshold under the shared charging rule When the limit value is exceeded, a notification message is sent to the PCRF;

Wherein, the user under the shared billing rule can specifically be a user who uses a shared data service package, such as a family member package user, a group package package user, and an alphabet card user. When these users use the GPRS data service, they share a billing rules.

When a user under a certain sharing rule uses the GPRS data service, the OCS monitors the user's online duration/traffic, and when the online duration/traffic of the entire package reaches the threshold value under the shared charging rule, the OCS sends a A notification message, so that the PCRF can adjust the bandwidth of online users under the sharing rules according to the notification message.

Step 302, the OCS sends a notification message to the PCRF;

Step 303, PCRF formulates the bandwidth control policy of online users under the shared charging rule according to the notification message;

Specifically, the following discloses how the OCS constructs a notification message sent to the PCRF when it detects that the user's online duration/traffic reaches the threshold value under the shared charging rule to which the user belongs, and how the PCRF adjusts the shared charging rule in real time according to the notification message. The bandwidth of online users under the rule.

Method 1: OCS judges in the GPRS process that the threshold under the shared charging rule is reached, then collects the list of online users under the current shared charging rule, and sends it to the PCRF by adding the *[Subscription-Id] field in the notification message.

After receiving the notification message, PCRF traverses the *[Subscription-Id] list, and recalculates the bandwidth control policy for each online user under it, in addition to redesignating the bandwidth control policy for the user corresponding to this process.

In addition, the OCS may also send the list of users under the shared charging rule to the PCRF, and then the PCRF filters out the online users and specifies a bandwidth control policy.

The above implementation manner can be realized by extending the SNR protocol for communication between the OCS and the PCRF, and adding a *[Subscription-Id] field therein. Among them, Subscription-Id represents the ID of the online user or the ID of the user under the shared billing rules. The following example illustrates the extension of the protocol:

<SN-Request>::=<Diameter Header: TBD-IANA, REQ, PXY>

<Session-Id>

{Origin-Host}

{Origin-Realm}

{Destination-Realm}

{Destination-Host}

{Auth-Application-Id}

[Origin-State-Id]

*[Policy-Counter-Status-Report]

*[Proxy-Info]

*[Route-Record]

*[Subscription-Id]

*[AVP]

Method 2: OCS judges in the GPRS process that the threshold under the shared charging rule is reached, and adds *[OwnerGroupID] field to indicate the identity of the group to which the user belongs, carries it in the notification message and sends it to PCRF. Wherein, the group to which the user belongs refers to an identifier of a user group under the same shared charging rule, such as an identifier of a group user, an identifier of a family member user, and the like.

After the PCRF receives the notification message, in addition to redesignating the bandwidth control policy for the user corresponding to this process, it traverses other online links and recalculates the bandwidth control policy of the users belonging to the same shared charging rule group.

The above implementation manner can be realized by extending the SNR protocol for communication between the OCS and the PCRF, and adding an *[OwnerGroupID] field therein. Among them, OwnerGroupID represents the identifier of a user group under the same shared billing rule. The following example illustrates the extension of this protocol:

<SN-Request>::=<Diameter Header: TBD-IANA, REQ, PXY>

<Session-Id>

{Origin-Host}

{Origin-Realm}

{De stination-Realm}

{Destination-Host}

{Auth-Application-Id}

[Origin-State-Id]

*[Policy-Counter-Status-Report]

*[Proxy-Info]

*[Route-Record]

*[OwnerGroupID]

*[AVP]

Method 3: In the GPRS process, the OCS judges that the threshold under the shared charging rule is reached, and then carries the identification of the shared charging rule, as well as the reached counter (accumulation item identification) and level (identification corresponding to the current bandwidth) in the notification message Send it to the PCRF.

After the PCRF receives the notification message, in addition to redesignating the bandwidth control policy for the user corresponding to this process, it traverses other online links and recalculates the bandwidth control policy of the user using the same counter.

Step 304, the PCRF sends the formulated bandwidth control policy to the GGSN;

Step 305, the GGSN adjusts the bandwidth of the online users under the shared charging rule in real time according to the bandwidth control policy.

Using the bandwidth adjustment solution disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention, when the OCS monitors that the current user's online traffic/duration reaches the threshold value under the shared charging rule, it can notify the PCRF to modify the bandwidth of the online user under the shared charging rule accordingly, Therefore, there is no need to wait for other users to change their bandwidth when they report a message next time. In this way, the user's bandwidth can be adjusted in time, avoiding the situation of exceeding the package limit, and maximizing the protection of the interests of users and operators.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for real-time adjustment of bandwidth of online users under shared charging rules provided by an embodiment of the present invention. According to the figure, the components in the device are as follows:

The monitoring unit 401 is used to monitor the user's online duration/traffic in the user's GPRS process under the shared charging rule;

The construction unit 402 is configured to construct a notification message when the monitoring unit 401 detects that the user's online duration/traffic reaches the threshold value under the shared charging rule;

Wherein, the construction unit 402 constructs the notification message, specifically:

Collect the IDs of online users under the shared charging rules, and carry the IDs of online users in the notification message;

Alternatively, collect the identifiers of all users under the shared charging rule, and carry the identifiers of all users under the shared charging rule in the notification message;

Or, find the group ID of the user under the shared charging rule, and carry the group ID in the notification message;

Alternatively, the notification message carries the identifier of the shared billing rule and the cumulative usage of the package under the shared billing rule.

The sending unit 403 is configured to send the notification message constructed by the construction unit 402 to the PCRF, so that the PCRF formulates a bandwidth control strategy for online users under the shared charging rule according to the message, and enables the GGSN to adjust the shared charging in real time according to the bandwidth control strategy The bandwidth of online users under the rules.

Using the device for real-time adjustment of the bandwidth of online users under the shared billing rule provided by the embodiment of the present invention, when the threshold value under the billing rule is exceeded, the bandwidth of all online users under the same shared billing rule can be adjusted in time to avoid Loss of interests of users or operators.

Fig. 5 has described the hardware architecture diagram of the device for adjusting the bandwidth of online users under the shared billing rules in real time provided by another embodiment of the present invention, including at least one processor 501 (such as CPU), at least one network interface 502 or other communication interfaces , a memory 503, and at least one communication bus 504, used to realize connection and communication between these devices. The processor 501 is used to execute executable modules, such as computer programs, stored in the memory 503 . The memory 503 may include a high-speed random access memory (RAM: Random Access Memory), and may also include a non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory), such as at least one disk memory. The communication connection between the system gateway and at least one other network element is realized through at least one network interface 502 (which can be wired or wireless), and the Internet, wide area network, local network, metropolitan area network, etc. can be used.

In some implementations, the memory 503 stores program instructions that can be executed by the processor 501 , where the program instructions include the monitoring unit 401 , the constructing unit 402 and the sending unit 403 . Wherein, for the specific implementation of each module, refer to the corresponding modules disclosed in FIG. 4 , which will not be repeated here.

Through the above description of the implementation manners, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the present invention can be implemented by hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof. When implemented in software, the functions described above may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example but not limitation: computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or may be used to carry or store information in the form of instructions or data structures desired program code and any other medium that can be accessed by a computer. also. Any connection can suitably be a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable , fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, wireless, and microwave are included in the fixation of the respective media. As used herein, Disk and disc include compact disc (CD), laser disc, compact disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disc, and Blu-ray disc, where discs usually reproduce data magnetically, and discs Lasers are used to optically reproduce the data. Combinations of the above should also be included within the protection level of computer-readable media.

In a word, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the technical solution of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the protection level of the present invention. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention shall be included in the protection level of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. A method for real-time adjustment of the bandwidth of online users under the shared charging rules, characterized in that, the method comprises: In the general packet radio service GPRS process of the user under the shared charging rule, the online charging system OCS monitors the online duration/flow of the user; If the online duration/traffic of the user reaches the threshold value under the shared charging rule, the OCS constructs a notification message, and sends the notification message to the policy and charging rule entity PCRF, so that the The PCRF formulates a bandwidth control strategy for the online users under the shared charging rule according to the message, and enables the GPRS gateway support node GGSN to adjust the bandwidth of the online user under the shared charging rule in real time according to the bandwidth control strategy. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the OCS constructs a notification message, and sends the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF can provide online users under the shared charging rule according to the message Develop a bandwidth control strategy, including: The OCS collects the identification of the online user under the shared charging rule, and carries the identification of the online user in the notification message; Sending the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF formulates the bandwidth control policy for each online user according to the identifier of the online user. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the carrying of the online user's identifier in the notification message is specifically: The SNR protocol for communication between the OCS and the PCRF is extended, and a *[Subscription-Id] field is added to the protocol to indicate the identity of the online user under the shared charging rule. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the OCS constructs a notification message, and sends the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF can provide online users under the shared charging rule according to the message Develop a bandwidth control strategy, including: The OCS collects the identifiers of all users under the shared charging rule, and carries the identifiers of all users under the shared charging rule in the notification message; Sending the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF finds out the currently online users according to the identifiers of all users under the shared charging rule, and formulates the bandwidth control policy for each online user. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the notification message carries the identifier of the user under the shared charging rule, specifically: Extending the SNR protocol for communication between the OCS and the PCRF, adding a *[Subscription-Id] field to the protocol to indicate the identities of all users under the shared charging rule. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the OCS constructs a notification message, and sends the notification message to the RCRF, so that the PCRF can provide online users under the shared charging rules according to the message Develop a bandwidth control strategy, including: The OCS searches for the group identifier of the user under the shared charging rule, and carries the group identifier in the notification message; Sending the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF finds out the currently online users according to the group identifier, and formulates the bandwidth control policy for each online user. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the carrying of the group identifier in the notification message is specifically: Extending the SNR protocol for communication between the OCS and the PCRF, adding an *[OwnerGroupID] field to the protocol to indicate the group identifier of the user under the shared charging rule. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the OCS constructs a notification message, and sends the notification message to the RCRF, so that the PCRF can provide online users under the shared charging rules according to the message Develop a bandwidth control strategy, including: The OCS carries the identifier of the shared charging rule in the notification message, and the cumulative usage of the package under the shared charging rule; Sending the notification message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF formulates bandwidth control for online users under the shared charging rule according to the identity of the shared charging rule and the cumulative usage of the package under the shared charging rule Strategy. 9. A device for adjusting the bandwidth of an online user under a shared billing rule in real time, characterized in that the device includes: The monitoring unit is used to monitor the online duration/flow of the user in the GPRS process of the user under the shared charging rule; A construction unit, configured to construct a notification message when the monitoring unit detects that the online duration/traffic of the user reaches the threshold value under the shared charging rule; A sending unit, configured to send the notification message constructed by the construction unit to the policy and charging rule entity PCRF, so that the PCRF formulates a bandwidth control strategy for online users under the shared charging rule according to the message, and makes The GPRS gateway support node GGSN adjusts the bandwidth of online users under the shared charging rule in real time according to the bandwidth control strategy. 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the construction unit constructs a notification message, specifically: Collecting the identifiers of the online users under the shared charging rules, and carrying the identifiers of the online users in the notification message; Or, collect the identifiers of all users under the shared charging rule, and carry the identifiers of all users under the shared charging rule in the notification message; Or, look up the group ID of the user under the shared charging rule, and carry the group ID in the notification message; Alternatively, the notification message carries the identifier of the shared charging rule and the cumulative usage of the package under the shared charging rule.

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