CN104869552A

CN104869552A - Method for reporting flow and device

Info

Publication number: CN104869552A
Application number: CN201410064539.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 程志; 孟宪媛; 胡达
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2014-02-25
Filing date: 2014-02-25
Publication date: 2015-08-26
Anticipated expiration: 2034-02-25
Also published as: CN104869552B

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides a method for reporting flow and a device thereof. The method comprises a step of receiving the first flow information of a user by a policy and charging enforcement and function (PCEF), and a step of sending second flow information to an online charging system (OCS) according to the first flow information such that the OCS carries out online flow charging on the user according to the second flow information. According to the method for reporting flow and the device of the embodiment of the invention, through a policy and charging rules and function (PCRF), according to the user first flow information sent by the PCEF, the sending second flow information is sent to the OCS, the OCS carries out online flow charging on the user according to the second flow information, the processing burden of the interface of the OCS for direct information exchange with the PCEF can be reduced effectively, and the problem of OCS and PCRF flow accumulation inconsistency caused by that the PCEF sends the user flow information to the OCS and the PCRF at the same time can be effectively avoided at the same time.

Description

Report the method and apparatus of flow

Technical field

The embodiment of the present invention relates to the communications field, and more specifically, relates to a kind of method and apparatus reporting flow.

Background technology

When user access network usage data business, the data traffic produced is by Online Charging System (Online Charging System, referred to as " OCS ") be responsible for charging, by strategy and charging rule functions (Policy and Charging Rules Function, referred to as " PCRF ") be responsible for strategy and charging control, internet surfing data traffic during user's trigger data business performs (Policy andCharging Enforcement Function, referred to as " PCEF ") upper generation at strategy and charging.

Current, operator, by Fair Usage Policy (Fair Usage Policy, referred to as " FUP "), can formulate the monthly package of limited flow.Particularly, such as by limited subscriber flow of (such as 1 month) within certain cycle, reduce its network rate when the data traffic that user produces exceeds limit, reach the principle that network justice uses, ensure that using the user of identical services to obtain same network experiences.

At present, when user's trigger data business produces data traffic, the flow information used online to OCS real-time report user at Gy interface respectively by PCEF, the flow information used online to PCRF real-time report user at Gx interface, OCS and PCRF needs the flow to user uses in real time to add up, usually, when monthly integrated flow is more than a predetermined threshold for user, OCS or PCRF may be triggered and carry out corresponding charging and Developing Tactics.When customer flow use cumulative amount lower than this user flow threshold (such as, the monthly payment flow threshold that user contracts) time, this part flow is generally pre-payment, OCS does not need real time billing, only have when customer flow uses cumulative amount to exceed the flow threshold of this user, OCS just needs to carry out online charge on traffic to the customer flow exceeded.But consider that the flux cumulating amount that there is a small amount of user can exceed signing flow threshold, OCS needs the flow of real-time accumulated each user, to ensure when having detected that user flows exceed its flow threshold, OCS can carry out online charging according to the flow of excess flow threshold value.Such as, user has contracted the monthly monthly package of 150M/20 unit, is also less than monthly closing entry day, when user's integrated flow is more than 150M, often exceeds 1M and deduct fees by 1 yuan.

The customer flow information that OCS reports at Gy interface process PREF, the message processing performance of docking port Gy has higher requirements, and the burden that OCS processes the customer flow information that PREF reports on Gy is directly relevant with customer volume of reaching the standard grade, customer volume of reaching the standard grade is larger, and the processing load of OCS is also heavier.In addition, due to the flow information that PREF uses online respectively to OCS and PCRF real-time report user, if PCEF occurs that reporting message abandons exception, by causing, the customer flow aggregate-value of OCS and PCRF is inconsistent, and the result about charging and strategy thus issued to PCEF also can be inconsistent.

Summary of the invention

The method and apparatus reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, user's first flow information is sent to PCRF by PCEF, sent second flow information of this user to OCS according to this first flow information by PCRF, effectively can reduce the processing load directly carrying out the interface of information interaction with PCEF of OCS, effectively can avoid PCEF simultaneously to the problem that OCS and PCRF transmission customer flow information causes OCS and PCRF flux cumulating inconsistent simultaneously.

First aspect provides a kind of method reporting flow, and the method comprises: the first flow information receiving the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF; The second flow information is sent to Online Charging System OCS, so that OCS carries out online charge on traffic according to the second flow information to user according to first flow information.

In conjunction with first aspect, in the first possible implementation of first aspect, send the second flow information according to first flow information to Online Charging System OCS, comprising: according to first flow information, determine the flux cumulating value of user; Determine that flux cumulating value exceedes the flow threshold of user; Send the second flow information to OCS, the second flow information is used to indicate the flow value that flux cumulating value exceedes flow threshold.

In conjunction with the first possible implementation of first aspect, in the implementation that the second of first aspect is possible, after determining that flux cumulating value exceeds the flow threshold of user, method also comprises: the second network bandwidth determining user, and second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of user when flux cumulating value does not exceed flow threshold; Send the first Indication message comprising second network bandwidth to PCEF, be used to indicate the network bandwidth reducing user.

In conjunction with the first possible implementation of first aspect, in the third possible implementation of first aspect, after determining that flux cumulating value exceeds the flow threshold of user, method also comprises: send the second Indication message to PCEF, is used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic.

In conjunction with first aspect, in the 4th kind of possible implementation of first aspect, the second flow information is first flow information.

Second aspect, provide a kind of method reporting flow, the method comprises: the second flow information that the first flow information receiving the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF according to strategy with charging rule functions PCRF sends; According to the second flow information, online charge on traffic is carried out to user.

In conjunction with second aspect, in the first possible implementation of second aspect, this second flow information is first flow information, or the second flow information is be used to indicate the information that the flux cumulating value determined according to first flow information exceedes the flow value of the flow threshold of user.

In conjunction with the first possible implementation of second aspect or second aspect, in the implementation that the second of second aspect is possible, the method also comprises: when determining that the account balance of user is not enough, send the Indication message being used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic to strategy with charge execution function PCEF.

The third aspect, provide a kind of method reporting flow, the method comprises: the first flow information determining user; First flow information is sent with charging rule functions PCRF, so that PCRF sends second flow information of user to Online Charging System OCS according to first flow information to strategy.

In conjunction with the third aspect, in the first possible implementation method of the third aspect, the method also comprises: receive the first Indication message that PCRF sends when the flux cumulating value determining to determine according to first flow information exceedes the flow threshold of user, first Indication message comprises second network bandwidth, second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of user when flux cumulating value does not exceed flow threshold, and the first Indication message is used to indicate the network bandwidth reducing user; According to the first Indication message, reduce the network bandwidth of user.

In conjunction with the third aspect, in the implementation method that the second of the third aspect is possible, the method also comprises: receive the second Indication message that PCRF sends when the flux cumulating value determining to determine according to first flow information exceedes the flow threshold of user, the second Indication message is used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic; According to the second Indication message, limited subscriber use traffic; When determining that user stops using flow, sending to PCRF and being used to indicate the response message that user stops using flow.

In conjunction with the first possible implementation method of the third aspect or the third aspect, in the third possible implementation method of the third aspect, the method also comprises: receive the account balance deficiency being used to indicate user that OCS sends, and the Indication message of limited subscriber use traffic; According to Indication message, limited subscriber use traffic.

Fourth aspect provides strategy and charging rule functions PCRF, and this PCRF comprises: receiver module, for receiving the first flow information of the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF; Sending module, sends the second flow information for the first flow information received according to receiver module to Online Charging System OCS, so that OCS carries out online charge on traffic according to the second flow information to user.

In conjunction with fourth aspect, in the first possible implementation of fourth aspect, sending module comprises:

First determining unit, for according to first flow information, determines the flux cumulating value of user; Second determining unit, for determining that flux cumulating value that the first determining unit is determined exceedes the flow threshold of user; Transmitting element, for sending the second flow information that the second determining unit is determined to OCS, the second flow information is used to indicate the flow value that flux cumulating value exceedes flow threshold.

In conjunction with the first possible implementation of fourth aspect, in the implementation that the second of fourth aspect is possible, sending module also comprises: the 3rd determining unit, after exceeding the flow threshold of user in the second determining unit determination flux cumulating value, determine the second network bandwidth of user, second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of user when flux cumulating value does not exceed flow threshold; Transmitting element also for, send the second Indication message to PCEF, be used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic.

In conjunction with the first possible implementation of fourth aspect, in the third possible implementation of fourth aspect, transmitting element also for, after the second determining unit determination flux cumulating value exceeds the flow threshold of user, send the second Indication message to PCEF, be used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic.

In conjunction with fourth aspect, in the 4th kind of possible implementation of fourth aspect, the second flow information sending module to send is first flow information.

5th aspect, provide a kind of Online Charging System OCS, this OCS comprises: receiver module, the second flow information that the first flow information for receiving the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF according to strategy with charging rule functions PCRF sends; Accounting module, for the second flow information received according to receiver module, carries out online charge on traffic to user.

In conjunction with the 5th aspect, in the first possible implementation in the 5th, the second flow information that receiver module receives is first flow information, or the second flow information is be used to indicate the information that the flux cumulating value determined according to first flow information exceedes the flow value of the flow threshold of user.

In conjunction with the first possible implementation of the 5th aspect or the 5th aspect, in the implementation that the second in the 5th is possible, this OCS also comprises: sending module, for when determining that the account balance of user is not enough, send with charge execution function PCEF the Indication message being used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic to strategy.

6th aspect, provide a kind of strategy and charge execution function PCEF, this PCEF comprises: determination module, for determining the first flow information of user; Sending module, for sending first flow information to strategy with charging rule functions PCRF, so that PCRF sends second flow information of user to Online Charging System OCS according to first flow information.

In conjunction with the 6th aspect, in the first the possible implementation method in the 6th, this PCEF also comprises:

First receiver module, for receiving the first Indication message that PCRF sends when the flux cumulating value determining to determine according to first flow information exceedes the flow threshold of user, first Indication message comprises second network bandwidth, second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of user when flux cumulating value does not exceed flow threshold, and the first Indication message is used to indicate the network bandwidth reducing user; First processing module, for the first Indication message received according to the first receiver module, reduces the network bandwidth of user.

In conjunction with the 6th aspect, in the implementation method that the second in the 6th is possible, this PCEF also comprises: the second receiver module, for receiving the second Indication message that PCRF sends when the flux cumulating value determining to determine according to first flow information exceedes the flow threshold of user, the second Indication message is used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic; Second processing module, for the second Indication message received according to the second receiver module, limited subscriber use traffic; Sending module, also for when determining that user stops using flow, sending to PCRF and being used to indicate the response message that user stops using flow.

In conjunction with the first possible implementation method of the 6th aspect or the 6th aspect, in the third possible implementation method in the 6th, this PCEF also comprises: the 3rd receiver module, for receiving the account balance deficiency being used to indicate user that OCS sends, and the Indication message of limited subscriber use traffic; 3rd processing module, for the Indication message received according to the 3rd receiver module, limited subscriber use traffic.

Based on technique scheme, the method and apparatus reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, by user's first flow information that PCRF sends according to PCEF, second flow information of this user is sent to OCS, be convenient to OCS, according to this second flow information, online charge on traffic carried out to this user, effectively can reduce the processing load directly carrying out the interface of information interaction with PCEF of OCS, effectively can avoid PCEF simultaneously to the problem that OCS and PCRF transmission customer flow information causes OCS and PCRF flux cumulating inconsistent simultaneously.

Accompanying drawing explanation

In order to be illustrated more clearly in the technical scheme of the embodiment of the present invention, be briefly described to the accompanying drawing used required in embodiment or description of the prior art below, apparently, accompanying drawing in the following describes is only some embodiments of the present invention, for those of ordinary skill in the art, under the prerequisite not paying creative work, other accompanying drawing can also be obtained according to these accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates the indicative flowchart reporting the method for flow of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates another indicative flowchart reporting the method for flow of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates the indicative flowchart again reporting the method for flow of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates the indicative flowchart reporting the method for flow of another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates the indicative flowchart reporting the method for flow of yet another embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates the schematic block diagram of the PCRF of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 illustrates the schematic block diagram of the sending module of the PCRF of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 illustrates the schematic block diagram of the OCS of the embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 illustrates the schematic block diagram of the PCEF of the embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 10 illustrates the schematic block diagram of a kind of network element device PCRF that another embodiment of the present invention provides.

Figure 11 illustrates the schematic block diagram of the another kind of network element device OCS that another embodiment of the present invention provides.

Figure 12 illustrates the schematic block diagram of another network element device PCEF that another embodiment of the present invention provides.

Embodiment

Below in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in the embodiment of the present invention, be clearly and completely described the technical scheme in the embodiment of the present invention, obviously, described embodiment is the present invention's part embodiment, instead of whole embodiments.Based on the embodiment in the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art, not making the every other embodiment obtained under creative work prerequisite, belong to the scope of protection of the invention.

Should understand, the technical scheme of the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various communication system, such as: universal mobile telecommunications system (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System, referred to as " UMTS "), global system for mobile telecommunications (Global System of Mobile communication, referred to as " GSM ") system, code division multiple access (Code Division Multiple Access, referred to as " CDMA ") system, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access, referred to as " WCDMA ") system, GPRS (General Packet Radio Service, referred to as " GPRS "), Long Term Evolution (Long Term Evolution, referred to as " LTE ") system, LTE Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) (Frequency Division Duplex, referred to as " FDD ") system, LTE time division duplex (Time Division Duplex, referred to as " TDD "), universal mobile telecommunications system (Universal MobileTelecommunication System, referred to as " UMTS ") or global interconnection inserting of microwave (WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access, referred to as " WiMAX ") communication system etc.

Fig. 1 shows the method 100 reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, and the method 100 is such as performed by PCRF.As shown in Figure 1, the method 100 comprises:

S110, receives the first flow information of the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF;

S120, sends the second flow information according to this first flow information to Online Charging System OCS, so that this OCS carries out online charge on traffic according to this second flow information to this user.

The first flow information of the user that PCRF sends according to PCEF, sends second flow information of this user to OCS, so that OCS carries out online charge on traffic according to this second flow information to this user.Wherein, this second flow information can be this first flow information, and also can exceed the information of the flow value of the flow threshold of this user for being used to indicate the flux cumulating value determined according to this first flow information, the embodiment of the present invention is not construed as limiting this.

Therefore, the method reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, by user's first flow information that PCRF sends according to PCEF, second flow information of this user is sent to OCS, be convenient to OCS, according to this second flow information, online charge on traffic carried out to this user, effectively can reduce the processing load directly carrying out the interface of information interaction with PCEF of OCS, effectively can avoid PCEF simultaneously to the problem that OCS and PCRF transmission customer flow information causes OCS and PCRF flux cumulating inconsistent simultaneously.

Should understand, PCRF can be regarded as a master controller, as the center control nodes of whole network control strategy, comprise policy control decision and the charging controlling functions based on data flow, to PCEF provide about business data flow detection, gate, based on service quality (Quality of Service, referred to as " QoS ") and based on flow based charging network control strategy rule.Wherein, quality-of-service based network control strategy rule comprises the control of the network bandwidth to user, namely to the control of the speed of surfing the Internet of user, namely allows maximum data visit capacity or the throughput of user in the unit interval.In addition, when the flow that PCEF uses to PCRF report of user, next flow quota burst can be applied for simultaneously, PCRF can carry next flow quota burst in response message, this flow quota burst can be that PCRF carries out the minimum discharge unit of flux cumulating or charge on traffic to user, namely the floating resources amount allowing user to use before flux cumulating and charging, also flow quota burst can be referred to as, such as user A formulate flow quota burst or flow quota burst be the flow of 2M, namely whenever user A uses the flow of 2M, the flow of this user A is once added up or charging.

In S110, PCRF receives the first flow information of the user that PCEF sends, particularly, when PCEF monitors after user uses up current flow quota burst, the flow information of this user is reported to PCRF, next flow quota burst can be applied for simultaneously, namely PCRF is when receiving the first flow information that PCEF sends, also may receive the request for applying for flow quota burst, alternatively, first user flow and the request for applying for flow quota burst can be sent by a reporting message, and the embodiment of the present invention is not construed as limiting this.

Should understand, in embodiments of the present invention, PCEF does not send customer flow information to OCS, only to PCRF transmitted traffic information, then the flow information (such as first flow information) sent according to PCEF by PCRF sends second flow information of this user to OCS, so that OCS carries out online charge on traffic to this user.

In S120, PCRF sends the second flow information according to this first flow information to OCS, so that this OCS carries out online charge on traffic according to this second flow information to this user.The difference of content of contracting according to user, or the difference of system strategy, wherein the second flow information can be directly first flow information, also can exceed the information of the flow value of the flow threshold of this user for being used to indicate the flux cumulating value determined according to this first flow information, hereafter will be described in detail.

When the flow of user contract of contracting is real-time traffic charging, such as do not preengage monthly payment flow, there is no pre-payment, be i.e. real-time use traffic, when carrying out charge on traffic in real time, PCRF is to the second flow information that OCS sends the first flow information that PCEF sends to PCRF.

Alternatively, as one embodiment of the present of invention, the second flow information is this first flow information.

Particularly, such as, the not signing any business being similar to flow monthly payment of user A, i.e. real-time use traffic, real-time traffic charging, under this situation, when PCRF receives the first flow information of the user A that PCEF sends, forward this first flow information to OCS, so that OCS carries out real-time traffic charging to this user A.Under should be understood that this situation, PCRF can see the bridge carrying out information interaction between PCEF and OCS as, and the flow information of user A is sent to OCS by PCRF by PCEF, to realize charge on traffic, avoids PCEF to send customer flow information directly to OCS.

Particularly, as shown in Figure 2, in S21, user A access network, i.e. activating data service, asks use traffic to PCEF; In S22, PCEF sends a request message to PCRF, and for the relevant information of report of user A, and ask the flow quota burst of this user A, this request message can be such as CCR(Credit Control Request); In S23, PCRF issues response message to PCEF, this response message comprises the flow quota burst for user A issues, such as flow quota burst information is 1M, this response message can also comprise the traffic policy data for user A formulates, the such as network bandwidth of user A, namely allows maximum data visit capacity or the throughput of user in the unit interval, accordingly, this response message can be such as CCA (Credit Control Answer); In S24, the flow quota burst that the response message that PCEF issues according to the PCRF received comprises, control and detect the flow service condition of user A, such as, when flow quota burst is 1M, when PCEF monitor user A used 1M flow time, next flow quota burst can be applied for PCRF; Again such as, the traffic policy data of the user A that the response message that PCEF can also issue according to the PCRF received comprises, the flow of real-time control user A uses, such as when PCRF specifies that the network bandwidth of user A is 10M/s, then the PCEF maximum data visit capacity that allows user A to use within the unit interval (1s) or throughput can not more than 10M; In S25, PCEF, after determining that the flow quota burst of user A is used up, to the first flow information of PCRF report of user A, and applies for next flow quota burst; In S26a, PCRF sends the first flow information of this user A to OCS; In S26b, PCRF issues the next flow quota burst of user A to PCEF; In S27, OCS carries out real-time online charge on traffic according to first flow information to this user A.

Should be understood that S110 can be such as S25, the embodiment of the present invention is not construed as limiting this.

Should be understood that step S26a and step S26b does not have the restriction of sequencing, can perform simultaneously, also can S26b after first S26a, also can S26a after first S26b, the embodiment of the present invention is not construed as limiting this.

Fig. 2 merely illustrates part run, should understand, in S26a, after PCEF receives the flow quota burst that PCRF issues, continue the flow service condition of monitor user ' A, when determining that user A uses up current flow burst, continue the action performing S25, accordingly, PCRF continues the action performing S26a and S26b, OCS continues the action performing S27, namely circulation performs the step of S25-S27, until user A disconnects network, when stopping using flow or OCS determine that the account balance of this user A is not enough, when forcing it to roll off the production line, this flow process terminates.

In current techniques, after user's surfing flow data produce on PCEF, PCEF can by the flow information of report of user during OCS and PCEF direct interactive interface Gy cause for gossip, wherein Gy interface is when processing customer flow and reporting this information comparatively continually, its message handling ability is had higher requirements, in addition, if when Internet user's quantity is very large, the processing load caused Gy is larger, may affect OCS carries out charge on traffic accuracy and efficiency to user.And in embodiments of the present invention, PCEF and OCS does not directly carry out alternately, only send customer flow information to PCRF, then carry out by PCEF the flow information forwarding user to OCS, can realize OCS carries out charge on traffic to user on the one hand, effectively alleviate the processing load of Gy interface on the one hand, be conducive to the service behaviour safeguarding OCS.

Therefore, the method reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, by user's first flow information that PCRF sends according to PCEF, second flow information of this user is sent to OCS, be convenient to OCS, according to this second flow information, online charge on traffic carried out to this user, can effectively reduce OCS directly and PCEF carry out the processing load of the interface of information interaction.

When user has contracted the such as business of flow monthly payment, namely realize being subscribed to certain flow threshold, and pre-payment, under this situation, when the use traffic aggregate-value of this user does not exceed its signing flow threshold, OCS is unnecessary carries out charge on traffic to this user, is also that PCRF is without the need to forwarding the flow information of this user to OCS; Only have when customer flow aggregate-value exceedes its flow threshold, just send the flow value exceeding threshold value to OCS.

Alternatively, as an alternative embodiment of the invention, S120 sends the second flow information according to first flow information to Online Charging System OCS, comprising:

S121, according to this first flow information, determines the flux cumulating value of this user;

S122, determines that this flux cumulating value exceedes the flow threshold of this user;

S123, sends this second flow information to this OCS, and this second flow information is used to indicate the flow value that flux cumulating value exceedes flow threshold.

Wherein, according to this first flow information, determine the flux cumulating value of this user, particularly, the historical traffic value of this user and this first flow information can be sued for peace and determine the flux cumulating value of this user.

Particularly, as shown in Figure 3, in S31, PCEF, after determining that the current flow quota burst of user A is used up, to the first flow information of PCRF report of user A, and applies for next flow quota burst; In S32, PCRF determines that the flux cumulating value of user A exceeds its signing flow threshold, particularly, the historical traffic value of the first flow information of the user A that PCRF reports according to PCEF and this user A (such as this user A when the flow value used in the previous moon), the flux cumulating value of accumulative user A, then determines that this flux cumulating value exceeds its signing flow threshold; In S33a, PCRF sends second flow information of user A to OCS, and this second flow information is the flow value that the flux cumulating value of user A exceeds signing flow threshold; In S33b, PCRF issues the next flow quota burst of user A to PCEF; In S34, the second flow information that OCS sends according to the PCRF received, carries out online charge on traffic to user A; In S35, OCS determines that the account balance of user A is not enough; In S36, OCS sends and is used to indicate the Indication message limiting this user's use traffic; In S37, user A disconnects network; In S38, PCEF sends to PCRF and is used to indicate the Indication message that user A stops using flow (namely user A rolls off the production line).

Should understand, step before S31 shown in Fig. 3, " before the flux cumulating value of user A do not exceed the flow threshold of user A; between PCEF and PCRF and respective operating process " and Fig. 2 in the flow process between user A, PCEF and PCRF shown in S21 to S25 and S26b similar, before PCRF determines that the flux cumulating value of user A exceedes its flow threshold, the step of cycling S21 to S25 and S26b always, for simplicity, repeats no more here.

Will also be understood that, step between S34 and S35 shown in Fig. 3, " before the non-deficiency of account balance of user A, between PCEF, PCRF and OCS and respective operating process " can be the cycling of S31, S32, S33a, S33b and S34, for simplicity, these steps do not illustrate by Fig. 3.

Should also be understood that step S33a and S33b does not have the restriction of sequencing.

Will also be understood that, when in 32, PCEF to the first flow information that PCRF reports be just in time user A flow exceed the flow of its flow threshold time, the second flow information that PCRF forwards to OCS in S34a is with in S32, and the first flow information that PCEF reports to PCRF is consistent.

This flow value indicated by the second flow information may be identical with the flow value indicated by this first flow information.Particularly, such as user A flow monthly payment value of contracting is 300M, the first flow information receiving the user A that PCEF reports as PCRF is 2M, determine that the flux cumulating value of active user A is 302M, namely the flow value flowing exceed its flow threshold of this user A is 2M, under this situation, forward the second flow information being used to indicate 2M flow value to OCS.

Will also be understood that, in S33b, PCRF issues the next flow quota burst of user A to PCEF, alternatively, by sending a response message to PCEF, this flow quota component can in this response message, be carried, in this response message, an Indication message can also be comprised, be used to indicate the network bandwidth reducing user A, or be used to indicate and limit this user A use traffic.

Alternatively, as an alternative embodiment of the invention, after determining that flux cumulating value exceeds the flow threshold of user, the method also comprises:

Determine the second network bandwidth of user, second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of user when flux cumulating value does not exceed flow threshold;

Send the first Indication message comprising second network bandwidth to PCEF, be used to indicate the network bandwidth reducing user.

Particularly, can according to system configuration strategy, when determining that the flux cumulating value of user exceedes its signing flow threshold, be in the principle that network justice uses, reset its network bandwidth, namely determine the second network bandwidth of this user, this second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of this user when this flux cumulating value does not exceed this flow threshold.Send the first Indication message comprising this second network bandwidth to PCEF, with the network bandwidth indicating PCEF to reduce this user, namely reduce the maximum data transfer rate allowing user to use within the unit interval.Should be understood that when determining that the flux cumulating value of user exceedes its signing flow threshold, also can be tactful or regular by other, reset the network bandwidth of user, the embodiment of the present invention is not construed as limiting this.

Will also be understood that, the information that other are used to indicate the traffic policy of change user can also be comprised in this first Indication message, such as improve the expenses standard of flow, such as, before excess flow threshold value, flow charging standard is 0.1 yuan/1M, after excess flow threshold value, flow charging standard is risen to 0.5 yuan/1M, and the embodiment of the present invention is not construed as limiting this.

Will also be understood that, in figure 3, all right cancellation step S33b, namely after PCRF determines that the flux cumulating value of user A exceedes the signing flow threshold of user A, the request of the flow quota burst for asking user A that PCEF sends can not being responded, namely stopping the Internet data business of user A.

Send the second Indication message to PCEF, be used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic.

Particularly, when determining that the flux cumulating value of user exceedes its signing flow threshold, limiting this user's use traffic, stopping the service of data service.Should be understood that may under current network blocks up serious scene, and can stop the data service of user A when the flow accumulation amount of user A exceedes its flow threshold, the embodiment of the present invention is not construed as limiting this.

Should understand, herein " after determining that flux cumulating value exceeds the flow threshold of user ", reduce the network bandwidth or the limited subscriber online of user, also can be when determining that flux cumulating value exceeds the flow threshold of user, the traffic policy (such as reduce the network bandwidth or improve expenses standard) of change user or limited subscriber online, the present invention is not construed as limiting this.Should also be understood that when the flux cumulating value that PCRF monitors user exceedes its flow threshold, also can not change other traffic policies such as the network bandwidth of user.

In active user's charge on traffic technology, relate to the network element of customer flow, customer flow can use information to carry out active reporting by PCEF, is then carried out the flux cumulating of same user by different network elements.

Such one side adds the burden of the unnecessary process flow information of some network elements, on the other hand, if PCEF occurs that reporting message abandons exception, by inconsistent for the charging and Policy Result causing different network elements.In embodiments of the present invention, before customer flow exceeds its signing threshold value, perform same network element, such as PCRF report of user flow, only added up the use traffic of this user by PCRF, when customer flow adds up to exceed the good threshold value of predefined, by existing interface, the flow value exceeding threshold value is sent to other flux cumulatings, charge on traffic network element device, such as OCS, namely ensure that and the consistency that customer flow is accumulative also reduce the performance requirement of OCS on Gy interface.

Therefore, the method reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, by user's first flow information that PCRF sends according to PCEF, second flow information of this user is sent to OCS, be convenient to OCS, according to this second flow information, online charge on traffic carried out to this user, can effectively reduce OCS directly and PCEF carry out the processing load of the interface of information interaction, when user contracts flow monthly payment business, when the non-excess flow threshold value of customer flow aggregate-value, PCRF is only had to add up customer flow, instruct when determining that the flux cumulating value of user exceedes its flow threshold, just send this customer flow information to OCS, effectively can reduce the burden that OCS process reports this information reporting frequently of flow, effectively can improve the service behaviour of OCS, effectively can avoid PCEF simultaneously to the problem that OCS and PCRF transmission customer flow information causes OCS and PCRF flux cumulating inconsistent simultaneously.

Will also be understood that, before PCRF forwards the flow value of excess flow threshold value to OCS, PCEF and OCS can carry out other interaction flows based on current correlation technique on Gy interface, as OCS issues the information such as user's charging to PCEF, for simplicity, do not repeat them here.

Should understand, in various embodiments of the present invention, the size of the sequence number of above-mentioned each process does not also mean that the priority of execution sequence, and the execution sequence of each process should be determined with its function and internal logic, and should not form any restriction to the implementation process of the embodiment of the present invention.

Above composition graphs 1 to Fig. 3, describes the method reporting flow according to the embodiment of the present invention in detail from the angle of network element device PCRF, below in conjunction with Fig. 3 to Fig. 4, describes the method reporting flow according to the embodiment of the present invention from the angle of network element device OCS.

As shown in Figure 4, according to the method 200 reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, such as can be performed by Online Charging System OCS, the method 200 comprises:

S210, the second flow information that the first flow information receiving the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF according to strategy with charging rule functions PCRF sends;

S220, according to this second flow information, carries out online charge on traffic to this user.

The customer flow information that OCS sends according to PCRF, carries out online charge on traffic to this user, does not directly receive the customer flow information that PCEF reports.

Therefore, the method reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, the customer flow information that OCS sends by receiving PCRF, online charge on traffic is carried out to user, effectively can reduce the processing load directly carrying out the interface of information interaction with PCEF of OCS, PCEF can be avoided simultaneously to the problem that OCS and PCRF transmission customer flow information causes OCS and PCRF flux cumulating inconsistent simultaneously.

Alternatively, as one embodiment of the present of invention, this second flow information is this first flow information, or this second flow information is be used to indicate the information that the flux cumulating value determined according to this first flow information exceedes the flow value of the flow threshold of user.

This second flow information is this first flow information, particularly, as shown in Figure 2, when user does not contract any such as flow monthly payment, the flow information of the user A that the PCRF that OCS receives sends is consistent with the flow information of the user A that PCEF sends to PCRF, and namely the second flow information is this first flow information.

This second flow information is be used to indicate the information that the flux cumulating value determined according to this first flow information exceedes the flow value of the flow threshold of user, particularly, as shown in Figure 3, when PCRF determines that the flux cumulating value of user A exceedes its flow threshold, second flow information of this user A is sent to OCS, this second flow information is be used to indicate the information that the flux cumulating value determined according to this first flow information exceedes the flow value of the flow threshold of user, the monthly payment flow of such as this user A is the 150M/ month, in S31, the customer flow value indicated by first flow information of PCEF report of user A is 10M, in S32, PCRF is by the flow of accumulative user A, determine that its flux cumulating value is 155M, then in S33a to OCS send the second flow information indicated by flow value be 5M.

OCS does not receive the customer flow information that PCEF reports, but obtain customer flow information from PCRF, release the burden that OCS and PCEF carries out mutual interface Gy process customer flow information, in addition, carry out flow information from PCRF reception customer flow information add up and carry out online charge on traffic, effectively can avoid PCEF simultaneously to the problem that OCS and PCRF transmission customer flow information causes OCS and PCRF flux cumulating inconsistent.

Alternatively, as one embodiment of the present of invention, the method also comprises:

When determining that the account balance of user is not enough, send with charge execution function PCEF the Indication message being used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic to strategy.

Particularly, as shown in the S35 to S38 in Fig. 3, in S35, OCS determines that the account balance of user A is not enough; In S36, OCS sends the Indication message limiting this user's use traffic in order to instruction; In S37, user A disconnects network; In S38, PCEF sends to PCRF and is used to indicate the Indication message that user A disconnects network.

Should be understood that PCEF and OCS can carry out other interaction flows based on current correlation technique on Gy interface, as OCS issues the information such as user's charging to PCEF, for simplicity, does not repeat them here before PCRF forwards the flow value of excess flow threshold value to OCS.

Above composition graphs 1 to Fig. 4, describes the method reporting flow according to the embodiment of the present invention in detail from the angle of network element device PCRF and OCS, below in conjunction with Fig. 5, describes the method reporting flow according to the embodiment of the present invention from the angle of network element device PCEF.

As shown in Figure 5, according to the method 300 reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, such as can be performed by PCEF, the method 300 comprises:

S310, determines the first flow information of user;

S320, sends first flow information to strategy with charging rule functions PCRF, so that PCRF sends second flow information of user to Online Charging System OCS according to first flow information.

When user access network produces flow, PCEF only sends the flow information of this user to PCRF, so that this PCRF sends second flow information of this user to OCS, PCEF sends customer flow information not directly to OCS.

Therefore, the method reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, by sending user's first flow information to PCRF, so that PCRF sends second flow information of this user to OCS according to this first flow information, so that OCS carries out online charge on traffic to this user, effectively can reduce the processing load directly carrying out the interface of information interaction with PCEF of OCS, PCEF can be avoided simultaneously to the problem that OCS and PCRF transmission customer flow information causes OCS and PCRF flux cumulating inconsistent simultaneously.

Should be understood that PCEF is generally positioned at Packet Data Network and shuts, the rule issued according to PCRF performs business data flow detection, the QoS process of Business Stream, the measurement of business datum consumption, and online charging and offline charging is mutual etc.In specific implementation process, this PCEF can be served as by Gateway GPRS Support Node (GatewayGPRS Support Node, referred to as " GGSN ").

Alternatively, as in one embodiment of the present of invention, the method also comprises:

Receive the first Indication message that PCRF sends when the flux cumulating value determining to determine according to first flow information exceedes the flow threshold of user, first Indication message comprises second network bandwidth, second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of user when flux cumulating value does not exceed flow threshold, and the first Indication message is used to indicate the network bandwidth reducing user;

According to the first Indication message, reduce the network bandwidth of user.

Particularly, when PCRF determines that the use traffic of user exceedes its signing threshold value, can according to system configuration strategy, when determining that the flux cumulating value of user exceedes its signing flow threshold, be in the principle that network justice uses, reset its network bandwidth, namely determine the second network bandwidth of this user, this second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of this user when this flux cumulating value does not exceed this flow threshold.Such as send the Indication message comprising this second network bandwidth to PCEF, with the network bandwidth indicating PCEF to reduce this user, namely reduce the maximum data transfer rate allowing user to use within the unit interval.Accordingly, when PCEF receives the indication information of the change customer flow strategy that PCRF issues, this user's use traffic is controlled.

Receive the second Indication message that PCRF sends when the flux cumulating value determining to determine according to first flow information exceedes the flow threshold of user, the second Indication message is used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic;

According to the second Indication message, limited subscriber use traffic;

When determining that user stops using flow, sending to PCRF and being used to indicate the response message that user stops using flow.

Particularly, when PCEF receives the second Indication message of the limited subscriber use traffic that PCRF sends, the dialog box of business of networking can be stopped to user's feedback one.

Receive the account balance deficiency being used to indicate user that OCS sends, and the Indication message of limited subscriber use traffic;

According to Indication message, limited subscriber use traffic.

Particularly, the account balance being used to indicate user receiving OCS transmission as PCEF is not enough, and during the Indication message of limited subscriber use traffic, can be redirected to supplement the page with money to user, to point out user offline or to supplement with money to proceed business of networking.

Will also be understood that, the flow information (such as first flow information and the second flow information) of user is herein for being used to indicate the information of flow value, other indication informations or control information can also be comprised in this flow information, the embodiment of the present invention is not construed as limiting this, as long as it can indicate flow value.

Above composition graphs 1 to Fig. 5, describes the method reporting flow according to the embodiment of the present invention in detail, below in conjunction with Fig. 6 to Fig. 9, describes the device reporting flow according to the embodiment of the present invention in detail.

Fig. 6 shows the schematic block diagram of strategy according to the embodiment of the present invention and charge execution function PCEF400.As shown in Figure 6, this PCRF400 comprises:

Receiver module 410, for receiving the first flow information of the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF;

Sending module 420, sends the second flow information for the first flow information received according to receiver module to Online Charging System OCS, so that OCS carries out online charge on traffic according to the second flow information to user.

Therefore, the PCRF400 reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, by the customer flow information sent according to PCEF, second flow information of this user is sent to OCS, be convenient to OCS, according to this second flow information, online charge on traffic carried out to this user, effectively can reduce the processing load directly carrying out the interface of information interaction with PCEF of OCS, effectively can avoid PCEF simultaneously to the problem that OCS and PCRF transmission customer flow information causes OCS and PCRF flux cumulating inconsistent simultaneously.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7, in the invention process, this sending module 420 comprises:

First determining unit 421, for according to first flow information, determines the flux cumulating value of user;

Second determining unit 422, for determining that flux cumulating value that the first determining unit is determined exceedes the flow threshold of user;

Transmitting element 423, for sending the second flow information that the second determining unit is determined to OCS, the second flow information is used to indicate the flow value that flux cumulating value exceedes flow threshold.

Alternatively, in the invention process, this sending module also comprises:

3rd determining unit, after exceeding the flow threshold of user in the second determining unit determination flux cumulating value, determine the second network bandwidth of user, second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of user when flux cumulating value does not exceed flow threshold;

Transmitting element also for, send the second Indication message to PCEF, be used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic.

Alternatively, in the invention process, this transmitting element also for, after the second determining unit determination flux cumulating value exceeds the flow threshold of user, send the second Indication message to PCEF, be used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic.

Alternatively, in the invention process, the second flow information that this sending module sends is first flow information.

Should understand, may correspond to according to the PCRF400 of the embodiment of the present invention and report strategy in the method for flow and charging rule functions PCRF in the embodiment of the present invention, and above-mentioned and other operation of the modules in PCRF400 and/or function are respectively in order to realize the corresponding flow process of each method in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, for simplicity, do not repeat them here.

Above composition graphs 6 and Fig. 7, describes the PCRF400 according to the embodiment of the present invention, below in conjunction with Fig. 7, describes the Online Charging System OCS500 according to the embodiment of the present invention and tactful and charge execution function PCEF600 in detail.

Fig. 8 shows the schematic block diagram of the OCS500 according to the embodiment of the present invention.As shown in Figure 8, this OCS500 comprises:

Receiver module 510, the second flow information that the first flow information for receiving the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF according to strategy with charging rule functions PCRF sends;

Accounting module 520, for the second flow information received according to receiver module, carries out online charge on traffic to user.

Therefore, the OCS500 of the embodiment of the present invention, by receiving the customer flow information that PCRF sends, online charge on traffic is carried out to user, effectively can reduce the processing load directly carrying out the interface of information interaction with PCEF of OCS, PCEF can be avoided simultaneously to the problem that OCS and PCRF transmission customer flow information causes OCS and PCRF flux cumulating inconsistent simultaneously.

Alternatively, in the invention process, the second flow information that this receiver module receives is first flow information, or the second flow information is be used to indicate the information that the flux cumulating value determined according to first flow information exceedes the flow value of the flow threshold of user.

Alternatively, in the invention process, this OCS also comprises:

Sending module, for when determining that the account balance of user is not enough, sends with charge execution function PCEF the Indication message being used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic to strategy.

Should understand, the OCS reported in the method for flow in the embodiment of the present invention is may correspond to according to the OCS500 of the embodiment of the present invention, and above-mentioned and other operation of the modules in OCS500 and/or function are respectively in order to realize the corresponding flow process of each method in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, for simplicity, do not repeat them here.

Above composition graphs 6 to Fig. 8, describes PCRF400 and OCS500 according to the embodiment of the present invention, below in conjunction with Fig. 9, describes the PCEF600 according to the embodiment of the present invention in detail.

Fig. 9 shows the schematic block diagram of the PCEF600 according to the embodiment of the present invention.As shown in Figure 8, this PCEF600 comprises:

Determination module 610, for determining the first flow information of user;

Sending module 620, for sending first flow information to strategy with charging rule functions PCRF, so that PCRF sends second flow information of user to Online Charging System OCS according to first flow information.

Therefore, the PCEF600 reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, by sending user's first flow information to PCRF, so that PCRF sends second flow information of this user to OCS according to this first flow information, so that OCS carries out online charge on traffic to this user, effectively can reduce the processing load directly carrying out the interface of information interaction with PCEF of OCS, PCEF can be avoided simultaneously to the problem that OCS and PCRF transmission customer flow information causes OCS and PCRF flux cumulating inconsistent simultaneously.

Alternatively, in embodiments of the present invention, this PCEF also comprises:

First receiver module, for receiving the first Indication message that PCRF sends when the flux cumulating value determining to determine according to first flow information exceedes the flow threshold of user, first Indication message comprises second network bandwidth, second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of user when flux cumulating value does not exceed flow threshold, and the first Indication message is used to indicate the network bandwidth reducing user;

First processing module, for the first Indication message received according to the first receiver module, reduces the network bandwidth of user.

Second receiver module, for receiving the second Indication message that PCRF sends when the flux cumulating value determining to determine according to first flow information exceedes the flow threshold of user, the second Indication message is used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic;

Second processing module, for the second Indication message received according to the second receiver module, limited subscriber use traffic;

Sending module, also for when determining that user stops using flow, sending to PCRF and being used to indicate the response message that user stops using flow.

3rd receiver module, for receiving the account balance deficiency being used to indicate user that OCS sends, and the Indication message of limited subscriber use traffic;

3rd processing module, for the Indication message received according to the 3rd receiver module, limited subscriber use traffic.

Should understand, the PCEF reported in the method for flow in the embodiment of the present invention is may correspond to according to the PCEF600 of the embodiment of the present invention, and above-mentioned and other operation of the modules in PCEF600 and/or function are respectively in order to realize the corresponding flow process of each method in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, for simplicity, do not repeat them here.

Should be understood that the device of flow that reports of the embodiment of the present invention comprises PCRF400, OSC500 and the PCEF600 shown in Fig. 6 to Fig. 9.

As shown in Figure 10, the embodiment of the present invention additionally provides a kind of PCRF700, and this PCRF700 comprises processor 710, memory 720, bus system 730, receiver 740 and transmitter 750.Wherein, processor 710, memory 720, receiver 740 are connected by bus system 730 with transmitter 750, this memory 720 is for storing instruction, the instruction that this processor 710 stores for performing this memory 720, to control receiver 740 Received signal strength, and control transmitter 750 and send signal.Wherein, receiver 740, for receiving the first flow information of the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF; Transmitter 750, sends the second flow information for the first flow information received according to receiver 740 to Online Charging System OCS, so that OCS carries out online charge on traffic according to the second flow information to user.

Therefore, the PCRF700 reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, by the customer flow information sent according to PCEF, second flow information of this user is sent to OCS, be convenient to OCS, according to this second flow information, online charge on traffic carried out to this user, effectively can reduce the processing load directly carrying out the interface of information interaction with PCEF of OCS, effectively can avoid PCEF simultaneously to the problem that OCS and PCRF transmission customer flow information causes OCS and PCRF flux cumulating inconsistent simultaneously.

Should understand, in embodiments of the present invention, this processor 710 can be CPU (CentralProcessing Unit, referred to as " CPU "), this processor 710 can also be other general processors, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) (ASIC), ready-made programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components etc.The processor etc. of general processor can be microprocessor or this processor also can be any routine.

This memory 720 can comprise read-only memory and random access memory, and provides instruction and data to processor 710.A part for memory 720 can also comprise nonvolatile RAM.Such as, the information of all right storage device type of memory 720.

This bus system 730, except comprising data/address bus, can also comprise power bus, control bus and status signal bus in addition etc.But for the purpose of clearly demonstrating, in the drawings various bus is all designated as bus system 730.

In implementation procedure, each step of said method can be completed by the instruction of the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in processor 710 or software form.Step in conjunction with the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention can directly be presented as that hardware processor is complete, or hardware in purpose processor and software module combination complete.Software module can be positioned at random asccess memory, flash memory, read-only memory, in the storage medium of this area maturations such as programmable read only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory, register.This storage medium is positioned at memory 720, and processor 710 reads the information in memory 720, completes the step of said method in conjunction with its hardware.For avoiding repetition, be not described in detail here.

Alternatively, as an embodiment, processor 710, for according to first flow information, determines the flux cumulating value of user; And for determining that flux cumulating value that the first determining unit is determined exceedes the flow threshold of user; Transmitter 750, for sending the second flow information to OCS, the second flow information is used to indicate the flow value that flux cumulating value exceedes flow threshold.

Alternatively, as an embodiment, this processor 710, also for after determining that flux cumulating value exceeds the flow threshold of user, determine the second network bandwidth of user, second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of user when flux cumulating value does not exceed flow threshold; Transmitter 750 also for, send the second Indication message to PCEF, be used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic.

Alternatively, as an embodiment, this transmitter 750 also for, after processor 710 determines that flux cumulating value exceeds the flow threshold of user, send the second Indication message to PCEF, be used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic.

Alternatively, as an embodiment, the second flow information that this transmitter 750 sends is first flow information.

Should understand, may correspond to according to the PCRF700 of the embodiment of the present invention and report strategy in the method for flow and charging rule functions PCRF in the embodiment of the present invention, also the PCRF400 according to the embodiment of the present invention can be corresponded to, and above-mentioned and other operation of the modules in PCRF700 and/or function are respectively in order to realize the corresponding flow process of each method in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, for simplicity, do not repeat them here.

As shown in figure 11, the embodiment of the present invention additionally provides a kind of OCS800, and this OCS800 comprises processor 810, memory 820, bus system 830, receiver 840 and transmitter 850.Wherein, processor 810, memory 820, receiver 840 are connected by bus system 830 with transmitter 850, this memory 820 is for storing instruction, the instruction that this processor 810 stores for performing this memory 820, to control receiver 840 Received signal strength, and control transmitter 850 and send signal.Wherein, receiver 840, the second flow information that the first flow information for receiving the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF according to strategy with charging rule functions PCRF sends; , processor 810, for the second flow information received according to receiver 840, carries out online charge on traffic to user.

Therefore, the OCS800 of the embodiment of the present invention, by receiving the customer flow information that PCRF sends, online charge on traffic is carried out to user, effectively can reduce the processing load directly carrying out the interface of information interaction with PCEF of OCS, PCEF can be avoided simultaneously to the problem that OCS and PCRF transmission customer flow information causes OCS and PCRF flux cumulating inconsistent simultaneously.

Should understand, in embodiments of the present invention, this processor 810 can be CPU (CentralProcessing Unit, referred to as " CPU "), this processor 810 can also be other general processors, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) (ASIC), ready-made programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components etc.The processor etc. of general processor can be microprocessor or this processor also can be any routine.

This memory 820 can comprise read-only memory and random access memory, and provides instruction and data to processor 810.A part for memory 820 can also comprise nonvolatile RAM.Such as, the information of all right storage device type of memory 820.

This bus system 830, except comprising data/address bus, can also comprise power bus, control bus and status signal bus in addition etc.But for the purpose of clearly demonstrating, in the drawings various bus is all designated as bus system 830.

In implementation procedure, each step of said method can be completed by the instruction of the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in processor 810 or software form.Step in conjunction with the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention can directly be presented as that hardware processor is complete, or hardware in purpose processor and software module combination complete.Software module can be positioned at random asccess memory, flash memory, read-only memory, in the storage medium of this area maturations such as programmable read only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory, register.This storage medium is positioned at memory 820, and processor 810 reads the information in memory 820, completes the step of said method in conjunction with its hardware.For avoiding repetition, be not described in detail here.

Alternatively, as an embodiment, the second flow information that this receiver 840 receives is first flow information, or the second flow information is be used to indicate the information that the flux cumulating value determined according to first flow information exceedes the flow value of the flow threshold of user.

Alternatively, as an embodiment, this transmitter 850, for when determining that the account balance of user is not enough, sends with charge execution function PCEF the Indication message being used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic to strategy.

Should understand, the OCS reported in the method for flow in the embodiment of the present invention is may correspond to according to the OCS800 of the embodiment of the present invention, and the OCS500 that can correspond to according to the embodiment of the present invention, and above-mentioned and other operation of the modules in OCS800 and/or function are respectively in order to realize the corresponding flow process of each method in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, for simplicity, do not repeat them here.

As shown in figure 12, the embodiment of the present invention additionally provides a kind of PCEF900, and this PCEF900 comprises processor 910, memory 920, bus system 930, receiver 940 and transmitter 950.Wherein, processor 910, memory 920, receiver 940 are connected by bus system 930 with transmitter 950, this memory 920 is for storing instruction, the instruction that this processor 910 stores for performing this memory 920, to control receiver 940 Received signal strength, and control transmitter 950 and send signal.Wherein, processor 910, for determining the first flow information of user; Transmitter 950, for sending first flow information to strategy with charging rule functions PCRF, so that PCRF sends second flow information of user to Online Charging System OCS according to first flow information.

Therefore, the PCEF900 reporting flow of the embodiment of the present invention, by sending user's first flow information to PCRF, so that PCRF sends second flow information of this user to OCS according to this first flow information, so that OCS carries out online charge on traffic to this user, effectively can reduce the processing load directly carrying out the interface of information interaction with PCEF of OCS, PCEF can be avoided simultaneously to the problem that OCS and PCRF transmission customer flow information causes OCS and PCRF flux cumulating inconsistent simultaneously.

Should understand, in embodiments of the present invention, this processor 910 can be CPU (CentralProcessing Unit, referred to as " CPU "), this processor 910 can also be other general processors, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) (ASIC), ready-made programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components etc.The processor etc. of general processor can be microprocessor or this processor also can be any routine.

This memory 920 can comprise read-only memory and random access memory, and provides instruction and data to processor 910.A part for memory 920 can also comprise nonvolatile RAM.Such as, the information of all right storage device type of memory 920.

This bus system 930, except comprising data/address bus, can also comprise power bus, control bus and status signal bus in addition etc.But for the purpose of clearly demonstrating, in the drawings various bus is all designated as bus system 930.

In implementation procedure, each step of said method can be completed by the instruction of the integrated logic circuit of the hardware in processor 910 or software form.Step in conjunction with the method disclosed in the embodiment of the present invention can directly be presented as that hardware processor is complete, or hardware in purpose processor and software module combination complete.Software module can be positioned at random asccess memory, flash memory, read-only memory, in the storage medium of this area maturations such as programmable read only memory or electrically erasable programmable memory, register.This storage medium is positioned at memory 920, and processor 910 reads the information in memory 920, completes the step of said method in conjunction with its hardware.For avoiding repetition, be not described in detail here.

Alternatively, as an embodiment, receiver 940, for receiving the first Indication message that PCRF sends when the flux cumulating value determining to determine according to first flow information exceedes the flow threshold of user, first Indication message comprises second network bandwidth, second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of user when flux cumulating value does not exceed flow threshold, and the first Indication message is used to indicate the network bandwidth reducing user; Processor 910, for the first Indication message received according to receiver 940, reduces the network bandwidth of user.

Alternatively, as an embodiment, receiver 940, for receiving the second Indication message that PCRF sends when the flux cumulating value determining to determine according to first flow information exceedes the flow threshold of user, the second Indication message is used to indicate limited subscriber use traffic;

Processor 910, for the second Indication message received according to receiver 940, limited subscriber use traffic;

Transmitter 950, also for when determining that user stops using flow, sending to PCRF and being used to indicate the response message that user stops using flow.

Alternatively, as an embodiment, receiver 940, for receiving the account balance deficiency being used to indicate user that OCS sends, and the Indication message of limited subscriber use traffic;

Processor 950, for the Indication message received according to receiver 940, limited subscriber use traffic.

Should understand, the PCEF reported in the method for flow in the embodiment of the present invention is may correspond to according to the PCEF900 of the embodiment of the present invention, and the PCEF600 that can correspond to according to the embodiment of the present invention, and above-mentioned and other operation of the modules in PCEF900 and/or function are respectively in order to realize the corresponding flow process of each method in Fig. 1 to Fig. 5, for simplicity, do not repeat them here.

Should be understood that term "and/or" herein, being only a kind of incidence relation describing affiliated partner, can there are three kinds of relations in expression, and such as, A and/or B, can represent: individualism A, exists A and B simultaneously, these three kinds of situations of individualism B.In addition, character "/" herein, general expression forward-backward correlation is to the relation liking a kind of "or".

Those of ordinary skill in the art can recognize, in conjunction with unit and the algorithm steps of each example of embodiment disclosed herein description, can realize with the combination of electronic hardware or computer software and electronic hardware.These functions perform with hardware or software mode actually, depend on application-specific and the design constraint of technical scheme.Professional and technical personnel can use distinct methods to realize described function to each specifically should being used for, but this realization should not thought and exceeds scope of the present invention.

Those skilled in the art can be well understood to, and for convenience and simplicity of description, the specific works process of the system of foregoing description, device and unit, with reference to the corresponding process in preceding method embodiment, can not repeat them here.

In several embodiments that the application provides, should be understood that disclosed system, apparatus and method can realize by another way.Such as, device embodiment described above is only schematic, such as, the division of described unit, be only a kind of logic function to divide, actual can have other dividing mode when realizing, such as multiple unit or assembly can in conjunction with or another system can be integrated into, or some features can be ignored, or do not perform.Another point, shown or discussed coupling each other or direct-coupling or communication connection can be by some interfaces, and the indirect coupling of device or unit or communication connection can be electrical, machinery or other form.

The described unit illustrated as separating component or can may not be and physically separates, and the parts as unit display can be or may not be physical location, namely can be positioned at a place, or also can be distributed in multiple network element.Some or all of unit wherein can be selected according to the actual needs to realize the object of the present embodiment scheme.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present invention can be integrated in a processing unit, also can be that the independent physics of unit exists, also can two or more unit in a unit integrated.

If described function using the form of SFU software functional unit realize and as independently production marketing or use time, can be stored in a computer read/write memory medium.Based on such understanding, the part of the part that technical scheme of the present invention contributes to prior art in essence in other words or this technical scheme can embody with the form of software product, this computer software product is stored in a storage medium, comprising some instructions, to be provided for a computer equipment (can be personal computer, server, or the network equipment etc.) perform all or part of step of method described in each embodiment of the present invention.And aforesaid storage medium comprises: USB flash disk, portable hard drive, read-only memory (ROM, Read-Only Memory), random access memory (RAM, Random Access Memory), magnetic disc or CD etc. various can be program code stored medium.

The above; be only the specific embodiment of the present invention, but protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, is anyly familiar with those skilled in the art in the technical scope that the present invention discloses; change can be expected easily or replace, all should be encompassed within protection scope of the present invention.Therefore, protection scope of the present invention should be as the criterion with the protection range of described claim.

Claims

1. report a method for flow, it is characterized in that, comprising:

Receive the first flow information of the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF;

The second flow information is sent to Online Charging System OCS, so that described OCS carries out online charge on traffic according to described second flow information to described user according to described first flow information.

2. method according to claim 1, is characterized in that, describedly sends the second flow information according to described first flow information to Online Charging System OCS, comprising:

According to described first flow information, determine the flux cumulating value of described user;

Determine that described flux cumulating value exceedes the flow threshold of described user;

Send described second flow information to described OCS, described second flow information is used to indicate the flow value that described flux cumulating value exceedes described flow threshold.

3. method according to claim 2, is characterized in that, described determine that described flux cumulating value exceeds the flow threshold of described user after, described method also comprises:

Determine the second network bandwidth of described user, described second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of described user when described flux cumulating value does not exceed described flow threshold;

Send the first Indication message comprising described second network bandwidth to described PCEF, be used to indicate the network bandwidth reducing described user.

4. method according to claim 2, is characterized in that, described determine that described flux cumulating value exceeds the flow threshold of described user after, described method also comprises:

Send the second Indication message to described PCEF, be used to indicate the described user's use traffic of restriction.

5. method according to claim 1, is characterized in that, described second flow information is described first flow information.

6. report a method for flow, it is characterized in that, comprising:

The second flow information that the first flow information receiving the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF according to strategy with charging rule functions PCRF sends;

According to described second flow information, online charge on traffic is carried out to described user.

7. method according to claim 6, it is characterized in that, described second flow information is described first flow information, or described second flow information is be used to indicate the information that the flux cumulating value determined according to described first flow information exceedes the flow value of the flow threshold of described user.

8. the method according to claim 6 or 7, is characterized in that, described method also comprises:

When determining that the account balance of described user is not enough, send with charge execution function PCEF the Indication message being used to indicate and limiting described user's use traffic to strategy.

9. report a method for flow, it is characterized in that, comprising:

Determine the first flow information of user;

Described first flow information is sent, so that described PCRF sends second flow information of described user to Online Charging System OCS according to described first flow information with charging rule functions PCRF to strategy.

10. method according to claim 9, is characterized in that, described method also comprises:

Receive described PCRF determining the first Indication message that the flux cumulating value determined according to described first flow information sends when exceeding the flow threshold of described user, described first Indication message comprises second network bandwidth, described second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of described user when described flux cumulating value does not exceed described flow threshold, and described first Indication message is used to indicate the network bandwidth reducing described user;

According to described first Indication message, reduce the network bandwidth of described user.

11. methods according to claim 9, is characterized in that, described method also comprises:

Receive described PCRF determining the second Indication message that the flux cumulating value determined according to described first flow information sends when exceeding the flow threshold of described user, described second Indication message is used to indicate the described user's use traffic of restriction;

According to described second Indication message, limit described user's use traffic;

When determining that described user stops using flow, sending to described PCRF and being used to indicate the response message that described user stops using flow.

12. methods according to claim 9 or 10, it is characterized in that, described method also comprises:

Receive the account balance deficiency being used to indicate described user that described OCS sends, and limit the Indication message of described user's use traffic;

According to described Indication message, limit described user's use traffic.

13. 1 kinds of strategies and charging rule functions PCRF, is characterized in that, comprising:

Receiver module, for receiving the first flow information of the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF;

Sending module, sends the second flow information for the described first flow information received according to described receiver module to Online Charging System OCS, so that described OCS carries out online charge on traffic according to described second flow information to described user.

14. PCRF according to claim 13, is characterized in that, described sending module comprises:

First determining unit, for according to described first flow information, determines the flux cumulating value of described user;

Second determining unit, for determining that described flux cumulating value that described first determining unit is determined exceedes the flow threshold of described user;

Transmitting element, for sending described second flow information that described second determining unit is determined to described OCS, described second flow information is used to indicate the flow value that described flux cumulating value exceedes described flow threshold.

15. PCRF according to claim 14, is characterized in that, described sending module also comprises:

3rd determining unit, after determining that described flux cumulating value exceeds the flow threshold of described user in described second determining unit, determine the second network bandwidth of described user, described second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of described user when described flux cumulating value does not exceed described flow threshold;

Described transmitting element also for, send the second Indication message to described PCEF, be used to indicate restriction described user's use traffic.

16. PCRF according to claim 14, it is characterized in that, described transmitting element also for, after described second determining unit determines that described flux cumulating value exceeds the flow threshold of described user, send the second Indication message to described PCEF, be used to indicate the described user's use traffic of restriction.

17. PCRF according to claim 13, is characterized in that, described second flow information that described sending module sends is described first flow information.

18. 1 kinds of Online Charging System OCS, is characterized in that, comprising:

Receiver module, the second flow information that the first flow information for receiving the user that strategy sends with charge execution function PCEF according to strategy with charging rule functions PCRF sends;

Accounting module, for described second flow information received according to described receiver module, carries out online charge on traffic to described user.

19. OCS according to claim 18, it is characterized in that, described second flow information that described receiver module receives is described first flow information, or described second flow information is be used to indicate the information that the flux cumulating value determined according to described first flow information exceedes the flow value of the flow threshold of described user.

20. OCS according to claim 18 or 19, it is characterized in that, described OCS also comprises:

Sending module, for when determining that the account balance of described user is not enough, sends with charge execution function PCEF the Indication message being used to indicate and limiting described user's use traffic to strategy.

21. 1 kinds of strategies and charge execution function PCEF, is characterized in that, comprising:

Determination module, for determining the first flow information of user;

Sending module, for sending described first flow information, so that described PCRF sends second flow information of described user to Online Charging System OCS according to described first flow information to strategy with charging rule functions PCRF.

22. PCEF according to claim 21, is characterized in that, described PCEF also comprises:

First receiver module, for receiving described PCRF determining the first Indication message that the flux cumulating value determined according to described first flow information sends when exceeding the flow threshold of described user, described first Indication message comprises second network bandwidth, described second network bandwidth is less than the first network bandwidth of described user when described flux cumulating value does not exceed described flow threshold, and described first Indication message is used to indicate the network bandwidth reducing described user;

First processing module, for described first Indication message received according to described first receiver module, reduces the network bandwidth of described user.

23. PCEF according to claim 21, is characterized in that, described PCEF also comprises:

Second receiver module, for receiving described PCRF determining the second Indication message that the flux cumulating value determined according to described first flow information sends when exceeding the flow threshold of described user, described second Indication message is used to indicate the described user's use traffic of restriction;

Second processing module, for described second Indication message received according to described second receiver module, limits described user's use traffic;

Described sending module, also for when determining that described user stops using flow, sending to described PCRF and being used to indicate the response message that described user stops using flow.

24. PCEF according to claim 21 or 22, it is characterized in that, described PCEF also comprises:

3rd receiver module, for receiving the account balance deficiency being used to indicate described user that described OCS sends, and limits the Indication message of described user's use traffic;

3rd processing module, for the described Indication message received according to described 3rd receiver module, limits described user's use traffic.