CN114501358A - Device, system and method for realizing communication charging in communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

The application provides a device, a system and a method for realizing communication charging in a communication network.A charging device is arranged between an OCS and an SCP, and the charging device interacts with the SCP through TCP and interacts with the OCS through TCP/SCTP. After receiving a core network signaling related to a call service from the SCP, the charging device packages the signaling into a request message based on a diameter protocol and sends the request message to the OCS; in the process of communication call service, according to the core network signaling or the response message based on the diameter protocol, the OCS charging processing capacity is analyzed, whether the OCS needs to be subjected to flow control is determined, if yes, the OCS is subjected to flow control, so that the core network signaling related to the call service and subsequently sent by the SCP is not forwarded to the OCS, and if not, the OCS charging processing capacity analysis process is continued. Therefore, the method and the device ensure the continuous interaction of the OCS and the SCP in the communication call service process and charge in real time.

Description

Device, system and method for realizing communication charging in communication network

technical field

The present invention relates to communication technology, and in particular, to a device, system and method for realizing communication charging in a communication network.

Background technique

At present, communication operators provide various communication services for terminals through communication networks. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication network provided by the prior art to provide a communication service for a client. As shown in the figure, the mobile communication network, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), the intelligent network, etc. carry out communication interaction through the service switching point (SSP), and the SSP realizes the connection function of the communication. The mobile switching center system/location visiting register (MSCS/VLR) of the mobile communication network can be integrated in the SSP to realize the positioning of the terminal in the mobile communication network and the communication call service. In the network architecture, it also includes a service control point (SCP), which interacts with the SSP (the SSP integrates the MSCS/VLR), controls the communication services in each SSP, and realizes the core network shown in FIG. 1 . control of communication services.

When a communication network provides a communication call service for a terminal, it is necessary to perform real-time charging for the provided communication call service, and charge the terminal for the communication call service based on the result of the real-time charging. In this case, an online charging system (OCS, Online Charging System) is set up in the communication network, the OCS is connected to the SCP, obtains the core network signaling related to the communication call service provided by the SCP, and based on the The core network signaling performs real-time charging for the communication call service involved in the terminal, as shown in FIG. 2 , which is a schematic structural diagram of real-time charging in a communication network provided by the prior art.

It can be seen that the use of OCS in the communication network to realize real-time charging of communication call services is an important part of the normal operation of the communication network. During the communication call service of the terminal, the ability of the OCS to perform charging according to the core network signaling received from the SCP will affect the duration of the communication call service of the terminal, thereby affecting the experience of the user using the terminal. When OCS is in the process of terminal communication call service, due to limited capability or too many core network signaling received from the SCP per unit time, it cannot process the core network signaling received from the SCP and perform billing in time, resulting in The communication call service of the terminal cannot be billed in time, or the communication call service is abnormally interrupted. Therefore, how to ensure the continuous interaction between the OCS and the SCP in the communication call service process and real-time charging is an urgent problem to be solved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide an apparatus, method and system for implementing communication charging in a communication network, which can ensure continuous interaction between OCS and SCP in the process of communication call service, and perform real-time charging.

The embodiments of the present application are implemented as follows:

A device for implementing communication charging in a communication network, the device is arranged between an online charging system OCS and a service control point SCP, the device and the SCP interact based on the transmission control protocol TCP, and the device interacts with the service control point SCP. The OCSs interact through TCP or the Stream Transmission Control Protocol SCTP, and the device includes: a transceiver unit and an analysis unit, wherein,

The transceiver unit is configured to encapsulate a request message based on the diameter protocol after receiving the core network signaling related to the communication call service from the SCP, and send it to the OCS; and receive a response message based on the diameter protocol from the OCS ;

The analyzing unit is configured to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS according to the response message based on the diameter protocol received from the OCS, and determine whether to perform flow control on the OCS during the communication call service. , if yes, perform flow control on the OCS, so that the core network signaling related to the call service sent by the SCP subsequently is not forwarded to the OCS; if not, continue to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS.

Optionally, the analyzing unit is further configured to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS, and when determining whether to perform flow control on the OCS, the method further includes:

Calculate the quantity value per unit time of sending the request message based on the diameter protocol in real time, and judge whether the quantity value per unit time exceeds the threshold value of the quantity of processing request messages provided by the charging processing capability of the OCS. described OCS for flow control;

Or, identify the time stamp of sending the request message based on the diameter protocol, when receiving the corresponding response message based on the diameter protocol, calculate the length of time occupied by the OCS to process the request message based on the diameter protocol, and count the time length in a time The quantity value of the request message exceeds the set time length threshold of the request message based on the diameter protocol by the OCS in the period, and judges whether the quantity value of the request message exceeds the set threshold value of the number of messages processed, and if so, record the Time period; if the number of recorded continuous time periods exceeds the set time period number threshold, it is determined that flow control is performed on the OCS;

Or, identify and send the state identifier in the request message based on the diameter protocol, count the quantity value of the request message based on the diameter protocol with the state identifier of the error state in a time period, and determine whether the quantity value exceeds the set value If yes, record the time period; if the recorded number of consecutive time periods exceeds the set time period number threshold, determine to perform flow control on the OCS.

Optionally, the transceiver unit is further configured to send an off-line bill message to the SCP when performing flow control on the OCS, instructing the SCP to interrupt the current communication call service.

Optionally, the request message based on the diameter protocol is an online charging control request CCR;

The response message based on the diameter protocol is the online charging control response CCA;

The core network signaling related to the communication call service is a session initiation protocol SIP message, and the communication interruption call service signaling is a SIP message.

A method for implementing communication charging in a communication network, the method comprising:

After receiving the core network signaling related to the call service from the SCP, encapsulate it as a request message based on the diameter protocol, send it to the OCS, and receive the response message based on the diameter protocol sent by the OCS;

During the process of the communication call service, according to the core network signaling or the response message based on the diameter protocol, analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS to determine whether to perform flow control on the OCS, and if so, Flow control is performed on the OCS, so that the core network signaling related to the call service sent by the SCP subsequently is not forwarded to the OCS; if not, the process of analyzing the charging processing capability of the OCS is continued.

Optionally, the analyzing the charging processing capability of the OCS and determining whether to perform flow control on the OCS includes:

Calculate the quantity value per unit time of sending the request message based on the diameter protocol in real time, and judge whether the quantity value per unit time exceeds the threshold value of the quantity of processing request messages provided by the charging processing capability of the OCS. described OCS for flow control;

Or, identify the time stamp of sending the request message based on the diameter protocol, when receiving the corresponding response message based on the diameter protocol, calculate the length of time occupied by the OCS to process the request message based on the diameter protocol, and count the time length in a time The quantity value of the request message exceeds the set time length threshold of the request message based on the diameter protocol by the OCS in the period, and judges whether the quantity value of the request message exceeds the set threshold value of the number of messages processed, and if so, record the Time period; if the number of recorded continuous time periods exceeds the set time period number threshold, it is determined that flow control is performed on the OCS;

Or, identify and send the state identifier in the request message based on the diameter protocol, count the quantity value of the request message based on the diameter protocol with the state identifier of the error state in a time period, and determine whether the quantity value exceeds the set value If yes, record the time period; if the recorded number of consecutive time periods exceeds the set time period number threshold, determine to perform flow control on the OCS.

Optionally, when the flow control is performed on the OCS, the method further includes: sending an offline call bill message to the SCP, instructing the SCP to interrupt the current communication call service.

Optionally, the request message based on the diameter protocol is an online charging control request CCR;

The response message based on the diameter protocol is the online charging control response CCA;

The core network signaling related to the communication call service is a session initiation protocol SIP message, and the communication interruption call service signaling is a SIP message.

A system for implementing communication charging in a communication network, the system includes: an SCP, a charging device and an OCS, the charging device interacts with the SCP based on TCP, and communicates with the OCS through TCP or SCTP to interact, where,

the SCP, configured to send the core network signaling related to the call service to the charging device;

The charging device is configured to encapsulate the request message based on the diameter protocol after receiving the core network signaling related to the call service from the SCP, send it to the OCS, and receive the response based on the diameter protocol sent by the OCS In the process of the communication call service, according to the core network signaling or the response message based on the diameter protocol, analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS to determine whether to perform flow control on the OCS; The OCS performs flow control, so that the core network signaling related to the call service sent by the SCP is not forwarded to the OCS; if not, the process of analyzing the charging processing capability of the OCS is continued;

The OCS is configured to receive the request message based on the diameter protocol from the charging device, and send the response message based on the diameter protocol to the charging device.

Optionally, the charging device is further configured to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS, and when determining whether to perform flow control on the OCS, the method includes:

Calculate the quantity value per unit time of sending the request message based on the diameter protocol in real time, and judge whether the quantity value per unit time exceeds the threshold value of the quantity of processing request messages provided by the charging processing capability of the OCS. described OCS for flow control;

Or, identify the time stamp of sending the request message based on the diameter protocol, when receiving the corresponding response message based on the diameter protocol, calculate the length of time occupied by the OCS to process the request message based on the diameter protocol, and count the time length in a time The quantity value of the request message exceeds the set time length threshold of the request message based on the diameter protocol by the OCS in the period, and judges whether the quantity value of the request message exceeds the set threshold value of the number of messages processed, and if so, record the Time period; if the number of recorded continuous time periods exceeds the set time period number threshold, it is determined that flow control is performed on the OCS;

Or, identify and send the state identifier in the request message based on the diameter protocol, count the quantity value of the request message based on the diameter protocol with the state identifier of the error state in a time period, and determine whether the quantity value exceeds the set value If yes, record the time period; if the recorded number of consecutive time periods exceeds the set time period number threshold, determine to perform flow control on the OCS.

As can be seen above, in this embodiment of the present application, a charging device is set between the OCS and the SCP. The charging device interacts with the SCP through the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), and communicates with the OCS through the Transmission Control Protocol or the Stream Transmission Control Protocol. (TCP/SCTP) interaction. After the charging device receives the core network signaling related to the call service from the SCP, it encapsulates it as a request message based on the diameter protocol, and sends it to the OCS; In response to the message, analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS to determine whether to perform flow control on the OCS. If so, perform flow control on the OCS so that the core network signaling related to the call service sent by the SCP will not be forwarded to the OCS. No, continue with the analysis process of the OCS charging processing capability. In this way, in the embodiment of the present application, the charging device analyzes the charging processing capability of the OCS in real time during the continuous process of the communication call service. When the charging processing capability of the OCS cannot meet the charging processing requirement for processing the communication call service in a timely manner , the flow control operation of the OCS is performed, thereby ensuring the continuous interaction between the OCS and the SCP during the communication call service process, and real-time charging.

Description of drawings

1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication network provided by the prior art providing a communication service for a client;

2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of real-time charging in a communication network provided by the prior art;

3 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for implementing communication charging in a communication network according to an embodiment of the present application;

4 is a flowchart of a method for implementing communication charging in a communication network according to an embodiment of the present application;

5 is a flowchart of a specific example of a method for implementing communication charging in a communication network according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a system for implementing communication charging in a communication network according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, but not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. (if any) in the description and claims of this application and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It is to be understood that the data so used may be interchanged under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the application described herein can, for example, be practiced in sequences other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having", and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units expressly listed, but may include steps or units not expressly listed or for such process, method, product or Other steps or units inherent to the device.

The technical solutions of the present application will be described in detail below with specific examples. The following specific embodiments may be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments.

In this embodiment of the present application, a charging device is set between the OCS and the SCP, and the charging device interacts with the SCP through TCP and interacts with the OCS through TCP/SCTP. After the charging device receives the core network signaling related to the call service from the SCP, it encapsulates it as a request message based on the diameter protocol, and sends it to the OCS; during the process of the communication call service, according to the core network signaling or the response message based on the diameter protocol, Analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS to determine whether to perform flow control on the OCS. If so, perform flow control on the OCS so that the core network signaling related to the call service sent by the SCP will not be forwarded to the OCS. If not, continue Carry out the analysis process of the OCS billing processing capability.

In this way, in the embodiment of the present application, the charging device analyzes the charging processing capability of the OCS in real time during the continuous process of the communication call service. When the charging processing capability of the OCS cannot meet the charging processing requirement for processing the communication call service in a timely manner , the flow control operation of the OCS is performed, thereby ensuring the continuous interaction between the OCS and the SCP during the communication call service process, and real-time charging.

3 is a schematic structural diagram of an apparatus for implementing communication charging in a communication network provided by an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus is arranged between the OCS and the SCP, the apparatus is a charging apparatus, and the TCP is communicated between the apparatus and the SCP. interact with the OCS through TCP/SCTP, the device includes: a transceiver unit and an analysis unit, wherein,

The transceiver unit is used to encapsulate the request message based on the diameter protocol after receiving the core network signaling related to the communication call service from the SCP, and send it to the OCS; receive the response message based on the diameter protocol from the OCS;

The analysis unit is used to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS according to the response message based on the diameter protocol received from the OCS during the process of the communication call service, and determine whether to perform flow control on the OCS, and if so, perform the flow control on the OCS. Control, so that the core network signaling related to the call service sent by the SCP subsequently is not forwarded to the OCS, if not, continue to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS.

The charging device realizes communication interaction through TCP/SCTP and OCS, and performs real-time analysis on the charging processing capability of OCS during the process of communication call service, and starts the flow control function of OCS when the OCS fails or the system is under great pressure. , to ensure the normal operation of the communication call service of the SCP.

In the device, the analyzing unit is further configured to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS, and when determining whether to perform flow control on the OCS, the method further includes:

Calculate in real time the quantity value per unit time of sending the request message based on the diameter protocol, determine whether the quantity value per unit time exceeds the quantity threshold value of the processing request message provided by the charging processing capability of the OCS, and if so, determine whether to stream the OCS. control.

In the device, the analyzing unit is further configured to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS, and when determining whether to perform flow control on the OCS, the method further includes:

Identify the time stamp of sending the request message based on the diameter protocol. When the corresponding response message based on the diameter protocol is received, calculate the length of time taken by the OCS to process the request message based on the diameter protocol, and count the time that exceeds the set OCS within a time period. Process the request message quantity value based on the time length threshold of the request message of the diameter protocol, judge whether the request message quantity value exceeds the set message processing quantity threshold value, if so, record the time period; When the quantity value exceeds the set time period quantity threshold, it is determined to perform flow control on the OCS.

In the device, the analyzing unit is further configured to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS, and when determining whether to perform flow control on the OCS, the method further includes:

Identify the status identifier in the request message based on the diameter protocol, count the quantity value of the request message based on the diameter protocol with the status identifier of the error state in a time period, and determine whether the quantity value exceeds the set error sending request message. Quantity threshold, if yes, record the time period; if the number of recorded consecutive time periods exceeds the set time period quantity threshold, it is determined to perform flow control on the OCS.

In the apparatus, the request message based on the diameter protocol is an online charging control request (CCR); the response message based on the diameter protocol is a online charging control response (CCA).

In the device, the transceiver unit is further configured to send a communication interrupt call service signaling to the SCP when flow control is performed on the OCS. Specifically, sending the communication call service interruption signaling to the SCP is: sending an off-line bill message to the SCP, instructing the SCP to interrupt the current communication call service.

In the device, the core network signaling related to the communication call service is a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message, and the communication interruption call service signaling is a SIP message.

4 is a flowchart of a method for implementing communication charging in a communication network provided by an embodiment of the present invention. In the method, a charging device is set between the SCP and the OCS, and the method further includes:

Step 401, after receiving the core network signaling related to the call service from the SCP, encapsulate it as a request message based on the diameter protocol, and send it to the OCS; receive a response message based on the diameter protocol from the OCS;

Step 402, in the process of communication call service, according to the core network signaling or the response message based on the diameter protocol, analyze the OCS charging processing capability, and determine whether to perform flow control on the OCS, if so, perform step 403; No, go to step 404;

Step 403, performing flow control on the OCS, so that the core network signaling related to the call service sent by the SCP subsequently is not forwarded to the OCS;

Step 404: Continue the process of analyzing the charging processing capability of the OCS.

It can be seen from the above method that the core network signaling to be sent by the SCP interacts with the OCS through the charging device. No matter whether the OCS is faulty or not, the charging device can work normally and smoothly, and the normal operation of the SCP is guaranteed.

In the method, the analysis of the OCS charging processing capability is performed to determine whether to perform flow control on the OCS in three ways, namely: a flow control method based on the OCS charging processing capability; a flow control method based on the OCS charging processing timeout Flow control mode; the flow control mode based on the error identification of the request message, which will be described separately below.

Specifically, when the flow control method based on the OCS charging processing capability is adopted, the analysis of the OCS charging processing capability to determine whether to perform flow control on the OCS includes:

Calculate in real time the quantity value per unit time of sending the request message based on the diameter protocol, determine whether the quantity value per unit time exceeds the quantity threshold value of the processing request message provided by the charging processing capability of the OCS, and if so, determine whether to stream the OCS. control.

Specifically, when sampling the flow control mode based on the OCS charging processing timeout, the analysis of the OCS charging processing capability to determine whether to perform flow control on the OCS further includes:

Identify the time stamp of sending the request message based on the diameter protocol. When the corresponding response message based on the diameter protocol is received, calculate the length of time taken by the OCS to process the request message based on the diameter protocol, and count the time that exceeds the set OCS within a time period. Process the request message quantity value based on the time length threshold of the request message of the diameter protocol, judge whether the request message quantity value exceeds the set message processing quantity threshold value, if so, record the time period; When the quantity value exceeds the set time period quantity threshold, it is determined to perform flow control on the OCS.

Specifically, when the flow control method based on the error identification of the request message is adopted, the analysis of the charging processing capability of the OCS to determine whether to perform flow control on the OCS further includes:

Identify the status identifier in the request message based on the diameter protocol, count the quantity value of the request message based on the diameter protocol with the status identifier of the error state in a time period, and determine whether the quantity value exceeds the set error sending request message. Quantity threshold, if yes, record the time period; if the number of recorded consecutive time periods exceeds the set time period quantity threshold, it is determined to perform flow control on the OCS.

In the method, the request message based on the diameter protocol is CCR; the response message based on the diameter protocol is CCA.

In the method, when the flow control is performed on the OCS, the method further includes: sending a communication interruption call service signaling to the SCP. Specifically, sending the communication call service interruption signaling to the SCP is: sending an off-line bill message to the SCP, instructing the SCP to interrupt the current communication call service.

In the method, the core network signaling related to the call service is a SIP message, and the terminal communication call service signaling sent to the SCP is a SIP message.

In the method, sending the communication call service interruption signaling to the SCP is: sending an offline call bill message to the SCP, instructing the SCP to interrupt the current communication call service.

A specific example is given to illustrate the above method in detail. 5 is a flowchart of a specific example of a method for implementing communication charging in a communication network provided by an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in the figure:

Step 501, the SCP sends a SIP message to the charging device;

In this step, the SIP message is the core network signaling involving the call service;

Step 502, the charging device encapsulates the SIP message into a request message based on the diameter protocol, that is, after CCR, sends it to OCS through TCP or SCTP;

Step 503: After receiving the OCS, after performing charging processing based on the request message, send a response message based on the diameter protocol, that is, CCA, to the charging device;

Step 504, after the charging device receives the CCA, analyzes the processing capability of the OCS, and determines whether flow control needs to be performed on the OCS;

Step 505: The charging judging device judges that flow control needs to be performed on the OCS, and then sends a SIP message to the SCP, that is, sends an off-line bill message to the SCP, instructing the SCP to interrupt the current communication call service, so that the request message of the SCP will not be sent on the SCP. Sent to OCS during flow control.

In the example, when the flow control method based on the OCS charging processing capability is used to judge whether the OCS needs flow control, the specific process is as follows.

OCS can provide its maximum capacity of processing request messages per second. The billing device calculates the flow of request messages sent to OCS in real time, and conducts counting statistics. When the number of request messages sent in one second exceeds the request set by the maximum processing capacity of OCS When the number of messages reaches the threshold, the remaining CCRs within the second will not be sent to the OCS for online charging processing, but will directly return to the SCP drop off line bill.

In the above example, when the flow control method based on the OCS charging processing timeout is adopted to judge whether the OCS needs flow control, the specific process is as follows.

The charging device records the time stamp of the CCR sent to the OCS, and when receiving the CCA, counts the length of time occupied by the CCR. If there are more, flow control is performed, and the CCR will not be sent to the OCS for online charging requests in the later stage. Here, generally one minute is a cycle, and 100 timeouts are recorded, which can be set as needed.

In the example, when the flow control method based on the error identification of the request message is used to judge whether the OCS needs flow control, the specific process is as follows.

The charging device records the status code of the CCA. If there are many error states in one cycle, the recording is performed. If the number of error codes in multiple consecutive cycles is large, the flow control is performed. Later, the CCR will not send the OCS for online charging requests. Here, generally one minute is a cycle, 100 error codes are recorded, which can be set as needed,

6 is a schematic structural diagram of a system for implementing communication charging in a communication network according to an embodiment of the present application. The system includes: an SCP, a charging device, and an OCS. The charging device interacts with the SCP based on TCP, and communicates with the OCS. interact through TCP or SCTP, where,

SCP, used for sending core network signaling related to call service to the charging device;

The charging device is used to encapsulate a request message based on the diameter protocol after receiving from the SCP, and send it to the OCS; during the process of the communication call service, perform OCS charging processing according to the core network signaling or the response message based on the diameter protocol Analyze the capability to determine whether to perform flow control on the OCS. If so, perform flow control on the OCS so that the core network signaling related to the call service sent by the SCP will not be forwarded to the OCS; if not, continue the OCS charging process Capability analysis process;

The OCS is configured to receive a request message based on the diameter protocol from the charging device, and send a response message based on the diameter protocol to the charging device.

In the system, the charging device is further configured to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS, and when determining whether to perform flow control on the OCS, the method includes: calculating in real time the quantity value per unit time for sending the request message based on the diameter protocol, It is judged whether the quantity value per unit time exceeds the quantity threshold of processing request messages provided by the charging processing capability of the OCS, and if so, it is determined to perform flow control on the OCS.

In the system, the charging device is further configured to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS, and when determining whether to perform flow control on the OCS, the method includes: identifying the time stamp for sending the request message based on the diameter protocol, and when receiving the When the corresponding response message based on the diameter protocol is used, calculate the length of time occupied by the OCS to process the request message based on the diameter protocol, and count the number of request messages that exceed the set time length threshold for the OCS to process the request message based on the diameter protocol within a time period. value, determine whether the request message quantity value exceeds the set message processing quantity threshold, and if so, record the time period; if the recorded continuous time period quantity value exceeds the set time period quantity threshold, it is determined that the OCS is streamed control.

In the system, the charging device is further configured to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS, and when determining whether to perform flow control on the OCS, the method further includes: identifying the status identifier in the request message sent based on the diameter protocol; The quantity value of the request messages based on the Diameter protocol with the status flag of the error state in a time period, judge whether the quantity value exceeds the set quantity threshold of the error sending request message, if so, record the time period; if record If the number of consecutive time periods exceeds the set time period number threshold, it is determined to perform flow control on the OCS.

In the system, the charging device is further configured to send a communication interruption call service signaling to the SCP when the flow control is performed on the OCS; the SCP is further configured to receive a communication interruption call from the charging device business signaling. Here, the signaling of interrupting the communication call service is: sending a drop off line bill message to the SCP, instructing the SCP to interrupt the current communication call service.

In the system, the request message based on the diameter protocol is CCR; the response message based on the diameter protocol is CCA. The core network signaling related to the communication call service is a SIP message, and the communication interruption call service signaling is a SIP message.

It can be seen from the embodiments of the present application that the present application is provided with a charging device, the charging device is low-coupling with the communication call service process, and supports the secure transmission of TCP and SCTP. The charging device can analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS in real time, judge the charging processing capability of the OCS, and perform flow control on the OCS. The charging device enables the SCP to have no dependence on the charging processing process of the OCS during the processing of the communication call service, thereby ensuring the processing quality of the communication call service of the SCP.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures of the present application illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments disclosed herein. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code that contains one or more functions for implementing the specified logical function(s) executable instructions. It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the different figures. For example, two blocks shown in connection may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It is also noted that each block of the block diagrams or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented in special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or operations, or can be implemented using A combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions is implemented.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various combinations and/or combinations of features recited in various embodiments of the present disclosure and/or claims are possible, even if such combinations or combinations are not explicitly described in this application. In particular, various combinations and/or combinations of the features recited in the various embodiments of the present application and/or the claims may be made without departing from the spirit and teachings of the present application, all such combinations and/or combinations falling within Scope of this disclosure.

The principles and implementations of the present application are described herein by using specific embodiments. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only used to help understand the methods and core ideas of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, changes can be made in the specific embodiments and application scope according to the ideas, spirit and principles of the present application, and any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made by them should be included in the present application. within the scope of protection.

Claims (10)

1. An apparatus for implementing communication charging in a communication network, the apparatus being disposed between an online charging system, OCS, and a service control point, SCP, the apparatus and the SCP interacting based on a transmission control protocol, TCP, and the OCS interacting through TCP or a streaming control protocol, SCTP, the apparatus comprising: a transceiver unit and an analysis unit, wherein,

the receiving and sending unit is configured to package, after receiving core network signaling related to a communication call service from the SCP, a request message based on a diameter protocol, and send the request message to the OCS; receiving a diameter protocol based response message from the OCS;

the analysis unit is configured to, during a communication call service, analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS according to a response message based on a diameter protocol received from the OCS, determine whether to perform flow control on the OCS, if so, perform flow control on the OCS, so that core network signaling related to the call service subsequently sent by the SCP is not forwarded to the OCS, and if not, continue the analysis of the charging processing capability of the OCS.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the analyzing unit is further configured to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS, and when determining whether to perform flow control on the OCS, the analyzing unit further includes:

calculating the quantity value of unit time for sending the request message based on the diameter protocol in real time, judging whether the quantity value of unit time exceeds the quantity threshold value of the processing request message provided by the charging processing capability of the OCS, and if so, determining to perform flow control on the OCS;

or identifying a timestamp for sending the diameter protocol-based request message, calculating the time length occupied by the OCS for processing the diameter protocol-based request message when the corresponding diameter protocol-based response message is received, counting the number of request messages exceeding a set time length threshold for processing the diameter protocol-based request message by the OCS within a time period, judging whether the number of request messages exceeds the set message processing number threshold, and if so, recording the time period; if the recorded quantity value of the continuous time period exceeds a set time period quantity threshold value, determining to carry out flow control on the OCS;

or identifying the state identifier in the request message based on the diameter protocol, counting the quantity value of the request message based on the diameter protocol with the state identifier of the error state in a time period, judging whether the quantity value exceeds the set threshold value of the quantity of the request messages sent in error, and if so, recording the time period; and if the recorded number of the continuous time periods exceeds a set time period number threshold value, determining to perform flow control on the OCS.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transceiver unit is further configured to send an offline ticket message to the SCP when performing flow control on the OCS, and instruct the SCP to interrupt a current communication call service.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the diameter protocol based request message is an online charging control request CCR;

the response message based on the diameter protocol is an online charging control response CCA;

the core network signaling related to the communication call service is a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message, and the interrupted communication call service signaling is an SIP message.

5. A method for implementing communication charging in a communication network, the method comprising:

after receiving core network signaling related to a call service from a Service Control Point (SCP), encapsulating the signaling into a request message based on a diameter protocol, sending the request message to an OCS (online charging system), and receiving a response message based on the diameter protocol sent by the OCS;

in the process of communication call service, according to the core network signaling or the response message based on the diameter protocol, analyzing the charging processing capacity of the OCS, and determining whether to perform flow control on the OCS, if so, performing flow control on the OCS so that the core network signaling related to the call service subsequently sent by the SCP is not forwarded to the OCS; and if not, continuing the analysis process of the OCS charging processing capacity.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the performing the analysis of the OCS charging processing capabilities to determine whether to flow control the OCS comprises:

calculating the quantity value of unit time for sending the request message based on the diameter protocol in real time, judging whether the quantity value of unit time exceeds the quantity threshold value of the processing request message provided by the charging processing capability of the OCS, and if so, determining to perform flow control on the OCS;

or identifying a timestamp for sending the diameter protocol-based request message, calculating the time length occupied by the OCS for processing the diameter protocol-based request message when the corresponding diameter protocol-based response message is received, counting the number of request messages exceeding a set time length threshold for processing the diameter protocol-based request message by the OCS within a time period, judging whether the number of request messages exceeds the set message processing number threshold, and if so, recording the time period; if the recorded quantity value of the continuous time period exceeds a set time period quantity threshold value, determining to carry out flow control on the OCS;

or identifying the state identifier in the request message based on the diameter protocol, counting the quantity value of the request message based on the diameter protocol with the state identifier of the error state in a time period, judging whether the quantity value exceeds the set threshold value of the quantity of the request messages sent in error, and if so, recording the time period; and if the recorded number of the continuous time periods exceeds a set time period number threshold value, determining to perform flow control on the OCS.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein when controlling the flow of the OCS, further comprising: and sending an offline call ticket message to the SCP, and indicating the SCP to interrupt the current communication call service.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the diameter protocol based request message is an online charging control request CCR;

the response message based on the diameter protocol is an online charging control response CCA;

the core network signaling related to the communication call service is a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message, and the signaling for interrupting the communication call service is an SIP message.

9. A system for implementing communication charging in a communication network, the system comprising: SCP, charging device and OCS, the charging device and the SCP interact based on TCP, and the charging device and the OCS interact through TCP or SCTP, wherein,

the SCP is used for sending core network signaling related to the call service to the charging device;

the charging device is configured to package a request message based on a diameter protocol after receiving core network signaling related to a call service from the SCP, send the request message to the OCS, and receive a response message based on the diameter protocol sent by the OCS; in the process of communication call service, according to core network signaling or response message based on diameter protocol, analyzing the charging processing capacity of the OCS, determining whether to perform flow control on the OCS, if so, performing flow control on the OCS so as to ensure that core network signaling related to the call service and subsequently sent by the SCP is not forwarded to the OCS; if not, continuing the analysis process of the OCS charging processing capacity;

the OCS is used for receiving the diameter protocol-based request message from a charging device and sending the diameter protocol-based response message to the charging device.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the charging device is further configured to analyze the charging processing capability of the OCS, and when determining whether to perform flow control on the OCS, the method further comprises:

calculating the quantity value of unit time for sending the request message based on the diameter protocol in real time, judging whether the quantity value of unit time exceeds the quantity threshold value of the processing request message provided by the charging processing capability of the OCS, and if so, determining to perform flow control on the OCS;

or identifying a timestamp for sending the diameter protocol-based request message, calculating the time length occupied by the OCS for processing the diameter protocol-based request message when the corresponding diameter protocol-based response message is received, counting the number of request messages exceeding a set time length threshold for processing the diameter protocol-based request message by the OCS within a time period, judging whether the number of request messages exceeds the set message processing number threshold, and if so, recording the time period; if the recorded quantity value of the continuous time period exceeds a set time period quantity threshold value, determining to carry out flow control on the OCS;

or identifying the state identifier in the request message based on the diameter protocol, counting the quantity value of the request message based on the diameter protocol with the state identifier of the error state in a time period, judging whether the quantity value exceeds the set threshold value of the quantity of the request messages sent in error, and if so, recording the time period; and if the recorded number of the continuous time periods exceeds a set time period number threshold value, determining to perform flow control on the OCS.

Images