CN117998311A

CN117998311A - Charging method and related device for clock synchronization service

Info

Publication number: CN117998311A
Application number: CN202211379164.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周润泽; 臧昕
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-11-04
Filing date: 2022-11-04
Publication date: 2024-05-07

Abstract

The application discloses a charging method and a related device for clock synchronization service, wherein in the method, a core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for terminal equipment; the core network element sends a clock synchronization activation message, wherein the clock synchronization activation message comprises first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating that statistics information is needed for the clock synchronization service under the charging mode. Therefore, the method can select a corresponding charging mode for the clock synchronous service, and determine the information of the clock synchronous service to be counted under the charging mode, so that the charging of the clock synchronous service is assisted based on the charging mode and the counted information, and the charging of the clock synchronous service can be more reasonably carried out.

Description

Charging method and related device for clock synchronization service

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for charging clock synchronization service.

Background

At present, the clock synchronization method of the base station to the terminal equipment is that after the base station synchronizes the own clock information with the main clock information in the communication system, the base station sends time information to all the terminal equipment in the coverage area through system information (system information block, SIB) 9 in the broadcast message. It can be seen that only a single timing precision is supported in the broadcast timing area, the timing reliability of the whole communication system depends on the reliability of a single clock source (master clock), and the clock service elasticity of the communication system is poor.

Aiming at the problem of poor clock service elasticity of a communication system, the base station is correspondingly improved in aspects of time service precision, timekeeping capability, subscription clause and the like. But the improvement of time service precision needs to consume air interface resources to perform signaling interaction; the improvement of the timekeeping capability requires the base station to install an atomic clock, so that the hardware cost is increased; therefore, clock synchronization of the base station to the terminal device is no longer a free network service, and how to charge for the clock synchronization service is a problem to be solved urgently.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a method and a related device for charging clock synchronization service, which can charge the clock synchronization service more reasonably.

In a first aspect, the present application provides a method for charging a clock synchronization service, where a core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to providing the clock synchronization service to a terminal device; the core network element sends a clock synchronization activation message, wherein the clock synchronization activation message comprises first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating that statistics information is needed for the clock synchronization service under a charging mode.

The charging modes comprise a time length-based charging mode, an event-based charging mode and an application function network element granularity-based charging mode.

Therefore, the method can determine the charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment and determine the information of the clock synchronization service to be counted under the charging mode, so that the clock synchronization service is charged based on the charging mode and the counted information, and the flexibility and the rationality of the charging of the clock synchronization service are improved.

In an optional implementation manner, before the core network element determines the charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device, the method further includes: the core network element receives a clock synchronization request message from the application function network element, wherein the clock synchronization request message comprises an identifier of the terminal equipment and clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment.

In an optional implementation manner, the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device, and includes: the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment and/or the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment; the clock synchronization service information comprises at least one of time service precision, duration, time service times, time service coverage range and time service mode of the clock synchronization service.

The core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment, wherein the charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment comprises various modes, for example, the core network element determines the charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment; or the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment; or the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment and the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment.

In this embodiment, according to different clock synchronization service information, a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device may be determined, so as to improve diversity of determination of the charging mode.

In an optional implementation manner, before the core network element determines the charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device, the method further includes: the core network element sends a clock subscription data request message to the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data request message comprises the identification of the terminal equipment and a request for acquiring the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment; the core network element receives a clock subscription data response message from the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data response message comprises clock subscription data of the terminal equipment, and the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment comprises clock synchronization service information subscribed by the terminal equipment.

In an alternative embodiment, after the core network element receives the clock subscription data response message from the unified data management network element, the method further includes: the core network element judges whether to respond to the clock synchronization request message from the application function network element according to the clock subscription data of the terminal device, wherein the clock subscription data of the terminal device comprises a condition for allowing to respond to the clock synchronization request message, and the clock synchronization request message comprises the identification of the application function network element and clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device; if the clock synchronization request message meets the condition of allowing the response to the clock synchronization request message, the core network element responds to the clock synchronization request message.

It can be seen that, in this embodiment, whether to respond to the clock synchronization request message can be determined based on the condition that allows to respond to the clock synchronization request message, thereby improving the effectiveness of the clock synchronization service.

In an alternative embodiment, the condition allowing the response to the clock synchronization request message includes an application function network element directory, and/or the condition allowing the response to the clock synchronization request message includes one or more of a time service precision range, a time service coverage range, a time service frequency range, and a duration interval.

Optionally, when the clock subscription data of the terminal device does not include a condition that allows the response to the clock synchronization request message, after the core network element receives the clock subscription data response message from the unified data management network element, the method further includes: the core network element determines clock synchronization service information provided for the terminal device based on the clock synchronization service information requested by the application function network element and the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal device.

The clock synchronization service information requested by the application function network element is clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment included in the clock synchronization request message.

In an optional implementation manner, the core network element is an access and mobility management function network element, and the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to providing a clock synchronization service for the terminal device, including: the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to clock subscription data in the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment; the clock subscription data in the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment comprises clock synchronous service information registered by the terminal equipment; the clock synchronization service information comprises at least one of time service precision, duration, time service times, time service coverage range, time service mode and charging mode of the clock synchronization service.

In this embodiment, according to specific information included in the clock synchronization service information, a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device may be determined, so that diversity and rationality of determination of the charging mode are improved.

In an optional implementation manner, before the core network element determines, according to clock subscription data in the access and mobile data of the terminal device, a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device, the method further includes: the core network element sends a clock subscription data request message to the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data request message comprises the identification of the terminal equipment and a request for acquiring clock subscription data of access and mobile data of the terminal equipment; the core network element receives a clock subscription data response message from the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data response message comprises clock subscription data of terminal equipment access and mobile data, and the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment access and mobile data comprises clock synchronization service information registered by the terminal equipment.

In an alternative embodiment, before the core network element sends the clock subscription data request message to the unified data management network element, the method further includes: the core network element detects that the terminal device is registering.

In an alternative embodiment, after the core network element sends the clock synchronization activation message, the method further includes: the core network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the access network equipment, wherein the clock synchronization statistical information is obtained by counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information; the core network element reports the clock synchronization statistical information to the charging function network element.

The second indication information is used for indicating information of counting the clock synchronization service in a charging mode. The instant synchronization statistics information is information which needs to count the clock synchronization service in a charging mode.

In this embodiment, different charging modes correspond to different clock synchronization statistics, so that redundancy of the clock synchronization statistics is reduced.

In another alternative embodiment, when the clock synchronization request message further includes clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element, the method further includes: the core network element reports the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element to the charging function network element.

In an optional implementation manner, when the charging manner is a time length-based charging manner, the clock synchronization statistical information includes a time length of the clock synchronization service, or at least one of time service precision and a time service manner of the clock synchronization service; or when the charging mode is an event-based charging mode, the clock synchronization statistical information comprises time service times of the clock synchronization service, or at least one of time service precision and time service mode of the clock synchronization service; or when the charging mode is based on the granularity of the application function, the clock synchronization statistical information comprises the identification of the network element of the application function, or further comprises at least one of time service precision, time service times, duration and time service modes of the clock synchronization service.

In a second aspect, the present application also provides a method for charging a clock synchronization service, where an access network device receives a clock synchronization activation message from an access and mobility management function network element, where the clock synchronization activation message includes first indication information and second indication information, where the first indication information is used to indicate that the clock synchronization service is provided to a terminal device, and the second indication information is used to indicate that statistics is required for the clock synchronization service in a charging manner; the access network equipment sends a clock synchronization activation response message to the access and mobile management function network element, and the clock synchronization activation response message is used for confirming that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment and counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information; the access network equipment sends time information to the terminal equipment; the access network equipment counts the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information; the access network device sends the clock synchronization statistical information to the core network element.

Therefore, the access network equipment can carry out statistics information on the clock synchronization service in a charging mode, so that the clock synchronization service is charged based on the charging mode and the statistics information, and the flexibility and the rationality of the charging of the clock synchronization service are improved.

In a third aspect, the present application further provides a method for charging a clock synchronization service, where a charging function network element receives clock synchronization statistics information from a core network element; the clock synchronization statistical information is obtained by counting the clock synchronization services accepted by the terminal equipment based on a charging mode; the charging function network element generates a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information.

In the method, the charging function network element can generate the clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment according to the clock synchronization statistical information provided by the core network element, thereby being beneficial to more reasonably charging the clock synchronization service.

In an alternative embodiment, when the clock synchronization request message further includes clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element, the method further includes: the charging function network element receives clock synchronization service information subscribed by an application function network element from the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element; the charging function network element generates a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information, and the charging function network element comprises: the charging function network element generates a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information and the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element.

In this embodiment, the charging function network element may generate a clock synchronization bill of the terminal device according to the clock synchronization statistics information provided by the core network element and the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element, so as to be beneficial to more reasonably charging the clock synchronization service.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a charging device for a clock synchronization service, where the charging device for a clock synchronization service may be a core network device. The communication device may also be a chip system. The charging means of the clock synchronization service may perform the method of the first aspect. The function of the charging device of the clock synchronization service can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above. The unit or module may be software and/or hardware. The operations and advantages performed by the charging device of the clock synchronization service may be referred to the method and advantages described in the first aspect.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a charging device for a clock synchronization service, where the charging device for a clock synchronization service may be an access network device. The charging device of the clock synchronization service may also be a chip system. The communication device may perform the method of the second aspect. The function of the charging device of the clock synchronization service can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above. The unit or module may be software and/or hardware. The operations and advantages performed by the charging device of the clock synchronization service may be seen in the method and advantages described in the second aspect above.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a charging device for a clock synchronization service, where the charging device for a clock synchronization service may be a core network device. The charging device of the clock synchronization service may also be a chip system. The charging means of the clock synchronization service may perform the method of the third aspect. The function of the charging device of the clock synchronization service can be realized by hardware, and can also be realized by executing corresponding software by hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more units or modules corresponding to the functions described above. The unit or module may be software and/or hardware. The operations and advantages performed by the charging device of the clock synchronization service may be seen in the method and advantages described in the third aspect.

In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising a processor and interface circuitry for receiving signals from other communication devices than the communication device and transmitting signals to or from the processor for implementing the method of the first aspect described above, or for implementing the method of the second aspect described above, or for implementing the method of the third aspect described above, by logic circuitry or executing code instructions.

In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein which, when executed by a communications device, implement a method according to any of the first to third aspects.

In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when read and executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method according to any of the first to third aspects.

In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication system comprising at least one communication device for performing the method according to the first aspect, at least one communication device for performing the method according to the second aspect, and at least one communication device for performing the method according to the third aspect.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a 5G communication system;

Fig. 2 is a flow chart of a charging method 100 for clock synchronization service according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a clock synchronization service bill generation scheme 100 according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 4 is a flowchart of a charging method 200 for clock synchronization service according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a clock synchronization service bill generation scheme 200 according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a flowchart of a method 300 for charging a clock synchronization service according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a clock synchronization service bill generation scheme 300 provided by an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a billing device for clock synchronization service according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Specific embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The application can be applied to independent networking, namely, communication systems such as new base stations, backhaul links, core networks and the like deployed in future networks, and can also be applied to various communication systems such as non-independent networking and the like.

For example, the solution of the present application may be used in a fifth generation (5th generation,5G) system, which may also be referred to as a new radio, NR, system, or a sixth generation (6th generation,6G) system, or a seventh generation (7th generation,7G) system, or other future communication system; or may also be used in device-to-device (D2D) systems, machine-to-machine (machine to machine, M2M) systems, long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) systems, carrier aggregation (carrier aggregation, CA) systems, and dual connectivity technology (Dual Connectivity, DC) systems, etc.

For example, but not limited to, the billing method of the clock synchronization service of the present application can be applied to a communication system as shown in fig. 1. Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a 5G communication system architecture applicable to the present application, wherein the 5G communication system architecture is a 5G network infrastructure, network functions are based on modular disassembly, and decoupled Network Functions (NF) can be independently expanded, independently evolved, and deployed as needed. The service interfaces are adopted among all the NFs of the control surface, the same service can be called by multiple NFs, the coupling degree defined by the interfaces among the NFs is reduced, the on-demand customization of the whole network function is finally realized, and different service scenes and requirements are flexibly supported. In the architecture shown in fig. 1, the network elements in the dashed box are served NF network elements, the interfaces between NF network elements are served interfaces, and the interactive messages are served messages. The architecture may include an access network and a core network, and optionally, user Equipment (UE).

The UE is equipment with a wireless receiving and transmitting function, can be deployed on land, and comprises indoor or outdoor, handheld, wearable or vehicle-mounted; can also be deployed on the water surface (such as ships, etc.); but may also be deployed in the air (e.g., on aircraft, balloon, satellite, etc.). The UE may be a mobile phone, a tablet (Pad), a computer with wireless transceiving function, a Virtual Reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (augmented reality, AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal in industrial control (industrial control), a vehicle-mounted terminal device, a wireless terminal in unmanned (SELF DRIVING), a wireless terminal in remote medical (remote medical), a wireless terminal in smart grid (SMART GRID), a wireless terminal in transportation security (transportation safety), a wireless terminal in smart city (SMART CITY), a wireless terminal in smart home (smart home), a wearable terminal device, and so on. A UE may also be referred to as a terminal, terminal device, access terminal device, vehicle terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, remote terminal device, mobile device, UE agent, UE apparatus, or the like. The UE may also be fixed or mobile.

The access network is used for realizing the function related to access, can provide the network access function for authorized users in a specific area, and can determine transmission tunnels with different qualities according to the level of the users, the service requirements and the like so as to transmit user data. The access network forwards control signals and user data between the terminal device and the core network. The access network may comprise an access network device. For example, in the present application, information interacted between the tag device and the network element of the core network may be forwarded through the access network device.

The access network device may be a device that provides access to the terminal device and may include a radio access network (radio access network, RAN) device and AN device. The (R) AN equipment is mainly responsible for the functions of radio resource management, quality of service (quality of service, qoS) management, data compression, encryption and the like on the air interface side. The RAN equipment may include various forms of base stations, such as macro base stations, micro base stations (also referred to as small stations), relay stations, access points, balloon stations, and the like. In systems employing different radio access technologies, the names of base station-capable devices may vary, for example, in 5G systems, referred to as RANs or next-generation base stations (gNB); in a long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, it is called evolved NodeB, eNB or eNodeB.

The core network is responsible for maintaining subscription data of the mobile network and providing session management, mobility management, policy management, security authentication and other functions for the UE. The core network may comprise the following network elements: user plane function (user plane function, UPF) network elements, access and mobility management function (ACCESS AND mobility management function, AMF) network elements, session management function (session management function, SMF) network elements, network opening function (otherwise known as network exposure function) (network exposure function, NEF) network elements, policy control function (policy control function, PCF) network elements, unified data management (unified DATA MANAGEMENT, UDM) network elements, unified database (unified data repository, UDR) network elements, time sensitive communication and time synchronization function (TIME SENSITIVE communication and time synchronization function, TSCTSF) network elements, billing service function (charging function, CHF) network elements, and application function (application function, AF) network elements.

The AMF network element is mainly responsible for mobility management in the mobile network, such as user location update, user registration network, user handover, etc. The SMF network element is mainly responsible for session management in the mobile network, such as session establishment, modification, release. Specific functions are, for example, assigning internet protocol (internet protocol, IP) addresses to users, selecting a UPF that provides a message forwarding function, etc. The UPF network element is mainly responsible for forwarding and receiving user data, can receive the user data from a data network and transmits the user data to the UE through the access network equipment; user data may also be received from the UE through the access network device and forwarded to the data network. PCF network element, mainly supporting to provide unified policy frame to control network behavior, providing policy rule to control layer network function, and meanwhile, taking charge of obtaining user subscription information related to policy decision. The PCF network element may provide policies, such as quality of service (quality of service, qoS) policies, slice selection policies, etc., to the AMF network element, SMF network element. The NEF network element is mainly used for supporting the opening of the capability and the event. The UDM/UDR network element is used for storing user data, such as subscription data, authentication/authorization data, etc. The AF network element mainly supports interaction with the 3GPP core network to provide services, such as influencing data routing decisions, policy control functions or providing some services of a third party to the network side. TSCTSF network elements are mainly used for processing clock synchronization services in a network. CHF network elements are mainly used for charging services in the network, such as clock synchronization services.

Wherein, the Data Network (DN) is used for providing business service for users, and can be a private network, such as a local area network; other external networks are also possible, such as the Internet (Internet); but also a proprietary network co-deployed by operators, such as a network providing an IP multimedia subsystem (IP multimedia subsystem, IMS). The UE may access the DN through an established protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) session.

In addition, in the 5G communication system architecture shown in fig. 1, interaction between the UE and the AMF may be performed through AN N1 interface, and interaction between other network function network elements is similar, for example, interaction between the AN and the AMF may be performed through AN N2 interface, where the N3 interface supports selective activation/deactivation of the user plane connection; the SMF network element and the UPF network element interact through an N4 interface, and the UPF network element and the DN interact through an N6 interface. All NFs of the control plane can interact with each other by using a service interface. For example, TSFTSF network elements and other network function network elements may interact with each other via a serviceization interface Ntsctsf. The CHF network element may interact with other network function network elements via a servitization interface Nchf. The NEF network elements and other network function network elements can interact through a service interface Nnef. The PCF network element may interact with other network function network elements via a servitization interface Npcf. Interactions between the UDM network element and other network function network elements may be through the servitization interface Nudm. The AF network element and other network function network elements can interact through a service interface Naf. Interaction between the AMF network element and other network function network elements may be performed through the servitization interface Namf. Interaction between the SMF network element and other network function network elements may be performed through the servitization interface Nsmf.

In order to clearly describe the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish the same item or similar items having substantially the same function and effect. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the words "first," "second," and the like do not limit the amount and order of execution, and that the words "first," "second," and the like do not necessarily differ. "and/or", describes an association relationship of an association object, and indicates that there may be three relationships, for example, a and/or B, and may indicate: a exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. The character "/" generally indicates that the context-dependent object is an "or" relationship.

First, a related charging manner according to the present application will be described.

1. Charging mode for charging based on application function granularity

The main idea of the scheme is as follows: enabling an industry client and an operator to sign a clock synchronization service protocol and subscribe to the clock synchronization service; after an industry client and an operator sign a clock synchronization service protocol, the operator distributes an industry client identifier for the industry client; and in the validity period of the clock synchronization service protocol, when the communication system network receives the clock synchronization request with the industry client identifier, the communication system network accepts the clock synchronization request and selects corresponding clock synchronization equipment to perform clock synchronization service on a target object in the industry client identifier.

For example, taking a public network deployment architecture in a smart grid as an example, an operator can sign a clock synchronization service protocol with a power industry client, and the power industry client subscribes one or more of clock synchronization services of high precision time service, high stability time service, clock synchronization state notification, different amount-level time service object equipment numbers, different time service duration or times and the like to the operator for payment based on clock synchronization of a service area. The operator distributes industry customer identifications to power industry customers subscribed to the clock synchronization service. And in the validity period of the clock synchronization service protocol, when the communication system network (such as a 5G network) receives the clock synchronization request with the industry client identifier, the communication system network accepts the clock synchronization request and selects proper clock synchronization equipment to provide clock synchronization service for a target object corresponding to the industry client identifier.

In the application, the generation of the clock synchronization bill can be performed by combining the actual clock synchronization service condition (clock synchronization statistical information) and the subscribed clock synchronization service (clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element).

The scheme operators need to correspondingly improve the time service precision, the time keeping capability, the subscription terms and the like of the base station.

2. Charging mode for charging based on duration

The main idea of the scheme is as follows: when the charging mode of the clock synchronization service is a time-based charging mode, in the process that the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element instructs the clock synchronization equipment to perform the clock synchronization service, counting the information of the clock synchronization time length and reporting the related information of the time service time length (such as duration time length, time service precision and the like); the charging function generates a clock synchronization bill based on the reported related information of the clock synchronization time length.

In the application, the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element can determine the charging scheme of the clock synchronization service based on the clock synchronization service information (the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment and the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment).

The scheme operators need to correspondingly improve the time service precision, the time keeping capability and the like of the base station.

3. Charging mode for charging based on event

The main idea of the scheme is as follows: when the charging mode of the clock synchronization service is an event-based charging mode, in the process that the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element indicates the clock synchronization equipment to perform the clock synchronization service, counting the information of the clock synchronization event and reporting the related information (such as time service times, time service precision, time service coverage range and the like) of the clock synchronization event; the charging function generates a clock synchronization bill based on the reported information about the clock synchronization event.

At present, the time service method of the base station to the terminal equipment is that after synchronizing the clock information of the base station with the main clock information in the communication system, the base station sends time information to all the terminal equipment in the coverage area through system information (system information block, SIB) 9 in the broadcast message. It can be seen that only a single timing precision is supported in the broadcast timing area, the timing reliability of the whole communication system depends on the reliability of a single clock source (master clock), and the clock service elasticity of the communication system is poor.

Aiming at the problem of poor clock service elasticity of a communication system, the base station is correspondingly improved in aspects of time service precision, timekeeping capability, subscription clause and the like. But the improvement of time service precision needs to consume air interface resources to perform signaling interaction; the improvement of the timekeeping capability requires the base station to install an atomic clock, so that the hardware cost is increased; in addition, the subscription terms of the terminal device also need to be newly added with time service permission instructions, for example, the time service precision of subscription is additionally included.

Therefore, the time service of the base station to the terminal device is no longer a free network service, and how to charge for the clock synchronization service is a problem to be solved urgently.

The application provides a charging method of clock synchronization service, wherein a core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for terminal equipment; the core network element sends a clock synchronization activation message, wherein the clock synchronization activation message comprises first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating that statistics information is needed for the clock synchronization service under a charging mode.

Therefore, the charging method of the clock synchronization service provided by the application can determine the charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment and determine the information of the clock synchronization service to be counted under the charging mode, so that the clock synchronization service is charged based on the charging mode and the counted information, and the flexibility and the rationality of the charging of the clock synchronization service are improved.

Embodiments of the present application are further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The application provides a charging method 100 for clock synchronization service. In the method 100 for charging clock synchronization service, a core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to providing clock synchronization service to a terminal device, sends a clock synchronization activation message, receives clock synchronization service statistics information, and sends the clock synchronization service statistics information to a charging function network element. It can be seen that the method 100 for charging clock synchronization service can determine a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device, determine information of statistics of the clock synchronization service under the charging mode, and receive and report the clock synchronization statistics information to the charging function network element, so that the charging function network element charges the clock synchronization service based on the charging mode and the statistics information, and flexibility and rationality of charging the clock synchronization service are improved.

The application provides a charging method 200 for clock synchronization service. Compared with the method 100 for charging the clock synchronization service, the method 200 for charging the clock synchronization service not only reports the clock synchronization statistical information, but also reports the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element.

The application provides a charging method 300 for clock synchronization service. Compared with the method 100 for charging the clock synchronization service, the method 300 for charging the clock synchronization service has the core network element being an access and mobility management function network element.

1. Charging method 100 for clock synchronization service

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is a flow chart of a method 100 for charging a clock synchronization service according to an embodiment of the present application, where the charging mode is a duration-based charging mode or an event-based charging mode. As shown in fig. 2, the charging method 100 for the clock synchronization service includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

S101, a core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to clock synchronization service provided for terminal equipment.

S102, the core network element sends a clock synchronization activation message.

The clock synchronization activation message comprises first indication information and second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating information that statistics is needed for the clock synchronization service in a charging mode.

In the embodiment of the application, the charging mode is a time length-based charging mode or an event-based charging mode, and the time service mode is clock synchronization of the access layer, so that the object of sending the clock synchronization activation message by the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element is a strategy control function network element.

S103, the strategy control function network element receives a clock synchronization activation message from the core network element.

S104, the strategy control function network element performs access and mobile management strategy updating based on the clock synchronization activation message.

S105, the strategy control function network element sends the updated indication information of the access and mobile management policies to the access and mobile management function network element.

The updated indication message of the mobile and management policy includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating that statistics information is needed for the clock synchronization service in a charging mode.

S106, the access and mobile management function network element receives the updated indication message of the mobile and management policy from the policy control function network element.

S107, the access and mobile management function network element sends a context modification request message of the terminal equipment to the access network equipment.

The context modification request message of the terminal equipment comprises first indication information and second indication information, wherein the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating that statistics information is needed for the clock synchronization service in a charging mode.

S108, the access network equipment receives the context modification request message from the terminal equipment of the access and mobile management function network element.

S109, the access network device sends a context modification response message of the terminal device to the access and mobile management function network element.

The context modification response message of the terminal device is used for confirming that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal device and counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information.

S110, the access network equipment sends time information to the terminal equipment.

S111, the access network equipment counts the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information.

S112, the access network equipment sends clock synchronization statistical information to the access and mobile management function network element.

S113, the access and mobile management function network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the access network equipment.

S114, the access and mobile management function network element sends clock synchronization statistical information to the core network element.

S115, the core network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the access and mobile management function network element.

S116, the core network element sends clock synchronization statistical information to the charging service function network element.

S117, the charging service function network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the core network element.

S118, the charging service function network element generates a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information.

When the charging mode is a time-based charging mode, the clock synchronization statistical information comprises the duration of the clock synchronization service and the identifier of the terminal equipment, or at least one of time service precision and time service mode of the clock synchronization service; or when the charging mode is an event-based charging mode, the clock synchronization statistical information comprises the times of clock synchronization service and the identification of the terminal equipment, or at least one of time service precision and time service mode of the clock synchronization service; or when the charging mode is based on the granularity of the application function, the clock synchronization statistical information comprises the identification of the network element of the application function, or further comprises at least one of time service precision, time service times, duration and time service modes of the clock synchronization service.

It can be seen that the method 100 for charging clock synchronization service can determine a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device, determine information of counting the clock synchronization service in the charging mode, and receive and report the clock synchronization statistics information, so that the charging function network element charges the clock synchronization service based on the charging mode and the counted information, and flexibility and rationality of charging the clock synchronization service are improved.

Some alternative embodiments of the method 100 for charging for a clock synchronization service are set forth below.

In an optional implementation manner, before the core network element determines a charging manner corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device, the method may further include: the core network element receives a clock synchronization request message from the application function network element, wherein the clock synchronization request message comprises an identifier of the terminal equipment and clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment.

The clock synchronization request message is received from the application function network element by the core network element through the network opening function network element; the network open function network element is used for authenticating the clock synchronization request message.

Correspondingly, the clock synchronization request message is sent from the application function network element to the core network element through the network open function network element, namely, the application function network element sends the clock synchronization request message to the network open function network element; the network element of the network opening function receives the clock synchronization request message from the network element of the application function, and authenticates the clock synchronization request message; the network element of the network opening function sends a clock synchronization request message to the network element of the core network.

In an optional implementation manner, the determination of the charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device by the core network element may be: and the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment and/or the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment. The clock synchronization service information comprises at least one of time service precision, duration, time service times, time service coverage range and time service mode of the clock synchronization service.

That is, the core network element determines the charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device in the following three modes:

The first mode, the clock synchronization request message received by the core network element includes clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device, and the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device according to the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device. The clock synchronization service information comprises at least one of time service precision, duration, time service times and time service coverage of the clock synchronization service.

For example, taking a rate corresponding to the time service precision level as an example, in the manner, the charging manner is determined by:

In case 1, when the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device includes multiple items of time service precision, duration, time service times and time service coverage of the clock synchronization service, the determining of the charging mode may be:

1) When the priority of time service precision is higher than the time service times, time service coverage range and duration, or the priority of time service precision is higher than the time service times, time service coverage range and duration, and the value of the time service precision is more than or equal to the threshold value, selecting a charging mode to be an event-based charging mode.

Alternatively, event-based billing may be: and multiplying the time service times according to the rate of single time service corresponding to the time service precision grade (for example, the rate of single time service with the time service precision grade of A is B).

2) When the priority of time service times is higher than time service precision, time service coverage range and duration, or the priority of time service times is higher than time service precision, time service coverage range and duration, and the value of time service precision is more than or equal to the threshold value, selecting a charging mode as an event-based charging mode.

Alternatively, event-based billing may be: according to the time service times multiplied by the rate of single time service, the rate of single time service can be corresponding to the time service precision grade (for example, different rates corresponding to different time service precision grades), or can be a fixed value.

3) When the priority of the duration is higher than the time service times, the time service coverage range and the time service precision, or the priority of the duration is higher than the time service times, the time service coverage range and the duration, and the value of the duration is greater than or equal to the threshold value, selecting the charging mode as the charging mode based on the duration.

Alternatively, the duration-based charging may be: the charging is carried out according to the charging rule of the duration time of the clock synchronization service, for example, the charging rule can charge for 24 hours or less than 24 hours under the time service precision of different levels.

4) When the priority of the time service coverage area is higher than the time service times, the time service precision and the time service precision section, or the priority of the time service coverage area is higher than the time service times, the time service coverage area and the time service precision, and the value of the time service coverage area is more than or equal to the threshold value, selecting a charging mode to be an event-based charging mode.

5) When the priority of time service precision is higher than the time service times, time service coverage range and duration, but the value of time service precision is lower than the threshold value, the priority of the time service times, the time service coverage range and the duration are considered to be respectively corresponding to the threshold values.

If the value of the time service coverage range is more than or equal to the threshold value and the priority is higher than the time service times and the duration, selecting a charging mode to be an event-based charging mode; or alternatively

If the value of the duration meets the threshold value and the priority is higher than the time service times and the time service coverage range, selecting a charging mode to be a charging mode based on duration; or alternatively

If the time service times value is greater than or equal to the threshold value and the priority is higher than the duration and the time service coverage, selecting a charging mode to be an event-based charging mode.

6) When the priority of the time service times is higher than the time service precision, the time service coverage range and the duration, but the value of the time service times is lower than the threshold value, the priority of the time service precision, the time service coverage range and the duration and the threshold value corresponding to the time service precision, the time service coverage range and the duration are considered.

If the value of the time service coverage range meets the threshold value and the priority is higher than the time service precision and the duration, selecting a charging mode to be an event-based charging mode; or alternatively

If the value of the duration meets the threshold value and the priority is higher than the time service precision and the time service coverage range, selecting a charging mode to be a charging mode based on duration; or alternatively

If the time service precision value is greater than or equal to the threshold value and the priority is higher than the duration and the time service coverage, selecting a charging mode to be an event-based charging mode.

7) When the priority of the time service coverage area is higher than the time service times, the time service coverage area and the duration, but the value of the time service coverage area is lower than the threshold value, the priority of the time service times, the time service precision and the duration and the threshold value respectively corresponding to the time service times, the time service precision and the duration are considered.

If the time service precision value is greater than or equal to the threshold value and the priority is higher than the time service times and the duration, selecting a charging mode to be an event-based charging mode; or alternatively

If the value of the duration corresponding to the duration meets the threshold value and the priority is higher than the time service times and the time service precision, selecting a charging mode to be a charging mode based on the duration; or alternatively

If the time service times value is greater than or equal to the threshold value and the priority is higher than the time service precision and the duration, selecting a charging mode to be an event-based charging mode.

8) When the priority of the duration is higher than the time service times, the time service coverage range and the time service precision, but the value of the duration is lower than the threshold value, the priority of the time service times, the time service coverage range and the time service precision and the threshold value corresponding to the time service times, the time service coverage range and the time service precision are considered.

If the value of the time service coverage range meets the threshold value and the priority is higher than the time service times and the time service precision, selecting a charging mode to be an event-based charging mode; or alternatively

If the time service precision value is greater than or equal to the threshold value and the priority is higher than the time service times and the time service coverage range, selecting a charging mode to be an event-based charging mode; or alternatively

If the time service frequency value is greater than or equal to the threshold value and the priority is higher than the time service precision and the time service coverage range, selecting a charging mode to be an event-based charging mode.

In case 2, the clock synchronization service information includes one of time service precision, duration, time service times and time service coverage of the clock synchronization service, and when the time service mode is clock synchronization of the access layer, the determining of the charging mode may be:

1) The clock synchronization service information is the time service precision of the clock synchronization service, and the selected charging mode is an event-based charging mode.

2) The clock synchronization service information is the time service times of the clock synchronization service, and the selected charging mode is an event-based charging mode.

3) The clock synchronization service information is the time service coverage of the clock synchronization service, and the selected charging mode is an event-based charging mode.

4) The clock synchronization service information is the duration of the clock synchronization service, and the selected charging mode is a charging mode based on the duration.

In the second mode, the clock synchronization request message received by the core network element does not include clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment, the core network element acquires clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment from the unified data management network element, and the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment.

The clock synchronization service information comprises at least one of time service precision, duration, time service times and time service coverage of the clock synchronization service.

The process of the core network element obtaining clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal device from the unified data management network element may be:

The core network element sends a clock subscription data request message to the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data request message comprises the identification of the terminal equipment and a request for acquiring the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment;

The unified data management network element receives a clock subscription data request message from the core network element;

the unified data management network element responds to the clock signing data request message;

the unified data management network element sends a clock signing data response message to the core network element;

The core network element receives a clock subscription data response message from the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data response message comprises clock subscription data of the terminal equipment, and the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment comprises clock synchronization service information subscribed by the terminal equipment.

Optionally, the determined relevant content of the charging mode may be referred to the relevant description in the first mode.

The third mode includes that the clock synchronization request message received by the core network element includes clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device, and meanwhile, the core network element also obtains clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal device from the unified data management network element, and the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device according to the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device and the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal device. The clock synchronization service information comprises at least one of time service precision, duration, time service times, time service coverage range and time service mode of the clock synchronization service.

In this manner, the process of determining the charging manner may be:

The core network element determines final clock synchronization service information provided for the terminal equipment according to the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment and the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment; the final clock synchronization service information comprises at least one of time service precision, duration, time service times, time service coverage range and time service mode of the clock synchronization service;

and the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to the final clock synchronization service information provided for the terminal equipment.

Optionally, the core network element determines to provide the clock synchronization service to the terminal device according to the final clock synchronization service information provided to the terminal device, which is described in the above-mentioned first mode.

In this embodiment, the final clock synchronization service information is determined by:

In case 1, when the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device and the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal device have no repeated parameters (such as time service precision, time service coverage range, duration time and the like), the final clock synchronization service information is the union of the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device and the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal device.

If the parameters included in the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device are time service coverage, and the parameters included in the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal device are time service precision, the parameters included in the final clock synchronization service information are time service coverage and time service precision.

In case 2, when the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device and the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal device have repeated parameters, the final clock synchronization service information is:

the core network element determines final parameters (such as time service precision, time service coverage range, duration time and the like) of repeated parameters in clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment and clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment according to preset rules;

the core network element replaces repeated parameters in the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment and the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment with final parameters;

the core network element takes the union of the clock synchronization service information requested by the replaced terminal equipment and the clock synchronization service information signed by the replaced terminal equipment as final clock synchronization service information.

Taking time service precision, time service coverage range and duration as examples, the final parameters are introduced.

The time service precision is determined in the following manner: the time sensitive communication and time synchronization functional network element selects the time service precision with higher time service precision as the final time service precision compared with the time service precision corresponding to the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment and the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment. For example, the time service precision in the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device is 1 micro, the time service precision in the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal device is 300 nanoseconds, and the time service precision is selected as the final time service precision by the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element to be 300 nanoseconds.

The time service coverage range is determined in the following manner: the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element compares the corresponding time service coverage of the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment and the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment, and selects the union of the specific time service requirement in the clock synchronization service and the corresponding time service coverage of the clock signing as the final time service coverage. If the coverage area in the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device is a point a, a point B, and a point C, and the coverage area in the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the terminal device is a point a, a point B, a point C, a point D, and a point H, then the time sensitive communication and time synchronization functional network element selects the point a, the point B, the point C, the point D, and the point H as the final time service coverage area.

The duration is determined in the following manner: and the time sensitive communication and time synchronization functional network element compares the duration corresponding to each of the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment and the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment, and selects the union of the specific time service requirement in the clock synchronization service and the duration corresponding to each of the clock signing as the final duration. If the duration in the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device is 8 to 10 am, and the duration in the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the terminal device is 7 to 11 am, then the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element selects 7 to 11 am as the final duration.

In this embodiment, the final clock synchronization service information is determined when the core network element responds to the clock synchronization request message.

In an optional implementation manner, after the core network element receives the clock subscription data response message from the unified data management network element, the method may further include: the core network element judges whether to respond to the clock synchronization request message from the application function network element according to the clock subscription data of the terminal device, wherein the clock subscription data of the terminal device comprises a condition for allowing to respond to the clock synchronization request message, and the clock synchronization request message comprises the identification of the application function network element and clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device; if the clock synchronization request message meets the condition of allowing response to the clock synchronization request message, the core network element responds to the clock synchronization request message.

The condition allowing the response to the clock synchronization request message comprises an application function network element catalog, and/or the condition allowing the response to the clock synchronization request message comprises one or more of a time service precision range, a time service coverage range, a time service frequency range and a duration time interval.

Illustratively, the condition for allowing the response to the clock synchronization request message includes an application function network element directory in which an identification of an application function network element included in the clock synchronization request message is, and the core network element responds to the clock synchronization request message. For example, the application function network element directory includes an application function network element 1 and an application function network element 2, and when the identifier of the application function network element included in the clock synchronization request message is the application function network element 1 or the application function network element 2, the core network element responds to the clock synchronization request message.

The conditions for allowing the response to the clock synchronization request message include one or more of a time service precision range, a time service coverage range, a time service frequency range and a duration time interval, when parameters (such as time service precision, time service coverage range, time service frequency and duration time) in the conditions for allowing the response to the clock synchronization request message are not included in clock synchronization service information (i.e. clock synchronization service information requested by the application function network element) requested by the terminal equipment included in the clock synchronization request message, or parameters in the conditions for allowing the response to the clock synchronization request message are included in clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment included in the clock synchronization request message, and when the parameters are within the conditions, the core network element responds to the clock synchronization request message.

When parameters (corresponding parameters) in conditions allowing response to the clock synchronization request message exist in clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment included in the clock synchronization request message, the core network element judges whether the response to the clock synchronization request message is as follows:

The corresponding parameters in the case 1 comprise a plurality of time service precision, time service coverage, time service times and duration.

The core network element responds to the clock synchronization request message only if the corresponding parameters in the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device are within the conditions that allow the response to the clock synchronization request message.

For example, the corresponding parameters are time service precision and time service coverage, the time service precision range in the condition of allowing response to the clock synchronization request message is within X nanoseconds, the time service coverage is zone A, the time service precision in the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment is F nanoseconds, and the time service coverage is zone B. When the value of F is less than or equal to the value of X and the B area is contained in the A area, the core network element responds to the clock synchronization request message; in other cases, the core network element will not respond to the clock synchronization request message.

And 2, the corresponding parameters comprise one of time service precision, time service coverage range, time service times and duration.

The core network element responds to the clock synchronization request message within the condition that the corresponding parameter in the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device is allowed to respond to the clock synchronization request message.

If the corresponding parameter is time service precision, the time service precision range in the condition of allowing the response of the clock synchronization request message is within 100 nanoseconds, the time service precision included in the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment is 50 nanoseconds, obviously 50 nanoseconds are within 100 nanoseconds, and at this time, the core network element responds to the clock synchronization request message. For another example, the time service coverage area in the condition of allowing to respond to the clock synchronization request message is the area a, the time service coverage area included in the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device is the area B in the area a, and the area B is included in the area a, so that the core network element responds to the clock synchronization request message.

In an alternative embodiment, after the core network element sends the clock synchronization activation message, the method may further include: the core network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the access network equipment, wherein the clock synchronization statistical information is obtained by counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information; the core network element reports the clock synchronization statistical information to the charging function network element.

In another optional implementation manner, when the clock synchronization request message further includes clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element, the method may further be: the core network element reports the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element to the charging function network element.

When the charging mode is a time-based charging mode, the clock synchronization statistical information comprises the duration of the clock synchronization service or at least one of time service precision and time service mode of the clock synchronization service; or when the charging mode is an event-based charging mode, the clock synchronization statistical information comprises time service times of the clock synchronization service, or at least one of time service precision and time service mode of the clock synchronization service; or when the charging mode is based on the granularity of the application function, the clock synchronization statistical information comprises the identification of the network element of the application function, or further comprises at least one of time service precision, time service times, duration and time service modes of the clock synchronization service.

Optionally, the access and mobility management function network element may also perform statistics on the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information; the access and mobility management function network element sends clock synchronization statistics to the core network element. Correspondingly, the access network equipment can not count the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information any more, and clock synchronization statistical information is obtained; and clock synchronization statistical information is not sent to the core network element any more. I.e. in the implementation of the application, the access network device will not execute step S111 and step S112 any more.

For example, the process of counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information by the access and mobility management function network element to obtain the clock synchronization statistical information and sending the clock synchronization statistical information to the core network element may be (i.e., steps S107 to S114 in the embodiment of the present application may be):

The access and mobility management function network element sends a context modification request message of the terminal device to the access network device, wherein the context modification request message of the terminal device comprises first indication information and clock synchronization service start time, and the first indication information is used for indicating to provide clock synchronization service for the terminal device.

The access network device receives a context modification request message from a terminal device of an access and mobility management function network element.

The access network device sends a context modification response message of the terminal device to the access and mobility management function network element, wherein the context modification response message of the terminal device is used for confirming that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal device.

The access network device sends the time information to the terminal device.

The access network device receives a clock synchronization service stop message from the access and mobility management function network element, the clock service stop message comprising a stop time of the clock service.

And the access and mobile management functional network element counts the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information.

The access and mobility management function network element sends clock synchronization statistics to the core network element.

In this embodiment, the access and mobility management function network element needs to send two messages to the access network device, and carries the start time of the clock synchronization service when the first message is sent; and when the clock synchronization service is transmitted for the second time, the clock synchronization service is carried out. Thus, the access and mobility management function network element can count the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information, obtain clock synchronization statistical information, and send the clock synchronization statistical information to the core network element.

For example, taking a core network element as a time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element, an application function network element sends a clock synchronization request message to a charging function network element to generate a clock synchronization bill, and a specific scheme may be referred to fig. 3, and fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a clock synchronization service bill generation scheme 100 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 3, the clock synchronization service bill generation scheme 100 is: the application function network element sends a clock synchronization request message to the network opening function network element, wherein the clock synchronization request message comprises the identification of the terminal equipment and clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment; the network element of the network open function receives the clock synchronization request message and authenticates the clock synchronization request message; the network opening function network element sends a clock synchronization request message to the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element receives a clock synchronization request message from the network opening function network element, and sends a clock subscription data request message to the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data request message comprises the identification of the terminal equipment and a request for acquiring the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment; the unified data management network element receives a clock subscription data request message from the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element, and sends a clock subscription data response message to the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element, wherein the clock subscription data response message comprises clock subscription data of the terminal equipment, and the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment comprises clock synchronization service information subscribed by the terminal equipment; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element receives a clock signing data response message from the unified data management network element; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element judges whether to respond to the clock synchronization request message from the application function network element according to the clock subscription data of the terminal device, wherein the clock subscription data of the terminal device comprises conditions for allowing to respond to the clock synchronization request message, the clock synchronization request message comprises an identification of the application function network element and clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device, the conditions for allowing to respond to the clock synchronization request message comprise an application function network element catalog, and/or the conditions for allowing to respond to the clock synchronization request message comprise one or more of a time service precision range, a time service coverage range, a time service frequency range and a duration time interval; if the clock synchronization request message meets the condition of allowing the response to the clock synchronization request message, the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element responds to the clock synchronization request message; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment and the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element sends a clock synchronization activation message to the strategy control function network element, wherein the clock synchronization activation message comprises first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating information which needs to count the clock synchronization service in a charging mode; the strategy control function network element receives clock synchronization activation information from the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element, and updates the access and mobile management policies based on the clock synchronization activation information; the policy control function network element sends an updated indication message of the access and mobile management policy to the access and mobile management function network element, wherein the updated indication message of the access and mobile management policy comprises first indication information and second indication information; the access and mobile management function network element receives the updated indication message of the access and mobile management policy from the policy control function network element; the method comprises the steps that an access and mobile management function network element sends a context modification request message of terminal equipment to access network equipment, wherein the context modification request message of the terminal equipment comprises first indication information and second indication information; the access network equipment receives a context modification request message from the terminal equipment of the access and mobile management function network element; the access network device sends a context modification response message of the terminal device to the access and mobile management function network element, wherein the context modification response message of the terminal device is used for confirming that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal device and counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information; the access network equipment sends time information to the terminal equipment; the access network equipment counts the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information of the clock synchronization service; the access network equipment sends clock synchronization statistical information to the access and mobile management function network element; the access and mobile management function network element receives the clock synchronization statistical information from the access network equipment; the access and mobile management function network element sends clock synchronization statistical information to the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the access and mobile management function network element; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element sends clock synchronization statistical information to the charging service function network element, wherein the clock synchronization statistical information comprises the identification of the terminal equipment; the charging service function network element receives the clock synchronization statistical information from the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element and generates a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information.

Referring to fig. 3, a dotted line box shown in fig. 3 is a point of distinction from the charging method 100 of the clock synchronization service shown in fig. 2. Described in the dashed box is the application function network element sending a clock synchronization request message to the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element in response to the content of the clock synchronization request message.

It can be seen that in this example, not only the clock synchronization service can be performed, but also the clock synchronization service can be charged based on different charging modes.

2. Charging method 200 for clock synchronization service

Referring to fig. 4, fig. 4 is a flow chart of a method 200 for charging clock synchronization service according to an embodiment of the present application, where the charging mode is a charging mode based on granularity of an application function. As shown in fig. 4, the charging method 200 of the clock synchronization service includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

S201, a core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to clock synchronization service provided for terminal equipment.

S202, the core network element sends a clock synchronization activation message.

S203, the strategy control function network element receives a clock synchronization activation message from the core network element.

S204, the strategy control function network element performs access and mobile management strategy updating based on the clock synchronization activation message.

S205, the strategy control function network element sends the updated indication information of the access and mobile management policies to the access and mobile management function network element.

S206, the access and mobile management function network element receives the updated indication message of the mobile and management policy from the policy control function network element.

S207, the access and mobile management function network element sends a context modification request message of the terminal equipment to the access network equipment.

S208, the access network equipment receives the context modification request message from the terminal equipment of the access and mobile management function network element.

S209, the access network device sends a context modification response message of the terminal device to the access and mobile management function network element.

S210, the access network equipment sends time information to the terminal equipment.

S211, the access network equipment counts the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information.

S212, the access network equipment sends clock synchronization statistical information to the access and mobile management function network element.

S213, the access and mobile management function network element receives the clock synchronization statistical information from the access network device.

S214, the access and mobile management function network element sends clock synchronization statistical information to the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element.

S215, the core network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the access and mobile management function network element.

S216, the core network element sends clock synchronization statistical information and clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element to the charging service function network element.

The information of the clock synchronization service subscribed by the application function network element is the clock synchronization service subscribed by the operator in advance, namely the subscribed clock synchronization service is already charged.

S217, the charging service function network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the core network element and clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element.

S218, the charging service function network element generates a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information and the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element.

Alternatively, the clock synchronization statistics may contradict the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element. If the time service coverage in the clock synchronization statistical information exceeds the time service coverage in the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element, the position of the terminal equipment in the time service process exceeds the time service coverage in the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element.

It can be seen that the method 200 for charging clock synchronization service can determine a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device, determine information of statistics on the clock synchronization service under the charging mode, and report the clock synchronization statistics information and the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element, so that the charging function network element charges the clock synchronization service based on the charging mode, the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element and the statistics information, and flexibility and rationality of charging the clock synchronization service are improved.

Some alternative embodiments of the method 200 for charging for a clock synchronization service are set forth below.

In an optional implementation manner, before the core network element determines a charging manner corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device, the method may further include: the core network element receives a clock synchronization request message from the application function network element, wherein the clock synchronization request message comprises an identification of the application function network element, an identification of the terminal equipment, clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element and clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment.

The clock synchronization request message is received from the application function network element by the core network element through the network opening function network element; the network open function network element obtains clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element based on the identification of the application function network element, adds the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element into a clock synchronization request message, and sends the clock synchronization request message added with the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element to the core network element.

Alternatively, reference may be made to the relevant description of the charging method 100 for a clock synchronization service.

Optionally, the access and mobility management function network element may also perform statistics on the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information; the access and mobility management function network element sends clock synchronization statistics to the core network element. Correspondingly, the access network equipment can not count the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information any more, and clock synchronization statistical information is obtained; and clock synchronization statistical information is not sent to the core network element any more.

For the content of this embodiment, reference may be made to the relevant description in the charging method 100 for the clock synchronization service.

For example, taking a core network element as a time sensitive communication and time synchronization functional network element, an application functional network element sends a clock synchronization request message to a charging functional network element to generate a clock synchronization bill, where the clock synchronization request message includes clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application functional network element, and a specific scheme may be referred to fig. 5, and fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a clock synchronization service bill generation scheme 200 provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 5, the clock synchronization service bill generation scheme 200 is: the method comprises the steps that an application function network element sends a clock synchronization request message to a network opening function network element, wherein the clock synchronization request message comprises an identification of the application function network element, an identification of terminal equipment and clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment; the network element of the network opening function receives the clock synchronization request message; the network open function network element acquires the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element, and adds the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element into a clock synchronization request message; the network opening function network element sends a clock synchronization request message to the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element, wherein the clock synchronization request message comprises clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element, an identification of the terminal equipment and the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element receives a clock synchronization request message from the network opening function network element, and sends a clock subscription data request message to the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data request message comprises the identification of the terminal equipment and a request for acquiring the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment; the unified data management network element receives a clock subscription data request message from the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element, and sends a clock subscription data response message to the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element, wherein the clock subscription data response message comprises clock subscription data of the terminal equipment, and the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment comprises clock synchronization service information subscribed by the terminal equipment; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element receives a clock signing data response message from the unified data management network element; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element judges whether to respond to the clock synchronization request message from the application function network element according to the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment, wherein the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment comprises a condition for allowing to respond to the clock synchronization request message, the clock synchronization request message comprises an identification of the application function network element and clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment, the condition for judging whether to respond to the clock synchronization request message comprises an application function network element catalog, and/or the condition for allowing to respond to the clock synchronization request message comprises one or more of a time service precision range, a time service coverage range, a time service frequency range and a duration interval; if the clock synchronization request message meets the condition of allowing the response to the clock synchronization request message, the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element responds to the clock synchronization request message; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to the clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment and the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element sends a clock synchronization activation message to the strategy control function network element, wherein the clock synchronization activation message comprises first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating information which needs to count the clock synchronization service in a charging mode; the strategy control function network element receives clock synchronization activation information from the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element, and updates the access and mobile management policies based on the clock synchronization activation information; the policy control function network element sends an updated indication message of the access and mobile management policy to the access and mobile management function network element, wherein the updated indication message of the access and mobile management policy comprises first indication information and second indication information; the access and mobile management function network element receives updated access and mobile management policies from the policy control function network element; the method comprises the steps that an access and mobile management function network element sends a context modification request message of terminal equipment to access network equipment, wherein the context modification request message of the terminal equipment comprises first indication information and second indication information; the access network equipment receives a context modification request message from the terminal equipment of the access and mobile management function network element; the access network device sends a context modification response message of the terminal device to the access and mobile management function network element, wherein the context modification response message of the terminal device is used for confirming that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal device and counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information; the access network equipment sends time information to the terminal equipment; the access network equipment counts the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information of the clock synchronization service; the access network equipment sends clock synchronization statistical information to the access and mobile management function network element; the access and mobile management function network element receives the clock synchronization statistical information from the access network equipment; the access and mobile management function network element sends clock synchronization statistical information to the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the access and mobile management function network element; the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element sends clock synchronization statistical information and clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element to the charging service function network element, wherein the clock synchronization statistical information comprises the identification of the terminal equipment; the charging service function network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element and clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element, and generates a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information and the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element.

Referring to fig. 5, a dotted line box shown in fig. 5 is a point of distinction from the charging method 200 of the clock synchronization service shown in fig. 4. Described in the dashed box is the application function network element sending a clock synchronization request message to the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element in response to the content of the clock synchronization request message.

3. Charging method 300 for clock synchronization service

Referring to fig. 6, fig. 6 is a flowchart of a charging method 300 for a clock synchronization service according to an embodiment of the application. As shown in fig. 6, the method 300 for charging for clock synchronization services includes, but is not limited to, the following steps:

S301, the network element of the access and mobile management function determines a charging mode corresponding to clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment.

In the embodiment of the application, the core network element is an access and mobile management function network element.

S302, the access and mobile management function network element sends a clock synchronization activation message to the access network equipment.

S303, the access network equipment receives a clock synchronization activation message from the access and mobile management function network element.

S304, the access network equipment sends a clock synchronous activation response message to the access and mobile management function network element.

The clock synchronization activation response message is used for confirming that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment and counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information.

S305, the access network equipment sends time information to the terminal equipment.

S306, the access network equipment counts the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information.

S307, the access network device sends clock synchronization statistical information to the access and mobile management function network element.

S308, the access and mobile management function network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the access network equipment.

S309, the access and mobile management function network element sends clock synchronization statistical information to the charging function network element.

S310, the charging function network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the access and mobile management function network element.

S311, the charging function network element generates a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information.

Therefore, the method 300 for charging clock synchronization service can determine the charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal device, determine the information of the clock synchronization service to be counted under the charging mode, and count and report the clock synchronization statistical information to the charging function network element, so that the charging function network element charges the clock synchronization service based on the charging mode and the counted information, and the flexibility and the rationality of charging the clock synchronization service are improved.

Some alternative embodiments of the method 300 for billing for a clock synchronization service are set forth below.

In an optional implementation manner, the determining, by the access and mobility management function network element, a charging manner corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device may be: the access and mobile management function network element determines a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to the clock subscription data in the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment; the clock subscription data in the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment comprises clock synchronous service information registered by the terminal equipment; the clock synchronization service information comprises at least one of time service precision, duration, time service times, time service coverage range, time service mode and charging mode of the clock synchronization service.

Optionally, the access and mobility management function network element determines, according to the clock subscription data in the access and mobility data of the terminal device, the relevant content of the charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device, and may refer to the relevant description of the charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device determined by the access and mobility management function network element in the charging method 100 of the clock synchronization service according to the clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device.

Correspondingly, before determining a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal equipment according to the clock subscription data in the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment, the access and mobile management functional network element also needs to acquire the clock subscription data in the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment, and the acquiring process may be as follows:

The access and mobile management function network element sends a clock subscription data request message to the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data request message comprises the identification of the terminal equipment and a request for acquiring clock subscription data of access and mobile data of the terminal equipment;

The unified data management network element receives clock signing data request information from the access and mobile management function network element;

the unified data management network element sends a clock signing data response message to the access and mobile management function network element;

The access and mobile management function network element receives a clock subscription data response message from the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data response message comprises clock subscription data of access and mobile data of the terminal equipment, and the clock subscription data of the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment comprises clock synchronous service information registered by the terminal equipment.

In an alternative embodiment, before the access and mobility management function network element sends the clock subscription data request message to the unified data management network element, the method may further be: the access and mobility management function network element detects that the terminal device is registered based on the communication network. When the access and mobile management function network element detects that the terminal equipment is registered, the access and mobile management function network element can be triggered to carry out a clock synchronization service flow on the terminal equipment.

In an alternative embodiment, after the access and mobility management function network element sends the clock synchronization activation message, the method may further include: the access and mobile management function network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the access network equipment, wherein the clock synchronization statistical information is obtained by counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information; the access and mobile management function network element reports the clock synchronization statistical information to the charging function network element.

Optionally, when the access and mobility management function network element is an access and mobility management function network element, the access and mobility management function network element may also perform statistics on the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information; the access and mobility management function network element sends clock synchronization statistics to the charging function network element. Correspondingly, the access network equipment can not count the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information any more, and clock synchronization statistical information is obtained; the clock synchronization statistics are not sent to the access and mobility management function network element any more.

For the content of this embodiment, reference may be made to the relevant description in the charging method 100 for the clock synchronization service. The difference is that the access and mobility management function network element sends clock synchronization statistics to the charging function network element.

For example, taking the example of triggering the access and mobility management function network element to perform clock synchronization service on the terminal device to the charging function network element to generate the clock synchronization bill, a specific scheme may be referred to fig. 7, and fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a clock synchronization service bill generation scheme 300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 7, the clock synchronization service bill generation scheme 300 is: the terminal equipment registers based on a communication network; the access and mobile management function network element detects that the terminal equipment is registered, and sends a clock subscription data request message to the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data request message comprises the identification of the terminal equipment and a request for acquiring clock subscription data of access and mobile data of the terminal equipment; the unified data management network element receives clock signing data request information from the access and mobile management function network element; the unified data management network element sends a clock subscription data response message to the access and mobile management function network element, wherein the clock subscription data response message comprises clock subscription data of access and mobile data of the terminal equipment, and the clock subscription data of the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment comprises clock synchronous service information registered by the terminal equipment; the network element of the access and mobile management function determines a charging mode corresponding to clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment; the access and mobile management function network element sends a clock synchronization activation message to the access network equipment, wherein the clock synchronization activation message comprises first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating information which needs to count the clock synchronization service in a charging mode; the access network equipment receives a clock synchronization activation message from an access and mobile management function network element; the access network equipment sends a clock synchronization activation response message to the access and mobile management function network element, confirms that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and counts the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information; the access network equipment sends time information to the terminal equipment; the access network equipment counts the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information; the access network equipment sends clock synchronization statistical information to the access and mobile management function network element; the access and mobile management function network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from access network equipment; the access and mobile management function network element sends clock synchronization statistical information to the charging function network element; the charging function network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the access and mobile management function network element; the charging function network element generates a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information.

Corresponding to the method provided by the above method embodiment, the embodiment of the present application further provides a corresponding apparatus, including a module for executing the corresponding module of the above embodiment. The modules may be software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a billing device for clock synchronization service according to the present application. The charging apparatus of the clock synchronization service shown in fig. 8 includes a communication unit 801 and a processing unit 802. The communication unit 801 may include a transmission unit for implementing a transmission function, and a reception unit for implementing a reception function, and the communication unit 801 may implement a transmission function and/or a reception function. The communication unit may also be described as a transceiver unit.

In one embodiment, the charging device for clock synchronization service may implement the operations related to the core network element in the charging method for clock synchronization service. The processing unit 802 is configured to determine a charging manner corresponding to providing a clock synchronization service to the terminal device; the communication unit 801 is configured to send a clock synchronization activation message, where the clock synchronization activation message includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal device, and the second indication information is used to indicate that statistics is required for the clock synchronization service in a charging manner.

A more detailed description of the processing unit 802 and the communication unit 801 may be obtained with reference to the related description in the above method embodiment.

In one embodiment, the charging device for clock synchronization service may implement the related operations of the access network device in the charging method for clock synchronization service. The communication unit 801 is configured to receive a clock synchronization activation message from an access and mobility management function network element, where the clock synchronization activation message includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate that clock synchronization service is provided for a terminal device, and the second indication information is used to indicate information that statistics needs to be performed on the clock synchronization service in a charging manner; the communication unit 801 is further configured to send a clock synchronization activation response message to the access and mobility management function network element, where the clock synchronization activation response message is used to confirm that a clock synchronization service is provided to the terminal device and to count the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information; a communication unit 801, configured to send time information to a terminal device; a processing unit 802, configured to count the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information, and obtain clock synchronization statistics information; the communication unit 801 is further configured to send clock synchronization statistics to a core network element.

In one embodiment, the charging device for clock synchronization service may implement the operations related to the core network element in the charging method for clock synchronization service. Wherein, the communication unit 801 is configured to receive clock synchronization statistics information from a core network element; the clock synchronization statistical information is obtained by counting the clock synchronization services accepted by the terminal equipment based on a charging mode; a processing unit 802, configured to generate a clock synchronization bill of the terminal device based on the clock synchronization statistics information.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to the present application. The communication device shown in fig. 9 comprises at least one processor 901, a memory 902 and optionally a transceiver 903. The specific connection medium between the processor 901 and the memory 902 is not limited in the embodiment of the present application. In fig. 9, the memory 902 and the processor 901 are connected by a bus 904, and the bus 904 is shown by a thick line in the figure, and the connection manner between other components is merely schematically illustrated and not limited thereto. The bus 904 may be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and the like. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is shown in fig. 9, but not only one bus or one type of bus.

The processor 901 may have a data transceiver function and may be capable of communicating with other devices, and in the apparatus shown in fig. 9, a separate data transceiver module, for example, a transceiver 903 may be provided for transceiving data; the processor 901 may communicate with other devices via the transceiver 903 for data transmission.

Specifically, the functions/implementation procedures of the processing module and the transceiver module of fig. 9 may be implemented by the processor 901 in fig. 9 invoking a computer executing instructions stored in the memory 902. Or the functions/implementation of the processing module of fig. 9 may be implemented by the transceiver 903 of fig. 9.

In an alternative embodiment, processor 901 invokes computer-executable instructions stored in memory 902 to cause the communication device to perform: determining a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment; and sending a clock synchronization activation message, wherein the clock synchronization activation message comprises first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating information which needs to count the clock synchronization service in a charging mode.

For more details on the above processor 901 and the memory 902, reference may be made to the related descriptions in the above method embodiments.

In an alternative embodiment, processor 901 invokes computer-executable instructions stored in memory 902 to cause the communication device to perform: receiving a clock synchronization activation message from an access and mobility management function network element, wherein the clock synchronization activation message comprises first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating information that statistics is needed for the clock synchronization service in a charging mode; the method comprises the steps of sending a clock synchronization activation response message to an access and mobile management function network element, wherein the clock synchronization activation response message is used for confirming that clock synchronization service is provided for terminal equipment and counting the clock synchronization service based on second indication information; sending time information to terminal equipment; counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information; and sending the clock synchronization statistical information to a core network element.

In an alternative embodiment, processor 901 invokes computer-executable instructions stored in memory 902 to cause the communication device to perform: receiving clock synchronization statistical information from a core network element; the clock synchronization statistical information is obtained by counting the clock synchronization services accepted by the terminal equipment based on a charging mode; and generating a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information.

The described aspects of the application may be implemented in various ways. For example, these techniques may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware. For a hardware implementation, the processing module for performing these techniques at a communication device (e.g., a base station, terminal, network entity, core network element, or chip) may be implemented in one or more general purpose processors, digital Signal Processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices, application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays (field programmable GATE ARRAY, FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the general purpose processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, or any other similar configuration.

It will be appreciated that the memory in embodiments of the application may be volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable programmable ROM (erasable PROM), an electrically erasable programmable EPROM (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be random access memory (random access memory, RAM) which acts as external cache memory. By way of example, and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (STATIC RAM, SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DYNAMIC RAM, DRAM), synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (double DATA RATE SDRAM, DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ENHANCED SDRAM, ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SYNCHLINK DRAM, SLDRAM), and direct memory bus random access memory (direct rambus RAM, DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory of the systems and methods described herein is intended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

The application also provides a computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions which when executed by a computer perform the functions of any of the method embodiments described above.

The application also provides a computer program product which, when executed by a computer, implements the functions of any of the method embodiments described above.

In the above embodiments, it may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in accordance with embodiments of the present application are produced in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center by a wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (digital subscriber line, DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains an integration of one or more available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., a floppy disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., a high-density digital video disc (digital video disc, DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., a solid-state disk (solid-state drive STATE DISK, SSD)), or the like.

It can be understood that some optional features of the embodiments of the present application may be implemented independently in some scenarios, independent of other features, such as the scheme on which they are currently based, so as to solve corresponding technical problems, achieve corresponding effects, or may be combined with other features according to requirements in some scenarios. Accordingly, the device provided in the embodiment of the present application may also implement these features or functions accordingly, which will not be described herein.

Those of skill in the art will further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks (illustrative logical block) and steps (steps) described in connection with the embodiments of the application may be implemented by electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design requirements of the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in varying ways for the respective application, but such implementation should not be understood to be beyond the scope of the embodiments of the present application.

It is appreciated that reference throughout this specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present application. Thus, various embodiments are not necessarily referring to the same embodiments throughout the specification. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean the order of execution, and the order of execution of the processes should be determined by the functions and internal logic thereof, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

Those skilled in the art will understand that, for convenience and brevity, the specific working process of the system, apparatus and unit described above may refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiment, which is not described herein again.

The same or similar parts may be referred to each other in the various embodiments of the application. In the embodiments of the present application, and the respective implementation/implementation methods in the embodiments, if there is no specific description and logic conflict, terms and/or descriptions between different embodiments, and between the respective implementation/implementation methods in the embodiments, may be consistent and may refer to each other, and technical features in the different embodiments, and the respective implementation/implementation methods in the embodiments, may be combined to form a new embodiment, implementation, or implementation method according to their inherent logic relationship. The embodiments of the present application described above do not limit the scope of the present application.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the present application, and the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art will readily recognize that variations or substitutions are within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for charging for a clock synchronization service, the method comprising:

The core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment;

The core network element sends a clock synchronization activation message, wherein the clock synchronization activation message comprises first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating information that statistics is needed for the clock synchronization service in the charging mode.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein before the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to providing the clock synchronization service to the terminal device, the method further comprises:

the core network element receives a clock synchronization request message from an application function network element, wherein the clock synchronization request message comprises an identifier of the terminal equipment and clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the core network element determining a charging manner corresponding to providing the clock synchronization service to the terminal device comprises:

The core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment and/or clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment;

The clock synchronization service information comprises at least one of time service precision, duration, time service times, time service coverage range and time service mode of the clock synchronization service.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein before the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to providing the clock synchronization service to the terminal device, the method further comprises:

The core network element sends a clock subscription data request message to a unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data request message comprises an identifier of the terminal equipment and a request for acquiring the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment;

5. The method of claim 4, wherein after the core network element receives the clock subscription data response message from the unified data management network element, the method further comprises:

The core network element judges whether to respond to clock synchronization request information from the application function network element according to the clock subscription data of the terminal device, wherein the clock subscription data of the terminal device comprises a condition for allowing to respond to the clock synchronization request information, and the clock synchronization request information comprises an identification of the application function network element and clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal device;

and if the clock synchronization request message meets the condition for allowing the response of the clock synchronization request message, the core network element responds to the clock synchronization request message.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the condition for allowing response to the clock synchronization request message comprises an application function network element directory, and/or wherein the condition for allowing response to the clock synchronization request message comprises one or more of a time service accuracy range, a time service coverage range, a time service number range, and a duration interval.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the core network element is an access and mobility management function network element, and the core network element determines a charging manner corresponding to providing a clock synchronization service to the terminal device, including:

the core network element determines a charging mode corresponding to clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to clock subscription data in the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment; the clock subscription data in the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment comprises clock synchronous service information registered by the terminal equipment; the clock synchronization service information comprises at least one of time service precision, duration, time service times, time service coverage, time service mode and charging mode of the clock synchronization service.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the core network element determines, based on clock subscription data in the terminal device access and mobility data, a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device, the method further comprising:

The core network element sends a clock subscription data request message to a unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data request message comprises an identifier of the terminal equipment and a request for acquiring clock subscription data of access and mobile data of the terminal equipment;

the core network element receives a clock subscription data response message from the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data response message comprises clock subscription data of the terminal equipment access and mobile data, and the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment access and mobile data comprises clock synchronization service information registered by the terminal equipment.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein before the core network element sends the clock subscription data request message to the unified data management network element, the method further comprises:

The core network element detects that the terminal device is registering.

10. The method according to claim 6 or 9, wherein after the core network element sends a clock synchronization activation message, the method further comprises:

The core network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from access network equipment, wherein the clock synchronization statistical information is obtained by counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information;

and the core network element reports the clock synchronization statistical information to a charging function network element.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein when the clock synchronization request message further includes clock synchronization service information subscribed to by an application function network element, the method further comprises:

and the core network element reports the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element to the charging function network element.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining the position of the probe is performed,

When the charging mode is a time-based charging mode, the clock synchronization statistical information comprises the duration of the clock synchronization service or at least one of time service precision and time service mode of the clock synchronization service; or alternatively

When the charging mode is an event-based charging mode, the clock synchronization statistical information comprises time service times of the clock synchronization service or at least one of time service precision and time service mode of the clock synchronization service; or alternatively

When the charging mode is based on the granularity of the application function, the clock synchronization statistical information comprises the identification of the network element of the application function, or further comprises at least one of time service precision, time service times, duration and time service modes of the clock synchronization service.

13. A method for charging for a clock synchronization service, the method comprising:

The method comprises the steps that an access network device receives a clock synchronization activation message from an access and mobile management function network element, wherein the clock synchronization activation message comprises first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating information that statistics is needed for the clock synchronization service in a charging mode;

The access network device sends a clock synchronization activation response message to the access and mobility management function network element, and the clock synchronization activation response message is used for confirming that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal device and counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information;

The access network equipment sends time information to the terminal equipment;

The access network equipment counts the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information;

And the access network equipment sends the clock synchronization statistical information to a core network element.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of determining the position of the probe is performed,

When the charging mode is an event-based charging mode, the clock synchronization statistical information comprises the times of the clock synchronization service or at least one of time service precision and time service mode of the clock synchronization service; or alternatively

15. A method for charging for a clock synchronization service, the method comprising:

The charging function network element receives clock synchronization statistical information from the core network element; the clock synchronization statistical information is obtained by counting the clock synchronization services accepted by the terminal equipment based on a charging mode;

and the charging function network element generates a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein when the clock synchronization request message further includes clock synchronization service information subscribed to by an application function network element, the method further comprises:

the charging function network element receives clock synchronization service information subscribed by an application function network element from the time sensitive communication and time synchronization function network element;

the charging function network element generates a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information, and the charging function network element comprises:

And the charging function network element generates a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information and the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of determining the position of the probe comprises,

18. A billing apparatus for a clock synchronization service, the apparatus comprising:

The processing unit is used for determining a charging mode corresponding to clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment;

the communication unit is used for sending a clock synchronization activation message, wherein the clock synchronization activation message comprises first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating information which needs to count the clock synchronization service in the charging mode.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the communication unit is further configured to, prior to the processing unit determining a charging mode for providing the clock synchronization service to the terminal device:

and receiving a clock synchronization request message from the application function network element, wherein the clock synchronization request message comprises the identification of the terminal equipment and clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment.

20. The apparatus according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine a charging mode corresponding to the provision of the clock synchronization service to the terminal device, specifically configured to:

Determining a charging mode corresponding to clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment and/or clock synchronization service information signed by the terminal equipment;

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the communication unit is further configured to, before the processing unit determines to provide the terminal device with the charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service:

Sending a clock subscription data request message to a unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data request message comprises an identifier of the terminal equipment and a request for acquiring the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment;

and receiving a clock subscription data response message from the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data response message comprises clock subscription data of the terminal equipment, and the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment comprises clock synchronization service information subscribed by the terminal equipment.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein after the communication unit receives the clock subscription data response message from the unified data management network element, the processing unit is further configured to:

judging whether to respond to clock synchronization request information from an application function network element according to clock subscription data of the terminal equipment, wherein the clock subscription data of the terminal equipment comprises a condition allowing response to the clock synchronization request information, and the clock synchronization request information comprises an identification of the application function network element and clock synchronization service information requested by the terminal equipment;

And if the clock synchronization request message meets the condition for allowing the response to the clock synchronization request message, responding to the clock synchronization request message.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the condition allowing response to the clock synchronization request message comprises an application function network element directory, and/or the condition allowing response to the clock synchronization request message comprises one or more of a time service accuracy range, a time service coverage range, a time service number range, and a duration interval.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the processing unit is configured to determine a charging manner corresponding to providing the clock synchronization service to the terminal device, specifically configured to:

Determining a charging mode corresponding to clock synchronization service provided for the terminal equipment according to clock subscription data in the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment; the clock subscription data in the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment comprises clock synchronous service information registered by the terminal equipment; the clock synchronization service information comprises at least one of time service precision, duration, time service times, time service coverage, time service mode and charging mode of the clock synchronization service.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the processing unit is further configured, before determining, according to clock subscription data in the access and mobility data of the terminal device, a charging mode corresponding to the clock synchronization service provided to the terminal device, to:

Sending a clock subscription data request message to a unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data request message comprises an identifier of the terminal equipment and a request for acquiring clock subscription data of access and mobile data of the terminal equipment;

And receiving a clock subscription data response message from the unified data management network element, wherein the clock subscription data response message comprises clock subscription data of the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment, and the clock subscription data of the access and mobile data of the terminal equipment comprises clock synchronization service information registered by the terminal equipment.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein before the communication unit sends the clock subscription data request message to the unified data management network element, the communication unit is further configured to:

it is detected that the terminal device is registering.

27. The apparatus according to claim 23 or 26, wherein after the communication unit sends a clock synchronization activation message, the communication unit is further configured to:

Receiving clock synchronization statistical information from access network equipment, wherein the clock synchronization statistical information is obtained by counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information;

and reporting the clock synchronization statistical information to a charging function network element.

28. The apparatus according to claim 27, wherein when the clock synchronization request message further includes clock synchronization service information subscribed to by an application function network element, the communication unit is further configured to:

And reporting the clock synchronization service information subscribed by the application function network element to a charging function network element.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the device comprises a plurality of sensors,

30. A billing apparatus for a clock synchronization service, the apparatus comprising:

The communication unit is used for receiving a clock synchronization activation message from the access and mobile management function network element, wherein the clock synchronization activation message comprises first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information is used for indicating that clock synchronization service is provided for the terminal equipment, and the second indication information is used for indicating information which needs to count the clock synchronization service in a charging mode;

The communication unit is further configured to send a clock synchronization activation response message to the access and mobility management function network element, where the clock synchronization activation response message is used to confirm that a clock synchronization service is provided to the terminal device and make statistics on the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information;

The communication unit is further used for sending time information to the terminal equipment;

The processing unit is used for counting the clock synchronization service based on the second indication information to obtain clock synchronization statistical information;

The communication unit is further configured to send the clock synchronization statistics information to a core network element.

31. A billing apparatus for a clock synchronization service, the apparatus comprising:

A communication unit, configured to receive clock synchronization statistics information from a core network element; the clock synchronization statistical information is obtained by counting the clock synchronization services accepted by the terminal equipment based on a charging mode;

and the processing unit is used for generating a clock synchronization bill of the terminal equipment based on the clock synchronization statistical information.

32. A communication device comprising a processor and interface circuitry for receiving signals from other communication devices than the communication device and transmitting to the processor or sending signals from the processor to other communication devices than the communication device, the processor being configured to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 12, or to implement the method of any one of claims 13 to 14, or to implement the method of any one of claims 15 to 17, by logic circuitry or execution of code instructions.

33. A computer readable storage medium, characterized in that the storage medium has stored therein a computer program or instructions which, when executed by a communication device, implements the method of any one of claims 1 to 12, or implements the method of any one of claims 13 to 14, or implements the method of any one of claims 15 to 17.