KR100509936B1 - System and method for providing prepaid wise network service of multimedia data in mobile communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention receives a charge calculation start request from a wireless data service device (network interworking device (IWF), packet data serving node (PDSN), etc.), and prepaid intelligent network from a service control unit (SCP) or a service control unit gateway (SCP Gateway). Receives the reporting condition of the data service usage of the subscriber, calculates the data service usage of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber using the call signal generated from the wireless data service network, and when the reporting condition is satisfied, the data of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber Transmitting the service usage information to the service control unit (SCP), and when the charge calculation end request is received from the wireless data service device, transmits a billing request corresponding to the data service usage information of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber to the AAA. Providing prepaid intelligent network service of multimedia data in mobile communication network It relates to a system and method, by combining the multimedia plan prepaid intelligent network service and to perform service-specific billing in real-time, it is possible to minimize the loss of the charging data.

Description

System and method for providing prepaid intelligent network service of multimedia data in mobile communication network {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PREPAID WISE NETWORK SERVICE OF MULTIMEDIA DATA IN MOBILE COMMUNICATION NETWORK}

The present invention relates to a system and method for providing a prepaid intelligent network service for multimedia data in a mobile communication network. In particular, the present invention relates to prepaid multimedia data in a mobile communication network, which enables the application of a differential charge required for activation of a data service to a prepaid service. It is to provide an intelligent network service providing system and method.

Conventionally, data services through a communication network have to be used only when a computer is used at a fixed location. However, the development of communication technology and the improvement of economic level are possible by using a mobile communication terminal or a personal digital assistant (PDA). Data services are available on the go without being constrained by location.

In addition, a method of paying a data service fee by a user who uses a data service using a mobile communication terminal may also pay various fees such as a prepaid bill payment service in addition to a postpaid billing method according to a conventional data service use time or data usage amount. The way is being developed.

In general, a prepaid type service in a mobile communication system means a prepaid subscriber who purchased a predetermined amount of a prepaid card or a prepaid subscriber who purchased a predetermined amount to a mobile service provider for a predetermined period of time. A type of service that allows a call service to be used within the amount or amount paid.

In addition, such a prepaid service was limited to a form of a real-time charge deduction service provided in the past, but nowadays, as the data service in the mobile communication network has evolved significantly, the amount of data used or the time used for the total data service usage is increased. It is evolving into a form that allows real-time charge deductions.

Currently, efforts are being made to apply differential charging by classifying various types of multimedia data services used by subscribers for activation of data services by specific groups, which are charged by content, by access network, and by subscription service. There are various forms such as billing, billing by destination IP address, billing by protocol used, and so on.

However, in the case of the prepaid intelligent network service, due to the complexity and difficulty of implementing the real-time rate reduction technology, there is a limitation that the real-time rate reduction method cannot be applied when the service charges are differentially charged.

In addition, even when the real-time fee deduction method is applied to the multimedia data usage fee, there is a problem in that a limited method such as applying a single rate to the total amount of use or post-payment processing is applied.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prepaid multimedia data in a mobile communication network that can perform billing by service in real time by combining a multimedia plan with a prepaid intelligent network service and present a comprehensive method for minimizing the loss of billing data. It is to provide an intelligent network service providing system and method.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for providing a prepaid intelligent network service for multimedia data in a mobile communication network that can deduct real-time charges for multimedia data usage rates by periodically transmitting and receiving usage information between a data charging device and an intelligent network system. will be.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a system for providing a prepaid intelligent network service of multimedia data in a mobile communication network that can eliminate a load increase in a system caused by periodic usage information transmission and reception between a data charging device and an intelligent network system using a gateway system. And a method.

In order to achieve the above objects, according to an aspect of the present invention, in the real-time bill processing method for the wireless data service use of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber in the data billing processing unit (IPAS) of the wireless data service network, wireless data service device Receiving a charge calculation start request from the wireless data service device, wherein the wireless data service device is at least one of a network interworking device (IWF) and a packet data serving node (PDSN); and a service control device (SCP) or a service control gateway (SCP). Receiving a reporting condition for data service usage of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber from a gateway, wherein the reporting condition is at least one of a predetermined time interval and a predetermined data service usage; and the wireless data service. The prepaid intelligence using the call signal generated from the network Calculating data service usage of a subscriber; transmitting data service usage information of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber to a service control unit (SCP) if the reporting condition is satisfied; When the request is received, the billing according to the data service usage of the prepaid intelligent network subscribers comprising the step of transmitting a billing request corresponding to the data service usage information of the prepaid intelligent network subscribers to AAA. Provided is a method of performing the present invention, and a system, an apparatus, and a recording medium for enabling a method of performing a charging according to a data service of a prepaid intelligent network subscriber are provided.

Pre-specified data service usage among the reporting conditions may be determined in correspondence with the balance of the subscriber of the prepaid intelligent network, and the service group having the highest price per packet when there are a plurality of service groups having different rates per packet exist. It can be determined by the amount of available packets for.

The call signal generated in the wireless data service network may be traffic data that is copied by the traffic information transmission device connected between the wireless data service device and the IP network and transmitted to the charging device.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in order to process the wireless data service usage fee of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber in real time, the data control usage of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber in the service control unit (SCP) or service control gateway (SCP Gateway) A method for generating a condition for transmitting information, the prepaid type when a request for providing a reporting condition from an IPAS or a wireless data service network connection with a user terminal of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber is established. Retrieving the balance information of the intelligent network subscriber, calculating a usable amount for each service group corresponding to the balance information according to a pre-specified service group usage rate standard, and extracting a minimum usable amount among the available amount for each service group Report by service usage Providing a data service usage report condition generation method of a prepaid intelligent network subscriber, comprising: setting the case to a case; and transmitting the reporting condition to the data charging processing device (IPAS). A system, an apparatus, and a recording medium are provided for enabling the method of generating a data service usage reporting condition of a system.

The method of generating a data service usage report condition of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber may include receiving data service usage information of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber from the data charging processing device (IPAS), and using the data service usage information. Calculating balance information of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber, and extracting the minimum available amount of the available amount for each service group using the calculated balance information and resetting it to a reporting condition based on a predetermined data service usage amount. have.

The reporting condition may further include a predetermined time interval.

The present invention can apply the differential charging for each service necessary for the activation of the data service to the prepaid service, and real-time charging for the user's data service fee through the periodic usage information transmission and reception process between the data charging device and the intelligent network system. A system and method for providing a prepaid intelligent network service for multimedia data in a mobile communication network that can minimize the loss of billing data.

Since the real-time billing method for the prepaid subscriber is a prepaid deduction method based on a single rate, the data billing device performs a real-time deduction by receiving the total available amount corresponding to the balance from the intelligent network system by the number of packets used or the time used. It was. In addition, the conventional multimedia plan because the subscriber uses a data service for each service group for each call (call), there is a problem that can not perform a real-time deduction for the balance in the data billing device that does not have a rate card .

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and it will be understood that the present invention can be easily solved with reference to the following description.

1 is a schematic overall system diagram for performing real-time charging for data service use of a prepaid subscriber according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, a system for providing a prepaid intelligent network service of multimedia data according to the present invention includes a switch (PCX: PCS eXchange-hereinafter, PCX) 110, an interworking device (IWF: IWF). 115, a packet control unit (PCF: packet control function (hereinafter referred to as PCF) 120), a packet data serving node (PDSN) 125, a data charging processing unit (IPAS: Internet Protocol) Accounting System (130), Service Control Point Gateway (hereinafter referred to as SCP Gateway) 135, Service Control Point (SCP: referred to as SCP below) 140, Service Exchanger ( Service Switching Point (hereinafter referred to as SSP) 143, AAA (AAA: Authentication Authorization and Accounting hereinafter referred to as AAA) 145, and the like.

The PCX 110 is a device for performing basic and additional service processing functions, incoming and outgoing call processing functions of subscribers, location registration procedure and handoff procedure processing functions, and interworking functions with other networks of the existing network, and include ASS (Access Switching Subsystem) and INS. (Interconnection Network Subsystem), Central Control Subsystem (CCS), Location Registration Control Subsystem (LRS), and the like.

The IWF 115 is a wireless data device that connects a mobile communication system with a PSTN / Internet.

PCF 120 performs packet communication by a call signal received from a user terminal (e.g., mobile communication terminal, PDA, notebook computer, etc.) via a base station (not shown) / base station controller (not shown). For the purpose of packetizing the call signal or converting the packet data received from the PDSN 125 into wireless data for transmission to the user terminal.

The PDSN 125 is a device for providing data service according to subscriber information corresponding to a user terminal from an intelligent network system of SCP 140 and AAA 145 connected through an IP network.

Here, the interworking method between the PDSN 125, the SCP 140, and the AAA 145 is connected to an IP network or an IP backbone network, which is an internal data network of a service provider. Of course, as shown in Figure 1 it can be configured to form a direct connection.

The data billing processing unit (IPAS) 130 is a device that collects and analyzes data transmitted and received between the IWF 115 and / or the PDSN 125 and the IP network to perform billing processing according to a defined rule. . That is, the data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130 may perform charging for all calls generated in the data network and perform differential charging and call control functions for various data service usage.

The data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130 may include a billing performing unit (IPAF: Internet Protocol Accounting Filter (not shown), a billing generating unit (IPAM: Internet Protocol Accounting Manager) (not shown), or the like. .

Billing Distribution Function (BDF) is a billing distribution function for copying traffic data between the IWF 115 and / or the PDSN 125 and the IP network to the billing performing unit (IPAF). (Not shown) to receive traffic data, and analyze the received traffic data to perform data collection and charging according to rules defined for each subscriber session.

In addition, the billing generation unit (IPAM) is charged in connection with the IWF 115, PDSN 125, billing performing unit (IPAF), AAA (145), SCP (145), etc. in order to differentiate the use fee for each service It performs information collection, signal processing, billing generation and transfer, and intelligent network service processing.

Of course, the data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130 is composed of the above-described charge performing unit (IPAF) and the charge generation unit (IPAM), etc. to perform independent operations, respectively, as well as data charging processing unit (IPAS) Naturally, the 130 may be configured to perform all the above-described operations on its own as a device.

The intelligent network service according to the present invention is one of services for quickly and accurately processing various new services in a mobile communication service, etc., and refers to a prepaid service.

The intelligent network is largely composed of a transport network layer, a signaling network layer, and a service network layer, and the service network layer includes an SCP 140, and the transport network layer includes an SSP. 143.

SCP gateway 135 is a device that performs the function of receiving the usage information of the subscriber from the data billing processing unit (IPAS) 130 to reduce the load on the SCP (140) and the data prepaid subscriber.

SCP 140 performs a function of retrieving intelligent network information for a prepaid subscriber in the intelligent network information database (not shown) and transmitting the retrieved intelligent network information for the prepaid subscriber to the SSP 145.

When the prepaid subscriber is an intelligent network service subscriber, the SSP 145 receives an initial access request signal according to a call signal from the PCX 110, requests the intelligent network information on the prepaid subscriber from the SCP 140, and requests the SCP (140). ) To receive the intelligent network information for the prepaid subscriber.

The AAA 145 provides a service as the prepaid subscriber pays a prepaid fee using a service subscriber database (not shown) in response to a prepaid subscriber information request for the prepaid subscriber received from the PDSN 125. Determines whether the receiving intelligent network service subscriber, and if the prepaid subscriber is an intelligent network service subscriber, sends a request for detailed information about the prepaid subscriber to the SCP (140), and detailed information about the prepaid subscriber from the SCP (140) Perform the function of receiving it.

In addition, although not shown in FIG. 1, the system for providing a prepaid intelligent network service for multimedia data according to the present invention is provided by an IPAS 130, an SCP gateway 135, an SCP 140, an AAA 145, or the like. The apparatus may further include a separate charge processing device configured to perform an integrated billing operation by using the data service use charge data and the charge deduction data for the prepaid subscriber.

2 is a data flow diagram illustrating a data call processing and billing processing of a prepaid intelligent network service subscriber according to an embodiment of the present invention.

That is, FIG. 2 illustrates a call processing and billing processing process when a prepaid intelligent network service subscriber attempts data using a packet data serving node (PDSN) as a PPP end.

Referring to FIG. 2, the PDSN 125 receives a call origination signal from the user terminal 203 of a prepaid subscriber who wants to use a wireless data service or the like in step 210. In step 215, the PDSN 115 sends an AAA 145 an authentication and authorization request for the user terminal 203.

AAA 145 first uses a service subscriber database (not shown) using user terminal information (eg, mobile terminal ID, etc.) in the authentication and authorization confirmation request for the prepaid subscriber received from PDSN 125. The search determines whether the prepaid subscriber is a prepaid intelligent network service subscriber. When the prepaid service subscriber is a prepaid intelligent network service subscriber, in step 220, the AAA 145 transmits a request for providing detailed information about the prepaid subscriber to the SCP gateway 135. Here, the request for providing detailed information on the prepaid subscriber may include MIN (Mobile Identification Number) information, initial access information, and the like.

SCP gateway 135 transmits an authentication request for the prepaid subscriber to SCP 140 at step 222 and receives a subscriber authentication result from SCP 140 at step 224. Here, the balance information and the like corresponding to the prepaid subscriber may be used in the authentication process for the prepaid subscriber performed by the SCP 140.

In this case, the SCP 140 obtains the balance information of the prepaid subscriber, calculates the amount of available packets by referring to the rate table, and uses the detailed information of the subscriber (for example, intelligent network information and available packets). Volume information, etc.) may be transmitted to the SCP gateway 135.

In step 225, SCP gateway 135, SCP (140) for the prepaid subscriber in the intelligent network information database (not shown) retrieved in response to the request for providing detailed information about the prepaid subscriber received from the AAA (145) The subscriber authentication result received from) is transmitted to the AAA (145).

In step 230 AAA 145 sends to PDSN 125 an authentication and authorization confirmation response (Subsinfo_Response) containing detailed information of the prepaid subscriber received from SCP 140.

Here, the authentication and authorization confirmation response may include an information processing result field, a subscriber detail information field, and an access denied reason (ADR) field 520.

The information processing result field is a field indicating whether the processing of the detailed information providing request for the prepaid subscriber is normally performed, and the ADR field is a field indicating the reason when the processing of the detailed information providing request is not normally performed.

The subscriber details field is a field representing details of a prepaid subscriber, and includes a virtual private network (VPN) field, an AUTH field, a service identification code (WIN), a PRICE_PLAN field, a WIN_CALL_ID field, a switched virtual connection (SVC) _TYPE field, and a USBL_TIME field. And a USBL_PACKET field.

In operation 235, a PPP connection is made between the PDSN 115 and the user terminal 203.

Thereafter, the PDSN 115 transmits a billing start request for the use of the subscriber's wireless data service or the like to the data billing apparatus (IPAS) 130 at step 240. The charging calculation start request may include mobile identification number (MIN) information, IP address information, IP information of a packet data serving node (PDSN), intelligent network information, etc. of the user terminal 203.

In step 245, the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130 transmits a usage information transmission cycle request to the SCP 140 (or the SCP gateway 135).

SCP 140 (or SCP gateway 135) generates transmission cycle information for receiving usage information from data billing processing unit (IPAS) 130 corresponding to the prepaid subscriber, and the transmission generated in step 250. The periodic information is transmitted to the data charging processing device (IPAS) 130. Of course, even before SCP 140 receives the transmission period information from the data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130, the SCP 140 receives the transmission period information after the time when the request for providing the prepaid subscriber details is received from the AAA 145. The transmission period information may be set to be transmitted to the data charging processing device (IPAS) 130.

The transmission period information may be set as periodic time information for using the usage amount and predetermined usage information. The transmission period information may be based on a combination of the two conditions described above. Usage information is calculated by SCP 140 (or SCP gateway 135, or other devices in the intelligent network) and transmitted to data billing processing unit (IPAS) 130, which is the most available balance for each service group in the rate card. It will be set to the minimum amount. For example, if the balance of the prepaid subscriber is available up to 100 bytes when using all A service groups, up to 200 bytes when using all B service groups, and up to 80 bytes when using all C service groups, the transmission cycle information is It is to be designated when the usage reaches 80 bytes. Of course, in order to prevent the loss of billing data due to system failure, etc., time information can also be provided (or independently) so that usage information of the prepaid subscriber can be periodically transmitted even if the corresponding usage is not used. Do.

In operation 255, the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130 transmits a response message corresponding to the charging calculation start request to the PDSN 115.

In step 260, user data (eg, data transmission request, URL connection request, etc.), web data (eg, multimedia data, etc.) are transmitted and received between the user terminal 203 and the application server 206. In operation 265, the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130 performs the charging operation by reflecting user data transmission / reception information made through the application server 206. In this case, traffic data between the PDSN 125 and the application server 206 copied and received by the traffic information transmitting apparatus BDF may be used.

When the usage information of the prepaid subscriber corresponds to the transmission period received through step 250, the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130 may use the usage information of the prepaid subscriber (for example, usage by service group). Information) to the SCP gateway 135. In step 275, when new charging information exists corresponding to the prepaid subscriber from the SCP gateway 140, the charging information is received. Of course, the usage information of the prepaid subscriber is transmitted to the SCP 140, and the real time charge deduction step for the prepaid subscriber by the SCP 140, and the new charging information for the prepaid subscriber from the SCP 140 Receiving may be further included.

Through step 270 and step 275, even the prepaid subscriber can set the service usage fee according to the differentiated fee system for each service group, and enable real-time billing for the service usage fee. In operation 275, the SCP gateway 135 (or SCP 140) may newly calculate a transmission period corresponding to the prepaid subscriber and transmit the information to the data charging processing device (IPAS) 130.

When the call termination request is received from the user terminal 203 in step 280, the PDSN 125 proceeds to step 283 and transmits a charge calculation end request to the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130. The charge calculation end request may include mobile identification number (MIN) information, IP address information, intelligent network information, packet data service node (PDSN) IP, release indicator, usage information, etc. of the user terminal 203. have.

The data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130 transmits a response corresponding to the charging calculation termination request received from the PDSN 125 to the PDSN 125 in step 286, and transmits usage information of the prepaid subscriber to the SCP in step 288. Transmit to gateway 135. In this case, the usage information of the prepaid subscriber may include mobile identification number (MIN) information, intelligent network information, category usage information, etc. of the user terminal 203.

SCP gateway 135 sends a charge deduction request for use of the wireless data service of the prepaid subscriber to SCP 140 in step 290, and a charge deduction response (e.g., balance information) from SCP 140 in step 292. New charging information).

In step 293, the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130 receives the charging information from the SCP gateway 135 when new charging information exists corresponding to the subscriber. In this case, as described above, the usage information of the prepaid subscriber is transmitted to the SCP 140, and the real time charge deduction step for the prepaid subscriber by the SCP 140, and the prepaid subscriber from the SCP 140 Receiving new charging information for may be further included.

In operation 296, the data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130 transmits and receives a charging request and response message with the AAA 145, and the AAA 145 transmits the charge processing unit 209 (or the intelligent network ( Transfer the billing file to a specific device in WISE).

The data call processing and billing processing method of the subscriber of the prepaid intelligent network service described above with reference to FIG. 2 is for the case where the balance remains until the prepaid subscriber terminates the use of the data service.

However, in the case of a prepaid subscriber, the balance may be exhausted before the use of the data service and the balance may not exist from the start of service use. In the case of a prepaid subscriber, the case in which the balance is exhausted before ending the use of the data service will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. Here, PDSN ( 125, operations performed by the data charging processing device (IPAS) 130, SCP gateway 135, and SCP 140 will be briefly described.

First, when the PDSN 125 receives a call origination signal from the user terminal 203, the PDSN 125 transmits an authentication and authority confirmation request for the user terminal 203 to the AAA 145.

The AAA 140 sends a request for providing detailed information about the prepaid subscriber to the SCP gateway 135. The request for providing subscriber information may include MIN (Mobile Identification Number) information, initial access information, etc. of the user terminal 203.

The SCP gateway 135 works with SCP 140 to acquire the balance information of the subscriber, recognizing that the balance information of the subscriber has already been exhausted, and sends the balance exhaustion information (ie, prepaid subscriber details) to the AAA 145. send

The AAA 145 uses the prepaid subscriber details received from the SCP gateway 135 to respond with a response message corresponding to the authentication and authorization request received from the PDSN 125 (eg, "Result = Unsuccessful, ADR"). = Balance exhausted ") to the PDSN 125 via the communication network.

3 is a data flow diagram illustrating data call processing and billing processing of a prepaid intelligent network service subscriber according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

That is, FIG. 3 illustrates a case in which a prepaid intelligent network service subscriber terminates a call when the balance is exhausted while using a data service using a packet data serving node (PDSN) as a PPP end. However, since steps 310 to 353 of the data flowchart shown in FIG. 3 are the same as those of steps 210 to 265 of FIG. 2, the description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 3, the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130 performing the billing operation by reflecting user data transmission / reception information made through the application server 206 may use the wireless data service of the prepaid subscriber in step 356. Usage information (eg, category-specific usage information) is transmitted to the SCP gateway 135.

In step 359, the data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130 transmits a request for subtraction of billing corresponding to the usage information on the use of the wireless data service of the prepaid subscriber to the SCP 140. Then, when the remaining information of the balance corresponding to the prepaid subscriber is completely exhausted, the SCP 140 sends the remaining amount of balance information (for example, interim-cha (ADR = ADR =) to the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130 in step 363. Balance exhausted)). The usage information transmitted to the SCP 140 through step 359 may include MIN (Mobile Identification Number) information, intelligent network information, and category-specific usage information of the user terminal 203.

In addition, since the data flow diagram shown in FIG. 3 is for the subscriber of the prepaid intelligent network service, the balance exhaustion information is transmitted through step 363 to check whether the subscriber and the corresponding balance information are exhausted while using the wireless data service. It is natural that a periodic process of transmitting and receiving new usage information and a process of transmitting and receiving new charge information may be performed between the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130 and the SCP 140 (or the SCP gateway 135) before the process.

Since the data billing processing unit (IPAS) 130 has run out of the prepaid balance for the subscriber's use of the wireless data service, a request for service restriction to the PDSN 125 is performed in step 369 (for example, Qualification Directive (Reason = balance exhaustion)). ).

The PDSN 125 transmits a response message to the service restriction request to the IPAS 130 in step 373, and proceeds to step 376 to terminate the call connection with the user terminal 203.

The PDSN 125 transmits a charge calculation end request to the data charging processing device (IPAS) 130 in step 379, and the charge calculation end request includes MIN (Mobile Identification Number) information of the user terminal 203, IP address information, packet data serving node (PDSN) IP information, intelligent network information, release indicator, usage information, etc. may be included.

The data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130 transmits a response message corresponding to the charging calculation end request to the PDSN 125 in step 383. In operation 386, the AAA 145 transmits and receives a charging request and response message. In operation 389, the AAA 145 transmits the charging file to the charge processing device 209.

4 is a data flow diagram illustrating a data call processing and billing processing of a prepaid intelligent network service subscriber according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

That is, FIG. 4 illustrates a call processing and billing processing process when a prepaid intelligent network service subscriber attempts data using a network interworking device (IWF) as a PPP end.

Referring to FIG. 4, the PCX 110 receives a call origination signal from a user terminal 203 that intends to use a wireless data service, etc. in step 413, and an ISUP message for establishing a PPP connection to the IWF 115 in step 416. Send it. In this case, the PCX 110 may be divided into an outgoing exchange and a destination exchange to perform respective operations.

In the process of transmitting the ISUP message from the PCX 110 to the IWF 115, when the PCX 110 is the intelligent network service subscriber, the initial connection request signal according to the call signal of the user terminal 203. To the SSP 143, the SSP 143 requests the intelligent network information for the prepaid subscriber to the SCP 140, SCP 140 retrieves the intelligent network information for the prepaid subscriber, the retrieved prepaid Transmitting the intelligent network information about the subscriber to the SSP 143, and the SSP 143 receives the intelligent network information about the prepaid subscriber from the SCP 140, and then sends a data service request signal directly (or via the PCX 110). ) May be transmitted to the IWF 115.

In operation 419, a PPP connection is established between the IWF 115 and the user terminal 203 through the PCX 110.

Thereafter, the IWF 115 transmits a billing start request for using the prepaid subscriber's wireless data service or the like to the data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130 in step 423. The charging calculation start request may include mobile identification number (MIN) information, intelligent network information, IP address information, IP information of an IWF, etc. of the user terminal 203.

The data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130 transmits a response message corresponding to the charging calculation start request to the IWF 115 in step 426, and proceeds to step 429 and the data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130 prepays the corresponding payment. The request for providing detailed information on the subscriber is transmitted to the SCP gateway 135. Here, the request for providing detailed information about the prepaid subscriber may include MIN (Mobile Identification Number) information, intelligent network information request, and network interworking device (IWF) information of the user terminal 203.

SCP gateway 135 transmits an authentication request for the prepaid subscriber to SCP 140 at step 433 and receives subscriber authentication results from SCP 140 at step 436. Here, the balance information and the like corresponding to the prepaid subscriber may be used in the authentication process for the prepaid subscriber performed by the SCP 140. In addition, SCP 140 (or SCP gateway 135) acquires the balance information of the prepaid subscriber, calculates the amount of available packets by referring to the rate table, and uses the subscriber details (e.g., , Intelligent network information, usable packet quantity information, etc.) may be transmitted to the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130.

In step 439, the SCP gateway 135 is configured for the prepaid subscriber in the intelligent network information database (not shown) that corresponds to the request for providing the detailed information on the prepaid subscriber received from the data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130. The detailed information, the subscriber authentication result received from the SCP 140, and the like are transmitted to the data charging processing device (IPAS) 130.

In step 443, the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130 transmits a usage information transmission cycle request to the SCP 140 (or SCP gateway 135).

SCP 140 (or SCP gateway 135) generates transmission cycle information for receiving usage information from data billing processing unit (IPAS) 130 corresponding to the prepaid subscriber, and the transmission generated in step 445. The periodic information is transmitted to the data charging processing device (IPAS) 130.

Of course, as described above, even before the SCP 140 (or SCP gateway 135) receives the transmission period information from the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130 (e.g., prepaid). In the step of providing the subscriber detailed information), the transmission period information may be set to be transmitted to the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130.

In step 449, user data (eg, data transmission request, URL connection request, etc.), web data (eg, multimedia data), and the like are transmitted between the user terminal 203 and the application server 206. In operation 453, the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130 performs the charging operation by reflecting user data transmission / reception information made through the application server 206. In this case, the traffic data copied and received by the BDF may be used.

In addition, when the usage information of the prepaid subscriber corresponds to the transmission period received through step 446 in step 456, the data billing apparatus (IPAS) 130 may use the usage information of the prepaid subscriber (eg, the service). Group-specific usage information) is transmitted to the SCP gateway 135. In step 459, when the new charging information exists corresponding to the prepaid subscriber from the SCP gateway 135, the charging information is received. Of course, the usage information of the prepaid subscriber is transmitted to the SCP 140, and the real time charge deduction step for the prepaid subscriber by the SCP 140, and the new charging information for the prepaid subscriber from the SCP 140 Receiving may be further included.

In step 456 and step 459, even the prepaid subscriber can set the service usage fee according to the differentiated fee system for each service group, and enable real-time billing for the service usage fee.

In operation 459, the SCP 140 (or the SCP gateway 135) may newly calculate a transmission period corresponding to the prepaid subscriber and transmit the information to the data billing processing device (IPAS) 130.

Then, when the PCX 110 receives the call termination request transmitted from the user terminal 203 while the corresponding balance information corresponding to the subscriber is valid (that is, not exhausted) (step 463), the process proceeds to step 466. The ISUP message for releasing the PPP connection between the user terminal 203 and the IWF 115 is transmitted to the IWF 115.

The IWF 115 transmits a charge calculation end request to the data charging processing device (IPAS) 130 in step 473. The charging calculation termination request may include MIN (Mobile Identification Number) information, IP address information, release indicator (Release Indicator), IP information of the network interworking device (IWF) of the user terminal 203, and the like.

The data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130 transmits a response message corresponding to the charging calculation end request to the IWF 115 in step 476, and also in step 479, the data service usage information of the prepaid subscriber to SCP 140. Send it.

SCP gateway 135 sends a charge deduction request for use of the wireless data service of the prepaid subscriber to SCP 140 in step 290, and a charge deduction response (e.g., balance information) from SCP 140 in step 292. New charging information).

In step 486, the data charging processing device (IPAS) 130 receives balance information (and / or new charging information) corresponding to the subscriber from the SCP gateway 135. The data service usage information may include mobile identification number (MIN) information, intelligent network information, and usage information for each category of the user terminal 203.

Thereafter, the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130 transmits / receives the charging request and response message with the AAA 145 in step 489.

The data call processing and billing processing method of the prepaid intelligent network service subscriber described above with reference to FIG. 4 also relates to a case in which the balance remains until the prepaid subscriber terminates the use of the data service.

However, as described above, in the case of the prepaid subscriber, the balance may be exhausted before the end of the use of the data service, and the balance may not exist from the start of service use. In each case, the operations performed by the IWF 115, the data charging processing apparatus (IPAS) 130, and the SCP 140 will be briefly described.

First, when the subscriber is a prepaid intelligent network service subscriber through the network interworking device (IWF) and the balance is exhausted since the initial connection, the intelligent network system performs call connection failure processing, so the data billing processing unit (IPAS) 130 The interworking process and the billing generation process do not occur.

Next, call processing and billing processing in the case where the prepaid intelligent network service subscriber terminates the call when the balance is exhausted while using the data using the network interworking device (IWF) 115 as the PPP end will be described.

SCP 140 (or SCP gateway 135) receiving the data service usage information (i.e., billing information) of the prepaid subscriber from the data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130 has no remaining balance of the prepaid subscriber. Recognizing that the device is exhausted, the balance information (eg, data-err (ADR = balance exhausted)) is transmitted to the data billing processing unit (IPAS) 130.

Thereafter, the data charging processing unit (IPAS) 130 sends a service restriction request (eg, Qualification Directive) to the IWF 115 for the subscriber, and the IWF 115 sends a PCX ( An ISUP message for terminating the call connection between the user terminal 203 and the user terminal 203 is transmitted to the PCX 110 to terminate the call connection between the PCX 110 and the user terminal 203. Of course, the prepaid subscriber may be charged for the service usage fee until the use of the data service is limited by the IWF 115 and the PCX 110.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and many variations are possible by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present invention.

As described above, a system and method for providing a prepaid intelligent network service for multimedia data in a mobile communication network according to the present invention can perform billing by service in real time by combining a multimedia plan with a prepaid intelligent network service and minimize the loss of billing data. A comprehensive way to do this can be provided.

In addition, the present invention can be deducted in real time charges for the multimedia data usage charges by periodically transmitting and receiving usage information between the data charging device and the intelligent network system.

In addition, the present invention can solve the load increase in the system caused by the periodic usage information transmission and reception between the data charging device and the intelligent network system using the gateway system.

1 is a schematic overall system diagram for performing real-time charging for data service use of a prepaid subscriber in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a data flow diagram illustrating data call processing and billing processing of a prepaid intelligent network service subscriber according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a data flow diagram illustrating data call processing and billing processing of a prepaid intelligent network service subscriber according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a data flow diagram illustrating a data call processing and billing processing of a prepaid intelligent network service subscriber according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

110: exchanger (PCX: PCS eXchange)

115: interworking function (IWF)

120: packet control function (PCF: Packet Control Function)

125: Packet Data Serving Node (PDSN)

130: data charging processing device (IPAS: Internet Protocol Accounting System)

135: Service Control Point Gateway (SCP Gateway)

140: service control point (SCP)

143: Service Switching Point

145: AAA (Authentication Authorization and Accounting)

Claims (7)

In the real-time bill processing method for the use of the wireless data service of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber in the data charging processing device (IPAS) of the wireless data service network, Receiving a billing start request from a wireless data service device, wherein the wireless data service device is at least one of a network interworking device (IWF) and a packet data serving node (PDSN); (a) receiving a reporting condition including a data service usage limit calculated according to the prepaid intelligent network subscriber from a service control unit (SCP) or a service control unit gateway (SCP Gateway); (b) estimating the data service usage of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber using the call signal generated in the wireless data service network; (c) if the data service usage amount corresponds to the data service usage limit, transmitting data service usage information of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber to a service control unit (SCP); And Steps (a) to (c) are repeated until a charge calculation end request is received from the wireless data service device or balance exhaustion information is received from the service control unit (SCP) or the service control unit gateway (SCP Gateway). Including the steps of: The service control unit (SCP) or the service control unit gateway (SCP Gateway) calculates the data service usage limit corresponding to the balance information of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber using the pre-stored rate table, and the data service usage limit is the A method of performing billing according to data service usage of a prepaid intelligent network subscriber, which is a packet amount calculated by a service fee set at the highest price among balance information and the rate table. The method of claim 1, When a charge calculation end request is received from the wireless data service device, the prepaid intelligent network further comprising the step of transmitting a charge request corresponding to the data usage information generated by the step (b) to AAA. How to perform billing based on your use of data services. The method of claim 1, The call signal generated in the wireless data service network is traffic data transmitted by the traffic information transmission device connected between the wireless data service device and the IP network and transmitted to the billing processing device. How do you charge? In order to process the wireless data service usage fee of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber in real time, a method for generating a transmission condition of the data service usage information of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber in a service control unit (SCP) or a service control gateway (SCP Gateway) , Retrieving balance information of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber when a request for providing a reporting condition from an IPAS or a wireless data service network connection with the user terminal of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber is established; Calculating a usable amount of each service group corresponding to the balance information according to a pre-specified service group usage fee criterion, wherein the service group usage fee criterion includes differentiated fee information for each service group; Extracting a minimum available amount from among available amounts for each service group and setting the minimum available amount as a reporting condition based on a predetermined data service usage amount; And And transmitting the reporting condition to the data charging processing device (IPAS). The method of claim 4, wherein Receiving data service usage information of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber from the data charging processing device (IPAS); Updating balance information of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber by reflecting the data service usage information; Extracting a minimum usable amount from among available amounts for each service group by using the updated balance information and resetting to the reporting condition; And And transmitting the reset reporting condition to the data charging processing device. The method of claim 4, wherein The reporting condition is a data service usage reporting condition generation method for a prepaid intelligent network subscriber further comprising a predetermined time interval. In order to perform the charging method according to the data service of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber, a program of instructions that can be executed by the charging processing device is tangibly implemented, and a recording medium recording a program that can be read by the charging processing device. To Receiving a billing start request from a wireless data service device, wherein the wireless data service device is at least one of a network interworking device (IWF) and a packet data serving node (PDSN); (a) receiving a reporting condition including a data service usage limit calculated according to the prepaid intelligent network subscriber from a service control unit (SCP) or a service control unit gateway (SCP Gateway); (b) estimating the data service usage of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber using the call signal generated in the wireless data service network; (c) if the data service usage amount corresponds to the data service usage limit, transmitting data service usage information of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber to a service control unit (SCP); And Steps (a) to (c) are repeated until a charge calculation end request is received from the wireless data service device or balance exhaustion information is received from the service control unit (SCP) or the service control unit gateway (SCP Gateway). Run the steps, The service control unit (SCP) or the service control unit gateway (SCP Gateway) calculates the data service usage limit corresponding to the balance information of the prepaid intelligent network subscriber using the pre-stored rate table, and the data service usage limit is the And a packet amount calculated by a service fee set at the highest price among the balance information and the rate table.