KR101497222B1 - Apparatus, Method, and Recording Medium for selecting PCC rule according to Usage Monitoring - Google Patents

Abstract

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a technique for selecting a PCC rule according to a monitored usage amount in monitoring a usage amount of a network resource for monitoring usage control in an LTE (Long Term Evolution) EPC (Evolved Packet Core) network, A method for selecting a PCC rule according to an aspect of the present invention, the method comprising the steps of: (a) defining a predefined PCC rule corresponding to subscriber information; (PCC_UsageMonitoringKey) corresponding to a rule is defined, usage monitoring information is defined for each usage monitoring key, and the usage monitoring information includes usage ratio (hereinafter referred to as " quota " PCC rule name (PCC Rulename) and threshold (U) to be applied in the step of RemainRatio sage Threshold) value; And (b) searching for usage monitoring information corresponding to the current remaining amount of the subscriber based on the established database; And (c) transmitting the usage monitoring information found in the step (b) to the PCEF.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus, a method, and a recording medium for selecting a PCC rule according to usage monitoring,

[0001] The present invention relates to a usage monitoring control technique in a mobile communication system, and more particularly, to a usage monitoring control technique in a long term evolution (LTE) evolved packet core (EPC) a method and a recording medium for selecting a PCC rule according to a monitored usage amount when monitoring a resource.

In general, the LTE mobile communication system sets a service quality policy and a billing rule for service use, and provides services to terminals according to a set policy and a billing rule. For this purpose, the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) receives service information from an Application Function (AF) or a Subscription Profile Repository (SPR) And generates a policy and a Charging Control Rule (PCC rule). The PCRF then provides the generated PCC rules to the Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF). The PCEF then provides the QoS (Quality of Service) service according to the service flow to the terminal based on the PCC rule.

Usage Monitoring Control is one of various PCC (Policy and Charging Control) functional standards introduced in 3GPP Release 9.2.0 (March, 2010). It is used for specific service or IP-CAN (Internet Protocol Connectivity Access Network) It is a function to measure the Usage of network resource based on sessions and to control PCC according to usage.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a general method of measuring a network usage (Usage of network resource) in an LTE EPC network. As shown in FIG. 1, a usage amount of a PCRF in a PGW (or PCEF) The PCRF requests the usage update by the SPF, calculates the remaining amount of the SPR and notifies the PCRF of the remaining amount, and the PCRF notifies the PGW of the usage amount monitoring request with the monitoring volume (that is, the threshold value Value) and the PCC control rule.

Usage measurement can be provided in existing billing system based on billing CDR (Call Data Records), but it can be measured in real time compared with billing system by performing network based usage measurement as shown in FIG. 1, QoS and billing can be controlled in real time.

However, only the basic signal flow and message format between PCRF and PGW for PCC control in the usage monitoring operation are defined in the 3GPP standard, and the usage (in PCRF) There is a problem that the implementation of the PCC rule selection operation and its utilization are not defined.

3GPP TS 29.212 "Policy and Charging Control over Gx reference point" 3GPP TS 29.213 "Policy and charging control signaling flows and Quality of Service (QoS) parameter mapping" 3GPP TS 23.203 "Policy Control and Charging architecture" 3GPP TS 29.329 "Sh Interface based on the Diameter protocol" 3GPP TS 29.328 "IP Multimedia (IM) Subsystem Sh interface, signaling flows and message contents"

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is an object of the present invention to enable PCC rules to be selected according to subdivided usage levels when monitoring the usage amount of network resources (e.g., data) in an LTE EPC network, Apparatus, method, and recording for PCC rule selection based on usage monitoring, which prevents traffic congestion that may occur at the time of an interval change and allows the customer to perceive the details of PCC control at each usage level Media.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for selecting a PCC rule according to an aspect of the present invention, the apparatus comprising: a step of calculating a usage ratio (RemainRatio) A database in which usage monitoring information including a PCC rule name (PCC Rulename) to be applied and a usage threshold value is defined; An information searching unit for searching for usage monitoring information corresponding to a current remaining amount for each subscriber based on the database; And an information transmission unit for transmitting the per-subscriber usage amount information detected by the information search unit to the PCEF. The database may include a basic PCC rule corresponding to the subscriber information, A usage monitoring key (PCC_UsageMonitoringKey) corresponding to the usage monitoring key (PCC_UsageMonitoringKey) is defined, and usage monitoring information is defined for each usage monitoring key.

The usage-amount monitoring information may further include usage-type-expiration-time type information indicating a usage-amount measurement interval change time, and the database may further include notification message notification information for each usage rate step. And a notifying unit for notifying the subscriber of the PCC control contents in a guide message according to the informing information of the informing message.

The information transmission unit may transmit the usage amount monitoring information through a Charging Credit Answer (RMA) message or a RAR (Re-Authorized Request) message, and the CCA message may include a CCA_Init message and a CCA_Update message.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for selecting a PCC rule according to usage monitoring, the method comprising the steps of: (a) In order to search for information, the database is constructed so that the usage monitoring information including the PCC rule name (PCC Rulename) and the usage threshold value to be applied in each step of the usage ratio (RemainRatio) to the initial total allowable amount is defined. ; (b) searching for usage amount monitoring information corresponding to a current remaining amount for each subscriber based on the established database; And (c) transmitting the per-subscriber usage monitoring information found in the step (b) to the PCEF, and (d) transmitting the pertinent PCC control content to the subscriber according to the informing information And the step (d) may be performed together with the step (c).

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In the step (a), a predefined PCC rule corresponding to subscriber information is defined, a usage monitoring key PCC_UsageMonitoringKey corresponding to the basic PCC rule is defined, and the usage monitoring information Usage Monitoring Information) is defined.

In the step (a), the usage amount monitoring information may further include a type of usage expire time information indicating a usage amount measurement interval change time, As shown in FIG.

In the step (c), the usage amount monitoring information may be transmitted through a Charging Credit Answer (CCA) message or a RAR (Re-Authorized Request) message. The CCA message may include a CCA_Init message and a CCA_Update message.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute a method for selecting a PCC rule according to the usage amount monitoring.

As described above, according to various aspects of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

First, the PCC rules can be selected according to the granular usage level. In other words, -30%, -20%, -10%, 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, ... of the initial total allowable amount of PCC control by the usage level of a specific service (or session) It is possible to provide a stepwise QoS rate control so that the customer can experience each time over. To do this, PCRF internally manages the DB table that is optimized for Usage Monitoring PCC, and each PCC Rule and usage notification unit (threshold value) can be set according to the usage ratio (Remain Ratio).

Second, traffic congestion that may occur at the time of changing the usage measurement interval can be prevented.

The usage monitoring operation basically causes the PCC control operation when the usage amount is exceeded. This inevitably can lead to traffic congestion for the release of the PCC control operation at the time of the usage measurement interval (Interval). In the present invention, Usage Monitoring and Time-Controlled PCC control operations are internally connected internally in the PCRF (i.e., when the usage monitoring information is given to the PCEF, the Type of Usage ExpireTime indicating the usage amount measurement interval change time) Together), avoiding traffic congestion that may occur at times of exceeded usage measurement interval time.

The usage measurement interval is, for example, a usage measurement interval from 1 to 30 days of the month, assuming that the mobile HDTV service provides a usage amount of 5 GB per month and that the control operation is performed at an excess of 200 Kbps. When a specific subscriber has a speed control of 200 Kbps in excess of 5 GB of usage per month, it must notify PCEF (PGW) in the PCRF to release 200 Kbps control PCC at the same time as the first day of the next month Traffic congestion can be caused. In other words, assuming that the number of mobile HDTV subscribers is one million, one million notification messages can occur at the same time on the first day of the following month. Accordingly, when the PCRF notifies the PCEF of usage monitoring information, together with the usage expiry time type information (Type of Usage ExpireTime) indicating the usage measurement interval change time, the PCEF notifies the usage measurement interval change time , It is possible to automatically perform the 200 Kbps control PCC release. Therefore, the traffic congestion that may occur at the usage measurement interval time exceeding time (i.e., 1 million notification messages sent from the PCRF to the PCEF in the case of the mobile HDTV service described above Traffic congestion) can be avoided.

Third, it is possible to allow the customer to perceive the details of the PCC control by the detailed usage level. That is, the function of generating and delivering the SMS to the SMSC from the PCRF at each point of time of the PCC control of the usage level of the specific service (or session) can provide the customer recognition of the speed control and the guidance of the data charging site.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a general method of measuring Usage of network resource in an LTE EPC network,
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a system for PCC rule selection according to an embodiment of the present invention,
3 is a configuration diagram of an apparatus for selecting a PCC rule according to an amount of usage monitoring according to an embodiment of the present invention;
4 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a database according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a view for explaining the function of each item of usage monitoring information defined in the usage monitoring table of FIG. 4;
6 is a flow chart of a method for PCC rule selection according to usage monitoring according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a method for PCC rule selection according to the usage amount monitoring of the present invention when an initial access (Initial Attach)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a method for PCC rule selection according to the usage amount monitoring of the present invention when communicating after initial connection of the terminal;
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for PCC rule selection according to the usage amount monitoring of the present invention when a terminal is detached.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used to denote like elements in the drawings, even if they are shown in different drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for selecting PCC rules according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, a subscription profile storage (SPR) 210, an application function (AF) A PCRF 230, a PCEF 240, a customer center (IT) 250, and a short message service center (SMSC) 260.

The Subscription Profile Repository (SPR) 210 includes subscriber profile information (or subscriber information) that is subscription information of subscribers, for example, the type of service licensed to the subscriber, subscription and activation information, (Access point name) information of the subscriber, information on the subscriber category, the total amount of usage allocated to the subscriber (or the total allowable amount) And permanently manages subscription of specific service for each subscriber and usage amount of the service for usage monitoring operation. When the SPR 210 receives the subscriber information inquiry request from the PCRF 230, the SPR 210 transmits the requested subscriber information to the PCRF 230 in response.

The application function (AF) 220 is a function that the subscriber stations negotiate a service quality information request such as Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) using a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) And generates service information using a session description protocol (SDP) to be exchanged. The service information generated by the AF 220 may include an Internet Protocol (IP), a port, a media type, a bandwidth, application information of an application function, . The AF 220 transmits service information to the PCRF 230 after session connection with the PCRF 230, and requests control of the service.

PCRF 230 is generally present in a wireless data network and generates PCC rules for QoS and charging in cooperation with SPR 210 and AF 220 in a heterogeneous network such as WiFi and eHRPD as well as WCDMA / LTE . In other words, the PCRF 230 generates PCC rules based on subscriber (profile) information received from the SPR 210 and service information received from the AF 220. The PCRF 230 may transmit the generated PCC rule to the PCEF 240 upon request of the PCEF 240 and may forward the PCC rule in the PCRF 240 even if there is no request from the PCEF 240 . When the data usage of the real-time network user monitored by the PCEF 240 is reported from the PCEF 240, the PCRF 230 updates and updates the remaining amount, and transmits the additional PCC rule corresponding to the current remaining amount together with the monitoring continuation request to the PCEF 240 , And notify the SPR 210 of the final amount of the remaining user session when the corresponding user session is released.

The PCRF 230 can transmit SMS through the SMSC 260 to request the PCC control and the customer by the PGW 240 according to the usage amount of the specific service for each subscriber. A basic PCC rule table, usage monitoring table, and SMS table as shown in FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b) and 4 (c) The usage amount information per subscriber of the PCRF 230 is volatile information, which is deleted when the subscriber detaches the LTE network and acquires usage amount information for each subscriber through interworking with the SPR 210 at the time of connection attachment.

The PCEF 240 represents a device such as a PDN-GW (PGW), receives a PCC rule by requesting a PCF rule from the PCRF 230, and generates a service flow based on the received PCC rule. And can also report data usage to the PCRF 230 in real time by monitoring the data usage amount of the network user.

The IT 250 transmits the subscriber's specific service subscription information and service allowable capacity information (i.e., the total allowable amount information) to the SPR 210. The SMSC 260, in response to a request from the PCRF 230, And is the same as that of the existing IT and SMSC, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration diagram applied to the PCRF 230 of FIG. 2 as a configuration of an apparatus for PCC rule selection according to the usage monitoring according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, An information searching unit 233, an information transmitting unit 235, and an SMS notification unit 237. [

4, the database 231 stores basic PCC rules (Predefined PCC Rule) corresponding to subscriber information and a basic PCC table (PCC_UsageMonitoringKey) in which a usage monitoring key (PCC_UsageMonitoringKey) corresponding to the basic PCC rule is defined A Usage Monitoring TBL (b) and a usage monitoring table (b) in which Usage Monitoring Information is defined for each usage monitoring key of the basic PCC table (a) And an SMS table (c) in which an SMS phrase is defined for each of the SMS notice information (SMS Noti_1 ~ 10) among the usage amount monitoring information of the usage amount monitoring information.

The usage amount monitoring information defined in the usage amount monitoring table (b) of the database 231 according to the present embodiment includes Monitoring Level information, MuteNotification information, INIT GrantedServiceUNIT information, and Type of Usage ExpireTime information is defined in the upper stage and PCC rule names (PCC Rulename_1 to 10 (PCC Rulename) to 10 (PCC rule name) to be applied by the step of RemainRatio (RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_10 in this embodiment) ), Threshold values (Usage Threshold_1 to 10), and SMS_Noti_1 to 10 information, respectively.

The function of each item of the usage amount monitoring information defined in the usage amount monitoring table (b) of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

INIT GrantedServiceUNIT information is the value of Granted_Service-Unit to be transmitted when the RemainRatio value is 0, and indicates the initial threshold value.

Type of Usage The ExpireTime information indicates the usage expiration time type information indicating the point of time when the usage measurement interval is changed and indicates Deactivation Time Type (None / Yearly / Monthly / Weekly / Daily) to be applied to the UsagePolicyID.

RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainRatio_1 to RemainingRatio_1 . Each use ratio step can be set for each step in a range of -100% to 100%, for example. In this embodiment, a table dividing the use ratio step into 10 steps is shown.

PCC Rulename_1 ~ 10 to be applied are PCC rule names to be applied in RemainRatio_1 ~ 10 respectively, PCC Rulename_1 to be applied indicates PCC Rulename to be applied in RemainRatio_1, and PCC Rulename_10 to be applied indicates PCC Rulename to be applied in RemainRatio_10.

UsageThreshold_1-10 is the threshold value to be applied in RemainRatio_1-10, UsageThreshold_1 is the threshold value to be applied in RemainRatio_1 (ex: 80), UsageThreshold_10 is the threshold value (ex: 50) to be applied in RemainRatio_10, The visibility value represents the threshold at which the PGW 240 transmits the Usage-Monitoring Report to the PCRF 230 at each usage rate step.

The SMS Noti_1 ~ 10 are the SMS notification whether or not to be applied to RemainRatio_1 ~ 10, respectively, and indicate the ID value of the SMS table of Figure 4 (c). In the case of the usage ratio step where the SMS notice information is absent, I never do that.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the information searching unit 233 searches the usage amount monitoring information corresponding to the current remaining amount of the subscriber based on the database of FIG. 4 described above. For example, If there is a PCC_UsageMonitoringKey corresponding to the basic PCC rule in the usage monitoring table of FIG. 4 (b), if the basic PCC rule applied to the subscriber is one of Predefined PCC Rule 1 to Predefined PCC Rule 8 and there is a PCC_UsageMonitoringKey corresponding to the basic PCC rule, Finds the step, finds information of each item of the use ratio step and obtains it as usage monitoring information.

The information transmission unit 235 transmits the usage amount monitoring information, which is searched and acquired by the information search unit 233, to the PCEF 240. The information transmission unit 235 transmits the usage amount monitoring information to the PCEF 240 using a Charging Credit Answer (CCA) (Re-Authorize Request) message, and the CCA message may include a CCA_Init message and a CCA_Update message.

The SMS notifying unit 237 informs the information searching unit 233 of the SMS notification information, that is, the SMS Noti information, as the item information of the usage rate step among the usage amount monitoring information acquired and obtained through the usage amount monitoring table of FIG. 4 (b) The SMS message corresponding to the corresponding SMS Noti information is found in the SMS table of FIG. 4C and can be notified to the subscriber terminal through the SMSC 260. The SMS message is sent to the PCC Rulename The PCC control contents according to the data charging site, and the address information of the data charging site.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method for selecting a PCC rule according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is applied to the PCRF 230 of FIGS. 2 and 3. Therefore, the operation of the PCRF 230 will be described.

4 (a) of the database 231, when the subscriber information change message is received from the SPR 210 or the CCR message (CCR_Init, CCR_Update) from the PGW 240 (S601) (S602), and searches for a default PCC rule (Predefined PCC Rule) corresponding to the subscriber information (S603).

Then, if there is a usage monitoring key (PCC_UsageMonitoringKey) corresponding to the basic PCC rule found in step S603 (S604), the usage monitoring key is extracted and the usage monitoring table as shown in FIG. 4B corresponding to the extracted usage monitoring key And determines a usage monitoring level (S605).

Next, referring to the usage monitoring table of FIG. 4 (b), a remained ratio corresponding to the current usage amount is found and a Granted_Service-Unit defined by the usage ratio step, that is, a threshold value The threshold value is selected (S606).

Then, in the usage amount monitoring table of FIG. 4 (b), the PCC rule name (PCC Rulename) and SMS_Noti information defined in the applicable usage rate step corresponding to the current usage amount are selected and the Type of Usage ExpireTime information (S607).

Finally, the information transmission unit 235 transmits the usage monitoring information including the information obtained by searching the information searching unit 233 through steps S603 to S607 to the PCEF 240 by loading the CCA message or the RAR message ( S608).

On the other hand, the SMS notification unit 237 finds the corresponding phrase in the SMS table of FIG. 4 (c) based on the SMS_Noti information of step S607 and notifies the subscriber terminal through the SMSC 260.

On the other hand, if there is no usage monitoring key (PCC_UsageMonitoringKey) corresponding to the basic PCC rule of the step S603 in the step S604, the basic PCC rule found in the step S603 is determined (S611) Message to the PCEF 240 (S612).

7 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a method for PCC rule selection according to the usage amount monitoring of the present invention at initial connection of a terminal, and is applied to the apparatus of FIG. 2-3. Therefore, .

(1) From the IT (Customer Center) 250 to the SPR 210, whether or not to join the subscriber's specific service and the service allowed capacity information is transmitted.

(2) The user terminal UE performs an Initial Attach operation to the LTE network.

(3) Upon receiving a CSR (Create Session Request) message from the MME / SGW (not shown), the PGW 240 transmits International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) information, APN (Access Point Name) And transmits a CCR-Init message including the UE IP address and default QoS information.

(4) The PCRF 230 transmits a UDR message to the SPR 210 in order to acquire subscriber information. When the PCRF 230 and the SPR 210 are integrated, they can operate through an internal paging process. The present invention assumes separation between PCRF and SPR as defined in 3GPP TS 29.203, and the interface between SPR and PCRF is provided through a message of Sh Interface between HSS and AS of IMS network defined in 3GPP TS29.329 can do. In addition, the interface between SPR and PCRF will be able to use a protocol according to the provider definition.

(5) The SPR 210 transmits subscriber information in the UDA message to the PCRF 230 in response to the received UDR message. At this time, when using the usage monitoring (Usage Monitoring), it is necessary to transmit the subscriber's specific service subscription information and usage amount information.

(6) The PCRF 230 delivers the CCA-Init message including the basic PCC rule for each service to the PGW 240. In the case where the service to which the subscriber subscribes from among the subscriber information received from the SPR 210 is a service for which Usage Monitoring is to be provided, the Usage Monitoring Information is defined as CCA-Init message as defined in 3GPP TS 29.212 The usage amount monitoring information to be delivered according to the present embodiment refers to the usage amount monitoring table of FIG. 4 (b), and monitors the monitoring key, the usage monitoring level A Usage Monitoring Level (PCC Level or Session Level), an initial usage reporting unit information (INIT GrantedServiceUNIT) (i.e., an initial usage threshold value), a Type of Usage ExpireTime .

(7) The PGW 240 transmits a CSR (Create Session Response) message to the SGW (not shown) and responds to the CSR (Create Session Request) message received at the previous step.

(8) The PGW 240 uses the Monitoring Key, the Usage-Monitoring-Level, and the Usage Report value in Usage Monitoring Information received from the PCRF 230 in Step (6) (Usage Monitoring Report) operation in units of Usage Report when traffic usage is mapped.

On the other hand, the PGW 240 can automatically release control according to the basic PCC rule if the usage measurement interval change time exceeds the usage amount expiration time type information received in step (6).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a method for PCC rule selection according to the usage amount monitoring of the present invention in initial communication after the terminal is connected to the apparatus of FIG. 2-3. do.

(1) The PGW 240 detects the corresponding service usage amount of the subscriber according to the usage monitoring information received through the initial attachment operation of FIG. 7, and transmits the corresponding service And monitors whether or not the usage reaches a usage threshold value (reporting unit threshold value).

(2) When the used amount reaches the threshold value, the PGW 240 reports the usage amount to the PCRF 230 using the CCR-Update message.

(3) to (4) The PCRF 230 updates the remaining amount with the SPR 210 in real time upon receiving the usage monitoring report. On the other hand, if the remaining amount of the PCRF 230 is updated and only the last remaining amount of the connection is released to the SPR 210, the process (3) and (4) described above can be skipped, .

(5) The PCRF 230 subtracts and updates the remaining amount by the usage amount notification value transmitted by the PGW 240.

(6) The PCRF 230 refers to the usage monitoring table of FIG. 4 (b) based on the updated remaining amount and finds the usage rate of the corresponding service of the subscriber (that is, the remaining amount ratio to the allowed amount) Select the details of the usage monitoring information.

(7) The PCRF 230 transfers the CCA-Update message including the usage monitoring information to the PGW 240 in response to the CCR-Update received in the step (2). If there is a PCC rule to be applied to the detail item of the usage monitoring information selected in step 6, the PCRF 230 adds the corresponding PCC rule to the CCA-Update message as a new predefined PCC rule # 1 and transmits the new PCC rule to the PGW 240 do. The Rule-Deactivation-Time value of the usage expiration time type information (Type of Usage ExpireTime) indicating the usage amount measurement interval change time is also used for CCA-Update It can be included in the message and delivered together. For example, in the case of a monthly measurement interval, the Rule-Deactivation-Time value includes the end of the month. The PGW 240 operates the PCC control only until the end of the month. Also, in order to perform continuous usage monitoring operation, a threshold value defined in the usage ratio step is included in the CCA-Update message as a detailed item of usage monitoring information. That is, in the present embodiment, the usage amount monitoring information may include the selected detail item referring to the usage amount monitoring table of FIG. 4 (b) as described in the above-described step (6).

(8) If SMS Noti information is present in the usage ratio (remaining amount / allowable amount ratio) step as the detail item of the usage amount monitoring information selected in the above-described step (6), the SMSF operation is set, And transmits the corresponding SMS text message to the SMSC 260 to be transmitted to the user terminal. Thus, the user is notified that the PCC is controlled and notifies the user that the data can be charged.

(9) The PGW 240 continues the usage monitoring operation according to the information of the CCA-Update message received in the above-described step (7). At this time, when the application of the new predefined PCC Rule # 1 is requested in the PCRF 230, Add control action according to Rule # 1 only until Deactivation-Time.

(10) The PGW 240 detects the traffic usage of the corresponding service and confirms whether the detected usage amount reaches the threshold value received in the step (7). Step 10 is the same as that of step (1) technically described above.

(11) Upon reaching the threshold value again in the above-described step (10), the PGW 240 performs a Usage-Monitoring Report through the CCR-Update message to the PCRF 230 again. Step 11 is technically the same as step (2) described above.

(12) to (13) The PCRF 230 real-time updates the remaining amount with the SPR 210 upon receiving a usage monitoring report. Meanwhile, if the remaining amount of the PCRF 230 is updated and only the last remaining amount of the connection is released to the SPR 210, the processes (12) and (13) can be skipped, . Steps (12) to (13) are technically the same as the steps (3) to (4) described above.

(14) The PCRF 230 subtracts and updates the remaining amount by the usage report value transmitted from the PGW 240. Step 14 is the same as that of step (5) described above technically.

(15) The PCRF 230 refers to the Usage Monitoring PCC Table to determine whether to change the PCC control when changing the subscriber's specific service usage ratio (remaining amount / allowable amount ratio). That is, the PCRF 230 refers to the usage monitoring table of FIG. 4 (b) based on the updated remaining amount, finds the usage rate of the corresponding service of the subscriber (that is, the remaining amount ratio to the allowed amount) Select details of usage monitoring information. Step 15 is the same as that of step 6 described above technically.

(16) The PCRF 230 delivers the CCA-Update message including the usage monitoring information to the PGW 240 in response to the CCR-Update received in the step 11 described above. If there is a PCC rule to be newly applied to the detail item of the usage monitoring information selected in step 15, the PCRF 230 adds the PCC rule to the CCA-Update message as a new predefined PCC rule # 2, And requests the deletion of Predefined PCC Rule # 1 allocated according to the previous usage ratio. The Rule-Deactivation-Time value of the usage expiration time type information (Type of Usage ExpireTime) indicating the usage amount measurement interval change time is also used for CCA-Update It can be included in the message and delivered together. Step 16 is performed in the same manner as in step 7 described above.

(17) If the SMS Noti information is present in the usage ratio (remaining amount / allowable amount ratio) step as the detail item of the usage amount monitoring information selected in the above-described step 15, the SMSF operation is set, ) And transmits the corresponding SMS text message to the SMSC 260. The SMSC 260 transmits the SMS text message to the user terminal so that the customer recognizes the PCC control content through the corresponding SMS phrase received at the mobile terminal If necessary, data can be charged.

(18) The PGW 240 continues the usage monitoring operation according to the information of the CCA-Update message received in the above-described step 16. At this time, when the application of the new predefined PCC Rule # 2 is requested in the PCRF 230, Only the Deactivation-Time is added to the control action according to the corresponding Rule # 2, and the corresponding Rule # 1 control applied according to the deletion request of the predefined PCC Rule # 1 is deleted.

(19) The PGW 240 detects the traffic usage of the corresponding service and confirms whether the sensed usage amount reaches the threshold value received from the PERF 230 through the above-described step (16). Step 19 is the same as the process of steps (1) and (10) described above technically.

(20) Upon reaching the corresponding threshold value in the above-described step 19, the PGW 240 performs Usage-Monitoring Report through the CCR-Update message to the PCRF 230. Step 20 is the same as that of steps (2) and (11) described above technically.

(21) to (22) When the PCRF 230 receives the usage monitoring report from the PGW 240 through the above-described step 20, the PCRF 230 updates the remaining amount with the SPR 210 in real time. Meanwhile, since the PCRF 230 can update the remaining amount and update only the last remaining amount at the time of connection cancellation to the SPR 210, the processes (21) and (22) can be skipped, . The steps (21) to (22) are the same as the steps of steps (3) to (4) and steps (12) to (13) technically described above.

(23) The PCRF 230 subtracts and updates the remaining amount by the usage report value transmitted from the PGW 240. Step 23 is the same as that of steps (5) and (14) described above technically.

(24) The PCRF 230 refers to the Usage Monitoring PCC Table to determine whether to change the PCC control upon changing the specific service usage ratio (remaining amount / allowable amount ratio) of the subscriber. That is, the PCRF 230 refers to the usage monitoring table of FIG. 4 (b) based on the updated remaining amount, finds the usage rate of the corresponding service of the subscriber (that is, the remaining amount ratio to the allowed amount) Select details of usage monitoring information. Step 24 is the same as that of steps (6) and (15) described above technically.

(25) The PCRF 230 delivers the CCA-Update message including the usage monitoring information to the PGW 240 in response to the CCR-Update message received in the step 20 described above. If there is a PCC rule to be newly applied to the detail item of the usage monitoring information selected in step 24, the PCRF 230 adds the PCC rule to the CCA-Update message as a new predefined PCC rule # 3, , And requests the deletion of Predefined PCC Rule # 2 allocated according to the previous usage ratio. Also, in order to prevent traffic congestion at the time of changing the usage measurement interval, the Rule-Deactivation-Time value of the usage expiration time type information (Type of Usage ExpireTime) indicating the usage amount measurement interval change time is also CCA-Update It can be included in the message and delivered together. Step 25 is performed in the same manner as the steps (7) and (16) described above.

(26) If the SMS Noti information is present in the usage ratio (remaining amount / allowable amount ratio) step as a detailed item of the usage amount monitoring information selected in the above step 24, the SMSF operation is set, ) And transmits the corresponding SMS text message to the SMSC 260. The SMSC 260 transmits the SMS text message to the user terminal so that the customer recognizes the PCC control content through the corresponding SMS phrase received at the mobile terminal , It is possible to charge the data when necessary. Step 26 is performed in the same manner as steps (8) and (17) described above.

(27) The PGW 240 continues the usage monitoring operation according to the information of the CCA-Update message received in the above-described step 25. At this time, when the PCRF 230 requests the new predefined PCC Rule # 3 application, -Deactivation-Time, and deletes the previously applied Rule # 2 control according to the request for deletion of the predefined PCC Rule # 2.

The steps (1) to (9), steps (10) to (18), and steps (19) to (27) described above are repeated until detachment of the terminal is detached.

9 is a flowchart for explaining a method for PCC rule selection according to the usage amount monitoring of the present invention when detaching a terminal, and is applied to the apparatus of FIG.

(1) The PGW 240 performs a user monitoring operation as shown in FIG. 8 and maintains IP connectivity.

(2) The user terminal UE performs an LTE connection detach operation and requests the PGW 240 to terminate the connection.

(3) The PGW 240 delivers the CCR-Term message to the PCRF 230, and the PGW 240 transmits the CCR-Term message including the last remaining usage amount in the usage monitoring information.

(4) The PCRF 230 subtracts the last remaining usage amount transmitted by the PGW 240, and finally updates the remaining amount.

(5) The PCRF 230 transfers the final residual value to the SPR 210.

(6) The SPR 210 transmits a success response message to the PCRF 230.

(7) The SPR 210 updates the last remaining amount value transmitted from the PCRF 230 to the corresponding subscriber information.

(8) The PCRF 230 delivers the CCR-Term (Success) message to the PGW 240 and deletes the session-related information. When the subscriber then connects to the LTE network again, the PCRF 230 retrieves the final amount of the remaining data through the inquiry to the SPR 210. [

As described above, the method for selecting PCC rules according to the usage monitoring according to the embodiment of the present invention can be implemented as a computer-readable recording medium including program instructions for performing various computer-implemented operations. The computer-readable recording medium may include a program command, a local data file, a local data structure, or the like, alone or in combination. The recording medium may be those specially designed and constructed for the embodiments of the present invention or may be those known to those skilled in the computer software. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tape, optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floppy disks, and ROMs, And hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute the same program instructions. The recording medium may be a transmission medium such as an optical or metal line, a wave guide, or the like, including a carrier wave for transmitting a signal designating a program command, a local data structure, or the like. Examples of program instructions may include machine language code such as those generated by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that may be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like.

The foregoing description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are intended to illustrate rather than limit the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of the present invention should be construed according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the scope of equivalents should be construed as falling within the scope of the present invention.

210: Subscription Profile Repository (SPR)
220: Application Function (AF)
230: Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF)
231: Database
233: Information search section
235:
237: SMS notification section
240: Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF)
250: Customer Center (IT)
260: Short Message Service Center (SMSC)

Claims (16)

Usage monitoring information including the PCC rule name (PCC Rulename) and the threshold value (Usage Threshold) to be applied in each step of the usage ratio (RemainRatio) to the initial total allowable amount is defined so that the usage monitoring information can be searched for by each subscriber A database;
An information searching unit for searching for usage monitoring information corresponding to a current remaining amount for each subscriber based on the database; And
And an information transmitting unit for transmitting the usage amount monitoring information for each subscriber found in the information searching unit to the PCEF,
Wherein the information transmission unit transmits the usage amount monitoring information through a Charging Credit Answer (RRC) message or a Re-Authorize Request (RAR) message. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the database defines a basic PCC rule corresponding to subscriber information, a usage monitoring key PCC_UsageMonitoringKey corresponding to the basic PCC rule is defined, and the usage monitoring information ) Is defined on the basis of the usage monitoring information. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the usage amount monitoring information further includes usage expiration time type information (Type of Usage ExpireTime) indicating a usage amount measurement interval change time. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the database further includes information on whether or not to be notified of a guidance message for each step of the usage ratio. 5. The method of claim 4,
Further comprising a notifying unit for notifying a subscriber of a corresponding PCC control content in a guide message in accordance with the information for informing whether or not to receive the guidance message. delete The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the CCA message includes a CCA_Init message and a CCA_Update message. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 and 7,
Wherein the apparatus for selecting a PCC rule according to the usage monitoring is included in a PCRF. A method for selecting a PCC rule according to usage monitoring performed in a PCRF,
(a) usage monitoring information including a PCC rule name (PCC Rulename) and a usage threshold value to be applied in each step of the usage ratio (RemainRatio) to the initial total allowable amount, Establishing a database so that the database is defined;
(b) searching for usage amount monitoring information corresponding to a current remaining amount for each subscriber based on the established database; And
(c) transmitting the per-subscriber usage amount information detected in the step (b) to the PCEF
Wherein the usage monitoring information is transmitted through a Charging Credit Answer (RRC) message or a RAR (Re-Authorized Request) message in step (c). 10. The method of claim 9,
In the step (a), a predefined PCC rule corresponding to subscriber information is defined, a usage monitoring key PCC_UsageMonitoringKey corresponding to the basic PCC rule is defined, and the usage monitoring information Wherein the database is constructed such that Usage Monitoring Information is defined. 10. The method of claim 9,
The method of claim 1, wherein the usage monitoring information further includes a type of usage expiration time type information indicating a usage amount measurement interval change time. 10. The method of claim 9,
The method of claim 1, wherein the database further includes information on whether or not to be notified of a guidance message for each step of the usage ratio. 13. The method of claim 12,
and (d) notifying the subscriber of the PCC control contents in a guide message according to the informing information of the guidance message. delete 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the CCA message includes a CCA_Init message and a CCA_Update message. 15. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute a method for selecting a PCC rule according to any one of claims 9 to 13,

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