WO2013131382A1 - 计费方法、认证方法、计费设备和认证设备 - Google Patents

计费方法、认证方法、计费设备和认证设备 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013131382A1
WO2013131382A1 PCT/CN2012/085307 CN2012085307W WO2013131382A1 WO 2013131382 A1 WO2013131382 A1 WO 2013131382A1 CN 2012085307 W CN2012085307 W CN 2012085307W WO 2013131382 A1 WO2013131382 A1 WO 2013131382A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rate
time point
traffic
reporting time
access device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2012/085307
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
张亚锋
Original Assignee
华为技术有限公司
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by 华为技术有限公司 filed Critical 华为技术有限公司
Priority to ES12870777.5T priority Critical patent/ES2578063T3/es
Priority to EP12870777.5A priority patent/EP2790427B1/en
Publication of WO2013131382A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013131382A1/zh
Priority to US14/330,711 priority patent/US9357082B2/en
Priority to US15/143,256 priority patent/US9521266B2/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/43—Billing software details
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/02—Details
    • H04L12/14—Charging, metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
    • H04L12/1403—Architecture for metering, charging or billing
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/02—Details
    • H04L12/14—Charging, metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
    • H04L12/1432—Metric aspects
    • H04L12/1435—Metric aspects volume-based
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/02—Details
    • H04L12/14—Charging, metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
    • H04L12/1453—Methods or systems for payment or settlement of the charges for data transmission involving significant interaction with the data transmission network
    • H04L12/1467—Methods or systems for payment or settlement of the charges for data transmission involving significant interaction with the data transmission network involving prepayment
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/02—Details
    • H04L12/14—Charging, metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
    • H04L12/1485—Tariff-related aspects
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/62—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP based on trigger specification
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/83—Notification aspects
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/83—Notification aspects
    • H04M15/85—Notification aspects characterised by the type of condition triggering a notification
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/83—Notification aspects
    • H04M15/85—Notification aspects characterised by the type of condition triggering a notification
    • H04M15/851—Determined tariff
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/83—Notification aspects
    • H04M15/85—Notification aspects characterised by the type of condition triggering a notification
    • H04M15/853—Calculate maximum communication time or volume
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/83—Notification aspects
    • H04M15/85—Notification aspects characterised by the type of condition triggering a notification
    • H04M15/854—Available credit
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/88—Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
    • H04M15/887—Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure limit per user or user related number
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/02—Details
    • H04L12/14—Charging, metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
    • H04L12/1485—Tariff-related aspects
    • H04L12/1496—Tariff-related aspects involving discounts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to real-time charging technology, and in particular, to a charging method, an authentication method, a charging device, and an authentication device. Background technique
  • real-time billing technology has created favorable conditions for operators to further segment the market. For example, with real-time billing technology, operators can develop a variety of monthly packages for different durations to meet the needs of different types of users. For another example, the operator can divide the day into a plurality of different time periods according to the network usage status, and set different charging rates for different time periods. For example, set a higher rate during periods of heavy network (such as between 20:00 and 23:00 daily); set a lower rate during periods of idle network (such as between 6:00 and 8:00). Even free.
  • the billing message reporting mechanism of the existing real-time charging technology is not perfect, and in some cases, it may lead to unexpected situations.
  • existing real-time billing technologies may lead to overdraft of user accounts in some cases, which may cause losses to operators. The reason for this phenomenon will be described below with reference to Fig. 1.
  • 1 is a signaling diagram of an existing real-time charging method 100.
  • 18 points is the rate switching point, that is, the rate switching will occur at 18 o'clock, where the rate before switching is 0 yuan / M, that is, free before switching; The rate is 1 yuan / M.
  • the user sends a login request to the access device, and the user's account balance is 10 yuan.
  • Step 102 The access device sends an access request to the authentication device in response to the login request of the user. (Access Request), in order to request authorization traffic for the user.
  • Access Request an access request to the authentication device in response to the login request of the user.
  • Step 104 The authentication device sends an initial credit control request (Cititation Control Request ⁇ Initial ⁇ , CCR ⁇ Init ⁇ ) to the charging device, where the initial credit control request carries the requested Service Unit (RSU) 100M.
  • RSU Service Unit
  • the billing device determines the current available traffic based on the user's current account balance and current rate. Since the user's current account balance is 10 yuan, according to the current rate of 0 yuan / M, the current available traffic is determined to be infinite, that is, the user can use the unrestricted until the free time period ends.
  • Step 106 The charging device sends an initial credit control response (Credit Control Answer ⁇ Initial ⁇ , CCA ⁇ Init ⁇ ) to the authentication device.
  • Credit Control Answer ⁇ Initial ⁇ , CCA ⁇ Init ⁇ an initial credit control response
  • CCA ⁇ Init ⁇ an initial credit control response
  • the determined current available traffic is infinity, which is greater than the requested traffic volume, 100M, so according to the existing real-time
  • GSU Granted Service Unit carried in CCA ⁇ Init ⁇ is 100M of the requested traffic.
  • the access response further includes a Tarrif Switch Interval (TSI), which is used to indicate the time interval between the current time and the rate switching point, to prompt the access device to use the service before and after the rate switching point.
  • TSI Tarrif Switch Interval
  • the amount is reported separately.
  • TSI 540s indicates that the current time distance switching point is 540 seconds.
  • step 110 when the service usage of the user reaches 90M, the access device sends an online access request (Online Access Request) to the authentication device, where the service usage is 90M (the service usage is also carried by the VQ parameter). ), and indicates that among the 90M service usage, the service usage occurring after the rate switching point of 18 o'clock is 40M, that is, the VUATS (Volume Used After Tariff Switch) is 40M.
  • Step 112 The authentication device notifies the charging device of the foregoing service usage by updating the credit control request CCR ⁇ Update ⁇ , wherein the service usage is carried by the USU (Service Usage Unit). Due to the rate switching, the two USUs are reported simultaneously according to the existing real-time charging related technical specifications.
  • the billing device deducts the fee according to the above-mentioned service usage, wherein the service usage amount before the 18 o'clock is 50M (90M - 40M), and the fee generated is 0 yuan/M according to the rate before 18 o'clock, and the generated fee is 0 yuan;
  • the business volume that occurs after 18 o'clock is 40M.
  • the cost is 40 yuan, so the total deduction is 40 yuan. Since the previous user's account balance is 10 yuan, the user's account balance after deduction is -30 yuan, and the user account has an overdraft. Therefore, the amount of service available to the user is zero.
  • Step 114 The charging device calculates an authorized service volume according to the balance of the user account after the deduction. Since the user account has an overdraft, the calculated authorization traffic is 0. The charging device returns an update credit control response CCA ⁇ Update ⁇ to the authentication device, where the GSU carried is 0M, that is, the authorized traffic is 0.
  • Step 116 The authentication device returns an online access response (Online Access Response) to the access device, and notifies the access device that the authorized traffic is zero.
  • Online Access Response Online Access Response
  • the previous charging device retains 10M (100M - 90M) of authorized traffic for the traffic authorized by the user 100M.
  • 10M 100M - 90M
  • the access device will still allow the user to continue to use up the remaining 10M authorized traffic, and in the remaining traffic.
  • the charging device is notified to charge the remaining authorized traffic. Therefore, in step 118, the access device reports the online access request (stop) to the authentication device, and reports the service usage 10M, and the service usage is carried by the VQ parameter.
  • Step 120 The authentication device reports a termination credit control request (CCR ⁇ Term ⁇ ) to the charging device according to the termination online access request from the access device, and carries the service usage amount 10M by using the service usage USU parameter.
  • CCR ⁇ Term ⁇ termination credit control request
  • Step 122 The charging device deducts the user account according to the service usage amount carried in the termination credit control request sent by the authentication device, and then returns a termination credit control response (CCA ⁇ Term) to the authentication device. Since the user account has already been overdrawn, the overdraft amount of the user account will further increase after this deduction.
  • CCA ⁇ Term termination credit control response
  • Step 124 The authentication device returns an online access response (stop) to the access device according to the termination credit control response from the charging device.
  • a charging method is provided to reduce the probability of occurrence of user account overdraft.
  • a charging device is provided to reduce the probability of occurrence of user account overdraft.
  • an authentication device is provided to reduce the probability of occurrence of user account overdraft.
  • a charging device is provided to reduce the probability of occurrence of user account overdraft.
  • a charging method including: Receiving a traffic request sent by the access device, calculating an authorized traffic volume according to the current rate, and determining, when the rate of the authorized traffic volume and the rate switching point meets the overdraft monitoring condition, determining the reporting time point according to the rate switching point Returning, to the access device, a traffic response carrying the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point;
  • a charging method including:
  • Receiving the traffic request sent by the access device by the authentication device calculating the authorized traffic volume according to the current rate, and determining the overdraft monitoring condition when the rate is determined according to the authorized traffic volume and the rate switching point, and the access device is accessed by the authentication device.
  • the device returns a traffic response carrying the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point determined according to the rate switching point;
  • the authentication device Receiving, by the authentication device, the service usage amount reported by the authentication device at the reporting time point, calculating the remaining traffic volume based on the authorized traffic volume and the service usage amount, and when the remaining traffic volume is determined to cause overdraft, the authentication device indicates The access device performs a forced offline operation.
  • an authentication method including:
  • a charging apparatus including:
  • the overdraft monitoring module is configured to receive a service volume request sent by the access device, calculate an authorized traffic volume according to the current rate, and satisfy the overdraft supervision according to the rate after the authorized traffic volume and the rate switching point
  • the reporting time point is determined according to the rate switching point, and the traffic response carrying the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point is returned to the access device;
  • a forced offline indication module configured to receive a service usage amount reported by the access device at the reporting time point, calculate a remaining traffic volume based on the authorized traffic volume and the service usage amount, and determine that the remaining traffic volume will cause an overdraft Indicates that the access device performs a forced offline operation.
  • a billing apparatus including:
  • the overdraft monitoring module is configured to receive a traffic request sent by the access device through the authentication device, calculate an authorized traffic volume according to the current rate, and determine that the overdraft monitoring condition is met after the rate is determined according to the authorized traffic volume and the rate switching point, Returning, by the authentication device, the traffic volume carrying the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point determined according to the rate switching point;
  • a forced offline indication module configured to receive a service usage amount reported by the access device by the authentication device at the reporting time point, calculate a remaining traffic volume based on the authorized traffic volume and the service usage amount, and determine that the remaining traffic volume is When the overdraft is caused, the access device is instructed to perform a forced offline operation by the authentication device.
  • an authentication device including:
  • a request forwarding module configured to receive an access request sent by the access device, and send a service volume request to the charging device
  • the determining processing module is configured to receive a traffic response that carries the authorized traffic returned by the charging device, and when the traffic response carries the overdraft monitoring indication, return the carrying traffic and the charging fee to the access device Rate the access point determined by the switching point at the reporting time point;
  • a service usage forwarding module configured to receive a service usage quantity reported by the access device at the reporting time point, and report the service usage amount to the charging device;
  • the forced offline indication module is configured to receive a forced offline indication returned by the charging device, and notify the access device to perform a forced offline operation.
  • the charging device when the charging device determines that the user account is overdrawn after the rate switching point, the charging device notifies the access device to report the service in time after the rate switching point.
  • the amount of usage and when it is determined that the remaining traffic that the user has not consumed will cause the user account to overdraft, the access device is notified to force the user to go offline. Therefore, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention can effectively reduce the probability of occurrence of user account overdraft, thereby reducing the loss caused by the overdraft of the user account to the operator.
  • 1 is a signaling diagram of an existing real-time charging method
  • FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a charging method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is an exemplary signaling diagram of a charging method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a charging method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart of an authentication method according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is an exemplary signaling diagram of a charging method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the logical structure of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the logical structure of a charging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the logical structure of an authentication device according to an embodiment of the invention. detailed description
  • the charging method 200 can be performed by, for example, but not limited to, a billing device.
  • the charging device may be, for example but not limited to, a Pre-Paid Server (PPS).
  • PPS Pre-Paid Server
  • OCS Online Charging System
  • Step 202 Receive a traffic request sent by the access device, calculate an authorized traffic according to the current rate, and determine, according to the rate of the authorized traffic and the rate switching point, that the overdraft monitoring condition is met, determine according to the rate switching point.
  • the traffic response carrying the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point is returned to the access device.
  • the access device may be an access service network (ASN-GW, Access Service Network-Gateway)/Home Agent (HA) that is subordinate to the WiMAX network;
  • ASN-GW Access Service Network-Gateway
  • HA Home Agent
  • the access device may be a PDSN (Packet Data Serving Node)/HA (Home Agent, Home) deployed in a CDMA network. Agent).
  • the above-mentioned overdraft monitoring condition may be the rate after the rate switching point X authorized traffic > current account balance.
  • the above overdraft monitoring condition may also be:
  • the preset rated access rate may be set according to a maximum rate that the communication network can provide, or may be set according to a maximum rate allowed by a service or a package selected by the user.
  • the above-mentioned overdraft monitoring condition may also be that the rate before the rate switching point is lower than the rate after the rate switching point.
  • the reporting time point is used to indicate that the access device reports the service usage amount at the reporting time point.
  • the reporting time point can be a rate switching point. Therefore, the determining, according to the rate switching point, the reporting time point specifically includes setting the rate switching point to the reporting time point. Optionally, the determining, according to the rate switching point, the reporting time point specifically includes: calculating a delay duration;
  • Reporting time point rate switching point + delay time.
  • the preset delay duration is set to a fixed value, a large amount of service usage is reported at the same time after the rate switching point is reached, which imposes a heavy burden on related devices such as the charging device.
  • a random delay algorithm for example, but not limited to, a random algorithm can be used to calculate a random delay duration, so that the service usage can be distributed at different times after the rate switching point, thereby effectively reducing the reporting of a large amount of service usage to the processing.
  • the impact of the equipment It should be noted that those skilled in the art will appreciate that the smaller the aforementioned predetermined delay duration, the lower the likelihood of overdraft.
  • the calculating the delay duration specifically includes calculating a random number based on the preset random algorithm as the delay duration.
  • the current rate is the rate prior to the rate switching point.
  • the purpose of performing step 202 is to determine in advance the possibility that the user account will overdraw after the rate switching point.
  • the access device is notified that the service usage is reported in time at the reporting time point after the rate switching point.
  • Step 204 Receive a service usage quantity reported by the access device at the reporting time point, calculate a remaining service quantity based on the authorized service quantity and the service usage quantity, and indicate the access device when determining that the remaining service quantity will cause overdraft Perform a forced offline operation.
  • the charging device when receiving the service usage reported by the access device at the reporting time point, the charging device first deducts the user account according to the service usage amount. Thereafter, if the product of the rate after the rate switching point and the remaining traffic exceeds the deducted user account balance, it indicates that the user account will be overdrawn after the remaining traffic is consumed by the user. In this case, in step 204, the charging device instructs the access device to perform a forced offline operation when it is determined that the remaining traffic will cause overdraft, thereby preventing the user account from overdrafting.
  • step 204 the purpose of performing step 204 is to determine the amount of remaining traffic that the user has not consumed.
  • the access device is notified to force the user to go offline, thereby preventing the user account from overdrafting.
  • the charging device determines that the user account is overdrawn after the rate switching point
  • the charging device notifies the access device to report the service usage amount in time after the rate switching point.
  • the access device is notified to force the user to go offline. Therefore, the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention can effectively reduce the probability of occurrence of user account overdraft, thereby reducing the loss caused by the overdraft of the user account to the operator.
  • the embodiment of the present invention only needs to modify the charging device without upgrading the access device, so the implementation cost is low.
  • FIG. 3 is an exemplary signaling diagram of a charging method 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the access device and the charging device communicate according to a Diameter protocol.
  • 18 points is a rate switching point, that is, a rate switching will occur at 18 o'clock, wherein the rate before switching is 0 yuan / M, that is, free before switching, the rate after switching It is 1 yuan / M.
  • the overdraft monitoring condition is the rate X rate of traffic after the rate switching point > current account balance.
  • the user issues a login request to the access device, at which point the user's account balance is $10.
  • Step 302 The access device sends an initial credit control request (Cititation Control Request ⁇ Initial ⁇ , CCR ⁇ Init ⁇ ) to the charging device, where the initial credit control request carries the requested service unit (RSU) 100M. .
  • the initial credit control request is the traffic request in step 202 of Figure 2.
  • Step 304 The charging device determines the authorized traffic volume according to the current account balance of the user and the current rate. Since the current account balance of the user is 10 yuan and the current rate is 0 yuan / M, the currently available traffic is infinite, that is, the user can use the unrestricted until the end of the free time period. As mentioned above, in this case, the authorized traffic will be the amount of traffic requested by the access device, that is, carried at the beginning The requested traffic volume RSU, 100M in the initial credit control request.
  • the charging device After determining the authorized traffic, in step 304, the charging device will continue to determine if the overdraft monitoring condition is met.
  • the overdraft monitoring condition is the rate X authorized traffic > current account balance after the rate switching point. Since the rate after the rate switching point is 1 yuan/M, the authorized traffic volume is 100M, and the rate X authorized traffic after the rate switching point is 100 yuan, which is much larger than the current account balance of 10 yuan, so the charging device determines Meet overdraft monitoring conditions.
  • the charging device needs to return a reporting time point to the access device according to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Step 306 The charging device sends an initial credit control response (Credit Control Answer ⁇ Initial ⁇ , CCA ⁇ Init ⁇ ) to the access device, so that the access device authorizes the user to use the service and monitor the service usage of the user.
  • the initial credit control response carries a Granted Service Unit (GSU) 100 ⁇ and a Volume Quota Threshold (VQT) 10M, where the VQT is used to indicate that the access device is in the authorized traffic volume.
  • GSU Granted Service Unit
  • VQT Volume Quota Threshold
  • 10M that is, the user's service usage reaches 90M
  • the device re-submits the authorized service volume to the user.
  • the initial credit control response further carries a TTC parameter, which is a Tariff Time Change, which is used to indicate a time interval between the current time and the rate switching point, to prompt the access device to set the rate.
  • TTC parameter which is a Tariff Time Change, which is used to indicate a time interval between the current time and the rate switching point, to prompt the access device to set the rate.
  • TSI 540s means that the current time is 540 seconds from the rate switching point (the time loss during message delivery and processing is negligible).
  • the time point is reported to the access device by carrying the VAT parameter in the CCA ⁇ Init ⁇ .
  • VAT is Validity-Time, which is the effective time. According to the existing real-time charging related technical specifications, if the allocated authorized traffic volume is not used up within the valid time indicated by the VAT, the access device must re-request the authorized traffic volume for the user to the charging device, in this case, Access The device reports the service usage to the charging device while requesting the authorized traffic for the user. Since the reported time point determined in the present embodiment is 18:00:01 and the current time interval is 540 seconds from the rate switching point of 18 points, the VAT parameter is set to 541 (540 + 1) seconds.
  • the initial credit control response is the traffic request in step 202 of Figure 2.
  • Step 308 When the access device authorizes the user to use the service and monitors the arrival rate rate switch point by 1 point, that is, arrives at 18:00:01, the access device notifies the service usage amount by updating the credit control request CCR ⁇ Update The charging device, wherein the service usage is carried by a used service unit (USU) field.
  • USU used service unit
  • the access device will report two USUs at the same time according to the existing real-time charging related technical specifications.
  • the updated credit control request still carries the requested traffic RSU, 100M.
  • Step 310 After receiving the update credit control request from the access device, the charging device calculates the remaining traffic volume 90M (100M _ 10M) according to the previous authorized traffic volume 100M and the service usage amount 10M carried in the updated credit control request. .
  • the charging device performs charging according to the amount of service carried in the CCR ⁇ Update ⁇ .
  • the traffic usage before 18 o'clock is 10M - lk.
  • the cost is 0 yuan.
  • the traffic generated after 18 o'clock is lk, according to after 18 o'clock.
  • the rate is 1 yuan / M, the cost is 1 / 1024 yuan, so the user account balance after deduction is 10 - 1 / 1024 yuan, about 10 yuan.
  • the billing device determines whether the remaining traffic may cause overdraft based on the remaining traffic, the user account balance after deduction, and the current rate. Since the remaining business volume is 90M, the current rate is 1 yuan / M, so the user consumes 90 yuan (90 ⁇ ⁇ 1 yuan / M) for all remaining business, far exceeding the user account balance after deduction (about 10 yuan) Therefore, the billing device determines that the remaining traffic will result in an overdraft.
  • Step 312 The charging device returns an update credit control response (Credit Control) to the access device.
  • Step 314 To prevent the access device from allowing the user to continue to use the remaining traffic of 90M, the charging device sends a forced offline request to the access device, so as to instruct the access device to force the user to go offline, that is, perform a forced offline operation.
  • the forced offline request is specifically an Abort Session Request (ASR).
  • Step 316 The access device forces the user to go offline according to the forced offline request from the charging device, and then returns a mandatory offline response to the charging device, and notifies the charging device that the user has been forced to go offline.
  • the forced offline response is specifically an Abort Session Answer (ASA).
  • the access device reports the service usage in step 308, and the access device forces the user to go offline in step 316. In this process, the user is still using the service, so a certain amount of service usage is inevitably generated. Although this part of the business is used in small quantities, it is still necessary to charge for this part of the business usage. Therefore, in step 318, the access device reports a termination credit control request (CCR ⁇ Term ⁇ ) to the charging device, and carries the service usage amount by using the service usage USU parameter.
  • CCR ⁇ Term ⁇ termination credit control request
  • Step 320 The charging device deducts the user account according to the service usage carried in the termination credit control request sent by the access device, and then returns a termination credit control response (CCA ⁇ Term ⁇ ) to the access device.
  • CCA ⁇ Term ⁇ termination credit control response
  • the billing method 400 can be performed by, for example, but not limited to, a billing device.
  • the billing device can be, for example but not limited to, a Pre-Paid Server (PPS).
  • PPS Pre-Paid Server
  • the prepaid server may be specifically, for example but not limited to, an Online Charging System (OCS).
  • OCS Online Charging System
  • Step 402 Receive a service volume request sent by the access device by using the authentication device, calculate an authorized service volume according to the current rate, and pass the authentication device when determining the condition for overdraft monitoring according to the rate after the authorized service volume and the rate switching point. A traffic response carrying the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point determined according to the rate switching point is returned to the access device.
  • the access device when applied to global microwave interconnection (WiMAX, Worldwide In the interoperability for Microwave Access network, the access device may be an access service network (ASN-GW, Access Service Network-Gateway)/Home Agent (HA) that is subordinate to the WiMAX network;
  • ASN-GW Access Service Network-Gateway
  • HA Home Agent
  • the access device may be a PDSN (Packet Data Serving Node)/HA (Home Agent, Home) deployed in a CDMA network. Agent).
  • the above authentication device may be, for example, but not limited to, an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server.
  • AAA authentication, authorization, and accounting
  • the returning the traffic volume carrying the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point determined by the rate switching point to the access device by the authentication device includes: determining, according to the rate switching point, the reporting time point; The device returns a traffic response carrying the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point to the access device. In this case, the reporting time point will be determined by the billing device.
  • the determining, by the authentication device, the traffic volume response that carries the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point determined according to the rate switching point specifically includes: indicating that the authentication device switches according to the rate Point determining the reporting time point; instructing the authentication device to return a traffic response carrying the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point to the access device.
  • the time point of the escalation will be determined by the authentication device.
  • the above-mentioned overdraft monitoring condition may be the rate after the rate switching point X authorized traffic > current account balance.
  • the above overdraft monitoring condition may also be:
  • the preset rated access rate may be set according to a maximum rate that the communication network can provide, or may be set according to a maximum rate allowed by a service or a package selected by the user.
  • the above-mentioned overdraft monitoring condition may also be a low rate before the rate switching point The rate after the rate switch point.
  • the foregoing reporting time point may be a rate switching point. Therefore, when the charging device or the authentication device determines the reporting time point according to the rate switching point, the rate switching point may be set to the reporting time point.
  • the charging device or the authentication device may further determine a reporting time point by using the following method: calculating a delay duration;
  • Step 404 Receive, by the authentication device, the service usage amount reported by the authentication device at the reporting time point, calculate the remaining traffic volume based on the authorized traffic volume and the service usage amount, and when determining that the remaining traffic volume will cause overdraft, pass The authentication device instructs the access device to perform a forced offline operation.
  • the charging device when receiving the service usage reported by the access device through the authentication device, the charging device first deducts the user account according to the service usage. Thereafter, if the product of the rate after the rate switching point and the remaining traffic exceeds the user account balance after the deduction, it indicates that the user account will overdraft after the remaining amount of traffic is consumed by the user. In this case, in step 404, when the charging device determines that the remaining traffic will cause overdraft, the authentication device instructs the access device to perform a forced offline operation, thereby preventing the user account from overdrafting.
  • FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow diagram of an authentication method 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the authentication method 500 can be performed by, for example, but not limited to, an authentication device.
  • the above authentication device may be, for example, but not limited to, an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server.
  • AAA Authentication, Authorization and Accounting
  • Step 502 Receive an access request sent by the access device, and send a traffic request to the charging device.
  • Step 504 Receive a traffic response that is returned by the charging device and carries the authorized traffic, and carry an overdraft in the traffic response. Returning to the access device carrying the authorized service when monitoring the indication And an access response according to the reporting time point determined by the rate switching point;
  • the overdraft monitoring indication is a reporting time point determined according to the rate switching point. In this way, the reporting time point is determined by the billing device.
  • the returning the access response that carries the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point determined according to the rate switching point to the access device includes: determining, according to the rate switching point, the reporting time point; The device returns an access response carrying the authorized traffic and the reporting time point. In this way, the reporting time point is determined by the authentication device.
  • the foregoing reporting time point may be a rate switching point. Therefore, when the charging device or the authentication device determines the reporting time point according to the rate switching point, the rate switching point may be set to the upper time point.
  • the charging device or the authentication device may further determine a reporting time point by using the following method: calculating a delay duration;
  • Reporting time point rate switching point + delay time.
  • Step 506 Receive a service usage quantity reported by the access device at the reporting time point, and report the service usage quantity to the charging device.
  • Step 508 Receive a forced offline indication returned by the charging device, and notify the access device to perform a forced offline operation.
  • FIG. 6 is an exemplary signaling diagram of a charging method 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the access device and the authentication device communicate according to the Remote Authentication Dial in User Service (radiius) protocol, and the diameter between the authentication device and the charging device is Diameter.
  • the protocol communicates.
  • 18 points is the rate switching point, that is, the rate switching will occur at 18 o'clock, wherein the rate before the switching is 0 yuan / M, that is, free before switching, the rate after switching It is 1 yuan / M.
  • the overdraft monitoring condition is the rate X authorized traffic > the current account balance after the rate switching point.
  • the user issues a login request to the access device, at which point the user's account balance is $10.
  • Step 602 The access device sends an access request (Access Request) to the authentication device according to the login request of the user.
  • the access request is the access request described in step 502 of Figure 5.
  • Step 604 The authentication device sends an initial credit control request (Cititation Control Request ⁇ Initial ⁇ , CCR ⁇ Init ⁇ ) to the charging device according to the received access request, where the initial credit control request carries the requested traffic volume ( Requested Service Unit, RSU ) 100M.
  • the initial credit control request is the traffic request in step 502 of Figure 5.
  • Step 606 The charging device determines the authorized traffic volume according to the current account balance of the user and the current rate. Since the user's current account balance is 10 yuan and the current rate is 0 yuan / M, the currently available traffic is infinite, that is, the user can use it without restriction until the free time period ends. As described above, in this case, the authorized traffic will be the amount of traffic requested by the access device, i.e., the traffic RSU, 100M of the request carried in the initial credit control request.
  • the charging device After determining the authorized traffic, in step 606, the charging device will continue to determine if the overdraft monitoring condition is met.
  • the overdraft monitoring condition is the rate X authorized traffic > current account balance after the rate switching point. Since the rate after the rate switching point is 1 yuan/M, the authorized traffic volume is 100M, and the rate X authorized traffic after the rate switching point is 100 yuan, which is much larger than the current account balance of 10 yuan, so the charging device determines Meet overdraft monitoring conditions.
  • Step 608 The charging device sends an initial credit control response to the authentication device (Credit Control)
  • the initial credit control response carries a Granted Service Unit (GSU) of 100M.
  • GSU Granted Service Unit
  • Tag tag
  • the initial credit control response is the traffic request in step 504 of Figure 5.
  • Step 610 The authentication device receives an initial credit control response returned by the charging device, and determines a time point when determining that the tag serving as the overdraft monitoring indication is carried therein.
  • Step 612 The authentication device returns an access response (Access Response) to the access device, so that the access device authorizes the user to use the service and monitors the service usage of the user.
  • Authorized business volume the access response further includes a Tariff Switch Interval (TSI), which is used to indicate a time interval between the current time and the rate switching point, to prompt the access device to perform services before and after the rate switching point. The usage is reported separately.
  • the access device must report the service usage and apply for the authorized traffic for the user when the TITSU indicates the time.
  • the authentication device indicates the reporting time point to the access device through two parameters, TSI and TITSU.
  • the TITSU is set to 1 second, i.e., the delay time counted by the authentication device.
  • the access response is the access response in step 504 of Figure 5.
  • the access device reports an online access request (Online Access Request), which is carried when the access device authorizes the user to use the service and detects the arrival of the rate switching point by 18 seconds, that is, 18:00:01.
  • the service usage is 10M (the service usage is also carried by VQ (Volume Quota)), and indicates that in this 10M service usage, the service usage occurring after the rate switching point of 18 points is lk That is, the Volume Used After Tariff Switch (VUATS) is lk.
  • Step 616 After receiving the online access request from the access device, the authentication device notifies the charging device of the foregoing service usage by updating the credit control request CCR ⁇ Update ⁇ , wherein the service usage is used by the service usage (Used) Service Unit, USU) field to carry.
  • the authentication device will report two USUs at the same time according to the existing real-time charging related technical specifications.
  • the updated credit control request still carries the requested traffic volume RSU, 100M.
  • Step 618 After receiving the update credit control request from the authentication device, the charging device calculates the remaining traffic volume 90M (100M - 10M) according to the previous authorized traffic volume 100M and the service usage amount 10M reported by the access device.
  • the charging device performs charging according to the amount of service carried in the CCR ⁇ Update ⁇ .
  • the traffic usage before 18 o'clock is 10M - lk.
  • the cost is 0 yuan.
  • the traffic generated after 18 o'clock is lk, according to after 18 o'clock.
  • the rate is 1 yuan / M, the cost is 1 / 1024 yuan, so the user account balance after deduction is 10 - 1 / 1024 yuan, about 10 yuan.
  • the billing device determines whether the remaining traffic may cause overdraft based on the remaining traffic, the user account balance after deduction, and the current rate. Since the remaining business volume is 90M, the current rate is 1 yuan / M, so the user consumes 90 yuan (90 ⁇ ⁇ 1 yuan / M) for all remaining business, far exceeding the user account balance after deduction (about 10 yuan) Therefore, the billing device determines that the remaining traffic will result in an overdraft.
  • Step 620 The charging device returns an update credit control response (Credit Control) to the authentication device.
  • Step 622 The authentication device returns an online access response to the access device according to the updated credit control response sent by the charging device, where the access device indicates that the authorized service volume is zero.
  • Step 624 to prevent the access device from allowing the user to continue to use the remaining traffic of 90M, the authentication device The device sends a mandatory offline request to the access device to instruct the access device to force the user to go offline.
  • the forced offline request is specifically a Disconnect Messages Request (DM-REQ).
  • Step 626 The access device forces the user to go offline according to the forced offline request from the authentication device, and then returns a forced offline response to the authentication device, and notifies the authentication device that the user has been forced to go offline.
  • the forced offline response is specifically a Disconnect Messages Acknowledge (DM-ACK).
  • the access device reports the service usage in step 614, and the access device forces the user to go offline in step 626. In this process, the user is still using the service, so a certain amount of service usage is inevitably generated. Although this part of the business is used in small quantities, it is still necessary to charge for this part of the business usage. Therefore, in step 628, the access device reports the online access request (stop) to the authentication device, and reports the service usage, and the service usage is carried by the VQ parameter.
  • Step 630 The authentication device reports a termination credit control request (CCR ⁇ Term ⁇ ) to the charging device according to the termination online access request from the access device, and carries the service usage amount by using the USU parameter.
  • CCR ⁇ Term ⁇ termination credit control request
  • Step 632 The charging device deducts the user account according to the service usage amount carried in the termination credit control request sent by the authentication device, and then returns a termination credit control response (CCA ⁇ Term ⁇ ) to the authentication device.
  • CCA ⁇ Term ⁇ termination credit control response
  • Step 634 The authentication device returns an online access response (stop) to the access device according to the termination credit control response from the charging device.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the logical structure of a charging device 700 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the charging device 700 is connected to the access device.
  • the charging device 700 includes an overdraft monitoring module 702 and a forced offline indication module 704.
  • the overdraft monitoring module 702 is configured to receive a service volume request sent by the access device, calculate an authorized traffic volume according to the current rate, and determine that the overdraft is satisfied according to the rate after the authorized traffic volume and the rate switching point. When the condition is monitored, the reporting time point is determined according to the rate switching point, and the traffic response carrying the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point is returned to the access device.
  • the overdraft monitoring condition is at least one of the following conditions: a rate after the rate switching point X authorized traffic > a current account balance;
  • the overdraft monitoring condition is that the rate before the rate switching point is lower than the rate after the rate switching point.
  • the overdraft monitoring module 702 is specifically configured to set the rate switching point to the reporting time point.
  • the overdraft monitoring module 702 when determining the reporting time point according to the rate switching point, is specifically configured to:
  • Reporting time point rate switching point + delay time.
  • the forced offline indication module 704 is configured to receive a service usage amount reported by the access device at the reporting time point, calculate a remaining traffic volume based on the authorized traffic volume and the service usage amount, and determine that the remaining traffic volume will cause an overdraft Indicates that the access device performs a forced offline operation.
  • the forced offline indication module 704 when the service usage reported by the access device is received, the forced offline indication module 704 first deducts the user account according to the service usage. Thereafter, if the product of the rate after the rate switching point and the remaining traffic exceeds the user account balance after the deduction, it is stated that the user account will be overdrawn after the remaining amount of traffic is consumed by the user. In this case, the forced offline indication module 704 instructs the access device to perform a forced offline operation when it is determined that the remaining traffic will result in overdraft, thereby preventing the user account from overdrafting.
  • the charging device 700 further includes a necessary processor and transceiver.
  • Hardware modules such as devices. The operation of each of the above modules is to be understood as the operation of the modules by the processor and/or transceiver by issuing corresponding instructions to the processor and/or transceiver.
  • the overdraft monitoring module 702 is configured to receive, by the transceiver, a traffic request sent by the access device, and calculate, by the processor, the authorized traffic according to the current rate, and the rate after switching the point according to the authorized traffic and the rate.
  • the forced offline indication module 704 is configured to receive, by the transceiver, a service usage amount reported by the access device at the reporting time point, and calculate, by the processor, the remaining traffic volume based on the authorized traffic volume and the service usage amount, and process the When the device determines that the remaining traffic will cause overdraft, the transceiver is instructed by the transceiver to perform a forced offline operation.
  • FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the logical structure of a charging device 800 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the billing device 800 is connected to the authentication device. As shown in FIG. 8, the billing device 800 includes an overdraft monitoring module 802 and a forced offline indication module 804.
  • the overdraft monitoring module 802 is configured to receive a traffic request sent by the access device by using the authentication device, calculate an authorized traffic volume according to the current rate, and determine that the overdraft monitoring condition is met after the rate is determined according to the authorized traffic volume and the rate switching point.
  • the authentication device returns a traffic response carrying the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point determined according to the rate switching point to the access device.
  • the overdraft monitoring module 802 is specifically configured to: determine, according to the rate switching point, a reporting time point, when the aging of the traffic volume and the traffic acknowledgment of the reporting time point determined by the rate switching point are returned to the access device by the authentication device; The authentication device returns a traffic response carrying the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point to the access device.
  • the overdraft monitoring module 802 when the reporting time point is determined according to the rate switching point, is specifically configured to set the rate switching point to the reporting time point.
  • the overdraft monitoring module 802 when determining the reporting time point according to the rate switching point, is specifically configured to:
  • Reporting time point rate switching point + delay time.
  • the overdraft monitoring module 802 is specifically configured to: when the authentication device returns a traffic response that carries the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point determined according to the rate switching point, the The rate switching point determines the reporting time point; and indicates that the authentication device returns a traffic volume response carrying the authorized traffic volume and the reporting time point to the access device. It is not difficult to understand that in this case, the reporting time point is determined by the authentication device.
  • the forced offline indication module 804 is configured to receive a service usage amount reported by the access device by the authentication device at the reporting time point, calculate a remaining traffic volume based on the authorized traffic volume and the service usage amount, and determine that the remaining traffic volume is When the overdraft is caused, the access device is instructed to perform a forced offline operation by the authentication device.
  • the billing device 800 also includes necessary hardware modules such as a processor and a transceiver.
  • the operation of each of the above modules is to be understood as the operation of the modules through the processor and/or transceiver by issuing corresponding instructions to the processor and/or transceiver.
  • the overdraft monitoring module 802 is configured to receive, by the transceiver, a traffic request sent by the access device by using the authentication device, and calculate, by the processor, the authorized traffic volume according to the current rate, according to the authorized traffic volume and the rate by the processor.
  • the forced offline indication module 804 is configured to receive, by the transceiver, a service usage amount reported by the access device by the authentication device at the reporting time point, and calculate, by the processor, the remaining traffic volume based on the authorized traffic volume and the service usage amount, and When it is determined by the processor that the remaining traffic will result in overdraft, the access device instructs the access device to perform a forced offline operation through the transceiver.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the logical structure of an authentication device 900 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the authentication device 900 is connected to the access device and the charging device respectively.
  • the authentication device 900 includes a request forwarding module 902, a determination processing module 904, a service usage forwarding module 906, and a forced offline indication module 908.
  • the request forwarding module 902 is configured to receive an access request sent by the access device, and send the request to the charging device. Traffic request
  • the judgment processing module 904 is configured to receive the traffic response that carries the authorized traffic returned by the charging device, and when the traffic response carries the overdraft monitoring indication, return the carried traffic and the charging fee to the access device. Rate the access point determined by the switching point at the reporting time point;
  • the overdraft monitoring indication is a reporting time point determined by the charging device according to the rate switching point.
  • the reporting time point is determined by the billing device.
  • the determining processing module 904 is specifically configured to: And determining, according to the rate switching point, the reporting time point; returning, to the access device, an access response carrying the authorized traffic volume and the last time point.
  • the determining processing module 904 when determining the reporting time point according to the rate switching point, is specifically configured to set the rate switching point to the reporting time point.
  • the determining processing module 904 when determining the reporting time point according to the rate switching point, is specifically configured to:
  • Reporting time point rate switching point + delay time.
  • the service usage forwarding module 906 is configured to receive the service usage reported by the access device at the reporting time point, and report the service usage amount to the charging device.
  • the forced offline indication module 908 is configured to receive a forced offline indication returned by the charging device, and notify the access device to perform a forced offline operation.
  • the authentication device 900 also includes necessary hardware modules such as a processor and a transceiver.
  • the operation of each of the above modules is to be understood as the operation of the modules by the processor and/or transceiver by issuing corresponding instructions to the processor and/or transceiver.
  • the request forwarding module 902 is configured to receive an access request sent by the access device by using the transceiver, and send a traffic request to the charging device.
  • the determining processing module 904 is configured to receive, by the transceiver, the carrying device that is returned by the transceiver.
  • a service access forwarding module 906 is configured to receive, by the transceiver, the service usage quantity reported by the access device at the reporting time point, and report the service usage amount to the charging device;
  • the module 908 is configured to receive, by using the transceiver, a mandatory offline indication returned by the charging device, and notify the access device to perform a forced offline operation.

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Abstract

本发明实施例提供了一种计费方法、认证方法、计费设备和认证设备。计费方法包括接收接入设备发出的业务量请求，根据当前费率计算授权业务量，在根据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率判定满足透支监控条件时，根据费率切换点确定上报时间点，向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和上报时间点的业务量应答；接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使用量，基于所述授权业务量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量，并在判定剩余业务量将导致透支时，指示接入设备执行强制下线操作。本发明实施例提供的技术方案可有效降低用户账户透支的发生概率，因而降低用户账户出现透支给运营商带来的损失。

Description

计费方法、 认证方法、 计费设备和认证设备 本申请要求于 2012 年 3 月 5 日提交中国专利局、 申请号为 201210055094.3、 发明名称为"计费方法、 认证方法、 计费设备和认证设备" 的中国专利申请的优先权， 其全部内容通过引用结合在本申请中。 技术领域
本发明涉及实时计费技术， 尤其涉及计费方法、 认证方法、 计费设备和 认证设备。 背景技术
实时计费技术的发展为运营商进一步细分市场创造了良好的条件。例如， 借助实时计费技术， 运营商可制定对应不同时长的多种包月套餐， 以满足不 同类型用户的需要。 又例如， 运营商可根据网络使用状况将每天划分为多个 不同的时段， 并为不同时段设置不同的计费费率。 例如， 在网络繁忙的时段 (如每日 20点至 23点之间）设置较高的费率； 在网络空闲的时段（如每日 6点至 8点之间）设置较低的费率， 甚至免费。
然而， 现有实时计费技术的计费消息上报机制尚不够完善， 因此在一些 情况下， 可能导致意想不到的情况发生。 例如， 在面对运营商日渐复杂的计 费策略时， 现有实时计费技术在一些情况下可能会导致用户账户透支， 因此 有可能给运营商带来损失。下面就结合图 1对发生这种现象的原因进行说明。
图 1是现有实时计费方法 100的信令图。 在图 1所示的场景中， 18点为 费率切换点， 即在 18点时将发生费率切换， 其中， 切换前的费率为 0元/ M, 即切换前免费； 切换后的费率为 1元/ M。 在 17点 51分， 用户向接入设备发 出登录请求， 此时用户的账户余额为 10元。
步骤 102 , 接入设备响应用户的登录请求， 向认证设备发出接入请求 ( Access Request ), 以便为用户请求授权业务量。
步骤 104 , 认证设备向计费设备发出初始信用控制请求 （Credit Control Request{Initial} , CCR{Init} ), 其中， 该初始信用控制请求中携带请求的业务 量（Requested Service Unit, RSU ) 100M。
随后， 计费设备根据用户的当前账户余额和当前费率确定当前可用业务 量。 由于用户的当前账户余额为 10元， 根据当前费率 0元/ M, 确定当前可 用业务量为无穷大， 即用户可以不受限制的使用， 直到免费时段结束。
步骤 106 , 计费设备向认证设备发出初始信用控制应答（Credit Control Answer{Initial} , CCA{Init} )„ 由于确定的当前可用业务量为无穷大， 大于请 求的业务量 100M, 因此按照现有实时计费技术规范， CCA{Init}中携带的授 权业务量（Granted Service Unit, GSU ) 即为该请求的业务量 100M。
步骤 108,认证设备判定 CCA{Init}中携带的授权业务量 100M即为请求 的业务量 100M, 因此将这 100M业务量全部授权给用户。 具体来说， 认证 设备向接入设备发出接入应答（ Access Response )， 其中携带参数 VT = 90M, VQ = 100M , VT为业务量阔值（ Volume Threshold；), VQ为业务量配额（ Volume Quota )。 VQ = 100M表明授权业务量为 100M, VT = 90M表明接入设备需要 在监测到用户的业务使用量到达 90M时重新为用户请求授权业务量。
此外， 接入应答中还包含费率切换间隔 （Tarrif Switch Interval, TSI ), 用于指示当前时刻距离费率切换点之间的时间间隔， 以提示接入设备将费率 切换点前后的业务使用量分开上报。 TSI = 540s表示当前时刻距离费率切换 点 540秒。
步骤 110, 当用户的业务使用量到达 90M时， 接入设备向认证设备发出 在线接入请求（ Online Access Request ), 其中携带的业务使用量为 90M (该 业务使用量同样通过 VQ这一参数携带），并指示在这 90M的业务使用量中， 在费率切换点 18点之后发生的业务使用量为 40M, 即 VUATS (费率切换后 发生的业务量， Volume Used After Tariff Switch )为 40M。 步骤 112, 认证设备通过更新信用控制请求 CCR{Update}将上述业务使 用量通知计费设备， 其中， 上述业务使用量通过 USU (业务使用量， Used Service Unit )来携带。 由于发生费率切换， 因此依照现有实时计费相关技术 规范， 将同时上报两个 USU, 其中 USU ( TCU=2 )表示上一计费周期总共 发生的业务使用量， 即 90M; USU ( TCU=1 )表示上一计费周期中费率切换 后的业务使用量， 即 40M, 其中 TCU为费率切换使用量标示（Tariff Change Usage )。
随后，计费设备根据上述业务使用量进行扣费，其中 18点之前发生的业 务使用量为 50M(90M - 40M), 依据 18点之前的费率 0元/ M, 产生的费用为 0元； 18点之后发生的业务量为 40M, 依据 18点之后的费率 1元/ M, 产生 的费用为 40元， 因此共扣费 40元。 由于此前用户的账户余额为 10元， 因此 扣费后用户的账户余额为 -30 元， 用户账户出现透支。 因此， 用户可用业务 量为零。
步骤 114, 计费设备根据扣费后的用户账户余额计算授权业务量。 由于 用户账户出现透支， 因此算得的授权业务量为 0。 计费设备向认证设备返回 更新信用控制应答 CCA{Update}， 其中携带的 GSU为 0M, 即授权业务量为 0。
步骤 116 , 认证设备向接入设备返回在线接入应答 ( Online Access Response ), 通知接入设备授权业务量为零。
当在步骤 110中接入设备上报业务使用量 90M时，此前计费设备为用户 授权的业务量 100M还剩余 10M ( 100M - 90M )的授权业务量。 在现有的一 些实时计费技术方案中，尽管用户账户已经出现透支，用户可用业务量为零， 但接入设备还是会允许用户继续用完剩余的 10M授权业务量，并在该剩余业 务量用完后， 通知计费设备对该剩余的授权业务量计费。 因此， 在步骤 118, 接入设备向认证设备上报终止在线接入请求（ Online Access Request(stop) ), 上报业务使用量 10M, 该业务使用量通过 VQ参数来携带。 步骤 120 , 认证设备根据来自接入设备的终止在线接入请求， 向计费设 备上报终止信用控制请求 ( CCR{Term} ), 通过业务使用量 USU这一参数来 携带业务使用量 10M。
步骤 122 , 计费设备根据认证设备发送的终止信用控制请求中携带的业 务使用量对用户账户进行扣费， 然后向认证设备返回终止信用控制应答 ( CCA{Term )。 由于此前用户账户已经出现透支， 因此本次扣费之后， 用户 账户的透支额会进一步增多。
步骤 124 , 认证设备根据来自计费设备的终止信用控制应答， 向接入设 备返回终止在线接入应答 ( Online Access Response(stop) )。
由上述过程不难发现， 在到达费率切换点 （18 点） 时， 用户使用 50M 业务量， 根据 18点之前的费率为 0元 /M, 用户的业务使用费为 0元， 因此 18点时用户账户内余额仍为 10元。 按照 18点之后的费率 （ 1元/ M ), 在 18 点之后， 用户账户余额可供用户使用的业务量仅为 10M。 而在实际使用过程 中， 在 18点至 18点零 3分的短短 3分钟内， 用户使用了 40M业务量， 远远 超过了用户账户余额可供用户使用的业务量 10M, 用户账户因此产生 30元 的透支。 而此后接入设备允许用户继续用完剩余的授权业务量的做法， 会使 得透支进一步增多， 因此^^可能给运营商带来了一定的损失。 发明内容
有鉴于此， 实有必要提供一 ft计费方法， 降低用户账户透支的发生概率。 同时， 提供-一种认证方法 , 降低用户账户透支的发生概率。
同时， 提供- -种计费方法, 降低用户账户透支的发生概率。
同时， 提供- -种计费设备, 降低用户账户透支的发生概率。
同时， 提供-一种认证设备, 降低用户账户透支的发生概率。
同时， 提供- -种计费设备, 降低用户账户透支的发生概率。
根据本发明的一个方面, 供一种计费方法， 包括： 接收接入设备发出的业务量请求， 根据当前费率计算授权业务量， 在根 据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率判定满足透支监控条件时 , 根据费率 切换点确定上报时间点， 向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和上报时间点的业 务量应答；
接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使用量， 基于所述授权业务 量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量， 并在判定剩余业务量将导致透支时， 指 示接入设备执行强制下线操作。
根据本发明的另一方面， 提供一种计费方法， 包括：
接收接入设备通过认证设备发出的业务量请求， 根据当前费率计算授权 业务量， 在根据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率判定满足透支监控条件 时， 通过认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定的 上报时间点的业务量应答；
接收接入设备通过认证设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使用量， 基于 所述授权业务量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量， 并在判定剩余业务量将导 致透支时， 通过认证设备指示接入设备执行强制下线操作。
根据本发明的又一方面， 提供一种认证方法， 包括：
接收接入设备发出的接入请求， 向计费设备发出业务量请求； 接收计费设备返回的携带有授权业务量的业务量应答， 在该业务量应答 中携带有透支监控指示时 , 向接入设备返回携带有所述授权业务量和根据费 率切换点确定的上报时间点的接入应答；
接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使用量， 将该业务使用量上 报至所述计费设备；
接收计费设备返回的强制下线指示， 通知接入设备执行强制下线操作。 根据本发明的再一方面， 提供一种计费设备， 包括：
透支监控模块， 用于接收接入设备发出的业务量请求， 根据当前费率计 算授权业务量， 在根据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率判定满足透支监 控条件时， 根据费率切换点确定上报时间点， 向接入设备返回携带授权业务 量和上报时间点的业务量应答；
强制下线指示模块， 用于接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使 用量， 基于所述授权业务量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量， 并在判定剩余 业务量将导致透支时， 指示接入设备执行强制下线操作。
根据本发明的一个方面， 提供一种计费设备， 包括：
透支监控模块， 用于接收接入设备通过认证设备发出的业务量请求， 根 据当前费率计算授权业务量， 在根据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率判 定满足透支监控条件时， 通过认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和根 据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的业务量应答；
强制下线指示模块， 用于接收接入设备通过认证设备在所述上报时间点 上报的业务使用量， 基于所述授权业务量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量， 并在判定剩余业务量将导致透支时， 通过认证设备指示接入设备执行强制下 线操作。
根据本发明的另一方面， 提供一种认证设备， 包括：
请求转发模块， 用于接收接入设备发出的接入请求， 向计费设备发出业 务量请求；
判断处理模块， 用于接收计费设备返回的携带有授权业务量的业务量应 答， 在该业务量应答中携带有透支监控指示时， 向接入设备返回携带有所述 授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的接入应答；
业务使用量转发模块， 用于接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务 使用量， 将该业务使用量上报至所述计费设备；
强制下线指示模块， 用于接收计费设备返回的强制下线指示， 通知接入 设备执行强制下线操作。
根据本发明实施例提供的技术方案， 计费设备在判定用户账户在费率切 换点之后有可能出现透支时， 通知接入设备在费率切换点之后及时上报业务 使用量， 并在判定用户尚未消费的剩余业务量会导致用户账户出现透支时， 通知接入设备强制用户下线。 因此， 本发明实施例提供的技术方案可有效降 低用户账户透支的发生概率， 因而降低用户账户出现透支给运营商带来的损 失。 附图说明
为了更清楚地说明本发明实施例的技术方案， 下面将对本发明实施例中 所需要使用的附图作简单地介绍， 显而易见地， 下面所描述的附图仅仅是本 发明的一些实施例， 对于本领域普通技术人员来讲， 在不付出创造性劳动的 前提下， 还可以根据这些附图获得其他的附图。
图 1是现有实时计费方法的信令图；
图 2是依据本发明一实施例的计费方法的示范' \ί流程图；
图 3是依据本发明一实施例的计费方法的示范性信令图；
图 4是依据本发明一实施例的计费方法的示范' \ί流程图；
图 5是依据本发明一实施例的认证方法的示范性流程图；
图 6是依据本发明一实施例的计费方法的示范性信令图；
图 7是依据本发明一实施例的计费设备的逻辑结构示意图；
图 8是依据本发明一实施例的计费设备的逻辑结构示意图；
图 9是依据本发明一实施例的认证设备的逻辑结构示意图。 具体实施方式
图 2是依据本发明一实施例的计费方法 200的示范性流程图。 在具体实 现过程中， 计费方法 200可由例如但不限于计费设备来执行。 该计费设备可 以是例如但不限于预付费服务器（Pre-Paid Server, PPS )。 更进一步的说， 该 预付费服务器可具体为例如但不限于在线计费系统（ Online Charging System, ocs )。 步骤 202 , 接收接入设备发出的业务量请求， 根据当前费率计算授权业 务量，在根据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率判定满足透支监控条件时， 根据费率切换点确定上报时间点， 向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和上报时 间点的业务量应答。
在具体实现过程中， 当应用于全球微波互联接入 ( WiMAX , Worldwide
Interoperability for Microwave Access )网络中时，上述接入设备可以是部属在 WiMAX 网络中的接入业务网络 - 网关 （ ASN-GW , Access Service Network-Gateway ) /归属代理（ HA, Home Agent ); 当应用于 CDMA (码分 多址接入， Code Division Multiple Access ) 网络中时， 上述接入设备可以是 部署在 CDMA 网络中的 PDSN (分组数据业务节点， Packet Data Serving Node ) /HA (归属代理， Home Agent )。
在具体实现过程中， 上述透支监控条件可以为费率切换点后的费率 X授 权业务量 > 当前账户余额。
作为可选的， 上述透支监控条件还可以为：
(授权业务量 -预设额定接入速率 X当前时刻与费率切换点之间的时间 间隔） X费率切换点之后的费率 +预设额定接入速率 X当前时刻与费率切换 点之间的时间间隔 X当前费率 > 当前账户余额。
其中， 上述预设额定接入速率可根据通信网络可提供的最高速率进行设 置， 也可以根据用户选择的服务或套餐所允许的最高速率进行设置。
此外， 作为可选的， 上述透支监控条件还可以为费率切换点前的费率低 于费率切换点后的费率。
应注意， 上述条件仅用于举例。 本领域的技术人员应当明白， 在具体实 现过程中， 还可根据具体需要设置其他条件。
在具体实现过程中， 上述上报时间点用于指示接入设备在该上报时间点 上报业务使用量。 上报时间点可以为费率切换点。 因此所述根据费率切换点 确定上报时间点具体包括， 将所述费率切换点设置为所述上报时间点。 作为可选的， 所述根据费率切换点确定上报时间点具体包括： 计算延迟时长；
依照如下公式计算所述上报时间点：
上报时间点 =费率切换点 +延迟时长。
如果将上述预设延迟时长设置为一个固定值， 会导致在到达费率切换点 之后同一时刻上报大量业务使用量，给相关设备例如计费设备带来严重负担。 为解决这一问题， 可釆用例如但不限于随机算法来计算一随机的延迟时长， 从而可以将业务使用量分散在费率切换点之后的不同时刻上报， 有效降低上 报大量业务使用量给处理设备造成的冲击。 应注意， 本领域的技术人员应当 明白， 上述预设延迟时长越小， 发生透支的可能性越低。 如此一来， 上述计 算延迟时长具体包括基于预设随机算法计算一随机数，以作为所述延迟时长。
应注意， 本领域的技术人员应当明白， 当前费率即为费率切换点前的费 率。
实际上， 执行步骤 202的目的在于， 提前判断用户账户在费率切换点之 后出现透支的可能性。 在判定用户账户在费率切换点之后有可能透支时， 通 知接入设备在费率切换点之后的上报时间点及时上报业务使用量。
步骤 204 , 接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使用量， 基于所 述授权业务量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量， 并在判定剩余业务量将导致 透支时， 指示接入设备执行强制下线操作。
在具体实现过程中， 在收到接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使用 量时， 计费设备会首先根据业务使用量对用户账户进行扣费。 此后， 如果所 述费率切换点之后的费率与剩余业务量的乘积超过扣费后的用户账户余额， 则说明在该剩余业务量被用户消费完毕后， 用户账户将发生透支。 在这种情 况下， 在步骤 204, 计费设备会在判定剩余业务量将导致透支时， 指示接入 设备执行强制下线操作， 以此来防止用户账户出现透支。
实际上， 执行步骤 204的目的在于， 在判定用户尚未消费的剩余业务量 会导致用户账户出现透支时， 通知接入设备强制用户下线， 以此来防止用户 账户出现透支。
由方法 200可知， 根据本发明实施例提供的技术方案， 计费设备在判定 用户账户在费率切换点之后有可能出现透支时， 通知接入设备在费率切换点 之后及时上报业务使用量， 并在判定用户尚未消费的剩余业务量会导致用户 账户出现透支时， 通知接入设备强制用户下线。 因此， 本发明实施例提供的 技术方案可有效降低用户账户透支的发生概率， 因而降低用户账户出现透支 给运营商带来的损失。 此外， 由本发明实施例提供的技术方案可知， 本发明 实施例仅需改造计费设备而无需对接入设备进行升级， 因此实现成本低。
图 3是依据本发明一实施例的计费方法 300的示范性信令图。 在本实施 例中， 接入设备与计费设备之间根据直径（Diameter )协议进行通信。 此外， 在本实施例中， 18点为费率切换点， 即在 18点时将发生费率切换， 其中， 切换前的费率为 0元/ M, 即切换前免费， 切换后的费率为 1元/ M。 在本实施 例中， 透支监控条件为费率切换点后的费率 X授权业务量 > 当前账户余额。 同时， 在本实施例中， 上报时间点釆用计算延迟时长并根据公式上报时间点 =费率切换点 +延迟时长的方案来计算。
在 17点 51分 0秒即 17:51 :00, 用户向接入设备发出登录请求， 此时用 户的账户余额为 10元。
步骤 302 , 接入设备向计费设备发出初始信用控制请求 （Credit Control Request{Initial} , CCR{Init} ), 其中， 该初始信用控制请求中携带请求的业务 量（Requested Service Unit, RSU ) 100M。 该初始信用控制请求即为图 2中 步骤 202中的业务量请求。
步骤 304 , 计费设备根据用户的当前账户余额和当前费率确定授权业务 量。 由于用户的当前账户余额为 10元， 当前费率为 0元/ M, 因此当前可用 业务量为无穷大， 即用户可以不受限制的使用， 直到免费时段结束。 如上文 所述， 在这种情况下， 授权业务量将为接入设备请求的业务量， 即携带在初 始信用控制请求中的请求的业务量 RSU, 100M。
在确定授权业务量后， 在步骤 304中， 计费设备将继续判断是否满足透 支监控条件。 如上文所述， 在本实施例中， 透支监控条件为费率切换点后的 费率 X授权业务量 > 当前账户余额。 由于费率切换点后的费率为 1元/ M, 授权业务量为 100M, 费率切换点后的费率 X授权业务量 = 100元，远大于当 前账户余额 10元， 因此计费设备判定满足透支监控条件。
由于满足透支监控条件， 因此根据本发明实施例提供的技术方案， 计费 设备需要向接入设备返回一上报时间点。 如上文所述， 在本实施例中， 上报 时间点釆用计算延迟时长并根据公式上报时间点 =费率切换点 +延迟时长的 方案来计算。 此时， 假设通过随机算法算得的延迟时长为 1秒， 因此计费设 备确定的上才艮时间点为 18:00:01。
步骤 306, 计费设备向接入设备发出初始信用控制应答（Credit Control Answer{Initial} , CCA{Init} ), 以便接入设备授权用户使用业务并监测用户的 业务使用量。 如图 3所示， 该初始信用控制应答中携带授权业务量（Granted Service Unit , GSU ) 100Μ和流量门限（ Volume Quota Threshold , VQT ) 10M, 其中， VQT用于指示接入设备在授权业务量剩余 10M (即用户的业务使用量 到达 90M ) 时重新向计费设备请求为用户下发授权业务量。
此外， 初始信用控制应答中还携带 TTC参数， 该 TTC参数为费率切换 时间（Tariff Time Change ), 用于指示当前时刻距离费率切换点之间的时间间 隔， 以提示接入设备将费率切换点前后的业务使用量分开上报。 TSI = 540s 表示当前时刻距离费率切换点 540秒 (消息传递及处理过程中的时间损耗忽 略不计）。
此外， 在本实施例中， 通过在 CCA{Init}中携带 VAT参数来向接入设备 指示上报时间点。 VAT 为 Validity-Time, 即有效时间。 依照现有实时计费相 关技术规范， 如果分配的授权业务量没有在该 VAT指示的有效时间内用完， 接入设备必须重新为用户向计费设备请求授权业务量， 在这种情况下， 接入 设备在重新为用户请求授权业务量的同时， 会向计费设备上报业务使用量。 由于在本实施例中确定的上报时间点为 18:00:01 , 而当前时刻距离费率切换 点 18点的时间间隔为 540秒， 因此该 VAT参数被设置为 541 ( 540 + 1 )秒。
该初始信用控制应答即为图 2中步骤 202中的业务量请求。
步骤 308,在接入设备授权用户使用业务并监测到到达费率切换点 18点 之后的 1秒即到达 18:00:01时，接入设备通过更新信用控制请求 CCR{Update 将业务使用量通知计费设备， 其中， 上述业务使用量通过业务使用量（Used Service Unit, USU )字段来携带。 由于发生费率切换， 因此依照现有实时计 费相关技术规范， 接入设备将同时上报两个 USU, 其中 USU ( TCU=2 )表 示上一计费周期总共发生的业务使用量， 即 10M; USU ( TCU=1 )表示上一 计费周期中费率切换后发生的业务使用量， 即 lk。 此外， 该更新信用控制请 求中仍然携带请求的业务量 RSU, 100M。
步骤 310, 在收到来自接入设备的更新信用控制请求之后， 计费设备根 据此前的授权业务量 100M和该更新信用控制请求中携带的业务使用量 10M 算得剩余业务量 90M ( 100M _ 10M )。
此外， 计费设备根据 CCR{Update}中携带的业务使用量进行计费。 具体 来说， 18点之前发生的业务使用量为 10M - lk, 依据 18点之前的费率 0元 M, 产生的费用为 0元； 18点之后发生的业务量为 lk, 依据 18点之后的费 率 1元/ M,产生的费用为 1/1024元， 因此扣费后用户账户余额为 10 - 1/1024 元， 约为 10元。
此后， 计费设备根据剩余业务量、 扣费后用户账户余额及当前费率判断 剩余业务量是否会导致透支。 由于剩余业务量为 90M, 当前费率为 1元/ M, 因此用户消费所有剩余业务量共需支付 90元（90Μ χ 1元/ M ), 远超扣费后 用户账户余额 （约 10元）， 因此计费设备判定剩余业务量将导致透支。
步骤 312, 计费设备向接入设备返回更新信用控制应答（Credit Control
Answer{Update} , CCA{Update} ), 其中携带的授权业务量 GSU为 0M。 步骤 314, 为防止接入设备允许用户继续使用剩余业务量 90M, 计费设 备向接入设备发送强制下线请求， 以此来指示接入设备强制用户下线， 即执 行强制下线操作。在本实施例中，该强制下线请求具体为放弃会话请求（ Abort Session Request, ASR )„
步骤 316, 接入设备根据来自计费设备的强制下线请求， 强制用户下线， 然后向计费设备返回强制下线应答， 通知计费设备已经强制用户下线。 在本 实施例中， 该强制下线应答具体为放弃会话应答（ Abort Session Answer , ASA )。
从接入设备在步骤 308中上报业务使用量， 到接入设备在步骤 316中强 制用户下线， 这一过程中用户依然在使用业务， 所以必然产生一定的业务使 用量。 尽管这一部分业务使用量很少， 但仍有必要对这一部分业务使用量进 行计费。 因此， 在步骤 318 , 接入设备向计费设备上报终止信用控制请求 ( CCR{Term} ), 通过业务使用量 USU这一参数来携带业务使用量。
步骤 320 , 计费设备根据接入设备发送的终止信用控制请求中携带的业 务使用量对用户账户进行扣费， 然后向接入设备返回终止信用控制应答 ( CCA{Term} )。
图 4是依据本发明一实施例的计费方法 400的示范性流程图。 在具体实 现过程中， 计费方法 400可由例如但不限于计费设备来执行。 该计费设备可 以是例如但不限于预付费服务器（Pre-Paid Server, PPS )。 更进一步的说， 该 预付费服务器可具体为例如但不限于在线计费系统（ Online Charging System, OCS )。
步骤 402 , 接收接入设备通过认证设备发出的业务量请求， 根据当前费 率计算授权业务量， 在根据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率判定满足透 支监控条件时， 通过认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和根据费率切 换点确定的上报时间点的业务量应答。
在具体实现过程中， 当应用于全球微波互联接入 ( WiMAX , Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access )网络中时，上述接入设备可以是部属在 WiMAX 网络中的接入业务网络 - 网关 （ ASN-GW , Access Service Network-Gateway ) /归属代理（ HA, Home Agent ); 当应用于 CDMA (码分 多址接入， Code Division Multiple Access ) 网络中时， 上述接入设备可以是 部署在 CDMA 网络中的 PDSN (分组数据业务节点， Packet Data Serving Node ) /HA (归属代理， Home Agent )。 上述认证设备可以是例如但不限于认 证、 4受权和计费 ( Authentication, Authorization and Accounting, AAA )月良务 器。
在具体实现过程中， 所述通过认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量 和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的业务量应答具体包括， 根据费率切换 点确定上报时间点； 通过认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和上报时 间点的业务量应答。 在这种情况下， 将由计费设备确定上报时间点。
作为可选的， 在具体实现过程中， 所述通过认证设备向接入设备返回携 带授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的业务量应答具体包括， 指示认证设备根据费率切换点确定上报时间点； 指示认证设备向接入设备返 回携带授权业务量和上报时间点的业务量应答。 在这种情况下， 将由认证设 备确定上报时间点。
在具体实现过程中， 上述透支监控条件可以为费率切换点后的费率 X授 权业务量 > 当前账户余额。
作为可选的， 上述透支监控条件还可以为：
(授权业务量 -预设额定接入速率 X当前时刻与费率切换点之间的时间 间隔） X费率切换点之后的费率 +预设额定接入速率 X当前时刻与费率切换 点之间的时间间隔 X当前费率 > 当前账户余额。
其中， 上述预设额定接入速率可根据通信网络可提供的最高速率进行设 置， 也可以根据用户选择的服务或套餐所允许的最高速率进行设置。
此外， 作为可选的， 上述透支监控条件还可以为费率切换点前的费率低 于费率切换点后的费率。
应注意， 上述条件仅用于举例。 本领域的技术人员应当明白， 在具体实 现过程中， 还可根据具体需要设置其他条件。
在具体实现过程中， 上述上报时间点可以为费率切换点。 因此计费设备 或者认证设备在根据费率切换点确定上报时间点时， 可将所述费率切换点设 置为所述上报时间点。
作为可选的，计费设备或者认证设备还可釆用下列方法确定上报时间点： 计算延迟时长；
依照如下公式计算所述上报时间点：
上 ^艮时间点 =费率切换点 +延迟时长。
步骤 404 , 接收接入设备通过认证设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使 用量， 基于所述授权业务量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量， 并在判定剩余 业务量将导致透支时， 通过认证设备指示接入设备执行强制下线操作。
在具体实现过程中，在收到接入设备通过认证设备上报的业务使用量时， 计费设备会首先根据业务使用量对用户账户进行扣费。 此后， 如果所述费率 切换点之后的费率与剩余业务量的乘积超过扣费后的用户账户余额， 则说明 在该剩余业务量被用户消费完毕后， 用户账户将发生透支。 在这种情况下， 在步骤 404, 计费设备会在判定剩余业务量将导致透支时， 通过认证设备指 示接入设备执行强制下线操作， 以此来防止用户账户出现透支。
图 5是依据本发明一实施例的认证方法 500的示范性流程图。 在具体实 现过程中， 认证方法 500可由例如但不限于认证设备来执行。 上述认证设备 可以是例如但不限于认证、 授权和计费 （Authentication, Authorization and Accounting, AAA )月良务器。
步骤 502, 接收接入设备发出的接入请求， 向计费设备发出业务量请求； 步骤 504 , 接收计费设备返回的携带有授权业务量的业务量应答， 在该 业务量应答中携带有透支监控指示时， 向接入设备返回携带有所述授权业务 量和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的接入应答；
在具体实现过程中， 所述透支监控指示为根据费率切换点确定的上报时 间点。 如此一来， 该上报时间点便由计费设备确定。
作为可选的， 所述向接入设备返回携带有所述授权业务量和根据费率切 换点确定的上报时间点的接入应答具体包括， 根据费率切换点确定上报时间 点； 向接入设备返回携带有所述授权业务量和上报时间点的接入应答。 如此 一来， 该上报时间点便由认证设备来确定。
在具体实现过程中， 上述上报时间点可以为费率切换点。 因此计费设备 或者认证设备在根据费率切换点确定上报时间点时， 可将所述费率切换点设 置为所述上 时间点。
作为可选的，计费设备或者认证设备还可釆用下列方法确定上报时间点： 计算延迟时长；
依照如下公式计算所述上报时间点：
上报时间点 =费率切换点 +延迟时长。
步骤 506 , 接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使用量， 将该业 务使用量上报至所述计费设备。
步骤 508 , 接收计费设备返回的强制下线指示， 通知接入设备执行强制 下线操作。
图 6是依据本发明一实施例的计费方法 600的示范性信令图。 在本实施 例中， 接入设备与认证设备之间根据远端鉴权拨入用户服务 （ Remote Authentication Dial in User Service , Radius )协议进行通信 , 认证设备与计费 设备之间根据直径（Diameter )协议进行通信。 此外， 在本实施例中， 18点 为费率切换点，即在 18点时将发生费率切换，其中，切换前的费率为 0元/ M, 即切换前免费， 切换后的费率为 1元/ M。 在本实施例中， 透支监控条件为费 率切换点后的费率 X授权业务量 > 当前账户余额。 同时， 在本实施例中， 上报时间点釆用计算延迟时长并根据公式上报时间点 =费率切换点 +延迟时 长的方案来计算。
在 17点 51分 0秒即 17:51 :00, 用户向接入设备发出登录请求， 此时用 户的账户余额为 10元。
步骤 602 , 接入设备根据用户的登录请求， 向认证设备发出接入请求 ( Access Request )。 该接入请求即为图 5中步骤 502中所述的接入请求。
步骤 604 , 认证设备根据收到的接入请求， 向计费设备发出初始信用控 制请求（Credit Control Request{Initial}， CCR{Init} ), 其中， 该初始信用控制 请求中携带请求的业务量（ Requested Service Unit, RSU ) 100M。 该初始信 用控制请求即为图 5中步骤 502中的业务量请求。
步骤 606 , 计费设备根据用户的当前账户余额和当前费率确定授权业务 量。 由于用户的当前账户余额为 10元， 当前费率为 0元/ M, 因此当前可用 业务量为无穷大， 即用户可以不受限制的使用， 直到免费时段结束。 如上文 所述， 在这种情况下， 授权业务量将为接入设备请求的业务量， 即携带在初 始信用控制请求中的请求的业务量 RSU, 100M。
在确定授权业务量后， 在步骤 606中， 计费设备将继续判断是否满足透 支监控条件。 如上文所述， 在本实施例中， 透支监控条件为费率切换点后的 费率 X授权业务量 > 当前账户余额。 由于费率切换点后的费率为 1元/ M, 授权业务量为 100M, 费率切换点后的费率 X授权业务量 = 100元，远大于当 前账户余额 10元， 因此计费设备判定满足透支监控条件。
步骤 608 , 计费设备向认证设备发出初始信用控制应答（Credit Control
Answer {Initial} , CCA{Init} )。 该初始信用控制应答中携带授权业务量 ( Granted Service Unit, GSU ) 100M。 此外， 该初始信用控制应答中还携带 一标签（Tag ), 该标签用作透支监控指示。 该初始信用控制应答即为图 5中 步骤 504中的业务量请求。
步骤 610 , 认证设备接收计费设备返回的初始信用控制应答， 在判定其 中携带有用作透支监控指示的标签时， 确定上 ^艮时间点。 如上文所述， 在本 实施例中， 上报时间点釆用计算延迟时长并根据公式上报时间点 =费率切换 点 +延迟时长的方案来计算。 此时， 假设通过随机算法算得的延迟时长为 1 秒， 因此计费设备确定的上报时间点为 18:00:01。
步骤 612, 认证设备向接入设备返回接入应答（Access Response ), 以便 接入设备授权用户使用业务并监测用户的业务使用量。 该接入应答中携带有 参数 VT = 90M, VQ = 100M,其中 VQ = 100M表明授权业务量为 100M, VT = 90M表明接入设备需要在监测到用户的业务使用量到达 90M时重新为用 户请求授权业务量。 此外， 该接入应答中还包含费率切换间隔（Tariff Switch Interval, TSI ), 用于指示当前时刻与费率切换点之间的时间间隔， 以提示接 入设备将费率切换点前后的业务使用量分开上报。 TSI = 540s表示当前时刻 距离费率切换点 540秒 (消息传递及处理过程中的时间损耗忽略不计）。
此外， 上述接入应答中还携带一个重要的参数， 即相对于 TSI的下一个 费率切换点 （Time lnterval After Tariff Switch Update, TITSU )。 依照现有实 施计费相关技术规范，接入设备在到达该 TITSU指示的时刻时必须上报业务 使用量以及为用户申请授权业务量。认证设备通过 TSI和 TITSU这两个参数 来向接入设备指示上报时间点。 在本实施例中， TITSU被设置为 1秒， 即认 证设备算得的延迟时长。认证设备通过将参数 TITSU设置为 1秒来指示接入 设备在到达费率切换点 （当前时刻与费率切换点之间的时间间隔由 TSI参数 来指示）之后的 1秒（ TITSU=1 ) 时上报业务使用量。
该接入应答即为图 5中步骤 504中的接入应答。
步骤 614,在接入设备授权用户使用业务并监测到到达费率切换点 18点 之后的 1秒即到达 18:00:01时， 接入设备上报在线接入请求（Online Access Request ), 其中携带业务使用量 10M (该业务使用量同样通过 VQ (业务量 配额， Volume Quota ) 来携带）， 并指示在这 10M的业务使用量中， 在费率 切换点 18 点之后发生的业务使用量为 lk, 即费率切换后发生的业务量 ( Volume Used After Tariff Switch, VUATS )为 lk。 步骤 616, 在收到来自接入设备的在线接入请求之后， 认证设备通过更 新信用控制请求 CCR{Update}将上述业务使用量通知计费设备， 其中， 上述 业务使用量通过业务使用量（Used Service Unit, USU )字段来携带。 由于发 生费率切换， 因此依照现有实时计费相关技术规范， 认证设备将同时上报两 个 USU, 其中 USU ( TCU=2 )表示上一计费周期总共发生的业务使用量， 即 10M; USU ( TCU=1 )表示上一计费周期中费率切换后发生的业务使用量， 即 lk。 此外， 该更新信用控制请求中仍然携带请求的业务量 RSU, 100M。
步骤 618, 在收到来自认证设备的更新信用控制请求之后， 计费设备根 据此前的授权业务量 100M和接入设备上报的业务使用量 10M计算剩余业务 量 90M ( 100M - 10M )。
此外， 计费设备根据 CCR{Update}中携带的业务使用量进行计费。 具体 来说， 18点之前发生的业务使用量为 10M - lk, 依据 18点之前的费率 0元 M, 产生的费用为 0元； 18点之后发生的业务量为 lk, 依据 18点之后的费 率 1元/ M,产生的费用为 1/1024元， 因此扣费后用户账户余额为 10 - 1/1024 元， 约为 10元。
此后， 计费设备根据剩余业务量、 扣费后用户账户余额及当前费率判断 剩余业务量是否会导致透支。 由于剩余业务量为 90M, 当前费率为 1元/ M, 因此用户消费所有剩余业务量共需支付 90元（90Μ χ 1元/ M ), 远超扣费后 用户账户余额 （约 10元）， 因此计费设备判定剩余业务量将导致透支。
步骤 620, 计费设备向认证设备返回更新信用控制应答（Credit Control
Answer{Update} , CC A { Update} ), 其中携带的授权业务量 GSU为 0M。计费 设备通过将授权业务量 GSU设置为 0,来通知认证设备指示接入设备执行强 制下线操作， 即 GSU = 0用作强制下线指示。
步骤 622, 认证设备根据计费设备发送的更新信用控制应答， 向接入设 备返回在线接入应答， 在该在线接入应答中指示接入设备授权业务量为零。
步骤 624, 为防止接入设备允许用户继续使用剩余业务量 90M, 认证设 备向接入设备发送强制下线请求， 以此来指示接入设备强制用户下线。 在本 实施例中， 该强制下线请求具体为断开消息请求 （ Disconnect Messages Request, DM-REQ )。
步骤 626, 接入设备根据来自认证设备的强制下线请求， 强制用户下线， 然后向认证设备返回强制下线应答， 通知认证设备已经强制用户下线。 在本 实施例中， 该强制下线应答具体为断开消息应答 （ Disconnect Messages Acknowledge, DM-ACK )„
从接入设备在步骤 614中上报业务使用量， 到接入设备在步骤 626中强 制用户下线， 这一过程中用户依然在使用业务， 所以必然产生一定的业务使 用量。 尽管这一部分业务使用量很少， 但仍有必要对这一部分业务使用量进 行计费。 因此， 在步骤 628 , 接入设备向认证设备上报终止在线接入请求 ( Online Access Request(stop) ) , 上报业务使用量， 该业务使用量通过 VQ参 数来携带。
步骤 630 , 认证设备根据来自接入设备的终止在线接入请求， 向计费设 备上报终止信用控制请求 ( CCR{Term} ), 通过业务使用量 USU这一参数来 携带业务使用量。
步骤 632 , 计费设备根据认证设备发送的终止信用控制请求中携带的业 务使用量对用户账户进行扣费， 然后向认证设备返回终止信用控制应答 ( CCA{Term} )。
步骤 634 , 认证设备根据来自计费设备的终止信用控制应答， 向接入设 备返回终止在线接入应答 ( Online Access Response(stop) )。
图 7是依据本发明一实施例的计费设备 700的逻辑结构示意图。 计费设 备 700连接至接入设备， 如图 7所示， 计费设备 700包括透支监控模块 702 和强制下线指示模块 704。
透支监控模块 702用于接收接入设备发出的业务量请求， 根据当前费率 计算授权业务量， 在根据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率判定满足透支 监控条件时， 根据费率切换点确定上报时间点， 向接入设备返回携带授权业 务量和上报时间点的业务量应答。
在具体实现过程中， 所述透支监控条件为下列条件之中的至少一种： 费率切换点后的费率 X授权业务量 > 当前账户余额；
(授权业务量 -预设额定接入速率 X当前时刻与费率切换点之间的时间 间隔） X费率切换点之后的费率 +预设额定接入速率 X当前时刻与费率切换 点之间的时间间隔 X当前费率 > 当前账户余额。
作为可选的， 所述透支监控条件为费率切换点前的费率低于费率切换点 后的费率。
在具体实现过程中， 在根据费率切换点确定上报时间点时， 所述透支监 控模块 702具体用于， 将所述费率切换点设置为所述上报时间点。
作为可选的，在具体实现过程中，在根据费率切换点确定上报时间点时， 所述透支监控模块 702具体用于：
计算延迟时长；
依照如下公式计算所述上报时间点：
上报时间点 =费率切换点 +延迟时长。
强制下线指示模块 704用于接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务 使用量， 基于所述授权业务量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量， 并在判定剩 余业务量将导致透支时， 指示接入设备执行强制下线操作。
在具体实现过程中， 在收到接入设备上报的业务使用量时， 强制下线指 示模块 704会首先根据业务使用量对用户账户进行扣费。 此后， 如果所述费 率切换点之后的费率与剩余业务量的乘积超过扣费后的用户账户余额， 则说 明在该剩余业务量被用户消费完毕后，用户账户将发生透支。在这种情况下， 强制下线指示模块 704会在判定剩余业务量将导致透支时， 指示接入设备执 行强制下线操作， 以此来防止用户账户出现透支。
应注意， 在具体实现过程中， 计费设备 700还包括必要的处理器和收发 器等硬件模块。上述各模块的操作应理解为各模块通过向处理器和 /或收发器 下发对应的指令来通过处理器和 /或收发器所实现的操作。 如此一来， 透支监 控模块 702用于通过收发器接收接入设备发出的业务量请求， 通过处理器根 据当前费率计算授权业务量， 在根据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率判 定满足透支监控条件时， 根据费率切换点确定上报时间点， 通过收发器向接 入设备返回携带授权业务量和上报时间点的业务量应答。 强制下线指示模块 704 用于通过收发器接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使用量， 通 过处理器基于所述授权业务量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量， 并在通过处 理器判定剩余业务量将导致透支时， 通过收发器指示接入设备执行强制下线 操作。
图 8是依据本发明一实施例的计费设备 800的逻辑结构示意图。 计费设 备 800连接至认证设备， 如图 8所示， 计费设备 800包括透支监控模块 802 和强制下线指示模块 804。
透支监控模块 802用于接收接入设备通过认证设备发出的业务量请求， 根据当前费率计算授权业务量， 在根据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率 判定满足透支监控条件时， 通过认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和 根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的业务量应答。
在通过认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定 的上报时间点的业务量应答时， 所述透支监控模块 802具体用于， 根据费率 切换点确定上报时间点； 通过认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和上 报时间点的业务量应答。 在具体实现过程中， 在根据费率切换点确定上报时 间点时， 所述透支监控模块 802具体用于， 将所述费率切换点设置为所述上 报时间点。 作为可选的， 在具体实现过程中， 在根据费率切换点确定上报时 间点时， 所述透支监控模块 802具体用于：
计算延迟时长；
依照如下公式计算所述上报时间点： 上报时间点 =费率切换点 +延迟时长。
作为可选的， 在通过认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和根据费 率切换点确定的上报时间点的业务量应答时， 所述透支监控模块 802具体用 于， 指示认证设备根据费率切换点确定上报时间点； 指示认证设备向接入设 备返回携带授权业务量和上报时间点的业务量应答。 不难理解， 在这种情况 下， 上报时间点是由认证设备确定的。
强制下线指示模块 804用于接收接入设备通过认证设备在所述上报时间 点上报的业务使用量,基于所述授权业务量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量， 并在判定剩余业务量将导致透支时， 通过认证设备指示接入设备执行强制下 线操作。
应注意， 在具体实现过程中， 计费设备 800还包括必要的处理器和收发 器等硬件模块。上述各模块的操作应理解为各模块通过向处理器和 /或收发器 下发对应的指令来通过处理器和 /或收发器所实现的操作。 如此一来， 透支监 控模块 802用于通过收发器接收接入设备通过认证设备发出的业务量请求， 通过处理器根据当前费率计算授权业务量， 在通过处理器根据该授权业务量 和费率切换点后的费率判定满足透支监控条件时， 通过收发器通过认证设备 向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的业务 量应答。 强制下线指示模块 804用于通过收发器接收接入设备通过认证设备 在所述上报时间点上报的业务使用量， 通过处理器基于所述授权业务量和该 业务使用量计算剩余业务量，并在通过处理器判定剩余业务量将导致透支时， 通过收发器通过认证设备指示接入设备执行强制下线操作。
图 9是依据本发明一实施例的认证设备 900的逻辑结构示意图。 认证设 备 900分别连接至接入设备和计费设备， 如图 9所示， 认证设备 900包括请 求转发模块 902、判断处理模块 904、业务使用量转发模块 906和和强制下线 指示模块 908。
请求转发模块 902用于接收接入设备发出的接入请求， 向计费设备发出 业务量请求；
判断处理模块 904用于接收计费设备返回的携带有授权业务量的业务量 应答， 在该业务量应答中携带有透支监控指示时， 向接入设备返回携带有所 述授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的接入应答；
在具体实现过程中， 所述透支监控指示即为计费设备根据费率切换点确 定的上报时间点。 在这种情况下， 上报时间点是由计费设备确定的。
作为可选的， 在具体实现过程中， 在向接入设备返回携带有所述授权业 务量和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的接入应答时， 所述判断处理模块 904 具体用于， 根据费率切换点确定上报时间点； 向接入设备返回携带有所 述授权业务量和上 4艮时间点的接入应答。
在具体实现过程中， 在根据费率切换点确定上报时间点时， 所述判断处 理模块 904具体用于， 将所述费率切换点设置为所述上报时间点。
作为可选的，在具体实现过程中，在根据费率切换点确定上报时间点时， 所述判断处理模块 904具体用于：
计算延迟时长；
依照如下公式计算所述上报时间点：
上报时间点 =费率切换点 +延迟时长。
业务使用量转发模块 906用于接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业 务使用量， 将该业务使用量上报至所述计费设备；
强制下线指示模块 908用于接收计费设备返回的强制下线指示， 通知接 入设备执行强制下线操作。
应注意， 在具体实现过程中， 认证设备 900还包括必要的处理器和收发 器等硬件模块。上述各模块的操作应理解为各模块通过向处理器和 /或收发器 下发对应的指令来通过处理器和 /或收发器所实现的操作。 如此一来， 请求转 发模块 902用于通过收发器接收接入设备发出的接入请求， 向计费设备发出 业务量请求； 判断处理模块 904用于通过收发器接收计费设备返回的携带有 授权业务量的业务量应答， 通过处理器判定在该业务量应答中携带有透支监 控指示时， 通过收发器向接入设备返回携带有所述授权业务量和根据费率切 换点确定的上报时间点的接入应答； 业务使用量转发模块 906用于通过收发 器接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使用量， 将该业务使用量上报 至所述计费设备； 强制下线指示模块 908用于通过收发器接收计费设备返回 的强制下线指示， 通知接入设备执行强制下线操作。
本领域普通技术人员可知， 上述方法中的全部或部分步骤可以通过程序 指令相关的硬件完成， 该程序可以存储于一计算机可读存储介质中， 该计算 机可读存储介质如 ROM、 RAM和光盘等。
综上所述， 以上仅为本发明的较佳实施例而已， 并非用于限定本发明的 保护范围。 凡在本发明的精神和原则之内， 所作的任何修改、 等同替换、 改 进等， 均应包含在本发明的保护范围之内。

Claims

权利要求书
1、 一种计费方法， 其特征在于， 包括：
接收接入设备发出的业务量请求， 根据当前费率计算授权业务量， 在根 据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率判定满足透支监控条件时， 根据费率 切换点确定上报时间点， 向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和上报时间点的业 务量应答；
接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使用量， 基于所述授权业务 量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量， 并在判定剩余业务量将导致透支时， 指 示接入设备执行强制下线操作。
2、如权利要求 1所述的方法， 其特征在于， 所述透支监控条件为下列条 件之中的至少一种：
费率切换点后的费率 X授权业务量 > 当前账户余额；
(授权业务量 -预设额定接入速率 X当前时刻与费率切换点之间的时间 间隔） X费率切换点之后的费率 +预设额定接入速率 X当前时刻与费率切换 点之间的时间间隔 X当前费率 > 当前账户余额。
3、如权利要求 1或 2所述的方法， 其特征在于， 所述根据费率切换点确 定上报时间点具体包括， 将所述费率切换点设置为所述上报时间点。
4、如权利要求 1或 2所述的方法， 其特征在于， 所述根据费率切换点确 定上 间点具体包括：
计算延迟时长；
依照如下公式计算所述上报时间点：
上报时间点 =费率切换点 +延迟时长。
5、如权利要求 4所述的方法，其特征在于，所述计算延迟时长具体包括， 基于预设随机算法计算一随机数， 以作为所述延迟时长。
6、 一种计费方法， 其特征在于， 包括： 接收接入设备通过认证设备发出的业务量请求， 根据当前费率计算授权 业务量， 在根据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率判定满足透支监控条件 时， 通过认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定的 上报时间点的业务量应答；
接收接入设备通过认证设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使用量， 基于 所述授权业务量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量， 并在判定剩余业务量将导 致透支时， 通过认证设备指示接入设备执行强制下线操作。
7、如权利要求 6所述的方法， 其特征在于， 所述通过认证设备向接入设 备返回携带授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的业务量应答具 体包括：
根据费率切换点确定上报时间点；
通过认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和上报时间点的业务量应 答。
8、如权利要求 6所述的方法， 其特征在于， 所述通过认证设备向接入设 备返回携带授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的业务量应答具 体包括：
指示认证设备根据费率切换点确定上报时间点；
指示认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和上报时间点的业务量应 答。
9、 一种认证方法， 其特征在于， 包括：
接收接入设备发出的接入请求， 向计费设备发出业务量请求； 接收计费设备返回的携带有授权业务量的业务量应答， 在该业务量应答 中携带有透支监控指示时 , 向接入设备返回携带有所述授权业务量和根据费 率切换点确定的上报时间点的接入应答；
接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使用量， 将该业务使用量上 报至所述计费设备； 接收计费设备返回的强制下线指示， 通知接入设备执行强制下线操作。
10、 如权利要求 9所述的方法， 其特征在于， 所述透支监控指示为根据 费率切换点确定的上报时间点。
11、 如权利要求 9所述的方法， 其特征在于， 所述向接入设备返回携带 有所述授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的接入应答具体包 括：
根据费率切换点确定上报时间点；
向接入设备返回携带有所述授权业务量和上报时间点的接入应答。
12、 一种计费设备， 其特征在于， 包括：
透支监控模块， 用于接收接入设备发出的业务量请求， 根据当前费率计 算授权业务量， 在根据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率判定满足透支监 控条件时， 根据费率切换点确定上报时间点， 向接入设备返回携带授权业务 量和上报时间点的业务量应答；
强制下线指示模块， 用于接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务使 用量， 基于所述授权业务量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量， 并在判定剩余 业务量将导致透支时， 指示接入设备执行强制下线操作。
13、如权利要求 12所述的设备， 其特征在于， 所述透支监控条件为下列 条件之中的至少一种：
费率切换点后的费率 X授权业务量 > 当前账户余额；
(授权业务量 -预设额定接入速率 X当前时刻与费率切换点之间的时间 间隔） X费率切换点之后的费率 +预设额定接入速率 X当前时刻与费率切换 点之间的时间间隔 X当前费率 > 当前账户余额。
14、 如权利要求 12或 13所述的设备， 其特征在于， 在根据费率切换点 确定上报时间点时， 所述透支监控模块具体用于， 将所述费率切换点设置为 所述上 ^艮时间点。
15、 如权利要求 12或 13所述的设备， 其特征在于， 在根据费率切换点 确定上报时间点时， 所述透支监控模块具体用于：
计算延迟时长；
依照如下公式计算所述上报时间点：
上报时间点 =费率切换点 +延迟时长。
16、 一种计费设备， 其特征在于， 包括：
透支监控模块， 用于接收接入设备通过认证设备发出的业务量请求， 根 据当前费率计算授权业务量， 在根据该授权业务量和费率切换点后的费率判 定满足透支监控条件时， 通过认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和根 据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的业务量应答；
强制下线指示模块， 用于接收接入设备通过认证设备在所述上报时间点 上报的业务使用量， 基于所述授权业务量和该业务使用量计算剩余业务量， 并在判定剩余业务量将导致透支时， 通过认证设备指示接入设备执行强制下 线操作。
17、如权利要求 16所述的设备， 其特征在于， 在通过认证设备向接入设 备返回携带授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的业务量应答 时， 所述透支监控模块具体用于：
根据费率切换点确定上报时间点；
通过认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和上报时间点的业务量应 答。
18、如权利要求 16所述的设备， 其特征在于， 在通过认证设备向接入设 备返回携带授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的业务量应答 时， 所述透支监控模块具体用于：
指示认证设备根据费率切换点确定上报时间点；
指示认证设备向接入设备返回携带授权业务量和上报时间点的业务量应 答。
19、 一种认证设备， 其特征在于， 包括： 请求转发模块， 用于接收接入设备发出的接入请求， 向计费设备发出业 务量请求；
判断处理模块， 用于接收计费设备返回的携带有授权业务量的业务量应 答， 在该业务量应答中携带有透支监控指示时， 向接入设备返回携带有所述 授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的接入应答；
业务使用量转发模块， 用于接收接入设备在所述上报时间点上报的业务 使用量， 将该业务使用量上报至所述计费设备；
强制下线指示模块， 用于接收计费设备返回的强制下线指示， 通知接入 设备执行强制下线操作。
20、如权利要求 19所述的设备， 其特征在于， 所述透支监控指示为根据 费率切换点确定的上报时间点。
21、如权利要求 19所述的设备， 其特征在于， 在向接入设备返回携带有 所述授权业务量和根据费率切换点确定的上报时间点的接入应答时， 所述判 断处理模块具体用于：
根据费率切换点确定上报时间点；
向接入设备返回携带有所述授权业务量和上报时间点的接入应答。
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