WO2014003750A1 - Surveillance d'utilisation de groupes de dispositifs - Google Patents

Surveillance d'utilisation de groupes de dispositifs Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014003750A1
WO2014003750A1 PCT/US2012/044520 US2012044520W WO2014003750A1 WO 2014003750 A1 WO2014003750 A1 WO 2014003750A1 US 2012044520 W US2012044520 W US 2012044520W WO 2014003750 A1 WO2014003750 A1 WO 2014003750A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
group
policy
gateway
rules function
charging rules
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PCT/US2012/044520
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English (en)
Inventor
Devaki Chandramouli
Rainer Liebhart
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Nokia Siemens Networks Oy
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Publication date
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Priority to PCT/US2012/044520 priority Critical patent/WO2014003750A1/fr
Publication of WO2014003750A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014003750A1/fr

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/04—Billing or invoicing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/14—Payment architectures specially adapted for billing systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
    • G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
    • G06Q20/14—Payment architectures specially adapted for billing systems
    • G06Q20/145—Payments according to the detected use or quantity
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/08—Configuration management of networks or network elements
    • H04L41/0893—Assignment of logical groups to network elements
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
    • H04L41/08—Configuration management of networks or network elements
    • H04L41/0896—Bandwidth or capacity management, i.e. automatically increasing or decreasing capacities
    • 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
    • H04M15/41—Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
    • 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
    • H04M15/66—Policy and charging system
    • 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
    • H04M15/70—Administration or customization aspects; Counter-checking correct charges
    • H04M15/765—Linked or grouped accounts, e.g. of users or devices
    • 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
    • H04M15/80—Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
    • H04M15/8038—Roaming or handoff
    • 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
    • H04M15/80—Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
    • H04M15/8066—According to the number of recipients
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S40/00—Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Definitions

  • Communication systems such as an evolved packet system, may benefit from usage monitoring.
  • certain communication systems in which groups of related user equipment are deployed may benefit from a monitoring of groups of devices.
  • the evolved packet system provides radio interfaces and packet core network functions for broadband wireless data access.
  • EPS core network functions include the mobility management entity (MME), the packet data network gateway (PDN- GW) and the Serving Gateway (S-GW).
  • MME mobility management entity
  • PDN- GW packet data network gateway
  • S-GW Serving Gateway
  • An example of an evolved packet core architecture is illustrated in Figure 1 and is described by third generation partnership project (3GPP) technical specification (TS) 23.401, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • 3GPP third generation partnership project
  • a common packet domain core network can be used for both radio access networks (RANs), the global system for mobile communication (GSM) enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) radio access network (GERAN) and the universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN).
  • GSM global system for mobile communication
  • EDGE enhanced data rates for GSM evolution
  • GERAN global system for mobile communication
  • UTRAN universal terrestrial radio access network
  • This common core network CN can provide general packet radio service (GP
  • FIG. 2 illustrates an overall policy charging and control (PCC) architecture, including roaming with home routed access, when subscription profile repository (SPR) is used.
  • the PCC architecture can extend the architecture of an internet protocol connectivity access network (IP-CAN), where the policy and charging enforcement function (PCEF) is a functional entity in the Gateway node implementing the IP access to the PDN.
  • IP-CAN internet protocol connectivity access network
  • PCEF policy and charging enforcement function
  • a home policy and charging rules function (H- PCRF) is connected to the PCEF, residing in a gateway, over Gx.
  • the PCEF is connected to an offline charging system (OFCS) over Gz.
  • the PCEF is connected to service data flow based credit control function in an online charging system (OCS) over Gy.
  • OCS online charging system
  • the OCS is, in turn, connected to the H- PCRF over Sy.
  • Rx connects the H-PCRF to an application server (AF), while Sp connects the H-PCRF to the SPR.
  • a visited PCRF (V-PCRF), in a visited public land mobile network (VPLMN) can be connected to the H-PCRF, in the home public land mobile network (HPLMN) via S9.
  • the V-PCRF may also be connected to a bearer binding and event reporting function (BBERF) over Gxx.
  • BBERF bearer binding and event reporting function
  • P-GW/gateway GPRS support node GGSN
  • Usage monitoring can then be performed by a single P-GW/GGSN for a single device, with all devices connected to the same P-GW/GGSN.
  • P-GW/GGSN can exemplify gateway nodes in general.
  • a method includes determining that a group is connected to a plurality of gateway nodes, wherein the group comprises a plurality of user equipment. The method also includes monitoring data usage of user equipments of the group, based on the determination.
  • a method includes determining that a user equipment is associated with a group. The method also includes selecting a common policy and charging rules function for user equipment based on the association with the group.
  • An apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code.
  • the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to determine that a group is connected to a plurality of gateway nodes, wherein the group comprises a plurality of user equipment.
  • the at least one memory and the computer program code are also configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to monitor data usage of user equipments of the group, based on the determination.
  • An apparatus in certain embodiments, includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code.
  • the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to determine that a user equipment is associated with a group.
  • the at least one memory and the computer program code are also configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to select a common policy and charging rules function for user equipment based on the association with the group.
  • an apparatus includes determining means for determining that a group is connected to a plurality of gateway nodes, wherein the group comprises a plurality of user equipment.
  • the apparatus also includes monitoring means for monitoring data usage of user equipments of the group, based on the determination.
  • an apparatus includes determining means for determining that a user equipment is associated with a group.
  • the apparatus also includes selecting means for selecting a common policy and charging rules function for user equipment based on the association with the group.
  • a non-transitory computer readable medium is, in certain embodiments, encoded with instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process.
  • the process includes determining that a group is connected to a plurality of gateway nodes, wherein the group comprises a plurality of user equipment.
  • the process also includes monitoring data usage of user equipments of the group, based on the determination.
  • a non-transitory computer readable medium is, according to certain embodiments, encoded with instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process.
  • the process includes determining that a user equipment is associated with a group.
  • the process also includes selecting a common policy and charging rules function for user equipment based on the association with the group.
  • Figure 1 illustrates an evolved packet core architecture.
  • FIG 2 illustrates an overall policy charging and control (PCC) architecture, including roaming with home routed access, when subscription profile repository (SPR) is used.
  • PCC policy charging and control
  • Figure 3 illustrates notification of a selected PCRF to a AAA server, according to certain embodiments.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a AAA server providing a selected PCRF to a P- GW/GGSN, according to certain embodiments.
  • Figure 5 illustrates notification of a selected PCRF to a home subscriber server, according to certain embodiments.
  • Figure 6 illustrates an HSS providing a selected PCRF to a P- GW/GGSN, according to certain embodiments.
  • Figure 7 illustrates time based monitoring at the P-GW/GGSN, according to certain embodiments.
  • Figure 8 illustrates monitoring based on equal allocation of bandwidth at the P-GW/GGSN, according to certain embodiments.
  • Figure 9 illustrates monitoring based on differentiated allocation of bandwidth based on number of users connected at the P-GW/GGSN.
  • Figure 10 illustrates a method according to certain embodiments.
  • Figure 11 illustrates another method according to certain embodiments.
  • Figure 12 illustrates a system according to certain embodiments.
  • the network may be valuable for the network to provide the ability to monitor the data usage by a group of devices. For example, this may be valuable when subscribers have signed up for a family data plan, such as 2GB of data usage to be shared by a family of three people: Bob, Alice and Pinto. Support for group-based usage monitoring may enable group based charging, such as pre-paid / post-paid charging for this family.
  • a family data plan such as 2GB of data usage to be shared by a family of three people: Bob, Alice and Pinto.
  • Support for group-based usage monitoring may enable group based charging, such as pre-paid / post-paid charging for this family.
  • group based monitoring may be useful when devices running similar applications are grouped, and an operator may desire to monitor the data generated by this application so the behavior can be characterized and any misbehaving application can be tracked and charged appropriately. Moreover, such monitoring may be valuable in a case where a service provider has subscribed for thousands of devices, for example smart meters, and charging is based on data generated by groups of these devices.
  • Certain embodiments therefore, provide an approach for usage monitoring of a group of devices when they are connected to different P- GW/GGSN(s). This feature can give operators the ability to monitor data usage for a group of devices, thereby giving the devices the ability to take appropriate action when the usage has exceeded, as well as to charge and inform users accordingly.
  • a first aspect is the selection of a common PCRF for all the devices in the group, irrespective of how many different GGSN/P-GW(s) are used.
  • a second aspect is a procedure for the PCRF to perform usage monitoring when the devices are connected to different P-GW/GGSN(s).
  • FIG. 3 illustrates notification of selected PCRF to an authentication, authorization and accounting (AAA) server, according to certain embodiments.
  • AAA authentication, authorization and accounting
  • a P-GW/GGSN authenticates and authorizes the user with a AAA server (or alternatively with a home subscriber server (HSS)), if this is required.
  • the authentication server checks that the user can be accepted and is allowed to use the selected service.
  • the P-GW/GGSN selects the PCRF and, as shown at 1 in Figure 3, informs the selected PCRF to the AAA server / HSS along with the group identifier in the access request message and the AAA server / HSS stores this information ⁇ Group ID, selected PCRF> upon determining that the authorization is successful, based on receiving an access accept at 2.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a AAA server providing a selected PCRF to a P- GW/GGSN.
  • the P-GW/GGSN can perform authentication and authorization of the user with AAA / HSS server without selecting a PCRF but can include the group identifier in the access request message, at 1.
  • the AAA server can indicate the selected PCRF for the given group. If the selected PCRF is returned in the response message, P- GW/GGSN can select the same PCRF for the user and can establish a Gx session accordingly.
  • Figure 5 illustrates notification of a selected PCRF to a home subscriber server.
  • a P-GW/GGSN upon receiving a create session request message at 1, a P-GW/GGSN can inform the MME/SGSN, via the S-GW, in a create session response message, at 2, with the selected PCRF for the given group.
  • the MME/SGSN can notify the HSS with the selected PCRF for the given group ID, when it provides information on the selected P-GW/GGSN for the user equipment.
  • HSS stores this information ⁇ Group ID, selected PCRF>.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an HSS providing a selected PCRF to a P- GW/GGSN.
  • HSS For subsequent PDN connection establishments for user equipment in the group, when the subscription information is downloaded to the MME/SGSN, if HSS has the selected PCRF information for the given Group ID available, the HSS can also provide that to the MME/SGSN at 1, after retrieving it at la. The MME/SGSN can then include this in the create session request message, at 2, to the P-GW/GGSN whenever PDN connection is being established.
  • the P-GW/GGSN can determine that the procedure to perform selection of a new PCRF need not be executed. Particularly, if the selected PCRF is included in the create session request message, the P-GW/GGSN does not need to select a new PCRF but can instead select the PCRF, sent in the create session request message, and can establish Gx session accordingly, at 3.
  • the AF can register with the PCRF for notification about when the data usage for a group of users exceeds a certain threshold (T). Since the users within a group may be connected to different P- GW(s)/GGSN(s), the PCRF can apply various intelligent means to monitor the data usage.
  • T a certain threshold
  • the PCRF can register for time based monitoring with the P-GW / GGSN(s) where the users in the group are connected and can aggregate the output at the PCRF. The PCRF can then report to the AF based on the outcome.
  • the PCRF can allocate equal bandwidth to all P-GW/GGSN(s) where the users in the group are connected and can register with the P-GW/GGSN to report when the allocated bandwidth level reduces to a certain minimum threshold (Tmin).
  • Tmin a certain minimum threshold
  • the PCRF can allocate bandwidth to each P- GW/GGSN depending on the number of users connected to the respective P- GW/GGSN at any given time (e.g. allocate relatively more bandwidth to a certain P-GW / GGSN when this P-GW / GGSN serves more users), and can register with the P-GW/GGSN to report when the allocated bandwidth level reduces to a certain minimum threshold (Tmin).
  • Tmin a certain minimum threshold
  • the PCRF can obtain the aggregated data usage from all the P- GW/GGSN(s) and can compare the total with the threshold (T) provided by the AF. If the total is equal to or exceeds the threshold (T), then the PCRF can report it to the AF; otherwise, the PCRF may store the latest report and take no further action.
  • Figure 8 illustrates monitoring based on equal allocation of bandwidth at the P-GW/GGSN. This alternative can involve the PCRF allocating bandwidth equally amongst all the P-GW/GGSN(s) where the users in the group are connected.
  • the PCRF can register with the P-GW/GGSN(s) to monitor the data usage and to report when the threshold reaches minimum level (Tmin). This minimum level can be assigned at the P-GW/GGSN for the ongoing user plane traffic. This can be administered in various ways by the PCRF.
  • the P-GW/GGSN can report to the PCRF that the P- GW/GGSN has reached Tmin.
  • the PCRF can then, at 3, query all the other P- GW/GGSN(s) for the remaining bandwidth allocated.
  • the PCRF can also hold some budget of the available threshold and grant a part of this budget to the P-GW/GGSN as long as budget is still available. This alternative can be performed by the PCRF even when a user connected to the P-GW/GGSN that has not yet been allocated any budget.
  • the other P-GW/GGSN(s) can retain the minimum threshold for ongoing user plane traffic and can report only the remaining bandwidth to the PCRF.
  • the PCRF accumulates the reported bandwidth and evenly divides the bandwidth amongst all P-GW/GGSN(s) including both the reporting P-GW/GGSN, at 5, and the other P-GW/GGSN(s) at 6.
  • Steps 2-4b can be repeated until PCRF determines there is no more bandwidth to be allocated at the P-GW/GGSN. Upon determining that the PCRF has no more bandwidth to be allocated, the PCRF can report to the AF that the group of users has exceeded the set threshold (T).
  • Tdiv Threshold (T) / number of P-GW/GGSN where users in the group are connected.
  • Figure 9 illustrates monitoring based on differentiated allocation of bandwidth based on number of users connected at the P-GW/GGSN. This alternative is similar to the alternative of Figure 8, except that this alternative involves the PCRF allocating bandwidth based on the number of users connected to the P-GW/GGSN(s).
  • the PCRF registers with the P- GW/GGSN(s) to monitor the data usage and report when the threshold reaches minimum level (Tmin).
  • Tmin minimum level
  • This minimum level can be assigned at the P- GW/GGSN for the ongoing user plane traffic.
  • P-GW/GGSN reports to the PCRF that it has reached Tmin.
  • the PCRF queries all the other P-GW/GGSN for the remaining bandwidth allocated.
  • the PCRF can also hold some budget of the available threshold and grant a part of this budget to the P- GW/GGSN as long as budget is still available.
  • the other P-GW/GGSN(s) can retain the minimum threshold for ongoing user plane traffic and can report only the remaining bandwidth to the PCRF. Then, at 4b, the PCRF can accumulate the reported bandwidth and can divide the bandwidth based on the number of users connected to the P- GW/GGSN. For example, if more users are connected to a P-GW/GGSN, then more bandwidth may be allocated to the P-GW/GGSN.
  • the PCRF may also use logic that takes user behavior into account. For example, users sending/receiving a lot of data can be granted more budget, in terms of allocation amount.
  • Steps 2-4b can be repeated until the PCRF determines there is no more bandwidth to be allocated at the P-GW/GGSN. Upon determining that the PCRF has no more bandwidth to be allocated, the PCRF can report to the AF that the group of users has exceeded the set threshold (T).
  • Tusers Threshold (T) / number of users currently connected to the P-GW/GGSN.
  • Tmin minimum threshold
  • the value for minimum threshold (Tmin) can be chosen in such a way that P-GW/GGSN is able to allocate bandwidth when the notifications / signaling messages are in progress between P-GW/GGSN and PCRF regarding the data usage.
  • the period (t) can be determined such that it is not too frequent (which causes processing overhead) at the same time it is not very infrequent (which causes the data usage to be exceeded significantly), thereby ensuring balancing processing overhead and data usage by the system.
  • the identity of the PCRF can also be stored in the SPR or another database (DB) within the mobile network operator (MNO) domain. Similar procedures to those described above (figure 3 to 6) could then apply for notifying the SPR / DB about a selected PCRF and retrieving the PCRF for subsequent connection requests / connection requests from other user equipments in the group.
  • the SPR may be collocated with the HSS/AAA.
  • the OCS could also maintain the allocated bandwidth for a group of users. This may be beneficial if users are being charged differently based on a usage threshold. Similar logic to that discussed above (figure 7 - 9) can apply even when the OCS maintains the allocated bandwidth. For example, the OCS could register with the PCRF for notification when the threshold exceeds or OCS could directly register with the PCEF (P- GW/GGSN) and follow any of the procedures described for figures 7 - 9.
  • Certain embodiments of the present invention may provide the ability for the operator to monitor data usage for a group of devices which can enable several use cases, as described above. Besides that, the proposed approach can be implemented in all RATs, for example, E-UTRAN, UTRAN, and GERAN.
  • Figure 10 illustrates a method according to certain embodiments.
  • the method of Figure 10 may be performed by, for example, a single policy and charging rules function.
  • the method can include, at 1010, determining that a group is connected to a plurality of gateway nodes, wherein the group comprises a plurality of user equipment.
  • the gateway nodes may be, for example, P-GW/GGSN(s).
  • the method can also include, at 1020, monitoring data usage of user equipments of the group, based on the determination.
  • the monitoring of the group comprises a single policy and charging rules function monitoring the devices of the group.
  • the method can further include taking an action selected from, at 1030, charging of users associated with the group or, at 1035, informing users associated with the group, when the monitored data usage exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as a pre-paid or subscription amount.
  • a predetermined threshold such as a pre-paid or subscription amount.
  • the monitoring can include at least one of, at 1040, registering for time based monitoring with the plurality of nodes or, 1045, registering for data threshold based reporting.
  • allocation threshold based reporting the allocation threshold can be uniform for all gateway nodes or is based on a number of group members served by a respective gateway node or the data usage pattern of group members.
  • the method can further include, at 1050, determining that an allocation is exceeded for a first gateway node and, at 1055, rebalancing allocation amongst the plurality of gateway nodes based on the determination that the allocation is exceeded.
  • the method can additionally include, at 1060, reporting to an application server that requested the monitoring, when the monitoring indicates that the data usage has reduced an available data usage below a threshold. Moreover, the method can also include, at 1070, storing, in a subscription profile repository, an identifier of a policy and charging rules function corresponding to the group. Further, the method can include, at 1080, maintaining an allocated bandwidth of the group in an online charging system.
  • Figure 1 1 illustrates another method according to certain embodiments.
  • the method can be performed by, for example, a gateway.
  • the method can include, at 1 110, determining that a user equipment is associated with a group.
  • the method also includes, at 1120, selecting a common policy and charging rules function for user equipment based on the association with the group.
  • the selecting can include, at 1130, a gateway node selecting a policy and charging rules function for a first member of the group.
  • the selecting can include, at 1140, an authentication server or a home subscriber server storing the selected policy and charging rules function for the group and the gateway node retrieving the stored policy and charging rules function for a second or subsequent member of the group.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates a system according to certain embodiments of the invention.
  • a system may include multiple devices, such as, for example, PCRF 1210, a first P-GW/GGSN (P-GW/GGSN-I) 1220, and other P-GW/GGSN 1230.
  • Each of these devices may include at least one processor, respectively indicated as 1214, 1224, and 1234.
  • At least one memory is provided in each device, and indicated as 1215, 1225, and 1235, respectively.
  • the memory may include computer program instructions or computer code contained therein.
  • Transceivers 1216, 1226, and 1236 are provided, and each device may also include an antenna, respectively illustrated as 1217, 1227, and 1237. Other configurations of these devices, for example, may be provided.
  • PCRF 1210, P-GW/GGSN-I 1220, and other P-GW/GGSN 1230 may be configured for wired communication, rather than wireless communication, and in such a case antennas 1217, 1227, and 1237 would illustrate any form of communication hardware, without requiring a conventional antenna.
  • Transceivers 1216, 1226, and 1236 can each, independently, be a transmitter, a receiver, or both a transmitter and a receiver, or a unit or device that is configured both for transmission and reception.
  • Processors 1214, 1224, and 1234 can be embodied by any computational or data processing device, such as a central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or comparable device.
  • the processors can be implemented as a single controller, or a plurality of controllers or processors.
  • Memories 1215, 1225, and 1235 can independently be any suitable storage device, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium.
  • a hard disk drive (HDD), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, or other suitable memory can be used.
  • the memories can be combined on a single integrated circuit as the processor, or may be separate therefrom.
  • the computer program instructions stored in the memory and which may be processed by the processors can be any suitable form of computer program code, for example, a compiled or interpreted computer program written in any suitable programming language.
  • the memory and the computer program instructions can be configured, with the processor for the particular device, to cause a hardware apparatus such as PCRF 1210, P-GW/GGSN-I 1220, and other P-GW/GGSN 1230, to perform any of the processes described above (see, for example, Figures 3-11). Therefore, in certain embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium can be encoded with computer instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process such as one of the processes described herein. Alternatively, certain embodiments of the invention can be performed entirely in hardware.
  • Figure 12 illustrates a system including a PCRF, P-GW/GGSN-I, and other P-GW/GGSN
  • embodiments of the invention may be applicable to other configurations, and configurations involving additional elements, as illustrated herein, for example in Figures 1-6.
  • AAA - Authentication, Authorization and Accounting

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  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des systèmes de communication, tels qu'un système par paquets évolué, pouvant tirer avantage d'une surveillance d'utilisation de données. En particulier, certains systèmes de communication dans lesquels des groupes d'équipements d'utilisateur associés sont utilisés peuvent tirer avantage d'une surveillance de groupes de dispositifs. Un procédé selon certains modes de réalisation peut consister à déterminer qu'un groupe est connecté à une pluralité de nœuds de passerelle, le groupe comprenant une pluralité d'équipements d'utilisateur. Le procédé selon l'invention peut également consister à surveiller l'utilisation de données d'équipements d'utilisateur du groupe, sur la base de la détermination. Un autre procédé selon l'invention peut consister à déterminer qu'un équipement d'utilisateur est associé à un groupe et à sélectionner une politique commune et à charger une fonction de règles pour un équipement d'utilisateur sur la base de l'association au groupe.
PCT/US2012/044520 2012-06-28 2012-06-28 Surveillance d'utilisation de groupes de dispositifs WO2014003750A1 (fr)

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CN105210399A (zh) * 2014-04-23 2015-12-30 华为技术有限公司 一种基于网络共享的动态资源调整方法及装置
US9426308B2 (en) 2014-11-07 2016-08-23 International Business Machines Corporation Enabling mobile computing devices to track data usage among mobile computing devices that share a data plan
WO2020031152A1 (fr) * 2018-08-10 2020-02-13 Nokia Technologies Oy Procédé et appareil pour fournir une couche de confort destinés à des architectures basées sur un service de réseau de communication
US10757149B2 (en) 2014-12-08 2020-08-25 Nokia Of America Corporation Usage authorization control for group communications in a communication network

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US20120109800A1 (en) * 2009-07-06 2012-05-03 Han Zhou Group charging method, charging processing apparatus and communication system

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US20120109800A1 (en) * 2009-07-06 2012-05-03 Han Zhou Group charging method, charging processing apparatus and communication system

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105210399A (zh) * 2014-04-23 2015-12-30 华为技术有限公司 一种基于网络共享的动态资源调整方法及装置
EP3125597A1 (fr) * 2014-04-23 2017-02-01 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd Procédé et appareil d'ajustement dynamique de ressources sur la base d'un partage de réseau
EP3125597A4 (fr) * 2014-04-23 2017-03-29 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Procédé et appareil d'ajustement dynamique de ressources sur la base d'un partage de réseau
US9930534B2 (en) 2014-04-23 2018-03-27 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for dynamic resource adjustment based on network sharing
RU2649863C1 (ru) * 2014-04-23 2018-04-05 Хуавей Текнолоджиз Ко., Лтд. Способ и аппаратура для динамического регулирования распределения ресурсов на основе совместного использования сети связи
CN105210399B (zh) * 2014-04-23 2019-10-18 华为技术有限公司 一种基于网络共享的动态资源调整方法及装置
US9426308B2 (en) 2014-11-07 2016-08-23 International Business Machines Corporation Enabling mobile computing devices to track data usage among mobile computing devices that share a data plan
US9432832B2 (en) 2014-11-07 2016-08-30 International Business Machines Corporation Enabling mobile computing devices to track data usage among mobile computing devices that share a data plan
US10757149B2 (en) 2014-12-08 2020-08-25 Nokia Of America Corporation Usage authorization control for group communications in a communication network
WO2020031152A1 (fr) * 2018-08-10 2020-02-13 Nokia Technologies Oy Procédé et appareil pour fournir une couche de confort destinés à des architectures basées sur un service de réseau de communication

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