WO2016107177A1

WO2016107177A1 - Charging method, apparatus and system

Info

Publication number: WO2016107177A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/086259
Authority: WO
Inventors: 王谟磊; 刘秀娟
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2014-12-30
Filing date: 2015-08-06
Publication date: 2016-07-07
Also published as: CN105812148A

Abstract

Provided is a charging method for charging traffic generated by surfing the internet in a network sharing mode. The method comprises: an access device detecting a content access request sent by a terminal accessed through network sharing; returning content requested for access and determining traffic generated due to the content; and sending a traffic charging request sent to a charging device, the traffic charging request containing a shared traffic identification which represents that traffic requested for charging is the traffic generated due to the content requested for access by the terminal accessed through network sharing, such that the charging device charges the traffic generated due to the content requested for access by the terminal accessed through network sharing. According to the technical solution provided by the embodiments of the present invention, when a user terminal performs network sharing and other user terminals access a network by network sharing, the access device can report the traffic generated by the terminal accessed through network sharing to the charging device, and the charging device charges the traffic generated due to the content accessed by the terminal accessed through network sharing.

Description

Billing method, device and system

The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201410843363.1, filed on Dec. 30, 2014, entitled "A Billing Method, Apparatus, and System", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the application.

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a charging method, apparatus, and system.

Background technique

Tethering is a network sharing technology. It is often translated into network sharing, Internet sharing, shared Internet access, etc. If it is shared by WiFi, it is usually called Mobile Hotspot. Tethering can connect devices such as laptops, desktops, various tablets or other smart terminals to mobile intelligent terminals through WiFi, Bluetooth, USB physical connection, etc., using packet data services.

With the development of network sharing technology, more and more users choose to access the Internet through network sharing. Operators are increasingly demanding Internet access through network sharing. However, although network sharing behavior can be performed at present. Identify, but cannot bill shared traffic.

Summary of the invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a charging method, which can accurately charge the traffic generated by the terminal accessing the Internet through the network sharing mode.

The first aspect provides a charging method for charging traffic generated by using the network sharing mode, the method includes the following steps: the access device detects content access sent by the terminal accessed through the network sharing And the access device returns the content requested by the terminal accessed by the network sharing, and determines the traffic generated by the content; the access device sends a parameter carrying the parameter indicating the traffic to the charging device. Fee request, the billing The request includes a shared traffic identifier, where the shared traffic identifier indicates that the traffic requesting the charging is the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal accessed by the network sharing, so that the charging device shares the access through the network. The terminal requests the traffic generated by the accessed content for charging.

In conjunction with the implementation of the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the access device determines, by using a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, TCP/IP fingerprint feature identification, that the content access request is determined by It is generated by a terminal that accesses through a network share.

With reference to the first aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the access device determines, by detecting a User-Agent field in a hypertext transfer protocol HTTP The content access request is generated by the terminal accessed through the network share.

With reference to the first aspect, the first to the second possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the access device detects a content access request sent by a terminal shared by the network sharing access The access device receives the network sharing monitoring message sent by the charging device, and the network sharing monitoring message indicates that the access device monitors the state of the network sharing.

With reference to the first aspect, the first to the third possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the monitoring, by the network, the state of the network sharing, including: when the network sharing occurs, The access device sends a message indicating that network sharing occurs to the charging device; when the network sharing stops, the access device sends a message indicating that the network sharing is stopped to the charging device.

With reference to the first aspect, the first to fourth possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the access device receives an authorization traffic message sent by the charging device, where And sharing the traffic authorization identifier, where the shared traffic authorization identifier indicates that the traffic in the authorized traffic message is traffic that is authorized to the terminal that accesses through the network share.

With reference to the first aspect, the first to the fifth possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, when the number of terminals accessed through the network sharing exceeds a preset maximum number of terminals, The access device refuses to return the requested content for the terminal that accesses through the network share exceeding the preset maximum number of terminals.

The second aspect provides a charging method for charging the traffic generated by the network sharing mode, including the following steps: the charging device receives the charging request sent by the access device, where the charging request carries Instructing the content requested by the terminal accessed through the network share to access the content a parameter of the generated traffic, where the charging request includes a shared traffic identifier, where the shared traffic identifier indicates that the traffic requested for charging is traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal accessed through the network sharing; the charging device The traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network shared access is charged.

With the implementation of the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, before the charging device receives the charging request that is sent by the access device and includes the shared traffic identifier, the charging device Sending a network sharing monitoring message to the access device, the network sharing monitoring message instructing the access device to monitor a status of the network sharing; and the charging device receiving the sending device when the network sharing occurs And indicating that a message sharing the network share occurs; the charging device returns a message carrying the network sharing authorized traffic information to the access device.

With reference to the second aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the charging device receives, by the access device, when the network sharing occurs, indicating that network sharing occurs. In the message, the charging device also sends a message prompting the network sharing to the terminal for network sharing.

With reference to the second aspect, the first to the second possible implementation manners of the second aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the charging device requests the accessed content by the terminal shared by the network sharing access The generated traffic is charged. The charging device charges the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network shared access according to the shared traffic identifier according to the shared traffic identifier.

In a third aspect, an access device is configured to perform charging on a network generated by using a network sharing manner, including a receiving module and a sending module: the receiving module is configured to detect a terminal that is accessed through a network sharing a content access request; the sending module is configured to return the content requested by the terminal accessed by the network sharing access, and determine the traffic generated by the content; and send the carrying information indicating the traffic to the charging device a charging request of the parameter, where the charging request includes a shared traffic identifier, where the shared traffic identifier indicates that the traffic requested for charging is the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal accessed by the network sharing access, so that the accounting The fee device charges the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network shared access.

In conjunction with the implementation of the third aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the receiving module determines, by using a Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, TCP/IP fingerprint feature identification, that the content access request is Generated by a terminal that is shared by the network.

With reference to the third aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, in a second possible implementation manner, the receiving module determines the content by detecting a User-Agent field in the Hypertext Transfer Protocol HTTP The access request is generated by the terminal accessed through the network share.

With reference to the third aspect, the first to the second possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, before the receiving module detects the content access request sent by the terminal shared by the network sharing access The receiving module receives a network sharing monitoring message sent by the charging device, where the network sharing monitoring message instructs the access device to monitor the state of the network sharing.

With reference to the third aspect, the first to the third possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a fourth possible implementation manner, the monitoring the status of the network sharing includes: when network sharing occurs, The sending module sends a message indicating that a network sharing occurs to the charging device; when the network sharing stops, the sending module sends a message indicating that the network sharing is stopped to the charging device.

With reference to the third aspect, the first to the fourth possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a fifth possible implementation manner, the receiving module receives an authorization traffic message sent by the charging device, where the sharing is included And a traffic authorization identifier, where the shared traffic authorization identifier indicates that the traffic in the authorized traffic message is a traffic that is authorized to the terminal shared by the network.

With reference to the third aspect, the first to the fifth possible implementation manners of the third aspect, in a sixth possible implementation manner, when the number of terminals accessed through the network sharing exceeds a preset maximum number of terminals, The sending module refuses to return the content requested for access by the terminal that accesses the network sharing exceeding the preset maximum number of terminals.

The fourth aspect provides a charging device, which is used for charging the traffic generated by the network sharing mode, and includes a receiving module and a charging module: the receiving module is configured to receive the charging sent by the access device. The request, the charging request carries a parameter indicating the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal accessed by the network sharing access, where the charging request includes a shared traffic identifier, where the shared traffic identifier indicates that the traffic requested for charging is The traffic generated by the content that is accessed by the terminal that is accessed by the network share access terminal; the charging module is configured to perform charging on the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network shared access.

With the implementation of the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the charging device further includes: a sending module, where the receiving module receives, by the access device, a device that includes a shared traffic identifier The sending module sends a network sharing monitoring before the fee request Sending a message to the access device, the network sharing monitoring message instructing the access device to monitor a status of the network sharing; and the receiving module receiving an indication that the access device sends a network sharing when the network sharing occurs The sending module returns a message carrying the network sharing authorized traffic information to the access device.

With reference to the fourth aspect, the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation, the receiving module receives, by the access device, a message that is sent when the network sharing occurs, indicating that the network sharing occurs. The sending module further sends a message prompting the network sharing to the terminal for network sharing.

With reference to the fourth aspect, the first to the second possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner, the charging module requests the accessed content by the terminal shared by the network sharing access The generated traffic is charged. The charging module charges the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network shared access according to the shared traffic identifier according to the shared traffic identifier.

A fifth aspect provides a charging system for charging traffic generated by using the network sharing mode, including an access device and a charging device: the access device is configured to detect sharing through a network. Returning the content access request sent by the terminal; returning the content requested by the terminal accessed by the network sharing, and determining the traffic generated by the content; sending a charging request carrying the parameter indicating the traffic to the charging device, The charging request includes a shared traffic identifier, where the shared traffic identifier indicates that the traffic requested for charging is the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal accessed by the network sharing access; the charging device is configured to receive the access. A flow rate request sent by the device; charging the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network shared access.

In a sixth aspect, a computing device is provided, comprising: a processor, a memory, a bus, and a communication interface; the memory is configured to store a computing device to execute an instruction, and the processor is connected to the memory through the bus When the computing device is in operation, the processor executes the computer-executed instructions stored by the memory to cause the computing device to perform any of the first aspect to the second aspect and any one of the first aspect to the second aspect The method described in the manner.

According to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention, when the user shares the network through the terminal, and the other user terminal accesses the network through the network, the access device can report the traffic generated by the terminal shared by the network to the charging device. The fee device charges the traffic generated by the terminal accessing the content accessed through the network sharing, and satisfies the needs of the operator. At the same time, the operation can be expanded by sending a subscription prompt message to the user who does not subscribe to the network sharing dedicated traffic packet. The business scope of the business also brings a better experience for users.

DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only It is a certain embodiment of the present invention, and other drawings can be obtained from those skilled in the art without any creative work.

1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applied to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is an exemplary signaling diagram of a charging method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart of a charging method according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of a general-purpose computer structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

In the following description, for purposes of illustration and description, reference However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the invention.

In order to facilitate the understanding and description of the embodiments provided by the present invention, several concepts related to the present invention are first introduced. A terminal that performs network sharing refers to a terminal that has access to the network and has enabled the network sharing function, and can be used as a wireless access point or a wireless router to connect other terminals to the network. A terminal that is accessed through a network share is connected to a terminal that performs network sharing through a WiFi, or a physical transmission line such as Bluetooth or USB, and a terminal that accesses the network through a terminal that performs network sharing. The network sharing dedicated traffic packet is ordered by a terminal for network sharing, and is dedicated to a traffic packet used by a terminal shared by the network. Network shared authorized traffic refers to traffic authorized to a terminal that accesses through a network share. Ordinary free traffic packets, which are used for all Internet access traffic packets after being purchased by a terminal that performs network sharing. Ordinary free authorization refers to the traffic that is authorized to the terminal that performs network sharing.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture 100 to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The network architecture 100 includes a Policy and Charging Rule Function 102 (Policy and Charging Rule Function, PCRF), Policy and Charging Enforcement Function (PCEF), Application Function (AF), Subscription Profile Repository (SPR), Bearer Binding, and Event Reporting Feature Binding and Event Report Function (BBERF), Traffic Detection Function (TDF), Online Charging System (OCS), and Offline Charging System 116 (Offline Charging System, OFCS).

The PCRF 102 includes policy control decisions and flow-based charging control functions. The PCRF 102 receives input from the PCEF 1041 through the Gx interface, and provides the PCEF 1041 with service data flow detection, Gating Control, and Quality of Service (QoS). Control and network charging based on flow accounting. The PCRF 102 sends its formulated policies and charging rules to the PCEF 1041 for execution. At the same time, the PCRF 102 also needs to ensure that these rules are consistent with the user's subscription information. The PCRF 102 formulates the policy and the charging rule according to the following: the information about the service is obtained from the AF 106; the subscription information of the user policy charging control is obtained from the SPR 108; and the information about the network related to the bearer is obtained from the PCEF 1041.

PCEF1041 mainly includes detection of service data flows, policy enforcement, and flow-based charging functions. The PCEF1041 functional entity is usually located in the gateway 104 (Gateway, GW), such as GGSN, 4G core network (Evolved Packet Core, EPC) Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW), wireless local area network (Wireless Local Area Network) , Packet Data Gateway (PDG) in WLAN). The PCEF1041 can also be deployed independently.

The BBERF110 features include bearer bonding, authentication of upstream bearer bindings, and event reporting. This functional entity is located in the gateway.

The TDF 112 performs application detection and report detection. For example, the TDF 112 can identify deep packet inspection (DPI).

OCS114 provides credit control based on user and business data streams. It is mainly composed of modules such as online collection, billing control, pricing, and balance management. It implements the online charging function and cooperates with other charging network element devices (triggering session-based, event-based online charging event requesting devices, such as SCP, CCG, ISMP, etc.) perform real-time traffic control. Connected to the PCEF1041 through the Gy interface.

The offline charging system 116 (OFCS) and the PCEF 1041 complete the charging operation in the offline charging mode.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the PCEF is considered to be located in a Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW).

2 is an exemplary signaling diagram of a charging method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In a specific implementation process, the charging method 200 can be performed by, for example, but not limited to, a terminal, an access device, and a charging device. In this embodiment, the terminal may be, for example but not limited to, a handheld computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and the access device may be, for example, but not limited to, a PGW or a general packet radio service gateway support node (Gateway General Packet Radio Service Support Node, GGSN). The billing device may be, for example but not limited to, a Pre-Paid Server (PPS). Further, the prepaid server may be specifically, for example but not limited to, an OCS. The access device communicates with the charging device according to a Diameter protocol.

For the present invention, step 202 to step 204, step 208, and step 210 are optional. Steps 202 to 204, step 208, and step 210 are described in this embodiment for better display of the present invention. content.

Step 202: The OCS sends a network sharing monitoring message to the PGW, and the network sharing monitoring message instructs the PGW to monitor the status of the network sharing.

Specifically, the network sharing monitoring message is a Credit Control Answer (CCA) message. Optionally, the Gy interface Credit Control Request (CCR) and the CCA message are extended to carry a network share state parameter Tethering-Status Attribute Value Pair (AVP), so that the PGW can pass the Tethering -Status AVP to notify the OCS whether a terminal initiates or stops network sharing. When the Tethering-Status AVP takes the value Start(0), it indicates that the terminal initiates network sharing. When the value is Stop(1), it indicates that the terminal stops network sharing.

In step 204, the PGW monitors the network sharing status.

Specifically, before the network sharing function is enabled, the terminal that performs network sharing activates a login request to the PGW through a Packet Data Protocol (PDP) to request access to the network, and after the network sharing terminal accesses the network, the PGW Determining whether the network sharing function enables or stops the network sharing function by detecting the vendor information or the OS information in the access request issued by the terminal sharing the network, and if at least two vendor information or OS information appear, the activation may be determined to be enabled. The network sharing function stops the network sharing function if there is only one vendor information or OS information. When a terminal accessing through a network share requests access to a network resource, an access request of the terminal accessed through the network share is performed through the network. The shared terminal sends the manufacturer information or OS information of the terminal accessed through the network share, and also has the vendor information or the OS information of the terminal for network sharing, and the PGW detects at least two vendor information. Or the OS information, the terminal that determines that the network sharing is enabled has the network sharing function enabled, and the PGW sends a CCR message with Tethering-Status: Start(0) to the OCS. When it is detected that there is only one vendor information or OS information in the access request, the PGW determines that the terminal performing network sharing stops the network sharing, and the PGW sends a CCR message with Tethering-Status: Stop(1) to the OCS.

Optionally, the PGW may determine, by using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) fingerprint feature identification, whether the access request is generated by the terminal accessed through the network sharing. Specifically, the time to live (TTL) field, the DF (Don't Fragment) field in the IP header, the TCP Windows size field in the TCP header, the TCP option field, the Maximum Segment Size, and the Window scaling may be at least One determines, for example, that each operating system has its own default TTL value, and the size of the TTL value can be used to determine whether the access request is generated by the terminal accessed through the network share.

Optionally, the PGW may detect a User-Agent field in a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) to determine that the content access request is generated by a terminal accessed through the network share. The information of the operating system, the browser, and the like can be determined through the User-Agent field, so that it can be determined whether the content access request is generated by the terminal accessed through the network sharing.

Step 206: The terminal accessed through the network sharing sends a content access request to the PGW.

Specifically, the terminal that performs network sharing sends an access request of the terminal accessed through the network share to the PGW, and the PGW detects at least two pieces of vendor information or OS information, and can determine that the access is generated by the terminal accessed through the network sharing. .

In step 208, the PGW sends a message indicating that a network share occurs to the OCS.

Specifically, the message indicating that the network share occurs is a CCR message, and the Tethering-Status AVP in the CCR message takes a value of Start(0). The PGW can also send a message prompting the network sharing to the terminal for network sharing.

Step 210: The OCS sends a message carrying the network sharing authorization traffic information to the PGW.

Specifically, when the terminal that accesses the network through the network accesses the Internet, the terminal that performs the network sharing may also be in the case of accessing the network resource. In addition to sending the message carrying the network-dedicated authorized traffic to the PGW, the OCS also sends the ordinary free authorized traffic. Message to PGW, Used by terminals for network sharing. The network-shared dedicated authorized traffic and the normal free-authorized traffic can be carried in the same CCA message, or can be carried by two CCA messages respectively. When carrying the same CCA, they can be carried by two independent parameters. Similarly, the traffic generated by the terminal shared by the network and the traffic generated by the terminal sharing the network may be carried in a CCR message, or may be carried by two CCR messages respectively. When being carried by the same CCR, the traffic may be separately used. Two independent parameters to carry.

When the network sharing terminal subscribes to the network sharing dedicated traffic packet, or the operator specifically sets the rate for using the network sharing Internet access, the CCA carries the network sharing dedicated authorization traffic, and can increase the shared traffic authorization identifier Tethering in the CCA. -Access AVP, and the value [Tethering-Access]: Yes (1) indicates that the authorized traffic in the CCA is the network-authorized dedicated traffic for the terminal that accesses through the network share; if the network share-specific traffic packet is not subscribed, the operation The merchant does not set a special rate for using the network sharing network. The CCA does not carry the new network sharing dedicated authorization traffic, nor does it carry [Tethering-Access]: Yes (1), which can carry new ordinary free authorized traffic. Or, as a response to the CCR message in the step 208, the special return code may be carried, indicating that the new network sharing dedicated authorization traffic is not sent, and at the same time, the short message may be sent to the terminal for network sharing, and the user may be prompted to subscribe to the network shared dedicated traffic. package. At this time, the traffic generated by the terminal accessing the content accessed by the network sharing and the traffic generated by the terminal accessing the content shared by the network are deducted from the ordinary free traffic packet ordered by the terminal sharing the network, when the ordinary free traffic packet is not ordered. Deducted from the fund account of the terminal that performs network sharing, that is, deducted from the user's account balance.

For example, user A subscribes to a 500M normal free traffic packet and a 1G network sharing dedicated traffic packet. When user A uses the mobile phone for network sharing, user B's tablet computer connects to user A's mobile phone through WIFI and accesses the network. When the OCS detects that the user A has enabled the network sharing function, the network sharing dedicated authorization traffic 10M is delivered through the CCA message, and the 10M traffic is reserved and delivered from the 1G network sharing dedicated traffic packet subscribed by the user A, and the user B The 10M traffic is used to access the Internet. After the 10M traffic is used up, the OCS will reserve and deliver the authorized traffic from the 1G network shared private traffic packet. The traffic generated by the user A is deducted from the 500M ordinary free traffic packet.

When user A only subscribes to the normal free traffic packet of 500M, OCS monitors that user A has enabled the network sharing function, but has not subscribed to the network sharing dedicated traffic packet, so no new authorized traffic is sent, and the traffic generated by user B is generated. The traffic generated by User A's Internet access is deducted from the 500M ordinary free traffic packet.

The dedicated network authorization traffic can be different from the normal free authorization traffic. For example, the network authorization dedicated authorization traffic can be 30M, and the normal free authorization traffic can be 10M. This can prevent the PGW from frequently requesting authorization traffic from the OCS, reducing the burden on the PGW and the OCS.

In step 212, the PGW acquires the content and determines the traffic generated by the content.

Optionally, before the PGW obtains the content that is requested to be accessed, the PGW may determine the number of terminals accessed through the network sharing by detecting the vendor information or the OS information in the access request, if the number of terminals accessing through the network sharing exceeds a preset maximum If the number of terminals is reached, the PGW refuses to obtain the content requested to be accessed in the access request; if the number of terminals that have accessed the network share does not exceed the preset maximum number of terminals, the PGW obtains the content requested in the access request from the server where the content is located. .

Specifically, the PGW obtains the content from the server where the content is located according to the address in the content access request, and determines the traffic generated by the content.

In step 214, the PGW returns the content requested for access to the terminal accessed through the network share.

Step 216: The PGW sends a charging request indicating the traffic generated by the content to the OCS.

In step 218, the OCS deducts the traffic generated by the content.

In step 216 and step 218, optionally, when the terminal that performs network sharing subscribes to the network shared dedicated traffic packet, or the operator specifically sets the rate for using the network shared Internet access, the charging request CCR message is also included. The shared traffic identifier may be the same as the shared traffic authorization identifier in the CCA message in the step 210, and the Tethering-Acess: Yes (1) is used to indicate that the traffic in the CCR message is generated by the terminal accessed through the network sharing. Traffic indicating that the OCS will charge the traffic generated by the terminal accessed through the network share according to the rate of the shared traffic, that is, as the network sharing traffic fee, that is, the traffic is deducted from the network shared dedicated traffic packet, or according to a special setting. The deduction is charged using the rate of network sharing.

When the terminal that performs the network sharing does not subscribe to the network-sharing dedicated traffic packet, and the operator does not specifically set the rate for using the network shared Internet access, the CCR message does not carry the shared traffic identifier, indicating that the OCS connects the CCR through the network share. The traffic generated by the incoming terminal is used as a normal traffic meter, that is, the traffic is deducted from the ordinary free traffic packet ordered by the terminal sharing the network. If the terminal sharing the network does not subscribe to the ordinary free traffic packet, the OCS will base the traffic on the network. The user's fund account for the shared terminal is billed.

According to the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention, when a user performs network sharing through a terminal, and other user terminals share the access network through the network, the access device can report through the network. The traffic generated by the accessed terminal is provided to the charging device, and the charging device charges the traffic generated by the terminal accessing the content through the network sharing access, satisfies the requirements of the operator, and simultaneously shares the dedicated traffic to the unsubscribed network. The user of the package sends a subscription prompt message, which can expand the service scope of the operator and bring a better experience to the user.

4 is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of a general purpose computer architecture 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, general purpose computer architecture 400 includes a processor 402, a memory 404, a communication interface 406, and a bus 408. Among them, the processor 402, the memory 404, and the communication interface 406 implement communication connections with each other through the bus 408.

The processor 402 can be a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits for executing related programs. The technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention is implemented.

The memory 404 may be a read only memory (ROM), a static storage device, a dynamic storage device, or a random access memory (RAM). Memory 404 can store operating systems and other applications. When the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention is implemented by software or firmware, the program code for implementing the technical solution provided by the embodiment of the present invention is stored in the memory 404 and executed by the processor 402.

Communication interface 406 implements communication with other devices or communication networks using transceivers such as, but not limited to, transceivers.

Bus 408 can include a path for communicating information between various components (e.g., processor 402, memory 404, input and communication interface 406).

When the access device includes the general purpose computer structure 400, the processor 402 retrieving instructions in the memory 404 includes:

The processor 402 controls the communication interface 406 to detect a content access request transmitted by the terminal accessed through the network share.

The processor 402 controls the communication interface 406 to return the content requested by the terminal accessed through the network sharing access, and determines the traffic generated by the content.

The processor 402 controls the communication interface 406 to send a flow rate request to the charging device, where the flow rate request includes a shared traffic identifier, and the shared traffic identifier indicates that the requested traffic is the terminal accessed through the network sharing. Requesting access to the content generated by the traffic so that The charging device charges the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network sharing access.

When the billing device includes the general purpose computer structure 400, the processor 402 retrieving instructions in the memory 404 includes:

The processor 402 controls the communication interface 406 to receive the flow rate request sent by the access device, where the flow rate request includes a shared traffic identifier, and the shared traffic identifier indicates that the requested traffic is a terminal accessed through the network sharing. The traffic generated by the content requested to access.

The processor 402 charges the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network shared access.

It should be noted that although the general purpose computer architecture 400 shown in FIG. 4 only shows the processor 402, the memory 404, the communication interface 406, and the bus 408, in the specific implementation process, those skilled in the art should understand that the above access device And the billing device also contains other devices necessary to achieve normal operation. At the same time, according to specific needs, those skilled in the art should understand that the above access device and charging device may also include hardware devices that implement other additional functions. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the access device and the charging device described above may also only include the devices necessary to implement the embodiments of the present invention, and do not necessarily include all of the devices shown in FIG.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

The integrated unit, if implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a standalone product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, which is essential or contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium. A number of instructions are included to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) or a processor to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in various embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, and the like. .

The foregoing is only a specific embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention. It is easy to think of variations or substitutions that are within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

A charging method is used for charging traffic generated by using the network sharing mode, and the method includes the following steps:

The access device detects a content access request sent by the terminal accessed through the network sharing;

The access device returns content requested by the terminal accessed through the network sharing, and determines the traffic generated by the content;

The access device sends a charging request carrying a parameter indicating the traffic to the charging device, where the charging request includes a shared traffic identifier, and the shared traffic identifier indicates that the traffic requesting charging is the network sharing. The accessed terminal requests the traffic generated by the accessed content, so that the charging device charges the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network shared access.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the access device determines, by the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol TCP/IP fingerprint feature identification, that the content access request is accessed by the terminal shared by the network. produce.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the access device determines that the content access request is generated by the terminal accessed through the network sharing by detecting a User-Agent field in the Hypertext Transfer Protocol HTTP. .
The method according to claim 1, wherein the access device receives a network sharing monitoring message sent by the charging device, before the access device detects a content access request sent by the terminal shared by the network sharing, The network sharing monitoring message instructs the access device to monitor the status of the network sharing.
The method of claim 4, wherein the monitoring of the status of the network sharing comprises: when the network sharing occurs, the access device sends a message indicating that the network sharing occurs to the charging device; When the network sharing is stopped, the access device sends a message indicating that the network sharing is stopped to the charging device.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the access device receives an authorization traffic message sent by the charging device, where the shared traffic authorization identifier is included, and the shared traffic authorization identifier indicates the authorized traffic message. The traffic is authorized to the traffic of the terminal shared by the network.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the number of terminals accessed through the network sharing exceeds the preset maximum number of terminals, the access device refuses to exceed the preset maximum number of terminals. The terminal that accesses through the network share returns the request to access content.
A charging method is used for charging traffic generated by using the network sharing mode, and the method includes the following steps:

The charging device receives the charging request sent by the access device, where the charging request carries a parameter indicating the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal accessed by the network sharing access, where the charging request includes the shared traffic identifier, The shared traffic identifier indicates that the traffic requested for charging is the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal accessed through the network sharing;

The charging device charges the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network sharing access.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the charging device sends a network sharing monitoring message to the charging device before the charging device receives the charging request including the shared traffic identifier sent by the access device. The access device, the network sharing monitoring message instructs the access device to monitor the status of the network sharing; the charging device receives a message that is sent by the access device when the network sharing occurs, indicating that the network sharing occurs; The charging device returns a message carrying the network sharing authorized traffic information to the access device.
The method according to claim 9, wherein the charging device receives a message indicating that a network sharing occurs when the access device is in a network sharing, and the charging device further sends a prompt to the network in progress. The shared SMS is sent to the terminal for network sharing.
The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the charging device performs charging for the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network sharing access, and the charging device according to the method The shared traffic identifier is used to charge the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network shared access according to the rate of the shared traffic.
An access device is configured to perform charging for traffic generated by using a network sharing manner, and is characterized by comprising: a receiving module and a sending module:

The receiving module is configured to detect a content access request sent by a terminal that is accessed through a network share;

The sending module is configured to return content requested by the terminal shared by the network sharing access, and determine the traffic generated by the content;

And sending, to the charging device, a charging request that carries a parameter indicating the traffic, where the charging request includes a shared traffic identifier, where the shared traffic identifier indicates that the traffic requested for charging is the shared access through the network. The terminal requests the traffic generated by the accessed content, so that the charging device charges the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network shared access.
The access device according to claim 12, wherein the receiving module determines, by the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol TCP/IP fingerprint feature identification, that the content access request is shared by the network access The terminal is generated.
The access device according to claim 12, wherein the receiving module determines that the content access request is accessed by the shared access terminal through a network by detecting a User-Agent field in a hypertext transfer protocol HTTP produce.
The access device according to claim 14, wherein the receiving module receives a network sharing monitoring message sent by the charging device, before the receiving module detects a content access request sent by the terminal shared by the network sharing, The network sharing monitoring message instructs the access device to monitor the status of the network sharing.
The access device according to claim 15, wherein the monitoring of the status of the network sharing comprises: sending, when the network sharing occurs, the message indicating that the network sharing occurs to the charging device When the network sharing is stopped, the sending module sends a message indicating that the network sharing is stopped to the charging device.
The access device according to claim 14, wherein the receiving module receives an authorization traffic message sent by the charging device, where the shared traffic authorization identifier is included, and the shared traffic authorization identifier indicates the authorized traffic message. The traffic in the traffic is the traffic that is authorized to the terminal that shares the access through the network.
The access device according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein when the number of terminals accessed through the network sharing exceeds the preset maximum number of terminals, the sending module refuses to exceed the preset maximum terminal. The number of terminals accessing through the network share returns the content requested to be accessed.
A charging device is configured to perform charging for traffic generated by using the network sharing mode, and is characterized by comprising: a receiving module and a charging module:

The receiving module is configured to receive a charging request sent by the access device, where the charging request carries a parameter indicating a traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal accessed by the network sharing access, where the charging request includes the shared traffic. And the shared traffic identifier indicates that the traffic requested for charging is the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal accessed through the network sharing;

The charging module is configured to perform charging on the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network sharing access.
The charging device according to claim 19, wherein the charging device further comprises a sending module, before the receiving module receives the charging request including the shared traffic identifier sent by the access device, The sending module sends a network sharing monitoring message to the access The device, the network sharing monitoring message instructing the access device to monitor the status of the network sharing; the receiving module receiving a message that is sent by the access device when the network sharing occurs, indicating that the network sharing occurs; the sending module Returning a message carrying the network sharing authorization traffic information to the access device.
The charging device according to claim 20, wherein the receiving module receives a message indicating that a network sharing occurs when the access device sends a network share, and the sending module further sends a prompting that the network is in progress. The shared SMS is sent to the terminal for network sharing.
The method according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the charging module performs charging for the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network shared access, the charging module according to the method The shared traffic identifier is used to charge the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network shared access according to the rate of the shared traffic.
A charging system for charging traffic generated by using the network sharing mode, which is characterized in that it includes an access device and a charging device:

The access device is configured to detect a content access request sent by the terminal shared by the network share; return the content requested by the terminal accessed through the network share access, and determine the traffic generated by the content; and the charging device Sending a charging request carrying a parameter indicating the traffic, where the charging request includes a shared traffic identifier, where the shared traffic identifier indicates that the traffic requested for charging is generated by the terminal requested by the terminal accessed through the network sharing. Traffic flow

The charging device is configured to receive a charging request sent by the access device, and perform charging on the traffic generated by the content requested by the terminal shared by the network sharing access.