WO2017161522A1 - 流量使用量统计方法、装置及系统 - Google Patents

流量使用量统计方法、装置及系统 Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2017161522A1
WO2017161522A1 PCT/CN2016/077118 CN2016077118W WO2017161522A1 WO 2017161522 A1 WO2017161522 A1 WO 2017161522A1 CN 2016077118 W CN2016077118 W CN 2016077118W WO 2017161522 A1 WO2017161522 A1 WO 2017161522A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
traffic
credit control
statistics
fragment
response message
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/CN2016/077118
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
李灵杰
何光伟
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 PCT/CN2016/077118 priority Critical patent/WO2017161522A1/zh
Publication of WO2017161522A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017161522A1/zh

Links

Images

Classifications

    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method, device and system for counting traffic usage.
  • the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (English: 3GPP) standard introduces a third-party payment connection (English: Sponsored Connectivity) feature that allows third-party payment in the process of users accessing third-party payment services.
  • the traffic usage of the service flow corresponding to the service is counted.
  • a traffic usage statistics method is provided.
  • the implementation environment of the method is as shown in FIG. 1.
  • a user passes the user equipment (English: User Equipment; UE: 001) 001 to an application service provider (English: Application Service Provider) Abbreviation: ASP) 002
  • the application function entity English: Application Function; AF: 003
  • AF Application Function
  • It is divided into multiple fragments, each of which corresponds to a traffic threshold.
  • the AF003 passes the traffic threshold corresponding to each fragment to the policy and charging execution function entity in turn through the policy and charging rules function (English: Policy and Charging Rules Function; PCRF) 004 (English: Policy and Charging Enforcement) Function; referred to as: PCEF) 005.
  • PCRF Policy and Charging Rules Function
  • PCEF Policy and Charging Enforcement Function
  • the PCEF 005 starts to count the traffic usage of the service flow according to the pre-configured dynamic rule (including the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment in the dynamic rule), and when the traffic usage reaches the first traffic threshold, the PCEF005 Sending a credit control request message to the PCRF 004, the credit control request message includes the traffic usage amount of the current service flow; the PCRF 004 sends a first re-authorization request message to the AF 003 after the credit control response message is sent to the PCEF 005 according to the credit control request message, and is used to notify the AF003.
  • the pre-configured dynamic rule including the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment in the dynamic rule
  • AF003 sends a first re-authorization response message to the PCRF 004 according to the first re-authorization request message, and then sends a third-party payment connection data cell to the PCRF 004 through the authorization request message (the cell refers to a type of data)
  • the third-party payment connection data cell carries a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment;
  • the PCRF 004 sends an authorization response message to the AF 003 according to the authorization request message, and then sends the second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment to the PCEF 005 through the second re-authorization request message, so that the PCEF 005 continues to use the traffic flow of the service flow according to the second traffic threshold. Perform statistics.
  • UE001 and ASP002 use application-level communication to communicate
  • AF003 and PCRF004 communicate through Rx interface
  • PCRF004 and PCEF005 communicate through Gx interface
  • 006 is third-party payment, which is used to pay for traffic usage.
  • the PCEF stops the statistics of the traffic usage, and continues to collect the traffic usage after receiving the second re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF, but receives the traffic usage.
  • the second re-authorization request message needs to wait for 7 messages (ie, credit control request message, credit control response message, first re-authorization request message, first re-authorization response message, authorization request message, authorization response message, and second weight)
  • the authorization request message is transmitted. Therefore, the delay of message transmission is large, and the accuracy of traffic usage statistics is low.
  • the present invention provides a method, device and system for counting traffic usage.
  • the technical solution is as follows:
  • a traffic usage statistics method for applying a functional entity AF, the method comprising:
  • re-authorization request message sent by the policy and charging rule function entity PCRF, where the re-authorization request message includes a current traffic usage of the service flow of the third-party payment service, where the re-authorization request message is that the PCRF receives the policy Generated after the credit control request message sent by the billing execution function entity PCEF, the credit control request message includes a current traffic usage amount of the service flow;
  • re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, where the third-party payment connection data cell carries traffic statistics indication information, where the traffic statistics indication information is The indication information for counting the traffic usage of the service flow;
  • the AF can generate the third party payment connection data according to the reauthorization request message sent by the PCRF. Re-authorizing the response message of the cell, and sending a re-authorization response message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF sends a credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message, compared to the prior art, the PCEF is receiving
  • the traffic statistics indication information is received, only four messages (ie, the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message) are transmitted, thereby reducing the delay of the message transmission and improving the traffic.
  • the accuracy of usage statistics are transmitted.
  • the third-party payment connection data cell is added to the re-authorization response message of the Rx interface, and the message flow of the cumulative reporting of the traffic usage in the Rx interface and the Gx interface is optimized. It takes only 2 interactions to report the traffic usage of the service flow from the PCEF to the PCEF receiving the new traffic statistics indication information. Therefore, the number of messages exchanged between the Rx interface and the Gx interface is reduced.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches a first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, where the traffic statistics indication information includes a second a second traffic threshold corresponding to the slice, the second fragment is a next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is a traffic division of the AF to the service flow of the third-party payment service. Any of the obtained at least one slice except the last slice, each of the at least one slice corresponding to a flow threshold.
  • the PCEF reports the current traffic usage of the service flow to the PCRF through the credit control request message, so that the PCRF sends a re-authorization request message to the AF, so that The traffic statistics indication information is sent to the PCRF by the AF.
  • a traffic usage statistics method for a policy and charging rule function entity PCRF, where the method includes:
  • a re-authorization response message including a third-party payment connection data cell, where the third-party payment connection data cell carries traffic statistics indication information, where the traffic statistics indication information is An indication indicating that the traffic usage of the service flow is statistically calculated;
  • the PCRF can send a re-authorization request to the AF according to the credit control request message sent by the PCEF. And sending a credit control response message to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message sent by the AF, so that the PCEF performs statistics on the traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information, compared to the prior art.
  • the PCEF only needs to wait for four messages (ie, the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message) to be transmitted, thereby reducing the delay of message transmission. , to improve the accuracy of traffic usage statistics.
  • the sending the credit control response message to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message includes:
  • the credit control response message is sent to the PCEF.
  • the PCRF generates a credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information according to the re-authorization response message, so that the PCEF reports the traffic usage according to the traffic statistics indication information, and completes the statistics process of the traffic usage.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches a first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, where the traffic statistics indication information includes a second a second traffic threshold corresponding to the slice, the second fragment is a next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is a traffic division of the AF to the service flow of the third-party payment service. Any of the obtained at least one slice except the last slice, each of the at least one slice corresponding to a flow threshold.
  • the PCEF reports the current traffic usage of the service flow to the PCRF through the credit control request message, so that the PCRF sends a re-authorization request message to the AF, so that The traffic statistics indication information is sent to the PCRF by the AF.
  • the PCRF generates a re-authorization request message including the current traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control request message, and sends a re-authorization request message to the AF, so that the AF sends the traffic statistics indication information to the PCRF according to the re-authorization request message.
  • a third aspect provides a traffic usage statistics method for a policy and charging execution function entity PCEF, the method comprising:
  • the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, where the traffic statistics indication information is indication information for performing statistics on traffic usage of the service flow, and the credit control response
  • the message is sent by the PCRF after receiving the re-authorization response message sent by the AF, where the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, and the third-party payment connection data cell carries the traffic statistics. Indication information;
  • the PCEF After sending the credit control request message to the PCRF, the PCEF can receive the credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes the traffic statistics indication information. Compared with the prior art, the PCEF only receives the traffic statistics indication information.
  • the transmission of the four messages ie, the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message) is completed, thereby reducing the delay of the message transmission and improving the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches a first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, where the traffic statistics indication information includes a second a second traffic threshold corresponding to the slice, the second fragment is a next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is a traffic division of the AF to the service flow of the third-party payment service. Any of the obtained at least one slice except the last slice, each of the at least one slice corresponding to a flow threshold.
  • the PCEF reports the current traffic usage of the service flow to the PCRF through the credit control request message, so that the PCRF sends a re-authorization request message to the AF, so that The traffic statistics indication information is sent to the PCRF by the AF.
  • the method further includes:
  • the traffic usage period of the service flow is continuously counted in a service flow transmission period, where the service flow transmission period is from a time when the service access request of the user equipment UE is received to a time when the statistical termination message is received;
  • the service access request of the UE is forwarded by the PCRF to the PCEF after the AF is forwarded to the PCRF, and the statistical termination message is that after the AF is generated and sent to the PCRF, The PCRF is forwarded to the PCEF.
  • the PCRF can directly send new traffic statistics indication information to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message of the AF reply.
  • the PCEF can continuously collect the traffic usage of the service flow during the service flow transmission period, and implement continuous statistics of the traffic usage of the service flow. .
  • the method further includes:
  • the credit control request message is generated when a current traffic usage of the traffic flow reaches the first traffic threshold.
  • the PCEF reports the current traffic usage of the service flow to the PCRF through the credit control request message, so that the PCRF sends a re-authorization request message to the AF, so that The traffic statistics indication information is sent to the PCRF by the AF.
  • a fourth aspect provides a traffic usage statistics device, configured to apply a function entity AF, where the traffic usage statistics device includes:
  • a receiving unit configured to receive a re-authorization request message sent by a policy and charging rule function entity PCRF, where the re-authorization request message includes a current traffic usage quantity of a service flow of a third-party payment service, where the re-authorization request message is The PCRF is generated after receiving the credit control request message sent by the policy and charging execution function entity PCEF, where the credit control request message includes the current traffic usage amount of the service flow;
  • a generating unit configured to generate a re-authorization response message according to the re-authorization request message, where the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, where the third-party payment connection data cell carries traffic statistics indication information,
  • the traffic statistics indication information is indication information for performing statistics on traffic usage of the service flow;
  • a sending unit configured to send the re-authorization response message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF sends a credit control response message to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message, where the credit control response message includes the traffic statistics Instructions.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches a first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, where the traffic statistics indication information includes a second a second traffic threshold corresponding to the slice, the second fragment is a next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is a service of the third-party payment service by the traffic usage statistics device.
  • the traffic statistics indication information includes a second a second traffic threshold corresponding to the slice
  • the second fragment is a next fragment of the first fragment
  • the first fragment is a service of the third-party payment service by the traffic usage statistics device.
  • a traffic usage statistics device for a policy and charging rule function entity PCRF, where the traffic usage statistics device includes:
  • a first receiving unit configured to receive a credit control request message sent by the policy and charging execution function entity PCEF, where the credit control request message includes a current traffic usage amount of the service flow of the third-party payment service;
  • a first sending unit configured to send, according to the credit control request message, a re-authorization request message to the application function entity AF, where the re-authorization request message includes a current traffic usage amount of the service flow;
  • a second receiving unit configured to receive a re-authorization response message sent by the AF, where the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, where the third-party payment connection data cell carries traffic statistics indication information,
  • the traffic statistics indication information is indication information for performing statistics on traffic usage of the service flow;
  • a second sending unit configured to send a credit control response message to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message, so that the PCEF performs statistics on traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message, where
  • the credit control response message includes the traffic statistics indication information.
  • the second sending unit includes:
  • a first generating module configured to generate the credit control response message according to the re-authorization response message
  • a first sending module configured to send the credit control response message to the PCEF.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches a first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, where the traffic statistics indication information includes a second a second traffic threshold corresponding to the slice, the second fragment is a next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is a traffic division of the AF to the service flow of the third-party payment service. Any of the obtained at least one slice except the last slice, each of the at least one slice corresponding to a flow threshold.
  • a traffic usage statistics device for a policy and charging execution function entity PCEF, where the traffic usage statistics device includes:
  • a sending unit configured to send a credit control request message to the policy and charging rule function entity PCRF, so that the PCRF sends a re-authorization request message to the application function entity AF according to the credit control request message, where the credit control request message includes The current traffic usage of the service flow of the third-party payment service, where the re-authorization request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow;
  • a receiving unit configured to receive a credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, where the traffic statistics indication information is indication information for performing statistics on traffic usage of the service flow,
  • the credit control response message is that the PCRF is receiving
  • the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, and the third-party payment connection data cell carries the traffic statistics indication information;
  • a first statistic unit configured to perform statistics on traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the traffic usage statistics device detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches a first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, the traffic statistics indication information. And including a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment, where the second fragment is a next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is a service of the AF to the third-party payment service. Any of the at least one slice of the stream divided by the last slice, and each of the at least one slice corresponds to a traffic threshold.
  • the traffic usage statistics device further includes:
  • a second statistic unit configured to continuously collect, according to a service flow period, a traffic usage of the service flow, where the service flow transmission period is a time from receiving a service access request of the user equipment UE to receiving a statistical termination message Moment
  • the service access request of the UE is forwarded by the PCRF to the traffic usage statistics device after the AF is forwarded to the PCRF, and the statistics termination message is that the AF is generated and sent to the After the PCRF, it is forwarded by the PCRF to the traffic usage statistics device.
  • the traffic usage statistics device further includes:
  • a third statistic unit configured to perform statistics on the current traffic usage of the service flow according to the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment sent by the PCRF;
  • a detecting unit configured to detect whether a current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold
  • a generating unit configured to generate the credit control request message when a current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold.
  • a seventh aspect provides a traffic usage statistics system, where the traffic usage statistics system includes: an application function entity AF, a policy and charging rule function entity PCRF, and a policy and charging execution function entity PCEF.
  • the AF includes the traffic usage amount counting device described in the fourth aspect
  • the PCRF includes the traffic usage statistics device of the fifth aspect
  • the PCEF includes the traffic usage amount counting device described in the sixth aspect.
  • the traffic usage statistics system enables the PCEF to receive the credit control response message sent by the PCRF after the credit control request message is sent to the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, compared to the prior art, the PCEF is When receiving the traffic statistics indication information, only the four messages (ie, the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message) are transmitted, thereby reducing the delay of the message transmission and improving The accuracy of traffic usage statistics.
  • the eighth aspect provides a traffic usage statistics device, configured to apply a function entity AF, where the traffic usage statistics device includes:
  • a receiver configured to receive a re-authorization request message sent by a policy and charging rule function entity PCRF, where the re-authorization request message includes a current traffic usage of a service flow of a third-party payment service, where the re-authorization request message is The PCRF is generated after receiving the credit control request message sent by the policy and charging execution function entity PCEF, where the credit control request message includes the current traffic usage amount of the service flow;
  • a processor configured to generate a re-authorization response message according to the re-authorization request message, where the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, where the third-party payment connection data cell carries traffic statistics indication information,
  • the traffic statistics indication information is indication information for performing statistics on traffic usage of the service flow;
  • a transmitter configured to send the re-authorization response message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF sends a credit control response message to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message, where the credit control response message includes the traffic statistics Instructions.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches a first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, where the traffic statistics indication information includes a second a second traffic threshold corresponding to the slice, the second fragment is a next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is a service of the third-party payment service by the traffic usage statistics device.
  • the traffic statistics indication information includes a second a second traffic threshold corresponding to the slice
  • the second fragment is a next fragment of the first fragment
  • the first fragment is a service of the third-party payment service by the traffic usage statistics device.
  • a traffic usage statistics device for a policy and charging rule function entity PCRF, where the traffic usage statistics device includes:
  • a receiver configured to receive a credit control request message sent by a policy and charging execution function entity PCEF, where the credit control request message includes a current traffic usage quantity of a service flow of a third-party payment service;
  • a transmitter configured to send a re-authorization to the application function entity AF according to the credit control request message a request message, the re-authorization request message including a current traffic usage of the service flow;
  • the receiver is further configured to receive a re-authorization response message sent by the AF, where the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, where the third-party payment connection data cell carries traffic statistics indication information, where The traffic statistics indication information is indication information for performing statistics on traffic usage of the service flow;
  • the transmitter is further configured to send a credit control response message to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message, so that the PCEF performs statistics on traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message, where
  • the credit control response message includes the traffic statistics indication information.
  • the transmitter is further configured to:
  • the credit control response message is sent to the PCEF.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches a first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, where the traffic statistics indication information includes a second a second traffic threshold corresponding to the slice, the second fragment is a next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is a traffic division of the AF to the service flow of the third-party payment service. Any of the obtained at least one slice except the last slice, each of the at least one slice corresponding to a flow threshold.
  • a traffic usage statistics device for a policy and charging execution function entity PCEF, and the traffic usage statistics device includes:
  • a transmitter configured to send a credit control request message to the policy and charging rule function entity PCRF, so that the PCRF sends a re-authorization request message to the application function entity AF according to the credit control request message, where the credit control request message includes The current traffic usage of the service flow of the third-party payment service, where the re-authorization request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow;
  • a receiver configured to receive a credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, where the traffic statistics indication information is indication information for performing statistics on traffic usage of the service flow,
  • the credit control response message is sent by the PCRF after receiving the re-authorization response message sent by the AF, the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, and the third-party payment connection data cell Carrying the traffic statistics indication information;
  • a processor configured to perform statistics on traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message.
  • the credit control request message is that the traffic usage statistics device detects the industry When the current traffic usage of the traffic flow reaches the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, the traffic statistics indication information includes a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment, and the second fragment is the a next fragment of a slice, the first slice being any one of the at least one slice obtained by dividing the traffic of the AF to the traffic flow of the third-party payment service except the last slice a slice, each of the at least one slice corresponding to a flow threshold.
  • the processor is further configured to: continuously collect, according to a service flow transmission period, a traffic usage of the service flow, where the service flow transmission period is a time from receiving a service access request of the user equipment UE to The moment when the statistical termination message is received;
  • the service access request of the UE is forwarded by the PCRF to the traffic usage statistics device after the AF is forwarded to the PCRF, and the statistics termination message is that the AF is generated and sent to the After the PCRF, it is forwarded by the PCRF to the traffic usage statistics device.
  • the processor is further configured to:
  • the credit control request message is generated when a current traffic usage of the traffic flow reaches the first traffic threshold.
  • a traffic usage statistics system includes: an application function entity AF, a policy and charging rule function entity PCRF, and a policy and charging execution function entity PCEF.
  • the AF includes the traffic usage statistics device of the eighth aspect
  • the PCRF includes the traffic usage statistics device of the ninth aspect
  • the PCEF includes the traffic usage amount counting device described in the tenth aspect.
  • the AF can generate a re-authorization response message including a third-party payment connection data cell according to the re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF, and send a re-authorization response message to the PCRF, so as to facilitate
  • the PCRF sends a credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message.
  • the PCEF only needs to wait for four messages (ie, the credit control request message, when receiving the traffic statistics indication information, The transfer of the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message is completed, thereby reducing the delay of message transmission and improving the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an implementation environment corresponding to a traffic usage statistics method in the prior art
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an implementation environment involved in various embodiments of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for counting traffic usage according to an exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another method for counting traffic usage according to an exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart of still another method for counting traffic usage amount according to an exemplary embodiment
  • 6-1 is a flowchart of still another method for counting traffic usage according to an exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a traffic usage statistics device according to an exemplary embodiment
  • 8-1 is a block diagram of another traffic usage statistics device, according to an exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 8-2 is a block diagram of a second transmitting unit of the traffic usage amount counting device shown in FIG. 8-1;
  • 9-1 is a block diagram of a traffic usage amount counting device according to another exemplary embodiment.
  • 9-2 is a block diagram of still another flow usage statistics device according to another exemplary embodiment.
  • 9-3 is a block diagram of another flow usage statistics device according to another exemplary embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a traffic usage statistics device according to an exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a traffic usage statistics device according to an exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a traffic usage statistics device according to an exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a traffic usage statistics system according to an exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a traffic usage statistics system, according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • the embodiments of the present invention are applicable to an application scenario in which a proprietary bearer guarantee service experience is created under the policy and charging control (English: Policy and Charging Control; PCC) architecture.
  • PCC Policy and Charging Control
  • the PCC architecture enables the network to detect different service flows, and implements quality of service (English: Quality of Service; QoS) control, accounting statistics, etc. for service flows.
  • QoS Quality of Service
  • the implementation environment may include: AF01, PCRF02, PCEF03, and User Profile Memory (English: Subscription Profile Repository; SPR) 04.
  • Online Charging System English: Online Charging System; OCS
  • BBERF Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function
  • TDF Traffic Detection Function Entity
  • OFCS Offline Charging System
  • the AF01 is used to provide the PCRF02 with information about the upper layer service application.
  • the PCRF02 is used to formulate and dynamically deliver the control and charging policy to the PCEF03 according to the information about the upper-layer service application provided by the AF01.
  • the PCEF03 is used to implement the control and charging policy delivered by the PCRF02.
  • PCEF03 is located in the gateway (English: Gateway) 031.
  • SPR04 is used to store the user's subscription information.
  • OCS05 is used for online charging and performs real-time traffic control with other charging network element devices (such as triggering session-based, event-based online charging event requesting devices).
  • charging network element devices such as triggering session-based, event-based online charging event requesting devices.
  • BBERF06 is used to carry bindings and event escalation.
  • BBERF06 is located in the access network AN (English: Access Network; abbreviation: AN) - Gateway 061
  • TDF07 is used to perform deep packet inspection (English: Deep Packet Inspection; abbreviation: DPI).
  • OFCS08 is used for offline charging.
  • AF01 communicates with PCRF02 via the Rx interface, and PCRF02 communicates with PCEF03 via the Gx interface.
  • AF01 can send a re-authorization response message carrying a third-party payment connection data cell (English: Sponsored-Connectivity-Data AVP) to PCRF02 through the Rx interface, PCRF02 A re-authorization response message carrying a third-party payment connection data cell transmitted by the AF01 received through the Rx interface can be processed.
  • SPR04 and PCRF02 communicate via the Sp interface
  • OCS05 and PCRF02 communicate via the Sy interface
  • BBERF06 and PCRF02 communicate via the Gxx interface
  • TDF07 and PCRF02 communicate via the Sd interface
  • TDF07 and OCS05 communicate via the Gyn interface.
  • TDF07 and OFCS08 communicate through the Gzn interface
  • gateway 031 and OCS05 communicate through the Gy interface
  • gateway 031 and OFCS08 communicate through the Gz interface.
  • AF01 sends a third-party payment connection data cell to the PCRF02 through the Rx interface, and the third-party payment connection data cell carries the identification information of the service;
  • PCRF02 constructs a dynamic rule according to the indication of AF01, and the dynamic rule is constructed.
  • the rule is sent to PCEF03;
  • PCEF03 counts the traffic usage of the service flow of the third-party payment service that is independent of the user's other self-funded traffic, and the cost of the collected traffic usage is uniformly paid by the sponsor.
  • FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for counting traffic usage according to an exemplary embodiment. This embodiment is exemplified by the method applied to AF01 in the implementation environment shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the traffic usage statistics method can include the following steps:
  • Step 301 Receive a re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF, where the re-authorization request message includes a current traffic usage quantity of the service flow of the third-party payment service, where the re-authorization request message is generated by the PCRF after receiving the credit control request message sent by the PCEF.
  • the credit control request message includes the current traffic usage of the traffic flow.
  • Step 302 Generate a re-authorization response message according to the re-authorization request message, where the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, where the third-party payment connection data cell carries the traffic statistics indication information, and the traffic statistics indication information is used for the service flow. Indicates the statistics of traffic usage.
  • Step 303 Send a re-authorization response message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF sends a credit control response message to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information.
  • the AF can generate a re-authorization response message including a third-party payment connection data cell according to the re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF, and send a re-authorization response message to the PCRF. Therefore, the PCRF sends a credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message.
  • the PCEF only needs to wait for 4 messages when receiving the traffic statistics indication information (ie, credit control).
  • the request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message are transmitted, and thus are reduced. The delay of message transmission improves the accuracy of traffic usage statistics.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment.
  • the traffic statistics indication information includes a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment, where the second fragment is the next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is obtained by dividing the traffic of the service flow of the third-party payment service by the AF. Any of the at least one slice except the last slice. Each of the at least one slice corresponds to a flow threshold.
  • the AF can generate a re-authorization response message including a third-party payment connection data cell according to the re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF, and send a re-authorization response message to the PCRF. Therefore, the PCRF sends a credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message. Compared with the prior art, the PCEF only needs to wait for 4 messages when receiving the traffic statistics indication information (ie, credit control). The transmission of the request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message is completed, thereby reducing the delay of the message transmission and improving the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics.
  • the traffic statistics indication information ie, credit control
  • FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for counting traffic usage according to an exemplary embodiment. This embodiment is exemplified by applying the method to PCRF02 in the implementation environment shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the traffic usage statistics method can include the following steps:
  • Step 401 Receive a credit control request message sent by the PCEF, where the credit control request message includes a current traffic usage quantity of the service flow of the third-party payment service.
  • Step 402 Send a re-authorization request message to the AF according to the credit control request message, where the re-authorization request message includes a current traffic usage amount of the service flow.
  • Step 403 Receive a re-authorization response message sent by the AF, where the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, where the third-party payment connection data cell carries traffic statistics indication information, and the traffic statistics indication information is used for traffic flow of the service flow. The amount of indication information for statistics.
  • Step 404 Send a credit control response message to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message, so that the PCEF performs statistics on the traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information.
  • the PCRF can send a re-authorization request message to the AF according to the credit control request message sent by the PCEF, and send a credit control response to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message sent by the AF. a message, so that the PCEF can count the traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information, compared with the current
  • the PCEF when receiving the traffic statistics indication information, the PCEF only needs to wait for four messages (ie, the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message) to be transmitted, thereby reducing the message transmission.
  • the delay increases the accuracy of traffic usage statistics.
  • step 404 can include:
  • a credit control response message is sent to the PCEF.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment.
  • the traffic statistics indication information includes a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment, where the second fragment is the next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is obtained by dividing the traffic of the service flow of the third-party payment service by the AF. Any of the at least one slice except the last slice. Each of the at least one slice corresponds to a flow threshold.
  • the PCRF can send a re-authorization request message to the AF according to the credit control request message sent by the PCEF, and send a credit control response to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message sent by the AF.
  • the message is used to collect statistics on the traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information.
  • the PCEF only needs to wait for 4 messages when receiving the traffic statistics indication information. That is, the transmission of the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message is completed, thereby reducing the delay of the message transmission and improving the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for counting traffic usage according to an exemplary embodiment. This embodiment is illustrated by using the method in the PCEF03 in the implementation environment shown in FIG. 2 .
  • the traffic usage statistics method can include the following steps:
  • Step 501 Send a credit control request message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF sends a re-authorization request message to the AF according to the credit control request message, where the credit control request message includes a current traffic usage quantity of the service flow of the third-party payment service, and the re-authorization request The message includes the current traffic usage of the traffic flow.
  • Step 502 Receive a credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, where the traffic statistics indication information is indication information for collecting traffic usage of the service flow, where the credit control response message is received by the PCRF.
  • the re-authorization response message sent by the AF After the re-authorization response message sent by the AF is sent, the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, and the third-party payment connection data cell carries the traffic statistics indication information.
  • Step 503 Perform statistics on traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message.
  • the PCEF after sending a credit control request message to the PCRF, the PCEF can receive the credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, Compared with the prior art, when receiving the traffic statistics indication information, the PCEF only needs to wait for four messages (ie, the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message) to be transmitted, so The delay of message transmission improves the accuracy of traffic usage statistics.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment.
  • the traffic statistics indication information includes a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment, where the second fragment is the next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is obtained by dividing the traffic of the service flow of the third-party payment service by the AF. Any of the at least one slice except the last slice. Each of the at least one slice corresponds to a flow threshold.
  • the method may further include:
  • the traffic usage of the service flow is continuously counted, and the service flow period is from the time when the service access request of the UE is received to the time when the statistical termination message is received.
  • the service access request of the UE is forwarded to the PCEF by the AFF after being forwarded to the PCRF by the AF.
  • the statistical termination message is generated by the AF and sent to the PCRF, and then forwarded by the PCRF to the PCEF.
  • the method may further include:
  • a credit control request message is generated when the current traffic usage of the traffic flow reaches the first traffic threshold.
  • the PCEF after sending a credit control request message to the PCRF, the PCEF can receive the credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, Compared with the prior art, when receiving the traffic statistics indication information, the PCEF only needs to wait for four messages (ie, the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message) to be transmitted, so The delay of message transmission improves the accuracy of traffic usage statistics.
  • FIG. 6-1 is a flowchart of a method for counting traffic usage according to an exemplary embodiment. This embodiment is exemplified by applying the method to the implementation environment shown in FIG. 2.
  • the traffic usage statistics method can include the following steps:
  • Step 601 The UE accesses the PCEF.
  • the PCEF can be located in an Internet Protocol-Connectivity Access Network (IP-CAN) gateway.
  • IP-CAN Internet Protocol-Connectivity Access Network
  • the process of the UE accessing the PCEF may be: the UE sends an access request to the PCEF, the PCEF receives the access request, and allocates an IP address to the UE, and then the UE accesses the PCEF.
  • IP-CAN Internet Protocol-Connectivity Access Network
  • the AF divides the traffic of the service flow into at least one fragment, and each fragment of the at least one fragment corresponds to a traffic threshold, for example, the first fragment corresponds to the first fragment.
  • the UE needs to access a download service.
  • the traffic of the service flow of the download service is 60M (megabytes), and the AF divides the 60M into three fragments.
  • the traffic corresponding to the three fragments is 10M, 20M, and 30M, respectively.
  • the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment is 10M
  • the second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment is 20M
  • the third traffic threshold corresponding to the third fragment is 30M.
  • the first fragment is an example of the first fragment in the at least one fragment
  • the first fragment is a 10M fragment.
  • Step 602 The PCEF establishes an IP-CAN session and a gateway control session with the PCRF.
  • the PCEF sends a setup request to the PCRF, and after receiving the setup request, the PCRF establishes an IP-CAN session and a gateway control session with the PCEF.
  • the UE activation process is completed by steps 601 and 602.
  • Step 603 The UE sends a service access request to the ASP.
  • the UE sends a service access request to the ASP, where the service access request includes a service identifier of the service that the UE requests to access.
  • Step 604 The ASP determines, according to the service access request, whether the service requested by the UE is a third-party payment service.
  • the ASP After receiving the service access request sent by the UE, the ASP determines whether the service identifier included in the service access request is a service identifier of the third-party payment service, and when the service identifier included in the service access request is not the service identifier of the third-party payment service, The service that the UE requests to access is not the third-party payment service.
  • the service identifier included in the service access request is the service identifier of the third-party payment service, it is determined that the service requested by the UE is a third-party payment service.
  • Step 605 When the ASP determines, according to the service access request, that the service requested by the UE is a third party branch When the service is paid, a dynamic connection notification message is sent to the AF.
  • the third-party payment connection feature introduces a third-party payment connection data cell on the Rx interface, and introduces a third-party payment identity number (English: IDentity; ID: ID) cell and ASP ID cell on the Gx interface.
  • the third-party payment ID and ASP ID are used by the PCEF to count and bill the traffic usage of the service flow.
  • the ASP determines that the service requested by the UE is a third-party payment service, and the ASP sends a dynamic connection notification message to the AF.
  • the dynamic connection notification message includes information such as an ID of the third party payment and an ASP ID. The ASP notifies the AF of the third party payment ID and ASP ID and the like through the dynamic connection notification message.
  • Step 606 The AF sends an initial authorization request message to the PCRF.
  • the AF sends an Initial Authorization Request (English: Authorize-Authenticate-Request; AAR) message to the PCRF.
  • the initial authorization request includes a third-party payment connection data cell, and the third-party payment connection data cell carries information such as a third-party payment ID, an ASP ID, and a first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment.
  • Step 607 The PCRF sends an initial authorization response message to the AF.
  • the PCRF sends an initial authorization response (English: AA-Answer; AAA for short) message to the AF.
  • Step 608 The PCRF generates a dynamic rule according to the initial authorization request message.
  • the dynamic rule includes information such as a third-party payment ID, an ASP ID, and a first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment.
  • the dynamic rule is used by the PCEF to perform statistics and charging on the traffic usage of the service flow.
  • Step 609 The PCRF sends an initial re-authorization request message to the PCEF.
  • the PCRF sends an initial re-authorization request (English: Re-Authorization-Request; RAR) message to the PCEF.
  • the initial re-authorization request message includes a dynamic rule generated by the PCRF, and the initial re-authorization request message is used to instruct the PCEF to configure a dynamic rule.
  • the initial re-authorization request message includes a definition of a dynamic rule, where the definition of the dynamic rule may include a dynamic rule naming, a charging identifier, a third-party payment ID, an ASP ID, and a first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment.
  • Service monitoring identifier (English: Monitoring-Key), priority of dynamic rules, and service monitoring indication information.
  • Step 610 The PCEF configures a dynamic rule according to the initial re-authorization request message.
  • the PCEF configures a dynamic rule according to the initial re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF, so that the PCEF performs statistics and charging on the traffic usage of the service flow according to the dynamic rule.
  • Step 611 The PCEF sends an initial re-authorization response message to the PCRF.
  • the PCEF After configuring the dynamic rule according to the initial re-authorization request message, the PCEF sends an initial re-authentication response (English: Re-Authorization-Answer; RAA) message to the PCRF.
  • RAA Re-Authorization-Answer
  • Step 612 The UE accesses the third-party payment service through the ASP.
  • the UE may send a service access request of the UE to the ASP, where the service access request of the UE is used to instruct the UE to access the third-party payment service; after receiving the service access request of the UE, the ASP accesses the service access request of the UE.
  • the AF sends the UE's service access request to the PCEF via the PCRF, so that the PCEF starts to count the traffic usage of the service flow.
  • Step 613 The PCEF performs statistics on the traffic usage of the service flow by using dynamic rules according to the service access request of the UE that is forwarded by the AF and the PCRF.
  • the PCEF can perform statistics on the current traffic usage of the service flow according to the dynamic rule. After receiving the service access request of the UE, the PCEF counts the traffic usage of the service flow into the service monitoring identifier through the dynamic rule, and counts the traffic usage of the service flow into the preset service container, where the service container is used. Billing the traffic usage of the traffic flow.
  • Step 614 The PCEF detects whether the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold.
  • the PCEF can detect whether the current traffic usage of the traffic flow reaches the first traffic threshold.
  • the UE accesses a download service, and the traffic of the service flow of the download service is 60M, and the AF divides the 60M into three fragments. The traffic corresponding to the three fragments is 10M, 20M, and 30M, respectively. If the corresponding first traffic threshold is 10M, the PCEF can detect whether the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches 10M. When the current traffic usage of the service flow is 5M, the current traffic usage of the service flow does not reach the first traffic threshold. That is, 10M; when the current traffic usage of the service flow is 10M, it indicates that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold, that is, 10M.
  • Step 615 When the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold, the PCEF generates a credit control request message.
  • the PCEF detects whether the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold. When the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold, the PCEF generates a credit control request (English: Credit-Control-Request; CCR) message. .
  • the credit control request includes the current traffic usage of the traffic flow of the third party payment service.
  • the credit control request further includes information such as a first traffic threshold, a traffic usage notification event, and the traffic usage notification event is used to indicate that the current traffic usage of the traffic flow has reached the first traffic threshold.
  • the PCEF when the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches 10M, the PCEF generates a credit control request message.
  • the credit control request message includes a current traffic usage of the service flow, that is, 10M, a first traffic threshold, that is, 10M, and a traffic usage notification event, which is used to indicate that the current traffic usage of the service flow has reached 10M.
  • Step 616 The PCEF sends a credit control request message to the PCRF.
  • the PCEF sends a credit control request message to the PCRF so that the PCRF sends a re-authorization request message to the AF according to the credit control request message.
  • Step 617 The PCRF generates a re-authorization request message according to the credit control request message.
  • the re-authorization request message includes the current traffic usage of the traffic flow.
  • the re-authorization request message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, and the third-party payment connection data cell carries a third-party payment ID, an ASP ID, and a current traffic usage of the service flow.
  • Step 618 The PCRF sends a re-authorization request message to the AF.
  • the PCRF may report the current traffic usage of the service flow to the AF through the re-authorization request message. For example, if the current traffic usage of the service flow is 10M, and the first traffic threshold is reached, that is, 10M, the PCRF can report the current traffic usage of the service flow to the AF through the re-authorization request message: 10M after receiving the credit control request message sent by the PCEF.
  • Step 619 The AF generates a re-authorization response message according to the re-authorization request message.
  • the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, and the third-party payment connection data cell carries traffic statistics indication information, and the traffic statistics indication information is indication information for performing statistics on traffic usage of the service flow.
  • the traffic statistics indication information includes a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment.
  • the second fragment is the next fragment of the first fragment. Since the first fragment is the first fragment of the at least one fragment as an example, the second fragment is at least The second shard in a shard.
  • the UE accesses a download service, and the traffic of the service flow of the download service is 60M, and the AF divides the 60M into three fragments.
  • the traffic corresponding to the three fragments is 10M, 20M, and 30M, respectively.
  • the film is a 20M slice.
  • the third-party payment connection data cell may also carry a third-party payment ID, an ASP ID, and an indication of a traffic usage notification event.
  • Step 620 The AF sends a re-authorization response message to the PCRF.
  • the AF sends a re-authorization response message to the PCRF, and the AF may notify the second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment to the second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment. PCRF.
  • Step 621 The PCRF generates a credit control response message according to the re-authorization response message.
  • the PCRF may generate a credit control response (English: Credit-Control-Answer; abbreviation: CCA) message according to the re-authorization response message.
  • the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, where the traffic statistics indication information includes a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment.
  • the credit control response message may include service monitoring indication information, where the service monitoring indication information may include a service monitoring identifier, a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment, and a traffic usage notification event.
  • Step 622 The PCRF sends a credit control response message to the PCEF.
  • the PCRF sends a credit control response message to the PCEF, so that the PCEF performs statistics on the traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message.
  • Step 623 The PCEF performs statistics on the traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message.
  • the traffic usage statistics method can continuously collect the traffic usage of the service flow during the service flow transmission period, where the service flow transmission period is the time from receiving the service access request of the UE. The time until the statistical termination message is received.
  • the service access request of the UE is forwarded by the PCRF to the PCEF after being forwarded to the PCRF by the AF, and the statistical termination message is generated by the AF and sent to the PCRF, and then forwarded by the PCRF to the PCEF.
  • the third-party payment connection data cell is not included in the re-authorization response message sent by the AF to the PCRF, and the credit control response message sent by the PCRF to the PCEF no longer includes the traffic statistics indication.
  • Information is the new threshold.
  • the UE accesses a download service
  • the traffic of the service flow of the download service is 60M
  • the AF divides the 60M into three fragments.
  • the traffic corresponding to the three fragments is 10M, 20M, and 30M, respectively.
  • the corresponding first traffic threshold is 10M
  • the second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment is 20M
  • the third traffic threshold corresponding to the third fragment is 30M.
  • the PCEF sends a credit control request message to the PCRF, where the credit control request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow, that is, 10M; Sending a re-authorization request message, where the re-authorization request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow, that is, 10M; the AF sends a re-authorization response message to the PCRF, where the re-authorization response message includes a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment, that is, 20M.
  • the PCRF sends a credit control response message to the PCEF, where the credit control response message includes a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment, that is, 20M.
  • the PCEF Before the PCEF receives the credit control response message sent by the PCRF, the PCEF continuously statistics the traffic usage of the service flow. When the PCEF receives the credit control response message sent by the PCRF, the PCEF detects whether the current traffic usage reaches the second traffic. The threshold is 20M. When the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches 20M, the PCEF sends a credit control request message to the PCRF, where the credit control request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow, that is, 20M. It should be noted that when the current traffic usage of the service flow does not reach 20M, the PCEF will continue to count the traffic usage of the service flow until the statistical traffic usage reaches 20M, and the PCEF sends a credit control request message to the PCRF.
  • the PCRF sends a re-authorization request message to the AF, where the re-authorization request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow, that is, 20M; the AF sends a re-authorization response message to the PCRF, where the re-authorization response message includes the third fragment corresponding to the third fragment.
  • the third traffic threshold is 30M; the PCRF sends a credit control response message to the PCEF, where the credit control response message includes a third traffic threshold corresponding to the third fragment, that is, 30M; before the PCEF receives the credit control response message sent by the PCRF, the PCEF pairs
  • the traffic usage of the service flow is continuously statistic.
  • the PCEF When the PCEF receives the credit control response message sent by the PCRF, the PCEF detects whether the current traffic usage reaches the third traffic threshold, that is, 30M. When the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches 30M, The PCEF sends a credit control request message to the PCRF, where the credit control request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow, that is, 30M. The PCRF then sends a re-authorization request message to the AF, where the re-authorization request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow, that is, 30M; the AF then sends a termination message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF sends a statistical termination message to the PCEF. At this point, the PCEF completes the statistical process of the entire traffic usage of the download service.
  • the PCEF continuously statistics the traffic usage of the service flow, and when the PCEF receives the PCRF, When the credit control response message is sent, the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage is 25M, and the second traffic threshold is 20M.
  • the PCEF can report the current traffic usage to the PCRF through the credit control request message, that is, 25M, and then the PCEF.
  • the second traffic threshold that is, 20M
  • the remaining traffic usage is counted until the PCEF calculates the traffic usage of the 60M.
  • the PCEF can report the traffic usage of the 20M to the PCRF according to the second traffic threshold by using the credit control request message. The amount, and then report the remaining 30M traffic usage according to the third traffic threshold sent by the PCRF received subsequently.
  • Step 641 The PCRF sends a credit control response message to the PCEF.
  • the credit control response message A credit control request message for responding to the PCEF sending to the PCRF. Steps 615 and 616 can be described with reference to FIG. 6-1.
  • Step 642 The PCRF generates a first re-authorization request message according to the credit control request message.
  • the first re-authorization request message includes a current traffic usage of the service flow.
  • the first re-authorization request message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, and the third-party payment connection data cell carries a third-party payment ID, an ASP ID, and a current traffic usage of the service flow.
  • Step 643 The PCRF sends a first re-authorization request message to the AF.
  • Step 644 The AF sends a first re-authorization response message to the PCRF.
  • the first re-authorization response message is used to respond to the first re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF to the AF.
  • Step 645 The AF sends an authorization request message to the PCRF.
  • the AF generates an authorization request message according to the first re-authorization request message, and sends an authorization request message to the PCRF.
  • the authorization request message includes information such as a third-party payment connection data cell, an IP address of a frame (a minimum unit of network transmission), a flow description of a service flow, and the like, wherein the third-party payment connection data cell carries traffic statistics indication information, and a third party Payment ID, ASP ID, and indication information of the traffic usage notification event, and the like.
  • the traffic statistics indication information traffic statistics indication information includes a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment.
  • Step 646 The PCRF sends an authorization response message to the AF.
  • the authorization response message is used to respond to an authorization request message sent by the AF to the PCRF.
  • Step 647 The PCRF sends a second re-authorization request message to the PCEF.
  • the PCRF generates a second re-authorization request message according to the authorization request message, and sends a second re-authorization request message to the PCEF.
  • the credit control response message includes service monitoring indication information, where the service monitoring indication information includes a service monitoring identifier, a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment, a traffic usage notification event, and the like.
  • the PCEF does not count the traffic usage of the service flow during this period, but instead The traffic usage of the traffic flow is discarded.
  • Step 648 The PCEF sends a second re-authorization response message to the PCRF.
  • the second re-authorization response message is used to respond to the re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF to the PCEF.
  • the UE accesses a download service
  • the traffic of the service flow of the download service is 60M
  • the AF divides the 60M into three fragments.
  • the traffic corresponding to the three fragments is 10M, 20M, and 30M, respectively.
  • the corresponding first traffic threshold is 10M
  • the second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment is 20M
  • the third traffic threshold corresponding to the third fragment is 30M.
  • the PCEF sends a credit control request message to the PCRF, where the credit control request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow, that is, 10M; the PCRF sends a credit control response message to the PCEF; at this time, the PCEF receives the PCRF.
  • the traffic usage of the service flow is not counted until the second re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF is received, and the traffic usage is continuously counted.
  • the traffic usage of the service flow accessed by the UE is 6M in the period corresponding to the time when the PCEF receives the credit control response message sent by the PCRF and the time when the PCEF receives the second re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF, then the final PCEF statistics The traffic usage of the incoming traffic will not include this 6M. Therefore, in the prior art, the delay of message transmission is large, and the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics is low.
  • step 641 to step 648 when the traffic usage of the service flow is reported from the PCEF to the new traffic statistics indication information received by the PCEF, four interaction processes are required, and the four interaction processes include the transmission of eight messages.
  • the eight messages are a credit control request message, a credit control response message, a first re-authorization request message, a first re-authorization response message, an authorization request message, an authorization response message, a second re-authorization request message, and a second re-authorization.
  • the number of messages of the Rx interface (the Rx interface is used for communication between AF and PCRF) and the Gx interface (the Gx interface is used for communication between PCRF and PCEF) is large, and the delay of message transmission Larger, the accuracy of traffic usage statistics is lower, and the number of messages in the network increases, and the performance of the network decreases.
  • the PCRF when replying to the credit control response message, the PCRF does not know whether the current traffic threshold is already the traffic threshold corresponding to the last fragment. Whether to continue to send the traffic threshold corresponding to the next fragment to the PCEF, and the traffic threshold corresponding to the next fragment, the information is indicated by the AF.
  • 3GPP29.214 indicates that after the PCRF reports the traffic usage to the AF, the AF can provide a new traffic threshold to the PCRF until the PCRF receives the new traffic threshold delivered by the AF and sends the new traffic threshold to the PCEF. The accumulation of traffic usage will continue. This means that between step 616 and step 641 to step 648, even if the third-party payment service is always in progress, the traffic usage generated in the middle cannot be counted in the corresponding service monitoring identifier, resulting in discontinuous traffic usage statistics. Therefore, the PCEF cannot continuously count the traffic usage of the traffic flow throughout the entire service streaming period.
  • the traffic usage statistics method adds a third-party payment connection data cell to the re-authorization response message of the Rx interface, and optimizes the message flow of the traffic usage cumulative reporting on the Rx interface and the Gx interface. Specifically, it takes only two interaction processes to report the traffic usage of the service flow from the PCEF to the PCEF to receive the new traffic statistics indication information, and the two interaction processes include the transmission of four messages, respectively, which are credit control requests. Message, reauthorization request message, reauthorization In response to the message and the credit control response message, the number of messages exchanged between the Rx interface and the Gx interface is reduced, thereby reducing the delay of message transmission and improving the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics.
  • the PCRF can directly send new traffic statistics indication information to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message of the AF reply, and the PCEF can continuously collect the traffic of the service flow during the service flow transmission period.
  • the usage amount enables continuous statistics of the traffic usage of the business flow.
  • the traffic usage statistics method provided by the embodiment of the present invention can make the traffic usage of the service flow reported by the gateway more accurate.
  • the third-party payment connection data cell is added to the re-authorization response message of the Rx interface, which can simplify the message interaction between the Rx interface and the Gx interface, and therefore, the implementation of the present invention is adopted.
  • the traffic usage statistics method provided by the example can make the application and deployment of the third-party payment connection feature more flexible.
  • the PCEF after sending a credit control request message to the PCRF, the PCEF can receive the credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, Compared with the prior art, when receiving the traffic statistics indication information, the PCEF only needs to wait for four messages (ie, the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message) to be transmitted, so The delay of message transmission improves the accuracy of traffic usage statistics and achieves continuous statistics of traffic usage of service flows.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a traffic usage statistics device, which may be implemented as part of AF01 in the implementation environment shown in FIG. 2 by software, hardware, or a combination of both, according to an exemplary embodiment. All.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can include:
  • the receiving unit 701 is configured to receive a re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF, where the re-authorization request message includes a current traffic usage quantity of the service flow of the third-party payment service, where the re-authorization request message is
  • the PCRF is generated after receiving the credit control request message sent by the PCEF, and the credit control request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow.
  • the generating unit 702 is configured to generate a re-authorization response message according to the re-authorization request message, where the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, where the third-party payment connection data cell carries the traffic statistics indication information, and the traffic statistics indication information is Indicates the statistics of the traffic usage of the service flow.
  • the sending unit 703 is configured to send a re-authorization response message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF sends a credit control response message to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can generate a re-authorization response message including a third-party payment connection data cell according to the re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF, and send a re-authorization response message to the PCRF. Therefore, the PCRF sends a credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message. Compared with the prior art, the PCEF only needs to wait for 4 messages when receiving the traffic statistics indication information (ie, credit control). The transmission of the request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message is completed, thereby reducing the delay of the message transmission and improving the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics.
  • the traffic statistics indication information ie, credit control
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, and the traffic statistics indication information includes the second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment.
  • the second fragment is the next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is any one of the at least one fragment obtained by the traffic division of the service flow of the third party payment service except the last fragment.
  • a slice, each of the at least one slice corresponds to a flow threshold.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can generate a re-authorization response message including a third-party payment connection data cell according to the re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF, and send a re-authorization response message to the PCRF. Therefore, the PCRF sends a credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message. Compared with the prior art, the PCEF only needs to wait for 4 messages when receiving the traffic statistics indication information (ie, credit control). The transmission of the request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message is completed, thereby reducing the delay of the message transmission and improving the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics.
  • the traffic statistics indication information ie, credit control
  • the traffic usage statistics device can include:
  • the first receiving unit 801 is configured to receive a credit control request message sent by the PCEF, where the credit control request message includes a current traffic usage amount of the service flow of the third-party payment service.
  • the first sending unit 802 is configured to send a re-authorization request message to the AF according to the credit control request message, where the re-authorization request message includes a current traffic usage amount of the service flow.
  • the second receiving unit 803 is configured to receive a re-authorization response message sent by the AF, where the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, where the third-party payment connection data cell carries the traffic statistics indication information, and the traffic statistics indication information is Indicates the statistics of the traffic usage of the service flow.
  • the second sending unit 804 is configured to send a credit control response message to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message, so that the PCEF performs statistics on the traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can send a re-authorization request message to the AF according to the credit control request message sent by the PCEF, and send a credit control response to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message sent by the AF.
  • the message is used to collect statistics on the traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information.
  • the PCEF only needs to wait for 4 messages when receiving the traffic statistics indication information. That is, the transmission of the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message is completed, thereby reducing the delay of the message transmission and improving the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics.
  • the second sending unit 804 may include:
  • the first generating module 8041 is configured to generate a credit control response message according to the re-authorization response message.
  • the first sending module 8042 is configured to send a credit control response message to the PCEF.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, and the traffic statistics indication information includes the second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment, and the second The shard is the next shard of the first shard, and the first shard is any shard of the at least one shard of the at least one shard of the traffic flow of the third-party payment service, except for the last shard.
  • Each of the at least one slice corresponds to a flow threshold.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can send a re-authorization request message to the AF according to the credit control request message sent by the PCEF, and send a credit control response to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message sent by the AF.
  • the message is used to collect statistics on the traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information.
  • the PCEF only needs to wait for 4 messages when receiving the traffic statistics indication information. Credit control The transmission of the request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message is completed, thereby reducing the delay of the message transmission and improving the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can include:
  • the sending unit 901 is configured to send a credit control request message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF sends a re-authorization request message to the AF according to the credit control request message, where the credit control request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow of the third-party payment service, and the re-authorization The request message includes the current traffic usage of the traffic flow.
  • the receiving unit 902 is configured to receive a credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, where the traffic statistics indication information is indication information for collecting traffic usage of the service flow, and the credit control response message is a PCRF
  • the re-authorization response message After receiving the re-authorization response message sent by the AF, the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, and the third-party payment connection data cell carries the traffic statistics indication information.
  • the first statistic unit 903 is configured to perform statistics on traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message.
  • the traffic usage statistics device after sending the credit control request message to the PCRF, the PCEF can receive the credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, Compared with the prior art, when receiving the traffic statistics indication information, the PCEF only needs to wait for four messages (ie, the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message) to be transmitted, so The delay of message transmission improves the accuracy of traffic usage statistics.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, and the traffic statistics indication information includes the second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment.
  • the second fragment is the next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is any one of the at least one fragment obtained by the traffic division of the service flow of the third party payment service except the last fragment.
  • a slice, each of the at least one slice corresponds to a flow threshold.
  • FIG. 9-2 is a block diagram of another flow usage statistics device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the traffic usage statistics device may include:
  • a sending unit 901 configured to send a credit control request message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF is configured according to The credit control request message sends a re-authorization request message to the AF, where the credit control request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow of the third-party payment service, and the re-authorization request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow.
  • the receiving unit 902 is configured to receive a credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, where the traffic statistics indication information is indication information for collecting traffic usage of the service flow, and the credit control response message is a PCRF
  • the re-authorization response message After receiving the re-authorization response message sent by the AF, the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, and the third-party payment connection data cell carries the traffic statistics indication information.
  • the first statistic unit 903 is configured to perform statistics on traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message.
  • the second statistic unit 904 is configured to continuously count the traffic usage of the service flow in the service flow transmission period, where the service flow transmission period is from a time when the service access request of the user equipment UE is received to a time when the statistical termination message is received.
  • the service access request of the UE is forwarded to the PCEF by the AFF after being forwarded to the PCRF by the AF.
  • the statistical termination message is generated by the AF and sent to the PCRF, and then forwarded by the PCRF to the PCEF.
  • FIG. 9-3 is a block diagram of another flow usage statistics device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the traffic usage statistics device may include:
  • the sending unit 901 is configured to send a credit control request message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF sends a re-authorization request message to the AF according to the credit control request message, where the credit control request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow of the third-party payment service, and the re-authorization The request message includes the current traffic usage of the traffic flow.
  • the receiving unit 902 is configured to receive a credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, where the traffic statistics indication information is indication information for collecting traffic usage of the service flow, and the credit control response message is a PCRF
  • the re-authorization response message After receiving the re-authorization response message sent by the AF, the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, and the third-party payment connection data cell carries the traffic statistics indication information.
  • the first statistic unit 903 is configured to perform statistics on traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message.
  • the third statistic unit 905 is configured to perform statistics on the current traffic usage of the service flow according to the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment sent by the PCRF.
  • the detecting unit 906 is configured to detect whether the current traffic usage of the traffic flow reaches the first traffic threshold.
  • the generating unit 907 is configured to generate a credit control request message when the current traffic usage of the traffic flow reaches the first traffic threshold.
  • the traffic usage statistics device after sending the credit control request message to the PCRF, the PCEF can receive the credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, Compared with the prior art, when receiving the traffic statistics indication information, the PCEF only needs to wait for four messages (ie, the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message) to be transmitted, so The delay of message transmission improves the accuracy of traffic usage statistics.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a traffic usage statistics device for AF according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can include:
  • the receiver 1001 is configured to receive a re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF, where the re-authorization request message includes a current traffic usage of the service flow of the third-party payment service, where the re-authorization request message is after the PCRF receives the credit control request message sent by the PCEF.
  • the generated, credit control request message includes the current traffic usage of the traffic flow.
  • the processor 1002 is configured to generate a re-authorization response message according to the re-authorization request message, where the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, where the third-party payment connection data cell carries the traffic statistics indication information, and the traffic statistics indication information is a service Indicates the statistics of the flow usage of the flow.
  • the transmitter 1003 is configured to send a re-authorization response message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF sends a credit control response message to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can generate a re-authorization response message including a third-party payment connection data cell according to the re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF, and send a re-authorization response message to the PCRF. Therefore, the PCRF sends a credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message. Compared with the prior art, the PCEF only needs to wait for 4 messages when receiving the traffic statistics indication information (ie, credit control). The transmission of the request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message is completed, thereby reducing the delay of the message transmission and improving the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics.
  • the traffic statistics indication information ie, credit control
  • the credit control request message is that the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow arrives.
  • the traffic statistics indication information includes a second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment, and the second fragment is the next fragment of the first fragment, where the first fragment is The AF divides the traffic of the service flow of the third-party payment service into any fragment other than the last fragment in at least one fragment, and each of the at least one fragment corresponds to a traffic threshold.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can generate a re-authorization response message including a third-party payment connection data cell according to the re-authorization request message sent by the PCRF, and send a re-authorization response message to the PCRF. Therefore, the PCRF sends a credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message. Compared with the prior art, the PCEF only needs to wait for 4 messages when receiving the traffic statistics indication information (ie, credit control). The transmission of the request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message is completed, thereby reducing the delay of the message transmission and improving the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics.
  • the traffic statistics indication information ie, credit control
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a traffic usage statistics device for a PCRF, according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can include:
  • the receiver 1101 is configured to receive a credit control request message sent by the PCEF, where the credit control request message includes a current traffic usage of the service flow of the third-party payment service.
  • the transmitter 1102 is configured to send a re-authorization request message to the AF according to the credit control request message, where the re-authorization request message includes a current traffic usage of the service flow.
  • the receiver 1101 is further configured to receive a re-authorization response message sent by the AF, where the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, where the third-party payment connection data cell carries traffic statistics indication information, and the traffic statistics indication information is a service Indicates the statistics of the flow usage of the flow.
  • the transmitter 1102 is further configured to send a credit control response message to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message, so that the PCEF performs statistics on the traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can send a re-authorization request message to the AF according to the credit control request message sent by the PCEF, and send a credit control response to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message sent by the AF.
  • the message is used to collect statistics on the traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information.
  • the PCEF only needs to wait for 4 messages when receiving the traffic statistics indication information. That is, the transmission of the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message is completed, thereby reducing the delay of the message transmission and improving the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics.
  • the transmitter 1102 is further configured to:
  • a credit control response message is sent to the PCEF.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, and the traffic statistics indication information includes the second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment, and the second The shard is the next shard of the first shard, and the first shard is any shard of the at least one shard of the at least one shard of the traffic flow of the third-party payment service, except for the last shard.
  • Each of the at least one slice corresponds to a flow threshold.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can send a re-authorization request message to the AF according to the credit control request message sent by the PCEF, and send a credit control response to the PCEF according to the re-authorization response message sent by the AF.
  • the message is used to collect statistics on the traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message including the traffic statistics indication information.
  • the PCEF only needs to wait for 4 messages when receiving the traffic statistics indication information. That is, the transmission of the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message is completed, thereby reducing the delay of the message transmission and improving the accuracy of the traffic usage statistics.
  • FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a traffic usage statistics device for a PCEF, according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can include:
  • the transmitter 1201 is configured to send a credit control request message to the PCRF, so that the PCRF sends a re-authorization request message to the application function entity AF according to the credit control request message, where the credit control request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow of the third-party payment service.
  • the re-authorization request message includes the current traffic usage of the service flow.
  • the receiver 1202 is configured to receive a credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, where the traffic statistics indication information is indication information for collecting traffic usage of the service flow, and the credit control response message is a PCRF
  • the re-authorization response message After receiving the re-authorization response message sent by the AF, the re-authorization response message includes a third-party payment connection data cell, and the third-party payment connection data cell carries the traffic statistics indication information.
  • the processor 1203 is configured to perform statistics on traffic usage of the service flow according to the credit control response message.
  • the traffic usage statistics device can receive the credit control response message sent by the PCRF after sending the credit control request message to the PCRF.
  • the control response message includes traffic statistics indication information.
  • the PCEF when receiving the traffic statistics indication information, the PCEF only needs to wait for four messages (ie, a credit control request message, a re-authorization request message, a re-authorization response message, and The credit control response message is transmitted, thus reducing the delay of message transmission and improving the accuracy of traffic usage statistics.
  • the credit control request message is generated when the PCEF detects that the current traffic usage of the service flow reaches the first traffic threshold corresponding to the first fragment, and the traffic statistics indication information includes the second traffic threshold corresponding to the second fragment.
  • the second fragment is the next fragment of the first fragment, and the first fragment is any one of the at least one fragment obtained by the traffic division of the service flow of the third party payment service except the last fragment.
  • a slice, each of the at least one slice corresponds to a flow threshold.
  • the processor 1203 is further configured to:
  • the traffic usage of the service flow is continuously counted, and the service flow period is the time from the time when the service access request of the user equipment UE is received to the time when the statistical termination message is received.
  • the service access request of the UE is forwarded by the PCRF to the PCEF after being forwarded to the PCRF by the AF, and the statistical termination message is generated by the AF and sent to the PCRF, and then forwarded by the PCRF to the PCEF.
  • the processor 1203 is further configured to:
  • a credit control request message is generated when the current traffic usage of the traffic flow reaches the first traffic threshold.
  • the traffic usage statistics device after sending the credit control request message to the PCRF, the PCEF can receive the credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, Compared with the prior art, when receiving the traffic statistics indication information, the PCEF only needs to wait for four messages (ie, the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message) to be transmitted, so The delay of message transmission improves the accuracy of traffic usage statistics.
  • FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a traffic usage statistics system 1300, which may include an AF 1301, a PCRF 1302, and a PCEF 1303, according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • the AF1301 may include the traffic usage statistics device shown in FIG. 7;
  • the PCRF 1302 may include the traffic usage statistics device shown in Figure 8-1;
  • the PCEF 1303 may include the flow usage statistics device shown in any of Figures 9-1, 9-2, and 9-3.
  • the traffic usage statistics system after transmitting the credit control request message to the PCRF, the PCEF can receive the credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, Compared with the prior art, when receiving the traffic statistics indication information, the PCEF only needs to wait for four messages (ie, the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message) to be transmitted, so The delay of message transmission improves the accuracy of traffic usage statistics.
  • FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a traffic usage statistics system 1400, which may include an AF 1401, a PCRF 1402, and a PCEF 1403, according to an exemplary embodiment.
  • the AF 1401 may include the traffic usage statistics device shown in FIG. 10;
  • the PCRF 1402 may include the traffic usage statistics device shown in FIG. 11;
  • the PCEF 1403 may include the traffic usage statistics device shown in FIG.
  • the traffic usage statistics system after transmitting the credit control request message to the PCRF, the PCEF can receive the credit control response message sent by the PCRF, where the credit control response message includes traffic statistics indication information, Compared with the prior art, when receiving the traffic statistics indication information, the PCEF only needs to wait for four messages (ie, the credit control request message, the re-authorization request message, the re-authorization response message, and the credit control response message) to be transmitted, so The delay of message transmission improves the accuracy of traffic usage statistics.
  • the disclosed traffic usage statistics method, traffic usage statistics device, and traffic usage statistics system may be implemented in other manners.
  • the foregoing embodiment of the traffic usage statistics device is merely illustrative.
  • the division of each unit in the traffic usage statistics device is only a logical function division, and the actual implementation may have another division manner, for example, Multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted or not implemented.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)

Abstract

本发明提供了一种流量使用量统计方法、装置及系统，涉及通信技术领域，该方法用于AF，该方法包括：接收PCRF发送的重授权请求消息，重授权请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量；根据重授权请求消息生成重授权响应消息，重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息；向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，以便于PCRF根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息。本发明解决了消息传输的时延较大，流量使用量统计的准确度较低的问题，实现了降低消息传输的时延，提高流量使用量统计的准确度的效果，用于统计流量使用量。

Description

流量使用量统计方法、装置及系统 技术领域
本发明涉及通信技术领域，特别涉及一种流量使用量统计方法、装置及系统。
背景技术
第三代合作伙伴计划(英文：3rd Generation Partnership Project；简称：3GPP)标准引入了第三方支付连接(英文：Sponsored Connectivity)特性，该特性可以在用户访问第三方支付业务的过程中对第三方支付业务对应的业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
现有技术中有一种流量使用量统计方法，该方法的实施环境如图1所示，当用户通过用户设备(英文：User Equipment；简称：UE)001向应用业务提供商(英文：Application Service Provider；简称：ASP)002访问第三方支付业务时，应用功能实体(英文：Application Function；简称：AF)003为了及时获知用户使用第三方支付业务对应的业务流的流量使用量，将业务流的流量分为多个分片，每个分片对应一个流量阈值。AF003通过策略与计费规则功能实体(英文：Policy and Charging Rules Function；简称：PCRF)004将每个分片对应的流量阈值依次下发给策略与计费执行功能实体(英文：Policy and Charging Enforcement Function；简称：PCEF)005。具体的，PCEF005根据预先配置的动态规则(该动态规则中包括第一分片对应的第一流量阈值)开始对业务流的流量使用量进行统计，当流量使用量到达第一流量阈值时，PCEF005向PCRF004发送信用控制请求消息，该信用控制请求消息包括当前业务流的流量使用量；PCRF004根据信用控制请求消息向PCEF005发送信用控制响应消息之后向AF003发送第一重授权请求消息，用于通知AF003当前业务流的流量使用量；AF003根据第一重授权请求消息向PCRF004发送第一重授权响应消息之后再通过授权请求消息向PCRF004发送第三方支付连接数据信元(信元指的是一种数据结构)，第三方支付连接数据信元携带第二分片对应的第二流量阈值； PCRF004根据授权请求消息向AF003发送授权响应消息之后再通过第二重授权请求消息向PCEF005发送第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，从而使PCEF005按照第二流量阈值继续对业务流的流量使用量进行统计。其中，UE001和ASP002采用应用级信今进行通信，AF003与PCRF004通过Rx接口进行通信，PCRF004与PCEF005通过Gx接口进行通信，006为第三方支付，用于支付流量使用量的费用。
由于上述方法中，当流量使用量到达第一流量阈值时，PCEF停止流量使用量的统计，待接收到PCRF发送的第二重授权请求消息后才继续对流量使用量进行统计，而在接收到第二重授权请求消息时，需要等待7条消息(即信用控制请求消息、信用控制响应消息、第一重授权请求消息、第一重授权响应消息、授权请求消息、授权响应消息和第二重授权请求消息)传输完毕，因此，消息传输的时延较大，流量使用量统计的准确度较低。
发明内容
为了解决现有技术中消息传输的时延较大，流量使用量统计的准确度较低的问题，本发明提供了一种流量使用量统计方法、装置及系统。所述技术方案如下：
第一方面，提供一种流量使用量统计方法，用于应用功能实体AF，所述方法包括：
接收策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF发送的重授权请求消息，所述重授权请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，所述重授权请求消息是所述PCRF在接收到策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息之后生成的，所述信用控制请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
根据所述重授权请求消息生成重授权响应消息，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息；
向所述PCRF发送所述重授权响应消息，以便于所述PCRF根据所述重授权响应消息向所述PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，所述信用控制响应消息包括所述流量统计指示信息。
AF能够根据PCRF发送的重授权请求消息生成包括第三方支付连接数据 信元的重授权响应消息，并向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，以便于PCRF根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
在Rx接口的重授权响应消息中增加第三方支付连接数据信元，优化了Rx接口和Gx接口中关于流量使用量累计上报的消息流程。从PCEF上报业务流的流量使用量到PCEF接收到新的流量统计指示信息仅需要2次交互过程。所以，Rx接口和Gx接口的交互的消息的数量减少。
可选的，所述信用控制请求消息是所述PCEF检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述AF对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。当业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时，PCEF通过信用控制请求消息向PCRF上报业务流的当前流量使用量，从而使PCRF向AF发送重授权请求消息，以便于AF向PCRF下发流量统计指示信息。
第二方面，提供一种流量使用量统计方法，用于策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF，所述方法包括：
接收策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息，所述信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量；
根据所述信用控制请求消息向应用功能实体AF发送重授权请求消息，所述重授权请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
接收所述AF发送的重授权响应消息，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息；
根据所述重授权响应消息向所述PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于所述PCEF根据所述信用控制响应消息对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计，所述信用控制响应消息包括所述流量统计指示信息。
PCRF能够根据PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消 息，并根据AF发送的重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于PCEF根据包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
可选的，所述根据所述重授权响应消息向所述PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，包括：
根据所述重授权响应消息生成所述信用控制响应消息；
向所述PCEF发送所述信用控制响应消息。
PCRF根据重授权响应消息生成包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息，使得PCEF按照流量统计指示信息进行流量使用量的上报，完成流量使用量的统计过程。
可选的，所述信用控制请求消息是所述PCEF检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述AF对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。当业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时，PCEF通过信用控制请求消息向PCRF上报业务流的当前流量使用量，从而使PCRF向AF发送重授权请求消息，以便于AF向PCRF下发流量统计指示信息。
PCRF根据信用控制请求消息生成包括业务流的当前流量使用量的重授权请求消息，并向AF发送重授权请求消息，使得AF根据重授权请求消息向PCRF下发流量统计指示信息。
第三方面，提供一种流量使用量统计方法，用于策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF，所述方法包括：
向策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，以便于所述PCRF根据所述信用控制请求消息向应用功能实体AF发送重授权请求消息，所述信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，所述重授权请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
接收所述PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，所述信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息，所述信用控制响应消息是所述PCRF在接收到所述AF发送的重授权响应消息之后发送的，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带所述流量统计指示信息；
根据所述信用控制响应消息对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
PCEF在向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息之后，能够接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
可选的，所述信用控制请求消息是所述PCEF检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述AF对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。当业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时，PCEF通过信用控制请求消息向PCRF上报业务流的当前流量使用量，从而使PCRF向AF发送重授权请求消息，以便于AF向PCRF下发流量统计指示信息。
可选的，所述方法还包括：
在业务流传输时段中，持续统计所述业务流的流量使用量，所述业务流传输时段为从接收到用户设备UE的业务访问请求的时刻到接收到统计终止消息的时刻；
其中，所述UE的业务访问请求是所述AF转发至所述PCRF后，由所述PCRF转发至所述PCEF的，所述统计终止消息是所述AF生成并发送至所述PCRF后，由所述PCRF转发至所述PCEF的。
PCRF能够直接根据AF回复的重授权响应消息向PCEF发送新的流量统计指示信息，PCEF能够在业务流传输时段中，持续统计业务流的流量使用量，实现了业务流的流量使用量的持续统计。
可选的，在所述向策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF发送信用控制请求消息 之前，所述方法还包括：
根据所述PCRF发送的所述第一分片对应的第一流量阈值对所述业务流的当前流量使用量进行统计；
检测所述业务流的当前流量使用量是否到达所述第一流量阈值；
当所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达所述第一流量阈值时，生成所述信用控制请求消息。
当业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时，PCEF通过信用控制请求消息向PCRF上报业务流的当前流量使用量，从而使PCRF向AF发送重授权请求消息，以便于AF向PCRF下发流量统计指示信息。
第四方面，提供一种流量使用量统计装置，用于应用功能实体AF，所述流量使用量统计装置包括：
接收单元，用于接收策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF发送的重授权请求消息，所述重授权请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，所述重授权请求消息是所述PCRF在接收到策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息之后生成的，所述信用控制请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
生成单元，用于根据所述重授权请求消息生成重授权响应消息，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息；
发送单元，用于向所述PCRF发送所述重授权响应消息，以便于所述PCRF根据所述重授权响应消息向所述PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，所述信用控制响应消息包括所述流量统计指示信息。
可选的，所述信用控制请求消息是所述PCEF检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述流量使用量统计装置对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。
第五方面，提供一种流量使用量统计装置，用于策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF，所述流量使用量统计装置包括：
第一接收单元，用于接收策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息，所述信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量；
第一发送单元，用于根据所述信用控制请求消息向应用功能实体AF发送重授权请求消息，所述重授权请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
第二接收单元，用于接收所述AF发送的重授权响应消息，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息；
第二发送单元，用于根据所述重授权响应消息向所述PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于所述PCEF根据所述信用控制响应消息对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计，所述信用控制响应消息包括所述流量统计指示信息。
可选的，所述第二发送单元，包括：
第一生成模块，用于根据所述重授权响应消息生成所述信用控制响应消息；
第一发送模块，用于向所述PCEF发送所述信用控制响应消息。
可选的，所述信用控制请求消息是所述PCEF检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述AF对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。
第六方面，提供一种流量使用量统计装置，用于策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF，所述流量使用量统计装置包括：
发送单元，用于向策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，以便于所述PCRF根据所述信用控制请求消息向应用功能实体AF发送重授权请求消息，所述信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，所述重授权请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
接收单元，用于接收所述PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，所述信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息，所述信用控制响应消息是所述PCRF在接收到 所述AF发送的重授权响应消息之后发送的，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带所述流量统计指示信息；
第一统计单元，用于根据所述信用控制响应消息对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
可选的，所述信用控制请求消息是所述流量使用量统计装置检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述AF对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。
可选的，所述流量使用量统计装置还包括：
第二统计单元，用于在业务流传输时段中，持续统计所述业务流的流量使用量，所述业务流传输时段为从接收到用户设备UE的业务访问请求的时刻到接收到统计终止消息的时刻；
其中，所述UE的业务访问请求是所述AF转发至所述PCRF后，由所述PCRF转发至所述流量使用量统计装置的，所述统计终止消息是所述AF生成并发送至所述PCRF后，由所述PCRF转发至所述流量使用量统计装置的。
可选的，所述流量使用量统计装置还包括：
第三统计单元，用于根据所述PCRF发送的所述第一分片对应的第一流量阈值对所述业务流的当前流量使用量进行统计；
检测单元，用于检测所述业务流的当前流量使用量是否到达所述第一流量阈值；
生成单元，用于当所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达所述第一流量阈值时，生成所述信用控制请求消息。
第七方面，提供一种流量使用量统计系统，所述流量使用量统计系统包括：应用功能实体AF、策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF和策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF，
所述AF包括第四方面所述的流量使用量统计装置；
所述PCRF包括第五方面所述的流量使用量统计装置；
所述PCEF包括第六方面所述的流量使用量统计装置。
所述流量使用量统计系统，使得PCEF在向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息之后，能够接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
第八方面，提供一种流量使用量统计装置，用于应用功能实体AF，所述流量使用量统计装置包括：
接收机，用于接收策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF发送的重授权请求消息，所述重授权请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，所述重授权请求消息是所述PCRF在接收到策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息之后生成的，所述信用控制请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
处理器，用于根据所述重授权请求消息生成重授权响应消息，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息；
发射机，用于向所述PCRF发送所述重授权响应消息，以便于所述PCRF根据所述重授权响应消息向所述PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，所述信用控制响应消息包括所述流量统计指示信息。
可选的，所述信用控制请求消息是所述PCEF检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述流量使用量统计装置对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。
第九方面，提供一种流量使用量统计装置，用于策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF，所述流量使用量统计装置包括：
接收机，用于接收策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息，所述信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量；
发射机，用于根据所述信用控制请求消息向应用功能实体AF发送重授权 请求消息，所述重授权请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
所述接收机，还用于接收所述AF发送的重授权响应消息，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息；
所述发射机，还用于根据所述重授权响应消息向所述PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于所述PCEF根据所述信用控制响应消息对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计，所述信用控制响应消息包括所述流量统计指示信息。
可选的，所述发射机，还用于：
根据所述重授权响应消息生成所述信用控制响应消息；
向所述PCEF发送所述信用控制响应消息。
可选的，所述信用控制请求消息是所述PCEF检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述AF对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。
第十方面，提供一种流量使用量统计装置，用于策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF，所述流量使用量统计装置包括：
发射机，用于向策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，以便于所述PCRF根据所述信用控制请求消息向应用功能实体AF发送重授权请求消息，所述信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，所述重授权请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
接收机，用于接收所述PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，所述信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息，所述信用控制响应消息是所述PCRF在接收到所述AF发送的重授权响应消息之后发送的，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带所述流量统计指示信息；
处理器，用于根据所述信用控制响应消息对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
可选的，所述信用控制请求消息是所述流量使用量统计装置检测到所述业 务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述AF对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。
可选的，所述处理器还用于：在业务流传输时段中，持续统计所述业务流的流量使用量，所述业务流传输时段为从接收到用户设备UE的业务访问请求的时刻到接收到统计终止消息的时刻；
其中，所述UE的业务访问请求是所述AF转发至所述PCRF后，由所述PCRF转发至所述流量使用量统计装置的，所述统计终止消息是所述AF生成并发送至所述PCRF后，由所述PCRF转发至所述流量使用量统计装置的。
可选的，所述处理器还用于：
根据所述PCRF发送的所述第一分片对应的第一流量阈值对所述业务流的当前流量使用量进行统计；
检测所述业务流的当前流量使用量是否到达所述第一流量阈值；
当所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达所述第一流量阈值时，生成所述信用控制请求消息。
第十一方面，提供一种流量使用量统计系统，所述流量使用量统计系统包括：应用功能实体AF、策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF和策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF，
所述AF包括第八方面所述的流量使用量统计装置；
所述PCRF包括第九方面所述的流量使用量统计装置；
所述PCEF包括第十方面所述的流量使用量统计装置。
本发明提供的技术方案的有益效果是：
本发明提供的流量使用量统计方法、装置及系统，AF能够根据PCRF发送的重授权请求消息生成包括第三方支付连接数据信元的重授权响应消息，并向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，以便于PCRF根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
应当理解的是，以上的一般描述和后文的细节描述仅是示例性和解释性的，并不能限制本发明。
附图说明
为了更清楚地说明本发明实施例中的技术方案，下面将对实施例描述中所需要使用的附图作简单地介绍，显而易见地，下面描述中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是现有技术中流量使用量统计方法对应的实施环境的示意图；
图2是本发明各个实施例所涉及的实施环境的示意图；
图3是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计方法的流程图；
图4是根据一示例性实施例示出的另一种流量使用量统计方法的流程图；
图5是根据一示例性实施例示出的又一种流量使用量统计方法的流程图；
图6-1是根据一示例性实施例示出的再一种流量使用量统计方法的流程图；
图6-2是现有技术中的一种流量使用量统计方法的流程图；
图7是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计装置的框图；
图8-1是根据一示例性实施例示出的另一种流量使用量统计装置的框图；
图8-2是图8-1所示流量使用量统计装置的第二发送单元的框图；
图9-1是根据另一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计装置的框图；
图9-2是根据另一示例性实施例示出的又一种流量使用量统计装置的框图；
图9-3是根据另一示例性实施例示出的另一种流量使用量统计装置的框图；
图10是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计装置的框图；
图11是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计装置的框图；
图12是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计装置的框图；
图13是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计系统的框图；
图14是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计系统的框图。
通过上述附图，已示出本发明明确的实施例，后文中将有更详细的描述。这些附图和文字描述并不是为了通过任何方式限制本发明构思的范围，而是通 过参考特定实施例为本领域技术人员说明本发明的概念。
具体实施方式
为使本发明的目的、技术方案和优点更加清楚，下面将结合附图对本发明实施方式作进一步地详细描述。
本发明各个实施例可适用于策略与计费控制(英文：Policy and Charging Control；简称：PCC)架构下，创建有专有承载保障业务体验的应用场景。PCC架构能够使网络检测到不同的业务流，并针对业务流实现服务质量(英文：Quality of Service；简称：QoS)控制，计费统计等需求。
图2是本发明各个实施例所涉及的实施环境的示意图，如图2所示，该实施环境可以包括：AF01、PCRF02、PCEF03、用户属性存储器(英文：Subscription Profile Repository；简称：SPR)04、在线计费系统(英文：Online Charging System；简称：OCS)05、承载绑定及事件报告功能实体(英文：Bearer Binding and Event Reporting Function；简称：BBERF)06、流量检测功能实体(英文：Traffic Detection Function；简称：TDF)07和离线计费系统(英文：Offline Charging System；简称：OFCS)08。
其中，AF01用于给PCRF02提供上层业务应用的相关信息。
PCRF02用于根据AF01提供的上层业务应用的相关信息，制定并动态下发控制与计费策略给PCEF03。
PCEF03用于执行PCRF02下发的控制与计费策略。PCEF03位于网关(英文：Gateway)031中。
SPR04用于存储用户的签约信息。
OCS05用于在线计费，并配合其他计费网元设备(如触发基于会话、事件的在线计费事件请求设备)进行实时话务控制。
BBERF06用于承载绑定和事件上报。BBERF06位于接入网络AN(英文：Access Network；简称：AN)-网关061中
TDF07用于执行深度封包检测(英文：Deep Packet Inspection；简称：DPI)。
OFCS08用于离线计费。
AF01与PCRF02通过Rx接口进行通信，PCRF02与PCEF03通过Gx接口进行通信。AF01能够通过Rx接口向PCRF02发送携带有第三方支付连接数据信元(英文：Sponsored-Connectivity-Data AVP)的重授权响应消息，PCRF02 能够处理通过Rx接口接收到的AF01发送的携带有第三方支付连接数据信元的重授权响应消息。此外，图2中，SPR04与PCRF02通过Sp接口进行通信，OCS05与PCRF02通过Sy接口进行通信，BBERF06与PCRF02通过Gxx接口进行通信，TDF07与PCRF02通过Sd接口进行通信，TDF07与OCS05通过Gyn接口进行通信，TDF07与OFCS08通过Gzn接口进行通信，网关031与OCS05通过Gy接口进行通信，网关031与OFCS08通过Gz接口进行通信。
UE访问第三方支付业务时，AF01通过Rx接口向PCRF02下发第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带业务的标识信息；PCRF02根据AF01的指示构造动态规则，并将该动态规则下发给PCEF03；PCEF03对独立于用户其他自费流量的第三方支付业务的业务流的流量使用量进行统计，统计到的流量使用量的费用由赞助商统一支付。
图3是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计方法的流程图，本实施例以该方法应用于图2所示实施环境中的AF01来举例说明。该流量使用量统计方法可以包括如下几个步骤：
步骤301、接收PCRF发送的重授权请求消息，该重授权请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，该重授权请求消息是PCRF在接收到PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息之后生成的，该信用控制请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量。
步骤302、根据重授权请求消息生成重授权响应消息，该重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，流量统计指示信息为对业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息。
步骤303、向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，以便于PCRF根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计方法，AF能够根据PCRF发送的重授权请求消息生成包括第三方支付连接数据信元的重授权响应消息，并向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，以便于PCRF根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了 消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
可选的，信用控制请求消息是PCEF检测到业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的。流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，第二分片为第一分片的下一个分片，第一分片为AF对第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片。至少一个分片中每个分片对应一个流量阈值。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计方法，AF能够根据PCRF发送的重授权请求消息生成包括第三方支付连接数据信元的重授权响应消息，并向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，以便于PCRF根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
图4是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计方法的流程图，本实施例以该方法应用于图2所示实施环境中的PCRF02来举例说明。该流量使用量统计方法可以包括如下几个步骤：
步骤401、接收PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息，该信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量。
步骤402、根据信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息，该重授权请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量。
步骤403、接收AF发送的重授权响应消息，该重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，流量统计指示信息为对业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息。
步骤404、根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于PCEF根据信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计方法，PCRF能够根据PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息，并根据AF发送的重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于PCEF根据包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计，相较于现 有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
可选的，步骤404可以包括：
根据重授权响应消息生成信用控制响应消息；
向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息。
信用控制请求消息是PCEF检测到业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的。流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，第二分片为第一分片的下一个分片，第一分片为AF对第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片。至少一个分片中每个分片对应一个流量阈值。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计方法，PCRF能够根据PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息，并根据AF发送的重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于PCEF根据包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
图5是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计方法的流程图，本实施例以该方法应用于图2所示实施环境中的PCEF03来举例说明。该流量使用量统计方法可以包括如下几个步骤：
步骤501、向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，以便于PCRF根据信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息，该信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，该重授权请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量。
步骤502、接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，流量统计指示信息为对业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息，该信用控制响应消息是PCRF在接收到AF发送的重授权响应消息之后发送的，该重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息。
步骤503、根据信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计方法，PCEF在向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息之后，能够接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
可选的，信用控制请求消息是PCEF检测到业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的。流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，第二分片为第一分片的下一个分片，第一分片为AF对第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片。至少一个分片中每个分片对应一个流量阈值。
可选的，该方法还可以包括：
在业务流传输时段中，持续统计业务流的流量使用量，该业务流传输时段为从接收到UE的业务访问请求的时刻到接收到统计终止消息的时刻。
其中，UE的业务访问请求是AF转发至PCRF后，由PCRF转发至PCEF的；统计终止消息是AF生成并发送至PCRF后，由PCRF转发至PCEF的。
可选的，在步骤501之前，该方法还可以包括：
根据PCRF发送的第一分片对应的第一流量阈值对业务流的当前流量使用量进行统计；
检测业务流的当前流量使用量是否到达第一流量阈值；
当业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一流量阈值时，生成信用控制请求消息。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计方法，PCEF在向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息之后，能够接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
图6-1是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计方法的流程图， 本实施例以该方法应用于图2所示实施环境来举例说明。该流量使用量统计方法可以包括如下几个步骤：
步骤601、UE接入PCEF。
PCEF可以位于互联网协议连接访问网络(英文：Internet Protocol-Connectivity Access Network；简称：IP-CAN)网关中。UE接入PCEF的过程具体可以为：UE向PCEF发送接入请求，PCEF接收该接入请求，并为UE分配一个IP地址，然后UE接入PCEF。
为了对第三方支付业务的业务流的流量使用量进行统计，AF将业务流的流量划分为至少一个分片，至少一个分片中每个分片对应一个流量阈值，如第一分片对应第一流量阈值，第二分片对应第二流量阈值，第三分片对应第三流量阈值等。示例的，UE需要访问一个下载业务，该下载业务的业务流的流量共60M(兆)，AF将60M划分为3个分片，这3个分片对应的流量分别为10M、20M、30M，那么第一分片对应的第一流量阈值为10M，第二分片对应的第二流量阈值为20M，第三分片对应的第三流量阈值为30M。本发明实施例以第一分片为至少一个分片中的第一个分片为例进行说明，则第一分片为10M的分片。
步骤602、PCEF与PCRF建立IP-CAN会话和网关控制会话。
具体的，PCEF向PCRF发送建立请求，PCRF接收到该建立请求后，与PCEF建立IP-CAN会话和网关控制会话。通过步骤601和步骤602完成UE激活过程。
步骤603、UE向ASP发送业务访问请求。
UE向ASP发送业务访问请求，该业务访问请求包括UE请求访问的业务的业务标识。
步骤604、ASP根据业务访问请求判断UE请求访问的业务是否为第三方支付业务。
ASP接收到UE发送的业务访问请求后，判断该业务访问请求包括的业务标识是否为第三方支付业务的业务标识，当该业务访问请求包括的业务标识不为第三方支付业务的业务标识时，确定UE请求访问的业务不为第三方支付业务；当该业务访问请求包括的业务标识为第三方支付业务的业务标识时，确定UE请求访问的业务为第三方支付业务。
步骤605、当ASP根据业务访问请求确定UE请求访问的业务为第三方支 付业务时，向AF发送动态连接通知消息。
第三方支付连接特性在Rx接口引入第三方支付连接数据信元，在Gx接口引入第三方支付的身份标识号码(英文：IDentity；简称：ID)信元和ASP ID信元。第三方支付ID和ASP ID用于PCEF对业务流的流量使用量进行统计和计费。
当UE向ASP发送的业务访问请求中包括的业务标识为第三方支付业务的业务标识时，ASP确定UE请求访问的业务为第三方支付业务，则ASP向AF发送动态连接通知消息。该动态连接通知消息包括第三方支付的ID和ASP ID等信息。ASP通过该动态连接通知消息向AF通知第三方支付ID和ASP ID等信息。
步骤606、AF向PCRF发送初始授权请求消息。
AF向PCRF发送初始授权请求(英文：Authorize-Authenticate-Request；简称：AAR)消息。该初始授权请求包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带第三方支付ID、ASP ID和第一分片对应的第一流量阈值等信息。
步骤607、PCRF向AF发送初始授权响应消息。
PCRF向AF发送初始授权响应(英文：AA-Answer；简称：AAA)消息。
步骤608、PCRF根据初始授权请求消息生成动态规则。
该动态规则包括第三方支付ID、ASP ID和第一分片对应的第一流量阈值等信息，该动态规则用于PCEF对业务流的流量使用量进行统计和计费。
步骤609、PCRF向PCEF发送初始重授权请求消息。
PCRF向PCEF发送初始重授权请求(英文：Re-Authorization-Request；简称：RAR)消息，该初始重授权请求消息包括PCRF生成的动态规则，该初始重授权请求消息用于指示PCEF配置动态规则。具体的，该初始重授权请求消息包括动态规则的定义，该动态规则的定义可以包括动态规则的命名、计费标识、第三方支付ID、ASP ID、第一分片对应的第一流量阈值、业务监控标识(英文：Monitoring-Key)、动态规则的优先级、业务监控指示信息等。关于动态规则的定义的具体内容可以参考现有技术，本发明实施例对此不再赘述。
步骤610、PCEF根据初始重授权请求消息配置动态规则。
PCEF根据PCRF发送的初始重授权请求消息配置动态规则，以便于PCEF根据该动态规则对业务流的流量使用量进行统计和计费。
步骤611、PCEF向PCRF发送初始重授权响应消息。
PCEF根据初始重授权请求消息配置了动态规则之后，向PCRF发送初始重授权响应(英文：Re-Authorization-Answer；简称：RAA)消息。
步骤612、UE通过ASP访问第三方支付业务。
UE访问第三方支付业务时，可以向ASP发送UE的业务访问请求，该UE的业务访问请求用于指示UE访问第三方支付业务；ASP接收到UE的业务访问请求之后，将UE的业务访问请求发送至AF，AF再将UE的业务访问请求经PCRF发送至PCEF，以便于PCEF开始对业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
步骤613、PCEF根据AF和PCRF转发的UE的业务访问请求，通过动态规则对业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
由于动态规则包括第一分片对应的第一流量阈值，所以，PCEF能够根据动态规则对业务流的当前流量使用量进行统计。PCEF接收到UE的业务访问请求后，通过动态规则将业务流的流量使用量计入业务监控标识中，并将业务流的流量使用量计入预设的业务容器中，其中，业务容器用于对业务流的流量使用量进行计费。
步骤614、PCEF检测业务流的当前流量使用量是否到达第一流量阈值。
PCEF可以检测业务流的当前流量使用量是否到达第一流量阈值。示例的，UE访问一个下载业务，该下载业务的业务流的流量共60M，AF将60M划分为3个分片，这3个分片对应的流量分别为10M、20M、30M，第一分片对应的第一流量阈值为10M，那么PCEF可以检测业务流的当前流量使用量是否到达10M，当业务流的当前流量使用量为5M时，说明业务流的当前流量使用量未到达第一流量阈值即10M；当业务流的当前流量使用量为10M时，说明业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一流量阈值即10M。
步骤615、当业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一流量阈值时，PCEF生成信用控制请求消息。
PCEF检测业务流的当前流量使用量是否到达第一流量阈值，当业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一流量阈值时，PCEF生成信用控制请求(英文：Credit-Control-Request；简称：CCR)消息。该信用控制请求包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量。该信用控制请求还包括第一流量阈值、流量使用通知事件等信息，流量使用通知事件用于指示业务流的当前流量使用量已到达第一流量阈值。
以步骤614中UE访问60M的下载业务为例，当业务流的当前流量使用量到达10M时，PCEF生成信用控制请求消息。该信用控制请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量即10M，第一流量阈值即10M，及用于指示业务流的当前流量使用量已到达10M的流量使用通知事件。
步骤616、PCEF向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息。
PCEF向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，以便于PCRF根据信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息。
步骤617、PCRF根据信用控制请求消息生成重授权请求消息。
重授权请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量。具体的，重授权请求消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带第三方支付ID、ASP ID和业务流的当前流量使用量。
步骤618、PCRF向AF发送重授权请求消息。
PCRF接收到PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息后可以通过重授权请求消息向AF上报业务流的当前流量使用量。如业务流的当前流量使用量为10M，已到达第一流量阈值即10M，PCRF接收到PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息后可以通过重授权请求消息向AF上报业务流的当前流量使用量：10M。
需要说明的是，步骤601至步骤618的具体过程可以参考现有技术，本发明实施例对此不再赘述。
步骤619、AF根据重授权请求消息生成重授权响应消息。
重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，流量统计指示信息为对业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息。具体的，流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值。第二分片为第一分片的下一个分片，由于本发明实施例以第一分片为至少一个分片中的第一个分片为例进行说明，所以，第二分片为至少一个分片中的第二个分片。示例的，UE访问一个下载业务，该下载业务的业务流的流量共60M，AF将60M划分为3个分片，这3个分片对应的流量分别为10M、20M、30M，则第二分片为20M的分片。第三方支付连接数据信元还可以携带第三方支付ID、ASP ID和流量使用通知事件的指示信息等。
步骤620、AF向PCRF发送重授权响应消息。
AF向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，由于重授权响应消息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所以，AF可以将第二分片对应的第二流量阈值通知给 PCRF。
步骤621、PCRF根据重授权响应消息生成信用控制响应消息。
PCRF接收到AF发送的重授权响应消息后，可以根据重授权响应消息生成信用控制响应(英文：Credit-Control-Answer；简称：CCA)消息。信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，该流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值。具体的，信用控制响应消息可以包括业务监控指示信息，该业务监控指示信息可以包括业务监控标识、第二分片对应的第二流量阈值、流量使用通知事件等性。
步骤622、PCRF向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息。
PCRF向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于PCEF根据信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
步骤623、PCEF根据信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
需要说明的是，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计方法，能够在业务流传输时段中，持续统计业务流的流量使用量，该业务流传输时段为从接收到UE的业务访问请求的时刻到接收到统计终止消息的时刻。其中，UE的业务访问请求是AF转发至PCRF后，由PCRF转发至PCEF的，统计终止消息是AF生成并发送至PCRF后，由PCRF转发至PCEF的。
当AF接收到PCRF发送的重授权请求消息后，AF向PCRF发送的重授权响应消息中不包括第三方支付连接数据信元，则PCRF向PCEF发送的信用控制响应消息也不再包括流量统计指示信息即新的阈值。
示例的，UE访问一个下载业务，该下载业务的业务流的流量共60M，AF将60M划分为3个分片，这3个分片对应的流量分别为10M、20M、30M，第一分片对应的第一流量阈值为10M，第二分片对应的第二流量阈值为20M，第三分片对应的第三流量阈值为30M，当UE开始访问该下载业务时，PCEF检测当前流量使用量是否达到第一流量阈值即10M，当业务流的当前流量使用量到达10M时，PCEF向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，该信用控制请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量即10M；PCRF再向AF发送重授权请求消息，该重授权请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量即10M；AF再向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，该重授权响应消息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值即20M；PCRF再向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值即20M。
在PCEF接收到PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息之前，PCEF会对业务流的流量使用量进行持续统计，当PCEF接收到PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息时，PCEF检测当前流量使用量是否达到第二流量阈值即20M，当业务流的当前流量使用量到达20M时，PCEF向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，该信用控制请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量即20M。需要说明的是，当业务流的当前流量使用量未到达20M时，PCEF会继续对业务流的流量使用进行统计，直至统计到的流量使用量到达20M时，PCEF才向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息；PCRF再向AF发送重授权请求消息，该重授权请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量即20M；AF再向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，该重授权响应消息包括第三分片对应的第三流量阈值即30M；PCRF再向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括第三分片对应的第三流量阈值即30M；在PCEF接收到PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息之前，PCEF对业务流的流量使用量进行持续统计，当PCEF接收到PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息时，PCEF检测当前流量使用量是否达到第三流量阈值即30M，当业务流的当前流量使用量到达30M时，PCEF向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，该信用控制请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量即30M；PCRF再向AF发送重授权请求消息，该重授权请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量即30M；AF再向PCRF统计终止消息，以便于PCRF向PCEF发送统计终止消息。至此，PCEF完成整个对下载业务的流量使用量的统计过程。
需要补充说明的是，假设在上述60M下载业务的流量使用量统计过程中，在PCEF接收到PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息之前，PCEF对业务流的流量使用量进行持续统计，当PCEF接收到PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息时，PCEF检测当前流量使用量为25M，已超过第二流量阈值即20M时，一方面，PCEF可以通过信用控制请求消息向PCRF上报当前流量使用量即25M，接着PCEF再按照第二流量阈值即20M对剩余流量使用量进行统计，直至PCEF将60M的流量使用量统计完；另一方面，PCEF可以通过信用控制请求消息按照第二流量阈值向PCRF先上报20M的流量使用量，再按照随后接收到的PCRF发送的第三流量阈值上报其余30M的流量使用量。
现有技术中，如图6-2所示，执行完步骤601至步骤616后，是按照如下步骤完成业务流的流量使用量的统计的：
步骤641、PCRF向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息。该信用控制响应消息 用于响应PCEF向PCRF发送的信用控制请求消息。步骤615和步骤616可以参考图6-1进行说明。
步骤642、PCRF根据信用控制请求消息生成第一重授权请求消息。
该第一重授权请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量。具体的，第一重授权请求消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带第三方支付ID、ASP ID和业务流的当前流量使用量。
步骤643、PCRF向AF发送第一重授权请求消息。
步骤644、AF向PCRF发送第一重授权响应消息。
该第一重授权响应消息用于响应PCRF向AF发送的第一重授权请求消息。
步骤645、AF向PCRF发送授权请求消息。
AF根据第一重授权请求消息生成授权请求消息，并向PCRF发送授权请求消息。该授权请求消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元、帧(网络传输的最小单位)的IP地址、业务流的流描述等信息，其中，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息、第三方支付ID、ASP ID和流量使用通知事件的指示信息等。具体的，流量统计指示信息流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值。
步骤646、PCRF向AF发送授权响应消息。
该授权响应消息用于响应AF向PCRF发送的授权请求消息。
步骤647、PCRF向PCEF发送第二重授权请求消息。
PCRF根据授权请求消息生成第二重授权请求消息，并向PCEF发送第二重授权请求消息。信用控制响应消息包括业务监控指示信息，该业务监控指示信息包括业务监控标识、第二分片对应的第二流量阈值、流量使用通知事件等。
从PCEF接收到PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息的时刻到PCEF接收到PCRF发送的第二重授权请求消息的时刻，PCEF没有对这一时段业务流的流量使用量进行统计，而是将这一时段业务流的流量使用量进行丢弃。
步骤648、PCEF向PCRF发送第二重授权响应消息。
该第二重授权响应消息用于响应PCRF向PCEF发送的重授权请求消息。
示例的，UE访问一个下载业务，该下载业务的业务流的流量共60M，AF将60M划分为3个分片，这3个分片对应的流量分别为10M、20M、30M，第一分片对应的第一流量阈值为10M，第二分片对应的第二流量阈值为20M，第三分片对应的第三流量阈值为30M，当UE开始访问该下载业务时，PCEF检 测当前流量使用量到达10M时，PCEF向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，该信用控制请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量即10M；PCRF向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息；此时，PCEF接收到PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息后，不再对业务流的流量使用量进行统计，直至接收到PCRF发送的第二重授权请求消息，才继续对流量使用量进行统计。假设从PCEF接收到PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息的时刻到PCEF接收到PCRF发送的第二重授权请求消息的时刻对应的时段内，UE访问的业务流的流量使用量为6M，那么最终PCEF统计到的业务流的流量使用量将不包括这6M。因此，现有技术中消息传输的时延较大，流量使用量统计的准确度较低。
由步骤641至步骤648可知，现有技术中，从PCEF上报业务流的流量使用量到PCEF接收到新的流量统计指示信息，需要4次交互过程，这4次交互过程包括8条消息的传输，这8条消息分别是信用控制请求消息、信用控制响应消息、第一重授权请求消息、第一重授权响应消息、授权请求消息、授权响应消息、第二重授权请求消息和第二重授权响应消息，所以，Rx接口(Rx接口用于AF与PCRF之间的通信)和Gx接口(Gx接口用于PCRF与PCEF之间的通信)的交互的消息的数量较多，消息传输的时延较大，流量使用量统计的准确度较低，且还会造成网络中的信今增多，网络的性能下降。同时，如步骤641所述，PCRF在回复信用控制响应消息时，不知道当前的流量阈值是否已经是最后一个分片对应的流量阈值。是否继续给PCEF下发下一分片对应的流量阈值，及下一分片对应的流量阈值为多少，这些信息是由AF来指示的。3GPP29.214中指出：在PCRF给AF上报流量使用量之后，AF可以提供一个新的流量阈值给PCRF，直到PCRF收到AF下发的新的流量阈值并将新的流量阈值下发给PCEF之后，流量使用量的累积才会继续。这就意味着步骤616、步骤641至步骤648之间，即使第三方支付业务一直在进行，中间产生的流量使用量也无法统计到对应的业务监控标识中，导致流量使用量统计不连续。因此，PCEF无法在整个业务流传输时段中持续统计业务流的流量使用量。
本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计方法，在Rx接口的重授权响应消息中增加第三方支付连接数据信元，优化了Rx接口和Gx接口中关于流量使用量累计上报的消息流程。具体的，从PCEF上报业务流的流量使用量到PCEF接收到新的流量统计指示信息仅需要2次交互过程，这2次交互过程包括4条消息的传输，这4条消息分别是信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权 响应消息和信用控制响应消息，所以，Rx接口和Gx接口的交互的消息的数量减少，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。同时，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计方法，PCRF能够直接根据AF回复的重授权响应消息向PCEF发送新的流量统计指示信息，PCEF能够在业务流传输时段中，持续统计业务流的流量使用量，实现了业务流的流量使用量的持续统计。
还需要补充说明的是，随着网络技术的快速发展，第三方支付业务的发展前景非常广阔，采用本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计方法可以使网关上报的业务流的流量使用量更加准确。此外，随着后续第三方支付连接特性的海量部署，在Rx接口的重授权响应消息中增加第三方支付连接数据信元，能够简化Rx接口和Gx接口上的消息交互，因此，采用本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计方法可以使第三方支付连接特性的应用和部署更加灵活。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计方法，PCEF在向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息之后，能够接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度，实现业务流的流量使用量的持续统计。
需要说明的是，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计步骤的先后顺序可以进行适当调整，步骤也可以根据情况进行相应增减，任何熟悉本技术领域的技术人员在本发明揭露的技术范围内，可轻易想到变化的方法，都应涵盖在本发明的保护范围之内，因此不再赘述。
下述为本发明装置实施例，可以用于执行本发明方法实施例。对于本发明装置实施例中未披露的细节，请参照本发明方法实施例。
图7是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计装置的框图，该流量使用量统计装置可以通过软件、硬件或者两者的结合实现成为图2所示实施环境中AF01的部分或者全部。该流量使用量统计装置可以包括：
接收单元701，用于接收PCRF发送的重授权请求消息，该重授权请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，该重授权请求消息是 PCRF在接收到PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息之后生成的，该信用控制请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量。
生成单元702，用于根据重授权请求消息生成重授权响应消息，该重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，流量统计指示信息为对业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息。
发送单元703，用于向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，以便于PCRF根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计装置，AF能够根据PCRF发送的重授权请求消息生成包括第三方支付连接数据信元的重授权响应消息，并向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，以便于PCRF根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
可选的，信用控制请求消息是PCEF检测到业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，第二分片为第一分片的下一个分片，第一分片为AF对第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，至少一个分片中每个分片对应一个流量阈值。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计装置，AF能够根据PCRF发送的重授权请求消息生成包括第三方支付连接数据信元的重授权响应消息，并向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，以便于PCRF根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
图8-1是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计装置的框图，该流量使用量统计装置可以通过软件、硬件或者两者的结合实现成为图2所示实 施环境中PCRF02的部分或者全部。该流量使用量统计装置可以包括：
第一接收单元801，用于接收PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息，该信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量。
第一发送单元802，用于根据信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息，该重授权请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量。
第二接收单元803，用于接收AF发送的重授权响应消息，该重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，流量统计指示信息为对业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息。
第二发送单元804，用于根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于PCEF根据信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计装置，PCRF能够根据PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息，并根据AF发送的重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于PCEF根据包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
可选的，如图8-2所示，第二发送单元804，可以包括：
第一生成模块8041，用于根据重授权响应消息生成信用控制响应消息。
第一发送模块8042，用于向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息。
其中，信用控制请求消息是PCEF检测到业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，第二分片为第一分片的下一个分片，第一分片为AF对第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，至少一个分片中每个分片对应一个流量阈值。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计装置，PCRF能够根据PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息，并根据AF发送的重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于PCEF根据包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控 制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
图9-1是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计装置的框图，该流量使用量统计装置可以通过软件、硬件或者两者的结合实现成为图2所示实施环境中PCEF03的部分或者全部。该流量使用量统计装置可以包括：
发送单元901，用于向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，以便于PCRF根据信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息，信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，重授权请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量。
接收单元902，用于接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，流量统计指示信息为对业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息，信用控制响应消息是PCRF在接收到AF发送的重授权响应消息之后发送的，重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息。
第一统计单元903，用于根据信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计装置，PCEF在向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息之后，能够接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
可选的，信用控制请求消息是PCEF检测到业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，第二分片为第一分片的下一个分片，第一分片为AF对第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，至少一个分片中每个分片对应一个流量阈值。
图9-2是本发明实施例示出的另一种流量使用量统计装置的框图，该流量使用量统计装置可以包括：
发送单元901，用于向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，以便于PCRF根据 信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息，信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，重授权请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量。
接收单元902，用于接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，流量统计指示信息为对业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息，信用控制响应消息是PCRF在接收到AF发送的重授权响应消息之后发送的，重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息。
第一统计单元903，用于根据信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
第二统计单元904，用于在业务流传输时段中，持续统计业务流的流量使用量，业务流传输时段为从接收到用户设备UE的业务访问请求的时刻到接收到统计终止消息的时刻。
其中，UE的业务访问请求是AF转发至PCRF后，由PCRF转发至PCEF的；统计终止消息是AF生成并发送至PCRF后，由PCRF转发至PCEF的。
图9-3是本发明实施例示出的另一种流量使用量统计装置的框图，该流量使用量统计装置可以包括：
发送单元901，用于向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，以便于PCRF根据信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息，信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，重授权请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量。
接收单元902，用于接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，流量统计指示信息为对业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息，信用控制响应消息是PCRF在接收到AF发送的重授权响应消息之后发送的，重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息。
第一统计单元903，用于根据信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
第三统计单元905，用于根据PCRF发送的第一分片对应的第一流量阈值对业务流的当前流量使用量进行统计。
检测单元906，用于检测业务流的当前流量使用量是否到达第一流量阈值。
生成单元907，用于当业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一流量阈值时，生成信用控制请求消息。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计装置，PCEF在向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息之后，能够接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
关于上述实施例中的装置，其中各个模块执行操作的具体方式已经在有关该方法的实施例中进行了详细描述，此处将不做详细阐述说明。
图10是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计装置的框图，该流量使用量统计装置用于AF。该流量使用量统计装置可以包括：
接收机1001，用于接收PCRF发送的重授权请求消息，重授权请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，重授权请求消息是PCRF在接收到PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息之后生成的，信用控制请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量。
处理器1002，用于根据重授权请求消息生成重授权响应消息，重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，流量统计指示信息为对业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息。
发射机1003，用于向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，以便于PCRF根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计装置，AF能够根据PCRF发送的重授权请求消息生成包括第三方支付连接数据信元的重授权响应消息，并向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，以便于PCRF根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
可选的，信用控制请求消息是PCEF检测到业务流的当前流量使用量到达 第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，第二分片为第一分片的下一个分片，第一分片为AF对第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，至少一个分片中每个分片对应一个流量阈值。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计装置，AF能够根据PCRF发送的重授权请求消息生成包括第三方支付连接数据信元的重授权响应消息，并向PCRF发送重授权响应消息，以便于PCRF根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
图11是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计装置的框图，该流量使用量统计装置用于PCRF。该流量使用量统计装置可以包括：
接收机1101，用于接收PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息，该信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量。
发射机1102，用于根据信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息，该重授权请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量。
接收机1101，还用于接收AF发送的重授权响应消息，该重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，流量统计指示信息为对业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息。
发射机1102，还用于根据重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于PCEF根据信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计装置，PCRF能够根据PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息，并根据AF发送的重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于PCEF根据包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
可选的，发射机1102还用于：
根据重授权响应消息生成信用控制响应消息；
向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息。
其中，信用控制请求消息是PCEF检测到业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，第二分片为第一分片的下一个分片，第一分片为AF对第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，至少一个分片中每个分片对应一个流量阈值。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计装置，PCRF能够根据PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息向AF发送重授权请求消息，并根据AF发送的重授权响应消息向PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于PCEF根据包括流量统计指示信息的信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
图12是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计装置的框图，该流量使用量统计装置用于PCEF。该流量使用量统计装置可以包括：
发射机1201，用于向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，以便于PCRF根据信用控制请求消息向应用功能实体AF发送重授权请求消息，信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，重授权请求消息包括业务流的当前流量使用量。
接收机1202，用于接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，流量统计指示信息为对业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息，信用控制响应消息是PCRF在接收到AF发送的重授权响应消息之后发送的，重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息。
处理器1203，用于根据信用控制响应消息对业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计装置，PCEF在向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息之后，能够接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，该信 用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
可选的，信用控制请求消息是PCEF检测到业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，第二分片为第一分片的下一个分片，第一分片为AF对第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，至少一个分片中每个分片对应一个流量阈值。
可选的，处理器1203还用于：
在业务流传输时段中，持续统计业务流的流量使用量，业务流传输时段为从接收到用户设备UE的业务访问请求的时刻到接收到统计终止消息的时刻。
其中，UE的业务访问请求是AF转发至PCRF后，由PCRF转发至PCEF的，统计终止消息是AF生成并发送至PCRF后，由PCRF转发至PCEF的。
可选的，处理器1203还用于：
根据PCRF发送的第一分片对应的第一流量阈值对业务流的当前流量使用量进行统计；
检测业务流的当前流量使用量是否到达第一流量阈值；
当业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一流量阈值时，生成信用控制请求消息。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计装置，PCEF在向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息之后，能够接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
图13是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计系统1300的框图，该流量使用量统计系统1300可以包括AF1301、PCRF1302和PCEF1303。
其中，AF1301可以包括图7所示的流量使用量统计装置；
PCRF1302可以包括图8-1所示的流量使用量统计装置；
PCEF1303可以包括图9-1、图9-2和图9-3任一所示的流量使用量统计装置。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计系统，PCEF在向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息之后，能够接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
图14是根据一示例性实施例示出的一种流量使用量统计系统1400的框图，该流量使用量统计系统1400可以包括AF1401、PCRF1402和PCEF1403。
其中，AF1401可以包括图10所示的流量使用量统计装置；
PCRF1402可以包括图11所示的流量使用量统计装置；
PCEF1403可以包括图12所示的流量使用量统计装置。
综上所述，本发明实施例提供的流量使用量统计系统，PCEF在向PCRF发送信用控制请求消息之后，能够接收PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，该信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，相较于现有技术，PCEF在接收到流量统计指示信息时，仅需等待4条消息(即信用控制请求消息、重授权请求消息、重授权响应消息和信用控制响应消息)传输完毕，因此，降低了消息传输的时延，提高了流量使用量统计的准确度。
所属领域的技术人员可以清楚地了解到，为描述的方便和简洁，上述描述的流量使用量统计装置和流量使用量统计系统的具体工作过程，可以参考前述流量使用量统计方法实施例中的对应过程，在此不再赘述。
在本申请所提供的几个实施例中，应该理解到，所揭露的流量使用量统计方法、流量使用量统计装置和流量使用量统计系统，可以通过其它的方式实现。例如，以上所描述的流量使用量统计装置实施例仅仅是示意性的，例如流量使用量统计装置中各个单元的划分，仅仅为一种逻辑功能划分，实际实现时可以有另外的划分方式，例如多个单元或组件可以结合或者可以集成到另一个系统，或一些特征可以忽略，或不执行。
上述所有可选技术方案，可以采用任意结合形成本发明的可选实施例，在 此不再一一赘述。以上所述仅为本发明的较佳实施例，并不用以限制本发明，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 (19)

  1. 一种流量使用量统计方法，其特征在于，用于应用功能实体AF，所述方法包括：
    接收策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF发送的重授权请求消息，所述重授权请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，所述重授权请求消息是所述PCRF在接收到策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息之后生成的，所述信用控制请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
    根据所述重授权请求消息生成重授权响应消息，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息；
    向所述PCRF发送所述重授权响应消息，以便于所述PCRF根据所述重授权响应消息向所述PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，所述信用控制响应消息包括所述流量统计指示信息。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的方法，其特征在于，所述信用控制请求消息是所述PCEF检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述AF对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。
  3. 一种流量使用量统计方法，其特征在于，用于策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF，所述方法包括：
    接收策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息，所述信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量；
    根据所述信用控制请求消息向应用功能实体AF发送重授权请求消息，所述重授权请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
    接收所述AF发送的重授权响应消息，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，所述流 量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息；
    根据所述重授权响应消息向所述PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于所述PCEF根据所述信用控制响应消息对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计，所述信用控制响应消息包括所述流量统计指示信息。
  4. 根据权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于，所述根据所述重授权响应消息向所述PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，包括：
    根据所述重授权响应消息生成所述信用控制响应消息；
    向所述PCEF发送所述信用控制响应消息。
  5. 根据权利要求3所述的方法，其特征在于，所述信用控制请求消息是所述PCEF检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述AF对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。
  6. 一种流量使用量统计方法，其特征在于，用于策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF，所述方法包括：
    向策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，以便于所述PCRF根据所述信用控制请求消息向应用功能实体AF发送重授权请求消息，所述信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，所述重授权请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
    接收所述PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，所述信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息，所述信用控制响应消息是所述PCRF在接收到所述AF发送的重授权响应消息之后发送的，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带所述流量统计指示信息；
    根据所述信用控制响应消息对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
  7. 根据权利要求6所述的方法，其特征在于，所述信用控制请求消息是所 述PCEF检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述AF对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。
  8. 根据权利要求6或7所述的方法，其特征在于，所述方法还包括：
    在业务流传输时段中，持续统计所述业务流的流量使用量，所述业务流传输时段为从接收到用户设备UE的业务访问请求的时刻到接收到统计终止消息的时刻；
    其中，所述UE的业务访问请求是所述AF转发至所述PCRF后，由所述PCRF转发至所述PCEF的，所述统计终止消息是所述AF生成并发送至所述PCRF后，由所述PCRF转发至所述PCEF的。
  9. 根据权利要求7所述的方法，其特征在于，在所述向策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF发送信用控制请求消息之前，所述方法还包括：
    根据所述PCRF发送的所述第一分片对应的第一流量阈值对所述业务流的当前流量使用量进行统计；
    检测所述业务流的当前流量使用量是否到达所述第一流量阈值；
    当所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达所述第一流量阈值时，生成所述信用控制请求消息。
  10. 一种流量使用量统计装置，其特征在于，用于应用功能实体AF，所述流量使用量统计装置包括：
    接收单元，用于接收策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF发送的重授权请求消息，所述重授权请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，所述重授权请求消息是所述PCRF在接收到策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息之后生成的，所述信用控制请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
    生成单元，用于根据所述重授权请求消息生成重授权响应消息，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带 流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息；
    发送单元，用于向所述PCRF发送所述重授权响应消息，以便于所述PCRF根据所述重授权响应消息向所述PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，所述信用控制响应消息包括所述流量统计指示信息。
  11. 根据权利要求10所述的流量使用量统计装置，其特征在于，所述信用控制请求消息是所述PCEF检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述流量使用量统计装置对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。
  12. 一种流量使用量统计装置，其特征在于，用于策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF，所述流量使用量统计装置包括：
    第一接收单元，用于接收策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF发送的信用控制请求消息，所述信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量；
    第一发送单元，用于根据所述信用控制请求消息向应用功能实体AF发送重授权请求消息，所述重授权请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
    第二接收单元，用于接收所述AF发送的重授权响应消息，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息；
    第二发送单元，用于根据所述重授权响应消息向所述PCEF发送信用控制响应消息，以便于所述PCEF根据所述信用控制响应消息对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计，所述信用控制响应消息包括所述流量统计指示信息。
  13. 根据权利要求12所述的流量使用量统计装置，其特征在于，所述第二发送单元，包括：
    第一生成模块，用于根据所述重授权响应消息生成所述信用控制响应消息；
    第一发送模块，用于向所述PCEF发送所述信用控制响应消息。
  14. 根据权利要求12所述的流量使用量统计装置，其特征在于，所述信用控制请求消息是所述PCEF检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述AF对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片对应一个流量阈值。
  15. 一种流量使用量统计装置，其特征在于，用于策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF，所述流量使用量统计装置包括：
    发送单元，用于向策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF发送信用控制请求消息，以便于所述PCRF根据所述信用控制请求消息向应用功能实体AF发送重授权请求消息，所述信用控制请求消息包括第三方支付业务的业务流的当前流量使用量，所述重授权请求消息包括所述业务流的当前流量使用量；
    接收单元，用于接收所述PCRF发送的信用控制响应消息，所述信用控制响应消息包括流量统计指示信息，所述流量统计指示信息为对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计的指示信息，所述信用控制响应消息是所述PCRF在接收到所述AF发送的重授权响应消息之后发送的，所述重授权响应消息包括第三方支付连接数据信元，所述第三方支付连接数据信元携带所述流量统计指示信息；
    第一统计单元，用于根据所述信用控制响应消息对所述业务流的流量使用量进行统计。
  16. 根据权利要求15所述的流量使用量统计装置，其特征在于，所述信用控制请求消息是所述流量使用量统计装置检测到所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达第一分片对应的第一流量阈值时生成的，所述流量统计指示信息包括第二分片对应的第二流量阈值，所述第二分片为所述第一分片的下一个分片，所述第一分片为所述AF对所述第三方支付业务的业务流的流量划分得到的至少一个分片中除最后一个分片之外的任一分片，所述至少一个分片中每个所述分片 对应一个流量阈值。
  17. 根据权利要求15或16所述的流量使用量统计装置，其特征在于，所述流量使用量统计装置还包括：
    第二统计单元，用于在业务流传输时段中，持续统计所述业务流的流量使用量，所述业务流传输时段为从接收到用户设备UE的业务访问请求的时刻到接收到统计终止消息的时刻；
    其中，所述UE的业务访问请求是所述AF转发至所述PCRF后，由所述PCRF转发至所述流量使用量统计装置的，所述统计终止消息是所述AF生成并发送至所述PCRF后，由所述PCRF转发至所述流量使用量统计装置的。
  18. 根据权利要求16所述的流量使用量统计装置，其特征在于，所述流量使用量统计装置还包括：
    第三统计单元，用于根据所述PCRF发送的所述第一分片对应的第一流量阈值对所述业务流的当前流量使用量进行统计；
    检测单元，用于检测所述业务流的当前流量使用量是否到达所述第一流量阈值；
    生成单元，用于当所述业务流的当前流量使用量到达所述第一流量阈值时，生成所述信用控制请求消息。
  19. 一种流量使用量统计系统，其特征在于，所述流量使用量统计系统包括：应用功能实体AF、策略与计费规则功能实体PCRF和策略与计费执行功能实体PCEF，
    所述AF包括权利要求10或11所述的流量使用量统计装置；
    所述PCRF包括权利要求12至14任一所述的流量使用量统计装置；
    所述PCEF包括权利要求15至18任一所述的流量使用量统计装置。
PCT/CN2016/077118 2016-03-23 2016-03-23 流量使用量统计方法、装置及系统 WO2017161522A1 (zh)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CN2016/077118 WO2017161522A1 (zh) 2016-03-23 2016-03-23 流量使用量统计方法、装置及系统

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/CN2016/077118 WO2017161522A1 (zh) 2016-03-23 2016-03-23 流量使用量统计方法、装置及系统

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2017161522A1 true WO2017161522A1 (zh) 2017-09-28

Family

ID=59900969

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/CN2016/077118 WO2017161522A1 (zh) 2016-03-23 2016-03-23 流量使用量统计方法、装置及系统

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2017161522A1 (zh)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113630263A (zh) * 2020-05-08 2021-11-09 亚信科技（中国）有限公司 一种业务数据的管理方法及装置
CN113630432A (zh) * 2020-05-08 2021-11-09 亚信科技（中国）有限公司 一种业务数据的管理方法及装置

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011150954A1 (en) * 2010-05-31 2011-12-08 Nokia Siemens Networks Oy Session related data retrieval for online charging
CN103067903A (zh) * 2012-12-31 2013-04-24 华为技术有限公司 计费方法、装置和系统
CN104955013A (zh) * 2014-03-26 2015-09-30 中兴通讯股份有限公司 用量监控方法、装置和系统

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011150954A1 (en) * 2010-05-31 2011-12-08 Nokia Siemens Networks Oy Session related data retrieval for online charging
CN103067903A (zh) * 2012-12-31 2013-04-24 华为技术有限公司 计费方法、装置和系统
CN104955013A (zh) * 2014-03-26 2015-09-30 中兴通讯股份有限公司 用量监控方法、装置和系统

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN113630263A (zh) * 2020-05-08 2021-11-09 亚信科技（中国）有限公司 一种业务数据的管理方法及装置
CN113630432A (zh) * 2020-05-08 2021-11-09 亚信科技（中国）有限公司 一种业务数据的管理方法及装置
CN113630263B (zh) * 2020-05-08 2023-04-14 亚信科技（中国）有限公司 一种业务数据的管理方法及装置
CN113630432B (zh) * 2020-05-08 2024-03-22 亚信科技（中国）有限公司 一种业务数据的管理方法及装置

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8630925B2 (en) Method and apparatus for controlling service traffic in a communication network
WO2016034030A1 (zh) 一种跨plmn漫游数据业务在线计费方法及设备
AU2013374126B2 (en) Charging method and device
CN101431423B (zh) 一种用户业务流计费核减方法和装置
CN103843374B (zh) 基于sy的集成的策略和计费控制
US10182161B2 (en) Modifying a quality of a connection between a terminal and an application server
WO2009021462A1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif d'établissement de session ip-can
WO2014172858A1 (zh) 一种进行应用计费的方法、计费设备和系统
WO2015196599A1 (zh) 流量控制方法及装置
WO2011120378A1 (zh) 对用户业务的数据流进行控制的方法和装置
WO2011120377A1 (zh) 流计费方法、装置和一种流计费系统
WO2013091410A1 (zh) 网络接入方法、系统及设备
WO2016107280A1 (zh) 数据业务的计费方法、系统和相关设备
US20180309584A1 (en) Data Service Charging Method, Apparutus, and System
US20170134178A1 (en) Charging Method, Charging Device, and Charging System
WO2016107177A1 (zh) 一种计费方法、装置及系统
WO2017161522A1 (zh) 流量使用量统计方法、装置及系统
US11223492B2 (en) Wireless communication method and device
US10499213B2 (en) Charging method, control plane network element, forwarding plane network element, and charging system
WO2011157137A2 (zh) 策略控制方法、装置以及通信系统
CN112383405B (zh) 一种数据业务计费方法、装置和系统
WO2014110966A1 (zh) 一种业务数据的处理方法、装置和系统
CN102378401B (zh) 一种会话建立方法及系统
CN103684934B (zh) 融合网络架构下的会话建立方法、系统和设备
WO2018040867A1 (zh) 一种用量配额的授权方法及装置

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 16894877

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 16894877

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1