Charging interface between SMF and charging server in next generation wireless networks

US10205831B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc. · US

Inventors

• Lixia Yan · Jalan Pedongkelan, US
• Marc Chiaverini · Youngstown, US
• Barry F. Hoffner · Bound Brook Junction, US
• Ho Yin Cheuk · Hoboken, US
• Imtiyaz Shaikh · Pleasant Hill, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 28, 2017
• Grant date: Feb 12, 2019
• Expiry date: Nov 28, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04W8/183
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system described herein may provide an interface between a Session Management Function (“SMF”) and a charging system in a wireless telecommunications system. The charging system may generate triggers which cause the SMF to monitor traffic associated with user equipment (“UE”) and alert the charging system when certain trigger conditions have been satisfied. The triggers may be modified during a communication session between the UE and the wireless telecommunications system. The triggers may be configured on a per-subscriber or a per-price plan level basis. The SMF may also cache a number of satisfied trigger conditions before notifying the charging system, which may result in an efficient use of networking and/or processing resources. The unification of “offline” and “online” charging events, by virtue of the interface, may also result in an efficient use of networking and/or processing resources.