WO2009062408A1 - Method for implementing value-added service and service control point - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for implementing value-added service and a service control point are provided. The method includes: initiating a call request for value-added service by a user; monitoring a key resources used by the value-added service, obtaining the key information related to the current call when some faults of the key resources is found, and replacing the key information stored in the key resources which have faults with the obtained key information to response to the call request for the value-added service.

Description

 Value-added service implementation method and business control point

 This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200710170318.4, entitled "Implementation Method for Value-added Services and Business Control Points", filed on November 12, 2007, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In the application.

Technical field

 The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method for implementing value-added services and a service control point. Background technique

 With the development of value-added services and the enhancement of hardware equipment capabilities, the current service control point (SCP) is becoming larger and larger. SCP is increasingly dependent on key resources such as databases and external resource devices. The key resource refers to a database, a Service Data Point (SDP), and an Intelligent Peripheral (IP) resource that must be used by the SCP in the value-added service process. When these critical resources fail, the SCP cannot handle the value-added services, which will completely or partially interrupt the value-added services.

 The prior art provides a method for implementing value-added services. The prior art improves the reliability of value-added services by means of dual-system backup. When some internal resources on the primary machine fail, the SCP can be switched from the primary machine to the primary machine. The backup machine continues to provide services.

 In the process of implementing the present invention, the inventors have found that at least the following problems exist in the prior art: In the above prior art, when a failure occurs in both machines or an external resource on which it depends, such as SDP or IP, when a failure occurs, the value-added service is It will be interrupted, and thus the quality of service of value-added services cannot be guaranteed. Summary of the invention

 The technical problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a method for implementing a value-added service, which does not interrupt the value-added service when a critical resource fails.

 An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for implementing a value-added service, where the method includes:

 Receiving a value-added service call request;

 Monitoring key resources used by the value-added service, acquiring key information related to the call when the critical resource fails, and replacing the faulty key resource storage with the key information The key information is responsive to the call request of the value added service.

 The embodiment of the present invention further provides a service control point, where the service control point includes:

The monitoring unit is used for the key resources used by the value-added service after receiving the value-added service call request Monitor

 a main control unit, configured to issue a scheduling request according to a monitoring result of the monitoring unit;

 An exception processing unit, configured to receive a scheduling request sent by the main control unit, and acquire key information related to the current call according to the scheduling request, and use the key information to replace the key information pair stored by the fault critical resource. The call request of the value-added service responds.

 When the key resource used in the value-added service is detected to be faulty, the embodiment of the present invention responds to the call request of the value-added service by using the key information that replaces the faulty critical resource, and the prior art appears in the key resource. In the case of a failure, the value-added service is completely or partially interrupted. The embodiment of the present invention does not interrupt the value-added service when the critical resource fails, and can also ensure the service quality of the value-added service.

DRAWINGS

 1 is a schematic diagram of a system networking of an embodiment of the present invention;

 2 is a flowchart of a method for implementing a value-added service according to an embodiment of the present invention;

 FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a service control point according to an embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

 In order to solve the problem that the value-added service is not interrupted when the critical resource is faulty, the embodiment of the present invention provides a method for implementing the value-added service, and the method includes:

 The user initiates a value-added service call request;

 Monitoring key resources used by the value-added service, acquiring key information related to the call when the critical resource fails, and using the key information to replace the key of the faulty critical resource The information is responsive to the call request of the value added service.

 Generally, when a user-initiated value-added service call is to request a call to another user, the call response to the value-added service is to connect the user to the phone; when the user-initiated value-added service call is to request to play music, The call response of value-added services is to play music for the user. Other situations are not here - for example.

 The key resource is a database, an intelligent peripheral, or a service data point.

Optionally, after responding to the call request of the value-added service, the method further includes: recording key information that replaces the faulty critical resource, and performing clearing processing according to the key information, where the clearing process includes: according to the key information Determine call duration, call properties, and billing rules Then, calculating the call fee according to the call duration, the call attribute, and the charging rule, and updating the balance of the user account according to the call cost, and generating a bill list of the call.

 Optionally, the key information includes a calling number, a called number, a location of the calling party, a call start time, and a call end time.

 Based on the above embodiments, other implementations of the present invention will be further described with reference to the drawings.

 Referring to FIG. 1 , FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system networking of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , the network includes an SCP, an SSP (Service Switch Point), an IP, an SDP, and an SMP (Service Manage Point). point). The SCP is used to control the value-added service, the SDP is used to store the value-added service data, the SMP is used to manage the SCP, the SDP, and the IP device, the SSP is used to be responsible for the service access, and the IP is used to store the value-added service. Resources.

 It is worth noting that the service data can be directly stored in the SCP, and the SSP can also store the resources of the value-added service.

 Embodiment 1 A method for implementing a value-added service, which is a call pre-paid service

(PPS, Prepaid Service) is taken as an example. The networking diagram is shown in Figure 1. The method flow is shown in Figure 2, which includes the following steps:

 Step 201: The calling user initiates a call request for the value-added service to the SSP.

 Step 202: The SSP initiates the call attempt signaling to trigger the call to the SCP, and the SCP monitors the status of the critical resource (for example, the database) in real time to determine whether the critical resource is faulty. If yes, go to step 203; otherwise, go to step 207.

 Step 203: The key information related to the current call cannot be obtained from the fault due to the failure of the critical resource, and the key information related to the call may be obtained from the external storage device or the memory, and the key information is used to replace the database. Key information authenticates the user.

Key information related to value-added call services includes user information, account attributes (such as account balances), billing rules, and business attributes. The key information is usually stored in a database, and the key information is also backed up in the external storage device or the memory. Generally, the account attribute information is not stored in the external storage device or the memory. In the event of a database failure, the account attribute information cannot be obtained from the external storage device or the memory. In order to ensure that the value-added service is not interrupted, the default value of the account attribute information (such as the account balance) is set. After the secondary value-added service is completed, the user account is deducted. Under normal circumstances, the key information related to the value-added service call is obtained from the database, and the key information related to the value-added service call is obtained from the external storage device or the memory only when the database is faulty.

 It is worth noting that when the database, external storage device and memory are faulty, in order to make the value-added service uninterrupted, the system will be the key information related to the call, such as account balance, charging rules, business attributes, etc. Set the default value and deduct the user account after the value-added service is completed.

 Step 204: Record the key information, where the key information includes: 1) a calling and called number; 2) a location of the calling party; 3) a call start time/call end time; 4), other Attribute parameters, such as parameters that identify the calling process or the called process.

 Step 205: Give the user enough time for the call to keep the call going, and use the universal charging policy to charge the user during the call.

 Step 206: After the fault is recovered, the user account information is cleared according to the key information recorded when the critical resource is faulty, and the clearing process includes: determining the call duration, the call attribute, and the charging rule according to the key information, and according to the call duration, The call attribute and the charging rule calculate the call charge, and then update the balance of the user account according to the call charge, and generate a list of the call charges of the call. If the balance is insufficient, the account is cleared according to the operator's request, or the account is overdrawn, and the calculated call charges are synchronized to the data-related external entities, such as SDP, SMP, etc., when the account information is on the SDP. SDP deduction, if the user owes the call after the call will be frozen, and the user status of the SMP needs to be updated.

 It should be noted that the foregoing steps 203 to 206 are the processing procedures for the failure of the key resources used in the call of the value-added service, and the processing flow when the used critical resources are not faulted is as follows:

 Step 207: Acquire user information, and authenticate the user. The authentication of the user includes: querying the database, determining whether the status of the user is normal, whether the balance is sufficient, whether the current value-added service can be used, and the like.

Step 208: Determine whether the authentication is passed. If yes, go to step 209, otherwise end the process. Step 209: Analyze the attribute of the call according to the parameter of starting the call attempt signaling and the configuration data of the SCP, for example, whether the caller or the called party is a city or a long distance, whether to roam or the like. The parameter includes a forward called party number identifier, a calling number identifier, information for determining a call location, a configuration event indicating a current event, and the like. Step 210: Determine a charging policy according to the call attribute, and calculate an available call duration according to the user account information (eg, the credit balance) and the charging policy.

 Step 211: Determine whether the duration of the user call is less than the available call duration. If yes, keep the current call to continue, and then perform step 212, otherwise, the process ends.

 Step 212: After the call ends, the SCP calculates the current call charge according to the call attribute and the actual call duration, and updates the user account balance according to the call charge, and generates a list of call charges for the call.

 In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the steps in implementing the above embodiments may be completed by a program indicating related hardware, and the program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. When executed, the following steps are included:

 The user initiates a value-added service call request;

 Monitoring key resources used by the value-added service, acquiring key information related to the call when the critical resource fails, and replacing the faulty key resource storage with the key information The key information is responsive to the call request of the value added service.

 The storage medium may be a ROM, a RAM, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, or the like.

 Embodiment 2: A service control point, as shown in FIG. 3, the service control point includes a monitoring unit

301. The main control unit 302 and the exception processing unit 303 may further include an information recording unit 304, a normal processing unit 305, and a fault recovery unit 306.

 The monitoring unit 301 is configured to monitor the critical resources used by the value-added service, and report the monitoring result to the main control unit 302, where the monitoring result may be a critical resource failure, normal or fault recovery.

 The main control unit 302 is configured to send a scheduling request according to the received monitoring result, and the main control unit 302 sends a scheduling request to the abnormal processing unit 303 when the critical resource is faulty, and sends the scheduling request to the normal processing unit 305 when the critical resource is normal. The scheduling request sends a scheduling request to the fault recovery unit 306 when the critical resource is restored to normal by the failure.

The exception processing unit 303 is configured to receive the scheduling request sent by the main control unit 302, and perform simplified processing on the value-added service using the faulty critical resource according to the scheduling request, and obtain the current call from the external storage device or the memory. Relevant key information, and replacing the key information of the fault critical resource with the key information to respond to the call request of the value added service. The key information related to the value-added service call is usually stored in a database, and also in an external storage device or memory. There is a backup of the key information. In general, account attribute information is not stored in the external storage device or the memory. In the event of a database failure, in order to ensure that the value-added service is not interrupted, some key information (such as account balance) will use some default values, and then deduct the user account after the completion of the value-added service.

 Under normal circumstances, the key information related to the value-added service call is obtained from the database, and the key information related to the value-added service call is obtained from the external storage device or the memory only when the database is faulty.

 It is worth noting that when the database, external storage device and memory are both faulty, in order to prevent the value-added service from being interrupted, the system will set default key information related to the call, such as account balance, charging rules, and services. Attributes, etc., after the completion of this value-added business, deduct the fee from the user account.

 It should be noted that the exception processing unit 303 is consistent with the processing of the normal processing unit 305 for the signaling control, the generation of the CDR, and the like, and the processing of the normal processing unit 305 is the same. If the critical resource is normal, the unit is in the backup state and does not participate. Business processing.

 The information recording unit 304 is configured to record key information used by the exception processing unit 303, and the key information may be different according to different services. Taking the PPS service as an example, the key information used by the service includes: 1) the calling and called numbers; 2) the location of the calling party; 3) the call start time and the call end time; 4) Some attribute parameters, such as parameters that identify the calling process or the called process.

 The normal processing unit 305 is configured to receive the scheduling request of the main control unit 302, and perform normal processing on the value-added service according to the scheduling request. The normal processing procedure includes: 1) authenticating the user. The database is queried to determine whether the user's status is normal, whether the balance is sufficient, and whether the current value-added service can be used. The database may be on the local machine or on the SDP. 2), analysis of business characteristics. Through the service configuration information of the database, determine the attributes of the call, for example, whether it is called or called, whether it is in the city or long distance, whether roaming, etc., and then determine the charging policy according to the call attribute. 3), call process monitoring. Monitor the status of the call, interact with the SSP and IP, and handle events such as on-hook and busy call. 4), billing. The call charge is calculated based on the call attributes and call duration, and the user account balance is updated. 5), write a bill, record the list of calls for this call.

The fault recovery unit 306 is configured to receive the scheduling request sent by the main control unit 302, and perform clearing processing on the user account information according to the scheduling request and the key information recorded by the information recording unit 304, where the clearing processing process includes: Information determines call duration, call properties, and metering The fee rule, and calculate the call charge according to the call duration, the call attribute and the charging rule, and then update the balance of the user account according to the call charge, and generate a list of the call charges of the call. If the balance is insufficient, the account is cleared according to the operator's requirements, or the account is overdrawn, and the calculated call charges are synchronized to the data-related external entities, such as SDP, SMP, etc., when the account information is on the SDP. SDP deduction, if the user owes the call after the call will be frozen, and the user status of the SMP needs to be updated.

 In summary, the present invention responds to the call request of the value-added service by using key information that replaces the faulty critical resource when the critical resource used for detecting the value-added service fails. In the case of a failure of a critical resource, the value-added service is completely or partially interrupted. In the embodiment of the present invention, the value-added service is not interrupted when the critical resource fails, and the service quality of the value-added service can also be guaranteed. Usually the quality of service of value-added services is measured by the correct response rate of the service request, that is, the service response of the SCP or the service request received by the SCP. For example, in the PPS service, when a user initiates 1000 call processing requests in a statistical period and the SCP processes 990, the response rate is 99%. Generally speaking, the call completion rate is 99%.

 The foregoing description of the implementation method of the value-added service and the service control point provided by the embodiment of the present invention are only used to help understand the method and core idea of the present invention. Meanwhile, for those skilled in the art, according to the present invention, The scope of the present invention is not limited by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Rights request  A method for implementing a value-added service, characterized in that the method comprises:  Receiving a value-added service call request;  Monitoring key resources used by the value-added services;  When it is detected that the critical resource is faulty, the key information related to the current call is obtained, and the key information of the faulty critical resource is replaced with the key information to respond to the call request of the value-added service.  2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: recording key information in place of the failed critical resource, and performing a clearing process based on the key information.  3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the performing the clearing process according to the key information comprises:  Determining the call duration, call attributes, and charging rules according to the key information, and calculating the call charge according to the call duration, call attributes, and charging rules, and updating the balance of the user account according to the call cost, and generating the call charge for the call. List.  The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the value-added service is a prepaid service, the key information includes a calling number, a called number, a calling location, and a call start time. And the end of the call.  5. The method of claim 1 wherein the monitored key resource is a database, an intelligent peripheral or a service data point.  The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: performing normal processing on the value-added service when monitoring that the critical resource is normal.  The method according to claim 6, wherein the normal processing of the value-added service comprises: authenticating a user; analyzing service characteristics; monitoring of a call process; charging; writing a bill, recording a book A list of calls for the second call.  8. A service control point, wherein the service control point comprises:  a monitoring unit, configured to monitor key resources used by the value-added service after receiving the value-added service call request; a main control unit, configured to issue a scheduling request according to the monitoring result of the monitoring unit; An exception processing unit, configured to receive a scheduling request sent by the main control unit, and acquire key information related to the current call according to the scheduling request, and replace the key information stored by the fault critical resource by using the key information. Responding to the call request of the value added service.  9. The service control point according to claim 8, wherein the service control point further comprises:  The normal processing unit is configured to receive a scheduling request of the main control unit, and perform normal processing on the value-added service according to the scheduling request.  The service control point according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the service control point further comprises:  An information recording unit, configured to record key information used by the exception processing unit; a fault recovery unit, configured to receive a scheduling request sent by the main control unit, and key information recorded according to the scheduling request and the information recording unit Clear the user account information.