Patent ID: 9495706
Filing Date: 2016-11-15
CPC Classification: G06Q,H04L,H04M

Claim Text:
1. A method for managing subscriber usage in a mobile network by a policy and charging rules function (PCRF) device comprising: receiving, by the PCRF device, a credit control request (CCR) message from a policy and enforcement rules function (PCEF) for an application; determining, by the PCRF device, whether an Sy connection to an online charging system (OCS) is necessary to implement the CCR; determining, by the PCRF device, whether an Sy session is present; sending, by the PCRF device, an application authorization request (AAR) message to the OCS; receiving, from the OCS, an application authorization answer (AAA) message including an Sy counter used by the OCS to track usage associated with a user of the application; mapping, by the PCRF device, a PCRF metering limit to the Sy counter, wherein the PCRF metering limit is an object used by the PCRF to determine policies to apply in response to reported usage; binding, by the PCRF device, the PCRF metering limit to the application; determining, by the PCRF device, a policy to apply based upon the application, the PCRF metering limit, and usage reported by the OCS via the Sy counter; and sending, by the PCRF device, a message to the PCEF to effect the policy.