Methods and systems for rule based charging for internet of things (IoT) support

A communication node for charging for resource usage by an Internet of Things (IoT) device, the communication node comprising:

• a processor configured to create a subscription for the IoT device;
• the processor configured to estimate, based at least in part on the subscription, a number of event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over a period of time;
• a communication interface configured to transmit a first message including the number of estimated event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over the period of time towards an Online Charging System (OCS);
• and
• the communication interface configured to transmit a second message including an actual number of event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device over the period of time towards the OCS.

A method for charging for resource usage of an Internet of Things (IoT) device, wherein the charging is performed by an Online Charging System (OCS), the method comprising:

• receiving a first message including a number of estimated event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over a period of time;
• storing information associated with the number of estimated event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over the period of time;
• charging for the number of estimated event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over the period of time;
• and
• receiving a second message including an actual number of event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device over the period of time.

An Online Charging System (OCS) node configured to charge for resource usage of an Internet of Things (IoT) device, the OCS node comprising:

• a communication interface configured to receive a first message including a number of estimated event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over a period of time;
• a memory configured to store information associated with the number of estimated event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over the period of time;
• a processor configured to charge for the number of estimated event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over the period of time;
• and
• the communication interface configured to receive a second message including an actual number of event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device over the period of time.

A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium containing a computer-readable code that when read by a processor causes the processor to charge for resource usage of an Internet of Things (IoT) device, wherein the charging is performed by an Online Charging System (OCS), comprising:

• receiving a first message including a number of estimated event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over a period of time;
• storing information associated with the number of estimated event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over the period of time;
• charging for the number of estimated event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device expected over the period of time;
• and
• receiving a second message including an actual number of event notifications associated with resource usage by the IoT device over the period of time.