Method and Apparatus for Providing Service Authorization to a Charging Client Function

A method performed by an Online Charging System for providing service authorization to a charging client, the method comprising:

• associating one or more charging modifier actions with a user account, each charging modifier action having an action start time and defining a charging modifier parameter;
• receiving a service authorization request indicating a request for a service reservation from the charging client;
• determining a validity time period for the service reservation;
• identifying one or more of the associated charging modifier actions having the action start time within the determined validity time period;
• executing the identified one or more associated charging modifier actions to activate corresponding charging modifiers for the user account;
• and
• sending a service authorization response indicating the service reservation to the charging client, wherein the service reservation is based on at least one of the activated charging modifiers.

An Online Charging System configured for providing service authorization to a charging client, the Online Charging System comprising:

• processor circuitry;
• and
• a memory containing instructions that, when executed by the processor circuitry, cause the Online Charging System to:
• associate one or more charging modifier actions with a user account, each charging modifier action having an action start time and defining a charging modifier parameter;
• receive a service authorization request indicating a request for a service reservation from the charging client;
• determine a validity time period for the service reservation;
• identify one or more of the associated charging modifier actions having the action start time within the determined validity time period;
• execute the identified one or more associated charging modifier actions to activate corresponding charging modifiers for the user account;
• and
• send a service authorization response indicating the service reservation to the charging client, wherein the service reservation is based on at least one of the activated charging modifiers.

A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program containing computer readable code, which when executed by a processor in a computer being configured as an Online Charging System, causes the computer to:

• associate one or more charging modifier actions with a user account, each charging modifier action having an action start time and defining a charging modifier parameter;
• receive a service authorization request indicating a request for a service reservation from a charging client;
• determine a validity time period for the service reservation;
• identify one or more of the associated charging modifier actions having the action start time within the determined validity time period;
• execute the identified one or more associated charging modifier actions to activate corresponding charging modifiers for the user account;
• and
• send a service authorization response indicating the service reservation to the charging client, wherein the service reservation is based on at least one of the activated charging modifiers.