Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: determining, at a policy and charging rules node, that the policy and charging rules node should perform a policy decision; comparing a criteria portion of at least one rule of a plurality of rules to a set of context information; identifying a rule of the plurality of rules that matches the set of context information; determining that a result portion of the identified rule includes a reference to a first managed object; and using the first managed object as at least part of a result of the policy decision.

Abstract: A method of exchanging a rules engine decision tree cache is disclosed. The method provides for provision accepting a command to build a replacement rules engine decision tree cache, replacing the existing cache if the decision tree creation process is successful, retaining the existing cache if the decision tree creation process is not successful, and providing specific error messages in the event that the replacement fails. The method allows an network operator to change the rules for the rule engine without disruption of real-time service and allows for a level of error checking prior to provisioning the new decision tree.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a Policy Charging and Rules Node (PCRN) and a related method and machine-readable medium for retrieving multiple results in response to a message. The PCRN may receive a message and, through handling the received message, may make a policy decision. The policy decision may require the PCRN to retrieve multiple related results. The PCRN may thereafter refer to a data arrangement that includes a rule set with at least one rule with multiple values. Based on the policy decision, the PCRN may retrieve the at least one rule. The PCRN may compile the rule from the rule set and may generate an answer message including at least one of these values included in the rule.

Abstract: A rules systems version coordination method is disclosed for the initiation of a rules system version and the coordination of the rules system version with other rules system versions which may be available. Particularly, the rules system versions are coordinated so that one-and-only-one is in the Active State i.e. the state in which the Policy and Charging Rules Node (PCRN) is deriving its set of policies; rules system versions may only be promoted to the Active State from a Release State; and rules system versions may only be modified when in a Draft State, from which they may be promoted to the Release State. The rules systems version coordination method is particularly useful for providing a buffer state between rules system versions undergoing modification and the rules system version currently in service.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a subscriber interface node of providing a service to a subscriber. The method may include: defining a service having an execution flow comprising a plurality of predefined operations; defining a plurality of tasks, each task occurring within one of the predefined operations and comprising a service call to a role of a plug-in representing an external service provider; and executing the operations in the predefined order according to the defined tasks.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a Policy Charging and Control Node (PCRN) for updating a session associated with a subscriber in response to an event. The method may include receiving at the PCRN an event message indicating that an event has occurred within the session; retrieving subscriber information including at least one incremental value associated with the event for the subscriber; determining an updated value based on the at least one retrieved incremental value and at least one reference value; and responding to the event message with an update message including the updated value. Various exemplary embodiments may further include configuring a subscriber profile repository to include at least one incremental value and terminating the session if the subscriber is not allowed to use incremental updates or no incremental value is defined for the subscriber.

Abstract: A rules systems version coordination method is disclosed for the initiation of a rules system version and the coordination of the rules system version with other rules system versions which may be available. Particularly, the rules system versions are coordinated so that one-and-only-one is in the Active State i.e. the state in which the Policy and Charging Rules Node (PCRN) is deriving its set of policies; rules system versions may only be promoted to the Active State from a Release State; and rules system versions may only be modified when in a Draft State, from which they may be promoted to the Release State. The rules systems version coordination method is particularly useful for providing a buffer state between rules system versions undergoing modification and the rules system version currently in service.

Abstract: A method for creating a newly configured policy comprises a plurality of operations. An operation is performed for receiving a policy creation request including identification information corresponding to a template policy, override information corresponding to the template policy and override information corresponding to a policy referenced by the template policy. An operation is performed for facilitating cloning of a new referenced policy in accordance with the override information corresponding to the referenced policy. An operation is performed for assigning the new referenced policy to a configuration of the template policy. An operation is performed for facilitating cloning of a new policy in accordance with the override information corresponding to the template policy, the template policy configuration and the assigned new referenced policy.

Abstract: A rules systems version cloning method is disclosed for exporting a rules system version from a first PCRN and importing the rules system version on a second PCRN. The plain text export format is jointly suitable both for review on a display terminal and for data transfer. The rules systems version cloning method is particularly useful for providing a means to propagate a rules system version from a test environment to a working environment, and from a standalone environment to a distributed environment.

Abstract: A rules systems version coordination method is disclosed for the initiation of a rules system version and the coordination of the rules system version with other rules system versions which may be available. Particularly, the rules system versions are coordinated so that one-and-only-one is in the Active State i.e. the state in which the Policy and Charging Rules Node (PCRN) is deriving its set of policies; rules system versions may only be promoted to the Active State from a Release State; and rules system versions may only be modified when in a Draft State, from which they may be promoted to the Release State. The rules systems version coordination method is particularly useful for providing a buffer state between rules system versions undergoing modification and the rules system version currently in service.

Abstract: A method is provided for keeping presentation of information to a minimum. A perspective comprises areas, and each area can have one or more portlets which display information. Each area has an associated list of portlet types that can be instantiated within the area. Each portlet can be manually placed into or out of a locked state. Various portlets can also be in a dirty state if they contain unsaved information, such as in a partially completed form. When a new portlet is to be added to the perspective, first an area which supports creation of that type of portlet is selected. The existing portlets within that area are then examined, and if one exists which is not locked and is not dirty, then it is replaced with the new portlet. If no such existing portlet is eligible for replacement, then the new portlet is created and added to the existing portlets.

Abstract: A method is provided for creating a floating window in a perspective view of data, such as network management data. The floating window can be moved freely about the perspective and resized, thereby allowing other data of importance which is tied to areas of the perspective to be seen. Portlets, containing aspects of data, can be located in the floating window. The floating window in modal mode is particularly useful for requiring a user to interact with or view data without being able to interact with data in the rest of the perspective. The floating window can also be created in non-modal mode, which allows a user to move portlets from existing areas to the more flexible floating window.

Abstract: A method of exchanging a rules engine decision tree cache is disclosed. The method provides for provision accepting a command to build a replacement rules engine decision tree cache, replacing the existing cache if the decision tree creation process is successful, retaining the existing cache if the decision tree creation process is not successful, and providing specific error messages in the event that the replacement fails. The method allows an network operator to change the rules for the rule engine without disruption of real-time service and allows for a level of error checking prior to provisioning the new decision tree.

Abstract: A graphic user interface is provided for displaying list portlets and form portlets within a perspective, the portlets representing data including entities represented in a database. The portlets have various widgets. Portlets are associated with other portlets, such that selection of a widget or of a name in one portlet may open another portlet. In this way, nested portlets can be easily navigated and entities can be configured easily.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a Policy Charging and Rules Node (PCRN) and a related method and machine-readable medium for retrieving multiple results in response to a message. The PCRN may receive a message and, through handling the received message, may make a policy decision. The policy decision may require the PCRN to retrieve multiple related results. The PCRN may thereafter refer to a data arrangement that includes a rule set with at least one rule with multiple values. Based on the policy decision, the PCRN may retrieve the at least one rule. The PCRN may compile the rule from the rule set and may generate an answer message including at least one of these values included in the rule.

Abstract: A method is provided for keeping presentation of information to a minimum. A perspective comprises areas, and each area can have one or more portlets which display information. Each area has an associated list of portlet types that can be instantiated within the area. Each portlet can be manually placed into or out of a locked state. Various portlets can also be in a dirty state if they contain unsaved information, such as in a partially completed form. When a new portlet is to be added to the perspective, first an area which supports creation of that type of portlet is selected. The existing portlets within that area are then examined, and if one exists which is not locked and is not dirty, then it is replaced with the new portlet. If no such existing portlet is eligible for replacement, then the new portlet is created and added to the existing portlets.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a rules engine rule set is disclosed. The method provides for identifying groups of rule conditions within a rule table that are repetitive; determining a hash function that will effectively summarize in a condensed form the set of criteria, operations and values that distinguish the group for each respective group of the identified groups; calculating hash values per the hash functions for each row of the rule table; storing the derived hash functions, the calculated hash values, and the original rule in memory when loading; and then at run time when the rule engine is invoked: calculating the hash values using the respective hash functions associated with the rule table using the attributes provided at invocation; and skipping all rows whose hash values are different from the calculated invocation hash values. The method of optimizing rule entities is particularly useful for overcoming the longer calculation times associated with un-optimized rule tables known in the art.

Abstract: A method is provided for displaying subforms in a perspective having areas and portlets. An entity represented by a portlet is configured using a form within the portlet. Sub-entities may require configuration as part of configuring the first entity. When a user configures a sub-entity, a subform is opened presenting means of configuring the sub-entity. The subform overlays most of the parent form, making the parent form inaccessible until configuration of the sub-entity is either accepted or cancelled. Using subforms, it is apparent to a user that configuration of the first entity is not complete until all related sub-entities have also been configured. Use of subforms within a portlet also allows other information necessary for configuration of the entity or sub-entities to be viewed by the user.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method performed by a Policy Charging and Control Node (PCRN) for updating a session associated with a subscriber in response to an event. The method may include receiving at the PCRN an event message indicating that an event has occurred within the session; retrieving subscriber information including at least one incremental value associated with the event for the subscriber; determining an updated value based on the at least one retrieved incremental value and at least one reference value; and responding to the event message with an update message including the updated value. Various exemplary embodiments may further include configuring a subscriber profile repository to include at least one incremental value and terminating the session if the subscriber is not allowed to use incremental updates or no incremental value is defined for the subscriber.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: determining, at a policy and charging rules node, that the policy and charging rules node should perform a policy decision; comparing a criteria portion of at least one rule of a plurality of rules to a set of context information; identifying a rule of the plurality of rules that matches the set of context information; determining that a result portion of the identified rule includes a reference to a first managed object; and using the first managed object as at least part of a result of the policy decision.