| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus are provided for generating a rate model ( 115 ) for use in determining a rate to be applied with respect to an instance of a product or service, system or process. The rate may relate for example to utilisation of a resource, for example to a charging rate to be applied with respect to use of a product or service. The rate model comprises: (i) data ( 205, 210 ) defining a rating space having at least one dimension defined by an attribute of the system, process, product or service; (ii) a rating vector definition comprising at least one rate parameter; and (iii) data ( 225, 230 ) which defines distinct regions in the rating space over which the defined rating vector is invariant, and which defines the respective invariant rating vector ( 235 ) for each distinct region ( 225, 230 ). A rate applicable to a particular instance of a product or service instance is determined by identifying a defined region ( 225, 230 ) containing the instance and hence the invariant rate parameter values ( 235 ) of the applicable invariant rating vector.
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