Call charging method and related network elements
AssigneeAlcatel
InventorFreddy Ghys
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a Call charging method for charging user agents in a next generation network for network resources used for data-transfer. The next generation network comprises a transport network for coupling a plurality of user agents and at least one call server for controlling communication sessions over the transport network. The communication sessions are being controlled by using signalling messages which are exchanged between at least two user agents via the at least one call server. Each of the signalling messages is analysed for determining an amount of non-signalling information comprised in each of the signalling messages and subsequently the call server processes the amount of non-signalling information for charging purposes.
Claims19
Call charging method for charging user agents (UA1 UA2) in a next generation network (NGN) for network resources used for data-transfer, said next generation network (NGN) comprising a transport network for coupling a plurality of user agents (UA1, UA2) and at least one call server (CS) for controlling communication sessions over said transport network, said communication sessions being controlled using signalling messages to be exchanged between at least two user agents (UA1, UA2) via said at least one call server (CS), CHARACTERISED IN THAT said call charging method comprises the steps of:
- a. analysing said signalling messages for determining an amount of non-signalling information comprised in each of said signalling messages;
- and
- b. processing said amount of non-signalling information for charging purposes.
Call charging method according to any of the previous claims, CHARACTERISED IN THAT said processing is determining online a charge based on said amount of non-signalling information included in said signalling messages.
Call charging method according to any of the previous 5 claims, CHARACTERISED IN THAT said step of analysing is performed by said at least one call server (CS).
Call charging method according to any of the previous claims, CHARACTERISED IN THAT said signalling messages are Session Initiation Protocol signalling messages.
Call charging method according to as defined in any of the previous claims, CHARACTERISED IN THAT said next generation network is a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System network.
Network element for use in a next generation network (NGN), said next generation network (NGN) comprising a transport network for coupling a plurality of user agents (UA1, UA2) and at least one call server (CS) for controlling communication sessions over said transport network, said communication sessions being controlled using signalling messages to be exchanged between at least two user agents (UA1, UA2) via said at least one call server (CS), CHARACTERISED IN THAT said network element comprises the following means:
- a. signalling message intercepting means, adapted to intercept said signalling messages exchanged between said at least two user agents (UA1, UA2) via said at least one call server (CS),
- b. signalling message analysing means (SMAM), adapted to analyse said signalling messages for determining an amount of non-signalling information comprised in each of said signalling messages;
- and
- c. amount processing means (APM), adapted to process said amount of non-signalling information for charging purposes.
Network element according to any of the previous claims, CHARACTERISED IN THAT said amount processing means (APM) is adapted to determine online a charge based on said amount of non-signalling information included in said signalling messages.
Network element according to any of the previous claims, CHARACTERISED IN THAT said network element is a call server (CS).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.