Real time streaming media communication system with improved session detail collection systems and methods

A communication service provider system for use in tracking communication session usage by a client of the service provider, the system comprising:

• means for receiving a session signaling message from a client identifying an endpoint;
• means for providing an endpoint session signaling message to the endpoint in response to receiving the session signaling message;
• means for receiving a response message from the endpoint;
• means for providing a client response message in response to receiving the response message;
• means for receiving an indication that the client has terminated the communication session;
• means for receiving a sequence of status messages from the client;
• means for determining that the sequence of status messages have ceased;
• means for determining a session termination time, the session termination time being the earlier:
• of receipt of the indication that the client has terminated the communication session;
• and
• determination that the sequence of status messages have ceased.

A method of tracking a client's communication session usage by a communication service provider accounting server, the method comprising:

• receiving an indication identifying a client that has commenced a communication session;
• receiving an indication that the client has terminated the communication session;
• receiving a sequence of status messages from the client;
• determining that the sequence of status messages have ceased;
• determining a session termination time, the session termination time being the earlier:
• of receipt of the indication that the client has terminated the communication session;
• and
• determination that the sequence of status messages have ceased.

A method of tracking a client's communication session usage by a communication service provider system, the method comprising:

• receiving a session signaling message from a client identifying an endpoint;
• providing a session signaling message to the endpoint in response to receiving the session signaling message;
• receiving a response message from the endpoint;
• providing a client response message in response to the response message;
• receiving an indication that the client has terminated the communication session;
• receiving a sequence of status messages from the client;
• determining that the sequence of status messages have ceased;
• determining a session termination time, the session termination time being the earlier:
• of receipt of the indication that the client has terminated the communication session;
• and
• determination that the sequence of status messages have ceased.