Method and system enabling prepaid service in an All-IP network
AssigneeNokia Corporation
InventorsJuha Vallinen, Juha-Pekka Koskinen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention relates to a system and method for enabling prepaid service in a packet-based communications system, in particular in an All-IP network which comprises one or more subscriber terminals. At least one subscriber database stores subscriber information including identification data of one or more server means, and the at least one server means stores prepaid accounts for subscribers. When a subscriber terminal is initiating the establishment of a connection to another network entity, the server means is adapted to transmit a subscriber-prepaid-account related value informing a control means on an available charge threshold value for the connection to be established.
Claims16
A method for enabling prepaid service in a communications system which comprises one or more subscriber terminals, at least one subscriber database means storing subscriber information, and at least one control means for controlling a connection from a subscriber terminal to another network entity,
- wherein the communications system further comprises at least one server means storing prepaid accounts for subscribers,
- wherein the subscriber information stored in the subscriber database means for the subscribers include identification data of the server means storing the prepaid accounts,
- said method comprising the steps of:
- when a subscriber terminal is initiating the establishment of a connection to another network entity, or is attaching or updating its attachment to a network, sending a request to the subscriber database means;
- the subscriber database means in response to said request transmitting, to the control means, a name and/or address of the at least one server means storing the prepaid accounts;
- and
- when a subscriber terminal is initiating the establishment of a connection to another network entity, sending a request to the at least one server means storing the prepaid accounts;
- and
- the server means storing the prepaid accounts transmitting to the control means, in response to said request sent to the server means, a subscriber-prepaid account related value informing on an available charge threshold value for the connection to be established,
- wherein the control means is a Call State Control Function and the subscriber database means is a Home Subscriber Server.
A system for enabling prepaid service in a communications system which includes one or more subscriber terminals, at least one subscriber database means storing subscriber information, at least one server means storing prepaid accounts for subscribers, and at least one control means for controlling a connection from a subscriber terminal to another network entity, the subscriber information stored in the subscriber database means for the subscribers including identification data of the server means, said system comprising:
- means for, when a subscriber terminal is initiating the establishment of a connection to another network entity, or is attaching or updating its attachment to a network, sending a request to the subscriber database means which in response thereto transmits, to the control means, a name and/or address of the at least one servers means;
- and
- means for, when a subscriber terminal is initiating the establishment of a connection to another network entity, causing the at least one server means to transmit, in response to a request sent to the server means, a subscriber prepaid account related value to the control means informing the control means on an available charge threshold value for the connection to be established,
- wherein the control means is a Call State Control Function and the subscriber database means is a Home Subscriber Server.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.