US 8,699,472 B2 · Common charging identifier for communication networks

Abstract

In a first embodiment, when an Activate PDP Context Request message is forwarded to a Service GPRS Support Node (SGSN), the SGSN creates a Create PDP Context Request message and forwards it to a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN). In response to the Create PDP Context Request forwarded by the SGSN, the GGSN creates a Create PDP Context Response message. When a PDP context is created by the GGSN, the GGSN associates a Globally Unique Charging Identification (GCI) with the PDP context. Then, the Create PDP Context Response including the GCI is forwarded to the SGSN. The GCI is sent from the SGSN to the UE and from the UE to the CSCF. In a second embodiment, the GCI is sent from the SGSN or the GGSN directly to the Call State Control Function (CSCF). Sending the GCI can be performed either autonomously or based on a request from the CSCF. In either embodiment, the CSCF can send the GCI to a second network which performs processing, such as billing, from data collected from call detail records associated with the GCI.

Claims28

Dependent claims

A method comprising:

creating a charging identification in a first network element in one of an application layer network of a communication network or a transport layer network of the communication network;
sending said charging identification from said first network element to a second network element in the other one of the application layer network or the transport layer network;
creating, in said first network element, call records for a first connection to user equipment via said application layer network;
creating, in said second network element, call records for a second connection to said user equipment via said transport layer network;
including said charging identification in said call records for said first connection and in said call records for said second connection;
sending said call records for said first connection and said call records for said second connection to a billing system of the communication network;
and
coordinating charging information in the communications network using said charging identification included in the call records of said first and second network elements.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Common charging identifier for communication networks

Life of this patent

Common charging identifier for communication networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28