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US 8,812,382 B2Granted
Charging for a communication system
AssigneeNokia Corporation
InventorsJuha-Pekka Koskinen, Juha R. Vallinen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A communication method for use in a communications system includes at least one user. The method includes a step of establishing a session for permitting a user to communicate with at least one entity. The method also includes the steps of using a first charging method for one part of the session and using a second charging method for a different part of the session.
Claims52
A method, comprising:
- identifying, by a device comprising a processor and memory combined with the processor, a single communication session for permitting a user to communicate with at least one entity, wherein the single communication session is initiated by an invitation message;
- establishing a single connection to a network for the single communication session;
- using, by the device, a first charging method for one part of said single communication session, said one part comprising a first plurality of packets of a first service, wherein said first charging method comprises on-line charging;
- using, by the device, a second charging method for a different part of the same single communication session, said different part comprising a second plurality of packets of a second service, wherein said second charging method comprises off-line charging, wherein the first charging method and the second charging method are used during the same connection to the network over which the single communication session occurs;
- categorizing, by the device, packets to the first and second pluralities based on their content;
- and
- communicating, by the device, billing information based on the using of the first charging method and the using of the second charging method.
4 more elements
A system comprising:
- a packet network;
- a charging entity comprising:
- a first charging module comprising a processor and memory combined with the processor configured to cause said at least one user to be charged by a first charging method for one part of a single communication session between the at least one user and the at least one entity, said one part comprising a first plurality of packets, wherein the single communication session is initiated by an invitation message;
- and
- a second charging module comprising a processor and memory combined with the processor configured to cause the user to be charged by a second charging method for a different part of said same single communication session, said different part comprising a second plurality of packets,
- wherein said first charging method comprises on-line charging, wherein said second charging method comprises off-line charging, wherein said charging entity is configured to categorize packets to the first and second pluralities based on their content, and wherein the first charging method and the second charging method are both used during a singlular connection to the packet network over which the single communication session occurs.
3 more elements
An apparatus, comprising:
- a first charging module comprising a processor and memory combined with the processor configured to cause a user to be charged by a first charging method for one part of a single communication session between the user and at least one other entity, said one part comprising a first plurality of packets, wherein the single communication session is initiated by an invitation message;
- and
- a second charging module comprising a processor and memory combined with the processor configured to cause the user to be charged by a second charging method for a different part of said same single communication session, said different part comprising a second plurality of packets,
- wherein said first charging method comprises on-line charging, wherein said second charging method comprises off-line charging, wherein said apparatus is configured to categorize packets to the first and second pluralities based on their content, and wherein the first charging method and the second charging method are both used during a singular connection to a network over which the single communication session occurs.
1 more element
An apparatus, comprising:
- first charging means comprising a processor and memory combined with the processor for causing a user to be charged by a first charging method for one part of a single communication session between the user and at least one other entity, said one part comprising a first plurality of packets, wherein the single communication session is initiated by an invitation message;
- and
- second charging means comprising a processor and memory combined with the processor for causing the user to be charged by a second charging method for a different part of said same single communication session, said different part comprising a second plurality of packets,
- wherein said first charging method comprises on-line charging, wherein said second charging method comprises off-line charging, wherein said apparatus comprises means for categorizing packets to the first and second pluralities based on their content, and wherein the first charging method and the second charging method are both used during a singular connection to a network over which the single communication session occurs.
1 more element
A system comprising:
- a packet network;
- a charging entity comprising:
- first charging means comprising a processor and memory combined with the processor for causing said at least one user to be charged by a first charging method for one part of a single communication session between the user and at least one other entity, said one part comprising a first plurality of packets, wherein the single communication session is initiated by an invitation message;
- and
- second charging means comprising a processor and memory combined with the processor for causing said at least one user to be charged by a second charging method for a different part of said same single communication session, said different part comprising a second plurality of packets,
- wherein said first charging method comprises on-line charging, wherein said second charging method comprises off-line charging, wherein said charging entity comprises means for categorizing packets to the first and second pluralities based on their content, and wherein the first charging method and the second charging method are both used during a singular connection to the packet network over which the single communication session occurs.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.