Charging decisions in an IP multimedia subsystem
AssigneeTelefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
InventorsAnders Baer, Jan Dahl, Magnus Harnesk, David Khan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for use within an IP Multimedia Subsystem network and comprising a receiver for receiving for a given user a charging type defining whether the user is a pre-paid user and or a post-paid user. The apparatus further comprises a Charging Triggering Function, CTF, entity for sending accounting information messages relating to said user to an Online Charging Function over an Ro interface or to a Charging Data Function over an Rf interface, and for including with the accounting information messages said charging type.
Claims12
An apparatus configured as a Call Session Control Function (CSCF) for operation in an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network and comprising:
- processing circuitry configured to:
- determine from first information stored in a subscriber profile associated with a subscriber that the subscriber is of a first charging type;
- determine from second information stored in the subscriber profile that charging messages for the subscriber should be sent over a charging interface associated with a second charging type that is different than the first charging type;
- and
- send a charging message for the subscriber over the charging interface associated with the second charging type, wherein the charging message includes an indication of the first charging type of the subscriber, thereby enabling the charging system to differentiate the charging type of the subscriber as being different than the second charging type associated with the charging interface over which the charging message is sent;
- and
- interface circuitry that is operatively associated with the processing circuitry and configured to support messaging by the processing circuitry via the charging interface associated with the second charging type;
- wherein the first charging type is one of online charging and offline charging, and the second charging type is the other one of online charging and offline charging.
A method performed by an apparatus configured as a Call Session Control Function (CSCF) in an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, the method comprising:
- determining from first information stored in a subscriber profile associated with a subscriber that the subscriber is of a first charging type;
- determining from second information stored in the subscriber profile that charging messages for the subscriber should be sent over a charging interface associated with a second charging type that is different than the first charging type;
- and
- sending a charging message for the subscriber over the charging interface associated with the second charging type, and including in the charging message an indication of the first charging type of the subscriber, thereby enabling the charging system to differentiate the charging type of the subscriber as being different than the second charging type associated with the charging interface over which the charging message is sent;
- wherein the first charging type is one of online charging and offline charging, and the second charging type is the other one of online charging and offline charging.
An apparatus configured as a charging node in a charging system associated with an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network and comprising:
- interface circuitry supporting the exchange of charging messages over a charging interface associated with a second type of charging;
- processing circuitry operatively associated with the interface circuitry and configured to:
- receive a charging message, as sent over the charging interface by a Call Session Control Function (CSCF) apparatus in the IMS network, for a subscriber involved in a chargeable event in the IMS network;
- determine from an indication included in the charging message that the subscriber is of a first charging type different than the second type of charging;
- and
- process the charging message in accordance with the first type of charging, rather than in accordance with the second type of charging;
- wherein the first charging type is one of online charging and offline charging, and the second charging type is the other one of online charging and offline charging.
A method performed by an apparatus configured as a charging node in a charging system associated with an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, the method comprising:
- receiving a charging message, as sent by a Call Session Control Function (CSCF) apparatus in the IMS network, for a subscriber involved in a chargeable event in the IMS network, the charging message being received over a charging interface associated with a second type of charging;
- determining from an indication included in the charging message that the subscriber is of a first charging type different than the second type of charging;
- and
- processing the charging message in accordance with the first type of charging, rather than in accordance with the second type of charging;
- wherein the first charging type is one of online charging and offline charging, and the second charging type is the other one of online charging and offline charging.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.