Correlation of billing information by a network element

Details Correlation of billing information by a network element Correlation of billing information by a network element

2007-07-23

2010-11-09

Gart, Matthew S (Department: 3687)

Data processing: financial, business practice, management, or co

Automated electrical financial or business practice or...

Accounting

C370S352000, C370S253000, C370S252000, C370S389000, C455S405000, C455S406000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07831489

ABSTRACT:
In one embodiment, a method for providing correlation of billing entries for a mobile communications network is provided. A correlating network element in a bearer path determines a plurality of billing entries for a flow. One or more of the billing entries may be received from other network elements and includes traffic altering information for a flow. The correlating network element correlates the plurality of billing entries using state information included in the billing entries. The state information is used to determine information in billing entries that may be related, such as billing entries for a single flow. Also, the correlating network element uses the traffic altering information to determine a data volume sent for the flow. A correlated billing entry may then be generated using the data volume for the flow. The correlated billing entry is then sent to a billing system from the correlating network element. Billing entries are not sent from other network elements that may be generating billing entries in a link to the billing system.

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