Telephonic communications – With usage measurement – Call charge metering or monitoring
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-23
2001-10-23
Kuntz, Curtis (Department: 2743)
Telephonic communications
With usage measurement
Call charge metering or monitoring
C379S115020, C379S115030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06307924
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method of charging for services, to a network node, and to gateway nodes.
The invention starts from a conventional method of charging for transmission services in telephone networks as is described, for example, in the “Lehrbuch der Fernmeldetechnik”, Vol. 1, 5th Edition, 1986, Fachverlag Schiele & Schöbn GmbH, Berlin, pages 614 to 620.
The charging for a telephone call is controlled by the local exchange of the subscriber who initiated the call. Based on the called number, the time of day, and the day of the week, a tariff to be assigned to the call is determined. A metering pulse rate corresponding to this tariff is determined, and according to the metering pulse rate, metering pulses are sent from the local exchange over the subscriber line to the subscriber's terminal. Based on the received metering pulses, the subscriber's terminal then computes the charges currently accumulated for the call. Furthermore, the local exchange computes the call charge from the tariff determined and the call duration.
If part of the connection was set up through a telephone network of another network operator, as is the case with an international call, for example, the network operator who charges the call to the subscriber must pay a charge to the other network operator for using this section of the circuit. The balancing of accounts between the network operators takes place during postprocessing, i.e., the charge data are collected at the end of a month, for example, and evaluated by means of a computer.
This conventional charging method has the disadvantage that more flexible tariff models are difficult to implement, and that telecommunications services which are provided in telephone networks of other network operators and go beyond a pure transmission service cannot be billed together with the transmission service.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention has for its object to permit more flexible charging for connections or connection configurations which exist between terminals of different communications networks.
This object is attained by a method of charging for services, a network node, and gateway nodes.
The idea underlying the invention is to signal the charges for services provided in a communications network of another network operator from nodes of this communications network to a gateway node of the latter which then signals the received charge data onward to communications network of the subscriber who initiated the call.
“Services” as used herein means both transmission services and other telecommunications services, such as the provision of information or order services. The advantage of the invention is that charging for all services provided in communications networks of other network operators is made possible via the access network of the subscriber who initiated the call. The charge data are currently available in the access network of the subscriber. This permits extremely flexible charge indication and billing. The subscriber gets only one bill for the use of telecommunications networks, namely from the access-network operator.
Further advantageous aspects of the invention are defined in the subclaims.
It is particularly advantageous that gateway nodes to third communications networks in which services are also provided for the call signal the charges accumulated for the call in the third communications network and in further, subsequent communications networks to the gateway node of the second communications network, which carries out the onward signaling into the first communications network. The solution according to the invention thus represents a global, iterative solution in which the number and arrangement of the communications networks in which services are provided for a call are of no importance.
It is also advantageous to signal, besides “effective charges”, which are made by the access-network operator, “dummy charges”, which are paid via another contractual relationship. This makes it possible to provide a charge indication which is correct for all possible cases. Furthermore, greater flexibility is provided for the tariff structure, for example by taking into account such otherwise paid charges in giving discounts.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5991375 (1999-11-01), Stahl et al.
patent: 6038439 (2000-03-01), Rune
patent: 195 24 405 C2 (1997-01-01), None
patent: 195 22 988 A1 (1997-01-01), None
patent: 195 47 194 A1 (1997-06-01), None
patent: WO 95/22230 (1995-08-01), None
patent: WO 98/11712 (1998-03-01), None
Alcatel
Barnie Rexford N
Kuntz Curtis
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
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