Communication system control method

• US 20060153351A1
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Published: 07/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Hartung, Frank, Hundscheidt, Frank
• Granted Patent: US 7,305,074 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/114.30
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/02 involving a neutral party, e.g. certification authority, notary or trusted third party [TTP]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/023 the neutral party being a clearing house
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/1235 with control of digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/7655 shared by technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/77 involving multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/772 per service, e.g. prepay or post-pay
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0164 Billing record, e.g. Call Data Record [CDR], Toll Ticket[TT], Automatic Message Accounting [AMA], Call Line Identifier [CLI], details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/725 Shared by technologies, e.g. one account for different access technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7254 Multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7263 per service, e.g. prepay and post-pay

Abstract

A method of controlling the operation of a communication system is described, where the system comprises a first entity 2 for sending a first data object 21 to a terminal device 4 and a second entity 3 for sending a second data object to the terminal device at the request 41 of the terminal device 4. The communication system also comprises a data transfer entity 11 and a charging entity 5. The data transfer entity 11 records charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of the first data object. It is proposed that the second entity 3 is controlled to output a predetermined triggering message to the data transfer entity 11 and/or the charging entity 5, where the operation of processing the charging relevant parameters in a charging procedure is postponed until the predetermined message is received.

Claims

1. A method of controlling an operation of a communication system, said system comprising:

a first entity for sending a first data object to a terminal device,

a second entity for sending a second data object to said terminal device, said second data object having a predetermined association with said first data object,

a data transfer entity for transferring data to said terminal device and recording one or more charging relevant parameters associated with the transfer of data to said terminal device, said data transfer entity being adapted to transfer said first data object to said terminal device, and said data transfer entity being part of a communication network,

a charging entity for collecting and processing charging information related to the providing of communication services by said communication network, said data transfer entity being adapted for providing recorded charging relevant parameters to said charging entity,

said method comprising;

controlling said first entity to send said first data object to said terminal device,

controlling said data transfer entity to record one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object to said terminal device,

controlling said second entity to output a predetermined message to said data transfer entity subsequent to receiving a request for sending said second data object to said terminal device, and

controlling said data transfer entity to make the providing of said one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object dependent on the receipt of said predetermined message.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending a predetermined control message to said data transfer entity prior to controlling said first entity to send said first data object to said terminal device, said control message containing control information for postponing the providing of said one or more charging relevant parameters until the receipt of said predetermined message.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said control message is sent from said terminal device to said data transfer entity.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said control message is a request message or a command message.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising controlling said data transfer entity to perform an analysis of said first data object during its transfer and, depending on a result of said analysis, to initiate an operation of postponing the providing of said one or more charging relevant parameters until the receipt of said predetermined message.

6. A method of controlling an operation of a communication system, wherein said communication system comprises:

a first entity for sending a first data object to a terminal device,

a second entity for sending a second data object to said terminal device, said second data object having a predetermined association with said first data object,

a data transfer entity for transferring data to said terminal device and recording one or more charging relevant parameters associated with the transfer of data to said terminal device, said data transfer entity being adapted to transfer said first data object to said terminal device, and said data transfer entity being part of a communication network,

a charging entity for collecting and processing charging information related to the providing of communication services by said communication network, said data transfer entity being adapted for providing recorded charging relevant parameters to said charging entity,

said method comprising;

controlling said first entity to send said first data object to said terminal device, controlling said data transfer entity to record one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object to said terminal device,

controlling said second entity to output a predetermined message to said charging entity subsequent to receiving a request for sending said second data object to said terminal device, and controlling said charging entity to make the processing of one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object dependent on the receipt of said predetermined message.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising sending a predetermined control message to said charging entity prior to controlling said first entity to send said first data object to said terminal device, said control message containing control information for postponing the processing of said one or more charging relevant parameters until the receipt of said predetermined message.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said control message is a request message or a command message.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said control message is sent from said data transfer entity to said charging entity.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein prior to sending said control message from said data transfer entity to said charging entity, a request message is sent from said terminal device to said data transfer entity for requesting said data transfer entity to send said control message.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said control message is sent to said charging entity from a control message source, said control message source being said first or said second entity.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein prior to sending said control message from said control message source to said charging entity, an address acquisition procedure for providing address information on the charging entity to said control message source is conducted, said address acquisition procedure comprising sending an address information request message to said data transfer entity.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said address information request message is sent directly from said control message source to said data transfer entity.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said address information request message is sent from said control message source to said data transfer entity via said terminal device.

15. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one of said at one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object is communicated from said first entity to said data transfer entity.

16. The method of claim 6, wherein at least one of said at one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object is measured by said data transfer entity during the transfer of said first data object.

17. The method of claim 6, further comprising, subsequent to said second entity having received said request for sending said second data object,

controlling said second entity to send an information message to said charging entity, said information message comprising information associated with said second data object, and controlling said second entity to make the sending of said second data object dependent on receiving an enable message from said charging entity, and

controlling said charging entity to conduct an enable message output procedure in response to receiving said information message, comprising a decision step of whether or not to output said enable message that depends on the information contained in said information message.

18. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

controlling said second entity to delete said second data object and to send a notification message that informs of said deleting to one or both of said data transfer entity and said charging entity if no request for sending said second data object to said terminal device is received within a predetermined time period since storing said second data object at said second entity, and

controlling one or both of said data transfer entity and said charging entity to delete said one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object in response to receiving said notification message.

19. The method of claim 6, wherein said first data object comprises data to be accessed by a user of said terminal device, and said second data object comprises data for enabling access to the data of said first data object.

20. The method of claim 6, wherein said request for sending said second data object to said terminal device is output by said terminal device.

21. A method of controlling a server in a communication system, wherein said communication system comprises:

a first entity for sending a first data object to a terminal device,

a second entity for sending a second data object to said terminal device,

said second data object having a predetermined association with said first data object,

a data transfer entity for transferring data to said terminal device and recording one or more charging relevant parameters associated with the transfer of data to said terminal device, said data transfer entity being adapted to transfer said first data object to said terminal device, and said data transfer entity being part of a communication network,

a charging entity for collecting and processing charging information related to the providing of communication services by said communication network, said data transfer entity being adapted for providing recorded charging relevant parameters to said charging entity,

said server comprising said second entity and said method comprising;

controlling said second entity to output a predetermined message to said data transfer entity subsequent to receiving a request for sending said second data object to said terminal device, for triggering said data transfer entity to provide recorded charging relevant parameters associated with the transfer of said first data object to said charging entity.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising, subsequent to said second entity having received said request for sending said second data object, controlling said second entity to send an information message to said charging entity, said information message comprising information associated with said second data object, and controlling said second entity to make the sending of said second data object dependent on receiving an enable message from said charging entity.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising controlling said second entity to delete said second data object and to send a notification message that informs of said deleting to one or both of said data transfer entity and said charging entity if no request for sending said second data object to said terminal device is received within a predetermined time period since storing said second data object at said second entity.

24-25. -25. (canceled)

26. A server coupled to a communication system, wherein said communication system comprises:

a first entity for sending a first data object to a terminal device,

a second entity for sending a second data object to said terminal device, said second data object having a predetermined association with said first data object,

a data transfer entity for transferring data to said terminal device and recording one or more charging relevant parameters associated with the transfer of data to said terminal device, said data transfer entity being adapted to transfer said first data object to said terminal device, and said data transfer entity being part of a communication network,

a charging entity for collecting and processing charging information related to the providing of communication services by said communication network, said data transfer entity being adapted for providing recorded charging relevant parameters to said charging entity,

said server comprising;

said second entity and

said server being adapted to conduct a control procedure for controlling said second entity to output a predetermined message to said data-transfer entity subsequent to receiving a request for sending said second data object to said terminal device, for triggering said data transfer entity to provide recorded charging relevant parameters associated with the transfer of said first data object to said charging entity.

27. The server of claim 26, wherein said control procedure is arranged for, subsequent to said second entity having received said request for sending said second data object, controlling said second entity to send an information message to said charging entity, said information message comprising information associated with said second data object, and controlling said second entity to make the sending of said second data object dependent on receiving an enable message from said charging entity.

28. The server of claim 26, wherein said control procedure is arranged for controlling said second entity to delete said second data object and to send a notification message that informs of said deleting to one or both of said data transfer entity and said charging entity if no request for sending said second data object to said terminal device is received within a predetermined time period since storing said second data object at said second entity.

29. A method of controlling a server in a communication system, wherein said communication system comprises comprising

a first entity for sending a first data object to a terminal device,

a second entity for sending a second data object to said terminal device, said second data object having a predetermined association with said first data object,

a data transfer entity for transferring data to said terminal device and recording one or more charging relevant parameters associated with the transfer of data to said terminal device, said data transfer entity being adapted arranged to transfer said first data object to said terminal device, and said data transfer entity being part of a communication network,

a charging entity for collecting and processing charging information related to the providing of communication services by said communication network, said data transfer entity being adapted for providing recorded charging relevant parameters to said charging entity,

said server comprising said data transfer entity and

said method comprising:

controlling said data transfer entity to make the providing of said one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object dependent on the receipt of a predetermined message from said second entity.

30. The method of claim 29, further comprising controlling said data transfer entity to postpone the providing of said one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object in response to receiving a message containing a request or command for postponing the providing of said one or more charging relevant parameters until the receipt of said predetermined message.

31. The method of claim 29, further comprising controlling said data transfer entity to perform an analysis of said first data object during its transfer and, depending on a result of said analysis, to initiate an operation of postponing the providing of said one or more charging relevant parameters until the receipt of said predetermined message.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein said data transfer entity receives at least one of said one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object from said first entity.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein at least one of said at one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object is measured by said data transfer entity during the transfer of said first data object.

34-35. -35. (canceled)

36. A server coupled to a communication system, wherein said communication system comprises:

a first entity for sending a first data object to a terminal device,

a second entity for sending a second data object to said terminal device, said second data object having a predetermined association with said first data object,

a data transfer entity for transferring data to said terminal device and recording one or more charging relevant parameters associated with the transfer of data to said terminal device, said data transfer entity being adapted to transfer said first data object to said terminal device, and said data transfer entity being part of a communication network,

a charging entity for collecting and processing charging information related to the providing of communication services by said communication network, said data transfer entity being adapted for providing recorded charging relevant parameters to said charging entity,

said server comprising;

said data transfer entity and

said server being adapted to conduct a control procedure for controlling said data transfer entity to make the providing of said one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object dependent on the receipt of a predetermined message from said second entity.

37. The server of claim 36, wherein said control procedure is arranged for controlling said data transfer entity to postpone the providing of said one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object in response to receiving a message containing a request or command for postponing the providing of said one or more charging relevant parameters until the receipt of said predetermined message.

38. The server of claim 36, wherein said control procedure is arranged for controlling said data transfer entity to perform an analysis of said first data object during its transfer and, depending on a result of said analysis, to initiate an operation of postponing the providing of said one or more charging relevant parameters until the receipt of said predetermined message.

40. The server of claim 36, wherein said control procedure is arranged for controlling said data transfer entity to measure at least one of said at one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object during the transfer of said first data object.

41. A method of controlling a server in a communication system, wherein said communication system comprises

a first entity for sending a first data object to a terminal device,

a second entity for sending a second data object to said terminal device, said second data object having a predetermined association with said first data object,

a data transfer entity for transferring data to said terminal device and recording one or more charging relevant parameters associated with the transfer of data to said terminal device, said data transfer entity being adapted to transfer said first data object to said terminal device, and said data transfer entity being part of a communication network,

a charging entity for collecting and processing charging information related to the providing of communication services by said communication network, said data transfer entity being adapted for providing recorded charging relevant parameters to said charging entity,

said server comprising said charging entity and

said method comprising:

controlling said charging entity to make the processing of one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object dependent on the receipt of a predetermined message from said second entity.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising controlling said charging entity to postpone the processing of said one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object in response to receiving a message containing a request or command for postponing the processing of said one or more charging relevant parameters until the receipt of said predetermined message.

43-44. -44. (canceled)

45. A server coupled to a communication system, wherein said communication system comprises:

a first entity for sending a first data object to a terminal device,

a second entity for sending a second data object to said terminal device, said second data object having a predetermined association with said first data object,

a data transfer entity for transferring data to said terminal device and recording one or more charging relevant parameters associated with the transfer of data to said terminal device, said data transfer entity being adapted to transfer said first data object to said terminal device, and said data transfer entity being part of a communication network,

a charging entity for collecting and processing charging information related to the providing of communication services by said communication network, said data transfer entity being adapted for providing recorded charging relevant parameters to said charging entity,

said server comprising;

said charging entity and

said server being arranged to conduct a control procedure for controlling said charging entity to make the processing of one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object dependent on the receipt of a predetermined message from said second entity.

46. The server of claim 45, wherein said control procedure is arranged for controlling said charging entity to postpone the processing of said one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object in response to receiving a message containing a request or command for postponing the processing of said one or more charging relevant parameters until the receipt of said predetermined message.

47. A method of controlling a terminal device in a communication system, wherein said communication system comprises:

a first entity for sending a first data object to said terminal device,

a second entity for sending a second data object to said terminal device, said second data object having a predetermined association with said first data object,

a data transfer entity for transferring data to said terminal device and recording one or more charging relevant parameters associated with the transfer of data to said terminal device, said data transfer entity being adapted to transfer said first data object to said terminal device, and said data transfer entity being part of a communication network,

a charging entity for collecting and processing charging information related to the providing of communication services by said communication network, said data transfer entity being adapted for providing recorded charging relevant parameters to said charging entity,

said method comprising;

controlling said terminal device to send a predetermined control message to said data transfer entity, said control message containing control information for controlling said data transfer entity to postpone the providing of one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object until said data transfer entity receives a predetermined message from said second entity.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising controlling said terminal device to send said predetermined control message in response to receiving from said first or second entity a request for sending said control message.

49. The method of claim 47, further comprising controlling said terminal device to output to said second entity a request for sending said second data object to said terminal device.

50-51. -51. (canceled)

52. A terminal device in a communication system, wherein said communication system comprises:

a first entity for sending a first data object to said terminal device,

a second entity for sending a second data object to said terminal device, said second data object having a predetermined association with said first data object,

a data transfer entity for transferring data to said terminal device and recording one or more charging relevant parameters associated with the transfer of data to said terminal device, said data transfer entity being adapted to transfer said first data object to said terminal device, and said data transfer entity being part of a communication network,

a charging entity for collecting and processing charging information related to the providing of communication services by said communication network, said data transfer entity being adapted for providing recorded charging relevant parameters to said charging entity,

said terminal device being adapted to conduct a control procedure for controlling said terminal device to send a predetermined control message to said data transfer entity, said control message containing control information for controlling said data transfer entity to postpone the providing of one or more charging relevant parameters related to the transfer of said first data object until said data transfer entity receives a predetermined message from said second entity.

53. The terminal device of claim 52, wherein said terminal device is adapted to send said predetermined control message in response to receiving from said first or second entity a request for sending said control message.

54. The terminal device of claim 52, being adapted to be controllable to output to said second entity a request for sending said second data object to said terminal device.