Method for configuring billing processes in network elements

• US 20090055298A1
• Filed: 10/08/2004
• Published: 02/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks GmbH & Co. KG (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks GmbH & Co. KG (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Foll, Uwe
• Granted Patent: US 9,397,843 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1403 Architecture for metering, charging or billing

Abstract

A method configures billing processes in the network elements of data path for the transmission of packet data in a communications system. According to said method, network elements that are located between a first and a second element of the data path are configured and the packet data transmission that is associated with a terminal is carried out between the first network element and the second network element via the data path. The terminal transmits or receives the associated packet data transmission via the second network element. In a central third network element, which is not assigned to the data path, a stored billing control function generates a configuration message, which is used to configure the network elements. The configuration message is transmitted to the network elements of the data path, said network elements at least partially evaluating the configuration message for initialization and configuration purposes.

Claims

1-9. -9. (canceled)

10. A method for configuring billing processes in intermediate network elements along a data path in a communications system, the data path extending from a first network element to a second network element via the intermediate network elements, the data path enabling a terminal to send and receive packet data, the method comprising:

storing a billing control function on a central third network element not assigned to the data path;

forming a configuration message at the central third network element to configure the intermediate network elements;

transmitting the configuration message via the first network element to the intermediate network elements; and

evaluating the configuration message at the intermediate network elements; and

configuring and initializing billing processes at the intermediate network elements based on the configuration message.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein

the configuration message uses an IP address or port address of the terminal as a destination address for the configuration message, and

the IP address or port address of the terminal is used to define packet data transmission from the first network element to the terminal.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein

there are first and second data paths extending between the first network element and the second network element,

the terminal assigns to the configuration message an IP address or port address of the first network element as a destination address for the configuration message, and

the IP address or port address of the first network element is used to define packet data transmission of the configuration message from the terminal to the second network element via the first data path and from the second network element to the first network element via the second data path.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein

both the first and second data paths having intermediate network elements,

the configuration message is transmitted to intermediate network elements of the second data path,

and the intermediate network elements of the second data path at least partly evaluate the configuration message for initialization and configuration of billing processes.

14. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the configuration message is transmitted to the intermediate network elements using an NLSP protocol.

15. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first network element is an application host.

16. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the terminal is a radio communication terminal of a radio communication system.

17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the second network element is a control device of the radio communication system.

19. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein

there are first and second data paths extending between the first network element and the second network element,

the terminal assigns to the configuration message an IP address or port address of the first network element as a destination address for the configuration message, and

the IP address or port address of the first network element is used to define packet data transmission of the configuration message from the terminal to the second network element via the first data path and from the second network element to the first network element via the second data path.

20. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein

both the first and second data paths having intermediate network elements,

the configuration message is transmitted to intermediate network elements of the second data path,

and the intermediate network elements of the second data path at least partly evaluate the configuration message for initialization and configuration of billing processes.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the configuration message is transmitted to the intermediate network elements using an NLSP protocol.

22. The method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first network element is an application host.

23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the terminal is a radio communication terminal of a radio communication system.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein the second network element is a control device of the radio communication system.

25. The method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the control device is a Radio Network Controller of the radio communications system.

18. The method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the control device is a Radio Network Controller of the radio communications system.