Method of charging for the use of a telecommunications service, as well as a switching system, a service control point, and a network management facility
First Claim
1. A method of charging for the use of a telecommunications service of a service provider, comprising the steps of routing a service request from a subscriber (A) through a telecommunications network (KN) of a network operator to a service-providing unit (SAPP1) of the service provider, and collecting the charge for the use of a telecommunications service by means of a charge unit (BILL) of the network operator, characterized in that the service-providing unit (SAPP1) requests an authorization from an authorization unit (AUT), that the service-providing unit (SAPP1) does not provide the requested telecommunications service until it receives a confirmation message (M4) from the authorization unit (AUT) of the network operator, that a charge message (M6) with data on a charge for the use of the telecommunications service is transferred from the service-providing unit (SAPP1) to the charge unit (BILL), and that the charge unit (BILL) collects the charge if the confirmation message (M4) has been provided.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a method for charging for the use of a telecommunication service, as well as to a switching system, a service control point and a network management facility. A service request is transmitted from a subscriber (A) via a telecommunication network (KN) of a network operator to a service-providing unit (SAPP1) of the service provider. A charge unit (BILL) of the network operator administers the charge collection for the use of the telecommunication service. The service-providing unit (SAPP1) provides the requested telecommunication service only after receipt of a confirmation message from a authorization unit (AUT) of the network operator. The charge message (M6) with data relating to a charge for using the telecommunication service is transferred from the service-providing unit (SAPP1) to the charge unit (BILL) and the charge unit (BILL) collects the charge after the confirmation message has been received.
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Citations
11 Claims
- 1. A method of charging for the use of a telecommunications service of a service provider, comprising the steps of routing a service request from a subscriber (A) through a telecommunications network (KN) of a network operator to a service-providing unit (SAPP1) of the service provider, and collecting the charge for the use of a telecommunications service by means of a charge unit (BILL) of the network operator, characterized in that the service-providing unit (SAPP1) requests an authorization from an authorization unit (AUT), that the service-providing unit (SAPP1) does not provide the requested telecommunications service until it receives a confirmation message (M4) from the authorization unit (AUT) of the network operator, that a charge message (M6) with data on a charge for the use of the telecommunications service is transferred from the service-providing unit (SAPP1) to the charge unit (BILL), and that the charge unit (BILL) collects the charge if the confirmation message (M4) has been provided.
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8. A switching system (SS) for a telecommunications network (KN) of a network operator with a service switching unit (SSF) for routing a service request from a subscriber (A) to a service-providing unit (SAPP1) of a service provider, and with a charge unit (BILL) of the network operator for collecting charges for the use of a telecommunications service provided by the service-providing unit (SAPP1), characterized in that the switching system (SS) further comprises an authorization unit (AUT) which is designed to receive a request (M3) from the service providing service (SAPP1) so as to send to the service-providing unit (SAPP1) a confirmation message (M4) which causes the service-providing unit (SAPP1) to provide the telecommunications service, and that the charge unit (BILL) is designed to receive from the service-providing unit (SAPP1) a charge message (M6) with data on a charge for the use of the telecommunications service and to collect the charge if the confirmation message (M4) has been provided.
- 9. A service control point (SC) for telecommunications services, comprising an interface to a service switching facility (EX1) of a telecommunications network (KN), means for receiving a service request from a subscriber (A) via the service switching facility (EX1), and a service-providing unit (SAPP1) of a service provider for providing a telecommunications service in response the service request, characterized in that the service-providing unit (SAPP1) comprises means for sending a message (M3) to an authorization unit (AUT) and for receiving a confirmation message (M4) from the authorization unit (AUT) of the network operator, means for sending a charge message (M6) containing data on a charge for the use of a telecommunications service to a charge unit (BILL) of the network operator which serves to collect the charge if the confirmation message (M4) has been provided, and control means which are so designed that the requested telecommunications service is not provided until the confirmation message (M4) is received.
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11. A network management facility (NMC) of a network operator for a telecommunications network (KN) including a service switching facility (EX1) for routing a service request from a subscriber to a service-providing unit (SAPP1) of a service provider, the network management facility (NMC) comprising a charge unit (BILL) of the network operator for charging for the use of a telecommunications service provided by the service-providing unit (SAPP1), characterized in that the network management facility (NMC) further comprises an authorization unit (AUT) designed to receive a message (M3) from the service-providing unit (SAPP1) and to send to the service-providing unit (SAPP1) a confirmation message (M4) which causes the service-providing unit (SAPP1) to provide the telecommunications service, and that the charge unit (BILL) is designed to receive from the service-providing unit (SAPP1) a charge message (M6) with data on a charge for the use of the telecommunications service and to collect this charge if the confirmation message (M4) has been provided.
Specification