Method for charging in a data communication network

• US 6,671,285 B1
• Filed: 02/01/1999
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC (RPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Dean, Robert John, Kirkby, Paul Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Chi
• Assistant Examiner(s): BOAKYE, ALEXANDER O
• Application Number:
  US09/117,594
• Time in Patent Office: 1,793 Days
• Field of Search: 370/261, 370/468, 370/360, 370/401, 370/353, 370/352, 370/230, 370/235, 370/238, 370/237, 379/112.01, 379/114.01, 379/114.07, 379/111, 455/406
• US Class Current: 370/468
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/5639 Tariffs or charging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/80 Rating or billing plans; Tariff determination aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8027 based on network load situation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/81 Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0112 Dynamic pricing, e.g. change of tariff during call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2013 Fixed data network, e.g. PDN, ATM, B-ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/22 Bandwidth or usage-sensitve billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/74 Rating aspects, e.g. rating parameters or tariff determination apects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7428 Load situation, e.g. Current network load, traffic load or available resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0478 Provisions for broadband connections

Abstract

A network is disclosed for carrying calls between entities. Network resources which generate charges include means arranged to determine the charging rate for their use dynamically, and to transmit charging rate or tariff data representing a proposed or actual charging rate or tariff, or a change or proposed change thereto, through the network before and/or during the call to the entity or entities liable to the resource for the charges.

Claims

1. A network for carrying variable bandwidth calls between entities and comprising a network resource which generates charges, said resource comprising means arranged to determine dynamically the charging rate for its use dependent on at least one of call bandwidth, total resource utilisation and congestion, and to transmit the charging rate representing at least one of an actual charging rate, a proposed charging rate and a change in the charging rate through the network to the entity liable to the resource for the charges, wherein said entity is able to change the bandwidth of a call in response to the transmitted charging rate and to predetermined connection and charging rate criteria and wherein said network includes at least one resource in the form of a domain containing at least one of a transmission element and a switching element, and for which total domain utilisation of said element is related to at least one of bandwidth and bit rate.

2. A network as claimed in claim 1, further arranged to transmit the rate of change of charging rate to said liable entity.

3. A network as claimed in claim 1, wherein the charging rate is related to a share of the resource reserved for and/or utilised by the entity.

4. A network as claimed in claim 3, including at least one entity in the form of a data processor, and for which the share of total domain utilisation for a call comprises processor time slots.

5. A network as claimed in claim 3 or 4, including at least one resource in the form of data storage, and for which the share comprises volume of data.

6. A network as claimed in claim 1, including at least one resource comprising a sales outlet for goods and/or service items in which each good or service item is offered for a set price, and in which the good or service item is paid for through the network by the purchaser accepting a high charging rate for a limited period.

7. A network as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tariff depends selectively also on charging rate data received from another domain.

8. A network as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elements or domains choose between alternative routes through the network, dependent on the received charging rate or tariff data.

9. A network as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first domain raising charges and a second domain liable for the charges include means arranged each to calculate and record the charges for individual calls between the two domains periodically from the charging rate transmitted through the network;

to calculate the total charge for calls between the two domains; and

to compare the total charge calculated by the charge raising domain with the total charge calculated by the liable domain; and

destroy the records of charges for individual calls dependent on the result of the comparison.

10. A network as claimed in claim 9, arranged to perform the comparison once in a plurality of periods.

19. A method as claimed in claim 11 or any preceding claim dependent thereon, wherein a first domain raising charges and a second domain liable for the charges each calculate and record the charges for individual calls between the two domains periodically from the charging rate transmitted through the network;

calculate the total charge for calls between the two domains; and

compare the total charge calculated by the charge raising domain with the total charge calculated by the liable domain; and

destroy the records of charges for individual calls dependent on the result of the comparison.

20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the comparison is performed once in a plurality of periods.

11. A method of operating a network to carry variable bandwidth calls between entities, wherein a network resource which generates charges dependent on at least one of call bandwidth, total resource utilisation and congestion, determines the charging rate for its use dynamically, and wherein the charging rate representing at least one of an actual charging rate, a proposed charging rate and a change in the charging, rate is transmitted through the network to the entity liable to the resource for the charges, wherein said entity changes the bandwidth of a call in response to a change in the transmitted charging rate and predetermined connection and charging rate criteria, and wherein a resource in the form of a domain containing at least one of a transmission element and a switching element has its total domain utilisation measured with respect to at least one of its bandwidth and bit rate.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the rate of change of charging rate is transmitted to said liable entity.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the tariff relates the charging rate to a share of the resource reserved for and/or utilised by the entity.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the network includes at least one resource in the form of a data processor, and for which the share comprises processor time slots.

15. A method as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the network includes at least one resource in the form of data storage, and for which the share comprises volume of data.

17. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the tariff depends selectively also on charging rate data received from another domain.

18. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the elements or domains select between alternative routes through the network, dependent on the received charging rate or tariff data.

16. A method as claimed in 11, wherein the network includes at least one resource comprising a sales outlet for goods and/or serviced items in which each good or service item is offered for a set price, and in which the good or service item is paid for through the network by the purchaser accepting a high charging rate for a limited period.