Patent Application
20050213721
The present invention relates in general to communication networks and more specifically to a system and a method for charging in a communication network, especially in an IP Multimedia network.
The background of the invention is discussed briefly in the following.
3GPP specifies a new architecture for IP Multimedia (3GPP, Third Generation Partnership Project; IP, Internet Protocol). IP Multimedia will offer subscribers new services like video-calls and conferences, but also traditional services like speech calls will be an important feature. The technology is based on SIP (SIP, Session Initiation Protocol).
A prerequisite for IP Multimedia services to become popular among end users and profitable to the operators is to find a fair and efficient way of charging for the offered services. This is however not easy, due to the new technology and architecture, which is fundamentally different compared to traditional telecom networks.
In traditional telecom networks, the distance between the involved parties, and the used access types e.g. mobile access or fixed access, has a significant influence on the tariff of a service. It is also customary that the calling party pays for a call, at least to the point in the network, which can be identified by the called party's number e.g. E.164 number.
In some countries, like the US, mobile subscribers have to pay for the access part i.e. airtime of a call, also when receiving a call. However, this charging model has proved to be less efficient than a model where the calling party pays for the whole call, since called subscribers often refuse to accept incoming calls if they have to pay for them.
When allowing charging models like the calling party A pays for the call some communication between the networks (e.g. originating, terminating and in some cases transit networks) is needed. In mobile communication networks one can see on the number where one is calling and in some cases one can see if the called party is a mobile or a fix user. Rating/charging for the calling party is done in his/her home network and the charging/billing system can see the destination of the call on the called party number and can rate the call accordingly. The terminating network will then charge the originating network for terminating the call. This charging process is done from the terminating network to the originating network via the transit networks.
In an IP-based multimedia system (IMS) there is no possibility to see on the called party what access type, for example fixed/mobile, the called party is using and thus the call/session can not be rated without knowing the cost for the terminating network to terminate the call. In this case home network of the called party has to check with home network of the calling party if it would like to take the charge for termination the call/session and the tariff/cost for it.
For free phone numbers or premium rate numbers the same problem applies. In these cases the called party is charged for the whole call or parts of the calls. In this case must the home network of the called party contact the home network of the calling party and indicate that the called party is willing to take the charges or a part of the charges.
The communication between the home networks need to be done on a new interface or on an existing interface dedicated for charging.
Future operators of IP Multimedia networks have indicated that they want to follow the same charging principles as in traditional telecom networks, e.g. calling party pays for the whole call and the charging is dependent on access type. According to legislation in most countries, it's not possible to charge for a service, if it's not possible for a subscriber to know the tariff of the service prior to usage.
It will be especially challenging to charge for IP Multi-media sessions, since it will be impossible for a calling party to determine based on the called party address, i.e. a SIP URL (e.g. Johan.Lundstrom@company.com), the distance and the access type currently used by the called party. Even though operators may in the future not charge based on the distance anymore, the access type will certainly have an impact on the charging, since some access types, for example mobile, will always be more costly for the operators to provide than others.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art. The present invention provides a system and a method for charging in a communication network.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for charging in a communication network, the communication network having a user equipment and an IP Multimedia subsystem, said IP Multimedia subsystem having a Proxy-CSCF and a Serving-CSCF, in which the IP Multimedia subsystem further having an location server and a charging server, and that the Serving-CSCF is arranged
Preferably, the Serving-CSCF is arranged for creating a dynamic tariff list. More preferably, the Serving-CSCF is arranged for sending the dynamic tariff list to user equipment. More preferably, the user equipment is arranged for sending a call/session set-up request message as for setting up an IP Multimedia call/session.
Preferably, the call/session set-up request message of the user equipment is made by sending an INVITE message. Alternatively, the call/session set-up request message of the user equipment is made by using the OPTIONS method.
Preferably, the user equipment is arranged for receiving a dynamic tariff list. More preferably, the user equipment is arranged for displaying the dynamic tariff list to the user. More preferably, the user equipment is arranged for detecting the selections of the user.
Preferably, the Serving-CSCF is arranged for sending the dynamic tariff list to called party user equipment. More preferably, the called party user equipment is arranged for receiving a dynamic tariff list.
Preferably, the called party user equipment is arranged for displaying the dynamic tariff list to the user. More preferably, the called party user equipment is arranged for detecting the selections of the user.
Preferably, call/session cost is divided between the calling party and the called party. More preferably, the called party user equipment is arranged for sending a response to the calling party user equipment.
Preferably, the Serving-CSCF is arranged for negotiating the tariff with the Serving-CSCF. More preferably, the call/session cost is divided between the calling party and the called party. More preferably, the Serving-CSCF is arranged for sending a response to the calling party user equipment and to the called party user equipment.
Preferably, the user equipment is a mobile telephone, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a fixed telephone, or a smart phone.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for charging in a communication network, characterized in that the system has
Preferably, the location of the second user equipment is determined by a S-CSCF in a first home network. Preferably, the tariff list is created dynamically by the S-CSCF. Preferably, the user equipment is a mobile telephone, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a fixed telephone, or a smart phone.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for charging in a communication network, the communication network having a user equipment and an IP Multimedia subsystem, said IP Multimedia subsystem having a Proxy-CSCF and a Serving-CSCF, wherein the IP Multimedia subsystem further has an location server and a charging server, in which the method has the steps of:
Preferably, in the method, the Serving-CSCF creates a dynamic tariff list. More preferably, the Serving-CSCF sends the dynamic tariff list to user equipment. More preferably, the user equipment sends a call/session set-up request message as for setting up an IP Multimedia call/session.
Preferably, in the method, the call/session set-up request message of the user equipment is made by sending an INVITE message. Alternatively, the call/session set-up request message of the user equipment is made by using the OPTIONS method.
Preferably, in the method, user equipment receives a dynamic tariff list. More preferably, the user equipment displays the dynamic tariff list to the user. More preferably, the user equipment detects the selections of the user.
Preferably, in the method, the Serving-CSCF sends the dynamic tariff list to called party user equipment. More preferably, the called party user equipment receives a dynamic tariff list.
Preferably, in the method, the called party user equipment displays the dynamic tariff list to the user. More preferably, the called party user equipment detects the selections of the user.
Preferably, in the method, the call/session cost is divided between the calling party and the called party. More preferably, the called party user equipment sends a response to the calling party user equipment.
Preferably, in the method, the Serving-CSCF negotiates the tariff with the Serving-CSCF. More preferably, the call/session cost is divided between the calling party and the called party. More preferably, the Serving-CSCF sends a response to the calling party user equipment and to the called party user equipment.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for charging in a communication network, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of
Preferably, in the method, the user equipment sends an SIP invite message as a call/session set-up request. More preferably, the user equipment uses an SIP options method for requesting call/session set-up.
Preferably, the method further comprises sending a new invite message from the user equipment to the network, wherein the chosen access type and/or media type is included in the message. Preferably, the dynamic tariff list is created and sent by a S-CSCF.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for charging cost determination in a communications system, in which the method comprises the steps of:
Preferably, after the step of returning to said first communications entity said access costs, the further step of:
Preferably, the location of said subscriber is registered in the location server.
Preferably, said second connection set up request also indicates which quality of service, which media type and/or which access type to use. Preferably, the connection set up requests are done using SIP signalling. Preferably, the connection set up requests comprise using the SIP INVITE or SIP OPTIONS messages.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for distributing charging related information in a communication network, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of
Preferably, the first network is the called party network and the second network is the calling party network. Alternatively, the first network is the calling party network and the second network is the called party network.
Preferably, the settlement between the networks is sent from a first operator in the first network to a second operator in the second network as a CDR (Call Detail Record).
For a better understanding of the present invention and in order to show how the same may be carried into effect reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the communication network charging system according to the present invention the user equipment 1 asks service information in order to initiate a call to another user. This request from the user 1 is forwarded through an access network 2 e.g. a GPRS Network 2 or a WLAN Network 2 to an IP Multimedia subsystem 3 e.g. to IMS 3 (IMS, IP-based multimedia system). IMS 3 receives the service information request in a Proxy-CSCF (P-CSCF) 4, which further forwards the request to a Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF) 5.
In the IP Multimedia subsystem 3 the Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF) 5 retrieves basic subscriber information from the subscriber database 8. The Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF) 5 also asks the relevant location information of the called user from a Location Server 6. The Location Server 6 e.g. be a Domain Name Server 6, HLR 6, HSS 6 or a positioning server 6. Furthermore the Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF) 5 asks tariff information for the called user in the relevant locations from a Charging Server 7. The locations of he user can e.g. be office, home or mobile phone.
The solution according to the present invention presents a new system for charging in a communication network. This new charging system according to the present invention allows charging principles used in traditional telecom networks to be applied also in IP Multimedia networks.
Since the tariff of a specific IP Multimedia session cannot be known prior to establishment of the session, a call attempt to the called subscribers network 3 is made by e.g. sending an INVITE message or using the OPTIONS method. The call attempt is handled in the called party's network 3 by an S-CSCF 5. The S-CSCF 5 checks from an Location Server 6 e.g. from a Domain Name Server 6 or from a location server 6, where the called subscriber is currently registered.
The called user's home network Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF) 11 asks the relevant location information of the called user from an Location Server 6 e.g. a Domain Name Server 6. Furthermore the Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF) 9 asks tariff information for the called user in the relevant locations from a Charging Server 12. The locations of he user can e.g. be office, home or mobile phone. The Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF) 9 may also ask roaming tariff information from the Charging Server 10.
The Charging Server 12 then returns the tariff information for the called user in the relevant locations to the called user's home network Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF) 11. The S-CSCF 11 in turn forwards the tariff information for the called user in the relevant locations to the user equipment 1. As the user 1 selects correct number a new message e.g. INVITE message is sent to set up the call.
The tariff list is sent backwards to the originating end, via SIP signalling. This means that the S-CSCF works as a SIP redirecting server.
In the IP Multimedia network the Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF) 9 performs charging negotiation with the Charging Server 10. S-CSCF 9 will get information about access type (e.g. GSM, WCDMA, WLAN, fixed line, etc.). At this time of the call/session set-up the Charging Server 10 will not know which tariff to use for the calling party so the call/session set-up will continue. The S-CSCF 9 will create a dynamic tariff list and insert the tariff for the originating leg according to the access type the calling party uses. S-CSCF asks the relevant location information of the called user from a Domain Name Server or similar.
The S-CSCF 9 in the calling party's home network will forward the call/session Set-up request to the S-CSCF 11 in the called party's home network on the information got from the Domain Name Server.
The S-CSCF 11 in the called party's home network will perform charging with the charging server 12. The S-CSCF 11 will get back information about access type used be the called party, but the tariff to be used for the called party can not be determined yet. The S-CSCF 11 will add the tariff for the terminating leg to the dynamic tariff list.
The call/session set-up request will be sent to the called party's User Equipment 15 via the P-CSCF 13 and an access network 14.
The called party can then decide if he/she will take the full charge for the call or if the calling party should be charge or if the calling and palled party should split the charge.
An acknowledgement is sent back to the calling party's User Equipment 1 via S-CSCF 11 in called party's home network and the S-CSCF 9 in the calling party's home network including the dynamic tariff list with the preferences from the called party.
The calling party can then decide if he/she would like to set-up the call/session or reject it depending on the tariff information and the called party's preferences in the dynamic tariff list.
The calling party's User Equipment 1 will then send the dynamic tariff list with both the calling and called preferences to the different charging systems in the normal call/session establishment signalling. The charging system 10 in the calling party's home network will get the tariffs to be used for the calling party in and the called party's tariff will be sent from the charging system 12 in the called party's home network.
After this both User Equipment 1, 15 will establish the media streams needed for the IP Multimedia session with the access networks 2, 14.
Charging for both parties will then be started with the charging systems 10, 12 accounting to the tariff to be used according to previous call/session set-up signaling.
The called party may be registered in several locations. Based on the locations of the called party, the S-CSCF can determine for each currently used access type (e.g. WCDMA, ADSL, fix line) what the operator's tariffs are for different kinds of media and media formats would be.
If the called subscriber has previously agreed to pay the access charges for incoming calls, the added tariff, on the calling subscribers total tariff, is zero. In this case additionally an indication that the calling party's access charges are paid by the called party may be included in the response. The S-CSCF builds a dynamic tariff list where the call/session tariff per time/volume unit is included per access and media type during specific time periods.
SIP proxies on the way to the originating end of the session may add the tariffs for the different call legs (e.g terminating leg, operator to operator leg, originating leg) to the tariff list. I.e. the charges for the different call legs are added. Here, the previously mentioned indication that the called party pays can be used to set the costs to zero along the way. When the terminal receives the tariff list, a number of tariff options are shown on the display. The user is prompted to select one or several of these options.
Roaming is also covered by the solution described above, since the access charges in this case will be paid by the called user him/herself.
The user preference can also be specified in the user profile at the user's network. In this case the networks can handle most activities in the call setup procedure.
In the IP Multimedia network the Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF) 9 performs charging negotiation with the Charging Server 10. At this time of the call/session set-up the Charging Server 10 will not know which tariff to use for the calling party so the call/session set-up will continue. S-CSCF 9 asks the relevant location information of the called user from a Domain Name Server or similar.
When the Serving-CSCF 9 in the calling party's network gets and INVITE, it performs charging with the charging server 10. This is to early in the call/session set-up to determine the tariff so charging server 10 will reply continue.
The S-CSCF 9 in the calling party's home network will forward the call/session Set-up request to the S-CSCF 11 in the called party's home network on the information got from the Domain Name Server. The S-CSCF 11 in the called party's home network will perform charging with the charging server 12.
The charging server 12 in the called party's network will then contact the charging server 10 in the calling party's network and negotiate, according to the different parties preferences, the tariffs to be used for both calling and palled party. Like in a normal GSM call the calling party will be charging for the full call (both originating and terminating leg). In a free phone case the called party will be charge for the full call/session.
When the Serving-CSCF in the called party's gets the INVITE it performs charging with the charging server. The charging server will then negotiate the tariffs used for the different parties with the calling party's charging server. Tariffs to used are determined on the charging preferences the parties have. In a normal case calling party will be charging for the whole call/session or in a free-phone case the called party will be charged for the call/session. There are also possibilities that the charge could be split be calling and called party.
Both the Charging servers 10, 12 will know their user is roaming and can also be handled in the negotiation. The call/session set-up request will be sent to the called party's User Equipment 15 via the P-CSCF 13.
The call/session set-up procedure will continue in a normal way and both charging systems 10, 12 will know how to charge the different parties.
After this both User Equipment 1, 15 will establish the media streams needed for the IP Multimedia session with the access networks 2, 14. Charging for both parties will then be started with the charging systems 10, 12 accounting to the tariff to be used according to previous call/session set-up signaling.
In the communication network charging solution according to the present invention both calling and called user can be normal subscribers and not roaming, or only the calling party is roaming. Charging system in the called network contacts Charging system in the calling network to say that calling should be charged for the call and here is the tariff. Charging system in the calling network sends back OK acknowledgement.
In a Free phone application it can also be that the charging system in the called network contacts charging system in the calling network and confirms that called party will take the charging for both originating and terminating leg and provide me with the tariff for the originating leg. Charging system in the calling network sends back the tariff for originating leg.
In an application where the called party is roaming the charging system in the called network contacts charging system in the calling network and confirms that called party is roaming so called party will pay for the terminating leg. The calling network replies with OK acknowledgement and calling party will be charging for the originating leg.
Settlement between the involved operators is handled based on CDRs (CDR, Call Detail Record). Also post-paid billing is handled based on CDRs. In case the calling party is a prepaid subscriber, the S-CSCF of the calling party may send information to the prepaid system. This information would among other data contain information received from the called party's S-CSCF in the tariff list.
In case the called party uses a more expensive bearer for the media than necessary, the called party can be forced to pay for the difference in tariff between the used bearer, and the bearer the calling party has agreed to pay. A prerequisite for the prepaid charging to work is also that information about the used access type is conveyed to the calling party's S-CSCF.
The charging system according to the present invention has functionality to rate and charge a call/session either on tariffs stored in the charging system or on tariffs provide be the Serving-CSCF. The charging system can also determine the tariff for the access types that can be used by the User Equipments. Furthermore, charging system can communicate with a charging system in another network an negotiate the tariffs to be used according to the different parties preferences.
The solution according to the present invention allows charging principles used in traditional telecom networks to be applied also in IP Multimedia networks. The solution according to the present invention allows dynamic sending per session from the called party's network to the calling party of a tariff list containing different alternatives how to route a session.
The solution according to the present invention allows the calling party to route a session to a certain access type based on an access type indicator, received from the called party's network as part of the tariff list. The solution according to the present invention allows the using the tariff list to handle prepaid charging in the calling party's network.
The operators have strongly indicated that they want to follow charging principles currently known by their customers, when charging for IP Multimedia services. Due to the network architecture and technology used in an IP Multimedia network, it will not be a trivial task. So far, no solutions have been publicly presented.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20012277 | Nov 2001 | FI | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/FI02/00942 | 11/21/2002 | WO | 5/9/2005 |
