Abstract: A method is provided for online charging within an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS. A first credit control request message is received (S-A) at an IMS charging node (30) from an IMS service network node (20) over a service charging interface (22) provided between the IMS service node (20) and the IMS charging node (30). In response to receipt of the first credit control message, it is determined (S-B) at the IMS charging node (30), with reference to one or more triggering conditions, that a replenishment of credit is to be offered for a user associated with the first credit control request message. Following such a determination, a credit replenishment service is initiated in the IMS service node (20) by sending (S-D) a replenishment request in a first credit control answer message over the service charging interface (22) from the IMS charging node (30) to the IMS service node (20), the first credit control answer message being in response to the first credit control request message.

Abstract: A method of enabling configuration of a link between a circuit-switched Private Branch Exchange (CS PBX), and an access gateway node that connects at least one CS PBX to an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The method is performed at an IMS application server, AS. The AS is configured with timeslot configuration information for each link between the access gateway node and the at least one CS PBX. The AS receives, from the access gateway node, a request for timeslot configuration information for one or more of the links, and identifies the one or more links to which the request relates. The AS then retrieves the timeslot configuration information for the identified link, and sends a response indicating this information to the access gateway node.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of implementing a conference for a user of an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The method comprises, at a Telephony Application Server (TAS) that provides IMS multimedia supplementary services to the user, receiving a request for a conference from the user, designating a Public User Identity (PUI) of the user as an identifier for a conference service provided by the TAS that is to host the conference for the user, receiving signalling relating to a call intended for the user, and using the designated PUI to determine if the call can be connected to a conference hosted by the TAS for the user.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing support for multiple links between a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) and an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The method comprises, at an IMS Application Server (AS), configuring the AS with capacity information relating to each of the multiple links, receiving SIP call control messages relating to calls involving the PBX and thereby maintaining usage information for each of the multiple links, the usage information indicating which of the multiple links is being used for each ongoing call involving the PBX. The method further comprises using the capacity information and the usage information relating to each of the multiple links to select one of the multiple links to carry an incoming call terminating at the PBX, and modifying SIP call control messages relating to the incoming call to ensure that the incoming call is carried by the selected link.

Abstract: A service indication mechanism is described for use by IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, codes (201, 204) of an IMS network (106) in routing a terminating call in a network comprising a circuit switched, CS, network (107) and an IMS network (105, 106). On receipt of a Service Initiation Protocol, SIP, message from a second IMS node (202), the SIP message including a called user number associated with the call (A1), a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier, URI, and the call services for the called user from a user profile database is retrieved (A2). A second SIP URI is generated by including a service indicator of the called user in the received SIP URI, the service indicator representing the call services of the called user (A3), the SIP message is transmitted with the second SIP-URI to a third IMS node (204).

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of facilitating the end-to-end transfer of a URI between a plurality of SIP entities. The method comprising generating a SIP message and including the URI to be transferred in a Contact header of the message and including in the Contact header a parameter indicating to a back-to-back user agent that this URI is not to be changed or replaced.

Abstract: A method of enabling configuration of a link between a circuit-switched Private Branch Exchange (CS PBX), and an access gateway node that connects at least one CS PBX to an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The method is performed at an IMS application server, AS. The AS is configured with timeslot configuration information for each link between the access gateway node and the at least one CS PBX. The AS receives, from the access gateway node, a request for timeslot configuration information for one or more of the links, and identifies the one or more links to which the request relates. The AS then retrieves the timeslot configuration information for the identified link, and sends a response indicating this information to the access gateway node.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of facilitating the end-to-end transfer of a URI between a plurality of SIP entities. The method comprising generating a SIP message and including the URI to be transferred in a Contact header of the message and including in the Contact header a parameter indicating to a back-to-back user agent that this URI is not to be changed or replaced.

Abstract: A method is provided for online charging within an IP Multi-media Subsystem, IMS. A first credit control request message is received (S-A) at an IMS charging node (30) from an IMS service network node (20) over a service charging interface (22) provided between the IMS service node (20) and the IMS charging node (30). In response to receipt of the first credit control message, it is determined (S-B) at the IMS charging node (30), with reference to one or more triggering conditions, that a replenishment of credit is to be offered for a user associated with the first credit control request message. Following such a determination, a credit replenishment service is initiated in the IMS service node (20) by sending (S-D) a replenishment request in a first credit control answer message over the service charging interface (22) from the IMS charging node (30) to the IMS service node (20), the first credit control answer message being in response to the first credit control request message.

Abstract: A method is provided which relates to online charging within an IP Multimedia Subsystem, IMS. The method comprises at an IMS charging node (30): (a) receiving (S-C) a credit control request message from an IMS service network node (20) over a service charging interface (22) provided between the IMS service node (20) and the IMS charging node (30); (b) determining (S-A; S-D) with reference to one or more triggering conditions that an announcement is to be provided to a user associated with the credit control request message and/or another user; and (c) following such a determination, initiating an announcement service in the IMS service node (20) by sending (S-E) an announcement request in a credit control answer message over the service charging interface (22) to the IMS service node (20), the credit control answer message being in response to the credit control request message, and the announcement request comprising announcement information relating to the announcement to be provided.

Abstract: An application server invocated terminating service is enabled in an IMS based communication network. A request-to-establish message is received by an application server in a terminating part of the network, initiated by a calling party associated to an originating part of the network. The request-to-establish message is supplemented with information that the terminating service is desired to a called party associated to the terminating part, before being transmitted to an access node to which the called party is associated. A called terminal used by the called party is then notified that the terminating service is applicable by the access node, before the application server is confirmed that the called terminal has been notified. Supplementing the request-to-establish message in this way, enables parties communicating over an IMS based network to use the terminating service, regardless of whether they are directly associated to the network or via a non-IMS based communications network.

Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of facilitating the end-to-end transfer of a URI between a plurality of SIP entities. The method comprising generating a SIP message and including the URI to be transferred in a Contact header of the message and including in the Contact header a parameter indicating to a back-to-back user agent that this URI is not to be changed or replaced.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for enabling an application server invocated terminating service in an IMS based communication network. A request-to-establish message is received (200) by an application server in a terminating part of the communications network, initiated by a calling party associated to an originating part of the communications network. The request-to-establish message is supplemented (202) with information that the terminating service is desired to a called party associated to the terminating part, before being transmitted (204) to an access node to which the called party is associated. A called terminal used by the called party is then notified (206) that the terminating service is applicable by the access node, before the application server is confirmed (208) that the called communication terminal has been notified.