Abstract: This invention relates to a method of charging in a communications network, said method comprising including a first charging identity in at least one of a plurality of messages relating to a service, said first charging identity being specific to said at least one message, including a second charging entity in said at least one message, said second charging identity being specific to said service, charging for said service based on at least one of said first and second charging identities.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for charging for services in a communication system supporting a Diameter IP protocol, comprising defining at least one attribute value pair to define sponsorship information.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for charging for services in an IP based communication system, comprising: establishing an accounting session between a network element and a charging function for the session; and initiating a change in the accounting session at the charging function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and network system for charging an account related to a terminal device (1) of a subscriber (A) to a first data network (10) for a network session rendered to the terminal device when roaming in a second data network (18). According to the method of the invention, upon registration of the terminal device to the second (visited) data network a network address of a first charging system (16) related to the home data network (10) of the terminal device (1) is transmitted from the home data network to the visited data network (18). When a network session is established for the terminal device (1) by the second data network, assessing of charge information about the network session will begin in the second data network in a real-time process. The saved network address of the charging system will be used for transmitting in real-time the assessed charge information from the second data network to the first charging system (16).

Abstract: A method for charging in a communication system is described. The method comprises initiating provision of a service for at least two parties. Further, it is verified that each of the parties is capable of paying for the use of the service. Then, payment information is generated and use of the service is charged based on the payment information. The service may be a game. A communication system configured to provide and charge the service is also disclosed.

Abstract: A communications system comprises at least one client and at least one service provider for providing a service and a charge node. The at least one service provider is arranged to provide the charging node with charging information and the charge node is arranged to determined a charge associated with the service.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging against prepaid credit in a communication network. When a first terminal requests establishment of a call to a second terminal, the network ascertains whether prepaid credit is involved. If so, accounting sessions are established between an accounting server and any accounting servers that will raise costs during the call. A session identifier is generated. Once the call is established, charging update data is sent from the accounting clients to the accounting server, where it is collated on the basis of the accounting session identifier, whereby enabling updating of the prepaid credit during the call.

Abstract: A system and method of monitoring number portability in a communication system, comprising transmitting ported-out information to a network element are disclosed. The system includes an originating network and a recipient network. The originating network includes a first network element for establishing a call to a ported-out subscriber and for transmitting ported-out information.

Abstract: A method and system of flow based charging for IP multimedia system services are disclosed. The system includes a call processing server, and a session charging functionality. The method comprises negotiating media to be used within a session during a session initiating signaling. The method also includes generating a set of charging flow identifiers according to a predefined mechanism. The set of charging flow identifiers are associated with respective charging identifiers of the IP multimedia system identifying the session. A charging identifier of the IP multimedia system and a charging flow identifier globally uniquely identify a media component within a session. The call processing server and the session charging functionality generate the same charging flow identifiers by using the predefined mechanism so that the charging flow identifiers are known before any resource reservation occurs.

Abstract: A method for charging users in a communication system includes initiating set-up of a communication session between a first party and a second party by sending, from the first party associated with a first charging entity to the second party associated with a second charging entity, a message inviting the second party to joint the communication session. The method further includes sending a response to the message that includes information regarding the second charging entity, and based on the response, providing the first charging entity with the information regarding the second charging entity. Lastly, the method includes establishing a communication interface between the first and second charging entities based on the information from the response. A system is also disclosed for performing the method. The response may use session initiation protocol (SIP).

Abstract: A communication system for supporting a communication session of a terminal, the communication system comprising: at least one charging unit arranged to monitor the communication session and generate a plurality of charging messages together indicating a total charge for the communication session; a primary charging data collection unit, a secondary charging data collection unit and a backup charging data collection unit, each charging collection unit being capable of receiving and correlating charging messages for the communication session; wherein: the or each charging unit is arranged to transmit the charging messages to the primary charging data collection unit or, if the charging unit determines that a charging message for the communication session has not been correctly received by the primary charging data collection unit, to die secondary charging data collection unit; and the primary and secondary charging data collection units are arranged to, if they have received only some of the charging messages

Abstract: A method of multiplexing different sessions using the same authorized contexts for media, comprising: distinguishing the sessions to be multiplexed, by a device; creating a new session on a control plane; indicating media flows of different sessions; and enabling the sessions to share the same authorized context for media, thus being multiplexed.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for transferring charging information in telecommunication system, the method comprising establishing a call between a first terminal and a second terminal, the establishment of the call being performed by the transmission of call setup messages according to a messaging protocol between the first network and the second network; and transmitting charging data between first and second charging units to indicate the basis of charging for the support of the call; wherein the call setup messages and the charging data are transferred according to the same messaging protocol.

Abstract: A method for transferring charging information in a telecommunication system comprising a first network having a charging unit for collecting information on charges made to subscribers of the first network, a second network having a call charge generation unit for generating data records indicative of charges levied for calls, and a third network; the method comprising: determining that a call is to be established between a first terminal operating in the first network under a subscription to the first network and a second terminal operating in the third network under a subscription to the second network; transmitting from the first network to the call charge generation unit of the second network a charging address whereby messages may be directed to the charging unit of the first network; supporting the call between the first terminal operating in the first network and the second terminal operating in the third network; generating at the call charge generation unit of the second network a data record for cha

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for providing accounting requests, where an accounting request comprises at least one identifier and relates to a service provided to a user of a communication network. In the method a first accounting request is transmitted and a second accounting request corresponding to the first accounting request is prepared. The second accounting request comprises at least one of the at least one identifier in the first accounting request as correlation information. The second accounting request is transmitted as a retransmitted first accounting request, if it is determined that retransmission of the first accounting request is required.

Abstract: A method for charging for services in a communication system comprises a charging entity. The method comprises a step of sending a first message to the charging entity. The method also comprises a step of generating a charging identity at the charging entity if it is determined that the first message does not include a charging identity.

Abstract: A communication method for use in a communications system includes at least one user. The method includes a step of establishing a session for permitting a user to communicate with at least one entity. The method also includes the steps of using a first charging method for one part of the session and using a second charging method for a different part of the session.

Abstract: A method for charging for services in a communication system comprising a charging entity and at least two connection Support entities for providing resources to support connection in the communication system. the method comprising: detecting initiation of a connection for provision by the connection support entities: generating a charging identity for identifying the connection: determining according to a first stored tariff a first charge for the support of the connection by the first connection support entity: determining according to a second stored tariff a second charge for the support of the connection by the second connection support entity; transmitting a first charging message from the first connection support entity to the charging entity. the message specifying the first charge and including the charging identity; and transmitting a second charging message from the second connection support entity to the charging entity, the message specifying the second charge and including the charging identity.

Abstract: A communications network system and a corresponding method for starting an AoC service of a user are disclosed. The system comprises a control means for sending a protocol message comprising a MIME indication of an AoC application to a user equipment (UE). The user equipment receives the protocol message and activates the AoC application by using the MIME indication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and network element for accounting chargeable signaling in a communication network, wherein a signaling message is detected in a call processing network element (7), and an amount of data carried in said signaling message is determined based on a message description provided in said signaling message. A counting function is then selected and updated based on said message description. Thereby, an inter-operator accounting can be provided even for data carried in signaling messages.