Method for Synchronizing Charging Processes Involved in Performance of Service on Network Elements in Communication Network

Abstract

A control protocol using mechanisms of a transport protocol is used to distribute control messages containing specific dedicated information for each charging process involved in the performance of a service or application to each charging process required in the performance of the service or application.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
   
   
       26 . A method for synchronizing charging processes involved in performance of a service or an application on individual network elements in a communication network, comprising:
 distributing to each charging process involved in the performance of the service or the application, via a control protocol using mechanisms of a transport protocol:
 control messages containing dedicated information specific to each charging process, 
 a data request message which includes a listing of required data for service-oriented charging and a destination address for a primary metering process which is involved in the performance of the service and to which the required data need to be sent; and 
   sending the required data to the primary metering process using a standard transport protocol.   
   
   
       27 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the standard transport protocol is an internet protocol flow information export. 
   
   
       28 . The method as claimed in  claim 26 ,
 wherein said distributing includes forwarding the control messages from one network element to a next network element along a data path initiated by the service, and   wherein the charging processes which are implemented on respective network elements and which are involved in the performance of the service or the application are controlled by the control messages.   
   
   
       29 . The method as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein the charging processes involved in the performance of the service insert additional information and instructions into the control messages. 
   
   
       30 . The method as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the control messages are sent at least one of upon setup, during use and upon cleardown of a connection initiated by the service. 
   
   
       31 . The method as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein the control protocol used is an NSIS accounting signaling layer protocol based on an NSIS transport protocol, and the control messages used are messages based on NSIS. 
   
   
       32 . The method as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the control messages are originally transmitted by one of the charging processes involved in the performance of the service. 
   
   
       33 . The method as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein a hierarchic stipulation for the individual charging processes involved in the performance of the service is prescribed which governs how to handle at least one of the control messages transmitted by respective charging processes and the instructions inserted into the control messages by the respective charging processes. 
   
   
       34 . The method as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the hierarchic stipulation is prescribed for each service on a service-specific basis. 
   
   
       35 . The method as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein the hierarchic stipulation is distributed to all charging processes involved in the performance of the service on the individual network elements using one of the control messages. 
   
   
       36 . The method as claimed in  claim 35 , wherein the hierarchic stipulation is distributed by a network element which is authorized to do so based on a table stored in each network element on which one of the charging processes involved in the performance of the service is implemented. 
   
   
       37 . The method as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the primary metering process meters and processes charging data required for service-oriented charging. 
   
   
       38 . The method as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein at least one of network-element-specific characteristics and prescribed rules are taken as a basis for selecting a metering network element on which the primary metering process is arranged or to which the primary metering process is transmitted by an initiating network element. 
   
   
       39 . The method as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the metering network element is selected by a rule. 
   
   
       40 . The method as claimed in  claim 39 , wherein the rule contains statements indicating how the primary metering process is to be transmitted. 
   
   
       41 . The method as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the rule stores one of a destination address and a destination address range for at least one recipient network element selected and to which the primary metering process is to be transmitted by the initiating network element. 
   
   
       42 . The method as claimed in  claim 41 , further comprising:
 sending from the initiating network element a transmission request message to the at least one recipient network element; and   responding by the at least one recipient network element using a respective transmission response message which contains information regarding whether the primary metering process can be executed.   
   
   
       43 . The method as claimed in  claim 42 , further comprising if the primary metering process can be executed by the at least one recipient network element:
 transmitting all data required therefor a data transmission message from the initiating network element to the at least one recipient network element; and   acknowledging receipt of the data transmission message by the at least one recipient network element.   
   
   
       44 . The method as claimed in  claim 42 , further comprising, if the primary metering process cannot be executed by any of the at least one recipient network element; terminating the service. 
   
   
       45 . The method as claimed in  claim 42 , further comprising, if the primary metering process cannot be executed by any of the at least one recipient network element; performing the service at no charge. 
   
   
       46 . The method as claimed in  claim 42 , further comprising, if the primary metering process can be executed by a plurality of the at least one recipient network element, deciding by the initiating network element using a selection criterion, to which of the network elements all data needed for executing the primary metering process are transmitted. 
   
   
       47 . The method as claimed in  claim 46 , wherein the selection criterion is the order of arrival of respective transmission response messages from respective ones of the at least one recipient network element. 
   
   
       48 . The method as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein the rule includes a bit string identifying a network element type suitable as a recipient. 
   
   
       49 . The method as claimed in  claim 38 , further comprising:
 deciding by the initiating network element using a selection criterion, at least one recipient network element to which all data needed for executing the primary metering process are transmitted;   sending by the initiating network element a general transmission request message through the network to the at least one recipient network element; and   responding by the at least one recipient network element using a respective transmission response message to provide notification of an ability to execute the primary metering process.