Method for transmitting messages between communication devices

The invention relates to a method for transmitting messages between communication terminals. There are generally A method for transmitting messages between communication terminals known in telecommunications networks, in which the communication terminals involved not to any Times these messages send to. Much more receive the communication terminal at certain time points a permission to send such a message. This is, for example, when transmitting messages between Communication terminals in the form of mobile devices (So-called. "Walkie Talkies") of the case. Of such a radio device namely can not at any times a (voice) sent message to a second communication terminal will. Rather, the radio is only after pressing a special speaker key a permission to send the voice message issued. Only then is transmitted from the communication terminal a message (for example, a voice message a user of the communication terminal) to the destination communication terminal transfer. During this transfer the message from the sender radio device to the target radio device it is for the target radio is not possible, a submit message to the sender radio device. furthermore generally accounting systems in telecommunication networks known with which the transmission of messages participating Communication terminals and the users of the communication terminals can be billed.

The invention is based on the object, a method of Transferring messages between communication terminals indicate in which the inclusion of a billing system little effect on the speed of message transmission Has.

This object is achieved by a method for transmitting messages between communication terminals comprising the steps of:<ul><li>of a message transmission controlling control computer a flag to a first communication terminal transmitted, whereby the first communication terminal a permission to send a message is granted, and a reservation message to a billing system transmitted, whereby the billing system to reserve resources for a settlement the transmission of the message is requested,</li><li>after receiving the identifier is of the first communication terminal sending the second communication terminal to an begun addressed message,</li><li>of the first communication terminal dispatches parts the message is transmitted to the control computer and temporarily stored therein, and</li><li>after receiving a confirmation message (the the billing system at a successful reservation is transmitted to the control computer) is of the Control computer the message to the second communication terminal transfer.</li></ul>This is particularly advantageous that the indicator and the reservation message promptly to the communication terminal or be transferred to the billing system. Thereby can be from the communication terminal to send the Message to start while the billing system the necessary steps for reservation of resources be made. Even if the billing system for this reservation requires a significant period of time, so this period may advantageously used are, by the communication terminal already at least to transfer part of the message to the control computer; the Reservation and the transmission of the message parts to the Tax Calculator done so parallel in time or simultaneously. Once the control computer of the billing system by the confirmation message about the successful Reservations will be informed, are included with the Tax Calculator already these parts of the message before and can without delay to the message transfer destination in Form of the second communication terminal are transmitted. It occurred through the involvement of the billing system no significant delays in the transmission of News on.

In the method according to the invention can be used as resources Share a prepaid credit reserved. In order to the inventive method can advantageously be carried out with the use of pre-paid credit, which, for example in connection with so-called "prepaid accounts" occur.

The inventive method may proceed so that the Confirmation message information on a confirmed duration is transmitted to the control computer, and the control computer only while the message to the the second communication terminal is transmitted to the transmission time reaches the confirmed period. Here the control computer is advantageously a maximum of the confirmed Period (which z. B. from the amount of reserved Resources, such as from the height of a reserved Credit amount, results) long transfer the message.

The method can proceed so that shortly before the confirmed period of the control computer further reservation message transferred to the billing system is whereby the billing system to another reservation of additional resources for the settlement of the transfer of the message is requested, and then at or after a successful further reservation another Reservation confirmation message to the control computer Gets transferred. This can also be very long or large transmit communications to the second communication terminal will.

In the inventive method can to a request message the first communication terminal toward the Indicator of the control computer to the first communication terminal be transmitted. As a result, by the communication terminal are communicated to the control computer when the communication terminal permission to send the required message.

The inventive method may proceed so that a Information about a confirmed duration is transmitted, wherein the confirmed time duration is greater than that for the Transmission of the message required transmission time of the control computer, a difference between the confirmed Time and duration of the transmission is formed, and then the control computer a new confirmed period held for the transmission of further messages is the new confirmed period corresponds to the difference. The transfer of information over such a long confirmed period is advantageously achieved, that this is a (long) confirmed period often is sufficient for the transmission of several messages. As a result, after the transmission of the message to the second communication terminal during the new confirmed Time often a second message, or even more transmit communications to the second communication terminal be without for this second message or for that other news, a new reservation by the billing system needs to be made. With appropriate Choice of (long) confirmed period therefore results in a correspondingly long confirmed new time period for the Transmission of further messages is sufficient.

The inventive method may proceed so that by the Tax Calculator is continually checked whether within a preselected period of inactivity, messages from the first communication terminal are sent, and when this is the case, transmitting the other messages, and the transmission time thereby required is determined or if this is not the case, an accounting message to is transferred to the billing system, wherein the accounting message required information concerning the previously Transmission time and a request to terminate the reservation received the resources to the billing system becomes. It is advantageously achieved that then for the first communication terminal, a settlement of up transmitted at this time messages against the up then required transmission time is excited when the first communication terminal a certain time period long (Namely the long period of inactivity) sends any messages). In addition, be the first for this communication terminal released again reserved resources (the Reservation of the resources will be canceled or reversed made). This will prevent that unintentionally parts reserved the resources of the first communication terminal Me and thereby (eg for the use of other services) of the first communication terminal device not be used can.

Here, the method can proceed so that the billing system information on the length to be used in the Idle time is transmitted to the control computer.

However, the process may also proceed so that the control computer the length of idle time in accordance with a local setting is fixed.

In the method according to the invention may upon receipt the billing message comes from the billing system Transmission of the message using the reserved resources are settled.

The method can proceed so that the transfer of Message with the use of the first communication terminal or its user is billed associated resources and / or under use of the second communication terminal or its user is billed associated resources. Thereby, it is advantageously possible, the transmitter of the Message or the recipient of the message or the transmitter and the receiver fees for the transmission of the message to invoice.

The inventive method can be configured such that with the billing system, the billing message Processing a low priority compared with originating from other services billing messages. Thereby can advantageously be achieved that in the Billing system for billing the transmission of said News only minimal demands on Hardware with respect to the processing speed occur since the maximum response time of the billing system due to the low priority of the charging message can be made relatively long.

In the process all can transmitted from the control computer News that low priority be assigned, ie all of the control computer to the charging system transmitted messages can with a low priority to be edited. In this embodiment of the invention Method, the billing system advantageously seen only from the senders of the messages, that the low priority is to be applied.

However, the process may also proceed so that the control computer with the billing message, information about the level of requirements for this charging message Priority is transferred to the billing system. in this connection can advantageously by the control computer objects individually set priority values ​​and to the billing system be transmitted.

The inventive method may proceed so that in all data transmitted from the control computer to the charging system News, information about the amount of for these messages applicable priority to the billing system Gets transferred.

The inventive method may also proceed so that a first communication terminal associated confirmed Duration is transmitted to the control computer, a the second communication terminal associated confirmed time transmitted to the control computer is, and the control computer only as long as the message to the second communication terminal is transferred until the transfer period, the the first communication terminal associated confirmed reached time or until the transmission time which the second communication terminal associated confirmed time reached. In this embodiment of the invention Method can advantageously transfer the message only to the sender in the form of the first communication terminal and the receiver in the form of the second Communication terminal will be billed. Just if both the first and for the second communication terminal respectively, a correspondingly large amount of resources is reserved (and thus a correspondingly long confirmed Period of time both for the first and for the second communication terminal is present), the message to the second transmitted communication terminal.

The inventive method can also be configured such be that the news in half-duplex operation between the Communication terminals are transmitted. this makes possible it, the inventive method for example in the Use of wireless devices in the form of so-called. "Walkie Talkies" or in the use of wireless devices with a "talk button" apply.

For further explanation of the invention is in the single Figure an embodiment of process steps for Transmission of messages between communication terminals shown.

In the figure, a first communication terminal KEG 1, a second communication terminal KEG 2 and a third communication terminal KEG3 shown, where it is as Radio equipment in the form of "Walkie Talkies" or to mobile phones can act. is between these communication terminals built a telecommunications session (= session), at the each communication terminal to the respective other communication terminals Messages in the form of voice messages can send or other messages. Here, by the Award of a license plate (token) to only one communication terminal ensures that multiple communication terminals not simultaneously sent messages can or that not more communication terminals can speak simultaneously. Indeed, it is only the the indicator propertied communication terminal possible a message to the other communication terminals to . send The flag is to a control computer PTT each communication terminal transmitted; this Control computer controls the entire transmission of the message between the communication terminals and ensures that at any given time a maximum of one communication terminal, the Indicator is allocated.

The communication terminals are in the embodiment in The form of mobile phones with a special "talk button" or "Send" button (PTT = Push-to-talk button ") formed. After pressing this button, the control computer a appropriate time for sending the message and determines then transmit the indicator to the communication terminal. The control computer (which is to get an service-providing server of a telecommunications network TKN is) is a charging system CS (CS = Charging System) connected. This billing system is be called in the exemplary embodiment is an. 'Online Charging System " ie to a billing system, which at the same time with the transmission of messages a billing for the transfer fees incurred performs. This billing system CS may be for example, a Service Control Point (Service Control Point, SCP) of a Structure of an intelligent network comprising telecommunications network TKN act, said service control point Credit accounts (prepaid accounts) of the communication terminals KEG 1, KEG 2 and / or KEG3 managed. To manage these Credit accounts is the billing system CS with a database DB connected, in the information about billing the transmission of messages appropriate resources R stored. In the exemplary embodiment are as such resources R information on three different credit (eg stored in Euro) which the first communication terminal KEG 1 or its user, the second communication terminal KEG 2 or its user and the third communication terminal KEG3 or its user is assigned.

In the telecommunication network TKN may be a cellular network act of second or third generation, for example, to a GSM, GPRS or UMTS mobile network.

In the illustrated embodiment, voice messages are from the first communication device to the second KEG1 Communication terminal KEG 2 and also to the third communication terminal KEG3 sent and there is a settlement the transmission instead of the news. In this settlement is according to the duration of the voice messages a fee charged (charging), in a simplified alternative method, instead of the time-dependent Fees also fixed flat fees per billed transmitted message from the billing system will. With these charges the sender of the voice message is (Ie the first communication terminal KEG 1 or its Users) and / or the recipient of the message (ie, for example the second communication terminal KEG 2 or its user or the third communication terminal KEG3 OR ITS Users) charged.

In the communication method a "is parallel Reservations "performed. It is timely with the transfer of the flag to the first communication terminal KEG 1 (whereby the first communication terminal an authorization is issued to send the message) a reservation message transferred to the billing system CS (which the billing system to a reservation of resources for a settlement of the transmission of the message is requested). Immediately after reception of the registration plate , the first communication terminal KEG 1 a voice message record from a user via a built-in microphone and an electronic voice message to the second communication terminal KEG 2 inquiry. This voice message (Possibly also parts of the voice message, if this z. B. by is transferred to a conventional streaming method) arrives at the control computer PTT and is latched there (Buffered). While conducting this data transfer reserved the billing system after receipt of the reservation message Resources (for example in the form of Monetary units of prepaid credit) for settlement the transmission of this message. Following a successful Completion of this reservation operations and to send a successful reservation confirmatory confirmation message the billing system to the Control computer are stored in the control computer Parts of the message to the second communication terminal KEG 2 transfer. For any subsequent following further Messages or other message parts, this principle applied the same reservation, ie reservation of resources through the billing system is timed parallel to the transmission of the next message or the next message part to the control computer and temporally parallel for the temporary storage of the next message or the next message part in the control computer. By Parallel reservation are the requirements to the billing system significantly reduced with respect to its response time. Even with longer response times (ie when between receiving the reservation message by the billing system and Sending of the successful reservation confirmatory confirmation message through the billing system a comparatively long period of time is), delayed the transfer of the messages between the first communication terminal KEG1 and the second communication terminal KEG 2 only slightly or not at all, because the billing system already used for the reservation time required to is to get the message or the message parts of the first communication terminal KEG 1 to the control computer PTT to transmit. Furthermore, increased by the same reservation the quality of service for the user of the first Communication terminal KEG 1 significantly since these users immediately begin upon receipt of the flag with the saying can and the communication terminal KEG 1 immediately after receiving start of the tag to send the voice message can. For the user of communication terminal KEG 1 So is the service after the service request quickly available, even if the charging system CS not yet has performed complete reservation. It is therefore in the Process of the invention not necessary that the complete Reservation is completed and the confirmation message wherein the control computer is present before the Service is started. Rather, find the service provision (Or at least a part of the service provision) time simultaneously with the booking of accounting resources by the billing system.

Furthermore, in the inventive process is a "supplementary reservation" performed. In this supplementary reservation divides the online charging system CS to the control computer PTT on the first reservation request, (by means of Confirmation message) and possibly with other reservation requests (By means of further confirmation messages) information about a confirmed Time period with, the confirmed time duration is greater than the time required for the transmission of the message transmission time. Such information about a confirmed period is also referred to as a "time slice" or as "Quota"; it involves an end-user-oriented (ie the first communication apparatus KEG1 and / or the second communication terminal KEG2 allocated) time slice, the most Control computer PTT by the time period from the first communication terminal KEG sent voice messages or to Time received from the second communication terminal KEG2 Voicemail is decremented. This is also called "budget control". Such a time slice or confirmed time period can thus comprise an amount of time, which take several voice messages or voice messages is.

is addition to monitoring this confirmed period by the control computer PTT a period of inactivity (idle time, idle-timeout) monitors. The monitoring of the Inactivity period begins with the end of the transmission of first voice message. If within the period of inactivity no more voice messages from the first communication terminal KEG 1 be sent (the communication terminal KEG 1 or its user is then inactive (idle)), then is from the control computer PTT billing message (Request) transferred to the billing system and then of the billing system which until then to transfer the Voice message (s) charged time consumed and if necessary remaining Unreserved resources (the at this time still reserved and not yet used, Resources are therefore released).

begins Upon completion of the transmission of a voice message respectively for the time elapsed to run from the front and is until the start of transmission of a subsequent voice message monitored. If the entire session for transmitting finished the messages between the communication terminals is (by, for example, the communication terminals derecognise from the cellular network), then possibly still reserved Resources released, ie all then existing and the relevant reservations session canceled.

An information about the length of the interior to be used Duration of Activity can the billing system CS to the control computer PTT is sent; Alternatively, this length the time elapsed and the control computer in accordance a local setting are fixed.

Further, a method in which communication Aspect "Low Prioritized messages to the billing system" applied, ie it will be as low priority Billing messages from the control computer to the charging system Posted. The of the control computer PTT to the Billing system CS are transmitted billing messages then the billing system with a low Priority processed, ie the billing system can if necessary with the answer to this billing request be relatively long time; there are reduced response time requirements in comparison with other services originating billing messages or billing requests.

Here, by the billing system all the control computer PTT originating billing messages low Priority will be assigned, in this case does the billing system CS so only the sender of the billing messages to identify and may use this information Sender the billing messages low priority to assign. In another embodiment of the invention Method is used by the control computer PTT with the accounting message, information about the level of used for these accounting message priority to the Billing system CS transmitted.

By using these low-priority charging messages there is the advantage that only low demands to be realized to the billing system concerning the Response times exist. This only results in lower hardware requirements of the billing system, resulting in a low cost and a simpler feasibility the billing system arise. Whereas the billing system occurring costs are in fact much more by the required (maximum) response time per accounting operation (Charging latency) and by the number of settlement transactions determined per unit of time. Optionally, the billing system at the same time for a plurality other services are used, which accounting messages with a higher priority to the billing system carry out and the correspondingly faster expect answers.

The method of the "low-priority messages" can in all of the control computer PTT to the charging system CS transmitted messages are used, eg in a reservation message described below 2b, a further reservation message and a charging message 8 11th

In the method according to the invention these three aspects can "Parallel reservation", "supplementary reservation" and "low prioritized messages to the billing system "respectively be used alone or in combination. The parallel reservation, the quality of service improved for the end user of the communication terminal KEG 1, for this is the service of transmitting messages available very quickly (reduced call setup time). By using the low-priority charging messages are the response time requirements to the billing system considerably reduced. This reduces the capital cost to the operator of the settlement system significantly (reduced operator CAPEX CAPEX = capital expenditure). By applying the "supplementary reservation" to the Number of billing operations of the billing system is reduced, whereby the billing system also relieves becomes. Also improved for the end of the first Communication terminal KEG 1 and also for the end users of other communication terminals, the service quality, because the Service of transmitting messages even faster Available when the early already at a stage of the procedure made supplementary reservation no additional Reservation in the transfer of a further to be performed message needs.

In the following, with reference to the shown in the figure News, an exemplary process flow of the present invention Procedure explained.

At the beginning of the process there is the situation that between the first communication terminal KEG1, the second Communication terminal KEG 2 and the third communication terminal KEG3 a session to transfer messages (A so-called. PTT session, Push-to-talk session) is constructed. There were within this session have any messages yet exchanged, the billing system has been most a settlement of charges made for the establishment of the session. There is a need, from the first communication terminal KEG 1 a voice message to the second communication terminal KEG 2 and on the third communication terminal KEG3 submit. At the first communication terminal KEG1 Namely, the "send" button is operated, and thus a first-time Nachrichtenabsendebedarf signaled. Thereupon of the first communication terminal KEG 1 a request message transmitted to the control computer PTT (arrow 1), wherein this request message includes the information, that the Nachrichtenabsendebedarf there.

Then, by the controlling message transmission Control computer PTT a code (token) to the first communication terminal KEG 1 transferred (arrow 2a); Because of this Plate is the first communication terminal KEG 1 a Permission to send the voice message issued. contemporary (Ideally nearly simultaneously) is the control computer PTT is a low-priority reservation message to the Billing system CS transmitted (arrow 2b); through this reservation message the billing system CS is invited Resources for a settlement of the transfer of reserve voice message.

the billing system CS then determines a first once to be applied rate for the transmission of the voice message (In the simplest case, a flat rate is per recognized voice message or it is for each voice message a medium price set) and there are resources (Dependent ligand determined by the price) for which credit amounts both on a credit account of the first communication terminal KEG 1 as well as the bank accounts of the second Communication terminal KEG 2 and the third communication terminal KEG3 reserved. Since the reservation message 2b comes from the control computer PTT, the reservation operations with a low priority is performed (low-priority Charging message). With this reservation larger credit amounts are reserved, as they accordingly the price determined for the transmission of the first Voice message would be necessary. It is in the method namely assumed that the first communication terminal KEG1 as a transmitter of the voice message and the second communication terminal KEG2 and / or the third communication terminal KEG3 as a receiver of the voice message in the next Time the service of transmitting messages continue will use to exchange more voice messages. The charging system CS now expects the reserved resources in confirmed durations to which specify how long under Aufbrauchung the reserved resources a can be transmitted voice message (eg Euro 0.10 each reserved Resources of the transmitter and the receiver can be transferred for one minute a voice message). Information about the confirmed period (also "granted quota referred to ") is then a confirmation message transmitted to the control computer (arrow 4).

The time of the award of the license plate to the first communication terminal until the arrival of the information about the confirmed time at the control computer was first of the Communication terminal KEG 1 used to using a to known streaming method (for example, by means of RTP / RTCP method; RTP / RTCP = Real-time Transport Protocol / Real-time Transport Control Protocol) at least parts of to transfer voice message to the control computer PTT (arrow 3). These portions of the voice message (possibly even the entire Voice message) have been cached in the control computer (Buffered). Alternatively, these parts can Voice message in another storage node of the telecommunication network (For example, in a media server) are cached.

Once the information about the confirmed time period in which Control computer PTT is present, sends the control computer PTT the cached portions of the voice message (voice message) at the second communication terminal and to the KEG2 third communication terminal further KEG3 (arrows 6). The to Transmission required transmission time is the control computer PTT measured. From the control computer PTT is the Voice message only so long to the second communication terminal KEG 2 and the third communication terminal KEG3 transmitted until the time required for the transfer transmission time reaches the confirmed period. Shortly before Confirmed time (ie shortly before the transfer time the confirmed time achieved) sends the control computer another reservation message to the charging system CS, whereby the accounting system further to a Reservation of additional resources for the transmission is asked the voice message (arrow 8). (This case may occur for example, when the first voice message appreciably longer than originally required upon reservation the message length Resources adopted so also made additional reservation no longer for is complete messaging sufficient.) Then, performs the billing system in a known manner a further Reservation of further resources and sends a further confirmation message with another confirmed (longer) period of time to the control computer PTT (Arrow 9). Possibly occurring waits on the other Confirmation message will be re-used to around portions of the respective message to be transmitted by the first communication terminal KEG 1 to the control computer PTT to transmit and temporarily store there.

Upon completion of the transmission of the voice message to the Communication terminals KEG 2 and KEG3 is the control computer PTT a difference between the public time and the required transmission time formed and this difference (Ie, not yet consumed confirmed time) as is confirmed new time period for the transmission of another voice messages stored. Then, by the control computer continuously (at predetermined times or at short intervals) checks whether, within a preselected period of time (which in the following period of inactivity is called), messages from the first communication terminal KEG 1 are sent. If this is the case is then the other voice messages to their transfer the target, the transfer time required here is measured and the new confirmed period withdrawn. In this case, it is not necessary to provide additional sending reservation messages to the billing system CS. The transfer time from the control computer also using the timing of the transmission of the registration plate determined on the corresponding transmitter communication terminal are by this time as the beginning of transmission the message is used.

But if during the preselected period of inactivity no messages from the first communication terminal be sent, then a low-priority charging message (Arrow 11) to the charging system CS transmitted, with this accounting message information about the need to go to the transfer time Billing system CS is transmitted and also the billing system is prompted possibly still existing reservations finish of resources or abolish.

Information about the length of time elapsed to be used can the billing system CS together with the Confirmation message 4 and / or the other Confirmation message 9 to the control computer PTT be transmitted. Alternatively, the control computer PTT the length of idle time according to a local Setting (. Eg default value: 30 minutes) set will.

The of the control computer PTT to the charging system CS transmitted billing message 11 and also any other of the control computer PTT originating messages by the Accounting system processed with a low priority.

For example, the following messages in the inventive Methods are used:<sl><li>Message 1: RTCP: App: Floor Request</li><li>Message 2: RTCP: App: Floor Grant</li><li>Message 2b: Diameter Accounting Request (Start_Record)</li><li>Message 3: RTP Streaming</li><li>Message 4: Diameter: Accounting Answer (Start_Record)</li><li>Message 6: RTCP: App: Floor Taken + RTP Streaming</li><li>Message 8: Diameter Accounting Request (Interim_Record)</li><li>Message 9: Diameter: Accounting Answer (Interim_Record)</li><li>Message 11: Diameter Accounting Request (Interim_Record)</li></sl>

From the billing system CS fees can for transmission the voice message to both the first communication terminal KEG1 as a transmitter and z. B. the second communication terminal KEG 2 as the receiver of the voice message in Are invoiced. Accordingly, in the method a first communication terminal KEG 1 assigned confirmed time with the reservation confirmation message are transmitted 4 to the control computer PTT and a second communication terminal KEG 2 associated confirmed Time with the reservation confirmation message are transmitted 4 to the control computer PTT. From the control computer Only as long as the appropriate voice message transmitted to the second communication terminal, to the occurring transmission time either the first communication terminal achieved assigned confirmed time or to the apparent transmission time to the second Communication terminal associated confirmed time achieved. Thereafter, with respect to the first communication terminal or with respect to the second communication terminal further reservation message to the charging system to transferred to the billing system to another reservation ask of other resources.

In the method the messages are in Half-duplex operation between the communication terminals transfer. This results in a method in which in each case only one of the communication terminals at a time when a Voice message can be despatched.

In the described method is particularly advantageous that for the user of the communication terminals a high Quality of service is achieved. Occur namely both the sender and the recipient of the message very low latency on (short call setup time). furthermore occur only relatively low requirements for the billing system with respect to the response times of the billing system on reservation messages, because the (possibly slightly longer) Reaction time already for the transmission of messages from the sender's communication terminal KEG 1 to the control computer PTT can be used.