Method for billing the use of telecommunication services, as well as switching system, service control and network management devices

IS 2 148 706 T3

DESCRIPTION

Procedure for pricing the use of a telecommunications service, as well as a distribution system, server control installation and network management installation.

The invention refers to a procedure for the pricing of the use of a telecommunications service from a service vendor according to the preamble of claim 1, to a distribution system according to the preamble to claim 8, to a service control facility According to the preamble of claim 9 and to a network management facility according to the preamble of claim 11.

The number of telecommunications services offered in a communications network grows day by day. The invention is now part of a group of such telecommunication services, which are designated as "kiosk services".

A possible structuring and realization of this group of services corresponding to the RI concept (RI = Smart Grid) is described in the article “Smart Grid Services” by X. du Vachat et al., Elektrisches Nachrichtenwesen, Volume 63, N °. 4, 1989.

A telecommunications network contains the so-called service distribution nodes (Service Switching Points) through which a user of the service obtains access to the kiosk service. The kiosk service itself is carried out in a so-called service control node (Service Control Point) by means of a service program. The kiosk service is not provided here by the network operator, that is, by the public or private company that manages the network and provides the IN infrastructure for the services, but by a vendor of the service.

Now a service request is directed from the service user through the service distribution node to the service control node that produces the kiosk service. A similar kiosk service consists here, for example, of an information service, which provides weather forecasts, stock market reports or sports results and for which the user of the service is charged a higher rate than the simple conversation rate. The tariff of this higher tariff is made because for the connection to the kiosk service in the communications network a higher tariff time is used. The fees for the use of the kiosk service are therefore automatically charged with the simple conversation fees to the telecommunications account of the service user and thus charged by the network operator.

One drawback of this mode of pricing a kiosk service is that the rate for the kiosk service was strongly coupled with the rate for simple conversation rates. For this reason, the seller of the service is severely limited in the configuration of its rate concept.

Therefore, the problem of finding a pricing procedure for telecommunications services, in which the telecommunications service pricing is largely decoupled from the simple connection rates, serves as the basis of the invention.

This problem is solved by means of a procedure for the tariff of the use of a telecommunications service according to the teachings of claim 1, as well as by means of a distribution system, a service control facility and a network management facility according to the teachings. of claim 8, 9 and 11 respectively.

The invention is based on the idea that only in the event of authorization made through the network operator will the service be produced and only then through the network operator is a certain fee charged by the service vendor.

Advantageous developments of the invention are obtained from the sub-claims.

Through the invention it is possible for a seller of the service to employ completely new forms of pricing for the use of his service. For example, it is possible to budget a fixed amount for the use of the service, which is independent of the duration of the service.

In order to avoid erroneous authorization by the network operator, it is also advantageous that the unit that produces the service already before the authorization sends data on the service usage fee to the unit in charge of the authorization. In addition to this, it is advantageous for this authorization unit to check data on the user of the service and for this information to serve as the basis for the decision on an authorization.

The invention is explained below with the aid of three exemplary embodiments by means of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 shows a functional assembly diagram of a communication structure with a communication network and a service control facility according to the invention.

Figure 2a shows a symbolic representation of the development of the process according to the invention for a first embodiment.

Figure 2b shows a symbolic representation of the development of the process according to the invention for a second embodiment.

Figure 2c shows a symbolic representation of the development of the process according to the invention for a third embodiment.

Figure 3 shows a flow chart for the process according to the invention according to Figures 2a to 2c.

The first example of embodiment shows the development of the procedure according to the invention for the tariff of the use of a telecommunications service in a communication structure, which has a distribution system according to the invention and a service control facility according to the invention .

Figure 1 shows a service control installation SC, a communication network KN, three terminal devices T1 to T3 and three subscribers A, B and C, which are assigned to the terminal devices T1, T2 and T3 respectively. The KN communications network is connected to the service control facility SC and to the terminal devices T1 to T3.

Terminal devices T1 to T3 are terminal devices for a telecommunication network2

ES 2 148 706 T3 nes. Terminal sets T1 and T2 are normal telephone sets. The terminal set T3 is a public telephone set. This is, for example, a coin phone, a card phone or a club phone. The number of terminal devices connected to the KN communication network is chosen as an example. The terminal devices Ti to T3 could also be terminal devices of another kind for telecommunications networks, for example calculating systems, videoconferencing devices or fax machines.

The KN communication network is configured as a usual telephone network. It features three interlocking EXi to EX3 distribution facilities and one NMC network management facility. The EXi distribution facility and the network management NMC facility exchange data with each other and form an SS distribution system. The distribution facility EXi exchanges data with the service control facility SC. In the case of the EXi to EX3 distribution systems, these are usual distribution areas for a telephony network. The EXi distribution installation was here specially configured. In the control of the distribution installation EXi are additionally structured distribution functions of the service, which form an SSF unit of control of the service and that when recognizing a connection request with a particular password of the service through a data connection directs questions to the SC installation of control of the service and in response to them receives instructions from this, which affect the subsequent treatment of the connection request. Through these service distribution functions, the EXi distribution facility fulfills the function of a service distribution node according to the RI concept (RI = Intelligent Network). The realization of a similar service distribution node and thus the EXi distribution installation was described, for example, in the article "Products for smart grids" by JP Heutzen, Elektrisches Nachrichtenwesen, Volume 63, No. 4, 1989.

The EXi distribution facility also features an AUT authorization unit. The AUT authorization unit is formed here by software modules, which are structured in the control of the EX1 distribution installation. At a question from the service control facility SC, the AUT authorization unit decides if it is possible to collect the rates for the use of a telecommunications service to be produced by the service control facility SC through a rate unit of the network operator. If this is the case, send a confirmation message to the service control facility SC.

It is also possible that they are configured as the EX1 distribution installation to other distribution installations of the KN communications network and therefore allow access to the service control installation SC.

The NMC network management facility is used for the management and administration of the EX1 distribution facility. At the same time, it is possible that the NMC network management installation performs these functions also for the EX2 and EX3 distribution installations.

The NMC network management facility is based on a computer system, which through a management interface, for example a Q3 interface, is connected to the EX1 distribution facility. In addition to the usual network management functions such as error management, configuration management, performance management, and security management, the NMC network management facility also performs billing management functions for network subscribers. KN of the network operator. For this, it presents a BILL tariff unit, which is made up of the corresponding software modules that are developed on the computer system of the NMC network management facility. The billing unit BILL registers indications of the billing meter for connections of the KN communications network subscriber, processes the tariff data and performs the billing and collection of the tariffs for these subscribers. For this purpose, for example, telecommunications accounts assigned to subscribers are administered by it, for which invoices are drawn up at specified time intervals, or rates are calculated through services with credit card companies. In addition to the fees for the use of the network operator's KN communications network, the BILL pricing unit also collects fees for the telecommunications services of the service vendor provided by the service control facility SC.

The structure of the NMC network management facility can be obtained, for example, from the article "Telecommunications Management Network (TMN): Architecture, Interfaces and Applications" by R. Falkner et al., NTZ, Volume 43, Fascóculo 6, 1990.

It is also possible that the NMC network management facility is assigned to another of the KN communications network distribution facilities. This is preferably the subscriber distribution area of ​​the subscriber who directs a service request to the service control facility SC.

The EX1 distribution facility and the NMC network management facility form an SS distribution system. As a distribution system, here is considered a system that performs the functions of the AUT authorization unit and the BILL tariff unit. It is also possible that the functions of the NMC network management facility are integrated in the EX1 distribution facility and therefore the SS distribution system is formed by the EX1 distribution facility.

The service control facility SC is based on a computer system, which is connected to the distribution facility EX1 through, for example, a signaling network N^° . 7. This computer system provides a platform for software modules, which performs the function of a service control node and a service management system according to the RI concept. Features a service control SCF unit and a management SMF unit

ES 2 of the service, which perform the corresponding functions.

It is also possible that the service management unit SMF and the service control unit SCF consist of two different computer systems, which are linked together for example via an X.25 network. In this case the service control facility will be formed by the computer system with the service control unit SCF.

The basic structure of the service control installation SC can be obtained, for example, from the article "Products for smart grids", Elektrisches Nachrichtenwesen, Volume 63, N^° . 4, 1989, already mentioned above.

The service control unit SCF has two service processing units SAPP1 and SAPP2. The number of processing units of the service is chosen as an example. The service processing units SAPP1 and SAPP2 respectively provide a telecommunications service from a network operator. To do this, they communicate with the EX1 distribution facility through a data connection. By means of this connection, they influence the subsequent processing of a request addressed to them through the distribution facility EX1, for example the transmission of this request to a specific call number of the KN communication network. In addition, it is also possible to arrange the structure of a useful connection with the subscriber making the request and through this useful connection send the subscriber, for example, spoken indications. For the preparation of such spoken instructions, it is also possible that the EX1 distribution facility is assigned a service support system (Intelligent Periphery), which prepares these spoken instructions and communicates with the service distribution facility EX1 or directly with it was installed by the SC of service control. The structure of such a service support system can be obtained, for example, from the article "Voice communication services in the intelligent network: intelligent peripherals and service nodes" by F. Bosco, CSELT Technical Reports, Volume XX, N^°. 4, 1992.

The service processing unit SAPP1 provides a telecommunications service from a service vendor, the use of which by the user of the service is paid. In the case of the service, it is preferably an information service, but it can generally be any discretionary service. The collection of fees for the use of the service is carried out at least partially not by a fee unit from the service vendor, but from the network operator of the KN communications network.

The service production unit SAPP1 produces the telecommunications service after receipt of a service request only when it receives a confirmation message from the AUT authorization facility, which indicates that the network operator is ready to take care of the service. rates for the use of the telecommunications service. After the service is performed, the SAPP1 service production facility sends a message with the rate for the use of the service to the BILL rate unit.

706 T3 6

The performance of the pricing procedure is now explained with the help of Figure 2a.

Figure 2a shows the terminal device T1, the assigned subscriber A, the service control facility SC, the service production unit SAPP1, the distribution facility EX1 with the service distribution unit SSF and the AUT authorization unit, and the NMC network management facility with the BILL tariff unit.

Subscriber A sends through the terminal device T1 as a service request a connection request M1 with the service password of the telecommunications service provided by the service production unit SAPP1, which is addressed through the communication network KN to the distribution installation EX1. It is also possible here for subscriber A to make a request for service in another way, for example in which a lifting of the handset is directly interpreted as a request for service.

The service distribution unit SSF recognizes the service request for the service produced by the service production unit SAPP1 and transmits the service request to it, sending it a corresponding M2 message. Upon receipt of the message M2, the service processing unit SAPP1 sends a message M3 to the authorization unit AUT. The M3 message contains data on the subscriber who issues the service request and on the fees expected to be accrued for the use of the service. The message M3 is interpreted here by the AUT authorization unit as a question for the acceptance of the tariff through the network operator.

It is also possible to dispense with the M3 message. For example, when recognizing a service request for the service processing unit SAPP1, a message with the corresponding data could be sent from the service distribution unit SSF directly to the authorization unit AUT. In addition, it is possible that from the service production unit SAPP1 or from the service distribution SSF unit only a request message is sent to the AUT authorization unit, and then the AUT authorization unit checks the necessary data by itself. for your decision.

The AUT authorization unit decides, based on the data contained in the M3 message or other data verified by it, if the service tariff to be produced by the service production unit SAPP1 is carried out by the BILL tariff unit of the service operator. network. If this is the case, send an M4 confirmation message to the service development unit SAPP1. The service production unit SAPP1, upon recognizing the message M4, immediately produces the service requested by the subscriber A. For this, the service production unit SAPP1 exchanges messages M5 with the service distribution unit SSF.

After finishing the production of the service, the service production unit SAPP1 calculates the fee for the use of the service. In this also it is possible that a fixed amount is calculated as a tariff. A menu is sent below.

ES 2 148 706 T3 section M6 with data on the rate calculated in the BILL rate unit. The network operator's BILL pricing unit immediately collects fees for this rate.

The exchange of M2 and M5 messages is carried out through communication mechanisms according to the IN concept. Such communication mechanisms can also be used for the exchange of the M3 and M4 messages. It is also possible, however, for an autonomous (logical) connection to be structured between the service production unit SAPP1 and the authorization unit AUT. This connection could also be based on another transport network, for example an X.25 network. The exchange of the M6 ​​message can be carried out firstly through the standard communication mechanisms between the distribution facility EX1, the service control facility SC and the network management facility NMC. Secondly, it is also possible to structure a separate communication connection between the service production unit SAPP1 and the NMC network management facility, which for example is based on a signaling network No. 7 or on an X.25 network.

The form of pricing of services described above is not limited to services that are produced through the RI concept. It is possible, for example, that the service production unit SAPP1 is integrated into the control of the distribution installation EX1 and therefore that the service is produced by the distribution installation EX1. The development of the procedure and the communication relationships are analogous to those of Figure 1 and those of Figures 2a and 2b.

In the following, with the help of the development diagram represented in Figure 3, the authorization unit AUT is described in detail.

Figure 3 shows six states, State 1 through State 6, six steps, step S1 through step S6, and five branches, D1 through D5.

Before the arrival of the message M3, the authorization unit AUT is in a waiting state, the state State 1. If the message M3 is received (step S1), the parameters that are assigned to the subscriber are checked in step S2. Issues the connection request.

Such parameters describe whether the subscriber is a subscriber who makes the connection request through a particular terminal or through a public terminal. As particular terminal apparatuses here are considered terminal apparatuses whose collection of tariffs was assigned to a subscriber. Such terminal apparatuses are, for example, terminal apparatuses that are connected to the KN communication network through connection by private persons or by firms. Public terminal devices are, on the contrary, terminal devices that can be used by several people, whose collection of fees for each individual communication is billed to the respective subscriber who uses them. Such terminal devices are, for example, coin or card telephonic devices, which are installed in public or private areas (club telephones).

These parameters are determined here by the call number of the terminal device through which the subscriber has issued the service request. This call number is checked by the EX1 distribution facility. It is also possible, however, that the verification of these parameters is carried out by means of the NMC network management facility or other network management facilities.

In addition, parameters that describe the agreements between the network operator and the subscriber responsible for a connection are checked. Such parameters are, for example, the agreement of a rate limit or a connection to the use of certain services.

It is also possible that other or only selected parameters from those mentioned above are checked. It is also possible to dispense with the verification of such parameters; The decision to send the M4 message could be made on the basis of other data or in a general way.

In branch D1, based on the parameters checked, the following three cases are distinguished:

- It is a subscriber with a normal private terminal, for example, a subscriber A. It is also possible that a subscriber with a credit card telephone number in which solvency is ensured by the credit card company is treated as this case. the credit card.

- It is a subscriber with a particular terminal, for which a tariff limit has been agreed, for example, a subscriber B.

- It is a subscriber with a public terminal, for example, a subscriber

C.

Depending on these parameters, the AUT authorization unit goes to State 2, State 3 or State 4 respectively.

In the first case the M4 confirmation message is sent without further verification. The state State 2 is immediately changed to the state State 5, followed by the sending of the message M4 in step S5.

In the second case, starting from state 3 at branch D2, it is checked whether the subscriber's rate limit has already been exceeded. In order to check the rate limit, messages are exchanged with the BILL rate unit, which manages the data on the amount of the rate limit and the telecommunications account. This check also includes data on the expected rate for the use of the service, which is transmitted with the M3 message or which is checked by accessing a data bank. If the rate limit is not violated, it goes from branch D2 to state 5. If this is not the case, go to step S3, in which the subscriber, for example by means of a spoken indication, is warned of the violation of the rate limit and is given the possibility, for example by entering a number PIN, to raise your rate limit. These functions can also be performed by

ES 2 148 706 T3 call for a service from the distribution facility EX1, from the BILL charging unit or from the service control facility SC. If the subscriber does not order any increase in the tariff limit, it goes to the state State 6 at branch D3. Otherwise, a new verification occurs at branch D2.

In the third case, starting from state State 4 at branch D4 it is checked whether there is enough money in the money deposit of the terminal device or there is enough money available on the card. This check for branch D4 is performed here by exchanging messages with a corresponding service from the NMC network management facility, the distribution facility EX1 or a service provided by the service control SC facilities. If there is enough money, it goes from branch D4 to state 5. If this is not the case, it goes to step S4, in which the subscriber, for example by means of a spoken indication, is invited to fill the bank with more money. deposit of money from the terminal device or to use a new card. If the subscriber does not agree to this invitation, at branch D5 the state goes to State 6; otherwise a new verification will take place at branch D4.

Starting from the State 5 state in step 5, the confirmation message M4 was sent to the service elaboration unit SAPP1 and immediately afterwards the State 1 state. Starting from the State 6 state, which means the denial of an authorization, in step S6 the suspension of the subscriber connection to the service control facility SC is ordered. It is also possible here to send the subscriber a spoken indication, which warns him of the denial of his request for service. The suspension of the connection could also be dispensed with.

Next, with the help of Figure 2b, a second embodiment of the invention is explained:

Figure 2b shows the terminal device T1 with the assigned subscriber A, a service control facility SC 'with the service production facility SAPP1 and the AUT authorization facility, a distribution facility EX1' and the NMC facility for the management of the network with the BILL tariff unit. This communication structure corresponds to the communication structure according to Figure 1 and Figure 2a, with the difference that the AUT authorization unit is not arranged in the EX1 distribution installation, but in the service control installation SC '. A similar arrangement of the AUT authorization facility is possible, since in general only the SAPP1 and SAPP2 units for processing the service are subject to the service vendor's area of ​​influence and the hardware and software platform that serves as the basis is provided. by the network operator.

The following development of the procedure results:

A service request from subscriber A is transmitted through messages M1 and M2 by the service distribution unit SSF to the service processing unit SAPP1. The service elaboration unit SAPP1 requests with the message M3 an authorization through the authorization unit AUT, and upon receiving the message M4 it produces the service. This communication occurs within the service control facility SC ', for example in the form of interprocess communication between two software modules. For the authorization decision it is necessary here for the AUT authorization unit to communicate with the distribution facility EX1 'or with the NMC network management facility.

After the service is produced, the M6 ​​message is sent to the BILL tariff unit.

The advantages of this exemplary embodiment are that the communication between the service development unit SAPP1 and the AUT authorization unit is simplified and that the AUT authorization unit can easily use services provided by the system control facility SC. service.

Next, with the help of Figure 2c, a third example of embodiment of the invention is explained:

Figure 2c shows the terminal device T1, the assigned subscriber A, the service control facility SC with the service processing unit SAPP1, the distribution facility EX1 'with the service distribution unit SSF and an NMC facility' of network management with the BILL tariff unit and the AUT authorization unit. This communication structure corresponds to the communication structure according to Figures 1, 2a and 3, with the difference that the authorization unit was not structured in the EX1 distribution installation, but in the NMC 'network management installation. The corresponding is valid for the development of communications, in which there is only the difference that the M3 and M4 messages are exchanged between the service control facility SC and the network management facility NMC.

The advantage of this exemplary embodiment is that the AUT authorization unit can easily use services from the NMC network management facility, especially from the BILL tariff unit. The result is a simplification in the operating mode of the AUT authorization unit. Another advantage is that the AUT authorization unit can also centrally perform authorization for a multiplicity of services from different service control facilities.