Method of charging for the use of a telecommunications service, as well as a switching system, a service control point, and a network management facility

US5943320A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Alcatel Alsthom Compagnie Generale d'Electricite · FR

Inventors

• Hartmut Weik · Stuttgart, DE
• Uwe Stahl · Leonberg, DE
• Wolfgang Lautenschlager · Diez, DE
• Lothar Krank · Ditzingen, DE
• Rudiger Falkner · Ditzingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 12, 1996
• Grant date: Aug 24, 1999
• Expiry date: Dec 12, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04Q2213/13515
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for charging for the use of a telecommunication service, as well as to a switching system, a service control point and a network management facility. A service request is transmitted from a subscriber (A) via a telecommunication network (KN) of a network operator to a service-providing unit (SAPP1) of the service provider. A charge unit (BILL) of the network operator administers the charge collection for the use of the telecommunication service. The service-providing unit (SAPP1) provides the requested telecommunication service only after receipt of a confirmation message from a authorization unit (AUT) of the network operator. The charge message (M6) with data relating to a charge for using the telecommunication service is transferred from the service-providing unit (SAPP1) to the charge unit (BILL) and the charge unit (BILL) collects the charge after the confirmation message has been received.