CN101686135B

CN101686135B - Method for realizing IMS multimedia conference service charging

Info

Publication number: CN101686135B
Application number: CN2008101698195A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 郭文洁; 彭磊
Original assignee: ZTE Corp
Current assignee: ZTE Corp
Priority date: 2008-09-28
Filing date: 2008-09-28
Publication date: 2011-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 2028-09-28
Also published as: CN101686135A

Abstract

The invention provides a method for realizing IMS multimedia conference service charging, comprising the following steps: firstly, expanding an AVP structure which is used for expressing multimedia conference service charging information in a Diameter protocol charging information structure, wherein, the AVP structure comprises conference identification fields, conference fee accounts fields, charging role fields, charging type fields and conference flow type fields; and secondly, recording charging information of users by the CONF AS through the AVP structure in the process of the multimedia conference service and sending the AVP structure to the charging functional entity; carrying out charging ticket recording, associating and sorting by the charging functional entity according to the AVP structure, thus realizing charging. The invention not only solves the problem that the current multimedia conference service charging is different from the ordinary point-to-point communication charging, and content expansion is easy to realize according to the subsequent technical development.

Description

A kind of method that realizes the IMS multimedia conference service charging

Technical field

The present invention relates to IP Multimedia System in the communications field (IMS, IP Multimedia Subsystem) business charging method, relate in particular to the method that realizes the IMS multimedia conference service charging.

Background technology

The existing IMS business charging method can carry out off-line or online charging based on Rf interface or Ro interface at present.In the standard agreement for charging bill (CDR, Charging Data Record) and the corresponding CCR of Diameter charging request message: offline charging corresponding A CR (Accounting Request) and online charging (Credit Control Request) stipulated that also some meet the field of charging demand, such as session identification Session-ID, calling party address Calling-Party-Address, called party address Called-Party-Address etc.The IMS multimedia conference service is a kind of of IMS mediaphone business, and its business model is different from point-to-point communication, but in many ways and the communication mode between the Media Resource Server.Wherein, conference applications server (CONF AS) plays back-to-back user agent (B2BUA, Back-to-Back User Agent) effect, be that CONF AS is between the communication two ends, has User Agent Client (UAC simultaneously, User Agent Client) and User Agent Server (UAS, User Agent Server) function, earlier as a UAS, receive request from a termination, initiate request as a UAC to an other end again then, and receive response, be re-used as a UAS at last response is returned to the request transmitting terminal.Therefore, the charging demand of IMS multimedia conference service and common point-to-point communication charge have a great difference, are embodied in as follows:

(1) one time multimedia conference service relates to multi-party users and CONF AS, because CONF AS plays the effect of B2BUA, Session-ID can change in a multimedia conferencing, so can't the same meeting of unique identification.

The situation that must be participated in conversing by charged party when (2) being different from common point-to-point conversation, multimedia conference service is that the paying side of a meeting might be the third party who does not participate in multimedia conferencing, need know the information of the paying side that pays for meeting itself when therefore chargeing.

(3) point-to-point communication can produce charging bill CDR respectively for calling party and callee, being different from this simple paying distinguishes, the multi-service that relates to according to multimedia conference service and the characteristic of multi-party users, the user role of conference participation can be divided into chairman, participant, medium director etc. from functional perspective; Can be divided into a side (Host) and each conferenced party (Participant) that is responsible for the meeting expense from the charging angle.It should be noted that the Host conference participation itself not of being responsible for the meeting expense.Therefore the complete charging of a multimedia conference service will comprise the charging (according to the parliamentary dimension number, the meeting duration) to meeting itself and the conference call charging (according to the duration of call) of each participant.

(4) some are applicable to the charging that the specific medium of multimedia conference service uses, such as the media application sharing A ppshare that digital session relates to, digital white boards Xwb and Xcons (comprise digital polling, multiple son such as vote by a show of hands use) and audio frequency, video have been formed the medium type of service of multimedia conference service together.These use the specific function of dissimilar medium to charge also is the factor that need consider in multimedia conferencing charges.

(5) also having some special conferencing function items in the meeting in addition, as to session recording, video recording and the broadcast of conference background sound etc., all belong to some meeting functions peculiar, also is the charging point that convention business will be considered.

Still can not satisfy the charging needs of multimedia conference service at present based on the message structure of the IMS network billing of third generation partnership project (3GPP, Third Generation PartnershipProjects) standard.At some above specific multimedia conference service charging demands, demand proposing a kind of charging method that can adapt to and serve multimedia conference service urgently, and correspondingly can reflect that to some the charging property of multimedia conference service characteristic is to (AVP, Accounting Value Pair) structure is carried out expanded definition, and some information wherein that make can separately or make up as letter sorting of multimedia conferencing charging bill and related keyword.

Summary of the invention

Technical problem to be solved by this invention provides a kind of method of the IMS of realization multimedia conference service charging, and the characteristics that can either adapt to multimedia conference service are reasonably chargeed, again can at future technology development carry out expansion of content.

In order to solve the problems of the technologies described above, the invention provides a kind of method of the IMS of realization multimedia conference service charging, relate to conference applications server CONF AS and billing function entity, this method comprises:

A, the expansion combined charging property that is used to explain described multimedia conference service charging information comprises: meeting identification field, convention expense account field, charging role field, charge type field and conference flow type field the AVP structure in Diameter charging message structure;

B, in described multimedia conference service process, described CONF AS is by the charge information of described AVP structure recording user, and described AVP structure is sent to described billing function entity; Described billing function entity is carried out charging bill record, related and letter sorting according to described AVP structure, thereby realizes chargeing.

Further,

Described meeting identification field is used for multimedia conferencing of unique identification;

Described convention expense account field is used to represent the account information as the meeting initiator of meeting paying side;

Described charging role field is used for participating in from the charging angular dimension member's identity information of described meeting, and described member's identity comprises: described meeting initiator is described meeting paying side and conferenced party;

Described charge type field is used to distinguish the meeting charge type, comprising: by chargeing and chargeing at conference member by described conferenced party's burden at meeting self of described meeting initiator burden;

Described conference flow type field, be used to characterize the information of the type of described conference flow, the type of described flow process comprises the initiation immediate meeting relevant with conference session, invite the member to add that meeting, member initiatively add meeting and wherein one or more of the meeting of having preengage with irrelevant preset conference of session and cancellation.

Further, described AVP structure also comprises parliamentary dimension field and the time of meeting field, be used for when described charge type field be described when chargeing at meeting self, respectively as statement parliamentary dimension and the charging parameter of statement meeting duration.

Further, a user sends to described CONF AS and initiates request for conference in described convention business process, and described user is described meeting paying side, comprising:

After b1, described CONF AS receive described request, to be recorded in the current time in the timestamp, the charge information that to initiate the user of meeting simultaneously is filled up in the described AVP structure, and is carried in the charging request message that is sent to described billing function entity with described timestamp; Filling in of described charge information comprises:

To insert described meeting identification field for the serial number that described meeting distributes; The user account information of initiating meeting is filled in described convention expense account field, described meeting initiator is inserted described charging role field, the described charging at meeting self inserted described charge type field, time 0 value is inserted described the time of meeting field, and described initiation immediate meeting is inserted described conference flow type field;

After b2, described billing function entity are received described charging request,, and return accounting answer for a charging bill CDR is opened in described meeting itself;

B3, described CONF AS are when the request of receiving that meeting adjourned, to be recorded in the current time in the timestamp, and the lasting duration of the described meeting of calculating with the number of users scale of the described meeting of actual participation with according to timestamp information, replenish described parliamentary dimension field and the described the time of meeting field of inserting described AVP structure respectively; And the charge information of described AVP structure is carried at sends to described billing function entity in the charging request message;

After b4, described billing function entity are received described charging request, close described CDR; With described meeting identification field, described charging role field and described charge type field is that keyword carries out association, wherein, described charging role field is described meeting initiator, described charge type field comprises at meeting self charges, and sorts out its CDR at described meeting itself for the user of described initiation meeting thus.

Further, the user of described initiation meeting participates in described meeting, and step b2 also comprises:

When b2-1, described CONF AS return initiation meeting response the user to the described meeting of described initiation, to be recorded in the current time in the timestamp, and the described charge type field in described user's the described AVP structure is revised as at conference member charges, the charge information of described AVP structure is carried in the charging request message that is sent to described billing function entity with described timestamp;

After b2-2, described billing function entity are received described charging request message,, and return accounting answer for described user opens a CDR;

Step b3 also comprises:

B3-1, described CONF AS will be recorded in the timestamp after receiving that described user withdraws from request for conference the current time, and the charge information of this timestamp in described AVP structure is carried in the charging request message that is sent to described billing function entity;

Step b4 also comprises:

It is that keyword carries out association that b4-1, described billing function entity continue with described charging role field, described charge type field, described conference flow type field and calling party address; Wherein, described charging role field is described conferenced party, described charge type field comprises at conference member charges, and described conference flow type field sorts out its CDR as described meeting presider for the user of described initiation meeting thus for initiating immediate meeting.

Further, the user of described initiation meeting sends invitation to described CONF AS and adds request for conference in described convention business process, add described meeting to invite other users, carries the information of inviting the member in the described request, and step b2 also comprises:

B2-1, described CONF AS are after receiving that described invitation adds request for conference, to be recorded in the current time in the timestamp, and described invitation member's charge information is filled up in the described AVP structure, be carried in the charging request message that is sent to described billing function entity with described timestamp, filling in of described charge information comprises:

To insert described meeting identification field for the serial number that described meeting distributes; The user account information of initiating described meeting is filled in described convention expense account field, described conferenced party is inserted described charging role field, the described charging at conference member inserted described charge type field, and described invitation member is added meeting insert described conference flow type field;

After b2-2, described billing function entity are received described charging request message,, and return accounting answer for each described invitation member opens a CDR;

Step b4 also comprises:

It is that keyword carries out association that b4-1, described billing function entity continue with described charging role field, described charge type field, described conference flow type field and called party address; Wherein, described charging role field is described conferenced party, described charge type field is describedly to charge at conference member, and described conference flow type field is that described invitations member adds meeting, sorts out the CDR of invitation participant thus for described each invitation member.

B2-3, described CONF AS are after receiving that described invitation adds request for conference, to be recorded in the current time in the timestamp, and described invitation member's charge information is filled up in the described AVP structure, be carried in the charging request message that is sent to described billing function entity with described timestamp, filling in of described charge information comprises:

After b2-4, described billing function entity are received described charging request message,, and return accounting answer for each described invitation member opens a CDR;

Step b4 also comprises:

It is that keyword carries out association that b4-2, described billing function entity continue with described charging role field, described charge type field, described conference flow type field and called party address; Wherein, described charging role field is described conferenced party, described charge type field is describedly to charge at conference member, and described conference flow type field is that described invitations member adds meeting, sorts out the CDR of invitation participant thus for described each invitation member.

Further, have other users to send to described CONF AS in described convention business process and initiatively add request for conference, carry the information that adds the member in the described request, step b2 also comprises:

B2-1, described CONF AS receive described initiatively add request for conference after, to be recorded in the current time in the timestamp, and described adding member's charge information is filled up in the described AVP structure, be carried in the charging request message that is sent to described billing function entity with described timestamp, filling in of described charge information comprises:

To insert described meeting identification field for the serial number that described meeting distributes; The user account information of initiating described meeting is filled in described convention expense account field, described conferenced party is inserted described charging role field, the described charging at conference member inserted described charge type field, and described member is initiatively added meeting insert described conference flow type field;

After b2-2, described billing function entity are received described charging request message,, and return accounting answer for each described adding member opens a CDR;

Step b4 also comprises:

It is that keyword carries out association that b4-1, described billing function entity continue with described charging role field, described charge type field, described conference flow type field and calling party address; Wherein, described charging role field is described conferenced party, described charge type field is describedly to charge at conference member, and described conference flow type field is that described member initiatively adds meeting, thus for described each add Member Users and sort out the initiatively CDR of participant of meeting.

B2-3, described CONF AS receive described initiatively add request for conference after, to be recorded in the current time in the timestamp, and described adding member's charge information is filled up in the described AVP structure, be carried in the charging request message that is sent to described billing function entity with described timestamp, filling in of described charge information comprises:

After b2-4, described billing function entity are received described charging request message,, and return accounting answer for each described adding member opens a CDR;

Step b4 also comprises:

It is that keyword carries out association that b4-2, described billing function entity continue with described charging role field, described charge type field, described conference flow type field and calling party address; Wherein, described charging role field is described conferenced party, described charge type field is describedly to charge at conference member, and described conference flow type field is that described member initiatively adds meeting, thus for described each add member and sort out the initiatively CDR of participant of meeting.

Further,

Described charge type comprises that also at the special expenses charging, described special expenses charges and comprises: use the expense of medium kind, the expense of data conferencing application and the expense of video and audio recording function;

Described AVP structure also comprises medium type AVP, is used to explain the information that medium type is used in described meeting, respectively by media name field and the statement of media information description field;

The user of described initiation meeting sends the request of Intermediate Charging ICH information updating because of IMS conference medium need change to described CONF AS in described convention business process, carry the information that changes content in the described request, and step b2 also comprises:

B2-3, described CONF AS are after receiving described request, to be recorded in the current time in the timestamp, and the described charge type field in the described AVP structure is revised as describedly charges at special expenses, fill in described media name field and media information description field respectively according to described change content simultaneously; The charge information of described AVP structure is carried in the charging request message that is sent to described billing function entity with described timestamp;

After b2-4, described billing function entity are received described charging request message,, and return accounting answer for described user upgrades its CDR;

The value of the field of charge type described in the step b4-1 also comprises describedly charges at special expenses.

Further, the user of described initiation meeting because of the conference session time exceeds scheduled duration to the request of described CONF AS transmission Intermediate Charging ICH information updating, carries the information that changes content in the described request in described convention business process, and step b2 also comprises:

B2-3, described CONF AS will be recorded in the timestamp after receiving described request the current time, and described timestamp is carried in the charging request message that is sent to described billing function entity with the charge information of described AVP structure;

After b2-4, described billing function entity are received described charging request message,, and return accounting answer for described user upgrades its CDR.

B2-5, described CONF AS receive described initiatively add request for conference after, to be recorded in the current time in the timestamp, and described adding member's charge information is filled up in the described AVP structure, be carried in the charging request message that is sent to described billing function entity with described timestamp, filling in of described charge information comprises:

After b2-6, described billing function entity are received described charging request message,, and return accounting answer for each described adding member opens a CDR;

Step b4 also comprises:

It is that keyword carries out association that b4-3, described billing function entity continue with described charging role field, described charge type field, described conference flow type field and calling party address; Wherein, described charging role field is described conferenced party, described charge type field is describedly to charge at conference member, and described conference flow type field is that described member initiatively adds meeting, thus for described each add member and sort out the initiatively CDR of participant of meeting.

Further, a user sends the preset conference request to described CONF AS at the beginning of described convention business process, and described user comprises for meeting paying side, described method:

After b0-1, described CONF AS receive described preset conference request, will be recorded in the current time in the timestamp, fill in the charge information of described AVP structure simultaneously, comprise: will insert described meeting identification field for the serial number that described meeting distributes; The lasting duration value of the session initial of reservation is inserted described the time of meeting field, the number scale of preset conference is inserted described parliamentary dimension field, and described conference flow type field is inserted in described preset conference; Then, the charge information with described AVP structure is carried in the charging request message that is sent to described billing function entity with described timestamp;

After b0-2, described billing function entity are received described charging request message,, and return accounting answer for the CDR of a preset conference that has nothing to do with conference session is opened in described meeting.

Further, send cancellation preset conference request, comprising at the described CONF AS of meeting paying direction described in the described convention business process:

After b0-3, described CONF AS receive described cancellation preset conference request, revise the charge information of described AVP structure, comprising: described conference flow type field is inserted in the meeting of described cancellation reservation; Then, the charge information with described AVP structure is carried in the charging request message that is sent to described billing function entity;

After b0-4, described billing function entity are received described charging request message, open a CDR with the irrelevant cancellation preset conference of conference session, and return accounting answer.

According to each described method of claim 1 to 3, it is characterized in that, described Diameter charging message be meant comprise relevant with conference session and with the offline charging message and the online charging message of conference session independent case, correspondingly described billing function entity comprises offline charging data function entity and online charging data function entity.

In order to solve the problems of the technologies described above, the invention provides a kind of combined charging property of multimedia conference service charging information of describing to the AVP structure, expansion is in Diameter charging message structure, this AVP structure comprises: meeting identification field, convention expense account field, charging role field, charge type field, conference flow type field and the combined AVP of medium type, wherein:

Described charging role field is used for participating in from the charging angular dimension member's identity of described meeting, and described member's identity comprises: described meeting initiator is described meeting paying side and conferenced party;

Described charge type field, be used to distinguish the meeting charge type, comprise: by described meeting initiator burden at meeting self charge, chargeing and at charge wherein one or more of special expenses by described conferenced party burden at conference member; Wherein:

Described at meeting self charging, be the charging parameter with the parliamentary dimension field of statement parliamentary dimension information and the time of meeting field of statement meeting duration information;

The described charging at special expenses comprises: use the expense of medium kind, the expense of data conferencing application and the expense of video and audio recording function;

Described conference flow type field, be used to characterize the information of the type of described conference flow, the type of described flow process comprises: the initiation immediate meeting relevant with conference session, member initiatively add meeting, invite the member add meeting and with wherein one or more of the meeting of irrelevant preset conference of conference session and cancellation reservation;

The combined AVP of described medium type is used to explain the medium type that described meeting is used, and explains by media name field and media information description field respectively.

In order to solve the problems of the technologies described above, the invention provides a kind of telephone bill association and method for sorting of the IMS of being used for multimedia conference service charging, comprising:

A, according to the demand of all kinds of charging bill CDR, and, be set to keyword according to the charge information field and the value thereof of the combined charging property of expansion in Diameter charging message structure to the AVP structure; Wherein, described charge information field comprises: meeting identification field, convention expense account field, charging role field, charge type field and conference flow type field;

B, according to the associating key word of keyword or combination, sort out required CDR.

Further,

Described convention expense account field is used to represent the account information as the meeting initiator of the cost burden side of meeting own;

Described charging role field is used for participating in from the charging angular dimension member's identity information of described meeting, and described member's identity comprises: described meeting initiator and conferenced party;

Described is the charging parameter at meeting self charging with the parliamentary dimension field of statement parliamentary dimension information and the time of meeting field of statement meeting duration information;

Further, when needing all CDR of same meeting, the value of the character learning section of will assessing a bid for tender is set to keyword, and sorts described CDR according to described keyword.

Further, when needing the CDR of same meeting executive session class, be set to the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords with the value of the value of described meeting identification field, described charge type field, wherein, the value of described charge type field is describedly to charge at meeting self; Sort described CDR according to described associating key word then.

Further, when needing the CDR of same meeting related procedure, with the value of the value of described meeting identification field, described charge type field and the value of described conference flow type field is the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charge type field is to charge at meeting self, and the value of described conference flow type field is respectively preset conference, initiates immediate meeting, initiatively adds meeting, invites the meeting that adds meeting and cancellation reservation; Sort out the preset conference flow process respectively, initiate the immediate meeting flow process, initiatively add conference flow, invite the CDR of the conference flow that adds conference flow and cancellation reservation according to described associating key word then.

Further, when needing the CDR of the inner member's class of same meeting, be the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords with the value of the value of described meeting identification field, described charge type field, wherein, the value of described charge type field is to charge at conference member; Sort out described CDR according to described associating key word then.

Further, when each participates in the CDR of member's correlating sessions in needing same meeting, with the value of the value of described meeting identification field, the value of described charging role field, the value of described charge type field, described conference flow type field and be the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charging role field is a conferenced party, the value of described charge type field is to charge described conference flow type field at conference member:

During for described initiation immediate meeting,, sort out meeting presider's CDR in conjunction with the calling party address;

When initiatively adding meeting,, sort out the initiatively CDR of participant of meeting in conjunction with the calling party address for described member;

When adding meeting,, sort out the CDR of invitation participant in conjunction with called party address for described invitation member.

Further, when described meeting paying side participates in described meeting, in the time of need be for all CDR of its related described meeting, with the value of described meeting identification field and the value of described charging role field is the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charging role field is described meeting initiator, sorts out described CDR according to described associating key word then.

Further, when the medium that need same meeting use the CDR of class, with the value of described meeting identification field and the value of described charge type field is the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charge type field is described at the special expenses charging, sorts out described CDR according to described associating key word then.

Further, when the CDR of the different medium that need same meeting to use, with the value of the value of described meeting identification field, described charge type field and the value of described media name field is the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charge type field is describedly to charge at special expenses, the value of described media name field is respectively various media names, sorts out the CDR of described different medium then according to described associating key word.

Further, when needs are related its all the meeting CDR in foothold with described meeting paying side, be that described meeting initiator is a keyword with the value of described charging role field, sort out described CDR.

Further, when needs are its all meetings participation member class CDR of foothold association with described meeting paying side, value with the value of described charge type field, described conference flow type field is the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charge type field is to charge the value of described conference flow type field at conference member:

When initiatively adding meeting, sort out the initiatively CDR of participant of meeting in conjunction with the calling party address for described member;

When adding meeting, sort out the CDR of invitation participant in conjunction with called party address for described invitation member.

Adopt method provided by the invention, it is related and charge to be applicable to that IMS multimedia conference service characteristics are carried out CDR sorting, and the realization expanded definition of for this reason chargeing and having set forth needs the information content of filling in the Diameter charging request message (ACR/CCR).Both solve present multimedia conference service charging and be different from the problem that common point-to-point communication charges, carried out expansion of content than being easier to according to later technical development again.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is for adopting an embodiment of the inventive method, and promptly the chairman in the offline charging mode initiates the signal of meeting charging message flow graph.

Embodiment

The method of realization IMS multimedia conference service charging provided by the invention, at first in Diameter charging message structure, expand the combined AVP structure that can cover the multimedia conference service charging demand, comprising: meeting identification field, convention expense account field, charging role field, charge type field and conference flow type field; In the multimedia conference service process, CONF AS passes through the charge information of this AVP structure recording user, and this AVP structure is sent to the billing function entity; The billing function entity is carried out charging bill record, related and letter sorting according to this AVP structure, thereby realizes rationally chargeing.

Below in conjunction with specific embodiments and the drawings technique scheme of the present invention is explained in more detail.

Because chargeing, the IMS multimedia conferencing is divided into conversation-based charging and the irrelevant charging of session, so the Diameter charging request message (ACR/CCR) that occurs is meant to have contained and comprises that session offline charging relevant and the session independent case (is the quasi real time charging pattern hereinafter, payment mode behind for example first use telecommunication network resource) request message and online charging (are the real time billing pattern, for example first expense unit is reserved and is re-used telecommunication network resource, then according to the resource operating position to the rate pattern that returns the overcharge and demand payment of the shortage) credit line control request message.

Combined AVP in the charging request message of Diameter (ACR/CCR): below ServiceInformation expansion increase by one with combined AVP---the MMTel Information of existing combined IMS Information with one-level, and in this MMTel Information, expand the combined AVP of next stage---the CONF-Param that is used for multimedia conferencing, its structure is as shown in table 1.

Table 1 is subordinate to the combined AVP expansion of Service Information

Distinguish different meetings for convenience, definition is used for the field of the serial number of a meeting of unique identification in the CONF-Param structure, such as CONF-ID, sees also table 2.The value of this field generates when receiving meeting initiation or conference reservation request by CONF AS automatically.0 is invalid value, adds up since 1, and meeting is held this value of successfully whether failing and all added 1 in ID number of last once meeting, until a maximum (for example 2 ⁸=256) transfer 0 after to, restart adding up of a new round.The purpose of doing like this will guarantee that a period of time is unique with interior meeting serial number.This field when CDR sorting and accounting management as the letter sorting same meeting condition.

Table 2CONF-Param structure

Consider that the paying side of a multimedia conferencing not necessarily participates in the situation of multimedia conferencing, to be used to fill in meeting initiator's account also be the field of the burden side of an expense of meeting own simultaneously in definition in the CONF-Param structure, for example CONF-Host-Account sees also table 3.This field is generally pressed SIP (SIP in the IMS network, Session Initiation Protocol) unified resource sign (URI, Uniform Resource Identifier) form is filled in, for example: sip:host@ue.com (it resembles an email address very much).When needing to carry out the amount of money clearing of convention business and ticket at last and generating, expense deduction is on the account that this field is filled out, and pay account extends this as this field contents in the ticket.This field is filled in by CONF-AS, its value can be taken from PAI (Present Assistant Id) field value, Contact field value or From field value in the SIP head message (SIP message) of initiating meeting, and (CONF AS preferentially gets the PAI field value, if CONF AS retrieval less than the value of PAI, just goes to retrieve the value of Contact, From successively).

Table 3CONF-Param structure

Because the member of multimedia conference service is divided into from the charging angular area: the meeting side of paying Host and the Participant of conferenced party.Be used for from the field of member's identity of charging angular dimension conference participation, for example so define in the CONF-Param structure: CONF-Charging-Role sees also table 4.

Table 4CONF-Param structure

The CONF-Charging-Role field can define member's identity of conference participation with the enumeration type value, and is as shown in table 5.

Table 5CONF-Charging-Role Field Definition

The charging of multimedia conference service can be divided into following type:

(1) to the charging of meeting self

Continue duration with meeting number scale and meeting, collect a unified convention expense.This expense comprises three kinds: the deduction of 1) holding an actual expense of holding a meeting that finishes from meeting; 2) deduction that subscription price is used during preset conference; A return that subscription price is used when 3) cancelling preset conference.

(2) to the charging of conference member

After each conference member participates in a conference,, collect the expense of a duration of call all with its real duration of call in meeting.

(3) special functional expense

Use the expense of each function in the multimedia conferencing.This expense comprises of a great variety, only lifts two examples herein: the 1) fee used of all kinds of medium (video, audio frequency etc.) and son (such as the blank Xwb of digital session and Xcons medium and ballot thereof, multiple son such as raise one's hand use); 2) fee of video and audio recording function.This is filled in according to concrete charge scene by CONF AS.

Definition is used to distinguish the field of charging kind in the CONF-Param structure, such as CONF-Charging-Type, and is as shown in table 6.This field is filled in according to concrete charge scene by CONF AS.

Table 6CONF-Param structure

The CONF-Charging-Type field can define all kinds of chargings with an enumeration type value, and is as shown in table 7.

Table 7CONF-Charging-Type Field Definition

The flow process type of multimedia conferencing comprises: preset conference, the meeting of initiating immediate meeting, initiatively adding meeting, invite adding meeting and cancellation to preengage.Therefore, definition is used to characterize the field of the flow process type of multimedia conferencing in the CONF-Param structure, such as CONF-Process-Type, and is as shown in table 8.

Table 8CONF-Param structure

The CONF-Process-Type field can characterize all kinds of meeting associative operations with an enumeration type value, and is as shown in table 9.This field is filled in according to the conference flow type of reality by CONF AS.

Table 9CONF-Process-Type Field Definition

Aforesaid CONF-Charging-Type field, when chargeing at meeting itself, being based on parliamentary dimension and meeting duration is the charging parameter.The former can be embodied by the number scale of attending multimedia conference, and promptly definition CONF-Max-MemberSum field is explained in the CONF-Param structure; The latter can be embodied by the lasting duration of multimedia conferencing, and promptly definition CONF-Duration field is explained in the CONF-Param structure, and is as shown in table 10.

Table 10CONF-Param structure

The common value of CONF-Max-MemberSum field is not actual concrete number, but the multiple of certain integer, such as value is 5 multiple, if promptly actual have 9 people to participate in meeting, the number scale of attending multimedia conference can value 10 people so.When CONF-Process-Type was initiation immediate meeting INITIATE_CONF, this field value was the actual participation number scale when finally meeting adjourned, and the host can adjust the number scale according to actual conditions in the middle of meeting; When CONF-Process-Type is preset conference, the initial number scale when this field value is preset conference.

When CONF-Process-Type was the initiation immediate meeting, CONF-Duration field value when initiating meeting at first was 0, and value is that the reality that finally meeting adjourned continues duration when meeting adjourned; When CONF-Process-Type is preset conference, the initial duration information that continues when CONF-Duration field value is preset conference.

In order to realize the specific function charging, definition is used to explain the field of conference media type in the CONF-Param structure, such as SDP-Media-Component, and is as shown in table 11.

Table 11CONF-Param structure

Definition is used to mark the field SDP-Media-Name of media name and be used for concrete media information description field SDP-Media-Description respectively in the combined AVP of SDP-Media-Component, sees also table 12.

The combined AVP definition of table 12DP-Media-Component

More than multimedia conferencing charge information by combined AVP statement be to be easy to expand according to the development need of IMS multimedia conferencing technology.

Related in order to realize with professional CDR sorting to the meeting various roles that charge, more than in the charging request message (ACR/CCR) of Diameter the definition some information can be used alone or in combination, as letter sorting of multimedia conferencing charging bill and related keyword, accomplish the ticket of same meeting is associated, according to charging role sorting call bill and according to multiple possibilities such as conference flow type sorting call bills.

Below a concrete application example, come further explanation how to use above-mentioned combined AVP structural information of in Diameter charging message structure, constructing, carry out the CDR sorting association, thereby realize the IMS multimedia conference service charging.

This concrete multimedia conferencing application scenarios is: user A is the host and the paying side of meeting, and he initiates an immediate meeting, and invites user B, C, D to participate in a conference.Proceed to a half in meeting,, transfer the possession of host's authority temporarily and give user B and withdrawed from meeting this time because user A has important affair etc. pending; User B has finished follow-up meeting presiding until meeting adjourned.

Fig. 1 has illustrated that user A (UE-A) withdraws from the charging message flow process of meeting from initiating meeting to it under the offline charging mode.In this course, temporarily ignore the situation of using medium, this is the charging process of the relevant Session related of a session.User A will bear two kinds of expenses: the call rate of meeting expense and conferenced party as the paying side and the participant of meeting.CONF AS also can produce two class CDR for it: the conversation CDR of meeting CDR and conferenced party (notices that Fig. 1 only emphasizes may produce two class CDR for user A at the flow process of initiating meeting, for clear statement this point, ignore all the other members of invitation that user A may have among the figure and add the flow process that meeting or all the other conference members initiatively add meeting before withdrawing from meeting), its concrete steps are described below:

After step S1, S2:CONF AS receive the initiation request for conference of UE-A, represent that to the offline charging data function CDF entity request INFO that send to charge meeting initiates this incident, this charging request message has IMS conference group mould assembly AVP structural information: the ACR[Event of CONF-Param]; CONF AS each field value in CONF-Param is filled in as follows:

To insert in the CONF-ID field for unique meeting serial number 0001 that this meeting is initiated; In the CONF-Host-Account field, fill in the account information of UE A: sip:hostue-a.com; In the CONF-Charging-Role field, insert Host value 1; In the CONF-Charging-Type field, insert CONF Charging (meeting charging) value 1; In the CONF-Process-Type field, insert INITIATE_CONF value 2; The value of filling in 5 in the CONF-Max-MemberSum field, represent that 4 people participate in the number scale of meeting, and in the CONF-Duration field value of filling in 0.

Existing timestamp field is filled in the time at that time in IMS charging message form.

After receiving the charging request that has these information when the CDF entity, for the relevant parameter that the irrelevant AS cdr logging meeting of a session begins itself is opened in whole meeting.

Step S3, S4:CDF entity return charge response message ACA to CONF AS, after CONF AS receives this message, the response of initiating request for conference are sent to terminal UE-A;

Step S5:CONF AS sends charging request message to the CDF entity after the request of sending 200ok response initiation meeting, have IMS conference group mould assembly AVP structural information: the ACR[START of CONF-Param]; CONF AS each field value in CONF-Param is filled in as follows:

In the CONF-ID field, still insert the unique identifier 0001 that generates when initiating meeting; In the CONF-Host-Account field, still fill in the account information of UE-A: sip:hostue-a.com; The CONF-Charging-Role field is still filled out Host value 1; The CONF-Charging-Type field is filled out SessionCharging (conference member call meters) value 2; The CONF-Process-Type field is filled out INITIATE_CONF value 2.

In the timestamp field, fill in the time at that time.

After receiving the charging request that has these information when the CDF entity, open the AS CDR of a dialogue-based beginning for conference member UE-A.

Step S6:CDF entity returns charge response message ACA to CONF AS;

Step S7: multimedia conferencing carries out in the process, when media change or duration exceed the interim duration, CONF AS sends charging request message ACR[INTERIM] give the CDF entity, the concrete value among its CONF-Param that carries is filled in according to the actual value of the CDR of UE-A;

The CDF entity generates the ticket that upgrades for UE A.

Step S8:CDF entity returns charge response message ACA to CONF AS;

After step S9:UE-A is given to UE-B with meeting host's identity, withdraw from meeting to CONF AS request;

Step S10:CONF AS sends charging request message according to the closing session request bye of UE-A to the CDF entity, has IMS conference group mould assembly AVP structural information: the ACR[STOP of CONF-Param]; CONF AS each field value in CONF-Param is filled in as follows:

The unique identifier 0001 that the CONF-ID field has generated when still having filled in and issued meeting; The CONF-Host-Account field is filled in the account information of UE-A: sip:hostue-a.com; The CONF-Charging-Role field is still filled out Host value 1; The CONF-Charging-Type field is filled out SessionCharging (conference member call meters) value 2; The CONF-Process-Type field is filled out INITIATE_CONF value 2.

In the timestamp field, fill in the time at that time.

After receiving the charging request that has these information when the CDF entity, for conference member UE-A closes AS CDR.

Step S11:CDF entity returns charge response message ACA to CONF AS.

Initiate meeting to withdrawing from the conference process at UE-A, UE-A has and invites member B, C, D to add the action of meeting, also might have the action that other conference members initiatively add this meeting.The invitation member who belongs to conference flow type (CONF-Process-Type) definition respectively by the flow process of these two action triggers adds meeting (INVITE_INTO_CONF) and the member initiatively adds meeting (JOIN_CONF) flow process.Then corresponding these two flow processs, CONF AS can be respectively attend a meeting member B, C, D produces conversation CDR.Those skilled in the art can find out these flow processs (conference flow that comprises preset conference flow process and cancellation reservation) according to the thinking of above-mentioned example, so repeat no more.

Because before UE-A withdraws from meeting, meeting host identity has been given to UE-B, the CDR of whole meeting will finish at follow-up UE-B and preside over the meeting and close generation when withdrawing from meeting.

All the other meeting participants can generate a conversation CDR for it by CDF in conference process, its CONF-Charging-Type field is Session Charging value 2, the CONF-Host-Account field still is the account information of UE-A, the CONF-Charging-Role field is Conference participant value 2, and the CONF-Process-Type field is INVITE_INTO_CONF value 4 (member is invited by UE-A and adds meeting) or JOIN_CONF value 3 (member initiatively adds meeting).

In a meeting, temporarily ignore the situation that special charging (relating to medium) and event class are chargeed, only the offline charging that session is relevant will produce a plurality of CDR (Start/Interim/Stop) for each conferenced party.When the paying side that a member is whole meeting is conferenced party again, also can relate to the situation of two types CDR (CONF Charging and Session Charging), such as the UE-A among this embodiment.At this moment, how sort related CDR disbursement and sattlement the time and provide and just to be worth special concern for the later stage.

The IMS conference group mould assembly AVP structural information that the present invention is defined in the request of charging provides the sufficient related CDR keyword of letter sorting, and the letter sorting that is used for offline bill is with related.The ticket type that produces in the meeting can have the ticket of meeting self from big class, the member conversation ticket, and medium use ticket.From the related angle of CDR letter sorting following several situation can be arranged:

A, the related and letter sorting of the inner CDR of same meeting

When needing association, sorting out all CDR of same meeting, according to keyword: CONF-ID;

A.1, sort out same meeting executive session class ticket

When the needs association goes out the CDR that the meeting of same meeting itself is chargeed, according to keyword: (CONF-ID)+(CONF-Charging-Type), wherein the CONF-Charging-Type value is CONF-Charging;

A.1.1, sort out ticket with the ticket related procedure of same meeting own, such as: the meeting of preset conference, cancellation reservation and the CDR that initiates the whole process of meeting, according to keyword: (CONF-ID)+(CONF-Charging-Type)+(CONF-Process-Type), wherein the CONF-Charging-Type value is CONF-Charging, CONF-Process-Type is value RESERVE-CONF respectively, the corresponding the demand of CANCEL-CONF or INITIATE-CONF;

A.2 sort out the inner member's class of same meeting ticket

When the needs association goes out the CDR of member's conversational class of same meeting, according to keyword: (CONF-ID)+(CONF-Charging-Type), wherein the CONF-Charging-Type value is Session-Charging;

A.2.1, be the relevant CDR of each participant member correlating sessions in the same meeting, according to keyword: (CONF-ID)+(CONF-Charging-Role)+(CONF-Charging-Type)+(CONF-Process-Type)+(Calling-Party-Address/Called-Party-Address), wherein, the CONF-Charging-Role value is Conference participant, and the CONF-Charging-Type value is Session-Charging; When CONF-Process-Type was different conference flow type, corresponding value in conjunction with Calling-Party-Address or Called-Party-Address can sort out the conference call ticket of each participant.Particularly:

CONF-Process-Type is INITIATE_CONF, can sort out host's conversation ticket in conjunction with Calling-Party-Address; And in the multimedia conferencing flow process type that session is correlated with, participation member beyond the host participates in a conference nothing more than initiatively adding meeting and being invited the two kinds of situations of meeting that add, therefore according to both of these case, can sort out the conversation CDR of host's conference member in addition:, can sort out by the participation member conversation ticket of invite participation meeting in conjunction with Called-Party-Address when CONF-Process-Type is INVITE_INTO_CONF; When CONF-Process-Type is JOIN_CONF, can sort out the participation member conversation ticket that initiatively participates in a conference in conjunction with Calling-Party-Address;

A.2.2, when meeting paying side also conference participation, for the Conference Host association of the meeting side of paying goes out all expenses that same meeting is paid:

Because meeting paying side might become conference member by conference participation, at this moment just should pay the call rate that the meeting expense is paid the conference participation of oneself again, according to keyword: (CONF-ID)+(CONF-Charging-Role), wherein, the CONF-Charging-Role value is ConferenceHost;

A.3, the medium that sort out same meeting inside use the class ticket

The medium that go out same meeting when the needs association use the CDR of class, and according to keyword: (CONF-ID)+(CONF-Charging-Type), wherein the CONF-Charging-Type value is Specific-Charging;

A.3.1, sort out the ticket that the corresponding different medium of same meeting use, according to keyword: (CONF-ID)+(CONF-Charging-Type)+(SDP-Media-Name), wherein the CONF-Charging-Type value is Specific-Charging, and the SDP-Media-Name value is various possible medium types.

B, be related all the meeting CDR in foothold, be known as which meeting and pay with meeting paying person

According to keyword: (CONF-Charging-Role), the CONF-Charging-Role value is Conference Host;

C, be the conversational class CDR of related all meetings in foothold with the conference member, know to be invited to add or initiatively added which meeting:

According to keyword: (CONF-Charging-Type)+(Calling-Party-Address/Called-Party-Address)+(CONF-Process-Type), wherein, CONF-Charging-Type value Session-Charging; Particularly:

When CONF-Process-Type is INVITE_INTO_CONF, can sort out by the participation member conversation ticket of invite participation meeting in conjunction with Called-Party-Address;

When CONF-Process-Type is JOIN_CONF, can sort out the participation member conversation ticket that initiatively participates in a conference in conjunction with Calling-Party-Address.

Above specific embodiment is a kind of situation in the IMS multimedia conference service, is not enough to limit all types of multimedia conference services.The description of this embodiment is only for better explanation use of the present invention.

In sum, the present invention proposes a kind of method of the IMS of realization multimedia conference service charging, and charging method realizes having set forth and needs the information content of filling in the Diameter charging request message (ACR/CCR) for this reason.Meet the multimedia conferencing charge information definition mode of this method thinking, can solve the present multimedia conference service charging problem related, again than being easier to according to later technical development expansion content with CDR sorting.

Certainly; the present invention also can have other various embodiments; under the situation that does not deviate from spirit of the present invention and essence thereof; those of ordinary skill in the art work as can make various corresponding changes and distortion according to the present invention, but these corresponding changes and distortion all should belong to the protection range of the appended claim of the present invention.

Claims

1. a method that realizes the IMS multimedia conference service charging relates to conference applications server CONF AS and billing function entity, it is characterized in that described method comprises:

2. in accordance with the method for claim 1, it is characterized in that,

Described conference flow type field, be used to characterize the information of the type of described conference flow, the type of described flow process comprises the initiation immediate meeting relevant with conference session, invite the member to add that meeting, member initiatively add meeting and wherein one or more of the meeting of having preengage with irrelevant preset conference of conference session and cancellation.

3. in accordance with the method for claim 2, it is characterized in that, described AVP structure also comprises parliamentary dimension field and the time of meeting field, be used for when described charge type field be described when chargeing at meeting self, respectively as statement parliamentary dimension and the charging parameter of statement meeting duration.

4. in accordance with the method for claim 3, it is characterized in that a user sends to described CONF AS and initiates request for conference in described convention business process, described user is described meeting paying side, comprising:

5. in accordance with the method for claim 4, it is characterized in that the user of described initiation meeting participates in described meeting, step b2 also comprises:

Step b3 also comprises:

Step b4 also comprises:

6. in accordance with the method for claim 4, it is characterized in that, the user of described initiation meeting sends invitation to described CONF AS and adds request for conference in described convention business process, to invite other users to add described meeting, carry the information of inviting the member in the described request, step b2 also comprises:

Step b4 also comprises:

7. in accordance with the method for claim 5, it is characterized in that, the user of described initiation meeting sends invitation to described CONF AS and adds request for conference in described convention business process, to invite other users to add described meeting, carry the information of inviting the member in the described request, step b2 also comprises:

Step b4 also comprises:

8. in accordance with the method for claim 4, it is characterized in that having other users to send to described CONF AS and initiatively add request for conference in described convention business process, carry the information that adds the member in the described request, step b2 also comprises:

Step b4 also comprises:

9. in accordance with the method for claim 5, it is characterized in that having other users to send to described CONF AS and initiatively add request for conference in described convention business process, carry the information that adds the member in the described request, step b2 also comprises:

Step b4 also comprises:

10. in accordance with the method for claim 5, it is characterized in that,

11. in accordance with the method for claim 5, it is characterized in that, the user of described initiation meeting exceeds scheduled duration to the request of described CONF AS transmission Intermediate Charging ICH information updating because of the conference session time in described convention business process, carry the information that changes content in the described request, step b2 also comprises:

12. in accordance with the method for claim 7, it is characterized in that having other users to send to described CONF AS and initiatively add request for conference in described convention business process, carry the information that adds the member in the described request, step b2 also comprises:

Step b4 also comprises:

13. in accordance with the method for claim 3, it is characterized in that a user sends the preset conference request to described CONF AS at the beginning of described convention business process, described user comprises for meeting paying side, described method:

14. in accordance with the method for claim 13, it is characterized in that, send cancellation preset conference request, comprising at the described CONF AS of meeting paying direction described in the described convention business process:

15. according to each described method of claim 1 to 3, it is characterized in that, described Diameter charging message be meant comprise relevant with conference session and with the offline charging message and the online charging message of conference session independent case, correspondingly described billing function entity comprises offline charging data function entity and online charging data function entity.

16. a telephone bill association and a method for sorting that is used for the IMS multimedia conference service charging is characterized in that, comprising:

A, according to the demand of all kinds of charging bill CDR, and, keyword is set according to the charge information field and the value thereof of the combined charging property of expansion in Diameter charging message structure to the AVP structure; Wherein, described charge information field comprises: meeting identification field, convention expense account field, charging role field, charge type field, conference flow type field, and the combined AVP of medium type;

B, according to the associating key word of described keyword or combination, sort out required CDR.

17. in accordance with the method for claim 16, it is characterized in that,

18. in accordance with the method for claim 17, it is characterized in that when needing all CDR of same meeting, the value of the character learning section of will assessing a bid for tender is set to keyword, and sorts described CDR according to described keyword.

19. in accordance with the method for claim 17, it is characterized in that, when needing the CDR of same meeting executive session class, value with the value of described meeting identification field, described charge type field is set to the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charge type field is describedly to charge at meeting self; Sort described CDR according to described associating key word then.

20. in accordance with the method for claim 18, it is characterized in that, when needing the CDR of same meeting related procedure, with the value of the value of described meeting identification field, described charge type field and the value of described conference flow type field is the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charge type field is to charge at meeting self, and the value of described conference flow type field is respectively preset conference, initiates immediate meeting, initiatively adds meeting, invites the meeting that adds meeting and cancellation reservation; Sort out the preset conference flow process respectively, initiate the immediate meeting flow process, initiatively add conference flow, invite the CDR of the conference flow that adds conference flow and cancellation reservation according to described associating key word then.

21. in accordance with the method for claim 17, it is characterized in that, when needing the CDR of the inner member's class of same meeting, value with the value of described meeting identification field, described charge type field is the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charge type field is to charge at conference member; Sort out described CDR according to described associating key word then.

22. in accordance with the method for claim 21, it is characterized in that, when each participates in the CDR of member's correlating sessions in needing same meeting, value with the value of described meeting identification field, the value of described charging role field, the value of described charge type field, described conference flow type field is the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charging role field is a conferenced party, the value of described charge type field is to charge described conference flow type field at conference member:

23. in accordance with the method for claim 21, it is characterized in that, when described meeting paying side participates in described meeting, in the time of need be for all CDR of its related described meeting, with the value of described meeting identification field and the value of described charging role field is the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charging role field is described meeting initiator, sorts out described CDR according to described associating key word then.

24. in accordance with the method for claim 17, it is characterized in that, when the medium that need same meeting use the CDR of class, with the value of described meeting identification field and the value of described charge type field is the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charge type field is described at the special expenses charging, sorts out described CDR according to described associating key word then.

25. in accordance with the method for claim 17, it is characterized in that, when the CDR of the different medium that need same meeting to use, with the value of the value of described meeting identification field, described charge type field and the value of described media name field is the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charge type field is describedly to charge at special expenses, the value of described media name field is respectively various media names, sorts out the CDR of described different medium then according to described associating key word.

26. in accordance with the method for claim 17, it is characterized in that, when needs are related its all the meeting CDR in foothold with described meeting paying side, are that described meeting initiator is provided with keyword with the value of described charging role field, and sort out described CDR according to described keyword.

27. in accordance with the method for claim 17, it is characterized in that, when needs are its all meetings participation member class CDR of foothold association with described meeting paying side, value with the value of described charge type field, described conference flow type field is the synthetic associating key word of groups of keywords, wherein, the value of described charge type field is to charge the value of described conference flow type field at conference member: