JP3525967B2 - Billing data transfer method - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a charging data transfer system in a network for exchanging fixed length packets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Broadband ISDN is being researched and developed as a next-generation communication network that integrally provides various communication services such as voice communication, data communication, and video communication. And ATM is entering the practical stage as the core technology of broadband ISDN.

ATM is a communication system that transfers information using a fixed-length packet of 53 bytes called a cell. AT
The M cell is composed of a 5-byte header including VPI / VCI designating a communication path and a 48-byte information field (payload) storing information to be transferred. And
ATM realizes high-speed communication by omitting the cell resending function of the exchange. In addition, ATM can perform variable speed communication by controlling the number of cells to be transferred.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a conventional charging data transfer network. In the conventional system, each exchange and the billing center are connected by a dedicated line for billing data transfer, and the billing data collected for each exchange is transferred through the dedicated line. This leased line is, for example,
It is a telephone line. Note that, in FIG. 15, a transmission line for transferring cells is omitted.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a conventional billing data collection system provided for each exchange. Line device 10
1-a and 101-b accommodate subscriber lines, respectively, and transfer cells transferred from each subscriber to the ATM switch 1
02, and transfers the cell exchanged by the ATM switch 102 to the transfer destination subscriber. Further, the line devices 101-a and 101-b detect the number of transfer cells and the like as billing data for each subscriber line. The loopback device 103 is used, for example, when transferring a cell from the line device 101-a to the line device 101-b.

The central processing unit 104 is a line unit 101-
a, 101-b and exchanges (ATM switch 102, folding device 103, device control unit 105, main memory 10)
6, hard disk 107, billing data transfer device 108
And so on). That is, it controls call setting, bandwidth management, billing processing, error data collection, and the like. The device control unit 105 has a cell disassembling / assembling function, notifies the central processing unit 104 of an instruction to each device,
It controls the information transferred from each device to the central processing unit 104. Further, the device control unit 105 writes the billing data detected by the line device 101-a or 101-b in the main memory 106 by, for example, DMA transfer according to an instruction from the central processing unit 104.

The hard disk 107 is a storage device for storing various data collected by the exchange, and stores the billing data in the main memory 106 for each subscriber. The billing data transfer device 108 takes out the billing data stored in the hard disk 107, and connects the exchange and the billing center in a 1: 1 relationship.
The billing data is transferred to the billing center via 9.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining charging data transfer in the exchange. Line devices 101-a and 101-
b is the device control unit 10 for each of the detected billing data.
5 to the cell format. The charging data cell is composed of a header including routing information having the device control unit 105 as a transfer destination, an address of a subscriber to be charged, and charging data such as the number of transfer cells.

When the device controller 105 receives the charging data cell, the ATM cell converter 111 extracts the subscriber address and the charging data from the charging data cell. LAPD
The control unit 112 analyzes the subscriber address and recognizes the port number for identifying each line device. And
The DMA control unit 113 uses the port number to write the billing data in the area allocated for each subscriber in the main memory 106.

FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a conventional charging data collection sequence. When the exchange collects the billing data, first, the billing control unit (central controller 104 and device controller 105) notifies each line device of a request to transfer the billing data. Upon receiving this request, each line device returns the billing data to the billing control unit. Then, the billing controller writes the received billing data in the hard disk 107 for each subscriber.

When the billing center collects billing data of each exchange, first, the billing center transfers the billing data transfer device 1
08 request to transfer accounting data. Upon receiving this request, the charging transfer unit (the function of the central processing unit 104) extracts the charging data from the hard disk 107 and transfers it to the charging data transfer unit 108. Then, the charging data transfer device 108 transfers the charging data to the charging center via the leased line 109.

[0012]

As described above, in the conventional billing data transfer system, each exchange and the billing center are connected by dedicated lines for billing information transfer,
The billing data collected for each exchange was transferred to the billing center via the dedicated line. Therefore, it is necessary to provide one dedicated line for each exchange, which results in high cost.

Further, in the conventional system, it is necessary to provide a billing data transfer device to transfer the billing data collected for each exchange to the billing center. This is also a factor that increases the cost of the exchange.

Further, in the conventional system, the central processing includes the processing of collecting the charging data from each line device, the processing of storing the charging data in the hard disk, and the processing of reading the charging data from the hard disk while controlling the charging data transfer device. Since the system was operating, the load on the central processing unit was large and pressured other processing.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a method for efficiently transferring charging data from an exchange to a charging center. Another issue is to reduce the cost of the charging data transfer method.

[0016]

Means for solving the problems of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The charging data transfer method of the present invention is premised on a method of transferring charging data from an exchange that exchanges fixed-length packets to a charging center.

The switch 1 provided in the exchange switches the fixed length packet according to the routing information set in the fixed length packet. The first line device 2 is
It accommodates a line that transfers fixed-length packets to be charged, and collects charge data when using the line.
The second line device 3 accommodates a line connected to the charging center and transmits / receives fixed-length packets to / from the charging center via the line. Then, the first line device 2 stores the collected accounting data in a fixed length packet and transfers the fixed length packet to the second line device 3 via the switch 1. The second line device 3 also transfers the fixed-length packet containing the billing data received from the first line device 2 to the billing center.

As described above, according to the method of the present invention, the billing data can be transferred to the billing center in the fixed length packet having the same format as that of the normal data transmission. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated line for transferring the billing data.

In the first line device 2, the first line device 2
There is provided routing information storage means 4 for storing routing information designating a path from the second line device 3 to the second line device 3.
Then, the first line device 2 sets the fixed length packet storing the collected billing data with the routing information extracted from the routing information storage means 4, and outputs the fixed length packet to the switch 1. Switch 1
When the fixed length packet in which the routing information is set is received, the fixed length packet is transmitted to the second line device 3
The second line device 3 further transfers the fixed length packet to the charging center.

As described above, when the billing data is transferred from the first line device 2 to the billing center, the routing process is performed in the first line device 2, so that the load on the processor for controlling the exchange can be reduced.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, a method of transferring the billing data from the exchange provided in the ATM network to the billing center will be described. In addition, as one embodiment of the present invention, AT
However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and can be applied to a network that exchanges fixed-length packets according to the routing information set in the fixed-length packets. It is applicable to SMDS (Switched Multimegabits Data Sedvice).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a billing data transfer network according to an embodiment of the present invention. ATM switch 11-1
11 to 5 are routing information (VPI / VCI: Virtual Path Identifier / Vir) set in the header of each cell.
The cells are routed autonomously according to the tual Channel Identifier). The ATM switches are connected to each other by transmission lines for transmitting cells.
The billing center 12 receives the billing data collected by each ATM exchange and collects billing information for each subscriber.

The billing center 12 is housed in the ATM network. That is, the billing center 12 is the nearest ATM
Connected to the exchange. In FIG. 2, the billing center 12 and the ATM
The private line 13 is connected to the exchange 11-1.
The dedicated line 13 is a transmission line that transfers information in a cell format.

The billing data is collected at each ATM exchange and transferred to the billing center 12 in a cell format via the ATM network. For example, the billing data collected by the ATM exchange 11-3 is the ATM exchanges 11-2 and 11
It is transferred to the charging center 12 via -1.

As described above, the dedicated line 13 is provided between the billing center 12 and the ATM switch (ATM switch 11-1) closest to the billing center 12 to transfer the billing data in the cell format. All billing data can be collected using the ATM network without providing a 1: 1 transmission line between the center 12 and each ATM switch. Therefore, the cost of building an ATM network can be kept low. Further, when adding an ATM exchange, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated line for directly connecting the ATM exchange and the billing center 12.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a billing data collection system. The line devices (line controller or line interface) 21-a and 21-b accommodate subscriber lines 27-a and 27-b to which subscribers A and B are connected, respectively, and are transferred from each subscriber. The incoming cells are input to the ATM switch 22, and the cells exchanged by the ATM switch 22 are transferred to the transfer destination subscriber. In addition, the line devices 21-a and 21-b detect the number of transfer cells and the like as billing data for each subscriber line. Line device (line control device or line interface) 21-c
Is a line device for transferring billing data, and the billing center 1
It houses a dedicated line 13 connected to 2. This dedicated line 13
Is a transmission path for transferring information in a cell format. The line device 21-c and the billing center 12 may be connected by a virtual path.

The folding device 23 transfers the cell to a predetermined device. For example, when data is transferred from the subscriber A to the subscriber B, the loopback device 23 uses the line device 21-a.
It receives the cell output from the ATM switch 22 and returns the cell to the line device 21-b. Also, when transferring a cell from the subscriber A to a subscriber accommodated in another ATM exchange, the loopback device 23 uses the line device 2
The cell output from 1-a is transferred to a device (not shown) that accommodates a line connecting the exchanges.

The central processing unit 24 is a line device 21-a,
21-b, 21-c, and exchange (ATM switch 2
2, folding device 23, device control unit 25, main memory 2
(Including 6). That is, it controls call setting, bandwidth management, billing processing, error data collection, and the like. The device control unit 25 has a cell disassembling / assembling function, converts an instruction from the central processing unit 24 to each device into a cell format and notifies the device, and controls information transferred from each device to the central processing device 24. To do. The main memory 26 is a memory used by the central processing unit 24.

In the above structure, the line device 21-a is
When data is transferred via subscriber line 27-a,
Collect billing data for that data transfer. The line device 21-a normally collects the billing data when the data is transferred from the subscriber A, but when the incoming billing service is provided, when the data is transferred to the subscriber A. Also collect billing data. The line device 21-b is
Similarly, when data is transferred via subscriber line 27-b, billing data for that data transfer is collected. On the subscriber line 27-a27-b, PVC (P
When an ermanent Virtual Channel) connection is set up, the PVC itself may be charged for setting up the PVC, regardless of whether or not data is transferred.

Line device 21-a and line device 21-b
In accordance with an instruction from the central processing unit 24, the collected charging data is transferred to the line device 21-c via the ATM switch 22. Then, the line device 21-c transfers the received billing data to the billing center 12. The billing data is the line device 21-a and the line device 21-b.
Is transferred to the charging center 12 in a cell format.

In this way, one of the plurality of line devices provided for the ATM exchange is assigned as the line device for transferring the charge data, and the line device is connected to the charge center 12. The system shown in FIG. 3 is the ATM switch (ATM switch 11-
1), and it is not necessary to provide a line device for charging data transfer to the ATM exchanges 11-2 to 11-5.
That is, for example, when transferring billing data from the ATM exchange 11-2 to the billing center 12, the ATM exchange 11
-2 transfers the charging data to the line device 21-c provided for the ATM switch 11-1, and the line device 21-
c transfers the billing data to the billing center.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining data cell transfer. In FIG. 4, an example of transferring data from the subscriber A to the subscriber B will be described. When transferring data from subscriber A to subscriber B, a path is established between subscriber A and subscriber B. That is, the path is set in the VCCT (VCI conversion table) provided in the line device 21-a and the loopback device 23. This setting is performed when the subscriber A and subscriber B are connected by PVC (Permanent Virtual Channel) at the time of contract for PVC connection, and SVC (Switched Virtua
l Channel) connection is performed every time a call is connected.

When the line device 21-a receives the cell transferred from the subscriber A, the line device 21-a refers to VCCT, converts the routing information set in the header of the cell, and transfers the cell to the ATM switch 22. Output. Here, it is assumed that “VPI / VCI (p2)” is set as the routing information. When the ATM switch 22 receives a cell in which "VPI / VCI (p2)" is set as the routing information, the ATM switch 22 transfers the cell to the loopback device 23.

Now, the folding device 23 will be described. FIG. 5A is a block diagram of the folding device 23.
FIG. 5B is a diagram schematically showing the VCCT provided in the folding device 23.

The folding device 23 includes a plurality of input / output ports 3
1-1 ,. ． ． , 31-4, and receives a cell output from the ATM switch 22, the cell is passed to the destination determination unit 32. The destination determination unit 32 uses the VPI / VCI (input VPI / VCI) set in the header of the cell to calculate the VCCT.
Access (VCI conversion table) 33. VCCT33
The input VPI / VCI and the output VPI / VCI are stored in association with each other. The destination determination unit 32 extracts the output VPI / VCI corresponding to the input VPI / VCI. For example, when a cell in which "VPI / VCI (p2)" is set as the routing information is received, the destination determination unit 32 determines that the VCCT 33 outputs "VPI / VC".
I (p4) "is extracted and the routing information of the cell header is converted from" VPI / VCI (p2) "to" VPI / VCI (p4) ".
Then, the cell into which the routing information is converted is output to the ATM switch 22 via a predetermined input / output port.

Returning to FIG. As described above, when a cell in which "VPI / VCI (p2)" is set as the routing information is transferred to the loopback device 23, the routing information is converted into "VPI / VCI (p4)" and the ATM is again used. It is input to the switch 22. When the ATM switch 22 receives the cell in which "VPI / VCI (p4)" is set as the routing information, the ATM switch 22 transfers the cell to the line device 21-b, and the line device 2
1-b transfers the cell to subscriber B.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the transfer of the charging data cell. In FIG. 6, an example of transferring the billing data from the line devices 2-a and 21-b to the billing center 12 will be described. Each of the line devices 21-a and 21-b stores a charging data transfer VPI / VCI as routing information for transferring the charging data to the charging center 12. This billing data transfer VPI / VCI is set by the central processing unit 24 shown in FIG.

The line device 21-a collects the billing data for the communication by the subscriber A, and the line device 21-b collects the billing data for the communication by the subscriber B. The method of collecting the billing data will be described later. The process of collecting the billing data and transferring it to the billing center 12 is performed by the line device 21.
Since -a is the same as the line device 21-b, the line device 21-a will be described here.

The line device 21-a temporarily stores the collected billing data, and the central processing unit 24 shown in FIG.
According to the instruction from the
Output to M switch 22. At this time, the charging data transfer VPI / VCI preset in the line device 21-a is set as the routing information in the header of the cell that stores the charging data (hereinafter referred to as the charging data cell). Here, the VPI / VCI for billing data transfer is set to "VPI / VCI (p5)".
And

When the ATM switch 22 receives the billing data cell in which "VPI / VCI (p5)" is set as the routing information, the ATM switch 22 transfers the billing data cell to the return device 23. When the return device 23 receives the above-mentioned charging data cell, the return device 23 sets “VPI /
"VCI (p5)" is used to access the VCCT 33 shown in FIG. 5 (b) to take out "VPI / VCI (p7)". Then, the loopback device 23 sets the routing information of this charging data cell to "VP".
I / VCI (p5) "is converted to" VPI / VCI (p7) "and the charging data cell is output to the ATM switch 22.

When the ATM switch 22 receives the billing data cell in which "VPI / VCI (p7)" is set as the routing information, the ATM switch 22 receives the billing data cell from the line device 21-c.
Transfer to. Then, the line device 21-c transfers the charging data cell to the charging center 12.

As described above, the VCCT 33 provided in the loopback device 23 is associated with the VPI / VCI for accounting data transfer, and the VPI / designating the line device 21-c as the transfer destination.
The VCI is set, and the charging data cell output from the line device 21-a is autonomously transferred to the line device 21-c.

In the above example, the return device 23 is used to transfer the charging data cell output from the line device 21-a to the line device 21-c. VPI / VCI for transferring billing data
However, the line device 21-c may be directly designated. With this setting, the charging data cell output from the line device 21-a is directly transferred to the line device 21-c.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the charging data cell.
The billing data cell is composed of a 5-byte header and a 48-byte payload, like a normal data cell. The header is provided with an 8-bit field for designating a VPI (virtual path identifier) and a 16-bit field for designating a VCI (virtual channel identifier) as an area for setting the routing information of the charging data cell.
In the example shown in FIG. 6, charge data is transferred to this area.
VPI / VCI is set.

OMA type information, billing data, and error detection code are stored in the payload. OMA (Operation and
Maintenance) type information is an area for setting the type of cell and maintenance information. In the charging data cell, information indicating that this cell stores charging data is set. The error detection code is used to check whether or not a bit error has occurred in the charging data cell.

The billing data includes the following various data. Station identification information is information that identifies an ATM exchange. The in-station device unique number is information for identifying a line device. The subscriber identification number is information that identifies the subscriber, and is, for example, a telephone number. The time information, the charging cyclic timer value, and the passing cell number information will be described later. The detailed billing information is information other than the above regarding billing, but is not particularly specified in this embodiment.

Line device 21-a and line device 21-b
Transfers the charging data cell having the above configuration to the charging center 12. The billing center 12 can collect the billing data for each subscriber by analyzing the billing data stored in the billing data cell.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a charging data transfer sequence in a PVC connection. FIG. 8 (a) is a sequence at the time of subscriber registration. Here, the line device 21-a
A case in which the subscriber A connected to is registered in the PVC connection service will be described.

At the time of registration of the subscriber A (at the time of contract), routing information designating a PVC is set in each VCCT in the line device 21-a and the loopback device 23. Further, the central processing unit 24 sends a subscriber registration notification to the line device 21-a. The line device 21-a stores the subscriber information received from the central processing unit 24 at the time of the above notification, stores the charging data in the charging data cell, and transfers the charging data to the charging center 12. The billing data cell is transferred to the billing center 12 via the line device 21-c. Further, in this charging data cell, information indicating that this charging data cell is charging data at the time of registration is set.

As a result, the billing center 12 recognizes that the subscriber A has been registered and receives billing data at the time of registration. After this, the charging center 12 determines that the subscriber A
The central processing unit 24 is notified that the charging data at the time of registration is received.

FIG. 8 (b) shows a sequence of regular processing. In the on-time processing, the billing data collected by the line devices 21-a and 21-b is collected from the billing center 12 at regular time intervals.
Is a process of transferring to.

The central processing unit 24 has a timer and activates the scheduled processing at, for example, one hour intervals. When the on-time processing is activated, the central processing unit 24 sequentially supplies the charging data to the line devices 21-a and 21-b.
It sends an instruction to transfer to 2 (timely notification). Upon receiving the notification, the line devices 21-a and 21-b store the collected billing data in billing data cells and transfer them to the billing center 12. The billing data cell is
Each is transferred to the billing center 12 via the line device 21-c. The billing center 12 includes subscribers A and B.
The central processing unit 24 is notified of receipt confirmation information indicating that the billing data regarding the above has been received.

As a result, the billing center 12 can regularly collect billing data regarding the subscribers A and B. FIG. 8 (c) is a sequence when a subscriber is deleted. Here, the case where the PVC connection service of the subscriber A is stopped will be described.

When the PVC connection service used by the subscriber A is stopped, the central processing unit 24 makes the line device 21
-Notify subscriber deletion to a. Line device 21-a
Upon receiving the notification, the accounting data is stored in the accounting data cell and transferred to the accounting center 12, and the subscriber information stored at the time of registration is deleted. The charging data cell is transferred to the charging center 12 via the line device 21-c. Information indicating that this charging data cell is charging data at the time of deletion is set in this charging data cell.

As a result, the billing center 12 recognizes that the subscriber A has been deleted and receives billing data at the time of deletion. The billing center 12 totals billing data for each subscriber using billing data at the time of registration, billing data by on-time processing, and billing data at the time of deletion.

Thereafter, the billing center 12 notifies the central processing unit 24 that the billing data for deleting the subscriber A has been received. When deleting the subscriber A, the central processing unit 24 also deletes the routing information set in each VCCT in the line device 21-a and the loopback device 23.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the charging data transfer sequence in the SVC connection. FIG. 9A shows a sequence when a call is connected, and FIG. 9B shows a sequence when a call is disconnected.

The charging process in the SVC connection is basically the same as the above-described process in the PVC connection. SVC
In connection, when the call is connected, the same processing as the subscriber registration sequence shown in FIG. 8 (a) is performed, and when the call is disconnected, the sequence shown in FIG. 8 (b) or 8 (c) is used. Do the same.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the line device. Although the line device 21-a is shown in FIG. 10, the line device 21-b has the same configuration. The subscriber reception unit 41 accommodates the subscriber line 27-a and controls cell transmission / reception with the subscriber A. That is, it has an interface function on the line 27-a. The subscriber control unit 42 controls the subscriber A
Analyzes the cell header received from the VPI / VC of that cell
Count up VCCT44 according to I. Also, the subscriber control unit 42 converts the header by referring to the VCCT 43. When the subscriber control unit 42 receives a cell from the ATM switch 22, the subscriber control unit 42 performs VCCT according to the VPI / VCI of the cell when the subscriber A is performing the incoming charge service.
Count up 44.

The VCCT 43 is a table that stores routing information and is set by the central processing unit 24. In case of PVC connection, it is set at the time of contract of subscriber A,
For SVC connection, set when the call is connected. switch
The I / F unit 44 controls transmission / reception of cells to / from the ATM switch 22.

The cell counter 45 counts the number of cells passing through the line device 21-a for each VPI / VCI. Also,
The cell counter 45 is reset when the subscriber A is in the PVC connection and when the subscriber is deleted, or when the subscriber A is in the SVC connection and is reset when the call is disconnected.

The control information receiving section 46 is the central processing unit 24.
The information or setting to be set in the line device 21-a is received by receiving the notification or the instruction transferred from the VPI / VCI setting unit 47 for charging data transfer, the subscriber information setting unit 48, and the clock. Set to 49. Further, when receiving the instruction to transfer the billing data to the billing center 12, the control information accepting unit 46 instructs the billing data cell creating unit 50 to create the billing data cell.

The charging data transfer VPI / VCI setting unit 47
The VPI / VCI for charging data transfer is stored as the routing information used when transferring the charging data to the charging center 12. The subscriber information setting unit 48 uses the line device 21-a.
Stores the station identification information for identifying the ATM switch connected to the subscriber, the intra-station device identification number for identifying the line device 21-a itself, and the subscriber identification number for identifying the subscriber A (telephone number of the subscriber A). . The clock 49 keeps the same time as the central processing unit 24 or the charging center 12.

When the charging data cell generation unit 50 receives the charging data cell generation instruction, the cell counter 45, the charging data transfer VPI / VCI setting unit 47, the subscriber information setting unit 48,
Information is collected from the clock 49 and the cyclic hard timer 51 to create a charging data cell. The cyclic hard timer 51 counts up, for example, every 0.1 seconds, and its counter value becomes 0 every one week.
Return to the cyclic counter. The signal for counting up the cyclic hard timer 51 is
It is generated in the line device 21-a.

The billing data storage unit 52 stores 2 for each VPI / VCI.
Each side (# 0, # 1) has a data storage area, one of which is used as an area for collecting billing data and the other is used as an area for holding billing data. And the central processing unit 2
According to the instruction from 4, the roles of these two areas are switched alternately.

Referring to FIG. 11, the line device 21-a
The operation of will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for creating a charging data cell in a PVC connection. Here, as in the case of FIG. 8, a case where the subscriber A connected to the line device 21-a is registered in the PVC connection service will be described.

When the subscriber A is registered, the central processing unit 24
To the line device 21-a, as subscriber registration notification, station identification information for identifying the ATM switch to which the line device 21-a is connected, intra-station device identification number for identifying the line device 21-a, and subscription A subscriber identification number (telephone number of subscriber A) for identifying the person A, VPI / VCI for charging data transfer, and time information are transferred.

Upon receiving the above information, the control information accepting unit 46 sets the accounting data transfer VPI / VCI to the accounting data transfer VP.
The I / VCI setting unit 47 stores the station identification information, the intra-station device identification number, and the subscriber identification number in the subscriber information setting unit 48. In addition, by adjusting the clock 49 according to the received time information, the central processing unit 24 and the line device 21
Match the time with -a.

The billing data transfer VPI / VCI is routing information for designating the billing center 12. Figure 5
Further, in the example shown in FIG. 6, "VPI / VCI (p5)" is transferred from the central processing unit 24 to the line device 21-a, and the value is set in the VPI / VCI setting unit 47 for transferring accounting data. As in the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the line device 21
When the charging data cell output from -a is transferred to the line device 21-c via the loopback device 23, the charging data transfer VPI / VCI in the loopback device 23 specifies the line device 21-c. Converted to VPI / VCI ("VP
The central processing unit 24 sets the VCCT 33 in the folding device 23 such that "I / VCI (p5)" is converted into "VPI / VCI (p7)".

Subsequently, the control information accepting section 46 instructs the charging data cell creating section 50 to create a charging data cell. Upon receiving this instruction, the billing data cell creation unit 50 receives the billing data transfer VPI / VCI setting unit 47.
The charging data transfer VPI / VCI extracted from is set in the header as the charging data cell routing information. Also, a cell counter 45, a subscriber information setting unit 48,
The information extracted from the clock 49 and the cyclic hard timer 51 is once stored in the charging data storage area (# 0 area or # 1 area) of the charging data storage section 52, and the charging data cell creating section 50 stores the charging data. Part 52
These pieces of information are read out and stored in the payload of the charging data cell.

The billing data cell creating unit 50 transfers the billing data cell created in this way to the switch I / F unit 44, and the switch I / F unit 44 sends the billing data cell to the ATM.
Output to switch 22. The ATM switch 22 transfers the charging data cell to the line device 21-c, and the line device 21-c transfers the charging data cell to the charging center 12.

When the line device 21-a receives the on-time processing notification from the central processing unit 24, the control information receiving unit 46
The charging data cell creation unit 50 is notified of the charging data cell creation instruction. The billing data cell creating unit 50 creates a billing data cell in the same manner as the above procedure. After that, the line device 21-a creates a charging data cell each time it receives the on-time processing notification and transfers it to the charging center 12.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the procedure for creating a charging data cell in SVC connection. The charging process in the SVC connection is basically the same as the process in the PVC connection shown in FIG. That is, in the SVC connection, the same process as the subscriber registration in the PVC connection is performed when the call is connected, and the same process as the scheduled process in the PVC connection is performed when the call is disconnected.

The line device 21-a and the line device 21-
If a fixed path is used to connect to c, the line device 2
At the initial setting of 1-a, the charging data transfer VPI / VCI is fixedly set in the charging data transfer VPI / VCI setting unit 47.

FIG. 13 shows a cyclic hard timer 51.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the operation of FIG. Here, the SV shown in FIG.
The C connection will be described as an example. When the subscriber A issues a call connection request, the central processing unit 24 sends a call connection notification to the line device 21-a and transfers the information described in FIG. The line device 21-a stores the counter value of the cyclic hard timer 51 in the charging data cell as one of the charging data. The value at this time is set to “3500”. This charging data cell is transferred to the charging center 12.

When the subscriber A finishes the data transfer, it issues a call disconnection request. Upon receiving the disconnection request, the central processing unit 24 notifies the line device 21-a of that fact. In response to this notification, the line device 21-a
The counter value of the cyclic hard timer 51 is stored in the charging data cell. The value at this time is “8300”. This charging data cell is also transferred to the charging center 12.

Billing center 12 receives two billing data cells as subscriber A connects and disconnects the call. Then, the billing center 12 calculates the difference between the counter values of the cyclic hard timers 51 stored in these two billing data cells, and calculates the time during which the call was connected. In the above example, since the counter value is incremented every 0.1 seconds, it is recognized that the connection has been made for 480 seconds.

The billing center 12 can calculate the data transfer amount for each subscriber by referring to the passing cell number information stored in the received billing data cell. Further, by referring to the time information, it is possible to recognize the time when the call is actually connected, and therefore it is used, for example, when providing a midnight discount service.

FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the accounting data retransmission sequence. Here, a description will be given of the retransmission processing when the charging data transferred from the line device 21-a is not received by the charging center 12.

The central processing unit 24 transfers the on-time notice to the line device 21-a at a predetermined time.
At this time, the central processing unit 24 activates a timer. Upon receiving the on-time notification from the central processing unit 24, the line device 21-a transfers the charging data cell to the charging center 12 as described with reference to FIG. 8 (b). When the billing center 12 receives the billing data cell, the billing center 12 notifies the central processing unit 24 of the receipt confirmation information. Upon receiving this notification, the central processing unit 24 resets the timer.

However, when the billing center 12 cannot receive the billing data cell due to cell discard or the like, the billing center 12 does not notify the central processing unit 24 of the receipt confirmation information. The timer will never be reset and will time out.

When the central processing unit 24 detects this time-out, it notifies the line device 21-a of a retransmission instruction. Upon receiving this retransmission notification, the line device 21-a transfers again to the charging center 12 the same charging data cell as when it received the previous on-time notification. Billing center 1
2 receives the charging data cell, the central processing unit 24
To the receipt confirmation information, which resets the timer.

As described above, the accounting data storage unit 52 for storing accounting data in the line device 21-a has two data storage areas (# 0, # 1), one of which is for collecting accounting data. , And the other is used for holding accounting data.

It is assumed that the # 0 area is currently used for collecting billing data. In this state, the line device 21-
When “a” receives the on-time notification from the central processing unit 24, the billing data cell creation unit 50 causes the billing data storage unit 52 to display # 0.
The billing data is taken out from the area to create a billing data cell, and the billing data cell is transferred to the billing center 12 via the ATM switch 22. After this, the line device 21-a
Switches between the # 0 area and the # 1 area of the billing data storage unit 52 and shifts the collected billing data to the # 1 area. In addition, the # 0 area is charged by the charging center 12 by the above-mentioned on-time notification.
The billing data transferred to is held until the next on-time notification is received.

As shown in FIG. 14, when the retransmission instruction is issued due to the timeout, the line device 21-a sends # 0.
The billing data held in the area is stored in the billing data cell and transferred to the billing center 12. Thereafter, when the next on-time notification is issued, the line device 21-a stores the charging data read from the # 1 area in the charging data cell and transfers it to the charging center 12.

Since the billing data retransmission function is provided in this manner, the reliability of billing data transfer is improved.

[0087]

According to the billing data transfer system for transferring billing data from the exchange for exchanging fixed length packets to the billing center, routing information for billing data transfer is set in the line device accommodating the subscriber line, Since the routing information is set in the billing data collected by the device and transferred to the billing center, it is possible to reduce the load on the exchange resources (memory of the central processing unit, data transfer bus, processor, etc.).

Since the billing data is transferred to the billing center in the same data format as the normal data transfer, it is not necessary to provide a special device for billing data transfer, and the system configuration can be simplified. Further, since the billing data can be transferred to the billing center via the data network that transfers fixed-length packets, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated line for connecting the billing center and each exchange. Furthermore, when adding an exchange,
There is no need to provide a dedicated line for transferring billing data. Therefore, the cost at the time of system construction can be kept low.

Since the line device retains the charge data even after the charge data is transferred from the line device to the charge center, if the charge data is lost during the transfer to the charge center, the charge data is retransmitted. Can improve reliability. Further, since the billing data is distributed and held for each line, the process of writing the billing data to the hard disk of the exchange and the process of reading it from the hard disc are unnecessary.

Since a counter that counts up each time a predetermined time elapses is provided in the line device and the counter value of the counter is used as billing data, it is possible to accurately measure the line use time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a charging data transfer network according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a billing data collection system.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating data cell transfer.

FIG. 5 (a) is a block diagram of the folding device, and FIG.
[Fig. 3] is a diagram schematically showing a VCCT provided in the folding device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating transfer of a charging data cell.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a charging data cell.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a charging data transfer sequence in a PVC connection, and FIGS. 8A to 8C are sequences for subscriber registration, on-time processing and subscriber deletion, respectively.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a charging data transfer sequence in an SVC connection, and FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) are a sequence when a call is connected and a call is disconnected.

FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of a line device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for creating a charging data cell in a PVC connection.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for creating a charging data cell in an SVC connection.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a cyclic hard timer.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a charging data retransmission sequence.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a conventional charging data transfer network.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a conventional billing data collection system provided for each exchange.

FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining charge data transfer within the exchange.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a conventional charging data collection sequence.

[Explanation of symbols]

11-1 to 11-5 ATM switch 12 Billing center 13 dedicated line 21-a to 21-c line device 22 ATM switch 23 Folding device 24 Central processing unit 25 Device control unit 26 Main memory 27-a to 27-c Subscriber line 31-1 to 31-4 input / output port 32 Address determination unit 33 VCCT (VCI conversion table) 41 Subscriber Reception Department 42 Subscriber control unit 43 VCCT (VCI conversion table) 44 Switch I / F section 45 cell counter 46 Control information reception section 47 VPI / VCI setting part for billing data transfer 48 Subscriber information setting section 49 clock 50 Billing data cell creation unit 51 Cyclic hard timer 52 Billing data storage

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/14 H04L 12/56

Claims (17)

(57) [Claims] 1. A billing data transfer method for transferring billing data from an exchange for exchanging fixed-length packets to a billing center, a switch for exchanging the fixed-length packets according to routing information set in the fixed-length packets, and a charging target. And a line device that collects the billing data when the line is used, and the line device collects the billing data from the billing center. A billing data transfer method in which the fixed length packet is stored in a packet and transferred to the billing center. 2. A billing data transfer method for transferring billing data from an exchange for exchanging fixed length packets to a billing center, and a switch for exchanging the fixed length packets according to routing information set in the fixed length packets, and a charging target. The first line device for accommodating a fixed-length packet transfer line, which collects billing data when the line is used, and the line connected to the billing center, and the billing center through the line. Second for sending and receiving fixed length packets between
The first line device stores the collected billing data in a fixed length packet, transfers the fixed length packet to the second line device through the switch, and The second line device transfers the fixed-length packet received from the first line device to the above-mentioned charging center. 3. The charging data transfer system according to claim 2, wherein a fixed path is set in advance between the first line device and the second line device. 4. The first line device has routing information storage means for storing routing information designating a path from the first line device to the second line device,
3. The charging according to claim 2, wherein the fixed length packet storing the collected charging data is set with the routing information extracted from the routing information storage means, and the fixed length packet is output to the switch. Data transfer method. 5. The accounting data transfer system according to claim 4, wherein the routing information is set in the routing information storage means at the time of initial setting of the first line device. 6. The charging data according to claim 4, wherein the routing information is set in the routing information storage means when a call is established on a line accommodated in the first line device. Transfer method. 7. The first line device, after transferring the charging data to the charging center, holds the transferred charging data until the next charging data is transferred. The charging data transfer method described in 2. 8. The first line device holds the transferred billing data until the exchange receives a receipt notice for the billing data from the billing center after transferring the billing data to the billing center. The billing data transfer method according to claim 2, wherein 9. The exchange holds the receipt data in the first line device when the receipt notification cannot be received when a predetermined time has elapsed after transferring the billing data to the billing center. 9. The charging data transfer system according to claim 8, wherein the charging data is retransmitted to the charging center. 10. The first line device has a counter that counts up every predetermined period, and stores the counter value of the counter in a fixed-length packet as billing data. Billing data transfer method described. 11. A billing data transfer method for transferring billing data from an exchange for exchanging fixed-length packets to a billing center, and accommodating a path for forwarding fixed-length packets to be billed, and billing data for use of the path. A billing data transfer system characterized in that a line control means for collecting is provided for an exchange, the billing data collected by the line control means is stored in a fixed length packet, and the fixed length packet is transferred to the billing center. 12. The line control means has a routing information storage means for storing routing information designating a path from the line control means to the billing center, and the fixed length packet storing the collected billing data is stored in the fixed length packet. The charging data transfer system according to claim 11, wherein the routing information extracted from the routing information storage means is set and the fixed length packet is transferred to the charging center. 13. A billing data transfer method for transferring billing data from each exchange to a billing center within a network provided with a plurality of exchanges for exchanging fixed-length packets, wherein a path for forwarding fixed-length packets to be billed is provided. A line control means for accommodating and collecting charge data when using the path is provided for a predetermined exchange, the charge data collected by the line control means is stored in a fixed-length packet, and the fixed-length packet is stored in the charge center. A billing data transfer method characterized in that the data is transferred to. 14. The line control means has routing information storage means for storing routing information designating a path from the line control means to the billing center, and the fixed length packet storing the collected billing data is stored in the fixed length packet. 14. The charging data transfer system according to claim 13, wherein the routing information extracted from the routing information storage means is set and the fixed length packet is transferred to the charging center. 15. A line provided for an exchange that exchanges fixed-length packets according to routing information set in the fixed-length packets, accommodates a line for transferring fixed-length packets to be charged, and collects charging data. In a line control device for transferring to a charging center by means of charging, a charging data collecting means for collecting charging data when using the above-mentioned line, a routing information storing means for storing routing information indicating a charging center as a transfer destination, and the charging data collection Fixed-length packet creating means for storing the billing data collected by the means in a fixed-length packet, and adding the routing information stored in the routing information storage means to the fixed-length packet, and the fixed-length packet creating means The fixed-length packet transfer that outputs the fixed-length packet created by Line control apparatus characterized by comprising a means. 16. A counter having a counter for counting the number of fixed-length packets transferred via the line, wherein the billing data collecting means collects a counter value of the counter as billing data. Item 1
5. The line control device according to item 5. 17. A counter having a counter that counts up each time a predetermined time elapses, and the billing data collecting means collects a counter value of the counter as billing data.
5. The line control device according to item 5.