JPH10173652A - Pvc-charging method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute precise PVC charging, even if a PVC(permanent virtual circuit) path is set between subscribers by straddling stations. SOLUTION: When the setting of the PVC path is indicated from a remote maintenance station 15, exchange machines 13 and 14 set the PVC path in the station and count cells transmitted to subscriber terminals 11 and 12 which they themselves store as charging cells. The exchange 14, which is not the charging stating periodically, transmits the number of charging cells to the exchange 13 which is the charging station. The exchange 13 calculates the number of charging cells which is to become the object of PVC charging, by using the number of the charging cells which it itself counts and the number of the transmitted charging cells. The respective exchanges 13 and 14 set the PVC path in the station, in accordance with the PVC path setting indication and informs the other exchange of the setting completion of the PVC path. The exchange 13, being the charging station, counts the cells transmitted to the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 so as to obtain the number of the charging cells, when itself as well as the other exchange 14 complete the setting of the PVC path.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a virtual private network (PVC) that is set via a plurality of exchanges.
The present invention relates to a VC charging method, and more particularly to a PVC charging method based on cell-based charging, which counts the number of cells transmitted and received between subscriber terminals via a set PVC and performs charging according to the cell usage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ATM (Asynchronous Transfe
As a broadband exchange such as rMode) exchange, there is a PVC service in which a fixed path is set between subscribers and high-speed and large-volume data transfer is performed between the subscribers via the fixed path. By the way, in recent years, broadband switching has been spreading as a network, and PVC has been set via a relay exchange, and various services have been tried.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a communication system for setting a PVC between subscribers via a plurality of ATM exchanges and transmitting / receiving cells between the subscribers via the PVC.
It can be applied to video conference calls and the like. 1 is a subscriber A terminal, 2 is a subscriber B terminal, 3 is an ATM exchange accommodating the subscriber terminal 1, and 4 is an AT accommodating the subscriber terminal 2.
The M exchanges 5 and 5 are remote maintenance stations for setting / cutting a PVC path, and are connected to each ATM exchange via a modem. In the ATM exchange 3, a and b are terminal points in the office for setting a PVC path between the subscriber terminals 1 and 2, and in the ATM exchange 4, c and d are PVC terminals between the subscriber terminals 1 and 2. In order to set
Minal points.

[0004] A remote maintenance station 5 sets a PVC between the subscriber terminals 1 and 2 via a plurality of ATM exchanges according to a schedule, and enables cell transmission and reception between the two subscriber terminals via the PVC. That is, when the PVC maintenance time comes, the remote maintenance bureau 5 sets the PVC V
PI / VCI (referred to as VPIa / VCIa) and the VPIa /
A VPI / VCI (referred to as VPIc / VCic) correspondence for routing a cell having the VCIa to the transmission line 6 is input to the ATM exchange 3, and the ATM exchange 3 stores the correspondence in a routing table. Next, the remote maintenance station 5 routes the cell having the VPIc / VCic input through the transmission line 6 to the subscriber terminal 2 in order to route the cell to the subscriber terminal 2.
PIc / VCic and the VPI / PVC for the PVC of the subscriber terminal 12
The correspondence of VCI (referred to as VPIb / VCIb) is input to the ATM exchange 4, and the ATM exchange 4 stores the correspondence in a routing table. Thus, the setting of the PVC from the subscriber terminal 1 to the subscriber terminal 2 is completed. In parallel with the above, the setting of the PVC from the subscriber terminal 2 to the subscriber terminal 1 is similarly performed.

[0005] When the PVC setting is completed, transmission and reception of cells between the subscriber terminals 1 and 2 via the PVC become possible.
That is, the subscriber terminal 1 sends out a cell having VPIa / VCIa, and when the ATM exchange 3 receives the cell from the terminal point a, it changes the VPIa / VCIa of the cell to VP.
Ic / VCic, and the cell is routed to terminal point b (transmission line 6). The ATM switch 4 transmits the VPIc / VC of the cell input via the transmission line 6.
Ic is replaced with VPIb / VCIb, routed to terminal point d, and sent to the subscriber terminal 2. Cell transmission / reception from the subscriber terminal 2 to the subscriber terminal 1 is similarly performed. In parallel with the above, the ATM exchange (for example, the ATM exchange 3), which is a charging station, monitors the number of cells to be transmitted and received, performs charging according to the cell usage, and transmits the charging to a charging center (not shown) as appropriate.

[0006]

As described above, the PVC service establishes a fixed path from the subscriber A to the subscriber B, and transmits and receives cells between the subscribers via the fixed path. In such PVC services, accurate PVC
In order to perform charging, it is necessary to count the number of cells transmitted and received after a path between subscribers is established and perform charging. When each subscriber terminal is accommodated in the same exchange, accurate PVC accounting can be performed by starting accounting from the time when a PVC path in the exchange is established.

However, when the subscriber terminals 1 and 2 are accommodated in different exchanges 3 and 4 as shown in FIG. 10, each exchange 3 and 4 establishes an intra-office PVC path. For this reason, the path setting completion times in the exchanges 3 and 4 are different. That is, the path setting of the ATM exchanges 3 and 4 is not completed at the same time depending on the load state of the exchanges, the difference of the path setting instruction timing, and the like, and a slight time difference occurs. If, for example, the subscriber terminal 1 transmits a cell within this error time, the ATM exchange 3 transmits the cell if the path setting is completed and counts it as a charging cell. However, the ATM switch 4 discards the cell because the path setting has not been completed. In such a case, there is a problem that the cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 1 is charged even though the cell has not reached the subscriber terminal 2. For this reason, it is necessary to perform processing such as counting the number of valid charging cells in each exchange and calculating the total number of charging cells in a charging center or the like.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to perform accurate PVC charging based on the number of cells actually transmitted to a subscriber terminal. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to allow any exchange (charging station) accommodating a subscriber terminal to charge even when a PVC is set between subscribers across stations.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(A) First Solution Means FIG. 1A is a view for explaining the principle of the first solution means of the present invention. 11 is the terminal of subscriber A, 12 is the terminal of subscriber B, 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes an ATM exchange accommodating the subscriber terminal 11, reference numeral 14 denotes an ATM exchange accommodating the subscriber terminal 12, and reference numeral 15 denotes a remote maintenance station for setting / cutting a PVC path. In the ATM switch 13, reference numeral 13a denotes charging cell number counting means for counting cells from the other subscriber terminal 12 transmitted to the subscriber terminal 11 accommodated therein as charging cells, 13a.
Reference numeral b denotes a PVC path setting / disconnection unit that controls the setting / disconnection of a PVC path in accordance with a PVC path setting / disconnection instruction from a remote maintenance station. In the ATM switch 14, 1
Reference numeral 4a denotes charging cell number counting means for counting cells from the other subscriber terminal 11 transmitted to the subscriber terminal 12 accommodated therein as charging cells, and 14b denotes a PVC according to a PVC path setting / disconnection instruction from the remote maintenance station. PVC path setting / cutting means for performing path setting / cutting control, 14
Reference numeral c denotes a charging cell number notifying unit for periodically transmitting the charging cell number to the exchange 13.

Each of the exchanges 13 and 14 accommodating the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 counts a cell from the other subscriber terminal transmitted to the subscriber terminal accommodated therein by the accounting cell counting means 13a and 14a as an accounting cell. I do. One of the exchanges 14 periodically transmits the number of accounting cells to the other exchange 13 as an accounting station by the accounting cell number notification means 14c,
The other exchange 13, which is a charging station, calculates the total number of charging cells to be subjected to PVC charging using the number of charging cells counted by itself and the number of charging cells transmitted.

In this case, the remote maintenance bureau 15 instructs each of the exchanges 13 and 14 to set a PVC path.
3 and 14 control the setting of the PVC path according to the instruction,
After the PVC path is set, the subscriber terminal 11, 1 accommodated by itself.
The cell transmitted to 2 is counted as a charging cell. or,
The remote maintenance station 15 instructs each of the exchanges 13 and 14 to disconnect the PVC path, and each of the exchanges 13 and 14 controls the disconnection of the PVC path according to the instruction. The number of charging cells up to the time of disconnection is transmitted to the other exchange 13 which is a charging station. The transmission of the number of charging cells is performed using, for example, an OAM cell. According to the above, even if PVC is set between subscribers across stations, accurate accounting can be performed based on the number of cells transmitted to the subscriber terminal. Billing can be done at any exchange that accommodates the terminal.

(B) Second Solution Means FIG. 1B is a diagram for explaining the principle of the second solution means of the present invention. 11 is the terminal of subscriber A, 12 is the terminal of subscriber B, 1
Reference numeral 3 denotes an ATM exchange accommodating the subscriber terminal 11, reference numeral 14 denotes an ATM exchange accommodating the subscriber terminal 12, and reference numeral 15 denotes a remote maintenance station for setting / cutting a PVC path. In the ATM switch 13, reference numeral 13a denotes charging cell number counting means for counting cells transmitted to each of the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 to obtain the number of charging cells, and 13b denotes a PVC according to a PVC path setting / disconnection instruction from a remote maintenance station. PVC path setting / cutting means for performing path setting / cutting control, 13
Reference numeral c denotes a PVC path setting / disconnection notifying unit that notifies the other exchange 14 of the completion of the setting / disconnection of the PVC path when the setting / disconnection of the PVC path is completed. In the ATM switch 14, 14b is a PVC from a remote maintenance office.
PVC path setting / cutting means for setting / cutting a PVC path in accordance with a path setting / cutting instruction;
When the setting / cutting of the path is completed, the PVC that notifies the other exchange 13 of the completion of setting / cutting of the PVC path
Path setting / disconnection notification means.

Each of the exchanges 13 and 1 is sent from the remote maintenance office 15.
4 is instructed to set a PVC path. Each exchange 13, 14
Is the PV by the PVC path setting / cutting means 13b, 14b.
The C path setting control is performed, and the completion of the PVC path setting is notified to the other exchanges by the PVC path setting / disconnection notifying means 13c and 14d. Exchange 13 as charging station
When both the local exchange 14 and the other exchange 14 have completed the setting of the PVC path, the number of cells transmitted to each of the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 is counted by the number-of-charging-cells counting means 13a to obtain the number of charging cells. Further, the remote maintenance station 15 instructs each of the exchanges 13 and 14 to disconnect the PVC path. Each of the exchanges 13 and 14 includes a PVC path setting / cutting means 13b,
14b, the disconnection control of the PVC path is performed, and the PVC path setting / disconnection notifying means 13c, 14d respectively perform the PV control.
Notify the other exchange that the C path has been disconnected. The exchange 13 which is a charging station, the own exchange or the other exchange 14
When the disconnection of the VC path is completed, the cell counting is stopped. The notification of the completion of the setting / disconnection of the PVC path is performed using, for example, an OAM cell.

According to the above, even when PVC is set between subscribers across stations, the number of cells transmitted to the subscriber terminal after path establishment is counted, and based on the number of cells, Billing can be performed accurately, and billing can be made at any of the exchanges accommodating the subscriber terminals.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(A) Overall Configuration FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system such as a telephone conference system to which the PVC charging method of the present invention can be applied, 11 is a terminal of subscriber A, 12 is a terminal of subscriber B, and 13 is a terminal of subscriber B. ATM exchange (ATM exchange) accommodating the subscriber terminal 11, 14
Is an ATM exchange (ATM exchange) accommodating the subscriber terminal 12, 15 is a remote maintenance office for setting / cutting a PVC path, 15a is a remote console, and 16 and 17 are each A
This is a local console connected to the TM exchange and can communicate with a remote console via a modem. Reference numeral 18 denotes a transmission path between the ATM switches 13 and 14.

The remote maintenance station 15 sets a PVC between the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 via a plurality of ATM switches according to a schedule, and enables cell transmission and reception between the two subscriber terminals via the PVC. That is, when the PVC set time comes, the remote console 15 of the remote maintenance station 15
a through the local console 16 to the ATM switch 1
3 sends a PVC setting request command. The PVC setting request command has data for setting the PVC path P1 in the station, information (terminal number) of the other party's subscriber terminal 12, and data for specifying the accounting station (for example, the ATM switch 13). The PVC path setting data is stored in the subscriber terminal 11.
VPI / VCI for PVC (VPIa / VCIa)
And VPI / VCI (referred to as VPIc / VCic) for routing a cell having the VPIa / VCIa to the transmission line 18. ATM switch 13 is PVC
When the setting request command is received, the corresponding data of the VPI / VCI included in the command is stored in a routing table (not shown), and an intra-station PVC path P1 between the subscriber terminal 11 and the transmission path 18 is set.

Next, the remote exchange 15a sends the PV to the ATM switch 14 through the local console 17.
Send a C setting request command. The PVC setting request command is data for setting the PVC path P2 in the station,
The information (number) of the other party's subscriber terminal 11, the charging station (AT
M exchange 13). PVC
The path setting data is used for routing the cell having the VPIc / VCic sent via the transmission line 18 to the subscriber terminal 12, and the VPIc / VCIC and the VPI / VCI for the PVC of the subscriber terminal 12 are used. (VPIb / VCIb
). ATM switch 14 is PV
When the C setting request command is received, the corresponding data included in the command is stored in the routing table, and the transmission path 1
8 and an intra-station PVC path P2 between the subscriber terminals 12 are set. As described above, the setting of the PVC from the subscriber terminal 11 to the subscriber terminal 12 is completed. At the same time, the subscriber terminal 1
The setting of PVC from 2 to the subscriber terminal 11 is performed in the same manner.

When the PVC setting is completed, the subscriber terminal 1
Transmission and reception of cells via the PVC can be performed between 1 and 12. That is, the subscriber terminal 11 sends out a cell having VPIa / VCIa, and the ATM exchange 13 refers to the routing table to change the VPIa / VCIa of the cell to VPIc / VCIa.
At the same time, the ATM switch 14 changes the VPIc / VCic of the cell input via the transmission line 18 to VPIb / VCib, and routes the cell to the subscriber terminal 12.
Cell transmission / reception from the subscriber terminal 12 to the subscriber terminal 11 is similarly performed. In parallel with the above, the number of cells transmitted and received between subscriber terminals is monitored according to a first charging method or a second charging method described later, and charging is performed according to the cell usage.

When the PVC disconnection time arrives, a PVC disconnection request command is sent from the remote console 15a of the remote maintenance station 15 to the ATM switch 13 via the local console 16. Upon receiving the PVC disconnection request command, the ATM exchange 13 receives the VPI /
The VCI correspondence is deleted from the routing table, and the PBC path P1 in the station is disconnected. Similarly, a PVC disconnection request command is sent from the remote console 15a to the ATM switch 14 via the local console 17. Upon receiving the PVC disconnection request command, the ATM exchange 14 deletes the VPI / VCI correspondence specified by the command from the routing table, and disconnects the PBC path P2 in the station. As described above, charging is performed based on the number of cells transmitted and received between the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 during the period from PVC setting to disconnection.

(B) First Billing Method FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a first billing method. The cells transmitted from the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 before the PVC setting are A
It is discarded by the TM exchanges 13 and 14, is not transmitted to the partner terminal, and is not charged. When the PVC setting time comes and the PVC setting request command is issued from the remote maintenance station 15,
The ATM switch 13 to set a PVC path P1 of the station at the time t _1. As a result, thereafter, the ATM exchange 13 transmits the cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 11 to the ATM exchange 14
To be transmitted. However, since the ATM switch 14 has not set a PVC path, the ATM switch 14 discards the cell and does not transmit it to the subscriber terminal 12 and does not count the number of cells for billing. Then, set the ATM switch 14 at time t ₂ station of PVC path P2 by PVC setting request command from the remote maintenance station 15, to establish the PVC between the subscriber terminals 11, 12. As a result, the ATM switch 13 is connected to the ATM switch 1
The cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 12 via the terminal 4 is sent to the subscriber terminal 11, and the cell is counted as a charging cell. The ATM exchange 14 is the ATM exchange 13
And transmits the cells transmitted from the subscriber terminal 11 to the subscriber terminal 12 and counts the cells as charging cells. That is, each of the ATM switches 13 and 14 counts only cells actually transmitted to the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 as cells to be charged.

The ATM switch 14 is notified by periodically (e.g., at time t ₃ for each hour) the counted ATM switch 13 to the OAM cell is charging station the number of charging cells (described later), ATM switch 13 is their O is added to the counted number of charging cells.
The total number of charging cells is held by adding the number of charging cells notified by the AM cell. Thereafter, the above operation is performed until the PVC path is disconnected. If the remote maintenance station 15 becomes PVC cutting time PVC disconnection request command is issued, the ATM exchange 13 disconnects the PVC path P1 of station at time t _4, thereafter, is transmitted from the ATM switch 14 and subscriber terminal 11 The incoming cell is discarded, and counting of the number of charging cells is stopped. The ATM switch 14 responds to the time t by a PVC disconnection request command from the remote maintenance station 15.
With cutting the PVC path P2 at _5, and notifies the ATM switch 13 at time t ₆ the OAM cell number of charged cells from the last billing cell number of notifications until PVC cutting. Thereafter, the ATM switch 14 discards the cells transmitted from the subscriber terminal 12, and stops counting the number of cells. The ATM switch 13 adds the number of charging cells notified by the OAM cell to the number of charging cells up to that time, holds the total number of charging cells, and performs charging processing based on the number of cells.

As described above, even when PVC is set between subscribers across stations, the number of cells to be charged (the number of charging cells) transmitted from each ATM exchange to the subscriber terminal can be accurately counted. The charging can be performed based on the number of charging cells, and the number of charging cells can be managed by one station (charging station).

(C) Second Billing Method FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a second billing method. The cells transmitted from the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 before the PVC setting are A
It is discarded by the TM exchanges 13 and 14, is not transmitted to the partner terminal, and is not charged. When the PVC setting time comes and the PVC setting request command is issued from the remote maintenance station 15,
Sets the PVC path P1 in the ATM switch 13 at time t _1, and notifies the ATM switch 14 of the setting completion of the PVC path OAM cell. It should be noted that the ATM exchange 13 transmits the cells transmitted from the subscriber terminal 11 until the ATM exchange 14 receives the PVC path setting completion notification from the ATM exchange 14.
It is not transmitted to the exchange 14. Then, the remote maintenance bureau 15
ATM switch 14 by PVC setting request command
It sets the PVC path P2 at the time t _2, PVC
The completion of the path setting is notified to the ATM switch 13 by the OAM cell.

As described above, P between the subscriber terminals 11 and 12
When the VC is established, the ATM switch 13 sends out the cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 12 to the subscriber terminal 11 via the ATM switch 14, and the ATM switch 14 transmits the cell to the ATM switch 1.
The cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 11 via the terminal 3 is transmitted to the subscriber terminal 12. Further, the ATM switch 13, which is a charging station, counts cells to be transmitted to each of the subscriber terminals 11, 12 as charging cells after both itself and the ATM switch 14 complete the PVC path setting. Since then
The above operation is performed until the PVC path is disconnected.

When the PVC disconnection time comes, the remote maintenance station 15
When PVC disconnection request command is issued from, ATM switch 13 to cut the PVC path P1 of the station at the time t _3,
Thereafter, the cells transmitted from the ATM switch 14 and the subscriber terminal 11 are discarded, and the counting of the number of charging cells is stopped. Also, the ATM switch 13 determines that the disconnection of the PVC path has been completed.
The ATM switch 14 is notified by an AM cell. The ATM switch 14 discards the cells transmitted from the subscriber terminal 12 in response to the PVC path disconnection notification. Then, the ATM switch 14 disconnects the PVC disconnection request command by the time t ₄ at station of PVC path P2 from the remote maintenance station 15, ATM cut completion of PVC path OAM cell
Notify the exchange 13. In the above, the ATM that is the charging station
This is the case where the exchange 13 first disconnects the PVC path.
When the ATM switch 14 first disconnects the PVC path and sends a path disconnection notification to the ATM switch 13, the ATM switch 13 discards the cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 11 in response to the path disconnection notification, and also discards the charging cell. Stop counting the number.

As described above, even when a PVC is set between subscriber terminals across stations, a PVC path setting completion notification and a PVC
The path establishment can be recognized by transmitting and receiving the path disconnection notification. After the path is established, the number of cells transmitted to each of the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 by the ATM switch 13 as a charging station is counted, and based on the number of cells, the number is accurately determined. Billing can be done. or,
The total number of charging cells transmitted and received between subscribers via the PVC can be managed by one charging station (ATM exchange 13).

(D) ATM cell and OAM cell As shown in FIG. 5A, the ATM cell is composed of a fixed-length block of 53 bytes, of which 5 bytes are the header H.
D and 48 bytes are the ATM cell payload DT. The header section HD includes a virtual channel number (Virt) for call identification so that the destination can be recognized even after the data is decomposed into blocks.
virtual Channel Identifier (VCI), and an identifier of a virtual path (Virtual Path Identifier) for specifying a route.
ifier: VPI) and a generic flow control GFC (Generic Fl) used for flow control between links.
ow Control) and payload type PT (Payload Typ)
e) and Cell Loss Priority CLP
ity) and an error correction code HEC (Header Err) for the header.
or Control).

The OAM cell is defined by the CCITT recommendation and has a format shown in FIG. OA
M (Operation and Maintenance) is a function to perform failure management and performance management, (1) performance monitoring function, (2) defect and failure detection function, (3) system protection function,
(4) It has a failure information or performance report information transfer function, and (5) a failure point identification function, and is communicated by OAM cells.
An OAM cell is composed of a 5-octet ATM cell header HD and a 48-octet ATM cell payload DT. The ATM cell payload has a 4-bit OAM cell type, a 4-bit function type, a 45-octet function specification field, and an 8-bit The reserved field is composed of a 10-bit EDC. The OAM cell includes an OAM cell in an F4OAM flow that is basically set to be bidirectional in the uplink and the downlink with respect to the VP connection;
OAM in F5 OAM flow based on setting up and down bidirectional for VC connection
There are cells. The latter OAM cell has the same VPI value and VCI value as the user cell since it passes through the same route as the user information cell flowing through the VC connection.
It has a specific payload identifier (PT = 100, PT = 101) to identify it as an AM cell. PT
= 100 is a segment OAM cell, and PT = 101 is an end-to-end OAM cell.

FIG. 6 is a table showing the correspondence between OAM cell types and function types. OAM cell types include defect management type 0001, performance management type 0010, and operation / non-operation management type 1.
000 has been recommended. The defect management type 0001 includes an alarm display signal AIS (Alarm Indica
tion Signal), Far-end-Receive-Failu
re), continuity check, loopback. The performance management type 0010 includes forward monitoring, backward monitoring, monitoring, and notification, and the operation / non-operation management type 1000 includes performance monitoring and continuity checking. OAM as described above
Since the cell type is represented by 4 bits, 15 types can be set, but there are only 3 types of OAM cells recommended. Therefore, in the present invention, an OAM cell type (for example, 1111) for charging information notification is uniquely defined, and a charging cell number notification, a PVC path setting completion notification, a PVC path disconnection completion notification, and the like are defined as function types.

(E) Configuration of ATM Switch FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the ATM switch of the present invention, and the same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In addition, ATM exchange 1
3 and 14 have the same configuration. ATM switch 13
, 51 is an ATM switch for switching a cell arriving from a predetermined incoming line to a predetermined outgoing line based on VCI / VPI included in the header portion of the cell, and 52 is connected to a subscriber terminal via a user network interface UNI. A subscriber line interface unit 53, a network interface unit 53 connected to the network via a network node interface NNI, a processor 54 for performing call processing control, charging processing control, and the like, and a 55 between the processor 54 and the ATM switch 51. Provided signaling device (signal device), 56,5
Reference numeral 7 denotes a VC conversion circuit with a built-in routing table. Signaling device 55 has a function of decomposing a predetermined cell input from a communication path device (subscriber line interface 52, trunk 53) via ATM switch 51 into data that can be handled by processor 54 and inputting the data to the processor;
It has a function of converting the data from the processor 54 into cells and transmitting the cells to a predetermined communication path device via the ATM switch 51. The VC conversion circuits 56 and 57 refer to the routing tables 56a and 57a to determine the VPI / VC of the input cell.
I and tag information to the cell
It has a function of inputting to the M switch 51.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the subscriber line interface unit 52. 61 is an ATM for disassembling and creating cells
A layer termination circuit; 63, a billing processing unit; 64, an OAM cell insertion / extraction unit that performs OAM cell insertion / extraction processing;
Reference numeral 5 denotes a UPC / NPC processing unit that collects the number of input cells and output cells for each interface and each virtual connection, 66 denotes an intra-station communication termination unit, and 67 denotes a microcomputer. The intra-station communication terminating unit 66 includes a signaling device 55, an AT
Cells (cells for call processing communication, cells for billing data collection) transferred from the processor 54 via the M switch 51
Is extracted and decellularized and input to the microcomputer 67.
It has a function of converting the call processing message and the billing data output from the microcomputer 67 into cells and transmitting the cells to the processor 54. The microcomputer 67 is connected to each unit via a bus, and performs a function of collecting and notifying billing information and the like, a function of transmitting a call processing message, and various monitoring functions using OAM cells.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the network interface unit 53. Reference numeral 71 denotes an optical interface unit connected to a transmission line formed of an optical fiber, and an optical / electrical conversion circuit (O / O).
E) and an electrical / optical conversion circuit (E / O). 7
2 is an ATM layer termination circuit for decomposing and creating cells,
73 is a track processing unit, 74 is an OAM cell insertion / extraction unit that performs OAM cell insertion / extraction processing, 75 is an intra-station communication termination unit, and 76 is a microcomputer. Intra-office communication termination unit 75
Extracts cells (call processing communication cells and traffic data collection cells) transferred from the processor 54 via the signaling device 55 and the ATM switch 51, decelerates the cells, and inputs the cells to the microcomputer 76. It has a function to convert the call processing message and the traffic data output from the into a cell and send it to the processor 54. The microcomputer 76 is connected to each unit via a bus, and performs a function of collecting and notifying traffic information and the like, a function of transmitting a call processing message, and various monitoring functions using OAM cells.

(F) PVC Charging Control (First Charging Method) When the PVC setting time between the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 comes, the remote maintenance station 15 (FIG. 7) transmits a PVC setting request command to the ATM switch 13. I do. The PVC setting request command includes data for PVC path setting,
Information (terminal number), charging station (for example, ATM exchange 1
3) is included. The PVC path setting data is the PVC VPI / VC of the subscriber terminal 11.
I (VPIa / VCIa) and VPI / VC for routing cells having the VPIa / VCIa to the transmission line 18
This is data corresponding to I (VPIc / VCic). Upon receiving the PVC setting request command, the processor 54 of the ATM switch 13 recognizes that it has become a charging station, and routes the VPI / VCI corresponding data and cells included in the command to the transmission line 18. Table 56a in the VC conversion circuit 56 for the tag information for
To memorize. Further, the processor 54 notifies the microcomputer 67 of the line interface 52 via the signaling device 55 and the ATM switch 51 that the station has become a charging station.

As described above, the transmission path 1
After the setting of the PVC paths in the offices up to 8 is completed, the cells having the VPIa / VCIA transmitted from the subscriber terminal 11 are routed to the transmission line 18 and input to the ATM exchange 14. However, since the PVC path is not set in the ATM switch 14, the cell is discarded.
The charging processing unit 4 does not count the cell as a charging cell.

Next, the remote maintenance station 15 sends a PVC setting request command to the ATM switch 14. The PVC setting request command has PVC path setting data, information (number) of the other party's subscriber terminal 11, and data for specifying the accounting station (ATM exchange 13). The PVC path setting data is used for routing the cell having the VPIc / VCic sent from the ATM switch 13 to the subscriber terminal 12, and the VPIc / VCic and the PVC VPI / VC of the subscriber terminal 12 are used. VCI (VPIb / VCIb
). When the processor 54 of the ATM switch 14 receives the PVC setting request command, it recognizes that it is not a charging station and stores the corresponding data included in the command in the routing table.
Further, the processor of the ATM exchange 14 notifies the microcomputer of the line interface in the own station that the own station is not a charging station via a signal transmission device and an ATM switch in the own station. Thus, the setting of the PVC path in the office from the transmission line 18 to the subscriber terminal 12 is completed.

With the above, the setting of the PVC between the subscriber terminal 11 and the subscriber terminal 12 is completed.
2 to the subscriber terminal 11 are also set. When the setting of the PVC between the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 is completed, transmission / reception of cells between the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 via the PVC becomes possible. That is, the subscriber terminal 11 has VPIa / V
The ATM exchange 13 sends out the cell having the CIa, refers to the routing table, replaces the VPIa / VCIa of the cell with the VPIc / VCic, and routes the cell to the transmission line 18 via the network interface 53. The ATM switch 14 performs the VPI of the cell input through the transmission line 18.
c / VCic is replaced with VPIb / VCIb, and the cell is routed to the subscriber terminal 12. In parallel with the above, the charging processing unit in the line interface of the ATM exchange 14 counts cells actually transmitted to the subscriber terminal 12 as charging cells. Similarly, the ATM switch 13 converts the cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 12 to the subscriber terminal 11.
In addition, the charging processing unit 63 (FIG. 8) counts cells actually transmitted to the subscriber terminal 12 as charging cells. The microcomputer 67 of each of the ATM switches 13 and 14
(FIG. 8) respectively reads and accumulates the count number of the billing processing unit 63 at a predetermined cycle, thereby obtaining the subscriber terminal 11,
12 holds the total number of charging cells X and Y sent out.

When the set time is reached (for example, every one hour), the microcomputer in the line interface unit of the ATM switch 14 which is not the charging station, and the OAM including the number Y of charging cells up to that time.
Create a cell. Note that the VPI / VCI of the OAM cell is the VPI / VC of the user cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 12.
It has the same value as I. Next, the microcomputer calculates the number of billing cells Y
Is reset to 0, and the created OAM cell is
The data is mixed into the user cell by the M cell insertion / extraction unit. OAM
The cells are routed to the transmission line 18 by the ATM switch of the ATM switch 14 and input to the ATM switch 13. The ATM switch 51 of the ATM switch 13 routes the OAM cell to the subscriber terminal 11 side, and the OAM cell insertion / extraction section 64 in the subscriber line interface 52 performs the OA operation.
The M cells are extracted and input to the microcomputer 67. Microcomputer 6
Numeral 7 analyzes the OAM cells, extracts the number of billing cells Y sent thereto, adds the number to the number of billing cells X counted by the billing processing unit 63 in its own station, and holds the total number of billing cells. Thereafter, the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 are connected via the PVC as described above.
In between, transmission and reception of cells, monitoring of the number of charging cells X and Y transmitted to the subscriber terminals 11 and 12, monitoring of the number of charging cells Y by OAM cells, and updating of the total number of charging cells are performed.

When the PVC disconnection time comes, a PVC disconnection request command is sent from the remote console 15a of the remote maintenance station 15 to the ATM exchange 13 via the local console 16. The processor 54 of the ATM switch 13 is a PV
When the C disconnection request command is received, the VPI / VCI correspondence specified by the command is deleted from the routing table, and the PBC path in the station is disconnected. This allows
The cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 12 is discarded, and the counting of charging cells by the charging processing unit 63 stops. Similarly, a PVC disconnection request command is sent from the remote console 15a to the ATM switch 14 via the local console 17. Upon receiving the PVC disconnection request command, the processor of the ATM switch 14 receives the VP specified by the command.
I / VCI correspondence is deleted from the routing table, and the PBC path in the station is disconnected. Thereby, the subscriber terminal 1
The cells transmitted from 2 are discarded, and the counting of the charging cells by the charging processing unit is stopped.

Next, the microcomputer in the subscriber line interface of the ATM switch 14 which is not the charging station, receives an instruction from the processor to change the last notification of the number of charging cells from the PVC.
The number Y of billing cells transmitted to the subscriber terminal 12 until the disconnection is notified to the ATM switch 13 by an OAM cell. AT
The microcomputer 67 of the M exchange 13 updates the total number of charging cells up to that time by adding the charging cell number Y notified by the OAM cell. Then, in response to the request for the number of charging cells from the processor 54, the microcomputer 67 notifies the microcomputer 54 of the total number of charging cells via the ATM switch 51 and the signaling device 55. The microcomputer 54 performs a charging process and notifies the charging center as appropriate.

(G) PVC Charging Control (Second Charging Method) When the PVC setting time between the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 comes, the remote maintenance station 15 (FIG. 7) transmits a PVC setting request command to the ATM switch 13. I do. The PVC setting request command includes data for PVC path setting,
Information (terminal number), charging station (for example, ATM exchange 1
3) is included. The PVC path setting data is the PVC VPI / VC of the subscriber terminal 11.
I (VPIa / VCIa) and VPI / VC for routing cells having the VPIa / VCIa to the transmission line 18
This is data corresponding to I (VPIc / VCic). Upon receiving the PVC setting request command, the processor 54 of the ATM switch 13 recognizes that it has become a charging station, and routes the VPI / VCI corresponding data and cells included in the command to the transmission line 18. Table 56a in the VC conversion circuit 56 for the tag information for
To memorize. Further, the processor 54 notifies the microcomputer 67 of the line interface 52 via the signaling device 55 and the ATM switch 51 that the station has become a charging station.

As described above, the subscriber terminal 11 transmits the transmission path 1
The setting of the PVC paths in the stations up to 8 is completed. Upon completion of the PVC path setting, the processor 54 instructs the microcomputer 67 in the line interface unit to notify the ATM switch 14 of the path setting completion notification. Thereby, the microcomputer 6
7 creates an OAM cell for PVC path setting completion notification, and notifies the ATM switch 14 of the OAM cell via the OAM cell insertion / extraction unit 64. The processor of the ATM switch 14 uses the OAM cell to switch the ATM switch 13 to PVC.
It recognizes that the path setting has been completed. Thereafter, a cell having VPIc / VCic is transmitted from the subscriber terminal 11, but the ATM exchange 13 discards the cell until the ATM exchange 14 notifies the completion of the PVC path setting.

Next, the remote maintenance station 15 transmits a PVC setting request command to the ATM switch 14. The PVC setting request command has PVC path setting data, information (number) of the other party's subscriber terminal 11, and data for specifying the accounting station (ATM exchange 13). The PVC path setting data is stored in the VPIc input from the transmission path 18.
/ VCic for routing to the subscriber terminal 12, and the VPic / VCic and the subscriber terminal 1
2 is the corresponding data of VPI / VCI for PVC (referred to as VPIb / VCIb). When the processor 54 of the ATM switch 14 receives the PVC setting request command, it recognizes that it is not a charging station and stores the corresponding data included in the command in the routing table. or,
The processor of the ATM switch 14 notifies the microcomputer of the line interface that the own station is not a charging station via a signaling device and an ATM switch in the own station.

As described above, the subscriber terminal 1 is
The setting of the PVC paths in the stations up to 2 is completed. Upon completion of the PVC path setting, the processor of the ATM switch 14 notifies the microcomputer in the line interface unit of the completion of the path setting.
Instruct the TM exchange 13 to notify. This allows
The microcomputer creates an OAM cell for PVC path setting completion notification, and notifies the ATM switch 13 of the OAM cell via the OAM cell insertion / extraction unit. The processor of the ATM switch 13 uses the OAM cell to switch the ATM switch 14 to the PV.
Recognizing that the setting of the C path has been completed, the charging processing unit 63
To start counting the number of charging cells. In addition, the billing processing unit 63
Is the cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 11 and the subscriber terminal 1
The cell transmitted to 1 can be counted.

As described above, when the setting of the PVC between the subscriber terminal 11 and the subscriber terminal 12 is completed, the subscriber terminal 11,
The transmission / reception of cells via the PVC between the T.12 and the T.12 becomes possible. That is, the subscriber terminal 11 sends out a cell having VPIa / VCIa, and the ATM exchange 13 refers to the routing table to change the VPIa / VCIa of the cell to VPIc / VCic.
And route to the transmission line 18 via the network interface unit 53. The ATM switch 14 converts the VPIc / VCic of the cell input via the transmission line 18 into a VP
The cell is replaced with Ib / VCIb, and the cell is routed to the subscriber terminal 12. Similarly, the ATM switch 13 converts the cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 12 to the subscriber terminal 11.
Routing to In parallel with the above, the ATM exchange 13
Charging unit 63 in the line interface 52 of FIG.
Counts the cells for the subscriber 12 transmitted from the subscriber terminal 11 as charging cells,
The cell from the subscriber 12 transmitted to 1 is counted as a charging cell.

Thereafter, in the same manner as described above, transmission / reception of cells between the subscriber terminals 11 and 12 via the PVC, and counting processing of the accounting cells by the accounting processing unit 63 in the ATM exchange 13 which is an accounting station are performed. When the PVC disconnection time comes, the remote console 15a of the remote maintenance station 15 sends a PVC disconnection request command to the ATM switch 13 via the local console 16. Upon receiving the PVC disconnection request command, the processor 54 of the ATM exchange 13 deletes the VPI / VCI correspondence specified by the command from the routing table, and disconnects the PBC path in the office. As a result, the cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 12 is discarded, and the counting of the charging cells by the charging processing unit 63 stops. Further, the processor 54 instructs the microcomputer 67 to notify the ATM switch 14 of the completion of the path disconnection. As a result, the microcomputer 67 creates an OAM cell for notifying completion of disconnection of the PVC path, and notifies the ATM switch 14 of the OAM cell via the OAM cell insertion / extraction unit 64. ATM switch 14
Processor uses the OAM cell to make the ATM switch 13
It recognizes that the disconnection of the VC path has been completed, and thereafter discards the cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 12.

Next, the PV is sent from the remote console 15a to the ATM switch 14 via the local console 17.
C Send a disconnection request command. Upon receiving the PVC disconnection request command, the processor of the ATM switch 14 deletes the VPI / VCI correspondence specified by the command from the routing table and disconnects the PBC path. AT
The processor of the M exchange 14 instructs the microcomputer in the line interface to notify the ATM exchange 13 of the completion of the path disconnection. The microcomputer creates an OAM cell for notifying the completion of disconnection of the PVC path according to the instruction, and stores the OAM cell in the OAM cell.
It notifies the ATM exchange 13 via the AM cell insertion / extraction unit. The processor of the ATM switch 13 recognizes from the OAM cell that the ATM switch 14 has completed disconnection of the PVC path.

In the above, the ATM exchange 13 which is a charging station
Is the case where the PVC path is cut first. The ATM switch 14 first disconnects the PVC path and sends a path disconnection notification to A
In the case of using the TM exchange 13, the ATM exchange 13 discards the cell transmitted from the subscriber terminal 11 in response to the path disconnection notification and stops counting the number of charging cells. Thereafter, the microcomputer 67 of the ATM switch 13
In response to the request for the number of charging cells from No. 4, the total number of charging cells is notified to the microcomputer 54 via the ATM switch 51 and the signaling device 55, and the microcomputer 54 performs charging processing and notifies the charging center as appropriate. In the above description, information is exchanged between the processor 54 and the subscriber line interface by using cells. However, it is also possible to connect the processor and the subscriber line interface by a bus and exchange information by bus communication. . As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the present invention can be variously modified in accordance with the gist of the present invention described in the claims, and the present invention does not exclude these.

[0048]

As described above, according to the present invention, each exchange accommodating a subscriber terminal counts, as a charging cell, a cell from the other subscriber terminal transmitted to the subscriber terminal accommodated by itself. The charging station periodically transmits the number of charging cells to the other exchange (charging station), and the charging station uses the number of charging cells counted by itself and the number of charging cells transmitted to perform total charging cells to be subjected to PVC charging. Even if the number is calculated, or even a PVC extending between stations, one station in the ATM network can collect charging information.

According to the present invention, each exchange is instructed to set a PVC path, and each exchange accommodating a subscriber terminal controls the setting of the PVC path according to the instruction. Since cells transmitted to the terminal are counted as charging cells, cells before setting the PVC path or cells discarded in the station on the way are not counted as charging target cells, and are actually transmitted to the subscriber terminal. Only the cells that have been charged can be counted as cells to be charged, and accurate cell charging according to the cell usage can be performed. According to the present invention, each exchange is instructed to disconnect the PVC path, each exchange accommodating the subscriber terminal controls disconnection of the PVC path according to the instruction, and one of the exchanges receives the PVC notification from the last notification of the number of charging cells. Since the number of charging cells up to the time of disconnection is transmitted to the other exchange, which is a charging station, more accurate charging is possible.

According to the present invention, each exchange is instructed to set a PVC path, and each exchange accommodating the subscriber terminal controls the setting of the PVC path according to the instruction, and the completion of the setting of the PVC path is determined by the other exchange. And when one of the exchanges, which is the charging station, has completed the setting of the PVC path, the number of cells to be transmitted to each subscriber terminal is counted to determine the number of charging cells. Therefore, the cell before setting the PVC path or the cell discarded at the station in the middle is not counted as the charging target cell, and only the cell actually transmitted to the subscriber terminal can be counted as the charging target cell. Charging is possible.
In addition, even if a PVC extends between stations, it is possible to collect charging information at one station in the ATM network.

According to the present invention, each exchange is instructed to disconnect the PVC path, and each exchange accommodating the subscriber terminal controls the disconnection of the PVC path according to the instruction, and the completion of disconnection of the PVC path is determined by the other exchange. And when the charging station completes the disconnection of the PVC path by itself or the other switch,
Since the counting of the cells is stopped, only the cells actually transmitted to the subscriber terminal can be counted as cells to be charged, and accurate charging can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a first billing method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a second charging method according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an ATM cell and an OAM cell.

FIG. 6 is a correspondence table of OAM cell types / functional types.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of an ATM exchange.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram of a subscriber line interface unit.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a network interface unit.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a system for setting and communicating with a PVC.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11. Terminal of subscriber A 12. Terminal of subscriber B 13. ATM switch 13a. Counting means for charging cells 13b .. PVC path setting / disconnecting means 13c .. PVC path setting / disconnecting notification means 14. ATM switching device 14a Charging cell count counting means 14b PVC path setting / disconnection means 14c Charging cell number notification means 14d PVC path setting / disconnection notification means 15 Remote maintenance station

Claims (7)

[Claims] Claims 1. A PV between subscribers via a plurality of exchanges.
C that sets C, transmits / receives cells between subscriber terminals via the PVC, and charges based on the number of cells to be transmitted / received
In the charging method, each exchange accommodating the subscriber terminal counts a cell from the other subscriber terminal transmitted to the subscriber terminal accommodated therein as a charging cell, and the charging exchange cell from one exchange to the other exchange is counted. The number of billing cells counted by itself and the number of billing cells counted by itself and the number of billing cells transmitted are used to calculate the total number of billing cells subject to PVC billing.
Billing method. 2. Instructing each exchange to set a PVC path, each exchange accommodating a subscriber terminal controls the setting of the PVC path according to the instruction, and after setting the PVC path, sends out to the subscriber terminal accommodated by itself. 2. The PVC charging method according to claim 1, wherein the cells are counted as charging cells. 3. Instructing each exchange to disconnect the PVC path, each exchange accommodating the subscriber terminal controls the disconnection of the PVC path according to the instruction, and said one of the exchanges receives the PVC notification from the last accounting cell number notification. 3. The PVC charging method according to claim 1, wherein the number of charging cells up to the time of disconnection is transmitted to the other exchange. 4. The P switch according to claim 1, wherein each of said exchanges is an ATM exchange, and said one exchange transmits the number of charging cells by an OAM cell to another exchange.
VC charging method. 5. A PV system between subscribers via a plurality of exchanges.
C that sets C, transmits / receives cells between subscriber terminals via the PVC, and charges based on the number of cells to be transmitted / received
In the accounting method, each exchange is instructed to set a PVC path, and each exchange accommodating the subscriber terminal controls the setting of the PVC path according to the instruction, and notifies the other exchange of the completion of the setting of the PVC path. A PVC charging method, characterized in that one of the exchanges, which is a station, counts cells to be transmitted to each subscriber terminal and obtains the number of charging cells after both the switching equipment and the other exchange have completed the setting of the PVC path. . 6. Instructing each exchange to disconnect the PVC path, each exchange accommodating the subscriber terminal controls the disconnection of the PVC path according to the instruction, and notifies the other exchange of the completion of disconnection of the PVC path, respectively. 6. The PVC charging method according to claim 5, wherein one of the exchanges, which is a charging station, stops counting cells when the switch itself or the other exchange completes disconnection of the PVC path. 7. The exchange according to claim 1, wherein said exchange is an ATM exchange.
7. The PV according to claim 6, wherein the M cell notifies the completion of the setting of the PVC path and the completion of the disconnection of the PVC path.
C billing method.