WO2008003720A2

WO2008003720A2 - Arrangement, method and control unit for billing a packet-oriented data flow, network node and communications terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2008003720A2
Application number: PCT/EP2007/056766
Authority: WO
Inventors: Morten SCHLÄGER
Original assignee: Nokia Siemens Networks Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2006-07-07
Filing date: 2007-07-04
Publication date: 2008-01-10
Also published as: DE102006032395A1; WO2008003720A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement that permits the billing of a packet-oriented data flow in an efficient, user-friendly manner. Said arrangement comprises a communications terminal for transmitting and/or receiving packets that are allocated to the data flow (1, 2) via a communications network containing at least one network node and a control unit. The control unit comprises elements for selecting a packet inspector (4, 5) that is specific to the type of data flow (1, 2) from a plurality of packet inspectors that are stored in a memory device, elements permitting the selected packet inspector (4, 5) to be applied to the data packets of the data flow (1, 2) in order to determine at least one parameter for the quality of service observed in the communications terminal, based on an analysis of the content of the data packets, and elements for transmitting the parameter or parameters that has or have been determined in this way for the quality of service observed in the communications terminal to a billing unit (8, 9, 10).

Description

description

Arrangement, method and control device for billing a packet-oriented data flow and network nodes and communication terminal

The invention relates to an arrangement for billing a packet-oriented data flow.

The billing of a packet-oriented data flow is nowadays usually time- and / or volume-based. There is the possibility that the traffic parameters of a data ^¬ flow, such as the so-called "jitter," that is, the variance of the latency of transmitted data packets, the loss-rate and to determine the average error rate or the flow rate and integrate the results in the charging to make. an arrangement for the charging of a packet-oriented data flow is, for example, a communi cation ^¬ network in the form of a mobile radio network according to the 3GPP (3rd generation Partnership Project) standard from the document

"3GPP TS 23.125 V6.8.0 (2006-03); 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; Overall high level functionality and architecture impacts of flow-based charging; Stage 2 (Release 6) "With the known arrangement, it is possible to charge packet-oriented data flows - so-called" flows "- differently within a packet data context.

The present invention has for its object to provide an arrangement that allows charging for a packet-oriented data flow on powerful and nutzerfreundli ^¬ che manner. This object is achieved by a Anord ^¬ tion for charging a packet-oriented data flow with a communication terminal for transmitting and / or receiving data packets associated with the data flow over a communication network with at least one network node and a control device with means for selecting a specific for the type of data flow packet inspector for the purpose of loading ^¬ humor at least one characteristic value for the perceived on the part of the communication terminal QoS based from a Men ^¬ ge of data stored in a storage device package inspectors, means for applying the selected packet inspector to the data packets of the data flow on an examination of the Contents of the data packets and means ^¬ for transmitting the thus determined at least one characteristic for the perceived on the side of the communication terminal quality of service to a charging device.

The arrangement according to the invention has a control device with means for selecting a packet inspector specific to the type of data flow from a set of packet inspectors stored in a memory device. At least one package inspector is stored in the storage device. Preferably, in the memory device-specific packet inspectors for all types of data flows sent from the communication terminal and / or can be are received, ^¬ gen, available. When selecting the package inspector by the control device, for example, the transport protocol used and the type of Applika ^¬ tion, which is provided by the respective data flow, are taken into account, so that the selection of the package inspector for the respective data flow, for example, dependent can be done by the coding used or the application protocol used. In addition, the control device has means for applying the selected packet inspector to the data packets of the data flow in order to determine at least one parameter for the quality of service perceived on the side of the communication terminal based on an examination of the content of the data packets. This means that preferably a semantic and / or syn ^¬ tactical interpretation of the content of the data packets is taken ^¬ by means of the selected package inspector. Analyzing the content of the data packets ER- follows preferably in real time, ie immediately to ^¬ connexion with the sending and / or receiving associated with the packet-oriented data stream data packets by the communication terminal. The way in which the ^¬ a parameter for the device on the side of Kommunikationsend- perceived quality of service is determined based on the investi ^¬ monitoring of the content of the data packets Minim least, is again on the concrete application or application as well as the encoding used dependent. Generally, this takes into account that different types of data Liehe packages usually have a different ^¬ Lich strong influence on the perceived on the part of the communication terminal ^¬ quality of service within a data flow. For this reason, the actual quality of a data transmission can not be determined by means of parameters measured on a flat-rate basis, such as the previously mentioned quantities "jitter", loss rate or mean error rate or throughput.

For example, when using the transport protocol TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), it should be noted that with loss of data packets in this protocol, the transmission rate is reduced in order to prevent network overload. However, this behavior has the consequence that the time required for the transmission of a file by means of the transport protocol TCP, even with the same average error rate strong can differentiate. The reason for this is that the first data packets in a data transmission for the rapid attainment of maximum transmission rate a much higher importance than other ^¬ processing belongs, at a later time data transmitted packets.

A simple algorithm for determining at least one characteristic of the perceived on the part of the communication terminal quality of service based on an examination of the contents of the data packets by applying the selected packet inspector might look so when using the TCP transport proto ^¬ Koll, therefore, that, first and second state are defined. The first state is characterized by the fact that the loss of data packets in this first state particularly strongly influences the at least one parameter for the quality of service perceived on the side of the communication terminal since, according to the previous statements, losses of data packets in the initial phase of a data transmission ultimately reach the average Transmission or transmission rate particularly negative ^¬ influence. In contrast, in the second state the loss of data packets is less relevant so that the Minim ^¬ least one characteristic variable for which is less affected on the side of the communication terminal ^¬ device perceived quality of service in the second state by loss of data packets.

The flow of the algorithm could now, for example, as seen from ^¬ that the initial state at the start of a Datenübertra ^¬ supply, that is, when activated, a flow of data through the ERS th state is given. A transition to the second state takes place when the difference between the last sequence number of a transmitted data packet and the last received acknowledgment or acknowledgment number is greater than a limit value, since in this case it is assumed that the completed state and a stable state in the transmission is achieved. Conversely, a transition from the second (stable) state back to the first state occurs after a longer transmit or receive pause, or when a certain number of data packet loss has been observed by the packet inspector. These events indicate that the stable second state has been left. In the example described algorithm of the packet inspector used thus must at least analyze and extract and process the Se ^¬ quenznummer and the confirmation number of the so-called "header" of the TCP data packet.

Further examples of the functionality of a packet inspector are the estimation or determination of the quality of service or quality perceived on the part of the communication terminal in the case of a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) telephone call or counting in the case of MPEG-4 video coding I-frames, to allow them to charge a higher fee.

The control device of the inventive arrangement for billing a packet-oriented data flow also has means for transmitting the determined at least one parameter for the quality of service perceived on the side of the communication ^terminal device to a charging device. This makes it advantageously possible that the at least one parameter for the can be considered on the side of communi cation ^¬ terminal perceived quality of service in the packet-oriented Vergebüh- tion of the data flow. This offers the advantage that a refinement of service ^¬ specific charging models can be made. Characterized that the actual perceived on the part of the communication terminal ^¬ quality of service into account when charging is taken into account, the satisfaction of the users can be increased by operating in the context of the inventive arrangement communication terminals. For example, voice-over-IP calls can not only based on the übertrage- nen data volume, but also in relation to the perceived on the part of the communication terminal voice quality abge ^¬ expects to be. In addition, there is also the possibility, for example, that when transferring a file not only the data volume but also the throughput achieved is taken into account.

In an advantageous embodiment, the control device of the arrangement according to the invention comprises means for configuring a packet filter for filtering out the data packets of the data flow to be supplied to the packet inspector. This is ^¬ geous since hereby in particular in the case that a plurality of packet-oriented data flows are transmitted, for example, within a packet data protocol (PDP) -Kontextes, can be effected a selection of the to be supplied to the packet inspector data packets of a specific data flow. The assignment of the data packets of the respective data flow to the correct Pa ^¬ ket inspector can preferably be effected based on the ver ^¬ used 5-tuple. The 5-tuple in the connection model is generally defined by the following parameters: protocol, local host, local process, foreign host, and foreign process. For example, Internet ^addresses or port numbers are used in the TCP / IP protocol family as host or process example. The packet filter is preferably already configured as part of the structure of a data flow, for example in the form of a "session" using the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) protocol. Preferably the inventive arrangement is such forms ^¬ out, that the control device is arranged at least one network node in the. This development of the inventive arrangement is preferred since it made based network side determining the at least one characteristic of the communication terminal perceived quality of service on an examination of the contents of the data packets ^¬ light. In the case of the at least one network node, for example, in the case in which the communications network is a mobile radio network according to the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) or the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) standard act as a so-called GGSN (GPRS Gateway Support Node). Besides using ei ^¬ nes such existing in the communication network for purposes other network nodes, the controller may preferably be provided in a special, exclusively used for this purpose in the communication network nodes. For example, the network node may be a network node specially designed for carrying out a so-called "deep packet inspection", ie the analysis of the content of data packets may be disposed in the communication network. in this case, the control device can on the one hand completely in a plurality of network nodes may be present, or else be distributed in terms of their functionality over a plurality of network nodes of the Kommunikati ^¬ onsnetzes.

Preferably, the inventive arrangement may also be such a serious nature that the control device is arranged in the communica tion ^¬ terminal. The fact that in this case the determination of the at least one parameter for the quality of service perceived on the side of the communication terminal takes place in the communication terminal itself, is advantageous. legally optimized the quality of the determination of at least one characteristic. To shut manipulations of the packet inspector used or the control device itself ^¬ may be stored on the communication terminal methods of the so-called used "Trusted Computing". Preferably, the determination of the at least one characteristic value for the perceived on the part of the communication terminal quality of service can also be used in combination by at least one network node of the communication network and the communication terminal device carried out. this means that at least one characteristic ^¬ size are used in this case, several measuring points for determining the.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the charging device is an on-line charging system for real-time charging. This offers the advantage that the determined at least one parameter for the perceived on the part of the communication terminal service ^¬ goodness in real time, for example as part of a pre-paid service that can be taken into account when charging.

The arrangement according to the invention can advantageously also be designed in such a way that the charging device is an offline charging system for time-dependent charging. This makes it possible that the ^¬ be agreed at least one parameter for the can be considered on the side of Kom ^¬ munikationsendgerätes perceived quality of service even under a temporary downstream billing. It should be noted that the fiction, modern ^¬ assembly further also may be made ^¬ marked preferably such that it comprises means for transmitting the determined at least one parameter for the perceived on the part of the communication terminal QoS both has an online charging system as well as an offline charging system. This makes it possible to ^{simultaneously support} both types of billing.

The communication network may be a communication network according to any fixed or mobile standard. Particularly preferred, however, the execution ^¬ form the inventive arrangement that the communication network is a mobile network based on the 3GPP standard. This offers the advantage that it is in mobile networks according to the 3GPP standard, such as the UMTS, the GPRS, or GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) - Standard, a widely used type of Kommunikationsnet ^¬ zen to transfer a packet-oriented data flow.

The invention also relates to a method for billing a packet-oriented data flow.

As for the method of the present invention has for its object to provide a method which enables a ^¬ Ver gebührung a packet-oriented data flow on performance ^¬ enabled and user-friendly manner.

This object is achieved by a method for billing a packet-oriented data flow with the following steps: selecting a for the type of data packets from a communication terminal via a communica ^¬ tion network with at least one network node sent and / or received data flow specific package inspector of a amount of data stored in a storage device package inspectors by a control device, applying the selected packet inspector to the data packets of the data flow ^¬ purpose of determining at least one parameter for the perceived on the part of the communication terminal service ^¬ Q based on an examination of the contents of the data ^¬ packets by the control device and transmitting the so determined at least one parameter for the perceived on the part of the communication terminal QoS of the control device to a billing center.

The inventive method has the advantage that the selection of a packet inspector depending on the nature of the data packets of the of the communication terminal via the

Communication network sent and / or received data flow takes place. For this purpose, at least one package inspector is stored in a storage device. In addition, made in the context of the inventive method advanta- adhesive enough, applying the selected packet inspector to the data packets of the data flow for determination min ^¬ least one characteristic for on the side of Kommunikati ^¬ onsendgerätes perceived quality of service based on an examination of the contents of the data packets by Control device. This makes it possible that the thus be ^¬ agreed at least one characteristic of which can be transmitted on the side of Kom ^¬ munikationsendgerätes perceived quality of service of the STEU ^¬ ereinrichtung to the billing center. Thus, the charging device can take into account the corresponding at least one parameter for the quality of service perceived on the side of the communication terminal when billing the relevant packet-oriented data flow.

Preferably, the inventive method can also take place so ^¬ that a packet filter is configured to filter out the packet supplied to the inspector packets of the data flow through the control device. This offers the advantage that a single data flow consists of a plurality of data filtered out and fed to the previously selected package inspector.

In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, a control device arranged in the at least one network node is used as the control device. This advantageously makes possible a network-side, central determination of the at least one parameter for the quality of service perceived on the side of the communication terminal.

Furthermore, the method according to the invention can preferably also run such that a control device arranged in the communication terminal is used as the control device. This preferred embodiment of the inventive method provides the advantage that the mains-side expense for applying the selected packet inspector for the purpose of determining the avoiding of at least a characteristic value for the perceived on the part of the communication terminal service quality to the Datenpake ^¬ te of the data flow. In addition, the determination of the at least one parameter on the part of the communication terminal is generally possible with higher accuracy than in the case of a network-side determination.

Preferably, the inventive method can also take place so ^¬ that an online charging system is used to Echtzeitvergebührung as billing center. This makes it possible to take into account the at least one parameter for the quality of service perceived on the side of the communication terminal in the context of real-time charging.

The method according to the invention can advantageously also proceed in such a way that an off-line Charging system is used for time-dependent billing. By means of this advantageous development, the determined at least one parameter for the quality of service perceived on the part of the communication terminal can be taken into account in the context of a time-dependent charging by means of an offline charging system.

The method according to the invention is suitable for charging a packet-oriented data flow transmitted over any types of communication network. In a particularly be ^¬ vorzugten embodiment, a mobile radio network according to 3GPP standard is used as a communication network, since it is in such mobile networks to widespread communications ^¬ networks for the transmission of packet-oriented data flows.

The invention further relates to a control device for billing a packet-oriented data flow.

With regard to the control device, the present invention is based on the object of specifying a control device which enables billing of a packet-oriented data flow in a powerful and user-friendly manner.

This object is inventively achieved by a control ^¬ device for charging a packet-oriented data stream that is sent from a communication terminal via a communica ^¬ nikationsnetz with at least one network node and / or received, means for selecting a specific for a given type of data flow packet Inspector of a set of package inspectors stored in a storage device, means for applying the selected package inspector to the data packets of the data flow for the purpose of determining at least one characteristic for the on-board data ten of the communication terminal perceived quality of service ba ^¬ based on a study of the content of the data packets and means for transmitting the thus determined at least one characteristic for the perceived on the side of the communication terminal quality of service to a charging device.

The control device according to the invention is preferred since it has means for selecting a package inspector specific to the type of data flow in question from a set of packet inspectors deposited by a storage device and means for applying this selected packet inspector to the data packets of the data flow for the purpose of determination has at least one characteristic for the quality of service perceived by the communication terminal on the basis of an examination of the content of the data packets. This makes it possible that by means of the control device according to the invention advantageously the transmission of the thus determined at least one characteristic variable for the quality of service perceived on the side of the communication terminal device to a charging device can take place.

The invention further relates to a network node of a communications network.

With regard to the network node of a communication network, the present invention has for its object to provide a network node that allows billing of a packet-oriented data flow in a powerful and user-friendly manner.

This object is achieved by a network node of a communi ^¬ nikationsnetzes with a control device for charging a packet-oriented data flow of a communi- cation terminal is sent and / or received via a communication network with at least one network node, comprising means for selecting a packet inspector specific to the type of data flow concerned from a set of packet inspectors stored in a memory device, means for applying the selected packet inspector to the data packets of the data flow for the purpose of loading ^¬ humor at least one characteristic value for the perceived on the part of the communication terminal service level based on an examination of the contents of the data packets as well as with ^¬ stuffs for transmitting the so determined at least one parameter for the perceived on the part of the communication terminal service quality to a billing center.

The network node of a communication network according to the invention is advantageous due to the advantages of its control device already explained above.

The invention further relates to a communication terminal.

With respect to the communication terminal of the vorlie ^¬ constricting invention has the object of providing a communication terminal device ^¬ indicate that allows charging of a packet-th data flow to the most powerful and user-friendly manner.

This object is achieved by a communication terminal with a control device for charging a packet-oriented data flow, which is transmitted and / or received by a communication terminal via a communication network with at least one network node, with means for selecting a packet specific for the type of data flow in question. Inspectors from a crowd of data stored in a storage device package inspectors, means for applying the selected packet inspector to the data packets of the data flow for the purpose of loading ^¬ humor at least one characteristic value for the perceived on the part of the communication terminal service level based on an examination of the contents of the data packets as well as with ^¬ stuffs for Transmission of the thus determined at least one parameter for the perceived on the side of the communication terminal quality of service to a charging device.

The communication terminal according to the invention is advantageous due to the advantages of its control device already explained above.

To further illustrate the invention shows

1 shows a schematic sketch of an embodiment of the inventive arrangement and

2 shows a schematic sketch of an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic sketch of two packet-oriented data flows 1 and 2 as an example. The data flows 1 and 2 contain data packets which are transmitted and / or received by a communication ^terminal device not shown in FIG. 1 for reasons of clarity. This is done via a communication network with at least one network node. In the illustrated embodiment, a control device in exactly one network node of the communication network is seen before ^¬ , ie it is a network-side embodiment shown. The control device comprises a packet filter 3 which can be configured by the control device in such a way that it generates the data packets of a predetermined data flow. filters out and supplies to a package inspector specific to the type of data flow.

In the example shown in Figure 1, there is in the two data streams 1 and 2 to data flows differing ^¬ cher Art. For this reason, the packet-oriented data flow 1 a packet inspector 4 and the data flow 2 is fed to a further packet inspector 5 , The control device has means for selecting a packet inspector specific to the type of data flow from a set of packet inspectors stored in a memory device. In this case, the storage device can be arranged both within the network node and in a separate device.

The control means also has means for applying the respective selected packet inspector 4 and 5 respectively to the data packets of the respective Datenflus ^¬ ses 1 and 2 for the purpose of determining at least one characteristic value for the perceived on the part of the communication terminal service level based on an examination of the contents of the data packets , The thus determined at least one parameter for the quality of service perceived on the side of the communication terminal can be sent from the respective package inspector 4 or 5 to an online charging system 8 for real-time charging and / or to offline charging systems 9 or 10 for time-dependent charging be transmitted. This is indicated in FIG. 1 by corresponding messages a and b or c and d.

It should be noted that the determination of the at least one parameter for on the part of commu ^¬ nikationsendgerätes perceived quality of service generally entwe ^¬ of using the packet-oriented data flow itself or else alternatively using a copy of the packet-oriented data flow, ie the relevant data packets, can take place. The respective concrete Ausgestal ^¬ processing here is, depending on whether the determination of the minimum one parameter without significant time delay can least be carried out simultaneously with the transfer of the respective packet-oriented data flow, and whether device as Vergebührungs- an online or offline charging system is used.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the control device Bezie ^¬ hung as packet inspectors 4 and 5 for transmitting the determined for the respective data flow 1 and 2, at least one parameter for the onsendgerätes on the side of the communication perceived quality of service both to the same billing center as well, depending of the respective application, can be connected to different charging facilities. The first case is illustrated in FIG. 1 in connection with the online charging system 8, while the case is shown by way of example with respect to the time-delayed charging that the transmission of the at least one parameter for the quality of service perceived on the side of the communication terminal Data flow 1 to the offline charging system 9 and with respect to the data flow 2 to the offline charging system 10 takes place.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram for explaining an embodiment of the method according to the invention.

Shown is a control device 27, which in turn is arranged on a network node of a communication network. The control device 27 preferably comprises, in particular, a control logic and configuration data, which together form the Control the procedure. In the case of a communication ^¬ network in the form of a mobile radio network according to the GPRS standard may be in the network node, for example by a GGSN. Alternatively, the control device could also be arranged in the respective communication terminal.

It is assumed that the operator of the communication network used for the transmission of a packet-oriented data flow from or to a communication terminal already sets a charging model and packet inspectors in

Has provided the form of algorithms for determining at least one parameter for the processing based on the respective sides of the Kommunikationsendge ^¬ rätes perceived quality of service on a investi ^¬ monitoring of the contents of the data packets in a Speichereinrich- 26th

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the method according to the invention now proceeds in such a way that a service is requested by a communication terminal in a method step A. This service may be, for example, a voice-over-IP telephone call. The aim is the service according to the specified billing model based min ^¬ least one characteristic for'll billed on the part of Kommunikati ^¬ onsendgerätes perceived quality of service. This has the consequence that in the illustrated embodiment, the network side, a corresponding configuration is required. Thus it can be determined from the ver ^¬ used during the service setup signaling protocol, for example, which codec is used for the service. Based on this information, ie depending on the respective type of

Data packets is selected in process step B from the Speichererein ^¬ direction 26, a package inspector 24 from the set of packet inspectors 24 and 25 stored there and loaded for subsequent application by the control device. In the following it is assumed that the data flow 21 is assigned to the requested service in FIG.

In method step C, the packet inspector 24 loaded in step B is then coupled to a packet filter 23. This packet filter 23 is configured in the next process step D of the control device such that all data packets of the data to be analyzed flow 21 in a method ^¬ step E picked up by the packet filter 23 and vorzugswei- se in real time to the for the analysis of the data flow 21 selected package inspector 24 forwarded. As already explained, can be used for this purpose, copies of the data packets to avoid major delays ^¬ to ver. The packet inspector 24 analyzes the data packets and determines at least one parameter for the quality of service perceived on the side of the communication terminal.

The further course of the method depends on which type of charging system is used in the case in question for charging the communication terminal or its user. In the case of the use of an online charging system, the value currently determined by the parcel inspector 24 of the at least one parameter for the service good perceived on the side of the communication terminal is transmitted to the online charging system in method step F. and there determines the currently incurred fees, taking into account the value of the at least one parameter for the quality of service perceived on the part of the communication terminal

Alternatively, takes place in the case of using an off-line charging system, preferably after completion of the jewei ^¬ time service, ie, after completion of the transmission of the respective data flow, the generation of so-called tickets which include the value of the at least one parameter for the quality of service perceived on the side of the communication terminal. These values can be both exact values and an indication of a quality class. The generated tickets are then transferred in process ^¬ step G to the offline charging system and taken into account by this in the calculation of fees.

Claims

claims

1. Arrangement for billing a packet-oriented data flow (1,2) with - a communication terminal for transmitting and / or receiving of the data flow (1,2) associated data packets via a communication network with at least one network node and - a control device with

Means for selecting a packet flow inspector (4,5) specific to the type of data flow from a set of packet inspectors stored in a storage device,

- means for applying the selected packet inspector (4,5) to the data packets of the data flow (1,2) for the purpose of determining at least one characteristic for the quality of service perceived on the side of the communication terminal based on an examination of the content of the data packets and

- Means for transmitting the so determined at least one characteristic for the perceived on the side of the communication ^¬ onsendgerätes quality of service to a charging device (8,9.10).

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device has means for configuring a packet filter (3) for filtering out the packet inspector (4,5) data packets to be supplied to the data flow (1,2).

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control device is arranged in the at least one network node.

4. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control device is angeord ^¬ net in the communication terminal.

5. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the billing device is an online charging system (8) for real-time billing.

6. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the billing device is an off-line charging system (9, 10) for time-dependent billing.

7. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication network is a mobile radio network according to the 3GPP standard.

8. Method for charging a packet-oriented data flow (21, 22) with the following steps:

- selecting a specific for the type of data packets of from a communication terminal via a communication network with min- least sent and a network node / or received data flow (21,22) packet inspector (24) from ei ^¬ ner amount of (in a storage device 26 ) stored package inspectors (24,25) by a control device (21),

- applying the selected packet inspector (24,25) to the data packets of the data flow (21,22) in order to determine min ^¬ least one characteristic for on the side of Kommunikati ^¬ onsendgerätes perceived quality of service based on an examination of the contents of the data packets by the control means (27) and - Transmission of the thus determined at least one characteristic for the perceived on the side of the communication terminal quality of service from the control device (27) to a Verbringüh- device.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein a packet filter (23) for filtering out the packets of the data flow (21, 22) to be supplied to the packet inspector (24) is configured by the control device (27).

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein a control device arranged in the at least one network node is used as the control device.

11. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a control device arranged in the communication terminal is used as the control device (27).

12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, one of the claims that an on-line charging system for real-time charging is used as charging device.

13. Method according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the billing device used is an offline charging system for time-dependent billing.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that As a communication network a MobiIfunknetz according to the 3GPP standard is used.

15. Control device for charging a packet-oriented data flow (1, 2), which is transmitted and / or received by a communication terminal via a communication network with at least one network node

Means for selecting a package inspector (4,5) specific to the type of data flow in question from a

Amount of package inspectors stored in a storage device,

- means for applying the selected packet inspector (4, 5) to the data packets of the data flow (1,2) for the purpose of determining at least one characteristic for the quality of service perceived by the communication terminal based on an examination of the content of the data packets and

- Means for transmitting the so determined at least one characteristic for the perceived on the side of the Kommunikationsendgerä- tes quality of service to a charging device (8,9,10).

16. Network node of a communication network, which means that it has a control device according to claim 15.

17. Communication terminal, that is, that it has a control device according to claim 15.