WO2017028884A1

WO2017028884A1 - Authorising telecommunication connections

Info

Publication number: WO2017028884A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/068791
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Tornkvist; Jan Dahl
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Current assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date: 2015-08-14
Filing date: 2015-08-14
Publication date: 2017-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2018-02-14

Abstract

A method of authorising a telecommunications connection, the method comprising, at a network node receiving a connection set-up request comprising a first data component and a second data component, wherein the first data component represents a payment code and the second data component identifies or can be used to identify an end-point of the connection, extracting the first data component and the second data component from the connection set-up request, forwarding the first data component to a charging function, receiving an authorisation response from the charging function and depending on the response: using or forwarding the second component to enable set up of the connection, or rejecting or suspending the request.

Description

AUTHORISING TELECOMMUNICATION CONNECTIONS

Technical Field

The present invention relates to authorising telecommunication connections. Background

Refilling of prepay telecommunications accounts by dialling of a service number is well known, both with the use of pre-paid vouchers and direct payment from a bank or credit card account. This procedure may for example include an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system and an automated direction on how to enter the voucher number. It may be by sending an SMS text message with the voucher number included, or in some cases it may be by dialing the service number with the voucher number included in the dialed number. Typical steps in such systems are shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a flowchart of the steps of refill using a voice call, starting with the receipt at a billing centre/server of a call from the user (1 ), the receipt of a voucher number of account details (2), the verification of the voucher or account (3) and finally the crediting (4) of the user's account. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the same process, but with a text message. A text message is received from the user (5), the voucher number or account details are extracted (6) and verified (7) and as before the final step is the crediting of the user's account (8).

An example of the use of prepaid accounts is in Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, IMS, charging. IMS supports both offline and online charging. A typical IMS charging system is shown in Figure 3. The system comprises a Charging Gateway Function, CGF (10), Charging Data Function, CDF, (1 1 ), Billing system (12) and Online Charging Server, OCS, (23). Many IMS entities that handle SI P signaling are able to communicate with the offline charging entity, the charging data function, CDF. For example, the CDF may communicate with application servers, AS, (13), Media Resource Function Controller, MRFC, (14) Media gateway Control Function, MGCF, (15), Breakout Gateway Control Function, BGCF, (16) Serving Call Session Control Function, S-CSCF, (17), Proxy Call Session Control Function, P-CSCF, (18), Interrogating Call Session Control Function, l-CSCF, (19), IMS Gateway Function, IMS-GWF, (20), Policy and Charging and Rules Function, PCRF, (21 ) and access functions (22). Other IMS entities not shown here may also communicate with the offline charging system. In online charging, only three IMS entities, the AS (13), MRFC (14) and S-CSCF (17), the last via the IMS-GWF, are involved in online charging.

In some regions users refill with larger amounts than may be immediately necessary, so as to be able to make calls, browse the Internet etc. without having to top up the account every time. There are however many regions of the world where tying up even small amounts of money for a dedicated use is more than most people can afford. Therefore they only refill when they intend to make a call or browse the Internet and then only refill the amount afforded for that particular usage. They then use the service until the funds are depleted. In these circumstances the procedure of dialing a first number to refill the pre-paid account and then dialing to make a call is cumbersome for the user. Additionally, for most operators, calls to an IVR system are toll free calls and this adds to the expense of operating the system. For the telecommunication network as such, a significant overhead in network traffic is generated by these calls to refill accounts.

Summary

Accordingly, in a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of accepting payment from a user for telecommunications services, the method comprising at a network node, receiving a connection set-up request comprising a first data component and a second data component. The first data component represents a payment code and the second data component identifies or can be used to identify an end-point of the connection.

The first data component and the second data component are extracted from the connection set-up request and the first data component is forwarded to a charging function. Upon receiving an authorisation response from the charging function, depending on the response either the second component is used or forwarded for use to enable set up of the connection or the request is rejected or suspended.

The combination of the data components into a single connection set-up request results in a significant reduction in network traffic as separate calls to refill accounts are eliminated. This solves the technical problem of reduction of traffic on a telecommunication network. It will have the effects of:

• reduced network load

• reduced waiting times for customers seeking to top up their accounts • reduced likelihood of rejection of a connection set-up request due to an overloaded network

• reduced costs for the network operator Optionally the connection set-up request comprises a third data component which indicates that the connection request comprises a payment code.

Preferably the network node is a telephony application server. Optionally the first component comprises an element representing a monetary amount. Optionally the first component comprises an authorisation to receive a monetary amount from a bank account or a credit card account.

Optionally the charging function transmits the authorisation to an external account server; and receives from the external account server a response indicating whether the authorisation is valid.

Optionally the first component comprises a voucher code representing a pre-paid voucher.

Optionally the charging function transmits the voucher code to a voucher server and receives from the voucher server a response indicating whether the voucher code is valid. Optionally, the telecommunications connection is implemented by an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, IMS.

Optionally the connection request is a Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, message. In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using a user equipment in a telecommunications network, comprising the steps of creating a connection set-up request, incorporating into the connection set-up request a first data component wherein the first component represents a payment code, incorporating into the request a second component which identifies or can be used to identify an end- point of the connection and transmitting the request to a network node. In a third aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for use in a network node, the apparatus comprising processor circuitry, a storage unit storing instructions executable by said processor circuitry, a transmitter and a receiver, whereby the apparatus is operative to receive a connection set-up request comprising a first data component and a second data component, wherein the first data component represents a payment code and the second data component identifies or can be used to identify an end-point of the connection. The apparatus is further configured to extract the first data component and the second data component from the connection set-up request, forward the first data component to a charging function, receive an authorisation response from the charging function and, depending on the response, use or forward the second component to enable set up of the connection, or reject or suspend the request.

Optionally, the apparatus is further configured to extract from the connection set-up request a third data component from the connection set-up request which indicates that the request comprises a payment code.

In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a network node comprising an apparatus according to the third aspect. Preferably the network node is a Telecommunications Application Server, TAS.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for use in a charging function in a telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising processor circuitry, a storage unit storing instructions executable by said processor circuitry, a transmitter and a receiver, whereby the apparatus is operative to receive from a network node a credit control request comprising a payment code for a telecommunications service connection, the payment code being a first data component from a set up request for the connection and determine if the payment code is a voucher or a payment transfer instruction. If the payment code is a voucher, the apparatus is configured to send the payment code to a voucher server requesting a validation of the payment code. If the payment code is a payment transfer instruction, the apparatus is configured to send a request for payment from a server associated with the instruction. The apparatus is further configured to receive a response from either the voucher server or server associated with the payment transfer instruction and depending on the response to send the response to the network node indicating whether the payment code is valid. In a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a charging function comprising an apparatus according to the sixth aspect.

In a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out a method according to the first or the second aspect of the present invention.

In an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program product comprising a computer program according to the seventh aspect of the present invention.

In a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carrier containing the computer program product according to the eighth aspect of the present invention. The carrier optionally includes an electrical signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, a magnetic tape or disk, an optical disk or a memory stick.

Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 is a flow chart of a method of refilling a telecommunications account according to the prior art;

Figure 2 is a flow chart of another method of refilling a telecommunications account according to the prior art;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a billing system for an Internet Protocol Multimedia System, IMS;

Figure 4 is a flow chart for a method implemented at a network node according to an embodiment;

Figure 5 is a flow chart for a method implemented at a user equipment according to an embodiment;

Figure 6 is a flow chart for a method implemented at a user equipment according to another embodiment;

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a user equipment usable to implement an embodiment;

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a network node usable to implement an embodiment;

Figure 9 is a signalling diagram according to an embodiment;

Figure 10 is a signalling diagram according to another embodiment; and Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing the network entities according to an embodiment.

Detailed description

Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments are shown. However, other embodiments in many different forms are possible within the scope of the present disclosure. Rather, the following embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

In order to overcome the problems with existing account refill methods, a mechanism is described for reducing the number of calls or texts to a billing centre/server and for allowing a user to provide payment immediately prior to a telecommunications session

Figure 4 is a flow chart of a method implemented at a network node according to an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment, the network node is a telephony application server TAS. The first step comprises receiving (24) a connection set-up request comprising a first data component representing a payment code and a second data component which identifies or can be used to identify an end-point of the connection. The network node then extracts (25) the first and the second components from the connection set-up request. The first data component is then forwarded (26) to a charging function. An authorisation response is then received (27) from the charging function. Depending on the authorisation response (28), the second component is then used to or forwarded to enable the set-up of the connection or else the connection request is rejected or suspended.

Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method implemented at a user equipment according to an embodiment of the invention. A connection set-up request is created (29). This may be in the form of a dialled number, a text message or a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message. The next steps comprise the incorporation into the connection set-up request of a first data component representing a payment code (30) and a second data component which identifies or can be used to identify an end-point (31 ). Finally, the connection set-up request is transmitted (32) to a network node.

The person skilled in the art will appreciate that a connection set-up request can refer to any means of initiating a telecommunications session. This may include initiating a telephone call, in which case the step of creating a connection set-up request is that of act of dialling the appropriate telephone number and the acts of incorporating into the connection set-up request the first and second data components comprise the dialling of the digits of those two data components. The connection may also comprise a text message, in which case the act of creating the connection set-up request is the initiation of the text message and the incorporation of the data components can comprise the incorporation of those data components into either the destination number for the text or the incorporation of the data components into the body of the text. In a further embodiment, only the payment code is incorporated into the body of the text and the second component is incorporated into the destination number. In yet another embodiment, the connection set-up request comprises a Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, message. The incorporation of data components may then comprise incorporation into the SIP header or the body of the message. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that there are other methods of sending a connection set-up request and incorporating into it the first and second data components. The invention is not limited to any one method of creating a connection set-up request.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing a method implemented at a user equipment according to a second embodiment. This method comprises the same steps as the embodiment of Figure 5 and an additional step of incorporating (33) a third data component. This third data component has the function of indicating that a payment code is present in the connection set-up request. Whereas it is possible for a network node to recognise a payment code without such an explicit indication with careful choice of the available data components, the indication allows for easier recognition. This allows for greater flexibility in the codes which are available for use. The person skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many different formats which can be used for the three data components and also that the order in which they are incorporated into the connection set-up request, either by dialling or other means, is unimportant to the operation of the method of the invention or an apparatus implementing such a method. The invention is not limited to any one data component format or order of arrangement of those data components.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus (34) for a network node on which the method of the invention may be implemented. It comprises processor circuitry (35), a storage unit (36) for storing instructions executable by the processor circuitry, transmitter (37) and receiver (38). An apparatus (39) for a charging function is illustrated schematically in Figure 8. This apparatus comprises processor circuitry (40), a storage unit (41 ) for storing instructions executable by the processor circuitry, a transmitter (42) and a receiver (43). Figure 9 is a signalling diagram according to an embodiment. The first step is the sending of the connection set-up request from user equipment (44) to Telephone Application Server, TAS (45). In the embodiment shown, the connection set-up request (49) is a SIP INVITE message. The first data component is then extracted from the connection set-up request and is then forwarded (50) to the Online Charging Server, OCS, (46). In the embodiment shown, the first data component represents a pre-paid voucher. The first data component is forwarded (51 ) to a voucher server (47). The Voucher Server checks the validity of the voucher (52) and sends an authorisation response (53) back to the OCS (46). The OCS credits an account (54) of the user and then sends (55) an authorisation response back to the TAS (45), which then forwards (56) the SIP INVITE message to the intended destination of the connection (48). The destination replies with a confirmation ("ok") response (57) to the TAS (45). This response is forwarded (58) to the user equipment (44), whereupon the connection is established (59). Although the embodiment shown is for a SIP connection set-up, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that similar sequences may be performed for other signalling methods and the invention is not limited to any one type of signalling.

In another embodiment a "Calling Card (CC)" is used for providing funds for the account where the CC itself is the account. This would be similar to the Voucher above but a Calling Card number is given instead of the Voucher number. Refill of Calling Cards are possible but normally Calling Cards are used until depleted, i.e. the refill amount is optional in this case. The operator will here use the CC in the same way as for a normal pre-paid account, i.e. reserve money on the CC, deduct money depending on usage. In another embodiment, the first data component represents a code used to provide a free service. In this embodiment, the code is treated as a voucher, but the connection is paid for by a third party.

Figure 10 is a signalling diagram, again for a SIP connection set-up, but for a request for funds from an external account. The network nodes and signalling are the same as for the embodiment of Figure 9, except that, instead of a validation request to a voucher server, the OCS identifies the account (60), sends a withdrawal request (61 ) to an external account server (62), which authorises the withdrawal (63) of the money requested and replies (53) to the OCS with an authorisation response. Similar alterations would be needed for a dialled system or a text based request. The external account server may be a mobile commerce server, a bank server or any other server associated with the instruction to transfer credit.

Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing the typical components of a system according to an embodiment. The components are the user equipment (44), Telephony application server (45), Online Charging Server (46), voucher server (47) and mobile commerce server (62).

Modifications and other embodiments of the disclosed invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1 . A method of authorising a telecommunications connection, the method comprising, at a network node:

receiving (24) a connection set-up request comprising a first data component and a second data component, wherein the first data component represents a payment code and the second data component identifies or can be used to identify an end-point of the connection;

extracting (25) the first data component and the second data component from the connection set-up request;

forwarding (26) the first data component to a charging function;

receiving (27) an authorisation response from the charging function; and depending (28) on the response, using or forwarding the second component to enable set up of the connection, or rejecting or suspending the request.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising incorporating (33) into the connection set-up a third data component which indicates that the connection request comprises a payment code.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the network node is a telephony application server.

4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first component comprises an element representing a monetary amount.

5. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first component comprises an authorisation to receive a monetary amount from a bank account or a credit card account.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising at the charging function: transmitting the authorisation to an external account server; and

receiving from the external account server a response indicating whether the authorisation is valid.

7. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first component comprises a voucher code representing a pre-paid voucher.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising at the charging function: transmitting the voucher code to a voucher server; and

receiving from the voucher server a response indicating whether the voucher code is valid.

9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the telecommunications connection is implemented by an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, IMS.

10. A method as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the connection request is a Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, message.

1 1 . A method of using a user equipment in a telecommunications network, the method comprising:

creating (29) a connection set-up request;

incorporating (30) into the connection set-up request a first data component wherein the first component represents a payment code;

incorporating (31 ) into the request a second component which identifies or can be used to identify an end-point of the connection; and

transmitting (32) the request to a network node.

12. A method as claimed in claim 1 1 , further comprising incorporating (33) into the request a third component which indicates that the request comprises a payment code.

13. Apparatus (34) for use in a network node in a telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising: processor circuitry (35); a storage unit (36) storing instructions executable by said processor circuitry, a transmitter (37) and a receiver (38), whereby the apparatus is operative to:

receive a connection set-up request comprising a first data component and a second data component, wherein the first data component represents a payment code and the second data component identifies or can be used to identify an end-point of the connection;

extract the first data component and the second data component from the connection set-up request;

forward the first data component to a charging function;

receive an authorisation response from the charging function; and

depending on the response: use or forward the second component to enable set up of the connection, or reject or suspend the request.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further configured to extract from the connection set-up request a third data component from the connection set-up request which indicates that the request comprises a payment code.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the network node is a Telecommunications Application Server, TAS.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the telecommunications network comprises an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem,

IMS.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the apparatus is configured to receive a connection set-up request comprising a Session Initiation Protocol, SIP, message.

18. A network node comprising an apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 17.

19. Apparatus (39) for use in a charging function in a telecommunications network, the apparatus comprising: processor circuitry (40); a storage unit (41 ) storing instructions executable by said processor circuitry, a transmitter (42) and a receiver (43), whereby the apparatus is operative to:

receive from a network node a credit control request comprising a payment code for a telecommunications service connection, the payment code being a first data component from a set up request for the connection;

determine if the payment code is a voucher or a payment transfer instruction; and

if the payment code is a voucher:

send the payment code to a voucher server requesting a validation of the payment code: or

if the payment code is a payment transfer instruction:

send a request for payment from an external account server; receive a response from either the voucher server or an external account server;

depending on the response send the response to the network node indicating whether the payment code is valid.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein the charging function is an Online Charging Server.

21 . Apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the Online Charging Server is part of an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, IMS.

22. A charging function comprising an apparatus as claimed in any of claims 19 to 21 .

23. A computer program, comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

24. A computer program product comprising a computer program as claimed in claim 23.

25. A carrier containing the computer program product of claim 24, wherein the carrier optionally includes an electrical signal, an optical signal, a radio signal, a magnetic tape or disk, an optical disk or a memory stick.