Accounting system and method for ATM network and ATM network

Abstract: An accounting system for an ATM network includes a first unit (23; 130) for detecting a VCI (Virtual Channel Identifier) in an ATM cell and information type data contained in the ATM cell. The information type data indicates the type of information contained in the ATM cell. A second unit (24; 140) outputs an accounting coefficient related to the information type data detected by the first unit. A third unit (25; 150) generates a cell arrival signal in response to arrival of each ATM cell having an identical VCI value and generates accounting data by using the accounting coefficient and the cell arrival signal.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) network, and more particularly to an accounting system and method suitable for an ATM network. 2. Description of the Related Art Recently, there has been considerable activity in the development of an ATM network suitable for constructing a B-ISDN (Broad-band Integrated Services Digital Network). In such an ATM network, information with a fixed length (53 octets) is transferred. Such information having a fixed length is called a cell. The ATM network is capable of transferring various types of information (media). Examples of the media transferred are digitized speech signals having low bit rates, and data having high bit rates, such as image data, facsimile data and still picture data. It is necessary to charge users for communications services provided by the ATM network. The ATM network has not yet been practically used. One may consider an account system based on the quantity of data transferred via the ATM network. Fig. 1 shows a part of a switch in an ATM network equipped with the above accounting system. The switch shown in Fig. 1 comprises a buffer 12, a signaling device 13, a header conversion circuit 14, a cell counting circuit 15, an accounting data memory 16, a call control device 17, and a conversion table 18. A call setup procedure is carried out between calling and called terminals (not shown) and the signaling device 13. The call control device 17 determines a route directed to a destination at which the call will terminate. Cells transmitted by the calling terminal after the route is determined are successively stored in the buffer 12. Fig. 1 shows one input cell having information and a header 10. The header 10 contains a VCI (Virtual Channel Identifier) assigned to the subscriber line (input or incoming line) via which the above call is transferred. The VCI of the input cell shown in Fig. 1 has a value of "a". The header conversion circuit 14 detects the VCI value of the input cell. Regarding the call from the terminal, the call control device 17 has assigned another VCI value to the route directed to the destination determined in the above-mentioned manner, and has written the above VCI value into the conversion table 18 provided in the header conversion circuit 14. In the example shown in Fig. 1, a VCI value "β" has been assigned to the route and has been written into the conversion table 18. The input cell is written into the buffer 12 and the header 10 of the input cell is copied and written into the header conversion circuit 14. The header conversion circuit 14 detects the VCI value (=a), and obtains the VCI value (=β) assigned to the route by referring to the conversion table 18. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the header conversion circuit 14 accesses the conversion table 18 by the VCI value "a", and obtains the VCI value "β" assigned to the route directed to the destination. Then, the header conversion circuit 14 writes the VCI value "β" in the buffer 12. The cell with the VCI value "β" is read from the buffer 12 and output to an output highway (outgoing line). The header conversion circuit 14 outputs a signal to the cell counting circuit 15 each time it receives the cell. The cell counting circuit 15 increases the count value for each VCI value each time the signal from the header conversion circuit 14 is received. The count value of the cell counting circuit 15 obtained for each VCI value is written into the accounting data memory 16. The charge for each VCI value can be calculated using the respective count value. As has been described previously, various types of information are transferred via the ATM network. For example, a speech signal has a bit rate of, for example, 64 Kbps and an image signal has a bit rate of, for example, 100 Mbps. In this case, the number of cells containing image data is approximately 1000 times the number of cells containing speech data. According to the above-mentioned accounting system, charging of money is carried out for each VCI value. Since the charging rate is determined based on one cell, in the above case, the charge for transfer of the image signal is approximately 1000 times that for transfer of the speech signal. However, this is not reasonable and practical. If the charging rate is determined based on a cell for transfer of speech, the charge for transfer of image is extremely expensive. On the other hand, if the charging rate is determined based on a cell for transfer of image, the charge for transfer of speech is extremely cheap. EP-A-0 419 958 describes an accounting system in which users of an ATM network can be charged for communication services based on the type of information to be transferred and utilizing the corresponding bit rate as the accounting coefficient for communication on a virtual channel. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of the present invention to provide another accounting system for an ATM network in which the above disadvantages are also eliminated. A more specific object of the present invention is to provide an accounting system capable of flexibly charging users for communications services on the basis of the types of media (information type). The above objects of the present invention are achieved by an accounting system for an ATM network for charging users of the ATM network for communications services characterized by comprising: first means for detecting a VCI (Virtual Channel Identifier) in an ATM cell and information type data contained in said ATM cell, said information type data indicating the type of information contained in said ATM cell; second means comprising memory means for storing a plurality of accounting coefficients respectively related to types of information to be transferred via the ATM network, and access means, coupled to said first means and said memory means, for accessing said memory using said information type data detected by said first means so that one of the stored accounting coefficients which is related to said information type data detected by said first means is output; third means, coupled to said first and second means, for generating, in response to the arrival of ATM cells having identical VCI values, a cell arrival signal indicative of the number of said received ATM cells and for generating accounting data for each VCI value by using the accounting coefficient output from the second means and said cell arrival signal; and fourth means for storing, respectively relating to the detected type of transferred information, the accounting data obtained for each VCI value . Another object of the present invention is to provide an accounting method capable of flexibly charging users for communications services on the basis of the types of information. This object of the present invention is achieved by an accounting method for an ATM network suitable for charging users of the ATM network for communications services, characterized in that said accounting method comprises the steps of (a) detecting a VCI (Virtual Channel Identifier) in an ATM cell and information type data contained in said ATM cell, said information type data indicating the type of information contained in said ATM cell; (b) storing a plurality of accounting coefficients respectively related to types of information to be transferred via the ATM network, (c) accessing said stored accounting coefficients using said detected information type data so that one of the stored accounting coefficients which is related to said detected information type data is output; (d) generating in response to the arrival of ATM cells having identical VCI values a cell arriving signal indicative of the number of said received ATM cells; (e) generating accounting data for each VCI value using the accounting coefficient output in accordance with step (c) and said cell arrival signal; and (f) storing, respectively relating to the detected type of transferred information, the accounting data obtained for each VCI value. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an ATM network capable of flexibly charging users for communications services on the basis of the types of information. This object of the present invention is achieved by an ATM network comprising: a plurality of terminals; and an ATM switch selectively connecting the terminals to each other, said ATM switch comprising an accounting system suitable for charging users of the ATM network for communication services, characterized in that each of said terminals generating an ATM cell contains information type data indicating the type of information contained in the ATM cell, and in that said accounting system comprises: first means for detecting a VCI (Virtual Channel Identifier) and the information type data contained in the ATM cell; second means, comprising memory means for storing a plurality of accounting coefficients respectively related to types of information to be transferred via the ATM network, and access means, coupled to said first means and said memory means, for accessing said memory using said information type data detected by said first means so that one of the stored accounting coefficients which is related to said information type data detected by said first means is output; third means, coupled to said first and second means, for generating in response to the arrival of ATM cells having identical VCI values a cell arrival signal indicative of the number of said received ATM cells and for generating accounting data for each VCI value using the accounting coefficient output from the second means and said cell arrival signal; and fourth means for storing, respectively relating to the detected type of transferred information, the accounting data obtained for each VCI value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of an ATM switch with one possible accounting system; Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an overview of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a diagram of an ATM cell format; Fig. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the details of the configuration shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an alternative configuration of a cell multiplier circuit shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a diagram of a terminal coupled to an ATM switch; Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a sequence of transfer of signals; and Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a process for realizing the sequence shown in Fig. 8. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Fig. 2 shows an overview of an accounting system installed in an ATM switch. An accounting system according to the present invention comprises a coefficient change circuit 140, an accounting data generation circuit 150, and an accounting data storage device 160. As shown in Fig. 3, an input cell 100 shown in Fig. 2 comprises a 5-octet ATM header and an 48-octet information field in which information to be transferred is stored, as defined in the CCITT Recommendations I.361 and I.363, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. Further, the input cell 100 comprises a media information field (also referred to as an information type field) MED, which is formed in the ATM header or in a payload field in the information field. The information type field includes data that indicates the type of information in the information field (information type data). The information type field MED consists of, for example, four bits. The input cell 100 transferred via an input highway (line) is written into a buffer 120, and the ATM header thereof is applied to a header conversion circuit 130. In the case where an information type field is formed in the ATM header, the header conversion circuit 130 detects the VCI value and the information type data, and determines a VCI value of a route directed to a destination. Then, the header conversion circuit 130 outputs the VCI value of the above route and the information type data to the coefficient change circuit 140. Further, the header conversion circuit 130 outputs a cell arrival signal to the accounting data generation circuit 150. In the case where the information type field is formed in the payload field in the information field, the information type field formed at a fixed position in the cell and the ATM header are output to the header conversion circuit 130. The coefficient change circuit 140 stores a table in which accounting coefficients for the respective types of information are defined. The coefficient change circuit 140 outputs, together with the ATM header, the accounting coefficient related to the information type to the accounting data generation circuit 150. In response to receipt of the ATM header and the accounting coefficient, the accounting data generation circuit 150 generates, for the VCI value of the input cell, accounting data using the accounting coefficient. Then, the accounting coefficient is output to the accounting data storage device 160, which stores accounting data for each VCI value. It is possible to store accounting data for each VCI value for each of the information types. The accounting data generation circuit 150 generates accounting data using the accounting coefficient each time a cell arrives. Alternatively, the accounting data generation circuit 150 generates accounting data each time a predetermined number of cells related to the same VCI value is received. In this case, the accounting data is obtained by multiplying the predetermined number of cells by the related accounting coefficient. The accounting coefficient can be obtained by, for example, dividing the bit rate of each of the information types by 48 bytes forming the information field. For example, when a speech signal has a bit rate of 64 Kbps, the accounting coefficient for the 64Kbps speech signal is equal to 64Kbps/48bytes. When a data signal has a bit rate of 1.5 Mbps, the accounting coefficient for the 1.5Mbps data signal is equal to 1.5Mbps/48bytes. When an image signal has a bit rate of 150 Mbps, the accounting coefficient for the 150Mbps image signal is equal to 150Mbps/48bytes. Further, it is possible to use weighted accounting coefficients. Assuming that the accounting unit for speech is equal to 1 when 64Kbps communications take place for three minutes in total (64Kbps x 3 minutes), the accounting unit for data is equal to 0.5 when 1.5Mbps communications take place for three minutes in total, and the accounting unit for image data is equal to 2 when 150Mbps communications take place for three minutes in total. The accounting coefficients for data and image are weighted so that the above relation can be satisfied. Fig. 4 shows an essential part of an ATM switch in which an accounting system according to an embodiment of the present invention is installed. The accounting system shown in Fig. 4 comprises a coefficient change circuit 24, a cell multiplier circuit 25 and an accounting data storage circuit 26. The ATM switch shown in Fig. 4 further comprises a buffer 21, a signaling device 22, a header conversion circuit 23, and a call control device 27. The call setup information is transferred between the signaling device 22 and both the calling and the called terminals, and hence a route directed to a destination terminal is determined in the conventional manner. The header conversion circuit 23 stores a conversion memory as shown in Fig. 1. The call control device 27 writes new VCI values respectively assigned to the VCI values contained in the input cells beforehand. An input cell 20, which has the information type (media information) field MED formed in the ATM header shown in Fig. 4, is written into the buffer 21, and the ATM header is copied and written in the header conversion circuit 23. Then, the header conversion circuit 23 detects the input VCI value contained in the input cell 20 and the information type data, and outputs the input VCI value and the information type data to the coefficient change circuit 24. Further, the header conversion circuit 23 outputs a cell arrival signal containing the input VCI value to the cell multiplier circuit 25. The coefficient change circuit 24 stores accounting coefficients defined for the respective information types, which are output by the call control device 27. For example, the accounting coefficients for transfer of speech, data, and image are equal to 1, 0.1 and 0.001, respectively. It is possible to change the accounting coefficients with respect to various factors, such as subscribers and time ranges. The coefficient change circuit 24 outputs the accounting coefficient and the input VCI value to the cell multiplier circuit 25. If the header conversion circuit 23 generates the cell arrival signal each time one cell is received, 1 (which corresponds to the cell arrival signal and indicates one cell) is multiplied by the accounting coefficient. In this case, the accounting coefficient itself functions as accounting data. The accounting data thus generated is output to the accounting data storage circuit 26, which has a storage area assigned to the input VCI value. The accounting data is added to the integrated accounting data related to the VCI value being considered, so that the accounting data is updated. As will be described later, it is also possible for the cell multiplier circuit 25 to read the integrated accounting data from the accounting data storage circuit 26 and to add the accounting coefficient to the readout integrated accounting data. The accounting data updated in the above manner is then written into the corresponding storage area in the accounting data storage circuit 26. If the header conversion circuit 23 generates a one-shot pulse functioning as a cell arrival signal each time a predetermined number of cells has been received, the cell multiplier circuit 25 multiplies the predetermined number of cells by the related accounting coefficient. Fig. 5 shows the details of the structure shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 5, parts which are the same as parts shown in Fig. 4 are given the same reference numerals as previously. A distribution circuit 29 is provided as shown in Fig. 5. The distribution circuit 29 allows the input cell to be transferred to the buffer 21, and outputs the VCI value and the information type MED to the header conversion circuit 23. In Fig. 5, a line indicated by "A" denotes an address bus, and a line indicated by "D" denotes a data bus. The buffer 21 comprises a memory (MEM) 21a and a driver 21b. An address signal generated by the driver 21b is applied to the memory 21a via the address bus A. The new VCI value of the route determined by the header conversion circuit 23 is applied to the memory 21a via the data bus D between the header conversion circuit 23 and the driver 21b and the data bus D between the driver 21b and the memory 21a. The header conversion circuit 23 comprises a memory (MEM) 23a, a driver 23b, an arbitration circuit 23c, and a driver 23d. The driver 23b receives the input VCI value from the distribution circuit 29 and outputs it to the memory 23a via the address bus A. The driver 23d receives an address signal and a VCI value related to an input VCI value via the address and data buses A and D from the call control device 27, respectively, and writes the VCI value into a storage area of the memory 23a specified by the address. In this manner, the VCI values of routes with respect to the respective input VCI values are written into the memory 23a. The arbitration circuit 23c prevents the drivers 23b and 23d from concurrently accessing the memory 23a. The coefficient change circuit 24 comprises a memory (MEM) 24a, a driver 24b, an arbitration circuit 24c and a driver 24d. The driver 24d receives an address signal and an accounting coefficient via the address and data buses A and D from the call control device 27, respectively, and writes the accounting coefficient into a storage area of the memory 24a specified by the address signal. In this manner, all the accounting coefficients related to the respective information types are written into the memory 24a. The driver 24b receives the information type data MED transferred via the driver 23b, and reads the accounting coefficient related to the received information type data MED. The readout accounting coefficient, labeled K, is then applied to the cell multiplier circuit 25. The arbitration circuit 24c prevents the drivers 24b and 24d from concurrently accessing the memory 24a. The cell multiplier circuit 25 comprises a pulse generator 25a, and an operation unit 25b including an adder. The pulse generator 25a generates the cell arrival signal each time it receives a pulse signal from the memory 23a. This pulse signal is generated each time the VCI value is read from the memory 23a. The operation unit 25b multiplies 1 (the pulse signal) by the accounting coefficient K, and adds the multiplication result to the integrated accounting data read from the accounting data storage circuit 26. The result of this addition is written into the accounting data storage circuit 26. The accounting data storage circuit 26 comprises a memory 26a, a driver 26b, an arbitration circuit 26c and a driver 26d. The driver unit 26b receives the input VCI value via the driver 23b and accesses the memory 26a using the input VCI value. The integrated accounting data stored in a storage area specified by the input VCI value is read therefrom and applied to the operation unit 25b. The updated integrated accounting data from the operation unit 25b is written into the same storage area specified by the input VCI value. The call control device 27 outputs an address signal via the driver 26d, and reads the accounting data from the storage area specified by the address signal. It is also possible to use the cell multiplier circuit 25 configured as shown in Fig. 6. A counter 25c and an AND gate 25d are added to the configuration of the cell multiplier circuit 25 shown in Fig. 5. The call control device 27 writes a predetermined number n of cells into the counter 25c. The counter 25c changes its counter value each time the pulse signal from the pulse circuit 25a is applied to the counter 25c. When the counter 25c counts the predetermined number n of cells, it outputs a signal to the AND gate 25d. At this time, the pulse signal generated by the cell multiplier circuit 25 passes through the AND gate 25d. In this manner, the pulse signal is applied to the operation circuit 25a each time the number n of cells is received. The operation circuit 25a multiplies the number of pulses indicated by the pulse signal by the accounting coefficient, and adds the result of this multiplication to the readout accounting data. Fig. 7 is a block diagram of a terminal in the ATM network. The terminal shown in Fig. 7 has the function of transmitting speech, data and image signals as well as that of receiving these signals. The terminal shown in Fig. 7 comprises a transmitter unit 30, a receiver unit 34, an ATM header addition circuit 38, a header eliminating circuit 39, a signaling device 40, and a microprocessor 41. The transmitter unit 30 comprises A/D converters 31a and 31b, an interface (IF) circuit 31c, cell assembling circuits 32a, 32b and 32c, and a multiplexer 33. The A/D converter 31a converts an analog speech signal from a microphone (not shown) into a digital signal. The A/D converter 31b converts an analog image signal from, for example, a camera into a digital signal. The IF circuit 31c converts an analog data signal from, for example, a keyboard into a digital signal. The cell assembling circuits 32a, 32b and 32c assemble 48-byte cells from the respective digital signals. The mutiplexer 33 selects one of the 48-byte cells from the cell assembling circuits 32a - 32c, and outputs the selected 48-byte cell to the ATM header addition circuit 38. The ATM header addition circuit 38 adds the 5-byte ATM header having a VCI value to the 48-byte cell, and outputs a 53-octet ATM cell. The signaling device 40 sends control signals to the ATM network and receives control signals from the ATM network in order to execute the call setup procedure and other procedures. The ATM header eliminating circuit 39 eliminates the ATM headers from cells received from the ATM network. The receiver unit 34 comprises a demultiplexer 37, cell disassembling circuits 36a, 36b and 36c, and D/A converters 35a and 35b and an interface circuit (IF) 35c. The demultiplexer 37 distributes the cells to the cell disassembling circuits 36a, 36b and 36c. The cell disassembling circuits 36a, 36b and 36c disassemble the cells to generate the original digital signals, which are converted into the original analog signals by means of the D/A converters 35a, 35b and 35c, respectively. The D/A converter 35a generates the original speech signal, and the D/A converter 35b generates the original image signal. Further, the D/A converter 35c generates the original data signal. The microprocessor 41 controls the entire operation of the terminal. A description will now be given of the operation of the terminal shown in Fig. 7 related to the accounting system according to the present invention. The signaling device 40 communicates with the ATM network using predetermined control signals, so that a call from the terminal is accepted by the ATM network and a VCI value (together with a VPI (Virtual Path Identifier) value) is determined. If the terminal has a request for transfer of speech and image, analog speech and image signals are converted into digital speech and image signals by means of the A/D converters 31a and 31b, respectively. Then, the cell assembling circuit 32a assembles cells containing speech information, and the cell assembling circuit 32b assembles cells containing image information. These cells are stored in a buffer built in the multiplexer 33, and read therefrom with a ratio dependent on how frequently speech and image signals are respectively generated. The microprocessor 41 is notified of data showing the type of the signal selected. The microprocessor 41 understands the type of information output from the multiplexer 33. Then, the microprocessor 41 outputs VPI/VCI information and data indicating the information type to be written into the information type field MED. The header addition circuit 38 adds the above information from the microprocessor 41 to the cell being considered. Then, the cell, with the ATM header added thereto, is sent to the ATM network. Fig. 8 shows a sequence of transfer of signals among calling and called terminals and the ATM switch, and Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a process for realizing the above sequence by means of an ATM switch. The calling terminal sends a call setup message SETUP to the ATM switch (step S11). The ATM switch analyzes the call setup message SETUP (step S12), and determines whether or not there is a problem (step S13). When it is determined that there is no problem, the ATM switch sends back a call proceeding message CALL PROC (step S14). Then, the ATM switch sends a call setup message SETUP to the called terminal (step S15). The called terminal accepts the call setup message SETUP (step S16), and sends back an alerting message ALERT to the ATM switch (step S17). Then, the ATM network sends an alerting message ALERT to the calling terminal (step S18). Then, the called terminal is called (step S19). In response to an offhooking operation in the called terminal, the called terminal sends a connect message CONN to the ATM switch (step S20). In response to receipt of the connect message CONN, the ATM switch determines a path (route) connecting the calling terminal and the called terminal in the aforementioned manner (step S21), and determines the accounting coefficient value in the aforementioned manner (step S22). Thereafter, the ATM switch sends a connect acknowledgement message CONN-ACK to the called station and sends a connect signal CONN to the calling terminal (step S23). During communications, the aforementioned accounting operation is carried out. Then, the calling terminal and the called terminal can communicate with each other (step S24). When the communications are terminated, the calling terminal sends a disconnect message DISC to the ATM switch (step S25), and the ATM switch sends a disconnect message DISC to the called terminal. Then, the accounting data is read from the accounting data storage device 26 under the control of the call control device 27 (step S26). The called terminal sends a release message REL to the ATM switch, and the ATM switch sends a release message REL to the calling terminal (step S27). Then, the path is released and disconnected (step S28). The present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments, and variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims. Reference signs in the claims are intended for better understanding and shall not limit the scope.

Claims: An accounting system for an ATM network for charging users of the ATM network for communications services characterized by comprising: first means (23; 130) for detecting a VCI (Virtual Channel Identifier) in an ATM cell and information type data contained in said ATM cell, said information type data indicating the type of information contained in said ATM cell; second means (24; 140) comprising memory means (24a) for storing a plurality of accounting coefficients respectively related to types of information to be transferred via the ATM network, and access means (24b), coupled to said first means and said memory means, for accessing said memory using said information type data detected by said first means so that one of the stored accounting coefficients which is related to said information type data detected by said first means is output; third means (25; 150), coupled to said first and second means, for generating, in response to the arrival of ATM cells having identical VCI values, a cell arrival signal indicative of the number of said received ATM cells and for generating accounting data for each VCI value by using the accounting coefficient output from the second means and said cell arrival signal; and fourth means (26, 160) for storing, respectively relating to the detected type of transferred information, the accounting data obtained for each VCI value. An accounting system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said third means comprises means (25b) for adding, to a sum of previously obtained accounting data, the accounting data obtained each time said cell arrival signal is generated. An accounting system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said third means comprises: fifth means (25a) for generating a pulse signal each time a predetermined number of ATM cells having identical VCI values arrives; sixth means (25b), coupled to said fifth means; for multiplying said predetermined number of ATM cells by said accounting coefficient and for generating a multiplication signal; and seventh means (25b), coupled to said sixth means, for adding, to a sum of previously obtained multiplication signals, said multiplication signal obtained each time said predetermined number of ATM cells arrives. An accounting system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said first means comprises fifth means (29) for detecting the information type data contained in an ATM header of each ATM cell. An accounting system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said first means comprises fifth means (29) for detecting the information type data contained in an information field of each ATM cell. An accounting system as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said accounting coefficient is based on a number of bytes of information in an information field of each ATM cell, and a bit rate of said information in the information field of each ATM cell. An ATM network comprising: a plurality of terminals; and an ATM switch selectively connecting the terminals to each other, said ATM switch comprising an accounting system suitable for charging users of the ATM network for communication services, characterized in that each of said terminals generating an ATM cell contains information type data indicating the type of information contained in the ATM cell, and in that said accounting system comprises: first means (23, 130) for detecting a VCI (Virtual Channel Identifier) and the information type data contained in the ATM cell; second means (24, 140), comprising memory means (24a) for storing a plurality of accounting coefficients respectively related to types of information to be transferred via the ATM network, and access means (24b), coupled to said first means and said memory means, for accessing said memory using said information type data detected by said first means so that one of the stored accounting coefficients which is related to said information type data detected by said first means is output; third means (25, 150), coupled to said first and second means, for generating, in response to the arrival of ATM cells having identical VCI values, a cell arrival signal indicative of the number of said received ATM cells and for generating accounting data for each VCI value using the accounting coefficient output from the second means and said cell arrival signal; and fourth means (26, 160) for storing, respectively relating to the detected type of transferred information, the accounting data obtained for each VCI value. An ATM network as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said third means comprises means (25b) for adding, to a sum of previously obtained accounting data, the accounting data obtained each time said cell arrival signal is generated. An ATM network as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said third means comprises: fifth means (25a) for generating a pulse signal each time a predetermined number of ATM cells having identical VCI values arrives; sixth means (25b), coupled to said fifth means, for multiplying said predetermined number of ATM cells by said accounting coefficient and for generating a multiplication signal; and seventh means (25b), coupled to said sixth means, for adding, to a sum of previously obtained multiplication signals, said multiplication signal obtained each time said predetermined number of ATM cells arrives. An ATM network as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said first means comprises fifth means (29) for detecting the information type data contained in an ATM header of each ATM cell. An ATM network as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said first means comprises fifth means (29) for detecting the information type data contained in an information field of each ATM cell. An ATM network as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said accounting coefficient is based on a number of bytes of information in an information field of each ATM cell, and a bit rate of said information in the information field of each ATM cell. An accounting method for an ATM network suitable for charging users of the ATM network for communications services, characterized in that said accounting method comprises the steps of (a) detecting a VCI (Virtual Channel Identifier) in an ATM cell and information type data contained in said ATM cell, said information type data indicating the type of information contained in said ATM cell; (b) storing a plurality of accounting coefficients respectively related to types of information to be transferred via the ATM network, (c) accessing said stored accounting coefficients using said detected information type data so that one of the stored accounting coefficients which is related to said detected information type data is output; (d) generating in response to the arrival of ATM cells having identical VCI values a cell arriving signal indicative of the number of said received ATM cells; (e) generating accounting data for each VCI value using the accounting coefficient output in accordance with step (c) and said cell arrival signal; and (f) storing, respectively relating to the detected type of transferred information, the accounting data obtained for each VCI value. An accounting method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising the step of adding, to a sum of previously obtained accounting data, the accounting data obtained each time said cell arrival signal is generated. An accounting method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising the steps of: generating a pulse signal each time a predetermined number of ATM cells having identical VCI values arrives; multiplying said predetermined number of ATM cells by said accounting coefficient and for generating a multiplication signal; and integrating said multiplication signal obtained each time said predetermined number of ATM cells arrives.

Inventors: ISONO OSAMU, ISONO, OSAMU, Isono, Osamu, c/o Fujitsu Limited
Applicants: FUJITSU LTD, FUJITSU LIMITED
Application year: 1992
Main classification: H04L12
IPC codes: H04Q11, H04L12, H04M15