Patent ID: 7742990

Claim:
A communication control method comprising: relaying by a transfer device connection-oriented communication performed between a communication terminal and a correspondent communication device, said connection-oriented communication being relayed over a first connection and a second connection, said first connection being between said transfer device and said correspondent communication device, and said second connection being between said transfer device and said communication terminal; detecting a discontinuation of said second connection, said discontinuation of said second connection occurring before content transmitted from said correspondent communication device reaches said communication terminal, said content requested by said communication terminal; maintaining said first connection at said transfer device at least between said transfer device and a billing management device in response to said discontinuation of said second connection occurring before receipt of billing information from said billing management device for said connection-oriented communication, said connection-oriented communication being relayed between said transfer device and said correspondent communication device over said first connection through said billing management device; receiving said billing information at said transfer device from said billing management device over said first connection after said discontinuation of said second connection; and disconnecting said first connection at said transfer device in response to said receipt of said billing information at said transfer device from said billing management device over said first connection after said discontinuation of said second connection.