JP6982205B2 - Billing management device and billing management method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a charge management device and a charge management method for managing charges related to message transmission.

Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which a sender sends a message such as an advertisement to a receiver and charges the sender a fee according to the number of times the message is read by the receiver.

International Publication No. 01/52131

In the system disclosed in Patent Document 1, since a fee is charged for each message, if the sender sends a message to the receiver a plurality of times, a high fee may be charged to the sender. On the other hand, depending on the service provided by the sender, the purpose is not always achieved by the sender sending a message to the receiver once, and the message performed between the sender and the receiver multiple times. The purpose may be achieved by sending and receiving. Therefore, the present inventor has discovered that if it is possible to charge for a group of a plurality of messages instead of charging for each message, it is possible to provide new value to the sender and the receiver.

The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to be able to charge for a set of a plurality of messages.

In the billing management device of the first aspect of the present invention, the first reference time for the first message transmitted by the first information terminal to the second information terminal and the second information terminal transmitted to the first information terminal. Based on the relationship between the acquisition unit that acquires the second reference time for the two messages and the first reference time and the second reference time, the first message is transmitted from the first information terminal to the second reference time. A determination unit for determining whether a one-way message unilaterally transmitted to an information terminal or a two-way message exchanged between the first information terminal and the second information terminal, and the first. (1) It has a billing control unit that determines a charge for transmitting the first message depending on whether the message is the one-way message or the two-way message.

The determination unit detects the session to which the first message belongs based on the relationship between the first reference time and the second reference time, and when the session to which the first message belongs can be detected. The first message may be determined to be the bidirectional message.

When the determination unit detects at least one said first message and at least one said second message within a predetermined period, it is the same as all the first messages included in the predetermined period. The session may be assigned.

The determination unit may determine that the first message is the one-way message when the session to which the first message belongs cannot be detected.

The acquisition unit acquires the first reference time indicating the transmission time at which the first message is transmitted and the second reference time indicating the transmission time at which the second message is transmitted, and the determination unit obtains the second reference time. , It is specified that the session started at the first reference time when the transmission time indicated by the second reference time is included in the predetermined time after the transmission time indicated by the first reference time. You may.

The acquisition unit indicates the first reference time indicating the terminal arrival time when the first message reaches the second information terminal, and the terminal arrival time indicating the terminal arrival time when the second message reaches the first information terminal. When the two reference times are acquired, the determination unit includes the terminal arrival time indicated by the second reference time within a predetermined time after the terminal arrival time indicated by the first reference time. It may be specified that the session has started.

The determination unit may specify that the session has ended after a predetermined time from the first second reference time after the session has started.

The charge control unit may charge a charge corresponding to one session when the first message is the bidirectional message.

In addition to the charge for transmitting the first message, the charge control unit may charge the user associated with the first information terminal for the charge for transmitting the second message.

The billing control unit charges the fee for transmitting the first message when the first message is a bidirectional message, and transfers the first message when the first message is a one-way message. It may be lower than the charge.

The billing management method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a step of acquiring a first reference time for a first message transmitted by a first information terminal to a second information terminal, which is executed by a computer, and the second information terminal. Based on the relationship between the step of acquiring the second reference time regarding the second message transmitted to the first information terminal and the first reference time and the second reference time, the first message is the first. 1 Determining whether it is a one-way message unilaterally transmitted from the information terminal to the second information terminal or a two-way message exchanged between the first information terminal and the second information terminal. And a step of determining the charge for transmitting the first message depending on whether the first message is the one-way message or the two-way message.

According to the present invention, it is possible to charge for a set of a plurality of messages.

It is a schematic diagram of the message management system which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram of the message management system which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the exemplary communication log received by the acquisition part. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the method of determining whether a 1st message is a one-way message or a two-way message. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the charge management method executed by the charge management apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flowchart of the session allocation processing which includes the charge management method executed by the charge management apparatus which concerns on embodiment.

[Overview of message management system S]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a message management system S according to the present embodiment. The message management system S includes a billing management device 1, a first information terminal 2, a second information terminal 3, and a message management device 4. The number of the first information terminal 2, the second information terminal 3, and the message management device 4 included in the message management system S is not limited, and a plurality of the first information terminal 2, the second information terminal 3, and the message management device 4 are provided. You may. The message management system S may include other devices such as servers and terminals.

The billing management device 1 is a computer managed by a business operator (for example, a telecommunications carrier or the like). The business operator is an entity that earns profits by charging at least one of the first user and the second user a fee for transmitting a message. The billing management device 1 determines a charge for transmitting a message based on a communication log including information on a message transmitted / received between the first information terminal 2 and the second information terminal 3. The billing management device 1 performs wireless communication or wired communication with the message management device 4.

The first information terminal 2 is an information terminal associated with the first user, and is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. The first user is, for example, a business operator that provides customer support to the second user or a business operator that sells to the second user. The first information terminal 2 has a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays information, and an operation unit such as a touch panel that accepts operations by the first user. Further, the first information terminal 2 has a function of transmitting and receiving messages.

The second information terminal 3 is an information terminal associated with the second user, and is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like. The second user is, for example, a customer of the first user who is a business operator. The second information terminal 3 has a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays information, and an operation unit such as a touch panel that accepts operations by a second user. Further, the second information terminal 3 has a function of transmitting and receiving messages.

The message management device 4 is a computer managed by a business operator (for example, a communication business operator or the like), and manages information related to messages transmitted and received between the first information terminal 2 and the second information terminal 3. The business operator that manages the message management device 4 may be the same as or different from the business operator that manages the billing management device 1.

The message management device 4 is, for example, a relay device that relays a message transmitted / received between the first information terminal 2 and the second information terminal, or a storage device that receives and stores information about a message from another relay device. be. The message management device 4 transmits a communication log including information about the message to the billing management device 1. The billing management device 1 may have the function of the message management device 4.

The outline of the process executed by the message management system S according to the present embodiment will be described below. The first information terminal 2 transmits a first message including information such as customer support and advertisement to one or a plurality of second information terminals 3 in response to an operation by the first user. The second information terminal 3 displays the first message transmitted by the first information terminal 2 on the display unit.

The second information terminal 3 transmits a second message including information such as a question and an answer to the first information terminal 2 which is the transmission source of the first message in response to an operation by the second user. The first information terminal 2 displays the second message transmitted by the second information terminal 3 on the display unit. In this way, the first message in which the second message is transmitted from the second information terminal 3 within a predetermined period after being transmitted to the second information terminal 3, that is, the first information terminal 2 and the second information terminal 3 The first message exchanged between the two is called a two-way message.

On the other hand, the second information terminal 3 does not transmit the second message to the first information terminal 2 when the operation for transmitting the second message is not performed. In this way, the first message in which the second message was not transmitted from the second information terminal 3 within a predetermined period after being transmitted to the second information terminal 3, that is, from the first information terminal 2 to the second information terminal 3. The first message transmitted unilaterally is called a one-way message.

The message management device 4 transmits a communication log including information about a message transmitted / received between the first information terminal 2 and the second information terminal 3 to the billing management device 1. The communication log contains, for example, the transmission time associated with each of the one or more messages transmitted / received between the first information terminal 2 and the second information terminal 3, and the transmission time and the first user or the second user who is the transmission source. The identification information of the first user or the second user as the transmission destination, and the status information of whether or not the message has arrived are included.

The billing management device 1 receives the communication log transmitted by the message management device 4. The billing management device 1 acquires the first reference time for the first message and the second reference time for the second message from the received communication log (a). The first reference time is, for example, the transmission time of the first message, and the second reference time is, for example, the transmission time of the second message.

The billing management device 1 determines whether the first message is a one-way message or a two-way message based on the relationship between the first reference time and the second reference time (b). The billing management device 1 detects, for example, the session to which the first message belongs when the second reference time is included within a predetermined period after the first reference time. A session may include a plurality of first and second messages. Then, when the billing management device 1 can detect the session to which the first message belongs, it determines that the first message is a bidirectional message, and if not, determines that the first message is a one-way message. judge.

The billing management device 1 differs between the one-way message and the two-way message by determining the charge for transmitting the first message depending on whether the first message is a one-way message or a two-way message. The billing information for billing the first user is output (c).

As described above, in the message management system S, the billing management device 1 determines whether the message is a one-way message or a two-way message based on the reference time of the message, and the one-way message and the two-way message are different. Charge the fee. Therefore, the billing management device 1 can not only charge for each message but also charge for a group of a plurality of messages.

[Configuration of message management system S]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the message management system S according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 2, the arrows indicate the main data flows, and there may be data flows other than those shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, each block shows not a hardware (device) unit configuration but a functional unit configuration. Therefore, the block shown in FIG. 2 may be mounted in a single device, or may be mounted separately in a plurality of devices. Data can be exchanged between blocks via any means such as a data bus, a network, and a portable storage medium.

The billing management device 1 has a storage unit 11 and a control unit 12. The message management system S is not limited to the specific configuration shown in FIG. The billing management device 1 may be configured by connecting two or more physically separated devices by wire or wirelessly. Further, the billing management device 1 may be configured by a cloud, which is a collection of computer resources.

The storage unit 11 is a storage medium including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, and the like. The storage unit 11 stores in advance the program executed by the control unit 12. The storage unit 11 may be provided outside the billing management device 1, and in that case, data may be exchanged with the control unit 12 via the network.

The control unit 12 includes an acquisition unit 121, a determination unit 122, and a billing control unit 123. The control unit 12 is, for example, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and functions as an acquisition unit 121, a determination unit 122, and a billing control unit 123 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 11. At least some of the functions of the control unit 12 may be performed by an electric circuit. Further, at least a part of the functions of the control unit 12 may be realized by the control unit 12 executing a program executed via the network.

The acquisition unit 121 receives the communication log including the information about the message transmitted by the message management device 4. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing an exemplary communication log received by the acquisition unit 121.

FIG. 3A shows a first communication log including information about a first message transmitted from the first information terminal 2 to the second information terminal 3. FIG. 3B shows a second communication log containing information about a second message transmitted from the second information terminal 3 to the first information terminal 2. The first communication log and the second communication log include a transmission time, source identification information, destination identification information, and status information associated with each of the one or more messages.

The transmission time is the time when the first message or the second message is transmitted. The first communication log and the second communication log may include the terminal arrival time when the first message or the second message arrives at the first information terminal 2 or the second information terminal 3 in place of or in addition to the transmission time. Further, the first communication log and the second communication log are the read time in which the content of the first message or the second message is displayed on the first information terminal 2 or the second information terminal 3 in place of or in addition to the transmission time. May include.

The source identification information is a first user ID (Identification) that can identify the first user associated with the first information terminal 2 in the first communication log, and is associated with the second information terminal 3 in the second communication log. It is a second user ID that can identify the second user. The destination identification information is a second user ID that can identify the second user associated with the second information terminal 3 in the first communication log, and is a second user ID associated with the first information terminal 2 in the second communication log. It is a first user ID that can identify one user.

The state information is information indicating whether or not the message has reached the first information terminal 2 or the second information terminal 3 of the transmission destination. The determination unit 122 and the charge control unit 123, which will be described later, execute processing related to determination and charge using only the message indicating that the status information has arrived in the communication log.

The acquisition unit 121 may separately receive data including the first communication log and data including the second communication log from the message management device 4, and is one including both the first communication log and the second communication log. Data may be received.

Next, the acquisition unit 121 acquires the first reference time for the first message and the second reference time for the second message from the received communication log. The acquisition unit 121 acquires the transmission time of the first message included in the first communication log as the first reference time. The acquisition unit 121 may limit the first message used for acquiring the first reference time to only the first message that has reached the destination. Further, the acquisition unit 121 may acquire the terminal arrival time or the read time of the first message included in the first communication log as the first reference time. The acquisition unit 121 acquires the transmission time of the second message included in the second communication log as the second reference time. Further, the acquisition unit 121 may acquire the terminal arrival time or the read time of the second message included in the second communication log as the second reference time.

When the determination unit 122 detects at least one first message and at least one second message within a predetermined period, the determination unit 122 assigns the same session to all the first messages included in the predetermined period. .. The determination unit 122 has, for example, a one-way message in which the first message is unilaterally transmitted from the first information terminal to the second information terminal based on the relationship between the first reference time and the second reference time. , Which of the two-way messages exchanged between the first information terminal and the second information terminal is determined.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a method of determining whether the first message is a one-way message or a two-way message. In FIG. 4, the first message M1 transmitted from the first information terminal 2 to the second information terminal 3 and the second message M2 transmitted from the second information terminal 3 to the first information terminal 2 are represented by arrows. ing. In FIG. 4, the positions of the arrows of the first message M1 and the second message M2 in the horizontal direction correspond to the first reference time of the first message M1 and the second reference time of the second message M2.

In order to determine whether the first message M1 is a one-way message or a two-way message, the determination unit 122 determines the first message M1 based on the relationship between the first reference time and the second reference time. Detects the session to which it belongs. The determination unit 122 has, for example, a second reference within a predetermined session detection time Y (for example, 24 hours) after the first reference time (that is, the transmission time, the terminal arrival time or the read time of the first message M1). When the time (that is, the transmission time of the second message M2, the arrival time at the terminal, or the read time) is included, it is specified that the session has started from the first reference time. The session detection time Y is set in advance in the billing management device 1.

Further, the determination unit 122 identifies, for example, that the session has ended at a time after a predetermined session duration X (for example, 4 hours) from the first second reference time after the session has started. The session duration X is set in the billing management device 1 in advance. As a result, the determination unit 122 detects the session to which at least one first message M1 belongs. Therefore, the determination unit 122 can easily use the relationship of the reference time between the first message M1 and the second message M2 without requiring the user to explicitly specify the start and end of the session. Can be detected.

The determination unit 122 may change the session duration X based on the relationship between the first reference time and the second reference time. For example, the determination unit 122 has a case where the average interval between the first reference time and the second reference time is equal to or less than a predetermined value, or the frequency of transmission / reception of the first message M1 and the second message M2 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value. In some cases, the session duration X is longer or shorter than in other cases. The determination unit 122 may set a relationship between different first reference times and second reference times based on the first user, the second user, or the combination of the first user and the second user. As a result, the determination unit 122 can dynamically change the length of the session according to the status of the exchange between the first information terminal 2 and the second information terminal 3.

Then, the determination unit 122 determines that the first message M1 is a bidirectional message when the session to which the first message M1 belongs can be detected, and when the session to which the first message M1 belongs cannot be detected, the determination unit 122 determines that the first message M1 is a bidirectional message. 1 It is determined that the message M1 is a one-way message. The determination unit 122 stores the determination result indicating whether the first message is a one-way message or a two-way message in the storage unit 11.

In the example of FIG. 4, the determination unit 122 determines that the first message M1-1 in which the session is not detected because the second message is not transmitted from the second information terminal 3 within a predetermined time is a one-way message. ing. Further, the determination unit 122 bidirectionally transmits the first messages M1-2 and M1-3 included in the time range of the session detected because the second message was transmitted from the second information terminal 3 within a predetermined time. It is determined that it is a message.

The determination unit 122 is not limited to the above-mentioned specific method, and may determine a one-way message and a two-way message by other methods. When the first reference time and the second reference time are included in the predetermined time (for example, 24 hours), the determination unit 122 includes the first reference time and the first message and the second reference time related to the second reference time. It may be determined that the second message is included in the same session, and the first message may be determined to be a bidirectional message. Further, even when the determination unit 122 determines that the plurality of first messages and the plurality of second messages are included in the same session, the length of the session exceeds a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours). In addition, the session may be divided into a plurality of different sessions.

The billing control unit 123 determines the charge for transmitting the first message according to whether the first message is a one-way message or a two-way message, which is indicated by the determination result by the determination unit 122. Determine different charges for directional and two-way messages. The charge control unit 123 outputs the charge information for charging the determined charge to the first user.

For example, when the first message is a one-way message, the billing control unit 123 charges the first user a charge corresponding to the transmission of one first message (that is, a charge for each message), and the first message is charged. The fee for transmitting the first message is determined so that the fee corresponding to one session (that is, the fee for each session) is charged to the first user in the case of a two-way message. In this case, the charge corresponding to one session is preferably lower than the charge corresponding to the transmission of one first message multiplied by the number of first messages included in the session. The charge control unit 123 stores the charge information for charging the determined charge to the first user in the storage unit 11 or transmits the charge to the charge device for executing the charge to the first user.

Further, the billing control unit 123 charges the first user for the first charge for each transmission of one first message when the first message is a one-way message, and when the first message is a two-way message. The charge for transmitting the first message may be determined so that the first user is charged a second charge lower than the first charge for each transmission of the first message. The charge control unit 123 stores the charge information for charging the determined charge to the first user in the storage unit 11 or transmits the charge to the charge device for executing the charge to the first user.

With such a configuration, the billing control unit 123 can not only charge for each message but also charge for a group of a plurality of messages. Further, the billing control unit 123 facilitates the provision of a service in which the first user frequently exchanges messages with the second user by charging a charge lower than the charge for each message for a group of a plurality of messages. be able to.

Further, the billing control unit 123 sets the charge for transmitting the second message (for example, communication charge) within the period of the session to which the first message belongs, in addition to the charge for transmitting the first message, to the first information terminal. The billing information for billing the first user associated with may be output. In this case, the billing control unit 123 transmits the second message included in the same session as the first message, provided that the first message is an advertisement message from the first user to the second user. The fee may be charged to the first user. By attaching a tag indicating that the first message is an advertisement or adding a description indicating that the first message is an "advertisement" in the content or title of the first message, the billing control unit 123 may indicate that the first message is an advertisement. Whether or not it can be identified. As a result, the billing control unit 123 can reduce the burden on the second user for exchanging messages with the first user, so that the first user can provide a new service to the second user.

[Billing management method flow]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flowchart of a billing management method executed by the billing management device 1 according to the present embodiment. The acquisition unit 121 receives the communication log including the information about the message transmitted by the message management device 4 (S11). The acquisition unit 121 acquires the first reference time for the first message and the second reference time for the second message from the received communication log (S12). The first reference time and the second reference time are, for example, either a message transmission time, a terminal arrival time, or a read time.

The determination unit 122 executes a session allocation process for allocating a session to the first message and the second message (S100). The details of the session allocation process will be described later with reference to FIG.

The determination unit 122 determines that the first message is a bidirectional message when the session to which the first message belongs can be detected by the session allocation process, and when the session to which the first message belongs cannot be detected, the determination unit 122 determines the first message. It is determined that one message is a one-way message (S13).

The billing control unit 123 determines the charge for transmitting the first message according to whether the first message is a one-way message or a two-way message, which is indicated by the determination result by the determination unit 122 (S14). That is, the charge control unit 123 determines different charges for the one-way message and the two-way message.

The charge control unit 123 outputs charge information for charging the determined charge to the first user (S15). Here, the billing control unit 123 stores, for example, the billing information in the storage unit 11 or transmits the billing information to a device for executing the billing to the first user.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flowchart of the session allocation process S100 included in the charge management method executed by the charge management device 1 according to the present embodiment. First, the determination unit 122 extracts the first user ID group α = {α0, α1, α2, ... αn} of the destination included in the target period of the second communication log (S101). The target period is, for example, 24 hours, but other periods may be used. The determination unit 122 selects any one of the first user ID αi from the first user ID group α (S102).

The determination unit 122 extracts the second user ID group β = {β0, β1, β2, ... βm} of the transmission source that sent the message to the first user ID αi during the target period of the second communication log (S103). The determination unit 122 selects any one of the second user ID βi from the second user ID group β (S104).

The determination unit 122 extracts the message group M = {M0, M1, M2, ... Mp} of the combination of (destination, source) = (αi, βi) in the target period of the second communication log (S105). The determination unit 122 selects any one message Mi (second message) from the message group M (S106). Let Ti be the second reference time of the message Mi.

In the first communication log, within a predetermined period from the time retroactive by the session detection time Y from the second reference time Ti to the time after the session duration X from the second reference time Ti (destination, source) = When the message of the combination of (βi, αi) exists (YES in S107), the determination unit 122 determines one or a plurality of messages of the combination of (destination, source) = (βi, αi) in the predetermined period. A common session ID is assigned to (first message). As a result, the determination unit 122 detects a session to which a plurality of messages to which a common session ID is assigned belong in the first communication log (S108). The message to which the session ID is assigned in the first communication log is excluded from the subsequent processing.

In the first communication log, within a predetermined period from the time retroactive by the session detection time Y from the second reference time Ti to the time after the session duration X from the second reference time Ti (destination, source) = When the message of the combination of (βi, αi) does not exist (NO in S107), the determination unit 122 does not detect the session.

When the first reference time and the second reference time are included in the predetermined time (for example, 24 hours), the determination unit 122 includes the first reference time and the first message and the second reference time related to the second reference time. A session containing a second message may be detected. Further, even when the determination unit 122 determines that the plurality of first messages and the plurality of second messages are included in the same session, the length of the session exceeds a predetermined time (for example, 24 hours). In addition, the session may be divided into a plurality of different sessions.

When the confirmation of all the messages Mi included in the message group M has not been completed (NO in S109), the determination unit 122 repeats steps S106 to S108. When the confirmation of all the messages Mi included in the message group M is completed (YES in S109), the determination unit 122 proceeds to step S110.

When the confirmation of all the message Mi included in the message group M is not completed (NO in S109), the determination unit 122 returns to step S106 and processes another message Mi. When the confirmation of all the messages Mi included in the message group M is completed (YES in S109), the determination unit 122 proceeds to step S110.

When the confirmation of all the second user ID βi included in the second user ID group β has not been completed (NO in S110), the determination unit 122 returns to step S104 and processes another second user ID βi. I do. When the confirmation of all the second user ID βi included in the second user ID group β is completed (YES in S110), the determination unit 122 proceeds to step S111.

When the confirmation of all the first user ID αi included in the first user ID group α has not been completed (NO in S111), the determination unit 122 returns to step S102 and processes another first user ID αi. I do. When the confirmation of all the first user ID αi included in the first user ID group α is completed (YES in S111), the determination unit 122 stores the session ID allocation result for the message in the storage unit 11 and assigns the session. The process S100 is terminated.

[Effect of this embodiment]
In the message management system S according to the present embodiment, the billing management device 1 determines whether the message is a one-way message or a two-way message based on the reference time of the message, and the one-way message and the two-way message are used. Charge different charges. Therefore, the billing management device 1 can not only charge for each message but also charge for a group of a plurality of messages. Further, the billing management device 1 makes it easy to provide a service in which the first user frequently exchanges messages with the second user by charging a charge lower than the charge for each message for a group of a plurality of messages. be able to.

[Modification example]
In the above-described embodiment, the billing management device 1 charges the first user for the charge for the first message transmitted by the first user, who is a business operator, to the second user, who is a customer. You may charge. With such a configuration, the billing management device 1 can, for example, allow the second user to bear the charge for transmitting a message for the first user to consult and support the second user.

Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the gist. be. For example, the specific embodiment of the distribution / integration of the device is not limited to the above embodiment, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in any unit. Can be done. Also included in the embodiments of the present invention are new embodiments resulting from any combination of the plurality of embodiments. The effect of the new embodiment produced by the combination has the effect of the original embodiment together.

The processor of the billing management device 1 is the main body of each step (process) included in the billing management method shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. That is, the processor of the billing management device 1 reads a program for executing the billing management method shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 from the storage unit 11, and executes the program to manage the billing shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Execute the method. The steps included in the billing management method shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be partially omitted, the order between the steps may be changed, or a plurality of steps may be performed in parallel.

S Message management system 1 Billing management device 12 Control unit 121 Acquisition unit 122 Judgment unit 123 Billing control unit 2 First information terminal 3 Second information terminal

Claims (12)

The relationship between the first reference time for the first message transmitted by the first information terminal to the second information terminal and the second reference time for the second message transmitted by the second information terminal to the first information terminal. Based on this, the first message is exchanged between the one-way message unilaterally transmitted from the first information terminal to the second information terminal and between the first information terminal and the second information terminal. A determination unit that determines whether it is a two-way message,
Said first message, said one-way message, the depending of whether the two-way message, a charging control unit that determines the charges applied to the transmission of the first message,
A billing management device. Before SL determination unit, based on the relationship between the second reference time and said first reference time if detects a session in which the first message belongs, could detect the session the first message belongs The first message is determined to be the bidirectional message.
The billing management device according to claim 1. When the determination unit detects at least one said first message and at least one said second message within a predetermined period, it is the same as all the first messages included in the predetermined period. Assign the session,
The billing management device according to claim 2. When the determination unit cannot detect the session to which the first message belongs, the determination unit determines that the first message is the one-way message.
The billing management device according to claim 2 or 3. The determination unit determines that the first message and the second message are included in the same session when the first reference time and the second reference time are included in a predetermined continuous time. do,
The billing management device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The determination unit includes a transmission time during which the second message, which is the second reference time, is transmitted within a predetermined time after the transmission time when the first message, which is the first reference time, is transmitted. If so, to identify that the session started at the first reference time.
The billing management device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. In the determination unit, the second message, which is the second reference time, is the first message within a predetermined time after the terminal arrival time when the first message, which is the first reference time, reaches the second information terminal. Identify that the session has started when the terminal arrival time at which the information terminal was reached is included.
The billing management device according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The determination unit identifies that the session has ended a predetermined time after the first second reference time after the session has started.
The billing management device according to claim 6 or 7. The billing control unit charges a fee corresponding to one session when the first message is the bidirectional message.
The billing management device according to any one of claims 2 to 8. The billing control unit charges the user associated with the first information terminal a fee for transmitting the second message in addition to the fee for transmitting the first message.
The billing management device according to any one of claims 2 to 9. The billing control unit charges the fee for transmitting the first message when the first message is a bidirectional message, and transfers the first message when the first message is a one-way message. Lower than the charge,
The billing management device according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Computer runs,
The relationship between the first reference time for the first message transmitted by the first information terminal to the second information terminal and the second reference time for the second message transmitted by the second information terminal to the first information terminal. Based on this, the first message is exchanged between the one-way message unilaterally transmitted from the first information terminal to the second information terminal and between the first information terminal and the second information terminal. A step to determine whether it is a two-way message,
A step wherein the first message, determining said one-way message, the depending of whether the two-way messaging, charges applied to the transmission of the first message,
A billing management method.

Images