JPH0224429B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an information fee billing system for settling the value of communicated information.

[Conventional technology]

In the conventional information fee payment method, a user account is set up in advance on the information provider device, and each time information is used, the information provider device checks whether the user is legitimate or not using a preset PIN number, etc. After providing the information, the information fee for the service is charged to the user's account, and the provider charges each user separately for settlement.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

The information fee payment method described above is suitable for information services that have relatively few users and are used relatively frequently. It is not suitable for information fee payments when there are many information services or providers used by individuals. If information fees were to be settled using the conventional method in such cases, information providers would have to bear a large amount of administrative processing in order to receive relatively small amounts of information fees from many users. In this case, users are burdened with the burden of having to pay for information fees charged by many information providers one by one. Therefore, with this conventional method, it is difficult to distribute information that is expected to be used by an unspecified number of people, distribute information that has many information providers, or distribute information that is expected to be used by an unspecified number of people, or where information fees are different for each individual. It is thought that it is difficult to smoothly distribute information.

This invention was developed in consideration of the above points, and by organizing and settling information charges for each user and information provider through a communication network, it eliminates the complexity of administrative processing that occurs in the conventional method, and increases the value of the information. The purpose is to provide an information fee charging system that enables smooth distribution of different information and contributes to the advancement of the information society.

[Means for solving problems]

In the information fee charging system according to the present invention, a first network device accommodating the information provider device is connected to a second network device accommodating the user device, an information fee charging signal, and a control signal for accepting or rejecting the charge. A means for transmitting and receiving directly or via a signal communication path of the communication network, and is connected to the information provider device and stores in advance an information charge amount or charge rate that the user needs to pay in order to receive information. means for controlling the connection to the information provider device based on a billing acceptance/rejection signal from the second network device; and recording the information fee billing result of the information provider device for the connected call. the second network device accommodating the user device is equipped with a means for transmitting the information charge billing signal and the charge approval/disapproval control signal directly or through the communication with the first network device accommodating the information provider device; means for transmitting and receiving via a signal communication path of a network; means for notifying the user device of the information charge amount or billing rate requested from the first in-network device; and the user device in response to the notification. means for receiving a billing approval or rejection signal from the device, and equipment for recording the information fee in accordance with the information fee billing amount or billing rate in the user device account when the billing acceptance signal is received; , the user device includes means for receiving a notification of the information charge amount or charging rate from a second network device accommodating the user device, and a means for receiving a signal of billing approval or rejection in response to the notification from the second network device. It is equipped with means for sending out network devices.

[Effect]

In this invention, when a user device is connected to a first network device via a second network device, the first network device stores a pre-stored information fee billing amount or billing rate (a certain amount of yen per certain amount of time, a fixed An information fee charging signal indicating how many yen to charge per amount of information is sent to the second in-network device via the signal communication path of the communication network.
When the second network device receives the information fee billing signal from the first network device, it extracts the information fee billing amount from the information fee billing signal and notifies the user device. This notification can be heard directly by the user.
It is also possible to convert it into an audio signal and notify it using a second network device.

The user device notifies the user of this by displaying it visually or audibly. The user confirms the billing amount, approves the billing request, and sends a billing approval signal to the second network device via the user device if the user is willing to pay the amount of information. When the second network device receives this billing consent signal, it charges and stores the charge to the user device account in the information fee storage section based on the previously notified billing amount or billing rate, and transmits the billing consent signal to the second network device. It is sent to the network device of No. 1. When the first network device receives this billing approval signal, it stores the previously billed billing amount in the information fee storage account unit for the connected information provider device, and performs the connection operation to the information provider device. I do. The information provider device starts providing information when connected to the user device by the first network device.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which user devices 2 ₁ to 2q are connected to second network devices 4 ₁ to 2q.
The information provider devices 1 ₁ to 1p are accommodated in the first network devices 3 ₁ to 3m and connected to the communication network.
connected to the communication network. In the following, when referring to the information provider device 1, the information provider device 1 will be used instead of the saffix.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the flow of signals in the embodiment shown in FIG.
and is connected to the first in-network device 3 via a communication network. Note that S ₁ to _{S 8} in FIG. 2 indicate each step.

The first in-network device 3 also determines the amount of information charges that the user needs to pay in order to connect a call from the user device 2 to the information provider device 1 based on a contract with the information provider in advance. Or, billing rates are set and stored.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

In FIG. 2, the first network device 3 performs S ₁ to S ₃ when the user device 2 is connected via the second network device 4.
An information fee billing signal indicating a pre-stored information fee billing amount or billing rate (how many yen per certain amount of time, how many yen per certain amount of information, etc.) is sent to the second terminal via the signal communication path of the communication network. S ₄ to be sent to the network device 4. When the second in-network device 4 receives the information charge billing signal from the first in-network device 3, it extracts the information charge billing amount from the information charge billing signal and notifies the user device 2 of the information charge S ₅ . This notification can also be converted into an audio signal by the second network device 4 so that the user can hear it directly. It goes without saying that an audible notification to the user can be made by the first in-network device 3 if necessary. User device 2
informs the user of this by displaying it visually or audibly. The user confirms the billing amount, etc., approves the billing request, and sends a billing approval signal to the second network device 4 via the user device 2 if the user is willing to pay the amount of information. _S6 .

This charging approval signal may be an in-channel (information path) signal or an out-channel (control signal path) signal. Note that it is also possible for the user device 2 to automatically approve payment of the information fee up to a certain amount. When the second network device 4 receives this billing consent signal, it charges and stores the charge to the user device account in the information fee storage unit based on the previously notified billing amount or billing rate, and sends the billing consent signal. S ₇ to be sent to the first intra-network device 3. When the first in-network device 3 receives this billing approval signal, it stores the previously billed billing amount in the information fee storage account (provider credit) for the connected information provider device 1, and A connection operation to the provider device 1 is performed. Note that, before transmitting the information fee billing signal, the first in-network device 3 can perform operations such as forewarning the information provider device 1 of the incoming call and confirming whether or not the incoming call is possible. When the information provider device 1 is connected to the user device 2 by the first in-network device 3, it starts providing information S ₈ .

The above is an outline of the information fee billing system of the present invention. Next, the details of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a digital communication network, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the main configurations of the information provider device 1 and the user device 2 in FIG. 3.

In FIG. 3, the information provider device 1 and the user device 2 are
It is connected to the first and second network devices 3 and 4 via subscriber line terminal terminal devices 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ for transmitting digital signals to the subscriber lines, respectively. The network devices 3 and 4 are connected to each other by an exchange connection device (not shown) or the like. The first and second network devices 3 and 4 have similar configurations,
In FIG. 3, the same numbers are shown with different subscripts.

The subscriber line terminal equipment 6 ₁ , 6 ₂ is a device for transmitting digital signals to the subscriber line opposite the subscriber line terminal equipment 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ , and is a device for transmitting digital _signals to the subscriber line. The communication information and control signal from 5 ₂ are separated and sent to the line concentrators 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ , and the communication information and control signals from the line concentrators 7 ₁ and 7 _{2 are}
It has a function of integrating communication information and control signals from the subscriber line terminal terminals 5 _{1 and 5 2 and transmitting them to the subscriber line terminal terminal devices 5 1} and 5 ₂ .

The line concentrators 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ have functions of converging communication information and terminating control signals. Communication information is connected and transmitted from the line concentrators 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ to the opposing first and second network devices 3 and 4 via the communication path devices 9 ₁ and 9 ₂ , and control signals are transmitted to the subscriber lines. The signals are transmitted to central processing units 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ via signal devices 8 ₁ and 8 ₂ .
The central processing units 10 ₁ , 10 ₂ control the communication path devices 9 ₁ , 9 ₂ in accordance with control signals from the line concentrators 7 ₁ , 7 ₂ and the common line signal devices 12 ₁ , 12 ₂ to transmit information to the user equipment 2 . Connects and controls communication between provider devices 1. Further, the central processing units 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ can mutually transmit and receive necessary signals between the first and second network devices 3 and 4 via the common line signaling devices 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ .

In FIG. 4, an information provider device 1 and a user device 2
is the information input/output unit 14 ₁ , 14 ₂ and the signal input/output unit 1
5 ₁ , 15 ₂ and subscriber line terminal termination equipment 5 ₁ , 5 ₂
A communication processing unit 13 ₁ that performs interface processing of
13 Consists of ₂ .

Next, the operation will be explained.

When the user device 2 is connected via the second network device 4, the first network device 3 in FIGS. The information fee charging signal shown in FIG.

When the central processing unit ₁₀₂ of the second network device 4 receives the information charge billing signal via the common line signaling device ₁₂₂ , it sends the information charge billing signal to the subscriber line signaling device 8 toward the user device 2 for which billing has been requested. ₂ , a billing notification is sent via the line concentrator ₇₂ . Subscriber line terminal termination device 5
₂ extracts this notification as a digital signal and sends it to the user device 2. The user device 2 receives this from the communication processing section 13 ₂ , converts it into a code as a billing request using the signal input/output section 15 ₂ , and displays it to the user together with the billing amount. The user confirms this, and if he/she agrees, inputs the approval code by operating a button on the signal input/output section ₁₅₂ . If you do not consent, you will be required to take measures such as inputting a non-acceptance code in the same manner or disconnecting communication. When the consent code is input, the signal input/output section 15 ₂ sends it as a digital signal to the subscriber line terminal termination device 5 ₂ via the communication processing section 13 ₂ . The subscriber line terminal terminating device 5 ₂ transmits this to the second network device 4 .

The central processing unit 10 ₂ of the second network device 4 transmits this approval signal to the subscriber line terminal device 6 ₂ and the line concentrator 7.
₂ , when received via the subscriber line signaling device ₈₂ ,
The information charge is charged and stored in the account of the corresponding user device 2 in the information fee storage device ₁₁₂ . At this time, it is also possible to store the billing date, time, information provider device number, etc. at the same time. Next, the central processing unit ₁₀₂ of the second network device 4 sends a billing completion signal indicating that billing has been completed upon billing approval to the first network device ₃ via the common line signaling device 122. Send.
When the billing signal is received via the common line signaling device 12 ₁ , the central processing unit 10 of the first network device 3
₁ stores the charge amount, etc. on the receiving (receivable) side of the corresponding information provider device account of the information fee storage device ₁₁₁ . In this case, it is also possible to simultaneously store the date and time of storage, the paying user device account number, etc.

Note that communications such as information from information providers and requests for information from users are handled by the information input/output section 14 ₁ , communication processing section 13 ₁ , subscriber line terminal terminal device 5 ₁ , subscriber line terminal station device 6 ₁ , line concentrator 7 ₁ , communication path device 9 ₁ ,...
Communication path device 9 ₂ , line concentrator 7 ₂ , subscriber line terminal device 6 ₂ , subscriber line terminal terminal device 5 ₂ , communication processing section 13
₂ , through the information input/output unit ₁₄₂ .

Further, the second in-network device 4 is an audio signal generator (not shown) connected to the communication path device 9 ₂ or the line concentrator 7 ₂ to send billing notifications to the user device 2.
It is easy to convert the signal into an audio signal and send it to the user device 2 as an information communication signal.

Furthermore, in the above explanation, the information provider device 1, the user device 2, and the first and second network devices 3 and 4 were explained separately, but it is natural that the hardware of these devices is integrated. can do. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3, the first and second network devices 3 and 4 of the present invention can be incorporated as additional functions in a normal exchange, so the system of the present invention can be realized at a relatively low cost. This can be achieved with

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in the information fee charging system of the present invention, the first network device accommodating the information provider device is connected to the second network device accommodating the user device and the information fee charging signal and charging signal. A means for transmitting and receiving a control signal of acceptance or rejection directly or via a signal channel of the communication network, and an information charge amount or charging rate that is connected to the information provider device and that the user needs to pay in order to receive information. a means of memorizing in advance,
means for controlling the connection to the information provider device based on a billing acceptance/rejection signal from the second network device;
A means is provided for recording information charge billing results for the connected call by the information provider device; means for transmitting and receiving an information fee billing signal and a billing approval/disapproval control signal to and from the device directly or via a signal communication path of the communication network; a means for notifying the user device; a means for receiving a signal of billing approval or rejection from the user device in response to the notification; and a means for receiving a billing approval signal from the user device; The user device is equipped with a means for recording the information fee charged in the account of the user device; and a signal of approval or rejection of billing for the notification by the second
Since we have installed a means for transmitting information to devices within the network, payment of information fees between information providers and users can be made by the first and second devices.
This can be organized by information provider and user using in-network equipment, and the communication network operator collects and pays the information on their behalf, thereby reducing the amount of information fees that should be paid between the information provider and the user. This has the effect of significantly reducing the complexity of administrative processing. Further, according to the system of the present invention, the information provider stores in advance the information fee billing amount or billing rate to be charged in the first network device via the communication network operator. This has the effect of eliminating the need to charge an information fee every time a request for information is made. Another advantage is that there is no need to respond to calls from users who do not intend to pay the information fee.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of this invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a signal flow in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of applying this invention to a digital communication network. 4 are block diagrams showing the main configurations of the information provider device and the user device in FIG. 3. In the figure, 1 ₁ to 1p are information provider devices, and 2 ₁ to 2q
is the user device, 3 ₁ to 3m is the first network device, 4 ₁
- 4n are second network devices, 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ are subscriber line terminal terminal devices, 6 ₁ , 6 ₂ are subscriber line terminal devices, 7 ₁ ,
7 ₂ is a line concentrator, 8 ₁ and 8 ₂ are subscriber line signal devices,
9 ₁ , 9 ₂ are communication path devices, 10 ₁ , 10 ₂ are central processing units, 11 ₁ , 11 ₂ are information storage devices, 12 ₁ ,
12 ₂ is a common line signal device, 13 ₁ and 13 ₂ are communication processing units, 14 ₁ and 14 ₂ are information input/output units, and 15 ₁ and 1
5 ₂ is a signal input/output section.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A communication network connects one or more first in-network devices each accommodating one or more information provider devices and one or more second in-network devices each accommodating one or more user devices. In an information fee billing system for a system that connects to a communication network and distributes information via this communication network, the first in-network device and the second in-network device transmit an information fee billing signal and a control signal for accepting or rejecting the charge. A means for transmitting and receiving directly or via a signal communication path of the communication network, and is connected to the information provider device and stores in advance an information charge amount or charge rate that the user needs to pay in order to receive information. means for controlling the connection to the information provider device based on a billing acceptance/rejection signal from the second network device; and recording a result of information fee billing for the connected call by the information provider device. the second in-network device is equipped with means for transmitting and receiving an information charge billing signal and a charge approval/disapproval control signal to and from the first in-network device directly or via a signal communication path of the communication network; , means for notifying the user device of the information fee billing amount or billing rate requested by the first network device, and means for receiving a signal of billing approval or rejection from the user device in response to the notification. and a means for recording an information fee in accordance with the information fee charge amount or charge rate in the user device account when the charge acceptance/rejection signal is received; It is equipped with a means for receiving a notification of the information fee billing amount or charging rate from the second in-network device accommodated, and a means for sending a signal of approval or rejection of billing in response to the notification to the second in-network device. An information fee charging system characterized by: