JPH0314253B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an information fee billing system using an information fee payment technique for settling the value of communicated information.

[Prior art]

In the conventional information fee payment method, a user account is set up in advance on the information provider's device, and each time the information provider device uses the device, it checks whether the user is legitimate or not using a preset PIN number, etc. After verifying and 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.

This information fee payment method 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 and providers used. If the provider attempts to settle information fees in such cases using the conventional method, the provider will have to bear a large amount of administrative work in order to receive relatively small information fees from many users, and The information provider will be burdened with the complexity of having to process the information fees charged by many information providers one by one.

Therefore, such conventional methods are difficult to handle when distributing information that is expected to be used by an unspecified number of people, distributing information where there are many information providers, or distributing information where individual information fees are different. It is thought that it is difficult to smoothly distribute information.

[Summary of the invention]

This invention eliminates the complexity of administrative processing that occurs in conventional methods by organizing and settling information fees for each user and information provider, and enables the smooth distribution of information of different values. It provides an information flow billing system that contributes to the advancement of a socialized society. Hereinafter, this invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiments of the invention]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In this diagram, 1 ₁ to 1 _p are information provider devices (hereinafter referred to collectively as simply 1. The same applies to other symbols), 2 ₁ to 2 _q are user devices, 3 ₁ to 3 _o are first network devices, 4 ₁ to 4 _o are second network devices, and information provider devices 1 ₁ to 1 _p are the first network devices. Network device 3
The user devices _{2 1} to 2 _q are connected to the second network devices 4 ₁ to 4 _{o .} Note that N is a communication network.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the flow of signals in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 to the user device 2. The ● mark indicates that processing is to be performed.

In FIG. 2, when the information provider performs billing processing using the information provider device 1 and sends the billing signal P _A to the first network device 3, the first network device 3 This is transferred to the network device 4. Second
When the network device 4 in the figure receives the billing signal P _A from the first network device 3, it extracts the billing amount etc. from the billing signal P _A and notifies it to the user device 2 as a billing notification signal P _B. . This notification can be converted into an audio signal by the second network device 4 so that the user can hear it directly.

Upon receiving this notification, the user device 2 notifies the user of this as a visible or audible display Pc. The user confirms the billing amount, and when approving the billing request, performs an approval input process via the user device 2, and sends a billing approval signal _PD to the second network device 4. The second network device 4 receives this billing approval signal.
When P _D is received, the previously notified billing notification signal P _B
The charge amount is stored in the charge storage _PE for the user account in the information fee storage section, and a charge completion signal P _F is sent to the first in-network device 3. When the first network device 3 receives this billing signal _PF , it transfers the billing amount previously requested to the information fee storage account section of the connected information provider device 1 in the billing memory _PG . At the same time, a billing notification P _H is processed to the information provider device 1. If necessary, this billing notification P _H can be sent out as an audio signal by the first in-network device 3.

When the information provider device 1 receives the billing notification P _H from the first in-network device 3, it visually or audibly displays this and notifies the information provider device. The provider confirms that the payment has been made based on this notification, recognizes that the payment for the information has been completed, and starts providing the information. Note that the timing of billing is, of course, not limited to before the information is provided. Furthermore, it is easy to control the information provider device 1 automatically using a semiconductor processor device, etc. In this case, the information provider device 1 sends a signal without visually or audibly displaying the billing notification _PH . Of course, it can be accepted as is.

Next, a more specific embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4a and 4b.

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

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 units (DSU) 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ for transmitting digital signals to the subscriber line L, respectively. , the second network devices 3 and 4 are interconnected by an exchange connection device (not shown) or the like. The first and second network devices 3 and 4 have similar configurations and are indicated by the same numbers with different suffixes in FIG.

In Figure 3, subscriber line terminal equipment (SLT)
6 ₁ and 6 ₂ are devices for transmitting digital signals to the subscriber line L facing the DSUs _{5 1} and 5 ₂ ;
It has a function of separating communication information and control signals from the DSU 5 and sending them to the line concentrators 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ , and integrating communication information and control signals from the line concentrators 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ and sending them to the DSU 5. There is.

The line concentrators 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ have functions of concentrating communication information and terminating control signals. The communication information from the line concentrators 7 ₁ and 7 ₂ is connected and transmitted to the opposing first and second network devices 3 and 4 via the communication path devices 9 ₁ and 9 ₂ , and the control signal is transmitted to the subscriber line. The signals are transmitted to central processing units 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ via signal devices 8 ₁ and 8 ₂ .
Reference numerals 11 ₁ and 11 ₂ are information storage devices, which will be described later. The central processing units 10 ₁ , 10 ₂ include line concentrators 7 ₁ , 7 ₂ and common line signal devices 12 ₁ , 1
According to the control signal from 2 ₂ , the communication path devices 9 ₁ and 9 ₂ are controlled to control the communication connection between the user device 2 and the information provider device 1 . Moreover, the central processing unit 10 ₁ ,
10 ₂ can mutually transmit and receive necessary signals between the first and second network devices 3 and 4 via the common line signal devices 12 ₁ and 12 ₂ . Note that RN is a relay network.

The information provider device 1 and the user device 2 have information input/output units 14 ₁ and 1 as shown in FIG. 4a and b.
₄₂ signal input/output sections 15 ₁ , 15 ₂ and DSU 5 ₁ ,
It is composed of communication processing units 13 ₁ and 13 ₂ that perform interface processing with 5 ₂ .

In FIGS. 3 and 4 a and b, the user device 2 and the information provider device 1 have already been connected by normal exchange connection by the first and second network devices 3, 4, etc. before billing is performed. They are connected according to the procedure, and communication by their respective information input/output units 14 ₁ and 14 ₂ has started.

In order for the information provider to make a billing request, the information provider inputs the billing code number, billing amount, etc. by operating a button on the signal input/output section 15 ₁ of the information provider device 1, and then the signal input/output section 15 ₁ converts this into a signal and sends it to the communication processing section ₁₃₁ . The communication processing section 13 ₁ sends this to the DSU 5 ₁ together with the information from the information input/output section 14 ₁ . The DSU ₅₁ converts the information and billing signal P _A (FIG. 2) into formats and sends it to the first in-network device 3 via the subscriber line L. The SLT 6 ₁ of the first network device 3 converts this into a digital signal and sends the information and billing signal P _A to the line concentrator 7 ₁ . Concentrator 7 ₁
sends the billing signal P _A to the central processing unit 10 ₁ via the subscriber line signaling device 8 ₁ . When the central processing unit 10 ₁ receives the billing signal _PA , it temporarily stores the billing amount, the billing information provider device account number, the user device account number, etc., and sends the information via the common line signal device 12 ₁ . and sends it to the second network device 4. Central processing unit 10 of second network device 4
₂ transmits this billing signal P _A to the common line signaling device 12 ₂
When it is received via the subscriber line signaling device 8 ₂ and the line concentrator 7, it is sent to the user device 2 that has been billed.
_2. A billing notification is sent via _SLT62 .

The DSU 5 ₂ separates this notification and information as a digital signal and sends it to the user device 2 . The user device 2 receives this through the communication processing section 13 ₂ , converts it into a code as a billing request through the signal input/output section 15 ₂ , and displays it to the user together with the billed 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 enter a non-acceptance code in the same manner or disconnect communication. When the consent code is input, the signal input/output unit 15 ₂ sends it as a digital signal to the DSU 5 _{2 via the communication processing unit 13 2 .}
The DSU 5 ₂ transmits this together with the information to the second network device 4 .

When the central processing unit 10 ₂ of the second network device 4 receives this approval signal via the SLT 6 ₂ , the line concentrator 7 ₂ , and the subscriber line signaling device 8 ₂ , the central processing unit 10 2 of the second network device 4 stores the corresponding information fee storage device 11 ₂ The charge is stored in the account of the user device 2. At this time, it is also possible to simultaneously store the billing date and time, billing information provider device account number, etc. Next, the central processing unit ₁₀₂ of the second network device 4 sends a billing completion signal P _F to the common line signaling device 1 indicating that billing has been completed upon billing consent.
₂ to the first network device 3.
When the billing signal P _F is received via the common line signaling device 12 ₁ , the central processing unit 10 of the first network device 3
₁ stores the billing amount and the like on the receiving (receivable) side of the corresponding billing 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 user device account number, etc. When the central processing unit 10 ₁ completes a series of processes, the subscriber line signaling device 8 ₁ , the line concentrator 7 ₁ ,
Information provider device 1 via SLT6 ₁ and DSU5 ₁
Sends a billing notification P _H to. Information provider device 1
When the signal input/output unit 15 ₁ receives this signal via the communication processing unit 13 ₁ , it displays it on the information provider device. By checking this display, the information provider confirms that the information fee has been paid.

Note that communications such as information from information providers and information requests from users are handled by the information input/output unit 14 ₁ , communication processing unit 13 ₁ , DSU 5 ₁ , SLT 6 ₁ , line concentrator 7
_1. Communication path device 9 ₁ . . . It is performed through communication path device 9 ₂ , line concentrator 7 ₂ , SLT 6 ₂ , DSU 5 ₂ , communication processing section 13 ₂ , and information input/output section 14 ₂ .

Further, the first and second network devices 3 and 4 send billing notifications to the information provider device 1 and the user device 2.
P _H , the billing notification is converted into an audio signal by an audio signal generator connected to the communication path devices 9 ₁ , 9 ₂ or the line concentrators 7 ₁ , 7 ₂ and sent to the information provider device 1 and the user device 2 as an information communication signal. It is easy to send out.

Furthermore, in the above explanation, the information provider device 1,
Although the user device 2 and the first and second network devices 3 and 4 have been described separately, these devices can of course be shared. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the first and second network devices of the present invention, the system of the present invention can be implemented at a relatively low cost because it can be incorporated as an additional function in a normal exchange.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, in this invention, since the information provider device is provided with a means for requesting payment and a means for recording that the user approves the payment, information between the information provider and the user is provided. Payment of fees can be organized by network device for each information provider and user, and the network operating company can collect and pay the fees on their behalf, thereby facilitating information fee payments that should be made between information providers and users. This has the effect of significantly reducing the complexity of associated paperwork.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the system of an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the signal flow in the embodiment of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the system of an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 4a and 4b are block diagrams showing the main configurations of the information provider device and the user device shown in FIG. 3. FIGS. In the figure, 1 ₁ - 1 _p are information provider devices, 2 ₁ - 2 _q are user devices, 3 _{1 -} 3 _o are first network devices, and 4 ₁ -
4 _o is a second network device, 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 signaling 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. One or more information provider devices in a communication network,
In an information fee billing system for a system that connects one or more user devices and distributes information via the communication network; a first in-network device accommodating the information provider device; comprising means for transmitting to a first in-network device accommodating the provider device; and means for receiving a billing notification from the first in-network device; means for accepting a billing request from the information provider device accommodated therein and transferring the billing bill to a second in-network device accommodating the user device in connection communication; the second network device accommodating the user device includes means for receiving a billing notification from a second network device and sending a billing notification to the information provider device; and a device for storing the billed amount; means for receiving a billing request from an information provider device connected to the user device from the first network device, and notifying the user device of information regarding billing such as a billing amount; and charging for the billing. means for receiving a consent signal from the user device; means for receiving the billing consent signal and charging and storing it in an information fee storage unit for the user device; and transmitting a billing completed signal to the first in-network device. the user device includes means for transmitting the second
a means for displaying information regarding billing from an in-network device; and a billing consent signal for the billing;
An information fee charging system characterized by comprising means for transmitting information to devices within a network.