JP2000332919A - System and method for communication control - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make an international telephone call from a mobile communication terminal with a simple procedure and to selectively use an international communication provider whose communication charge is cheapest. SOLUTION: This system 10 is provided with a balance database 18 storing prepaid amounts at each caller's number, a charge database 20 storing the charging system of each communication provider, a balance confirming part 26 confirming balance from a caller's number, a speech communication acceptance/rejection deciding part 28 which decides the acceptance/rejection of speech communication from the balance, a speech allowable time calculating part 30 which allocates the number and balance of a receiver side to the charging system and calculates a speech communication allowable time, a communication provider specifying part 29 specifying one communication provider A, a line switching device 16 and a line controlling part 24 which connect a caller side terminal 13 and a receiver side terminal 32 via the provider A and also disconnect the line when the speech communication allowable time passes, a speech communication time measuring part 34, a speech communication charge calculating part 36 calculating a speech communication charge from the speech communication time and the charging system and a balance updating part 38 which subtracts the speech communication charge from the balance.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0101]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication control system and a communication control method, and more particularly, to a communication control system and a communication control method provided with various payment means associated with communication via a telephone line.

[0092]

2. Description of the Related Art At present, when making a call overseas from a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone or a PHS, it is necessary to conclude a use contract with an international communication carrier in advance. In other words, after filling in the “mobile phone / PHS international use contract application form” with its name, address, contact information, payment method, etc., it is submitted to the international telecommunications carrier. At this time, those who have a credit card can select "payment by credit" as a payment method, but those who do not go to an international telecommunications carrier or have a deposit It will take time to be approved because you have to select "pay bill", which requires payment of the bill. Alternatively, there is a method of using a prepaid card exclusively for international calls. In this case, the user is required to fill in the prepaid card in advance of the "country code and area code (area code / area code) + destination telephone number (city code + subscriber number)" of the called party. By entering the card number from a mobile phone or the like, a call can be made with a foreign country within the range of the card frequency.

[0093]

By the way, at present, a plurality of international telecommunications carriers are competing on the basis of the uniqueness of the service contents, and the call charges are not uniform, but are different depending on the time zone and the partner country (region). Generally, a large difference occurs depending on the situation. For this reason, those who need to make frequent overseas calls naturally have a desire to use the least expensive communication carrier according to the time zone and the partner country (region).

However, in order to do so, it is necessary to conclude a usage contract with a plurality of telecommunications carriers in advance, which is very time-consuming. In particular, in the case of a person who does not have a credit card, it is troublesome to pay a security deposit for each communication carrier.

The use of a prepaid card eliminates the trouble of concluding a contract or paying a security deposit in advance, but in order to properly use a communication carrier, it is necessary to purchase a plurality of types of prepaid cards. The problem of having to remain. Also, in the case of a prepaid card, before entering the called party's country code, area code (area code), local area code, and subscriber number, enter the card's unique number written on the card as described above. Must be input, but the number of digits of the card number itself is relatively large (for example, "31-723-7381-5419- #"). Had to be very inconvenient. In particular, when connecting and using many prepaid cards for a relatively long-time call, it is necessary to continuously input the numbers of each prepaid card, resulting in a very troublesome work.

Although the above is an inconvenience for international call users, in the case of a prepaid card, not only is it costly to create the card itself, but also the transportation and storage of a card that is valuable as a voucher However, there are also inconveniences for card issuers, such as high costs.

Further, recently, mail-order sales using telephone and personal computer communication (including Internet communication) have been actively performed, but a secure payment method has not been established. Usually, after the goods arrive, they are transferred to an account of a mail order company, or paid to the carrier in exchange for goods at the time of delivery (so-called "cash on delivery").

However, in the case of the transfer method, there is always a risk of bad debt to the mail-order company. In addition, it is necessary to go to a financial institution and make a transfer to a product purchaser, and to pay a transfer fee. In the case of the cash-on-delivery method, no credit loss occurs on the mail-order company side, but there is a problem that a relatively large cash-on-delivery fee must be paid by the purchaser side.

The present invention was devised in order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. The present invention concluded a contract with an international telecommunications carrier in advance, which required a pre-examination and deposit of a deposit.
Technology that allows international calls to be made from mobile communication terminals with a simple procedure without purchasing multiple types of prepaid cards, and that allows international communication carriers with the lowest call charges to be used freely. The purpose is to establish. Another object of the present invention is to establish a secure and hassle-free payment settlement technology for mail-order sales via telephone lines.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a communication control system according to the present invention is a communication control system interposed between a caller terminal and an exchange of a communication carrier. A balance storage means for storing the amount prepaid by the caller in association with the caller number, a charge storage means for recording a charge system of the communication carrier, When connected to the line of the communication control system, the balance storage means is searched by using the caller number as a key, and the balance confirmation means for confirming the deposit balance of the caller; based on the deposit balance, Call permission / non-permission determining means for deciding whether or not to permit the call of the caller, and a line number (eg, "country code" or "area code (area code)" of the callee input from the caller terminal )) And the above balance Talk time calculation means for calculating the talk time by applying to the telecommunications carrier's per-territory fee structure, and a line connection for connecting the caller terminal and the called party terminal via the above exchange of the carrier. Means, a call time measuring means for measuring a call time between the caller side terminal and the callee side terminal, and a call path between the caller side terminal and the callee side terminal being cut off when the talkable time has elapsed. A line disconnecting means, a call charge calculating means for calculating a call charge by applying the call time to the charge system of the telecommunications carrier, and subtracting the call charge from the caller's prepaid balance in the balance storage means. Balance updating means.

[0011] The communication control method according to a seventh aspect of the present invention,
What is claimed is: 1. A communication control method in a communication control system interposed between a caller terminal and an exchange of a telecommunications carrier, the method comprising: Storing the charge system of the communication carrier in a charge storage means,
When the caller terminal is connected to the line of the communication control system, searching the balance storage means using the caller number as a key, and confirming the balance of the depositor of the caller; Deciding whether or not to allow the caller of the caller based on the balance; and the line number (country code or area code) of the callee input from the caller terminal and the balance of the prepaid money, Calculating the callable time by applying to the communication carrier's per-territory fee structure; connecting the caller-side terminal and the callee-side terminal via the exchange of the communication carrier; Measuring the call time between the calling terminal and the called terminal; disconnecting the calling path between the calling terminal and the called terminal when the callable time elapses; Time Calculating a call charge by applying a charge system operators, and a step of subtracting said telephone charge from the prepaid money balance of the caller within the balance storage means.

According to the above communication control system and communication control method, if the prepaid balance of the caller is insufficient, the call is not permitted, and if the balance runs out during the call, the line is forcibly forced. Is disconnected. The telecommunications carrier will be paid at a later date for the amount corresponding to the call fee from the amount paid in advance. That is, in the case of a call using the communication control system and the communication control method, there is no danger that the communication carrier will lose the call charge. For this reason,
International telecommunications carriers no longer need to impose strict screenings and deposits as in the past. You can make international calls just by paying.

A communication control system according to a second aspect of the present invention is a communication control system interposed between a caller terminal and exchanges of a plurality of telecommunications carriers. Balance storage means for storing the number corresponding to the number, charge storage means for storing the charge system of each communication carrier, and when the caller side terminal is connected to the line of this communication control system, Using the caller number as a key, the balance storage means is searched, and the balance confirmation means for confirming the balance of the caller's prepaid balance; Availability determining means, a communication carrier specifying means for specifying one communication carrier based on a signal input from the caller terminal, a callee number input from the caller terminal, and the prepaid balance Of the above carriers Talkable time calculation means for calculating a communicable time by applying to a regional fee system, line connection means for connecting a calling side terminal and a called side terminal via an exchange of the communication carrier, Call time measuring means for measuring a call time between a caller terminal and a callee terminal; and line disconnecting means for cutting a call path between the caller terminal and the callee terminal when the callable time elapses. A call charge calculation means for calculating the call charge by applying the call time to the charge system of the communication carrier; and a balance update means for subtracting the call charge from the caller's prepaid balance in the balance storage means. Have.

[0014] The communication control method according to claim 8 is a communication control method comprising:
A communication control method in a communication control system interposed between a caller terminal and exchanges of a plurality of communication carriers, wherein a prepaid amount of a caller is stored in a balance storage means in association with a caller number. Storing the charge system of a plurality of telecommunications carriers in a charge storage means, and, when the caller terminal is connected to the line of the communication control system, the caller number Searching the balance storage means using the key as a key, and confirming the balance of the depositor of the caller; determining, based on the balance of the deposit, whether to permit the caller of the caller or not; Identifying one telecommunications carrier based on a signal input from a caller terminal; Calculating the callable time by applying to the money system; connecting the caller terminal and the callee terminal via the exchange of the telecommunications carrier; and calling the caller terminal and the callee side Measuring the call time between the terminals, disconnecting the call path between the calling terminal and the called terminal when the callable time has elapsed, And a step of subtracting the call charge from the caller's prepaid balance in the balance storage means.

According to the above communication control system and communication control method, the caller can freely select the most advantageous telecommunication carrier from a plurality of telecommunication carriers according to the time zone and the partner country. Will be able to The selected telecommunications carrier will be paid at a later date for the amount corresponding to the call fee from the amount paid in advance. Since there is no danger that the communication carriers will lose their call charges, there is no need for the caller to conclude a usage contract or pay a deposit for each communication carrier in advance. Of course, in order to store the prepaid balance in the balance storage means, a certain procedure involving payment of cash is required, but a contract is concluded and a deposit is paid for each communication carrier. In comparison, the complexity is significantly reduced. Also, no matter which communication carrier is selected, the call charge is centrally settled by reducing the prepaid balance in the balance storage means, so that the management of the payment of the call charge is simplified. Even if it is required to input a dial signal, that is, a specific number in order to identify one carrier, this number is sufficient as long as a plurality of carriers can be identified. You only have to use them properly. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase the number of digits of each number. If a different line number is assigned to each communication carrier as a telephone number to be input from the caller side terminal to connect to this communication control system, one communication carrier is specified at the same time as the caller connects. It will be. In the above case, one of the plurality of carriers is identified by the carrier identifying means by recognizing the specific dial signal input from the caller side terminal, The caller needs to select the most advantageous carrier. On the other hand, as the carrier identification means, the caller's number (country code) and the current date and time data input from the caller's terminal are applied to each carrier's fee structure, and the call charges are most It may be configured to provide an optimal communication carrier specifying means for selecting one of the cheaper communication carriers. As a result, the caller knows the charge system for each country (region) and time zone for each communication carrier, and inputs a number for selecting the communication carrier determined to be most advantageous. Until shortly, the one carrier having the lowest call charge in the current time zone will be automatically selected, and the convenience for the caller will be further improved.

The situation in which a plurality of telecommunications carriers are competing for their own services is not limited to the international telecommunications field, and even domestic telecommunications carriers have large differences in call charges depending on time of day and destination area. That is the current situation. Therefore, the communication control system and the communication control method described above include:
It can also be applied to select the carrier with the lowest call charge among multiple domestic carriers. Alternatively, an international carrier and a domestic carrier can be made selectable, and a specific international carrier or a domestic carrier can be selected based on the number entered from the caller terminal, or the caller can be selected. The most advantageous domestic telecommunications carrier or international telecommunications carrier can be automatically selected based on the number of the called terminal input from the terminal.

In the above communication control method, the personal identification number of the caller is stored in a predetermined storage means in association with the caller number, and a specific terminal of the communication control system is specified by the caller through an arbitrary terminal. When connected to the line, prompts the input of the caller ID and the password, and compares the input caller ID and the password with the data of the caller ID and the password stored in the storage means. Then, the validity can be determined, and if it is determined to be valid, the caller of the caller can be allowed to operate.

[0018] Payment by credit card can be introduced into the above-described communication control system and communication control method. That is, the communication control system according to claim 5 is
Credit card storage means for storing information on the credit card of the caller who has selected payment by credit card in association with the caller number, and when the caller terminal is connected to the line of the communication control system. Based on the caller number, a payment type identification means for determining whether the caller is a prepaid payment selector or a credit card payment selector, and determines that the caller is a credit card payment selector In this case, a credit reference unit that transmits the credit card information of the sender to a computer system managed by an external credit card company to perform a credit inquiry of the sender, and based on the result of the credit inquiry, A call enable / disable determining means for determining whether or not to allow the call; and Line connection means for connecting the caller terminal and the callee terminal via the exchange of the telecommunications carrier; call time measuring means for measuring the call time between the caller terminal and the callee terminal; A call charge calculating means for calculating the call charge by applying the call time to the charge system of the communication carrier; and a call charge billing means for transmitting the call charge to a computer system managed by the credit card company. I have. In the communication control method according to the twelfth aspect, the step of storing information related to the credit card of the sender who has selected payment by credit card in the credit card storage means in association with the sender number, A step of identifying whether the caller is a prepaid payment chooser or a credit card payment chooser based on the caller number when the caller is connected to the line of the communication control system from the terminal of the sender. Transmitting the credit card information of the caller to a computer system managed by an external credit company to make a credit inquiry of the caller if the caller is determined to be a credit card payment elector; Deciding whether or not to permit the caller of the caller based on the result of the inquiry; Connecting the caller terminal and the callee terminal via the exchange of the telecommunications carrier when it is determined that the call can be made, and the call time between the caller terminal and the callee terminal. Measuring the call time, calculating the call charge by applying the call time to the charge system of the communication carrier, and transmitting the call charge to the computer system to charge the call charge. .

As a result, a caller who wishes to make a payment by credit card can use the present system, and the utility value of the entire system increases. In order to distinguish whether the caller is a prepaid payment chooser or a credit card payment selector, an identification code is stored in advance in the balance storage means or the credit card storage means in association with the caller number. This is realized by recognizing this. In addition, the same caller is registered as both a credit card payment chooser and a prepaid payment chooser, and based on a specific dial signal input from the caller's terminal, each time a call is made, the credit card payment chooser is selected. Of course, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the settlement type identification means determines whether to process as a prepaid settlement selector. As a result, it is possible to switch to credit card payment and make a call when the balance temporarily runs short while using mainly prepaid payment, thereby improving the convenience for the caller.

The communication control system and the communication control method described above relate to the settlement of a call charge of a mobile phone or the like. it can. That is, claim 6
The communication control system described in the above, the balance storage means for storing the prepaid amount of the caller in association with the caller number, a product storage means for storing information about the product to be mail-ordered, When the caller is connected from the terminal of the caller, the balance storage means is searched using the caller number as a key, and the balance confirmation means for confirming the balance of the advance payment of the caller; Means for calculating the total purchase price of the product specified by the received signal, means for comparing the purchase price with the prepaid balance, and determining whether or not the payment is possible. Has a balance updating means for subtracting the price from the prepaid balance. In the communication control method according to the thirteenth aspect, the prepaid amount of the caller is stored in the balance storage means in association with the caller number, and information on the merchandise to be mailed is stored in a predetermined manner. Storing in the storage means, and when connected from the sender side terminal, searching the balance storage means using the caller number as a key,
Confirming the advance payment balance of the caller; totaling the purchase price of the product specified by the signal input from the caller's terminal; comparing the purchase price with the advance balance; It is provided with a step of judging whether or not the payment is possible, and a step of executing an update for reducing the payment from the prepaid balance when the payment is possible.

According to the communication control system and the communication control method described above, mail-order sales can be performed within the range of the amount paid in advance by the sender, so that there is no danger that the merchandise provider will lose money. The payment can be reliably collected. Also, there is an advantage that the sender can save the trouble of paying the money, and can save remittance fees and cash-on-delivery fees. It goes without saying that after the settlement of the product is completed as described above, the product provider performs a process of shipping the product to the sender. Note that the above “commodity” corresponds to any item having transaction value, and includes “information” such as computer software and various data in addition to tangible objects. If the product is "information",
What is necessary is just to transmit to a caller directly through a telephone line.

In the communication control system and the communication control method according to the present invention, not only a mobile communication terminal (mobile phone and PHS) but also a normal telephone (fixed telephone), a communication function And personal computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs) equipped with a personal computer. The “telecommunications carrier” includes the international telecommunications carrier and the domestic telecommunications carrier as described above. It goes without saying that the communication control system and the communication control method according to the present invention can be applied to countries other than Japan.

[0023]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first communication control system 10 according to the present invention. The first communication control system 10 includes a caller 12 which is a user such as a mobile phone, and an international telegraph telephone (KDD) or Japan Telecom (J.
T), intervening between exchanges α to γ of a plurality of international telecommunications carriers A to C such as international digital communication (IDC),
It performs line connection and line disconnection between international callers A to C between a caller terminal such as 13 and a callee 14 overseas and billing processing for a call charge. The first communication control system 10 includes a line switching device 16 for realizing connection / disconnection of a line, a balance database 18 for storing prepaid balance information for each pre-registered sender 12, and a communication business. Person A ~
A charge database 20 for storing the charge system information for each ground for each C, and a system central unit 22 for controlling the operation of the entire system
And

The system central section 22 is constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) of a computer, as will be described later.
By executing the program, a functional component as shown in the figure is provided. That is, a line control unit 24 that monitors the connection status of the line, drives and controls the line switching device 16, a balance check unit 26 that searches the balance database 18 and checks the balance of the prepaid amount of each of the callers 12. A call permission / non-permission determining unit 28 that determines whether or not a call can be performed based on the balance.
And a carrier identification unit 29 for identifying one carrier selected by the caller 12 based on a specific number (dial signal) input from the caller terminal (mobile phone 13), and a charge database Talk time calculation unit 30 that calculates the talk time by comparing the charge data and balance data in 20, and the call time measurement starts simultaneously with the line connection between caller terminal 13 and callee terminal 32. A call time measurement unit 34, a call charge calculation unit 36 for calculating the call charge by applying the call time to the charge system in the charge database 20, and a balance database 18
And a message generating unit 40 for generating a specific message signal. The message signal generated by the message generator 40 is converted into a voice through the voice synthesizer 42, and transmitted to the caller terminal 13 via the line switching device 16.

In the first communication control system 10, the balance database 18 is used as balance storage means, the charge database 20 is used as charge storage means, the balance confirmation unit 26 is used as balance confirmation means, and the call availability determination unit 28 is used as a call availability determination unit. As the determination means, the communication carrier specifying unit 29 is used as the communication carrier specifying unit, the available call time calculation unit 30 is used as the available communication time calculation unit, and the line switching unit 16 and the line control unit 24 are used as the line connection unit (line disconnection unit). In addition, the call time measurement unit 34 corresponds to a call time measurement unit, the call charge calculation unit 36 corresponds to a call charge calculation unit, and the balance update unit 38 corresponds to a balance update unit.

The caller terminal 13 and the communication control system 10
A public line network 44a including a mobile communication network is interposed between the public line network and the public line network 44a and the line switching device 16 are connected by, for example, an ISDN line (INS 1500) 46a. . A public line network 44b is also interposed between each of the international telecommunications carriers A to C and the communication control system 10, and between the public line network 44b and the line switching device 16, for example, an IS
They are connected by a DN line (INS 1500) 46b.

Next, an actual operation method of the first communication control system 10 will be described. First, those who wish to use the communication control system 10 need
Prepaid balance information must be registered within As shown in FIG. 2, the balance database 18 contains the sender 12
A table having items such as a current balance, a renewal date, and a contractor name is prepared using the telephone number of the mobile phone 13 owned by the company, that is, the caller number as a key.

The new registration of the prepaid balance information is performed, for example, as follows. The user wishes to enter his / her mobile phone 13 number (caller number), name, address, prepaid amount, etc. (provided that at least the caller number and prepaid amount are entered) on a predetermined transfer form (not shown). Fill it out and submit it to a financial institution or convenience store with cash. Financial institutions and convenience
The receipt of the store is pressed, and the copy is transmitted by fax to the operator of the communication control system. The system operator uses the balance input device 48 (keyboard, etc.)
Is used to input the caller number, prepaid amount, name, and the like. This input data is stored in the balance database 18 via the balance update unit 38.

As described above, the caller ID and the balance information can be registered in the balance database 18 by a very simple procedure without a preliminary examination, and can be used simultaneously with the completion of the registration. Has great benefits. Payment of a deposit is required prior to registration, but this is only for the applicant who sets the amount himself / herself, and is not the same as a uniform high deposit that is forcibly paid at the time of the conventional use contract. It is completely different.

If the computer constituting the information management system of the financial institution or the convenience store and the computer constituting the communication control system 10 are connected online, the above steps are unnecessary. That is, when data such as a caller ID and a prepaid amount is input from a terminal of a financial institution or a convenience store, the balance updating unit 38 of the communication control system 10 is automatically updated.
Is registered in the balance database 18 via. Therefore, it is not necessary for the applicant to fax the copy slip or for the system operator to input data. In this case, the terminal of the financial institution or convenience store is
It will function as 48.

When replenishing the balance, a method basically similar to the above is used as follows. The replenishment amount is printed on a transfer sheet, which is issued by the system operator after the above registration and at least the caller number of the registrant is printed in advance, and is sent to a financial institution or a convenience store together with cash. Financial institutions and convenience
The receipt stamp of the store is pressed, and this copy is transmitted to the operator of this system by facsimile. The system operator uses the balance input device 48 (such as a keyboard) to input the replenished amount. This input data is stored in the balance database 18 via the balance update unit 38.

In the case of this balance replenishment, if the computer of the financial institution or the convenience store and the computer of the communication control system 10 are connected online, the refilled amount data is automatically stored in the balance database.
Since the information is registered in the storage area 18, the registrant himself can fax the copy slip and the system operator can save the trouble of inputting the update data.

For the registered user, a large number of transfer papers in which the caller number and the amount information are described in a bar code are issued, and the cash corresponding to the transfer papers is added to the convenience store. The balance may be automatically added to the balance database 18 when the barcode is read and the barcode is read by the barcode reader. In this case, the barcode reader is
Will function as Alternatively, the caller terminal 13
A bar code label indicating the caller number or another number associated with the caller number is attached to the bar code, and this bar code is read by a bar code reader, and the actually paid amount information is read by a cashier terminal etc. The replenishment of the balance may be completed by inputting.

The user whose prepaid balance information is registered in the balance database 18 as described above first shortens and registers a specific telephone number designated by the system operator in his / her mobile phone 13. This phone number is "03-5555-5555 for KDD" and "03-333 for JT."
3-3333 ".
The system operator assigns each of them in advance, for example, by shortening and registering this in advance such as "shortened 001" for KDD and "shortened 002" for JT. And if they decide that using KDD is the most cost-effective to call the United States during the current time,
The above number "short 001" is input. As a result, a communication path is established with the system 10 via the line switching device 16.

As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, the line controller 24 recognizes the caller number of the mobile phone 13 (S10) and sends it to the balance checker 26. The data of the caller number is transferred from an exchange belonging to the public line network 44a on the caller side. For example, the caller number notification service of NTT can be used. The balance confirmation unit 26 searches the balance database 18 using the sender number as a keyword, and confirms the current balance of the deposit of the sender (S12). The balance data confirmed here is sent to the call availability determination unit 28. The call permission / non-permission determining unit 28 determines whether or not the balance is sufficient to permit the call (S14). That is, if the balance is less than a predetermined amount (for example, 15 yen), the communication control unit determines that "call is not possible" and sends the determination result to the line control unit 24 and the message generation unit 40. In the message generator 40,
For example, a message signal indicating that the balance is insufficient and connection is not possible is generated and output to the speech synthesizer. Upon receiving the message, the voice synthesizer 42 synthesizes a voice corresponding to the message signal, and transmits the synthesized voice to the caller terminal 13 via the line switching device 16 (S16). The message generation unit 40 generates a message signal corresponding to a foreign language such as Chinese, Korean, or English in addition to Japanese, and converts the message signal into a language of each country by a voice synthesizer 42, and sequentially transmits the message signal to a caller. It is desirable to configure so as to transmit to the side terminal 13. When the transmission of the voice message is completed, the line control unit 24 disconnects the line with the caller terminal 13.

On the other hand, if the balance of the prepaid money is equal to or more than a certain amount, the call permission / non-permission determining unit 28 determines that the call is possible and sends the result of the determination to the line controller 24 and the message generator 40. I do. In the message generator 40,
For example, a message signal having a content such as "You can make a call for 1000 yen. Please enter the country code and telephone number of the other party" is generated and output to the speech synthesizer 42.
The message vocalized by the voice synthesizer 42 is transmitted to the caller terminal 13 via the line switching device 16 (S18). In addition, in the communication carrier identification unit 29, the telephone number (“abbreviated 001”, that is, “03-5”) first input from the caller terminal 13 to connect to the system 10
555-5555 "), the international communication carrier A which the sender 12 desires to use is specified (S19). Sender
When 12 inputs the destination country code, area code (area code), local area code, and subscriber number, the available call time calculator 30 recognizes the country code and the like (S20) and uses this as a keyword. Searches toll database 20 and finds international telecommunications carrier A
The available time is calculated by applying the balance to the charge system (S22).

In the charge database 20, as shown in FIG. 4, the unit price information of the call charge classified by country code and area code (area code) is stored in each of the international communication carriers A to
C is stored for each C (FIG. 4 shows a part of the charge system of the communication carrier A as an example). Therefore, first, as described above, the international carrier A
Is narrowed down (S19), and the unit price of the call fee is determined from the country code and the current date and time information input next. By comparing this unit price with the above-mentioned balance, a specific callable time is calculated. For example, if you make an international call to Argentina (country code "54") on Sunday with a balance of 700 yen,
The talk time is 28 minutes. If the country code corresponds to the unit price on a one-to-one basis, the available time for call is determined only by the country code as described above, but one country code corresponds to multiple countries and regions. In such a case, the unit price may be determined based on the country code and the area code (area code).

When the possible call time is calculated as described above, the result is transmitted to the line controller 24 and the message generator 40.
Sent to In the message generation unit 40, for example, “28
Minutes are available. A message signal such as "I will connect now" is generated and output to the voice synthesizer 42, and the voice corresponding thereto is synthesized by the voice synthesizer 42, and the caller terminal 13 Sent to. Thereafter, the line control unit 24 transmits the international prefix number (“001” or “004”) of the selected international communication carrier.
1 ”,“ 0061 ”etc.) + Country code of the other party + area code +
A dial signal corresponding to the local station number + subscriber number is generated and transmitted to the public line network 44b via the line switching device 16. Then, when a communication path is established with the called terminal 32 via the exchange α of the international communication carrier A, the line switching device 16 sets the line between the calling terminal 13 and the called terminal 32. Are connected (S24). At the same time, the call time measurement unit 34
Starts measuring the talk time (S26).

The line control unit 24 constantly monitors the measurement result from the call time measuring unit 34, and determines whether or not the talk time has elapsed (S28). Then, when the talkable time has elapsed, a control signal is immediately output to the line switching device 16,
The line between the sender terminal 13 and the receiver terminal 32 is forcibly disconnected (S30). Further, the result of measurement by the call time measuring unit 34, that is, the call time, is output from the call time measuring unit 34 to the call charge calculating unit 36. The call charge calculating unit 36 calculates an actual call charge based on the call time and the charge system stored in the charge database 20 (S32), and outputs this to the balance update unit 38. The balance update unit 38 updates and registers the amount obtained by subtracting the above-mentioned call charge from the balance in the balance database 18 (ie, 0 yen) as new balance information (S3).
Four).

If the call is terminated within the callable time, that is, if a spontaneous line disconnection is performed between the caller terminal 13 and the receiver terminal 32, the line control unit
24 detects the disconnection signal (end signal) (S36), and the measurement of the talk time in the talk time measuring unit 34 is stopped. The call time measured by the call time measuring unit 34 is output from the call time measuring unit 34 to the call charge calculating unit 36. Call charge calculator
At 36, the actual call charge is calculated based on the call time and the charge system stored in the charge database 20 (S32), and this is output to the balance update unit 38. The balance update unit 38 updates and registers the amount obtained by subtracting this call charge from the balance in the balance database 18 as new balance information (S34).
I do. Instead of calculating the call charge collectively after the end of the call as described above, the call charge calculation unit 36 accumulates the call charge simultaneously with the start of the call based on the output from the call time measurement unit 34 and the above-mentioned charge system. It may be operated so that

Depending on the time zone and the partner country, there is a case where the call charge of the other international communication company B is lower than that of the above-mentioned international communication company A. In this case, the caller 12 connects to the first communication control system 10 by inputting another telephone number assigned for the international carrier B. On the system side,
It recognizes that the international telecommunications carrier B has been selected by the called telephone number, and thereafter realizes an international call via the telecommunications carrier B by the same procedure as described above. On the caller 12 side, available international carriers A to C
Need to use multiple phone numbers for
Since the telephone number itself has been registered in the abbreviated dial in the caller terminal (mobile phone) 13 in advance as described above, it does not require much trouble.

Note that, instead of suddenly disconnecting the line when the talk time has elapsed as described above (S30), the message generation unit 40 issues a warning such as "the call time will end in one minute". The voice synthesizing device 42 may be configured to transmit the data to the caller terminal 13 via the line switching device 16. Alternatively, instead of disconnecting the line, the call charge exceeding the balance is recorded as a negative balance within a certain limit in the balance database 18, and the next time the balance is replenished, the negative charge up to the previous time is recorded. It is also possible to flexibly operate to balance the balance.

Regarding the international call charges generated by using the first communication control system 10, each international communication carrier A
~ C will be billed to the system operator at a later date. System operators can use financial institutions and convenience
Caller 12 transferred to his bank account through the store
Will be used for this payment.

Each time the caller 12 uses the communication control system 10, a charge may be collected from the balance at a fixed rate. For example, if a fixed fee is added from the beginning to the charge system for each communication carrier in the charge database 20, and the callable time is calculated and the call charge is calculated based on the added charge, The difference between the balance reduction and the payment to the international telecommunications carrier can be secured as a commission.

In the balance database 18 or another independent database, for each caller number, the date and time of the call, the name of the international operator used, the called party number, the call time, the call charge, and the balance replenishment History data such as a date and a replenishment amount is stored. Then, the history data can be totaled for each predetermined period (for example, every month), and a usage statement in which necessary data items are printed out can be issued to the user.

By using this communication control system 10, the sender 12 can enjoy the following advantages. Only by registering its own caller number or the like in one place (that is, the balance database 18), it becomes possible to use a plurality of international communication carriers as needed. In other words, without having to conclude a separate usage contract with each international telecommunications carrier as in the past, or purchasing multiple types of prepaid cards for each international telecommunications carrier, It is possible to freely select an operator with a low call charge. There is no need to pay balances or pay security deposits for a plurality of international telecommunications carriers as in the past, since only one balance management is required. Before entering the destination number (country code + area code + city code + subscriber number), enter the normal telephone number (city code + subscriber number) and connect to the communication control system. There is no need to enter long card numbers like prepaid cards. In addition, since the above-mentioned telephone numbers are determined for each international telecommunications carrier, it is sufficient to use only a few types of numbers, and access can be made with a very short input operation by using the abbreviated dial registration function normally provided in the mobile phone 13 (In the case of a prepaid card, since a different card number is assigned to each card, it is not realistic to make a shortened registration every time a card is purchased). A relatively long call can be made without worrying about time if a large amount is paid in advance and a sufficient balance is secured.
Of course, if you cancel before using up your balance, you can also get your balance back.

The communication control system 10 also has the following advantages on the international telecommunications carrier side. It is only necessary to conclude a contract with an operator of this communication control system, and it is not necessary to conclude a use contract with a user of the mobile phone individually. Therefore, the cost of managing a large number of end users can be significantly reduced. The call charge is collected by the operator of the communication control system, so that the charge of the call charge does not occur at all and the service can be provided with confidence. Since it is not necessary to issue a prepaid card, costs required for issuing, distributing, and storing the card can be reduced. As described above, by using this communication control system, a significant cost reduction effect can be expected on the international telecommunications carrier side, so that it is also possible to discount the call charges for users of this system.

The communication control system 10 is mainly composed of a computer system such as a mainframe, a workstation, a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a "personal computer"). FIG. 5 shows the communication control system.
10 shows an example in which a PC is mainly used.
(Central processing unit) 50 and the C
RAM 54, ROM 56, timer 58, hard disk device 60, line switching device 16, display 6 connected to PU 50
2. It has an input device 64 such as a speech synthesizer 42 and a keyboard. The hard disk device 60 stores an application program and an OS (operating system) for operating the communication control system 10. By activating these software, the CPU 50 operates the above-described line control unit. 24, various function achievement units such as a balance confirmation unit 26 and a call availability determination unit 28. In the hard disk device 60, the balance database 18 and the charge database 20 described above are stored. The clock circuit built in the timer 58 provides the current date and time data to the communication control system 10, whereby the calculation of the talkable time and the measurement of the talk time are realized.

The above hardware configuration is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of personal computers are connected to a LAN (Local area n
The communication control system 10 can be realized by distributed processing. In this case, each functional component to be performed by the communication control system 10 is allocated to a plurality of personal computers and the like. As an example, the line switching device 16 is connected to the personal computer A, and functions as the line control unit 24 and the call time measuring unit 34 are provided.
The balance database 18 is connected to the personal computer B and functions as a balance confirmation unit 26, a call availability determination unit 28, and a balance update unit 38 are provided. Having a function as the fee calculation unit 36 corresponds to this.

When the communication control system 10 is used,
Since domestic call charges from the caller terminal 13 to the present system 10 are basically charged to the caller 12, it is desirable to provide as many access points as possible in various parts of Japan. On the other hand, it is suitable to centrally manage the balance database 18 and the fee database 20 in the center. Therefore, access points equipped with the line switching device 16 and the functional components necessary for line control are arranged in various places in Japan, and the balance database 18 and the charge database 20 are arranged in the center, so that the access points in each area and the central The present system can also be realized by networking through a dedicated line.

In the above description, the mobile communication terminal (cellular phone 13) has been described as the caller terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be a terminal (PDA) or the like. Of course, the terminating side terminal is not limited, and includes a fixed telephone, a mobile phone, a personal computer having a communication function, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and the like. Further, the Internet may be interposed between the sender terminal and the receiver terminal.

As described above, the system is simplified so that the caller does not select a plurality of international communication carriers, but realizes only international calls via a preset (fixed) international communication carrier. You can also. In this case, of course, it is not possible to freely select the international telecommunications carrier that is most advantageous in terms of price, but it is possible to enjoy the advantage of preventing call charge delinquency. For this reason, at least the merit of being able to make an international call from the mobile communication terminal without the strict prior examination of the international telecommunications carrier or the collection of a security deposit can be enjoyed.

In the above, the method in which the sender 12 brings his / her cash to a convenience store or the like to open his / her account in the balance database 18 or increase the balance has been described. Instead, you can use your own credit card.
That is, a mutual use contract is concluded in advance between the operator of the communication control system 10 and an external card company.
A caller 12 owning a credit card issued by the card company calls the operator of the system 10 and tells the registered name, card number, expiration date, and desired payment amount of the credit card. The system operator transmits this data to the card company via a telephone or an online system of a computer, and makes a credit inquiry. If a positive answer is obtained from the card company, the balance database 18
The payment amount is immediately entered in the communication control system
10 can be made available. The payment amount will be remitted by the card company to the system operator at a later date. In this way, if it is possible to make a payment in advance using a credit card, there is no need to bring cash to a convenience store or the like, which is convenient for the caller 12 who has a credit card.

In the above description, an example has been shown in which the caller number is automatically recognized when connected to the system 10 from the mobile phone 13 as the caller side terminal. It can be operated to input a number. First, it is assumed that the caller 12 uses this communication control system.
Your own mobile phone in the balance database 18 of 10
13 caller numbers and a password (for example, a combination of about four digits) associated with the caller numbers are registered. Next, the caller 12 connects to the line of the communication control system 10 from any terminal. This line number is previously notified to the caller 12 as a dedicated line for manually inputting the caller number. The communication control system 10 determines that the caller 12 desires manual input of the caller number by being connected to the line number, and issues a voice message prompting the input of the caller number and the password. Send. The caller 12 presses the push button of the terminal and inputs his / her own caller ID and password.

The system compares the transmitted dial signal with the data of the caller number and the password stored in the balance database to determine the validity of the caller 12. If the two match, it is regarded as an access from a valid caller, and the communication control system
Allow calls using 10. If they do not match, it is regarded as an illegal access and the line is disconnected. With this configuration, even when the communication control system 10 is connected from a phone other than the mobile phone 13 whose caller number is registered in the balance database 18, the user can settle his / her own prepaid account for call charges. There are advantages that can be used.

For example, when the mobile phone 13 is left at home, after inputting a telephone number for exclusive use of manual input of a caller number from an external public telephone and connecting to the communication control system 10,
The user inputs his / her own caller ID and personal identification number registered in the balance database 18. Thereafter, confirmation of the balance by the balance confirmation unit 26, determination of the call availability by the call availability determination unit 28, etc.
Through the same process as described above, a call with the called party terminal 32 is realized, and the call charge is deducted from the balance database 18.

In the above description, it is necessary for the caller to identify the most advantageous international communication carrier and to enter the telephone number assigned to the international communication carrier to connect to this system. The communication control system may be configured to have a function of automatically selecting the most advantageous international communication carrier in the band. FIG. 6 shows an example of the second
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a communication control system 70, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation method thereof. The first
The same parts as those in the communication control system 10 and its operation method are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

First, the first communication control system 10
In this case, based on the telephone number called by the caller 12, it is recognized that the international telecommunications carrier corresponding to the telephone number has been selected, and the callable time calculation unit 30 calculates the charge system of the telecommunications carrier. Was calculated based on the. On the other hand, in the second communication control system 70, a representative number is notified to the caller 12 instead of assigning a telephone number to each communication carrier. When the caller 12 makes a call to the representative number, the balance check (S12) and the determination of whether or not the call can be made (S14) are completed, and the country code and area code ( After a dial signal indicating the area code), the local station number, and the subscriber number is transmitted (S20), the most advantageous international communication carrier is selected in the optimum communication carrier specifying unit 72 (S21). Since the fee database 20 stores information in which a fee system for each of the international carriers A to C is stored in a database, if the country or region of the called party 14 is specified, the current date and time data is stored. Based on this, it is possible to determine the international communication carrier with the lowest call charge (for example, international communication carrier A). Next, the talkable time calculation unit 30 calculates the talkable time by applying the balance data to the fee system of the international communication carrier A selected above (S22).

The line control section 24 generates a dial signal corresponding to the selected international prefix number of the international communication carrier A + the country code of the called party + the area code + the local area code + the subscriber number, The signal is output to the public line network 44b via the line switching device 16. Then, when a communication path is established with the called party terminal 32 via the exchange α of the international communication carrier A, the line switching device 16 connects the calling party terminal 13 and the called party terminal
32 lines are connected (S24). Thereafter, the same steps as in the first communication control system 10 are performed.

The first communication control system 10 according to the present invention
It is also possible to introduce a settlement method using a credit card to the second communication control system 70. FIG.
FIG. 9 shows an example of this, and the following configuration is added to the first communication control system 10. That is,
A credit card database 74 for storing information on the credit card of the caller 12 in association with the caller number, and a credit card database 74 using the caller number as a key when connected from the caller side terminal 13. And the balance database 18, a payment type identification unit 76 for identifying whether the sender 12 is a credit card payment selector or a prepaid payment selector, and, if the sender 12 is a credit card payment selector, This credit card information is transmitted to the computer systems X to Z managed by the credit card company via the external system communication unit 78 which performs an interface function with the external system, and the credit inquiry for making the credit inquiry of the sender 12 is performed. Unit 80 and the call charge calculated after the call is terminated, via the external system communication unit 78 to the computer And a call charge requesting unit 82 transmits to the stem X to Z.

In addition to these, the line switching device 16,
Charge database 20, voice synthesizer 42, line controller 24,
Balance confirmation unit 26, call availability determination unit 28, carrier identification unit 2
9, the communication time calculation unit 30, the communication time measurement unit 34, the communication charge calculation unit 36, the balance update unit 38, the message generation unit 40, etc. are naturally provided, but in FIG. This is mainly illustrated in FIG.

Next, an operation method of credit card settlement will be described. First, a person who wishes to make a payment by a credit card gives an intention to that effect to the system operator and declares information (such as a card company name and a card number) on the credit card owned by the person. On the system operator side, such information is stored in the credit card database 74 in association with the caller number.

When the caller is connected to the first communication control system 10 via the mobile phone 13, the line controller 24 controls the mobile phone as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Recognize the 13 caller numbers (S10) and send them to the payment type identification unit 76. The payment type identification unit 76 searches the credit card database 74 using the caller number as a keyword, and confirms whether the caller 12 is registered as a credit card payment selector (S4).
0). If registered as a credit card payment selector, the credit card information (code specifying the company name, credit card number, etc.) of the sender 12 is transmitted to the credit inquiry unit 80.

The credit inquiry unit 80 specifies one credit card company from the credit card information,
The data, such as a credit card number, is transmitted to the computer system (for example, X) managed by the credit card company via the external system communication unit 78 to inquire about the credit status of the sender (S42). The inquiry result from the computer system X is transmitted to the call availability determination unit 28 via the external system communication unit 78 and the credit inquiry unit 80. When the inquiry result is affirmative, the call permission / non-permission determining unit 28 determines that the call using the present system is permitted (S44). Then, a message to the effect that the call can be made and a prompt for inputting the destination country code and telephone number are transmitted to the caller terminal 13 (S46). On the other hand, if the inquiry result is negative, it is determined that the call cannot be made (S
44), and a message to that effect is transmitted to the sender terminal 13 (S48). The telecommunications carrier identification unit 29
The international communication company A that the caller 12 wants to use is specified by the telephone number first input from the caller side terminal 13 to connect to 10 (S50).

When the caller 12 inputs the destination country code, area code (area code), local area code, and subscriber number, the line controller 24 recognizes them (S52) and selects the selected international code. A dial signal corresponding to the international prefix number of the telecommunications carrier A + country code of the other party + area code + local area code + subscriber number is generated.
Send to b side. And the exchange α of the international telecommunications carrier A
When a communication path is established with the called terminal 32 via the terminal, the line switching device 16 connects the calling terminal 13 and the line of the called terminal 32 (S53). At the same time, the call time measurement unit 34 starts measuring the call time (S54).

When the call is terminated, that is, when a spontaneous line disconnection is performed between the caller terminal 13 and the receiver terminal 32, the line controller 24 outputs a disconnect signal (end signal). ) Is detected (S56), and the measurement of the talk time in the talk time measuring unit 34 is stopped. The call time measured by the call time measuring unit 34 is output from the call time measuring unit 34 to the call charge calculating unit 36. The call charge calculation unit 36 calculates the actual call charge based on the call time and the charge system of the international communication carrier A stored in the charge database 20 (S5).
8) This is output to the call charge billing section 82. The call charge requesting unit 82 transmits the data corresponding to the call charge to the computer system X of the credit card company via the external system communication unit 78 (S60), and requests the settlement of the call charge by the credit card.

It is to be noted that an appropriate limit is set in accordance with the creditworthiness of the caller 12, and the available time is calculated based on the limit, and the line is forcibly disconnected when the available time elapses. It is also possible to operate it.

When the payment type identification section 76 searches the credit card database 74 and determines that the caller ID is not registered as a credit card payment, the determination result is sent to the balance confirmation section 26. (S40). In the balance confirmation unit 26, the balance database
18 to check whether the caller is a prepaid settlement elector (whether there is a registration of a prepaid balance corresponding to the caller number), and if there is a registration, the prepaid balance is checked. Confirmation (S62). Thereafter, according to the steps shown in the flowchart of FIG.

In the above, the first communication control system
Although the example in which the credit card settlement function is added to 10 has been described, the credit card settlement function is added to the second communication control system 70 by providing the optimum communication carrier identification unit 72 instead of the communication carrier identification unit 29. can do.

The above-described system for deducting the call charge from the prepaid amount in the balance database 18 can be advanced one step further, and can be used as a payment settlement system for mail-order sales using a telephone line. FIG. 10 shows a third communication control system 84 as an example of the third communication control system 84. The system center unit 22 determines whether or not to permit the payment using this system 84, and performs various operations related to the payment. A payment settlement processing unit 85 for executing processing is provided. Further, the fee database 20 stores data (product name, manufacturer name, model number, product code, ordering party, price, stock status, delivery date, etc.) regarding products handled by this system. Of course, these data may be stored in another independent database (product information database). The sender 12 who wishes to make a payment for mail-order sales using this system registers his / her address and other shipping destinations in the balance database 18 in advance. Further, a catalog on which the names, code numbers, prices, and the like of the products handled by the system 84 are printed is distributed to the sender 12 in advance.

The caller 12 first makes a call from his / her mobile phone 13 and connects to the system 84. At this time, a special mail-order number (for example, a toll-free number that does not require a call charge) that is different from the telephone number used for making a normal international call is prepared, and the caller 12 who wants the mail-order is provided with this mail-order. If a dedicated telephone number is input, it is possible to recognize "mail order settlement request" at the same time as connection as shown in FIG. 11 (S70). Of course, after the connection is made with the same number as that for the international call, the selection of the mail order may be made by inputting a specific identification signal (for example, “# 5”).

If there is a connection desired for mail order settlement, the line control unit 24 recognizes the caller number (S72) and sends it to the balance confirmation unit 26. The balance checking unit 26 searches the balance database 18 using the caller number as a keyword, and checks the balance of the caller 12 (S74). If it is determined that the balance is less than a fixed amount (for example, 100 yen) (S7
6) After transmitting a voice message to the sender 12 indicating that the transaction is impossible due to insufficient balance (S78), the line is disconnected (S80). On the other hand, if the balance is equal to or more than the predetermined amount, a voice message for prompting the input of the code number and quantity of the desired product is transmitted (S82). The caller selects a product desired to be purchased from the product catalog, and inputs the code number and the quantity by pressing the dial button of the terminal 13. For example, when purchasing two personal computers with the code number 5566, "5566 * 2" is input. The payment settlement processing unit 85 searches the fee database 20 and returns “55
Recognize the product "PC" corresponding to "66"
Return a confirmation message such as "Press # if you want to use two PC99DE-225 PCs of company A. If it is incorrect, please enter again."

When a dial signal ("#") indicating that there is no mistake is sent from the caller 12, the selected product and quantity are recognized (S84), and the payment processing unit 85
Calculates the total transaction price (unit price of goods × quantity + tax + postage) (S86), and compares the amount with the above balance (S88).
If it is determined that the balance is insufficient, the message "
I am short of 5,000 yen. Please restart from the beginning "(S90). On the other hand, if the balance is equal to or greater than the total amount of the transaction, the order is accepted. The total amount is 300,500 yen.
It is a circle. Product arrival is scheduled for October 10. "And send a voice message telling the conclusion of the transaction (S
92), the line is disconnected (S80). Thereafter, the balance update unit 38
As a result, the balance is updated by subtracting the joint purchase price from the balance data in the balance database 18 (S94).

The product order received as described above is transmitted to an external mail order company (consignment company) 86 by an appropriate means, and a shipping process is performed for the sender's address (S9).
6). For example, it is connected to a computer system 87 managed by a mail order company 86 via a telephone line,
And the like, and transmitting a message signal corresponding to the content of the order generated in the above. Of course, the message signal may be transmitted via a dedicated line or the Internet. Alternatively, orders for each mail order company may be totaled at regular intervals (for example, "once a day"), and an order slip may be transmitted to the facsimile device 88 of the mail order company 86. The price of the product will be paid to each mail order company 86 by the system operator at a later date.

The following merits are obtained by using the mail-order settlement processing system described above. First, for the merchandise provider (mail order company 86), the prepaid balance is reliably applied to the payment of the merchandise price, so that there is no risk of a credit loss and the user can concentrate on the transaction with confidence. Also, for the sender 12, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to go to a financial institution after the purchase of the product and to remit the money, and the cash-on-delivery fee can be saved.

In this payment system, since the balance database 18 is searched based on the caller number automatically sent when the caller 12 connects, the prepaid balance can be confirmed very easily. On the other hand, there is a risk that a third party impersonating the user may gain unauthorized access. For this reason, it is desirable to store a personal identification number corresponding to the caller number in the balance database 18 and to operate such that when the settlement of the mail order price is executed, the personal identification is performed by inputting the personal identification number.

The charge database 20 stores a list of products handled for each mail order company 86, and these are updated as needed, and the latest catalog is distributed to the sender 12 by facsimile or the like each time. Is done. When the terminal of the caller 12 is the personal computer 89, the latest product data is transmitted online when the system 84 is accessed via the telephone line, and the desired product is selected from the data. Can be

This system 84 can be applied not only to the settlement of the commodity price but also to the settlement of the information trading. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, an information database 90 storing various data having transaction value, such as digitized sentences, voices, images, and computer software.
Have prepared. The charge database 20 stores a code number for specifying each data, charge information, and the like.

A person who wishes to purchase data using the system 84 connects to the system 84 from a terminal such as the mobile phone 13 or the fixed telephone 91 to specify necessary data, as in the case of purchasing a product. Enter the code number to be used. The caller 12
If your balance is sufficient to purchase the data,
After the data is transmitted as a voice signal to the terminal of the caller 12, the line is disconnected. That is, instead of the "goods sending process" (S96) in FIG. 11, "information sending process" via the telephone line is performed, and when the process is completed, the line disconnecting process is executed. Alternatively, when the fee structure of the data is a pay-as-you-go system, the transmission available time is calculated based on the balance and the unit price per hour, and when the time comes, the line can be forcibly disconnected. .

When the caller 12 makes a dial-up connection using a computer such as a personal computer 89, the computer software and personal computer data stored in the information database 90 are distributed online, and the charges are transferred to the balance database. Operation such as withdrawing from 18 is also possible.

A service for providing information through a telephone line for a fee has existed for some time. However, since a system in which an information fee is postpaid together with a telephone fee, an unexpectedly large bill may arrive at a later date. There was sex. On the other hand, according to the present system 84, since the information can be purchased only within the range of the balance paid in advance by the sender 12, the danger as described above can be eliminated. The information in the information database 90 is regularly updated by the system operator itself or an external information provider.

Since the system 84 is provided with a call charge settlement function and a mail order settlement function, the caller can perform the call charge settlement and the mail order settlement as necessary. It is convenient. Of course, it is also possible to construct a system having only the settlement function of the mail order price, and in that case, the communication availability determining unit 28, the optimum communication operator specifying unit 29, and the like can be omitted.

[0083]

According to the communication control system and the communication control method according to the first and seventh aspects of the present invention, there is no danger that the telecommunications carrier will lose the call charge. For this reason,
When making an international call from a mobile communication terminal such as a mobile phone, the caller only has to declare the caller ID of his or her mobile communication terminal and pay a deposit of a certain amount or more. Eliminates the need for rigorous screening by telecommunications carriers.

According to the communication control system and the communication control method according to the second and eighth aspects, the caller can select the communication business which is most advantageous in terms of price according to the time zone and the partner country from among the plurality of communication businesses. People can be freely selected. Also, no matter which communication carrier is selected, the call charge is centrally settled by reducing the prepaid balance in the balance storage means, so that the management of the payment of the call charge is simplified.
Since there is no danger that the communication carriers will lose their call charges, there is no need for the caller to conclude a usage contract or pay a deposit for each communication carrier in advance.

According to the communication control system and the communication control method according to the sixth and thirteenth aspects, mail-order sales can be performed within the range of the amount paid in advance by the sender, so that the merchandise provider side may lose credit. There is no danger that the payment will be collected. Also, there is an advantage that the sender can save the trouble of paying the money, and can save remittance fees and cash-on-delivery fees.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first communication control system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a table showing an example of data items in a balance database.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation method of the first communication control system.

FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of data items in a fee database.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a first communication control system.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a second communication control system according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation method of the second communication control system.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example in which a credit card settlement function is added to the first communication control system.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of credit card settlement.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a third communication control system according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation method of the third communication control system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 First communication control system 12 Sender 13 Sender's terminal (mobile phone) 14 Callee 16 Line switching device 18 Balance database 20 Charge database 24 Line control unit 26 Balance check unit 28 Call availability determination unit 29 Telecommunication carrier identification Unit 30 Talk time calculation unit 32 Callee's terminal 34 Talk time measurement unit 36 Call charge calculation unit 38 Balance update unit 70 Second communication control system 72 Optimal carrier identification unit 74 Credit card database 76 Payment type identification unit 80 Credit inquiry unit 82 Call charge unit 84 Third communication control system 85 Price settlement processing unit 90 Information database AC International communication carrier α-γ Exchange of international communication carrier XZ Computer system of credit company

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5K025 AA01 AA05 AA08 BB02 BB10 CC01 DD01 DD02 DD03 DD06 EE04 EE05 EE25 GG12 HH06 HH07 JJ02 JJ03 JJ09 JJ10 JJ12 JJ18 KK06

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A communication control system interposed between a caller terminal and an exchange of a telecommunications carrier, wherein a balance in which the amount paid by the caller is stored in association with the caller number. Storage means; charge storage means for recording the charge system of the communication carrier; and, when the caller terminal is connected to the line of the communication control system, the balance storage using the caller number as a key. Means for retrieving the means and confirming the balance of the depositor of the caller; call determining means for determining whether or not to allow the caller of the caller based on the balance of the deposit, caller side A callable time calculation means for calculating the callable time by applying the called party's number and the prepaid balance entered from the terminal to the communication carrier's fee structure, and via the communication carrier's exchange. Caller terminal Line connection means for connecting a caller terminal, call time measurement means for measuring a call time between the caller terminal and the callee terminal, and a caller terminal and an incoming call when the callable time has elapsed. Line disconnecting means for disconnecting the communication path between the caller side terminals, a call charge calculating means for calculating the call charge by applying the call time to the charge system of the communication carrier, and A communication control system comprising: balance updating means for subtracting the call charge from the prepaid balance. 2. A communication control system interposed between a caller terminal and exchanges of a plurality of communication carriers, wherein the prepaid amount of the caller is stored in association with a caller number. Balance storage means, charge storage means for recording a charge system of each communication carrier, and when the caller terminal is connected to the line of the communication control system, the balance using the caller number as a key Balance checking means for searching the storage means and confirming the balance of the prepaid amount of the caller; call determining means for determining whether or not to allow the caller of the caller based on the balance; caller terminal A carrier identification means for identifying one carrier based on a signal input from the terminal; a receiver's number and the prepaid balance entered from a sender terminal; Callable time by applying to Means for calculating possible call time, line connection means for connecting the caller terminal and the callee terminal via the exchange of the communication carrier, and a call between the caller terminal and the callee terminal Call time measuring means for measuring the time; line disconnecting means for cutting off the communication path between the calling terminal and the called terminal when the communicable time elapses; and A communication control system comprising: a call charge calculating means for calculating a call charge by applying the system; and a balance updating means for subtracting the call charge from the caller's prepaid balance in the balance storage means. 3. A communication system comprising a plurality of lines respectively assigned to a plurality of communication carriers, wherein the communication carrier identification means specifies one communication carrier by a line number to which the caller side terminal is connected. The communication control system according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The telecommunications carrier identifying means applies the telephone number of the called party and the current date and time data inputted from the terminal on the calling side to the charge system of each telecommunications carrier, and the call charge becomes the lowest. 3. The communication control system according to claim 2, wherein the communication control system is an optimum communication carrier specifying unit that specifies one communication carrier. 5. A credit card storage means for storing information relating to a credit card of a caller who has selected payment by credit card in association with a caller number; Payment type identification means for determining whether the caller is a prepaid payment chooser or a credit card payment chooser based on the caller number when the caller is connected; and Credit determining means for transmitting the credit card information of the caller to a computer system managed by an external credit card company to check the credit of the caller, based on the result of the credit check. A call permission / inhibition determining means for determining whether or not to permit the call of the caller; If it is determined, a line connection means for connecting the caller terminal and the callee terminal via the exchange of the communication carrier, and a call time between the caller terminal and the callee terminal is measured. Call time measurement means; call charge calculation means for calculating the call charge by applying the call time to the fee structure of the telecommunications carrier; call charge transmission for transmitting the call charge to a computer system managed by the credit card company The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means. 6. A balance storage means for storing a prepaid amount of a caller in association with a caller number; a goods storage means for storing information on goods to be mailed; When the connection is made from the terminal of the above, the balance storage means is searched by using the caller number as a key, and the balance confirmation means for confirming the balance of the prepaid amount of the caller; Means for calculating the total purchase price of the specified product; means for comparing the purchase price with the above-mentioned prepaid balance to determine whether the payment is possible; A communication control system comprising: balance updating means for subtracting the price from a prepaid balance. 7. A communication control method in a communication control system interposed between a caller terminal and an exchange of a telecommunications carrier, wherein a balance paid by a caller is made to correspond to a caller number. Storing in the storage means; storing the charge system of the communication carrier in the charge storage means; and connecting the caller terminal to the line of the communication control system. Searching the balance storage means using the caller number as a key, and confirming the balance of the depositor of the caller; and determining whether to allow the caller of the caller based on the balance of the deposit. Applying the called party's number and the prepaid balance entered from the calling party's terminal to the telecommunications carrier's fee structure to calculate the available call time; and via the telecommunications carrier's exchange Connecting the caller side terminal and the called side terminal with each other, measuring the talk time between the caller side terminal and the called side terminal, and, when the talk time has elapsed, the caller side Disconnecting the communication path between the terminal and the called terminal; calculating the communication charge by applying the communication time between the two to the fee structure of the communication carrier; Subtracting the call charge from the balance of the prepaid money. 8. A communication control method in a communication control system interposed between a caller terminal and exchanges of a plurality of communication carriers, wherein a prepaid amount of a caller is associated with a caller number. A step of storing in the balance storage means, a step of storing the charge systems of a plurality of telecommunications carriers in the charge storage means, and a step of connecting the caller terminal to the line of the communication control system. Searching the balance storage means using the caller number as a key, and confirming the balance of the depositor of the caller; and determining whether or not to allow the caller of the caller based on the balance of the deposit. Identifying at least one communication carrier based on at least a signal input from the caller terminal; and transmitting the called party number and the prepaid balance entered from the caller terminal to the communication service. Calculating the callable time by applying to the carrier's fee structure; connecting the caller terminal and the receiver terminal via the exchange of the communication carrier; and Measuring the call time between the called terminal and disconnecting the communication path between the calling terminal and the called terminal when the callable time has elapsed; and A communication control method, comprising: calculating a call charge by applying to a charge system of a communication carrier; and subtracting the call charge from the balance of the caller's prepaid balance in the balance storage means. 9. The communication system according to claim 8, wherein different line numbers are assigned to a plurality of communication carriers, respectively, and one communication carrier is specified by the line number connected by the caller terminal.
3. The communication control method according to 1. 10. The number of the called terminal input from the calling terminal and the current date and time data are applied to the charge system of each communication carrier to identify the one communication service with the lowest call charge. The communication control method according to claim 8, wherein: 11. A step of storing a personal identification number of a caller in association with a caller number in a predetermined storage means, and when the caller is connected to a specific line of the communication control system through an arbitrary terminal. Prompting the input of the caller ID and the password, and comparing the input caller ID and the password with the data of the caller ID and the password stored in the storage means to judge the validity. And a step of permitting the caller to make a call when it is determined that the caller is legitimate.
11. The communication control method according to any one of items 10. 12. A step of storing information relating to a credit card of a caller who has selected payment by credit card in a credit card storage means in association with a caller number; A step of identifying whether the caller is a prepaid payment elector or a credit card payment elector based on the caller number when the caller is connected to the line. If it is determined that the credit card is transmitted, the credit card information of the caller is transmitted to a computer system managed by an external credit company to perform a credit check of the caller. Deciding whether or not to allow the call of the caller; and Connecting the caller terminal and the receiver terminal via the exchange of the carrier, measuring the call time between the caller terminal and the receiver terminal, Calculating a call charge by applying the call time to a charge system of the communication carrier; and transmitting the call charge to the computer system to charge the call charge. 12. The communication control method according to any one of 7 to 11. 13. A step of storing a prepaid amount of a caller in a balance storage means in association with a caller number, and a step of storing information on commodities to be mailed and sold in a predetermined storage means. And when the caller is connected from the caller side terminal, searching the balance storage means using the caller number as a key, and confirming the prepaid balance of the caller; inputting from the terminal of the caller side Summing the purchase price of the product specified by the received signal; comparing the purchase price with the above-mentioned prepaid balance to determine whether the payment is possible; and, if the payment is possible, Executing an update for reducing the price from the prepaid balance.