JP2001203828A - System and method for managing call quantity - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a call quantity managing system capable of providing a service for giving preferential treatment to users of many incoming calls. SOLUTION: An incoming call quantity managing part 32 of a call managing server 3 receives CDR data containing the information of a callee and a call quantity from an exchange 1, and on the basis of the CDR data, the call quantity contained in the CDR data is added to the relevant incoming call quantity of an incoming data base 32A for storing the incoming call quantity of each user for each prescribed period. A preferential treatment control part 33 gives a prescribed preferential treatment such as telephone charge discount, cash back or point supply corresponding to the incoming call quantity to the user having the incoming call quantity more than a prescribed quantity stored in the incoming data base 32A.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a traffic volume management system and method for giving preferential measures according to traffic volume to subscribers of a telephone communication service.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a service provided to a user in accordance with a communication volume of a telephone in a communication system by a communication carrier includes discounting a communication charge of the user according to a communication volume generated by the user. Service.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned service is a content in which a user who has a large amount of call due to outgoing call is preferentially provided. For example, a user who has a large amount of call due to incoming call is preferentially treated. Such a mechanism has not been realized.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a traffic volume management system and method capable of realizing a service that preferentially treats a user who has a large volume of incoming traffic.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, a traffic management system according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises:
A call volume management system that manages the call volume of each user of the communication service, a database that stores an incoming call volume of each user, and a unit that receives call information including information of a callee and a call volume. Means for adding a call volume included in the call information to a corresponding incoming call volume of the database based on the call information, and for a user whose incoming call volume stored in the database satisfies a predetermined condition. And means for performing a predetermined preferential treatment according to the incoming call volume.

According to such a configuration, a new service can be realized in which a preferential measure is taken for a user whose incoming call volume satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, a user having a large incoming call volume). In addition, services provided to subscribers to communication services can be diversified.

The preferential treatment includes a process of subtracting an amount corresponding to an incoming call volume from a user's call charge, a process of returning an amount corresponding to an incoming call volume to a user, and a process of performing a monetary operation according to the incoming call volume. Supplying at least one point having value to the user.

[0008] The incoming call volume of each user may be stored and stored at predetermined intervals, and the preferential treatment may be executed based on the incoming call volume accumulated during the predetermined period.

A call volume management method according to a second aspect of the present invention is a call volume management method for managing a call volume of each user of a communication service, wherein the call volume includes information on a callee and a call volume. Information is obtained from an exchange that relays a call between users, and based on the call information, an incoming call volume of each user of the communication service is stored and managed. On the other hand, a predetermined preferential treatment is performed.

According to such a configuration, it is possible to realize a new service in which a preferential measure is taken for a user whose incoming call volume satisfies a predetermined condition (for example, a user having a large incoming call volume). In addition, services provided to subscribers to communication services can be diversified.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A call management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a system configuration diagram of a call management system according to this embodiment. This call management system includes an exchange 1 connected to a communication network of a communication carrier, and a call management server 3 connected to the exchange 1.

In response to a call request from a telephone of a user who is a subscriber of the communication carrier, the exchange 1 calls the telephone of the call request destination and connects the call source and the telephone of the call destination. When detecting the end of the call, the exchange 1 disconnects the line, and, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the calling user information (for example, the caller's telephone number, name, identification code, etc.) and the receiving user information (for example, Predetermined information (hereinafter, CDR) including the telephone number, name, identification code, etc. of the called party and the traffic volume
(Call Detail Report) data) and sends it to the call management server 3.

The call management server 3 includes an outgoing call volume management unit 3
1, an incoming call volume management unit 32, and a preferential control unit 33.

The outgoing call volume management section 31 has an outgoing call database 31A for storing and managing the amount of outgoing call of each user every predetermined period (for example, one month). As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the transmission database 31A stores the traffic volume of each of the callers (α1, α2, α3,...) ΣCDR (α
→) (“α →” indicates transmission from α) is stored for the current period (current period) and the previous period (previous period). For example, when the predetermined period is one month, the call volume of each user for this month and the last month is stored.

The outgoing call volume management unit 31 extracts outgoing call user information, call volume, and the like from the CDR data received from the exchange 1, and extracts the corresponding traffic volume Σ CDR (α →) from the CDR data in the outgoing database 31A. Add the traffic volume you have made. For example, if the sending user information extracted from the received CDR data is information on the sender α1, the call volume of the sender α1 in the current period 期間 CDR (α1
→), the call volume extracted from the CDR data is added.

When the outgoing call volume management unit 31 receives an instruction to switch the calculation period from the preferential control unit 33, the outgoing call volume management unit 31 transmits each of the current period traffic in the outgoing database 31A to the CDR Σ CDR.
The value of (α →) is calculated by the following formula: 通話 CDR (α →) '
, And then each traffic volume in the current period Σ CDR
Clear the value of (α →).

The outgoing call volume management unit 31 calculates the call volume of each user evacuated according to the calculation period switching instruction / CDR.
Using the function g for calculating the call rate based on (α →) ′, each call rate g (ΣCDR (α →) ′) is calculated and set in the charge amount database storing the charge amount for each user. . The function of calculating the charge based on the traffic may be realized by the components of the existing telephone system.

The incoming call volume management unit 32 has an incoming call database 32A for storing the incoming call volume of each user during the above-mentioned predetermined period (hereinafter, the incoming call volume). This incoming database 32A is, for example, as shown in FIG.
For each receiver ($ 1, $ 2, ...), the sender (α
1, α2, ...) Each incoming call volume Σ CDR (α →
χ) is stored for the current period and the previous period. For example, if the predetermined period is one month, the incoming call volume of this user and the incoming call volume of last month of each user are stored.

The incoming call volume management unit 32 extracts outgoing user information, incoming user information, and call volume from the CDR data received from the exchange 1, and converts them into the corresponding incoming call volume ΣCDR (α → χ) in the incoming database 32A. , The traffic volume extracted from the CDR data. For example, the incoming user information extracted from the received CDR data is
If the calling user information is information on the sender α2, the call volume extracted from the CDR data is calculated as the call volume from the sender α2 in the current period of the receiver # 1 ΣCDR (α2 → χ1) Is added to.

When the incoming call volume management unit 32 receives the calculation period switching instruction from the preferential control unit 33, the incoming call volume ΣCD
The value of R (α → χ) is calculated as
(Α → χ) ′ and then clear the value of each incoming call volume ΣCDR (α → χ) during the current period.

The preferential control unit 33 transmits a calculation period switching instruction to the outgoing call volume management unit 31 and the incoming call volume management unit 32 at predetermined intervals. Then, the preferential control unit 33 sends each callee (# 1, # 2, ...) from the incoming call volume management unit 32.
Of the previous period, ΣCDR (α → χ) 'is obtained, and these are added up for each incoming call, and the total incoming call volume of each receiver ΣC
DR (→ χ) ′ is calculated. Then, predetermined preferential treatment is performed based on the total incoming call volume ΣCDR (→ χ) ′ of each called party. This preferential treatment is, for example, total incoming call volume Σ CDR
(→ χ) ′ is performed for a called party whose value is equal to or larger than the threshold value input from the operator or the like. Note that the threshold may be set in advance.

The services provided to each user in the preferential treatment include, for example, the total incoming call volume / CD
R (→ χ) 'to deduct the amount according to the' discount ', total call volume ΣCDR (→ χ)' to reduce the amount according to the 'call', and according to the total call volume ΣCDR (→ χ) '"Privilege point supply" is provided. In addition, points in the "privilege point supply" service can be exchanged for prizes according to the numerical value of points,
It has financial value.

When the service is "discount", in this preferential processing, the discount amount f1 (@CDR (→ CDR (→)) for each user is used by using a predetermined function f1 for calculating the discount amount from the total incoming call volume ΣCDR (→ χ) ′. χ) Calculate '). Then, the user's discount amount is subtracted from the call fee g (通話 (α →) ′) of the user's previous period acquired from the call fee database, and a new call fee is obtained. Accordingly, for example, the discounted call charge for user X is g (Σ (X
→) ′) − f1 (ΣCDR (→ X) ′).

The preferential control unit 33 stores the discounted call charges obtained for each user in the call charge database. As a result, for example, each user is charged an amount obtained by discounting the amount corresponding to the received call volume from the original call charge.

When the service is “cash back”, the preferential processing includes the total incoming call volume ΣCDR (→ χ) ′
Function f2 for calculating the cashback amount from
And the cashback amount f2 (Σ
CDR (→ χ) ′) is calculated. And preferential control unit 3
3 is the amount f2 (ΣCDR (→ CDR) obtained for each user.
ii) Set ') in the database for storing the amount of cash back to each user. This allows
For example, an amount corresponding to the received call volume is returned to each user by various payment methods such as account transfer and voucher payment.

When the service is "supply privilege point", in the preferential treatment, the total incoming call volume Σ CDR (→ χ) '
A point f3 (ΣCDR (→) supplied to each user using a predetermined function f3 for calculating a point from
χ) Calculate '). Then, the preferential control unit 33 determines the point f3 (ΣCDR (→→)
ii) Set ') in the database for storing the points supplied to each user. As a result, points corresponding to the received call volume are supplied to each user. For example, a user may access a database in which points of each user are stored via the Internet or the like, look at the value of his / her own point, and transmit a prize exchange request to a server that accepts prize exchange and the like. Good. Also, you can check your points with an automatic voice service by phone, push in the desired prizes, services, etc.,
You may be requested to exchange points for prizes.

One of the above services is set as a preferential measure to be executed, and the preferential control unit 33 performs a corresponding preferential treatment according to the setting. Further, for example, the preferential control unit 33 can switch and execute each of the above services automatically or in response to an instruction from an operator.

Next, the operation of the call management server 3, which is a characteristic part of the present system, will be described. First, the incoming call volume accumulation processing by the incoming call volume management unit 32 will be specifically described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this example, a predetermined period (calculation period) for storing the incoming call volume
Is set as one month.

For example, it is assumed that user A makes a call to user D to make a call. When the call between the caller A and the callee D ends, the exchange 1 generates CDR data relating to the call between the caller A and the callee D, and transmits the CDR data to the call management server 3.

The incoming call volume management unit 32 of the call management server 3
Determines whether the received data is a calculation period switching instruction (step S1). In this case, it is determined that the received data is not a switching instruction, and in step S3, the received data is
It is determined whether the data is R data. In this case, since the received data is CDR data, the incoming call volume management unit 32 extracts the outgoing user information, the incoming user information, and the call volume in step S4, and receives the corresponding incoming call volume (in this case, Since the call is from the caller A to the callee D, the extracted call amount is added to $ CDR (A → D), and the flow returns to step S1.

Next, it is assumed that, for example, user B makes a call to user D to make a call. The call between the caller B and the callee D is made, and when this is completed, the exchange 1 generates CDR data relating to the call between the caller B and the callee D, and transmits the CDR data to the call management server 3. The incoming call volume management unit 32 of the call management server 3 determines that the received data is not a switching instruction (step S1), and determines whether the received data is CDR data (step S3).

In this case, since the received data is CDR data relating to a call between the caller B and the callee D, the incoming call volume management unit 32 extracts the calling user information, the called user information, and the call volume, and In 32A, the extracted call volume is added to the corresponding incoming call volume (in this case, the call from caller B to callee D, so ΣCDR (B → D)) (step S4), and the flow returns to step S1. .

Next, it is assumed that, for example, user C makes a call to user D to make a call. When the call between the caller C and the callee D is made and this is completed, the exchange 1 generates CDR data relating to the call between the caller C and the callee D, and transmits the CDR data to the call management server 3. The incoming call volume management unit 32 of the call management server 3 determines that the received data is not a switching instruction (step S1), and determines whether the received data is CDR data (step S3). In this case, since the received data is CDR data relating to a call between the caller C and the callee D, the incoming call volume management unit 32 extracts outgoing user information, incoming user information, and call volume, and Incoming call volume (in this case, since the call is from caller C to callee D, ΣCDR (C →
D)) is added to the extracted call volume (step S4),
The flow returns to step S1.

In this way, until the preferential control unit 33 gives an instruction to switch the calculation period, the incoming call volume management unit 32
The process of adding the traffic based on the CDR data received from the exchange 1 is repeated. Then, for example, if one month has elapsed since the previous calculation period switching and a calculation period switching instruction is received from the preferential control unit 33, the incoming call volume management unit 32
This is detected in step S1, and the incoming call database 32A
Incoming call volume of each user in the current periodΣCDR (α → χ)
Is saved as the value of each incoming call volume ΣCDR (α → χ) ′ in the previous period. After that, the value of each incoming call volume ΣCDR (α → χ) in the current period is cleared (step S).
2).

Thus, in this example, the senders A, B, C
And the call volume of the called party D is added.
CDR (A → D), ΣCDR (B → D), ΣCDR (C
The value of → D) is also changed by this switching of the calculation period, and the incoming call volume 前 CDR (A → D) ′, ΣCDR (B →
D) ′ and ΣCDR (C → D) ′, respectively.

When the saving of the numerical value of each incoming call volume in the current period is completed in step S2, the flow proceeds to, for example, step S3, and the call based on the CDR data received from the exchange 1 until the next calculation period switching instruction is issued. The process of adding amounts is repeated.

The outgoing call volume storage process by the outgoing call volume management unit 31 may be performed according to the flow in the existing telephone system. For example, as shown in FIG. The processing may be executed in accordance with the same flowchart as that of S <b> 32. In the case of following the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, for example, when CDR data is received, outgoing user information and call volume in the CDR data are extracted, and in the outgoing database 31A, the corresponding call volumeΣCDR (α →) is extracted. Is added (step S12), and when a switching instruction of the calculation period is received, the value of the call volume of each user in the transmission database 31A in the current period （CDR (α →) is replaced by the value of each incoming call volume in the previous period. This is almost the same as the incoming call volume accumulation process except that the value is saved as the value of ΣCDR (α →) ′ and the value of each call volume ΣCDR (α →) of the current period is cleared.

Next, preferential treatment by the preferential control unit 33 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this example, it is assumed that “discount” is selected and set as a preferential treatment.

The preferential control unit 33 transmits a calculation period switching instruction to the outgoing call volume management unit 31 and the incoming call volume management unit 32 according to the elapse of a predetermined period such as one month from the previous calculation period switching. (Step S21). Next, the preferential control unit 33 receives an input of the threshold value L by, for example, an operator or the like, and stores the input value (Step S22).

Next, the preferential control unit 33 calculates the incoming call volume of the previous period from the incoming call database 32A for all the called parties.
CDR (α → χ) ′ is obtained, and the total incoming call volume ΣCDR (→ χ) ′ for each called party is calculated (step S23). For example, if there is a call originating from each of the callers A, B, and C to the callee D between the previous calculation period switching and the current switch, the callee D ΣCDR (A → D) ', ΣCDR (B → D)', ΣCD
R (C → D) ′ is obtained. The preferential control unit 33 sums these to obtain the total incoming call volume ΣCDR (→ D) ′ of the called party D in the previous period.

Next, the preferential control unit 33 controls each user Y (Y
1, Y2,...), The following processing is performed. First, the call charge g (@CDR (Y
→) ') is acquired from the call charge database (step S24). Next, the preferential control unit 33 determines whether the total incoming call volume ΣCDR (Y →) ′ of the user Y is smaller than the threshold value (step S25). Calculate the discount amount f1 (CDR (→ Y) ′) for the user Y using the function f1 of Then, the call charge g (¥ CDR (Y
→) ′) is subtracted from the discount amount f1 (（CDR (→ Y) ′) and stored as a new call charge in the call charge database (step S26).

After storing the call charge in step S26,
Alternatively, if it is determined in step S25 that the total incoming call volume ユ ー ザ CDR (Y →) ′ of the user Y is smaller than the threshold, the preferential control unit 33 determines whether the processing of steps S24 to S26 has been completed for all the users Y. It is determined (step S27). Steps S24 to S2 for all users
If the processing of No. 6 has not been completed, the flow returns to step S24, and the above processing is continued until the processing for all users is completed. As a result, for all users whose total incoming call volume is equal to or greater than a certain value, it is possible to take a preferential measure of discounting the amount corresponding to the total incoming call volume from the call charge.

If the content of the preferential service is "cashback", a step of determining whether or not the total incoming call volume ΣCDR (Y →) 'of the user Y is smaller than the threshold, instead of steps S24 to S26. If the value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the cashback amount f2 (ΣCDR (→ χ) ') for the user Y is calculated using the function f2 for calculating the cashback amount, and the calculated value is cashbacked. And storing the amount in a predetermined database for storing the amount. This allows
For all users whose total incoming call volume is equal to or more than a certain value, it is possible to take a preferential measure that an amount corresponding to the total incoming call volume is cashed back.

When the content of the preferential service is "supply of privilege points", the total incoming call volume of user Y @ CDR (Y →) 'is used instead of steps S24 to S26.
Is determined to be less than or equal to the threshold value, and if it is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the function f3 for calculating the points to be supplied is used to calculate the point f3 for the user Y.
(ΣCDR (→ χ) ′) and storing the calculated value in a predetermined database for storing points may be executed. Thereby, it is possible to take a preferential measure that points corresponding to the total incoming call volume are supplied to all users whose total incoming call volume is equal to or more than a certain value.

As described above, according to the present system, it is possible to realize a service of giving preferential treatment to a user having a large incoming call volume. In addition, services provided to users of the communication carrier can be diversified.

Further, for example, when a user who receives a large amount of calls subscribes to a communication service by a communication carrier, a caller to the receiver tends to subscribe to the same carrier as well, and if the user is subscribed to the same carrier, Taking preferential measures for a large number of users results in an increase in the number of subscribers to the communication carrier, which is effective in operation.

In the above description, the incoming call volume of each called party is stored for each caller. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be stored for each called party regardless of the caller. . In this case, for example, when there is a call from the callers A and B to the callee C, both the call volume of the call from the caller A and the call volume of the call from the caller B are received by the callee C. It is accumulated in the traffic volume Σ CDR (→ C).

Further, in the above description, preferential treatment is performed for a user who receives a large amount of incoming call traffic. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Increasing or decreasing)
The preferential treatment may be performed for the user who satisfies the condition.

The call management system of the present invention can be realized by using a general computer system without using a dedicated system. For example, by installing the program from a medium (a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, or the like) storing a program for executing the above-described operation in a computer, the call management server 3 or the like that executes the above-described processing is configured. Can be. In the case where the above-described functions are realized by the OS sharing or the OS and the application being jointly used, only the part other than the OS may be stored in the medium.

It is also possible to superimpose a program on a carrier wave and distribute the program via a communication network. For example, the program may be posted on a bulletin board (BBS) of a communication network and distributed via the network. Then, by starting this program and executing it in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the OS, the above-described processing can be executed.

[0052]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A new service can be realized in which preferential measures are taken for users whose incoming call volume satisfies predetermined conditions. In addition, services provided to subscribers to communication services can be diversified.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a call management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of CDR data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining information stored in a transmission database.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining information stored in an incoming call database.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an incoming call volume accumulation process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining an outgoing call volume accumulation process;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining preferential treatment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 switch 3 call management server 31 outgoing call volume manager 31A outgoing database 32 incoming call volume manager 32A incoming database 33 preferential control unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A communication volume management system for managing the communication volume of each user of a communication service, comprising: a database for storing an incoming call volume of each user; and a call information including information on a callee and a call volume. Means for receiving; means for adding a call volume included in the call information to a corresponding incoming call volume in the database based on the call information; and an incoming call volume stored in the database satisfies a predetermined condition. Means for performing predetermined preferential treatment for a user in accordance with the amount of incoming calls. 2. The preferential treatment includes: a process of subtracting an amount corresponding to an incoming call volume from a call charge of a user; a process of returning an amount corresponding to an incoming call volume to a user; The communication volume management system according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of a process of supplying points having a monetary value to the user. 3. The incoming call volume of each user is stored and stored at predetermined intervals, and the preferential treatment is executed based on the incoming call volume stored during the predetermined period. Or the traffic volume management system according to 2. 4. A communication volume management method for managing the communication volume of each user of a communication service, comprising obtaining call information including information on a callee and a call volume from an exchange for relaying a call between users. And storing and managing an incoming call volume of each user of the communication service based on the call information, and performing a predetermined preferential treatment for a user whose incoming call volume satisfies a predetermined condition. Call volume management method.