JP2002199137A - Method and device for displaying charging information and portable telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To display precise charging information on a real-time basis. SOLUTION: A charging information calculation means 8 calculates charging information based on charging data received from a provider 5, by a charging data receiving means 7. A charging information display means 9 displays the charging information calculated by the means 8 on a display part 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a billing information display method, a billing information display device, and a portable telephone, and is particularly suitable for use when displaying a connection fee when connecting to the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, connection to the Internet is made through a connection provider (provider). When connecting to the Internet, it is necessary to pay a connection fee to the Internet to the connection provider. In this case, various fee systems such as a pay-as-you-go system and a fixed-rate system are prepared in consideration of the convenience of Internet users.

[0003]

However, bills are charged at the end of the month or the like, and it is not possible to know the fees and the remaining time required up to the present time while using the Internet.

[0004] In addition, although the connection fee is calculated and displayed on the user side, this method is performed independently by the user, and therefore does not match the calculation time and the calculation method on the provider side. In some cases, accurate connection fees were not always calculated.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a billing information display method, a billing information display device, and a mobile phone capable of displaying accurate billing information in real time.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a billing information display method, comprising: receiving billing data from a billing source when connecting to the Internet; And a step of displaying the billing information calculated at the billing destination based on the accounting information.

[0007] Thus, it is possible for the user to calculate the billing information based on the billing data on the provider side only by making a request for connection to the Internet. For this reason, it is possible for the user to calculate the same billing information as that calculated on the provider side, and even if a different fee system is adopted for each user, the user's hand is troublesome. Without having to, accurate billing information can be known in real time.

According to the billing information display method of the present invention, the billing data is a connection fee already charged up to the current connection to the Internet, a remaining time in a flat-rate system, and a fee calculation formula. It is characterized by the following.

[0009] With this, it is possible for the user to calculate the connection fee and the remaining time required thereafter only by obtaining the charging data from the provider once when connecting to the Internet. An accurate connection fee and remaining time corresponding to the fee system can be displayed in real time.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the billing information is a connection fee charged up to the present time during connection to the Internet or a remaining time in a flat-rate system.

[0011] Thus, in the pay-as-you-go system, the user can accurately know the amount of the charge up to the present time in real time, and the user can use the Internet while always being aware of the amount of the charge. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a situation in which an unexpected fee is charged and the user gets into trouble.

[0012] Further, even with the fixed-price system, since the user can accurately know the remaining time up to the present time,
It is possible to use the Internet efficiently up to the time limit.

According to the billing information display device of the present invention, the billing data receiving means for receiving billing data from a billing source when connecting to the Internet, and the billing data received by the billing data receiving means. Charging information calculating means for calculating the charging information, and charging information displaying means for displaying the charging information calculated by the charging information calculating means.

[0014] This makes it possible for the user to calculate the billing information based on the billing data on the provider side, and to know the accurate billing information in real time without bothering the user. it can.

[0015] According to the portable telephone of the fifth aspect,
The billing data receiving means receives billing data from a billing source at the time of line connection, the billing information calculating means calculates billing information based on the billing data received by the billing data receiving means, and the billing information calculating means calculates the billing information. characterized in that it comprises a charging information display means for displaying the charging information.

[0016] Thus, the charging information can be calculated on the user side based on the charging data on the exchange only by making a call. For this reason, it is possible for the user to obtain the same billing information as that of the exchange, and even if a different fee system is adopted for each user, accurate billing can be performed without any trouble of the user. You can know information in real time.

[0017]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a billing information display device and a method thereof according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of the charging information display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a personal computer 1 is connected to a display unit 2 such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display device, and is connected to a storage unit 3 for storing data in a hard disk or an optical disk. Is connected to the Internet 6 via. Further, the personal computer 1 includes a billing data receiving unit 7, a billing information calculating unit 8, and a billing information display unit 9.

The billing data receiving means 7 receives billing data from the provider 5 when connecting to the Internet 6. Here, the billing data is, for example, a connection fee that has already been charged up to the current connection to the Internet 6, a remaining time in a flat-rate system, and a fee calculation formula.

The billing information calculating means 8 calculates billing information based on the billing data received by the billing data receiving means 7. Here, the billing information tooth calculated by the billing information calculating means 8 is, for example, a connection fee charged up to the present time during connection to the Internet 6 or a remaining time in a flat-rate system.

The billing information display means 9 displays the billing information calculated by the billing information calculating means 8 on the display unit 2.

The means 7 to 9 can be realized by causing the personal computer 1 to read a program describing a procedure for executing these operations.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a display screen of the charging information display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A shows a case where the connection fee charged up to the present time is displayed, and FIG. 2B shows a case where the remaining time in the flat-rate system is displayed.

In FIG. 2A, when connection to the Internet 6 is made, an Internet screen 12 is displayed on the display screen 11 of the display unit 2 and the provider 5 is displayed.
If the contract with the customer is a pay-as-you-go system, the charge display screen 17a
Is displayed. On the fee display screen 17a, the fee charged up to the current time for this month is displayed in real time, and the connection start time is displayed. The fee displayed on the fee display screen 17a is the Internet 6
While the connection to is made, it is updated every minute in the unit of charge addition.

When closing the charge display screen 17a,
The cursor 15 is moved to the position of the close button 18a, and the mouse is clicked. When redisplaying the fee display screen 18a, the cursor 1 is positioned at the position of the display button 14.
Move 5 and click the mouse. Then, a pull-down menu 16 is displayed. In the pull-down menu 16, items for displaying billing information are provided. The cursor 15 is moved to the position of "billing information", and the mouse is clicked. Then, charge display screen 1
8a is displayed again.

As described above, by displaying the billing amount up to the present time on the fee display screen 18a in real time, the user can use the Internet while always being aware of the billing amount. For this reason, when the connection fee is high even though the user does not use much, it is possible to quickly detect the presence of an intruder (hacker) and prevent trouble before it occurs. .

On the other hand, when the contract content with the provider 5 is a flat-rate system, as shown in FIG.
7b is displayed. On the fee display screen 17b, the remaining time at the present time in the fixed-price system is displayed in real time, and the connection start time is displayed. The remaining time displayed on the charge display screen 17b is updated every second while the connection to the Internet 6 is being made.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the charging information display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, when the personal computer 1 makes a connection request to the provider 5 (F1), the billing data receiving means 7
The charging data transferred from the device at the same time when the connection is established is received (F2).

Next, the charging information calculating means 8 determines whether or not the connection is disconnected (F3). If the connection is not disconnected, based on the charging data transferred from the provider 5, the contents of the contract with the provider 5 are measured. It is determined whether the system is a flat rate system or a flat rate system (F4). Then, in the case of the pay-as-you-go system, the charge up to the present time is calculated based on the billing data transferred from the provider 5 side. Then, when the charge up to the present time is calculated, the charge information display means 9 displays the charge on the display unit 2 (F5).

On the other hand, the billing information calculating means 8 determines whether there is a remaining time when the contract contents with the provider 5 are the fixed-rate system (F6). calculate. When the remaining time up to the present time is calculated, the billing information display means 9 displays the remaining time on the display unit 2 (F7).

On the other hand, if there is no remaining time for the fixed-price system, the billing information calculating means 8 calculates the charge up to the present time. Then, when the charge up to the present time is calculated, the charge information display means 9 displays the charge on the display unit 2 (F5).

The personal computer 1 repeats the above operation until the connection is disconnected. If the connection is determined to be disconnected in F3, the personal computer 1 stores the communication log and the charge or remaining time up to the present time in the storage unit 2 (F8). Here, by storing the charge or the remaining time up to the present time in the storage unit 2, the charge or the remaining time up to the present time can be freely checked at any time even after the connection with the Internet 6 is completed.

Thus, according to the above-described embodiment,
Since the personal computer 1 fetches charging data necessary for calculating the fee and remaining time up to the present time from the provider 5 and performs the calculation, it is possible to accurately calculate the charging information according to the current contract contents.

Further, the billing data is taken into the personal computer 1 from the provider 5 every time a connection request is made. Therefore, even if the contract form is changed, the user does not need to set up again, but based on the latest billing data. The user can know accurate billing information without bothering the user.

Further, once the charging data is taken into the personal computer 1 at the time of the connection request, the personal computer 1 calculates the charge and the remaining time based on the charging data.
It is not necessary to exchange the billing data with the provider 5 side thereafter, and the billing information can be provided to the user in real time without being affected by the load or congestion of the connection line.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a charging information display method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that the client user has contracted with the provider 5 on a pay-as-you-go basis. In this case, the client user calls the provider 5 to make a connection request (S1), and the modem 4
When the link is established, the user logs in (S2). The additional billing data for this month, the pay-as-you-go formula calculated by the logged-in user, and the connection billing start standard time data are transmitted from the provider 5 simultaneously with the connection establishment (S3), and taken into the personal computer 1 (S4 to S4). S6).

Next, when the charging data is taken into the personal computer 1, the charge for the current month which has been charged up to the current login is displayed on the display screen 11 of the display unit 2. Then, while the connection to the Internet 6 is established, the charge for the current month further calculated by the use up to the present time is calculated based on the metering formula transmitted from the provider 5 when the connection is established (S7 to S7). S10), the calculated fee is displayed on the display screen 11 of the display unit 2 (S11). Here, the charge display on the display screen 11 is updated each time a charge is added, and the latest charge by use up to the present time can be known in real time.

Next, when the connection is disconnected (S12), the charge calculation is terminated, and the communication start time, the communication end time, and the charge data are recorded in a log file (S13).

On the other hand, if the client user
It is assumed that the contract is for a fixed amount up to the set time, and that the fee will be charged when the set time is exceeded. in this case,
In addition to the additional billing data for the current month, the metering formula contracted by the logged-in user and the standard time data for connection billing start, the remaining time in the flat-rate service is transmitted from the provider 5 simultaneously with the connection establishment (S3). (S4 to S6).

Next, when these billing data are taken into the personal computer 1, the remaining time for this month remaining until the current login is displayed. While the connection with the Internet 6 is established, the provider 5
The remaining time for the current month, which has been further subtracted by use up to the present time, is calculated based on the volume calculation formula transmitted from the side (S7 to S10), and the calculated remaining time is displayed on the display screen 11 of the display unit 2. Is displayed (S11). Here, the display of the remaining time on the display screen 11 is updated each time the remaining time is subtracted, and the latest remaining time by use up to the present time can be known in real time.

On the other hand, when the time set at the time of the contract is used up and there is no remaining time, the charge for the current month used by the current use is calculated (S7 to S10), and the calculated charge is displayed on the display unit 2. Displayed on the display screen 11 (S1
1).

Next, when the connection is cut off (S12), the remaining time calculation or charge calculation is terminated, and the communication start time, communication end time and remaining time (if there is no remaining time, charge data) are recorded in a log file. (S13).

As described above, the personal computer 1 stores the additional billing data for this month, the pay-as-you-go formula calculated by the logged-in user, the standard time data for starting connection billing, and the remaining time in the fixed rate system every time the connection with the provider 5 is established. You can receive it. For this reason, the error at the time of the charge calculation in the personal computer 1 can be made to be about the detection error of the end time for the last connection, and accurate billing information can be presented to the user in real time.

In order to accurately match the time on the personal computer 1 with the time on the provider 5, the time may be adjusted using a radio clock. The time may be received.
Also, the personal computer 1 may receive the time of the provider 5 from the provider 5 when receiving the billing data, and calculate the billing using the time.

[0045] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the system configuration of a cellular phone according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the mobile phone 21 is provided with a display unit 22 such as a liquid crystal and a storage unit 23 such as an EEPROM, as well as a billing data receiving unit 27, a billing information calculating unit 28 and a billing information displaying unit 29. . here,
The mobile phone 21 is connected to a network 26 via a base station 24 and an exchange 25. Network 2
6, for example, a digital mobile telephone network, a telephone network, the Internet, and the like.

Billing data receiving means 27 receives billing data from exchange 25 at the time of line connection. Here, the billing data is, for example, a fee that has already been charged by the time of this line connection, a remaining time in a fixed-rate system, and a fee calculation formula.

The billing information calculator 28 calculates billing information based on the billing data received by the billing data receiver 27. Here, the billing information calculated by the billing information calculating means 8 is, for example, a fee charged up to the present time during the line connection or a remaining time in a fixed rate system.

The billing information display means 29 displays the billing information calculated by the billing information calculating means 28 on the display unit 2.

The means 27 to 29 can be realized by causing a CPU provided in the mobile phone 21 to execute a program describing a procedure for executing these operations.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a charging information display method according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, it is assumed that the user has contracted with the business operator on a pay-as-you-go basis. In this case, when the user calls the other party with the mobile phone 21, a selection signal is sent to the exchange 25 via the base station 24 (S21). Then, the additional billing data for this month and the pay-as-you-go formula calculated by the user are transmitted from the exchange 25 and taken into the mobile phone 21 (S22).

Next, these billing data are stored in the mobile phone 21.
Is displayed on the display unit 22 of the mobile phone 21 for the charge for the current month which has been charged by the time of this call. When the line connection with the other party's telephone is established (S
23) Based on the volume calculation formula transmitted from the exchange 25, the charge for the current month further added by the call up to the present time is calculated (S24 to S27), and the calculated charge is displayed on the display unit of the mobile phone 21. 22 (S2
8). Here, the charge display displayed on the display unit 22 is updated every time the charge is added, and the latest charge by the call up to the present time can be known in real time.

Next, when the call is terminated (S29) and the line is disconnected, the charge calculation is terminated (S30), and the communication start time, communication end time and charge data are stored in the storage unit 23 of the mobile phone 21. (S31).

On the other hand, it is assumed that the user has a contract with the business operator for a fixed amount up to a set time, and that the user pays a fee when the set time is exceeded. In this case, in addition to the additional billing data for the current month and the pay-as-you-go formula calculated by the logged-in user, the remaining time in the flat-rate system is determined when the selection signal is transmitted (S2
The information is transmitted from the exchange 25 to 1) and is taken into the mobile phone 21 (S22).

Next, these billing data are stored in the mobile phone 21.
Is displayed on the display unit 22 of the mobile phone 21 until the current call.
When the line connection with the other party's telephone is established (S2
3) The remaining time for the current month, which is further subtracted by the call up to the present time, is calculated based on the metering formula transmitted from the exchange 25 (S24 to S27). Displayed on the display unit 22 (S2
8). Here, the remaining time display displayed on the display unit 22 is:
It is updated each time the remaining time is subtracted, so that the latest remaining time of the call up to the present can be known in real time.

On the other hand, if the time set at the time of the contract has been used up and there is no remaining time, the charge for the current month of the call up to the present time is calculated (S24 to S27), and the calculated charge is displayed on the display unit 22. It is displayed (S28).

Next, when the call is terminated (S29) and the line is disconnected, the remaining time calculation or charge calculation is terminated (S3).
0), the communication start time, the communication end time, and the remaining time (if there is no remaining time, charge data) are stored in the storage unit 23 of the mobile phone 21 (S31).

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to accurately know the Internet, such as fees and the remaining time spent so far in use, such as in real-time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a billing information display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the charging information display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the charging information display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a billing information display method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a mobile phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a billing information display method according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal computer 2, 22 Display part 3, 23 Storage part 4 Modem 5 Provider 6 Internet 7, 27 Billing data receiving means 8, 28 Billing information calculating means 9, 29 Billing information display means 21 Cellular phone 24 Base station 25 Exchanger 26 Network

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. a step of receiving billing data from a billing source when connecting to the Internet; a step of calculating billing information at a billing destination based on the billing data; and displaying the billing information calculated at the billing destination. And a charging information display method. 2. The billing information display according to claim 1, wherein the billing data is a connection fee, a remaining time in a flat-rate system, and a formula for calculating a fee, which have already been charged until the current connection to the Internet. Method. 3. The charging information display method according to claim 1, wherein the charging information is a connection fee charged up to the present time during connection to the Internet or a remaining time in a fixed rate system. 4. A charging data receiving means for receiving charging data from a charging source when connecting to the Internet; a charging information calculating means for calculating charging information based on the charging data received by the charging data receiving means; A charging information display device comprising: charging information display means for displaying the charging information calculated by the charging information calculation means. 5. Charging data receiving means for receiving charging data from a charging source when a line is connected, charging information calculating means for calculating charging information based on charging data received by the charging data receiving means, and charging information A mobile phone, comprising: charging information display means for displaying the charging information calculated by the calculation means. 6. A step of receiving billing data from a billing source when connecting to the Internet; a step of calculating billing information based on the billing data at a billing destination; and displaying the billing information calculated at the billing destination. And a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the steps.