JP2003258840A - Device, system, method, and program for returning communication charge - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication charge returning device, a communication fee returning method and a communication charge return program by which a flexible charging system can be realized in accordance with provided data. <P>SOLUTION: The communication charge returning device is provided with a data transmission and reception part 38 for receiving data and the number of packets used in data transmission, a return rate setting part 35 in which a rate of a communication charge (hereinafter referred to as (return rate)) to be returned to a data sender side with respect to a communication charge to the data sender side is set in accordance with the number of packets, and a return fee calculation part 33 for calculating a return charge with respect to the communication charge used for the transmission of data received by the part 38 on the basis of the number of packets received by the part 38 and the return rate corresponding to the number of packets set in the return rate setting part 35. The return charge calculated by the return fee calculating part 33 is returned to the data sender with a prescribed method. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication fee returning device, a communication fee returning system, a communication fee returning method, and a communication fee returning program for returning a communication fee required for data transmission to a data sender side. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional charging processing method for packet communication, there is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-78129. This publication discloses a charging processing method when a user terminal and a service providing server that provides a service perform packet communication via a packet communication network. This packet communication network is managed by a gateway server, and the service providing server is connected to the gateway server. The gateway server performs billing processing based on the packet communication fee system exchanged with the user. Further, the service provider sets in advance in the gateway server which of the user side or the service provider side the packet communication fee charged for the packet communication between the service providing server and the user terminal is charged. The gateway server and the service providing server are managed by different administrators.

[0003] Here, when the user terminal requests the service providing server to provide the service, it is determined whether the requested service providing server is set to charge the packet communication fee to the user side or the service provider side. The judgment is made by the gateway server. If the requesting service providing server has set the gateway server to charge the packet communication fee to the service provider side, the packet communication fee according to the number of packets transmitted and received by the user terminal is set on the service provider side. Will be charged. On the other hand, if the requesting service providing server has set the gateway server to charge the packet communication fee to the user side, the packet communication fee according to the number of packets transmitted and received by the user terminal is charged to the user side. It

That is, the service provider presets the charging destination (user side or service provider side) of the packet communication fee to the gateway server, so that the packet communication is performed when the service providing request is made. The fee was unconditionally charged to the set charging destination.

The charging method for providing information from the user terminal to the service providing server is also the same as above, and when the user terminal sends arbitrary information to the service providing server, transmission / reception of the arbitrary information is required. The packet communication charge is charged to the charging destination set in the gateway server.

[0006]

However, in the above-described conventional charging processing method, when the service provider wants to change the charging destination setting of the packet communication charge,
There is a problem that it is necessary to reset the charging destination for the gateway server, and it takes time and effort to change the charging destination setting.

Further, when the service provider sets the packet communication fee to the service provider side, it is possible that data unnecessary for the service provider is transmitted from the user terminal. in this case,
Even though the data is useless for the service provider, the packet communication charge for sending and receiving the data is charged to the service provider, which increases the burden on the service provider. was there.

Further, conventionally, the service provider can only set the packet communication fee to either the user side or the service provider side. Therefore, in accordance with the data transmitted from the user terminal, for example, a flexible charging system is implemented in which a part of the packet communication charge is charged to the user side and the rest is charged to the service provider side. There was also a problem that I could not do it.

The present invention is for solving the above-mentioned conventional problems, and is a communication fee returning apparatus, a communication fee returning system, and a communication fee, which can realize a flexible charging system according to provided data. The purpose is to provide a return method and a communication fee return program.

[0010]

According to the communication charge returning apparatus of the present invention, at least a part of the communication charge for transmitting the data is determined by a predetermined method according to the data amount of the data received via the network. A communication fee returning device for returning to the sender of the data, the receiving unit receiving the data and data amount information indicating the data amount of the data, and the return of the communication fee charged to the data sender side. A condition (hereinafter, referred to as a "return condition"), which is set according to the data amount information;
A communication charge for transmitting the data received by the receiving means based on the data amount indicated by the data amount information received by the receiving means and the return condition according to the data amount set in the return condition setting means. And a return fee calculating means for calculating a return fee for the data, and returning the return fee calculated by the return fee calculating means to the sender of the data by a predetermined method.

According to the present invention, the return fee can be changed according to the data amount of the received data.

The communication charge reduction device of the present invention returns at least a part of the communication charge for transmitting the data to the sender of the data by a predetermined method according to the content of the data received through the network. A communication fee returning device for receiving the data, and return condition setting means for setting a return condition of the communication fee charged to the sender of the data according to the content of the data. And a communication charge for transmission of the data received by the receiving means, based on the return condition according to the content of the data received by the receiving means and the content of the data set in the return condition setting means. A return fee calculating means for calculating a return fee, and returning the return fee calculated by the return fee calculating means to the sender of the data by a predetermined method. And it features.

According to the present invention, the return fee can be changed according to the content of the received data.

The communication fee returning apparatus of the present invention uses a predetermined method for at least a part of the communication fee for transmitting the data according to the identification information for identifying the sender of the data received via the network. In the communication fee returning device for returning to the sender of the data, the receiving means for receiving the data and the identification information, and the condition for returning the communication fee charged to the sender of the data are the identification information. Received by the receiving means based on the return condition setting means set according to the above, the identification information received by the receiving means, and the return condition according to the identification information set in the return condition setting means. And a return fee calculation means for calculating a return fee for a communication charge required for transmitting the data, and transmitting the return fee calculated by the return fee calculation means. Which comprises reducing in a predetermined manner to.

According to the present invention, the return fee can be changed according to the identification information for identifying the sender of the received data.

The communication charge reduction system of the present invention comprises a terminal for transmitting data and information on the amount of data of the data, and the communication charge reduction device according to claim 1.

According to the present invention, the communication fee returning apparatus can change the return fee according to the data transmitted from the terminal and the data amount of the data.

The communication charge reduction system of the present invention comprises a terminal for transmitting data and the communication charge reduction device according to claim 2.

According to the present invention, the communication fee returning apparatus can change the return fee according to the content of the data transmitted from the terminal.

The communication charge reduction system of the present invention comprises a terminal for transmitting data and identification information for identifying the sender of the data, and the communication charge reduction device according to claim 3.

According to the present invention, the communication fee returning apparatus can change the return fee according to the data transmitted from the terminal and the identification information for identifying the sender of the data.

According to the communication fee returning method of the present invention, at least a part of the communication fee for transmitting the data is given to the sender of the data by a predetermined method according to the data amount of the data received via the network. A communication fee return method for returning, wherein the step of receiving the data and the data amount information indicating the data amount of the data, and the data amount indicated by the received data amount information and the data amount information are set. Calculating a return fee for the communication fee required for transmitting the received data, based on the return condition of the communication fee charged to the sender side of the data,
And a step of returning the calculated return fee to the sender of the data by a predetermined method.

According to the present invention, the return fee can be changed according to the data amount of the received data.

According to the communication charge return method of the present invention, at least a part of the communication charge for transmitting the data is returned to the sender of the data by a predetermined method according to the content of the data received through the network. A method of returning communication data, the method comprising: receiving the data, and based on the content of the received data and the condition for returning the communication fee charged to the data sender side, which is set according to the content of the data. And a step of calculating a return fee for the communication fee for transmitting the received data, and a step of returning the calculated return fee to the sender of the data by a predetermined method.

According to the present invention, the return fee can be changed according to the content of the received data.

According to the communication charge returning method of the present invention, at least a part of the communication charge for transmitting the data is predetermined according to the identification information for identifying the sender of the data received via the network. In the method of returning the communication fee to the sender of the data, the step of receiving the data and the identification information, the identification information received and the data sender side set according to the identification information. Calculating a return fee for the communication fee required for transmitting the received data based on the return condition of the charged communication fee; and returning the calculated return fee to the sender of the data by a predetermined method. And a step.

According to the present invention, the return fee can be changed according to the identification information for identifying the sender of the received data, that is, according to the sender of the data.

The communication fee return program of the present invention is a program for causing a computer to realize each step of any one of claims 7 to 9.

According to the present invention, each step according to any one of claims 7 to 9 can be realized by a computer.

[0030]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication charge reduction system using the communication charge reduction device of the present invention.
The communication fee reduction system 1 includes a user terminal 2 owned by a user who uses this system via a packet communication network 5, a service providing server 3 which provides a service to the user terminal 2 via a network 7 such as the Internet, The packet communication network 5 and the network 7 are interconnected with each other, and the packet communication network management server 4 that manages the packet communication network 5 via the gateway server 6 is provided, and the service providing server 3 and the gateway server 6 are provided. Are managed by different administrators.

The user terminal 2 uses the packet communication network 5, but the user terminal 2 is not limited to this, and may use other local networks such as a fixed network accommodating fixed terminals. Further, the service providing server 3 corresponds to the communication charge returning device in the claims.

Next, the internal configurations of the user terminal 2, the service providing server 3, and the packet communication network management server 4 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the user terminal 2. The user terminal 2 is a communication terminal such as a mobile phone, a mobile information terminal, and a personal computer, and the communication program storage unit 2 for the user terminal 2
1, a transmission data storage unit 22, a control unit 23, a data transmission / reception unit 24, and a display unit 25.

The data transmission / reception unit 24 transmits / receives data to / from the outside by packet communication via the packet communication network 5. The transmission data storage unit 22 is
It stores the data transmitted from the data transmitting / receiving unit 24, and this data is stored by the user.
The user terminal 2 communication program storage unit 21 stores the user terminal 2 communication program transmitted from the service providing server 3. The display unit 25 displays data transmitted from the outside, various operation menu screens of the user terminal 2, and the like. The control unit 23 controls each unit described above, and also has a function of executing the communication program for the user terminal 2. Further, the communication program for the user terminal 2 includes a unique identifier for identifying the user terminal 2.

Next, the function when the communication program for the user terminal 2 is executed by the control unit 23 will be described. The communication program for user terminal 2 has a function of transmitting a unique identifier included in the communication program for user terminal 2 to the service providing server 3 via the data transmitting / receiving unit 24, reading data from the transmission data storage unit 22, and transmitting / receiving data. A function of transmitting to the service providing server 3 via the unit 24, and counting the number of packets of data transmitted from the data transmitting / receiving unit 24, and after the data transmission is completed, the counted number of packets is transmitted to the service providing server 3. It has the function of sending.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the service providing server 3. The service providing server 3 includes a user authentication unit 31, a received data storage unit 32, a return charge calculation unit 33, a user terminal 2 communication program storage unit 34, and a return ratio setting unit 35 corresponding to the return condition setting unit in the claims. , The return fee cumulative storage unit 36, the control unit 37, and the data transmission / reception unit 38 corresponding to the receiving means in the claims.
It is configured with.

The data transmission / reception unit 38 transmits / receives data to / from the outside via the network 7. The user authentication unit 31 authenticates that the user terminal 2 is a terminal owned by the user of this system, based on the unique identifier included in the communication program for the user terminal 2 transmitted from the user terminal 2. Is.

The reception data storage unit 32 stores the data received by the data transmission / reception unit 38, and transmits the received data, the date of receiving the data, and the data for each user identification information described later. The user's past data transmission count and the like are stored. The user terminal 2 communication program storage unit 34 stores the user terminal 2 communication program.

The return charge calculation unit 33 inquires of the packet communication network management server 4 via the data transmission / reception unit 38 about the communication charge per packet of the user who transmitted the data. Alternatively, the communication fee per packet of the user who transmitted the data is read from the packet communication fee information registered in advance in the service providing server 3, or the communication fee per packet of the user who transmitted the data is set to an arbitrary value. Set to the value.

Further, whether the data stored in the reception data storage unit 32 is the number of packets, whether the data is useful or not for the service provider, and which data is provided by any user. Or when it was provided. Then, based on the determination result and the setting contents set in the return rate setting unit 35, the rate of the fee returned to the user to the fee required for one packet of the user's data transmission (hereinafter,
The return rate is calculated by multiplying the determined return rate by the user's fee per packet and the number of received packets.

In the return rate setting unit 35, a return rate is set according to the number of received packets, user identification information, the content of the received data, the date of receiving the data, and the like. Note that these settings are set in advance in the service providing server 3
It is performed by the administrator (hereinafter referred to as the service provider) of and can be updated at any time.

Here, the content set in the return rate setting unit 35 is, for example, that the return rate is changed according to the number of received packets, that is, the number of packets of data transmitted from the user terminal 2 is 10. If the number is less than or equal to 10, the reduction rate is 10%, if from 11 to 30, the reduction rate is 20%, and if it is 500 or more, the reduction rate is 80%.

Alternatively, when the data is transmitted from the user terminal 2 to the service providing server 3 within the period (campaign period) designated by the service provider, the return rate of the packet communication fee generated at that time is 100%. It is the content to do.

Alternatively, a user who sends the data to the service providing server 3 less frequently makes a return rate of 50%, and a user who sends the data to the service providing server 3 more often makes a return rate of 70%. The content is to set the return rate for each.

Alternatively, when the user terminal 2 transmits image data such as a photograph to the service providing server 3, if the transmitted data is useful for the service provider, the user who has transmitted the data sends the image data to the service providing server 3. Return rate is 1
Set to 0%. On the other hand, if the data is unnecessary, the return rate to the user who transmitted the data is set to 0%. As an example of this, a case where the service providing server 3 provides a service for conducting a questionnaire to users on a website will be described. In this service, for the users who answered the questionnaire, the return rate of the packet communication charge for downloading the questionnaire screen and transmitting the answer is set to 100%. On the other hand, for the user who downloaded the questionnaire screen but did not send the answer, the return ratio of the packet communication charge for downloading the questionnaire screen is set to 0%.

The return fee cumulative storage unit 36 stores the total of packet communication fees returned to the user in a predetermined period. The control unit 37 stores the return fee calculated by the return fee calculating unit 33 in the return fee cumulative storage unit 36, and controls the above-described units.

Further, in the present embodiment, the following can be applied as an example of the method of returning the packet communication charge to the user. 1 The service provider charges the user an amount obtained by subtracting the return fee from the monthly server usage fee paid by the user to the service providing server 3. 2 The return fee stored in the total fee storage unit 36 is
For example, one yen is converted into one point and stored, and when a predetermined point is reached, a gift certificate or the like corresponding to the point is sent to the user. 3 The service provider pays the return fee to the administrator of the packet communication network 4 (hereinafter referred to as the packet communication network administrator), and the packet communication network administrator bills the user from the monthly packet communication fee. , The user is charged with a fee less the return fee paid by the service provider.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the packet communication network management server 4. The packet communication network management server 4 manages contracts and the like when a user uses the packet communication network, and includes a data transmission / reception unit 41, a control unit 42, and a packet communication charge information storage unit 43. It

The data transmission / reception unit 41 transmits / receives data to / from the outside via the gateway server 6. The packet communication charge information storage unit 43 stores a packet communication charge correspondence table indicating packet communication charge information, which is the content of the contract with the user of the packet communication network 5. The control unit 42 controls each unit described above.

In the packet communication charge correspondence table,
Items such as “user identification information”, “terminal identification information”, and “charge information” are stored. "User identification information" includes
User identification information for identifying a user who uses the packet communication network 5 is stored. The "user terminal identification information" stores the user terminal identification information for identifying the user terminal 2 owned by the user, which is stored in the "user identification information". The "charge information" stores the packet communication charge plan (charge per packet) of the user indicated by the user identification information stored in the "user identification information". These pieces of information are registered by the user when making a contract to use the packet communication network 5.

The above is a description of each component of the communication charge return system 1. Hereinafter, the flow of the return process in the communication fee return system 1 will be described. First, the overall flow of the system will be described.

First, the user uses the user terminal 2 to access the service providing server 3 to perform user registration,
The communication program for the user terminal 2 is provided by the service providing server 3
Download from. The user terminal 2 is the user terminal 2
The communication program is executed to send predetermined information to the service providing server 3. The service providing server 3 calculates the packet communication charge for transmitting the predetermined information based on the received predetermined information, and determines whether to return the calculated packet communication charge to the user. When returning the packet communication fee to the user, the amount of the refund is stored in the return fee cumulative storage unit 36. Then, the accumulated amount of packet communication charges returned to the user is returned to the user for a predetermined period, for example, once a month.

The details will be described below. When the user accesses the service providing server 3 using the user terminal 2, the user registration screen is displayed on the display unit 24. The user inputs the user identification information registered in the packet communication network management server 4 on the user registration screen and sends it to the service providing server 3. Service providing server 3
The data transmission / reception unit 38 receives the user identification information, and the control unit 37 stores the received user identification information in the reception data storage unit 32. Further, the control unit 37 controls the user terminal 2
The communication program for user terminal 2 is read from the communication program storage unit for user terminal 34, and a unique identifier is given to the communication program for user terminal 2 based on the received user identification information. After that, the communication program for the user terminal 2 is transmitted to the user terminal 2 via the data transmitting / receiving unit 38.

In the user terminal 2, the data transmitter / receiver 24 receives the communication program for the user terminal 2, and the controller 23
Stores the user terminal 2 communication program in the user terminal 2 communication program storage unit 21. With the above, user registration is completed.

Next, when the user terminal 2 transmits data to the service providing server 3, the control unit 23 executes the user terminal 2 communication program. When the communication program for the user terminal 2 is executed, the control unit 23 reads the data stored in the transmission data storage unit 22, and reads the read data and the unique identifier included in the communication program for the user terminal 2, The data is transmitted to the service providing server 3 via the data transmitting / receiving unit 24. Further, the control unit 23 counts the number of packets of data transmitted from the data transmitting / receiving unit 24, and after the data transmission is completed, transmits the value of the number of packets required for data transmission to the service providing server 3.

In the service providing server 3, the user terminal 2
The unique identifier, the data, and the value of the number of packets included in the communication program for the user terminal 2 transmitted from the data transmission / reception unit 38 are received and transmitted to the control unit 37. The control unit 37 reads out the user identification information corresponding to the unique identifier included in the communication program for the user terminal 2 from the reception data storage unit 32, and transmits it to the user authentication unit 31.
The user authentication unit 31 performs user authentication based on the transmitted user identification information. As a result, when it is authenticated that the user terminal 2 that has transmitted the data is a user terminal that is user-registered in the service providing server 3, the control unit 3
7 stores the received data and the value of the number of packets in the received data storage unit 32.

Next, the return fee calculation unit 33 inquires of the packet communication network management server 4 via the control unit 37 and the data transmission / reception unit 38 the packet communication fee correspondence table including the user identification number of the user who transmitted the data. ,to download. Then, the communication fee required for each packet by the user who transmitted the data is read from the downloaded packet communication fee correspondence table.

Further, whether the data stored in the reception data storage unit 32 is the number of packets, whether the data is useful or not for the service provider, and which data is provided by any user. Or when it was provided. Then, the return fee per packet is calculated based on the return rate determined based on the determination result and the setting content set in the return rate setting unit 35, and the calculated return fee per packet and the received packet By multiplying by the number, the return fee to be returned to the user is calculated.

Finally, the control unit 37 controls the return fee calculation unit 3
The return fee calculated in 3 is stored in the return fee cumulative storage unit 36. After that, the packet communication fee is returned to the owner of the user terminal 2 in the above-described manner every predetermined period.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the number of packets of data transmitted from the user terminal 2, the user who transmitted the data, the date and time when the data was transmitted, or the content of the data is calculated as the return fee. Part 33 judges,
The return rate is determined based on the determination result and the setting contents set in the return rate setting storage unit 35. And
The packet communication charge returned to the owner of the user terminal 2 = determined return ratio × communication charge per packet × the number of received packets holds, and the return charge calculated by this formula is the owner of the user terminal 2 Is reduced to.

Therefore, even when data unnecessary for the service provider is transmitted from the user terminal 2,
By setting in the return rate setting unit 35, "the return rate of the packet communication charge applied to the data that is unnecessary for the service provider is set to 0 (to be borne by the data sender)." The packet communication charge returned to the owner of the packet is 0 × the communication charge per packet × the number of received packets = 0, and the burden on the service provider can be eliminated.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since the return rate setting unit 35 sets a different return rate for each user and a different return rate for each received data, the user who provided the data and the provision thereof. The return fee to be returned to the user can be changed according to the content of the data.

Further, according to the present embodiment, the return rate setting unit 35 is set so that the return rate increases as the number of packets of the received data increases. Therefore, even if the service provider requests the user to provide a very large amount of data, the packet communication charge for transmitting the data does not place a heavy burden on the user, and the service provider does not It becomes easier for the user to make a request to provide the amount of data. Therefore, it is possible to provide a system that is profitable to both the user and the service provider.

[0063]

According to the present invention, there are provided a communication fee returning apparatus, a communication fee returning system, a communication fee returning method, and a communication fee returning program, which can realize a flexible charging system according to the provided data. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication fee return system according to this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a user terminal 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a service providing server 3.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a packet communication network management server 4.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Communication charge return system 2 user terminals 3 service providing server 4 Packet communication network management server 5 Packet communication network 6 Gateway server 7 network 21, 34 Communication program storage unit for user terminal 2 22 Transmission data storage unit 23, 37, 42 Control unit 24, 38, 41 data transmitter / receiver 25 Display 31 User Authentication Department 32 Received data storage unit 33 Return fee calculation unit 35 Return charge setting section 36 Total refund fee storage section 43 Packet communication charge information storage unit

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Sugio Makishima             2-26-30 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Fuji Photo             Shin Film Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5K025 AA08 BB10 GG07 GG10                 5K030 GA20 HA08                 5K101 KK20 LL02 NN48

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A communication charge returning device for returning at least a part of a communication charge for transmitting the data to a sender of the data by a predetermined method according to a data amount of the data received via a network. There is a receiving unit for receiving the data and data amount information indicating the data amount of the data, and a condition (hereinafter, referred to as “return condition”) relating to the return of the communication fee charged to the data sender side, Based on the return condition setting means set according to the data amount information, the data amount indicated by the data amount information received by the receiving means, and the return condition according to the data amount set in the return condition setting means. And a redemption fee calculating means for calculating a redemption fee for the communication fee for transmitting the data received by the receiving means. Communication fee reduction apparatus which comprises reducing a predetermined method the calculated reduced rates to the sender of the data. 2. A communication charge reduction device for returning at least a part of a communication charge for transmitting the data to a sender of the data by a predetermined method according to the content of the data received via the network. A receiving means for receiving the data, a return condition setting means for setting a return condition of a communication fee charged to the sender side of the data according to the content of the data, and a receiving means for receiving by the receiving means. A return fee for calculating a return fee for the communication fee required for the transmission of the data received by the receiving means, based on the content of the data and the return condition set in the return condition setting means according to the content of the data Communication fee return, comprising: a calculating unit, wherein the return fee calculated by the return fee calculating unit is returned to the sender of the data by a predetermined method. Location. 3. At least a part of a communication charge for transmitting the data is sent to a sender of the data by a predetermined method according to identification information for identifying a sender of the data received via a network. A communication charge returning device for returning, wherein receiving means for receiving the data and the identification information, and conditions for returning the communication charge charged to the sender of the data are set according to the identification information. Communication for transmitting the data received by the receiving means, based on the return condition setting means, and the return information corresponding to the identification information received by the receiving means and the identification information set in the return condition setting means A redemption fee calculating means for calculating a redemption fee for the fee, and returning the redemption fee calculated by the redemption fee calculating means to the sender of the data by a predetermined method. Communication fee reduction and wherein the door. 4. A communication charge return system comprising a terminal for transmitting data and data amount information of the data, and the communication charge return device according to claim 1. 5. A communication charge reduction system comprising a terminal for transmitting data and the communication charge reduction device according to claim 2. 6. A communication charge returning system comprising a terminal for transmitting data and identification information for identifying a sender of the data, and the communication charge returning device according to claim 3. 7. A communication fee returning method for returning at least a part of a communication fee for transmitting the data to a sender of the data in a predetermined method according to a data amount of the data received via a network. There is a step of receiving the data and data amount information indicating the data amount of the data, and the data amount indicated by the received data amount information and the sender side of the data set according to the data amount information. Calculating a return fee for the communication fee required for transmitting the received data based on the return condition of the charged communication fee; and returning the calculated return fee to the sender of the data by a predetermined method. A method for returning communication charges, comprising: 8. A communication fee return method for returning at least a part of a communication fee for transmitting the data to a sender of the data by a predetermined method according to the content of the data received via a network. And receiving the data, and transmitting the received data based on the content of the received data and the communication fee return condition charged to the data sender side set according to the content of the data. A communication fee returning method, comprising: a step of calculating a return fee for the communication fee charged to the user; and a step of returning the calculated return fee to the sender of the data by a predetermined method. 9. According to identification information for identifying a sender of data received via a network, at least a part of a communication charge for sending the data is sent to a sender of the data by a predetermined method. A communication fee return method for returning, the step of receiving the data and the identification information, and the return of the communication fee charged to the data sender side set according to the received identification information and the identification information. A step of calculating a return fee for a communication fee for transmitting the received data based on the condition; and a step of returning the calculated return fee to the sender of the data by a predetermined method. How to return communication charges. 10. A communication fee reduction program for causing a computer to realize each step according to any one of claims 7 to 9.