JP2008104115A - Communication controller, communication control method, communication control program, and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform charging processing in timing of confirming that multimedia data are transmitted from a communication terminal to a communication terminal as a communication partner. <P>SOLUTION: A communication controller related to the present invention is a communication controller which relays and controls communication between a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal as a communication partner of the first communication terminal, and includes a request information receiver which receives from the first communication terminal a request information signal including the multimedia data that the second communication terminal outputs perceptibly to a user and requesting communication from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal; a request information transmitter which transmits the request information signal to the second communication terminal; a confirmation signal receiver which receives from the second communication terminal a reception confirmation signal indicating that the second communication terminal has received the request information signal; and a charging processing unit which charges for transmission of the multimedia data from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal when the confirmation signal receiver has received the reception confirmation signal. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication control device, a communication control method, a communication control program, and a communication system. In particular, the present invention relates to a communication control device, a communication control method, a communication control program, and a communication system that control communication between a communication terminal and a communication terminal that is a communication partner of the communication terminal.

According to Patent Document 1, after voice data is output from an information guidance providing device, a PoC (Push to talk over Cellular) server executes billing processing and stops billing processing after a predetermined time has elapsed. An information guidance service system has been proposed.
JP 2006-17749 A

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, the charging process is executed regardless of whether or not the voice data is normally transmitted from the information guidance providing apparatus to the user's communication terminal. That is, since the billing process is executed without confirming that the voice data transmitted by the information guidance providing device has reached the user's communication terminal, even if the voice data does not actually reach the user's communication terminal In some cases, billing processing for voice data is executed.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the communication control apparatus, the communication control method, communication control program, and communication system which can solve the said subject. This object is achieved by a combination of features described in the independent claims. The dependent claims define further advantageous specific examples of the present invention.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a communication control device that relays and controls communication between a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal that is a communication partner of the first communication terminal. A request information signal for requesting communication from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal is received from the first communication terminal, including multimedia data that is perceptually output to the user from the second communication terminal. Request information receiving unit, a request information transmitting unit for transmitting the request information signal received by the request information receiving unit to the second communication terminal, and a request information signal transmitted by the request information transmitting unit being received by the second communication terminal A confirmation signal receiving unit that receives a reception confirmation signal from the second communication terminal, and transmission of multimedia data from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal when the confirmation signal reception unit receives the reception confirmation signal. Billing process And a cormorant accounting unit.

  In addition, when the request information receiving unit receives the request information signal, the charging processing unit does not perform the charging process for the multimedia data, and when the confirmation signal receiving unit receives the reception confirmation signal, 2 A charging process for transmission of multimedia data to the communication terminal may be performed. Furthermore, when the request information receiving unit receives the request information signal, the multimedia data that stores the data amount information indicating the data amount of the multimedia data in association with the first communication terminal identifier for identifying the first communication terminal. A confirmation unit that receives the first communication terminal identifier that identifies the first communication terminal that has transmitted the request information signal to the second communication terminal, together with the reception confirmation signal. The processing unit may perform charging processing according to the data amount information stored in the multimedia data storage unit in association with the first communication terminal identifier received by the confirmation signal receiving unit. The confirmation signal receiving unit receives a first communication terminal identifier for identifying the first communication terminal that has transmitted the request information signal to the second communication terminal together with the reception confirmation signal from the second communication terminal. The charging process may be performed according to the type information stored in the multimedia data storage unit in association with the first communication terminal identifier received by the confirmation signal receiving unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication control method for relaying and controlling half-duplex communication between a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal that is a communication partner of the first communication terminal. Request information for receiving from the first communication terminal a request information signal that includes multimedia data that is perceptually output to the user from the second communication terminal and that requests communication from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal. A reception stage, a request information transmission stage for transmitting the request information signal received in the request information reception stage to the second communication terminal, and a message that the second communication terminal has received the request information signal transmitted in the request information transmission stage. A confirmation signal receiving stage for receiving the received confirmation signal from the second communication terminal, and multimedia data from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal when the reception confirmation signal is received in the confirmation signal receiving stage. And a billing processing performing a billing process for signal.

  Moreover, in the 3rd form of this invention, communication for the communication control apparatus which relays and controls the half duplex communication between the 1st communication terminal and the 2nd communication terminal which is a communicating party of the 1st communication terminal A request information signal for requesting communication from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal, the control program including multimedia data output from the second communication terminal so as to be perceptible to the user. Request information receiving unit for receiving the request information signal from the first communication terminal, request information transmitting unit for transmitting the request information signal received by the request information receiving unit to the second communication terminal, and request information signal transmitted by the request information transmitting unit for the second communication A confirmation signal receiving unit that receives from the second communication terminal a reception confirmation signal indicating that the terminal has received, and multimedia from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal when the confirmation signal receiving unit receives the reception confirmation signal. Send data Against function as accounting unit that performs accounting processing.

  Moreover, in the 4th form of this invention, the communication control apparatus which relays and controls communication between the 1st communication terminal and the 2nd communication terminal which is a communicating party of a 1st communication terminal and a 1st communication terminal The first communication terminal includes a multimedia data that is perceptually output to the user from the second communication terminal, and receives a request information signal for requesting communication to the second communication terminal. A first communication terminal side request information transmitting unit for transmitting to the communication control device, the communication control device receiving a request information signal transmitted by the first communication terminal side request information transmitting unit; A request information transmitter for transmitting the request information signal received by the receiver to the second communication terminal, and a reception confirmation signal indicating that the second communication terminal has received the request information signal transmitted by the request information transmitter, Confirmation signal received from communication terminal It has a part, and a charging processing unit that performs a charging process for the transmission of multimedia data from a first communication terminal when the confirmation signal receiving unit receives the acknowledgment signal to the second communication terminal.

  The above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention, and sub-combinations of these feature groups can also be the invention.

  According to the present invention, the accounting process can be executed at the timing when the transmission of multimedia data from the communication terminal to the communication terminal of the communication partner is confirmed.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described through embodiments of the invention. However, the following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are included. It is not necessarily essential for the solution of the invention.

  FIG. 1 shows an outline of the operation of the communication control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The server system 30 includes a communication control device 10 and a billing settlement device 15. The plurality of communication terminals 20 and the server system 30 are connected via the network 40. Communication terminal 20 (A) communicates with communication partner communication terminal 20 (B) via network 40. In the communication control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the multimedia data included in the information for requesting communication transmitted from the communication terminal 20 (A) to the communication terminal 20 (B) of the communication partner is the communication terminal 20 (B). It is an object to execute a billing process at a timing when it is confirmed that the message has been received.

  The communication control device 10 relays and controls communication between the plurality of communication terminals 20. Then, the communication control apparatus 10 performs billing processing for the multimedia data included in the request information signal for requesting communication, which is transmitted from the communication terminal 20 (A) to the communication terminal 20 (B) of the communication partner. The communication method between the plurality of communication terminals 20 controlled by the communication control device 10 is, for example, a half-duplex communication method, and may be other communication methods including a full-duplex communication method.

  For example, the communication control apparatus 10 charges the multimedia data included in the request information signal transmitted from the communication terminal 20 (A) to the communication terminal 20 (B) as the communication partner for half-duplex communication, and charges Stores the processed result. Here, the multimedia data is data output from the communication terminal 20 in a perceptible manner to the user. For example, the multimedia data includes audio data, image data (still image data and / or moving image data), or text data. The multimedia data may include data obtained by combining audio data, image data, and text data. The communication control device 10 is, for example, a PoC server.

  The billing clearing device 15 performs communication control on information indicating a result of the billing processing performed by the communication control device 10 on the multimedia data included in the request information signal transmitted from the communication terminal 20 (A) to the communication terminal 20 (B). Receive from device 10. Then, the billing settlement apparatus 15 analyzes the received billing processing result, and the user receives the multimedia data included in the request information signal transmitted from the communication terminal 20 (A) to the communication terminal 20 (B). Billing processing such as collecting communication charges from a bank account or the like is executed. Here, the communication control apparatus 10 may perform the charging process according to the data type and / or data amount of the multimedia data. The billing settlement apparatus 15 is, for example, a Charging Control Function server (CCF) that performs billing settlement processing for IMS services.

  Communication terminal 20 is a mobile phone capable of half-duplex communication. The communication terminal 20 is, for example, a mobile phone that can perform communication using the Push-To-Talk (PTT) method. The communication terminal 20 may be a portable information terminal such as a PDA capable of half-duplex communication using the PTT method, a personal computer, or the like. The network 40 is, for example, the Internet, and may be another communication network such as a LAN or a WAN. The communication terminal 20 attaches multimedia data to the request information signal when generating the request information signal for requesting communication with the communication terminal 20 of the communication partner. Then, the communication terminal 20 sends a request information signal including the multimedia data to the communication terminal 20 of the communication partner and transmits it to the communication control apparatus 10.

  For example, the communication terminal 20 (A) requests the communication control device 10 via the network 40 to request establishment of a half-duplex communication session with the communication partner communication terminal 20 (B). The communication control apparatus 10 receives a request from the communication terminal 20 (A) and establishes a session between the communication terminal 20 (A) and the communication terminal 20 (B). After the communication control device 10 establishes a session, the communication terminal 20 (A) transmits a request information signal for requesting transmission of a talk burst including a plurality of voice packets to the communication terminal 20 (B) via the network 40. To do. In this case, the communication terminal 20 (A) transmits the request information signal with the multimedia data attached thereto. Specifically, when the communication terminal 20 (A) transmits a SIP INVITE message, which is a PoC call request, to the communication terminal 20 (B) as a request information signal, the multimedia data is attached to the SIP INVITE message. To send.

  For example, after a session is established between the communication terminal 20 (A) and the communication terminal 20 (B), the communication terminal 20 (A) transmits voice data, that is, a plurality of voice packets, to the communication terminal 20 (B). Let us consider a case where an attempt is made to acquire a speech right that is a right to transmit a talk burst including. In such a case, the communication terminal 20 (A) transmits a request information signal indicating a PoC call request to the communication terminal 20 (B) (arrow 400). The communication terminal 20 (A) transmits the request information signal including multimedia data, for example, image data, to the communication terminal 20 (B) (arrow 400). Then, the communication terminal 20 (B) receives the request information signal via the communication control device 10.

  Subsequently, the communication terminal 20 (B) extracts the multimedia data included in the received request information signal and outputs the multimedia data from the communication terminal 20 (B) so as to be perceptible to the user. For example, the communication terminal 20 (B) extracts the image data included in the request information signal and displays it on the display unit included in the communication terminal 20 (B). Here, the communication terminal 20 (B) outputs the multimedia data in a perceptible manner to the user, and transmits a signal indicating that the request information signal has been received to the communication control apparatus 10.

  The communication control device 10 receives the multimedia data transmitted from the communication terminal 20 (A) to the communication terminal 20 (B) at the timing of receiving a signal indicating that the request information signal has been received from the communication terminal 20 (B). Is charged for The communication control device 10 transmits the result of the billing process to the billing clearing device 15 to execute billing processing such as collection of a communication fee.

  On the other hand, after a session is established between the communication terminal 20 (A) and the communication terminal 20 (B), the communication terminal 20 (B) attempts to acquire the right to speak to the communication terminal 20 (A). Think. In such a case, the communication terminal 20 (B) transmits a request information signal indicating a PoC call request to the communication terminal 20 (A) (arrow 402). The communication terminal 20 (B) includes the multimedia data in the request information signal and transmits it to the communication terminal 20 (A) (arrow 402). Then, the communication terminal 20 (A) receives the request information signal via the communication control device 10.

  Subsequently, the communication terminal 20 (A) extracts the multimedia data included in the received request information signal and outputs the multimedia data from the communication terminal 20 (A) so as to be perceptible to the user. Here, the communication terminal 20 (A) outputs the multimedia data in a perceptible manner to the user, and transmits a signal indicating that the request information signal has been received to the communication control apparatus 10. The communication control device 10 receives the multimedia data transmitted from the communication terminal 20 (A) to the communication terminal 20 (A) at the timing of receiving the signal indicating that the request information signal has been received from the communication terminal 20 (A). Is charged for The communication control device 10 transmits the result of the billing process to the billing clearing device 15 to execute billing processing such as collection of a communication fee.

  According to the communication control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the communication terminal 20 (B) receives the multimedia data included in the request information signal transmitted from the communication terminal 20 (A) to the communication terminal 20 (B) as the communication partner. After confirming that it has been received, the communication terminal 20 (A) can execute a billing process for multimedia data. Accordingly, when the communication terminal 20 (B) does not receive the multimedia data transmitted from the communication terminal 20 (A), the communication terminal 20 (A) is not charged. The billing process can be executed appropriately.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a functional configuration of the communication control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The communication control device 10 relays and controls communication between the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal that is the communication partner of the first communication terminal. The communication control apparatus 10 includes a request information receiving unit 100, a confirmation signal receiving unit 102, a request information transmission / reception control unit 110, a multimedia data extracting unit 112, a charging processing unit 114, a charging processing information storage unit 120, and a multimedia data storage unit 122. , A request information transmission unit 130 and a billing process information transmission unit 132 are provided. In the following description, a case where a request information signal is transmitted from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal will be described as an example, but the request information signal is transmitted from the second communication terminal to the first communication terminal. May be sent.

  The request information receiving unit 100 includes multimedia data that is perceptually output to the user from the second communication terminal, and transmits a request information signal for requesting communication from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal in the first communication. Receive from the terminal. Further, the request information receiving unit 100 receives a request information signal that includes multimedia data and requests half-duplex communication from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal, for example, a SIP INVITE message, from the first communication terminal. May be. Specifically, the request information receiving unit 100 receives a request information signal from the first communication terminal in association with the first communication terminal identifier for identifying the first communication terminal. The request information receiving unit 100 supplies the received request information signal to the request information transmission / reception control unit 110 and the billing processing unit 114.

  The request information transmission / reception control unit 110 controls operations of the request information reception unit 100 and the request information transmission unit 130. The request information transmission / reception control unit 110 receives a request information signal for requesting communication from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal from the request information receiving unit 100. Specifically, the request information transmission / reception control unit 110 receives a request information signal associated with the first communication terminal identifier from the request information receiving unit 100. Then, the request information transmission / reception control unit 110 supplies the received request information signal to the request information transmission unit 130 and the multimedia data extraction unit 112 in association with the first communication terminal identifier.

  The request information transmitting unit 130 transmits the request information signal received by the request information receiving unit 100 to the second communication terminal. Specifically, the request information transmission unit 130 receives the request information signal received from the request information reception unit 100 by the request information transmission / reception control unit 110 from the request information transmission / reception control unit 110. Then, the request information transmission unit 130 transmits the request information signal received from the request information transmission / reception control unit 110 and associated with the first communication terminal identifier to the second communication terminal. Further, the request information transmitting unit 130 may transmit the request information signal received by the request information receiving unit 100 to the second communication terminal by half duplex communication.

  The confirmation signal receiving unit 102 receives from the second communication terminal a reception confirmation signal indicating that the second communication terminal has received the request information signal transmitted from the request information transmitting unit 130. Specifically, the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 receives, from the second communication terminal, the first communication terminal identifier that identifies the first communication terminal that has transmitted the request information signal to the second communication terminal together with the reception confirmation signal. . Note that the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 may receive the reception confirmation signal from the second communication terminal by half-duplex communication. For example, the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 receives a 180 Ringing message indicating a provisional response as a reception confirmation signal from the second communication terminal.

  The confirmation signal receiving unit 102 receives the first communication terminal from the first communication terminal in association with the first communication terminal identifier that identifies the first communication terminal that transmitted the request information signal to the second communication terminal. The data amount information indicating the amount of multimedia data included in the requested information signal and / or the data type of the multimedia data may be received from the second communication terminal together with the reception confirmation signal. In addition, the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 associates the request information signal received by the second communication terminal with the first communication terminal identifier that identifies the first communication terminal that has transmitted the request information signal to the second communication terminal. The included multimedia data may be received from the second communication terminal together with the reception confirmation signal.

  The confirmation signal receiving unit 102 supplies the reception confirmation signal received from the second communication terminal to the charging processing unit 114 in association with the first communication terminal identifier. Further, when the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 receives the data amount information and / or the data type from the second communication terminal together with the reception confirmation signal, the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 further displays the data amount information and / or the data type. 114. When the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 receives the multimedia data from the second communication terminal together with the reception confirmation signal, the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 associates the received multimedia data with the first communication terminal identifier to the multimedia data extracting unit 112. Supply.

  The multimedia data extracting unit 112 extracts multimedia data included in the request information signal received by the request information receiving unit 100. Then, the multimedia data extraction unit 112 stores the extracted multimedia data in the multimedia data storage unit 122 in association with the first communication terminal identifier that identifies the first communication terminal identifier that transmitted the request information signal. . Further, the multimedia data extraction unit 112 analyzes the extracted multimedia data, and obtains data amount information indicating the data amount of the multimedia data and / or type information indicating the data type of the multimedia data. Then, it is stored in the multimedia data storage unit 122 in association with the first communication terminal identifier.

  In addition, when the multimedia data extracting unit 112 receives the multimedia data from the confirmation signal receiving unit 102, the first communication terminal identifies the first communication terminal that has received the request information signal received by the second communication terminal. The multimedia data is stored in the multimedia data storage unit 122 in association with the terminal identifier. Further, the multimedia data extracting unit 112 analyzes the multimedia data received from the confirmation signal receiving unit 102, and associates the data amount information and / or type information of the multimedia data with the first communication terminal identifier. May be further stored.

  The multimedia data storage unit 122, when the request information receiving unit 100 receives a request information signal, data amount information indicating the amount of multimedia data and / or type information indicating the type of multimedia data. Is stored in association with the first communication terminal identifier. Further, the multimedia data storage unit 122 may store the multimedia data extracted by the multimedia data extraction unit 112 in association with the first communication terminal identifier. The multimedia data storage unit 122 is controlled by the charge processing unit 114 to control the data amount information, type information, and / or multimedia data stored in association with the first communication terminal identifier. 114.

  When the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 receives the reception confirmation signal, the charging processing unit 114 performs a charging process for transmission of multimedia data from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal. Specifically, when the request information receiving unit 100 receives the request information signal, the charging processing unit 114 does not perform the charging process for the multimedia data, and when the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 receives the reception confirmation signal. Billing processing is performed for transmission of multimedia data from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal. In addition, the billing processing unit 114 performs billing processing for transmission of multimedia data using half-duplex communication from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal when the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 receives the reception confirmation signal. You may go. The billing processing unit 114 does not perform billing processing when the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 does not receive a reception confirmation signal from the second communication terminal.

  Accordingly, the multimedia data transmitted from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal can be charged by confirming that the second communication terminal has received the multimedia data, so that the multimedia data is actually received by the second communication terminal. If it is not done, the billing process is not performed, and the billing process can be performed appropriately. The accounting processing unit 114 performs a first accounting process when the request information receiving unit 100 receives the request information signal, and performs a second accounting process when the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 receives the reception confirmation signal. You may go. Thereby, for example, the weight can be set in advance for the communication fee corresponding to the first billing process and the communication fee corresponding to the second billing process.

  Further, the billing processing unit 114 receives the data amount information stored in the multimedia data storage unit 122 in association with the first communication terminal identifier received by the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 or received from the confirmation signal receiving unit 102. Charge processing is performed according to the data amount information. Specifically, the billing processing unit 114 acquires data amount information associated with the first communication terminal identifier from the multimedia data storage unit 122. Then, the billing processing unit 114 performs billing processing according to the acquired data amount information. When the multimedia data storage unit 122 stores multimedia data, the billing processing unit 114 may acquire the data amount information by analyzing the data amount of the multimedia data.

  Further, the billing processing unit 114 may perform billing processing as much as a communication fee higher than a predetermined standard communication fee as the data amount indicated by the data amount information is larger. Further, the billing processing unit 114 may perform billing processing as much as possible in a stepwise communication fee according to the data amount indicated by the data amount information. For example, when the data amount indicated by the data amount information is greater than or equal to a predetermined data amount, the charging processing unit 114 performs an accounting process as much as the first communication fee to determine the data amount indicated by the data amount information. If the amount of data is less than or equal to the data amount, the second communication fee is charged as much as possible. Note that the first communication fee may be higher than the second communication fee.

  In addition, the billing processing unit 114 associates the type information stored in the multimedia data storage unit 122 with the first communication terminal identifier received by the confirmation signal receiving unit 102 or the data received from the confirmation signal receiving unit 102. Charge processing is performed according to the type. Specifically, billing processing unit 114 acquires type information associated with the first communication terminal identifier from multimedia data storage unit 122. Then, the billing processing unit 114 performs billing processing according to the acquired type information. If the multimedia data storage unit 122 stores multimedia data, the billing processing unit 114 may analyze the multimedia data and determine the type of data.

  For example, when the type of data indicated by the type information is voice data, the charging processing unit 114 performs a charging process as much as possible for the communication fee as compared with the case where the type of data indicated by the type information is text data. Furthermore, when the type of data indicated by the type information is image data, the charging processing unit 114 performs charging processing as much as possible for the communication fee as compared with the case where the type of data indicated by the type information is text data. In addition, when the type of data indicated by the type information is image data, the charging processing unit 114 performs a charging process as much as possible for the communication fee as compared with the case where the type of data indicated by the type information is audio data. Good.

  The billing processing unit 114 stores the billing result in the billing processing information storage unit 120 in association with the first communication terminal identifier. In addition, the billing processing unit 114 transmits the billing processing result stored in the billing processing information storage unit 120 to the external billing settlement apparatus 15 via the billing processing information transmission unit 132. Then, the billing processing unit 114 causes the external billing settlement apparatus 15 to execute billing processing such as collection of communication charges according to the result of billing processing transmitted by the billing processing information transmitting unit 132. The accounting processing information transmission unit 132 transmits the accounting processing result received from the accounting processing unit 114 to the external accounting settlement apparatus 15. The billing processing unit 114 transmits the data amount information and / or type information of the multimedia data to the external billing settlement device 15 in association with the first communication terminal identifier received by the confirmation signal receiving unit 102. You can do it. Then, the billing processing unit 114 may cause the external billing settlement device 15 to perform billing processing such as collection of communication charges according to the data amount information and / or the type information.

  The charging processing information storage unit 120 stores the result of charging processing for the multimedia data included in the request information signal transmitted by the communication terminal in association with the communication terminal identifier for identifying the communication terminal. For example, when the billing processing unit 114 performs billing processing according to the amount of multimedia data transmitted from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal, the billing processing information storage unit 120 The amount of data to be charged is stored in association with the first communication terminal identifier for identifying the terminal. In addition, when the billing processing unit 114 performs billing processing according to the type of multimedia data transmitted from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal, the billing processing information storage unit 120 The type of data to be charged is stored in association with the first communication terminal identifier for identifying the communication terminal. The accounting processing information storage unit 120 is controlled by the accounting processing unit 114 to supply the accounting processing result to the accounting processing information transmission unit 132.

  According to the communication control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, at the timing when the request information signal is received from the first communication terminal, the second communication terminal does not perform the charging process for the multimedia data included in the request information signal. Billing processing can be performed at the timing when it is confirmed that the media data has been received. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the accounting process from being performed even though the multimedia data is not actually received by the second communication terminal.

  Further, according to the communication control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the data amount and / or the data type of the multimedia data included in the request information signal received from the first communication terminal is stored, and the second Charge processing according to the amount of data and / or the type of data can be performed at the timing when the communication terminal confirms that the multimedia data has been received. As a result, it is possible to set a fine communication charge according to the amount of multimedia data and / or the type of data.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the functional configuration of the communication terminal 20 according to the present embodiment. The communication terminal 20 includes an instruction input unit 200, a communication terminal side request information reception unit 202, a request information generation unit 210, a communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212, a confirmation signal generation unit 214, a communication terminal side request information transmission unit 220, A confirmation signal transmission unit 222, an output unit 224, and a communication terminal side multimedia data storage unit 230 are provided. Note that the first communication terminal and the second communication terminal recited in the claims are examples of the communication terminal 20.

  The output unit 224 outputs the multimedia data included in the request information signal received from the communication terminal 20 of the communication partner so that the user can perceive from the communication terminal 20. Specifically, the output unit 224 includes a display unit that displays image data and text data, and a speaker that outputs audio data. The output unit 224 has a vibrator function that vibrates the communication terminal 20 in accordance with the audio data. For example, the output unit 224 vibrates the communication terminal 20 together with the output of audio data. Further, when the volume of the sound output from the output unit 224 is set to zero, the output unit 224 causes the communication terminal 20 to vibrate with a predetermined vibration pattern.

  The communication terminal side request information receiving unit 202 receives a request information signal including multimedia data transmitted by the communication terminal 20 as a communication partner. Specifically, the communication terminal side request information receiving unit 202 receives a request information signal transmitted from the communication terminal 20 of the communication partner via the request information transmitting unit 130 provided in the communication control apparatus 10. The communication terminal side request information reception unit 202 supplies the received request information signal to the communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212 and the confirmation signal generation unit 214. Note that the second communication terminal side request information receiving unit described in the claims is an example of the communication terminal side request information receiving unit 202.

  The communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212 extracts multimedia data included in the request information signal received from the communication terminal side request information reception unit 202. Further, the communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212 responds to the request information signal received by the communication terminal side request information reception unit 202 before responding to a communication request from the communication partner communication terminal 20. The media data is output to the output unit 224. That is, when the communication terminal side request information receiving unit 202 receives the request information signal, the communication mode of the communication terminal 20 is changed from the standby mode waiting until the start of communication to the communication partner 20 of the communication partner making a communication request. Transitions to the call mode indicating that The communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212 causes the output unit 224 to output the multimedia data included in the request information signal so that the user can perceive the communication terminal 20 during the call mode.

  Further, the communication terminal-side multimedia data extraction unit 212 may cause the output unit 224 to output the multimedia data so that the user can perceive it when the user responds to a call from the communication terminal 20 of the communication partner. The communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212 supplies the extracted multimedia data to the communication terminal side multimedia data storage unit 230 in association with the communication terminal identifier for identifying the communication terminal 20 of the communication partner. Further, the communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212 supplies a signal indicating that the multimedia data has been extracted from the request information signal to the confirmation signal generation unit 214.

  Further, the communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212 analyzes the extracted multimedia data, and acquires data amount information indicating the data amount of the multimedia data and type information indicating the type of data. Then, the communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212 supplies the acquired data amount information and / or type information to the confirmation signal generation unit 214. Further, the communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212 may supply the extracted multimedia data to the confirmation signal generation unit 214. The second communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit described in the claims is an example of the communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212.

  The confirmation signal generating unit 214 generates a reception confirmation signal indicating that a request information signal including multimedia data and requesting half-duplex communication from the communication terminal of the communication partner, for example, a SIP INVITE message has been received. The confirmation signal generation unit 214 may generate a reception confirmation signal at a timing when a signal indicating that the multimedia data is extracted from the communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212 is received. Even if the user does not respond to the call of the communication terminal of the communication partner, the multimedia data extracted by the communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212 is stored in the communication terminal side multimedia data storage unit 230. As a trigger, the confirmation signal generation unit 214 may generate a reception confirmation signal. The confirmation signal generation unit 214 supplies the generated reception confirmation signal to the confirmation signal transmission unit 222.

  The confirmation signal transmission unit 222 transmits a reception confirmation signal indicating that the communication terminal side request information reception unit 202 has received the request information signal to the confirmation signal reception unit 102 included in the communication control apparatus 10. Further, the confirmation signal transmission unit 222 includes a communication terminal side multimedia data storage unit that associates the extracted multimedia data with the communication terminal identifier that identifies the communication terminal 20 of the communication partner. After being stored in 230, the reception confirmation signal is transmitted to the confirmation signal receiving unit 102. Also, the confirmation signal transmission unit 222 transmits the multimedia data received from the communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212 or the data amount information and / or type information to the confirmation signal reception unit 102 together with the reception confirmation signal. The second confirmation signal transmission unit described in the claims is an example of the confirmation signal transmission unit 222.

  The communication terminal side multimedia data storage unit 230 stores the multimedia data extracted by the communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 212 in association with the communication terminal identifier for identifying the communication terminal 20 of the communication partner. The communication terminal-side multimedia data storage unit 230 stores multimedia data input to the communication terminal 20. For example, when the communication terminal 20 has a camera function, the communication terminal-side multimedia data storage unit 230 stores image data of an image captured by the camera function. In addition, when the communication terminal 20 has a recording function, the communication terminal-side multimedia data storage unit 230 stores voice data of voice recorded by the recording function. The communication terminal side multimedia data storage unit 230 is controlled by the instruction input unit 200 and supplies the stored multimedia data to the request information generation unit 210. The second communication terminal side multimedia data storage unit 230 described in the claims is an example of the communication terminal side multimedia data storage unit 230.

  The instruction input unit 200 allows the user to input a signal indicating that communication from the communication terminal 20 to the communication terminal 20 of the communication partner is requested, and allows the user to select multimedia data to be attached to the request information signal. Specifically, the instruction input unit 200 displays the multimedia data stored in the communication terminal side multimedia data storage unit 230 on the display unit of the communication terminal 20. For example, when the multimedia data is image data, the instruction input unit 200 displays an image indicated by the image data on the display unit. When the multimedia data is audio data, the instruction input unit 200 displays text indicating the content of the audio data on the display unit. When the multimedia data is text data, the instruction input unit 200 displays the text indicated by the text data on the display unit.

  Then, the instruction input unit 200 allows the user to select multimedia data to be attached to the request information signal. The instruction input unit 200 supplies the multimedia data stored in the communication terminal side multimedia data storage unit 230 selected by the user to the request information generation unit 210. In addition, the instruction input unit 200 supplies a signal indicating that a communication from the communication terminal 20 to the communication terminal 20 of the communication partner is requested to the request information generation unit 210.

  When the request information generation unit 210 receives a signal indicating a request for communication from the communication terminal 20 to the communication partner communication terminal 20 from the instruction input unit 200, the request information generation unit 210 transmits the communication terminal 20 to the communication partner communication terminal 20. A request information signal indicating that communication is requested is generated. When generating the request information signal, the request information generation unit 210 attaches the multimedia data received from the communication terminal side multimedia data storage unit 230 to the request information signal. The request information generation unit 210 supplies a request information signal attached with multimedia data to the communication terminal side request information transmission unit 220. The communication terminal side request information transmission unit 220 includes multimedia data that is perceptually output to the user from the communication partner communication terminal 20, and communicates a request information signal for requesting communication to the communication partner communication terminal 20. It transmits to the control apparatus 10. The first communication terminal side request information transmitting unit described in the claims is an example of the communication terminal side request information transmitting unit 220.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the data structure of the billing process information storage unit 120 according to the present embodiment. The charging processing information storage unit 120 associates a communication terminal identifier for identifying a communication terminal with the result of charging processing performed by the charging processing unit 114 on the multimedia data included in the request information signal transmitted by the communication terminal. Store. Specifically, the charging processing information storage unit 120 is associated with a communication terminal identifier for identifying a communication terminal, and the charging processing unit 114 corresponds to the amount of multimedia data included in the request information transmitted by the communication terminal. Stores the result of the billing process.

  For example, consider a case where the charging processing unit 114 performs charging processing for multimedia data transmission from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal in accordance with the amount of multimedia data. In such a case, the billing processing information storage unit 120 stores the data amount of multimedia data that is the subject of the billing processing by the billing processing unit 114 in association with the first communication terminal identifier that identifies the first communication terminal.

  For example, when the multimedia data transmitted by the communication terminal identifier 2000 indicates a data amount of “10 kB” and the charging processing unit 114 performs the charging process for the data amount of the multimedia data, The charging processing unit 114 stores the amount of data (10 kB) in the charging processing information storage unit 120 in association with the communication terminal identifier 2000. Similarly, when the multimedia data transmitted by the communication terminal identifier 2100 indicates a data amount of “200 kB” and the billing processing unit 114 performs billing processing on the data amount of the multimedia data. The charging processing unit 114 stores the data amount (200 kB) in the charging processing information storage unit 120 in association with the communication terminal identifier 2100. The billing processing unit 114 may further store information indicating a communication fee according to the data amount. For example, the charging processing unit 114 may store information indicating a higher communication fee when the data amount is large in the charging processing information storage unit 120 in association with the communication terminal identifier.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of the data structure of the billing processing information storage unit 120 according to this embodiment. The charging processing information storage unit 120 associates a communication terminal identifier for identifying a communication terminal with the result of charging processing performed by the charging processing unit 114 on the multimedia data included in the request information signal transmitted by the communication terminal. Store. Specifically, the charging processing information storage unit 120 is associated with a communication terminal identifier for identifying a communication terminal, and charging processing unit for the type of multimedia data included in the request information transmitted by the communication terminal. 114 stores the result of the billing process.

  For example, consider a case where the charging processing unit 114 performs charging processing performed for transmission of multimedia data from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal in accordance with the data type of the multimedia data. In such a case, the charging processing information storage unit 120 stores the data type of the multimedia data that is the target of charging processing by the charging processing unit 114 in association with the first communication terminal identifier that identifies the first communication terminal. .

  For example, when the data type of the multimedia data transmitted by the communication terminal identifier 2000 is “text” and the charging processing unit 114 performs the charging process for the data type of the multimedia data, the charging is performed. The processing unit 114 stores the data type “text” in association with the communication terminal identifier 2000 in the charging processing information storage unit 120. In addition, when the data type of the multimedia data transmitted by the communication terminal identifier 2100 is “image” and the charging processing unit 114 performs the charging process for the data type of the multimedia data, charging is performed. The processing unit 114 stores the data type “image” in the charging processing information storage unit 120 in association with the communication terminal identifier 2100. Similarly, when the data type of the multimedia data transmitted by the communication terminal identifier 2200 is “voice” and the charging processing unit 114 performs the charging process for the data type of the multimedia data. The charging processing unit 114 stores the data type “voice” in the charging processing information storage unit 120 in association with the communication terminal identifier 2200.

  In addition, the charging processing unit 114 may further store information indicating a communication fee according to the type of data. For example, the charging processing unit 114 may store information indicating a communication fee determined in advance according to the type of data in the charging processing information storage unit 120 in association with the communication terminal identifier. For example, the billing processing unit 114 associates the billing processing information storage unit 120 with the communication terminal identifier, and displays information indicating a higher communication fee for multimedia data that is image data than when the multimedia data is text data. Store.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a processing flow in the communication system according to the present embodiment. First, the communication terminal 20 (A) transmits the multimedia data attached to the SIP INVITE message indicating the PoC call request to the SIP server (A) on the communication terminal 20 (A) side (S1000). When the SIP server (A) receives the SIP INVITE message from the communication terminal 20 (A), the SIP server (A) transfers the received SIP INVITE message to the communication control apparatus 10 (S1005) and also sends the SIP INVITE to the communication terminal 20 (A). A signal indicating that the message has been received, for example, 100 Trying is transmitted (S1010).

  Here, the communication control apparatus 10 analyzes and acquires the data amount and / or the data type of the multimedia data attached to the SIP INVITE message. Then, the communication control apparatus 10 temporarily stores the acquired data amount and / or data type in association with the communication terminal identifier for identifying the communication terminal 20 (A).

  Subsequently, when receiving the SIP INVITE message from the SIP server (A), the communication control device 10 transfers the received SIP INVITE message to the SIP server (B) on the communication terminal 20 (B) side (S1015). Then, 100 Trying, which is a signal indicating that the SIP INVITE message has been received, is transmitted to the SIP server (A) (S1020). When the SIP server (B) receives the SIP INVITE message from the communication control device 10, the SIP server (B) transfers the received SIP INVITE message to the communication terminal 20 (B) (S 1025) and sends 100 Trying to the communication control device 10. Transmit (S1030).

  The communication terminal 20 (B) extracts the multimedia data attached to the SIP INVITE message received from the SIP server (B). Then, the communication terminal 20 (B) transmits 100 Trying to the SIP server (B) (S 1035), receives the SIP INVITE message, and displays 180 Ringing indicating that the communication terminal 20 (B) is calling. The information is transmitted to the SIP server (B) in association with the communication terminal identifier for identifying the communication terminal 20 (A) (S1040).

  In this case, the communication terminal 20 (B) outputs the extracted multimedia data so that it can be perceived by the user. For example, the communication terminal 20 (B) outputs the multimedia data extracted during the call from the communication terminal 20 (B). Further, when the communication terminal 20 (B) transmits 180 Ringing to the SIP server (B), the communication terminal 20 (B) receives data amount information indicating the amount of extracted multimedia data and / or data type or multimedia data. You may send it as an attachment.

  The SIP server (B) transmits data amount information and / or data type, or multimedia data to the communication control apparatus 10 together with the 180 Ringing received from the communication terminal 20 (B) (S1045). The communication control device 10 performs billing processing on the multimedia data transmitted from the communication terminal 20 (A) to the communication terminal 20 (B) at the timing when 180 Ringing is received from the SIP server (B).

  Here, the communication control device 10 associates with the communication terminal identifier for identifying the communication terminal 20 (A) received from the SIP server (B), temporarily stored in advance, and / or The charging process may be performed according to the type of data or multimedia data. The communication control apparatus 10 transmits 180 Ringing received from the SIP server (B) to the SIP server (A) (S1050). The SIP server (A) transmits 180 Ringing received from the communication control apparatus 10 to the communication terminal 20 (A) (S1055).

  If the SIP INVITE message is permitted, the communication terminal 20 (B) transmits 200 OK indicating permission of the PoC call request to the SIP server (B) (S1060). The SIP server (B) transmits 200OK received from the communication terminal 20 (B) to the communication control apparatus 10 (S1070). The communication control device 10 may charge the multimedia data transmitted from the communication terminal 20 (A) to the communication terminal 20 (B) at the timing when 200 OK is received from the SIP server (B).

  When the communication control apparatus 10 performs the charging process, the communication control apparatus 10 transmits an ActStartReq message indicating that the charging clearing apparatus 15 is requested to execute the charging process together with the result of the charging process (S1075). Based on the ActStartReq message received from the communication control device 10 and the result of the billing process, the billing clearing apparatus 15 executes a billing process for collecting a communication fee from the user's bank account or the like. Subsequently, the accounting clearing apparatus 15 transmits an ActStartRsp message to the communication control apparatus 10 at the timing when the execution of the accounting process is started or when the accounting process is completed (S1090).

  The communication terminal 20 (A), the SIP server (A), the communication control apparatus 10, the SIP server (B), and the communication terminal 20 (B) each indicate that the session establishment is permitted after receiving 200 OK. An Ack message is transmitted to each adjacent node (S1100, S1105, S1110, and S1120).

  FIG. 7 shows an example of a hardware configuration of the communication control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The communication control apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU peripheral unit having a CPU 1505, a RAM 1520, a graphic controller 1575, and a display device 1580 connected to each other by a host controller 1582, and a host controller 1582 by an input / output controller 1584. I / O unit having a communication interface 1530, a hard disk drive 1540, and a CD-ROM drive 1560 connected to the I / O controller, and a legacy input having a ROM 1510, a flexible disk drive 1550, and an I / O chip 1570 connected to the I / O controller 1584. And an output unit.

  The host controller 1582 connects the RAM 1520 to the CPU 1505 and the graphic controller 1575 that access the RAM 1520 at a high transfer rate. The CPU 1505 operates based on programs stored in the ROM 1510 and the RAM 1520 to control each unit. The graphic controller 1575 acquires image data generated by the CPU 1505 or the like on a frame buffer provided in the RAM 1520 and displays the image data on the display device 1580. Alternatively, the graphic controller 1575 may include a frame buffer that stores image data generated by the CPU 1505 or the like.

  The input / output controller 1584 connects the host controller 1582 to the communication interface 1530, the hard disk drive 1540, and the CD-ROM drive 1560, which are relatively high-speed input / output devices. The communication interface 1530 communicates with other devices via a network. The hard disk drive 1540 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1505 in the communication control apparatus 10. The CD-ROM drive 1560 reads a program or data from the CD-ROM 1595 and provides it to the hard disk drive 1540 via the RAM 1520.

  The input / output controller 1584 is connected to the ROM 1510, the flexible disk drive 1550, and the relatively low-speed input / output device of the input / output chip 1570. The ROM 1510 stores a boot program that the communication control device 10 executes at startup, a program that depends on the hardware of the communication control device 10, and the like. The flexible disk drive 1550 reads a program or data from the flexible disk 1590 and provides it to the hard disk drive 1540 via the RAM 1520. The input / output chip 1570 connects various input / output devices via a flexible disk drive 1550 such as a parallel port, a serial port, a keyboard port, and a mouse port.

  A communication control program provided to the hard disk drive 1540 via the RAM 1520 is stored in a recording medium such as the flexible disk 1590, the CD-ROM 1595, or an IC card and provided by the user. The communication control program is read from the recording medium, installed in the hard disk drive 1540 in the communication control device 10 via the RAM 1520, and executed by the CPU 1505. The communication control program installed and executed in the communication control device 10 works on the CPU 1505 and the like to make the communication control device 10 the request information receiving unit 100, the confirmation signal receiving unit 102, and the request information described with reference to FIGS. The transmission / reception control unit 110, the multimedia data extraction unit 112, the accounting processing unit 114, the accounting processing information storage unit 120, the multimedia data storage unit 122, the request information transmission unit 130, and the accounting processing information transmission unit 132 are caused to function.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated using embodiment, the technical scope of this invention is not limited to the range as described in the said embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be added to the above-described embodiment. It is apparent from the scope of the claims that the embodiments added with such changes or improvements can be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

1 is a schematic diagram of a communication control device 10. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a communication control device 10. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a communication terminal 20. FIG. The data structure of the accounting process information storage unit 120 is shown. The data structure of the accounting process information storage unit 120 is shown. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process in a communication system. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a communication control device 10. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Communication control apparatus 15 Billing settlement apparatus 20 Communication terminal 30 Server system 40 Network 100 Request information receiving part 102 Confirmation signal receiving part 110 Request information transmission / reception control part 112 Multimedia data extraction part 114 Charging process part 120 Billing process information storage part 122 Multi Media data storage unit 130 Request information transmission unit 132 Billing process information transmission unit 200 Instruction input unit 202 Communication terminal side request information reception unit 210 Request information generation unit 212 Communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit 214 Confirmation signal generation unit 220 Communication terminal side Request information transmission unit 222 Confirmation signal transmission unit 224 Output unit 230 Communication terminal side multimedia data storage unit 400, 402 Arrow 1505 CPU
1510 ROM
1520 RAM
1530 Communication interface 1540 Hard disk drive 1550 Flexible disk drive 1560 CD-ROM drive 1570 Input / output chip 1575 Graphic controller 1580 Display device 1582 Host controller 1584 Input / output controller 1590 Flexible disk 1595 CD-ROM
2000, 2100, 2200 Communication terminal identifier

Claims (17)

A communication control device that relays and controls communication between a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal that is a communication partner of the first communication terminal,
A request information signal for requesting communication from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal is received from the first communication terminal, including multimedia data that is perceptually output to the user from the second communication terminal. A request information receiving unit to
A request information transmitting unit that transmits the request information signal received by the request information receiving unit to the second communication terminal;
A confirmation signal receiving unit that receives from the second communication terminal a reception confirmation signal indicating that the second communication terminal has received the request information signal transmitted by the request information transmission unit;
A communication control apparatus comprising: a charging processing unit that performs a charging process for transmission of the multimedia data from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal when the confirmation signal receiving unit receives a reception confirmation signal. The charging processing unit does not perform charging processing for the multimedia data when the request information receiving unit receives the request information signal, and the first communication when the confirmation signal receiving unit receives the reception confirmation signal. The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein charging processing is performed for transmission of the multimedia data from a terminal to the second communication terminal. A multimedia that stores data amount information indicating a data amount of the multimedia data in association with a first communication terminal identifier for identifying the first communication terminal when the request information receiving unit receives a request information signal. A data storage unit;
The confirmation signal receiving unit receives a first communication terminal identifier for identifying the first communication terminal that has transmitted a request information signal to the second communication terminal from the second communication terminal together with a reception confirmation signal,
The charging unit according to claim 1, wherein the charging unit performs charging according to data amount information stored in the multimedia data storage unit in association with the first communication terminal identifier received by the confirmation signal receiving unit. Communication control device. Multimedia that stores type information indicating the type of multimedia data in association with a first communication terminal identifier for identifying the first communication terminal when the request information receiving unit receives a request information signal. A data storage unit;
The confirmation signal receiving unit receives a first communication terminal identifier for identifying the first communication terminal that has transmitted a request information signal to the second communication terminal from the second communication terminal together with a reception confirmation signal,
2. The communication according to claim 1, wherein the billing processing unit performs billing processing in accordance with the type information stored in the multimedia data storage unit in association with the first communication terminal identifier received by the confirmation signal receiving unit. Control device. A multimedia data extraction unit that extracts the multimedia data included in the request information signal received by the request information reception unit;
A multimedia data storage unit that stores the multimedia data extracted by the multimedia data extraction unit in association with a first communication terminal identifier that identifies the first communication terminal;
The confirmation signal receiving unit receives a first communication terminal identifier for identifying the first communication terminal that has transmitted a request information signal to the second communication terminal from the second communication terminal together with a reception confirmation signal,
The billing processing unit performs billing processing according to a data amount of the multimedia data stored in the multimedia data storage unit in association with the first communication terminal identifier received by the confirmation signal receiving unit. The communication control apparatus according to 1. A multimedia data extraction unit that extracts the multimedia data included in the request information signal received by the request information reception unit;
A multimedia data storage unit that stores the multimedia data extracted by the multimedia data extraction unit in association with a first communication terminal identifier that identifies the first communication terminal;
The confirmation signal receiving unit receives a first communication terminal identifier for identifying the first communication terminal that has transmitted a request information signal to the second communication terminal from the second communication terminal together with a reception confirmation signal,
The billing processing unit performs billing processing in accordance with the type of multimedia data stored in the multimedia data storage unit in association with the first communication terminal identifier received by the confirmation signal receiving unit. Item 4. The communication control device according to Item 1. The confirmation signal receiving unit is associated with a first communication terminal identifier that identifies the first communication terminal that has transmitted a request information signal to the second communication terminal, and the second communication terminal is configured to be the first communication terminal. Receiving from the second communication terminal data amount information indicating the amount of multimedia data included in the request information signal received from the second communication terminal together with a reception confirmation signal;
The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the accounting processing unit performs accounting processing according to data amount information received by the confirmation signal receiving unit. The confirmation signal receiving unit is associated with a first communication terminal identifier that identifies the first communication terminal that has transmitted a request information signal to the second communication terminal, and the second communication terminal is configured to be the first communication terminal. Receiving the data type of the multimedia data included in the request information signal received from the second communication terminal together with the reception confirmation signal;
The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the charging processing unit performs charging processing according to a type of data received by the confirmation signal receiving unit. The confirmation signal receiving unit is associated with a first communication terminal identifier for identifying the first communication terminal that has transmitted the request information signal to the second communication terminal, and is received by the second communication terminal. Receiving the multimedia data contained in the second communication terminal together with a reception confirmation signal,
The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the charging processing unit performs charging processing according to a data amount of the multimedia data received by the confirmation signal receiving unit. The confirmation signal receiving unit is associated with a first communication terminal identifier for identifying the first communication terminal that has transmitted the request information signal to the second communication terminal, and is received by the second communication terminal. Receiving the multimedia data contained in the second communication terminal together with a reception confirmation signal,
The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the charging processing unit performs charging processing according to a data type of the multimedia data received by the confirmation signal receiving unit. The first communication terminal and the second communication terminal perform half-duplex communication,
The request information receiving unit receives multimedia information and receives a request information signal for requesting half-duplex communication from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal from the first communication terminal,
The request information transmitting unit transmits the request information signal received by the request information receiving unit to the second communication terminal by half-duplex communication;
The confirmation signal receiving unit receives a reception confirmation signal indicating that the second communication terminal has received the request information signal transmitted by the request information transmission unit from the second communication terminal by half-duplex communication;
The billing processing unit performs billing processing for transmission of the multimedia data using half-duplex communication from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal when the confirmation signal receiving unit receives the reception confirmation signal. The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, which is performed. A communication control method for relaying and controlling half-duplex communication between a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal that is a communication partner of the first communication terminal,
A request information signal for requesting communication from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal is received from the first communication terminal, including multimedia data that is perceptually output to the user from the second communication terminal. Request information receiving stage to perform,
A request information transmission step of transmitting the request information signal received in the request information reception step to the second communication terminal;
A confirmation signal receiving step of receiving from the second communication terminal a reception confirmation signal indicating that the second communication terminal has received the request information signal transmitted in the request information transmission step;
A communication control method comprising: a charging process step of performing a charging process for transmission of the multimedia data from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal when a reception confirmation signal is received in the confirmation signal reception step. A communication control program for a communication control apparatus that relays and controls half-duplex communication between a first communication terminal and a second communication terminal that is a communication partner of the first communication terminal, the communication control apparatus comprising: ,
A request information signal for requesting communication from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal is received from the first communication terminal, including multimedia data that is perceptually output to the user from the second communication terminal. Request information receiving unit,
A request information transmitter for transmitting the request information signal received by the request information receiver to the second communication terminal;
A confirmation signal receiving unit for receiving from the second communication terminal a reception confirmation signal indicating that the second communication terminal has received the request information signal transmitted by the request information transmitting unit;
A communication control program that functions as a billing processing unit that performs billing processing for transmission of the multimedia data from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal when the confirmation signal receiving unit receives a reception confirmation signal. A communication system comprising: a first communication terminal; and a communication control device that relays and controls communication between the first communication terminal and a second communication terminal that is a communication partner of the first communication terminal,
The first communication terminal is
A request on the first communication terminal side, which includes multimedia data that is perceptually output to the user from the second communication terminal, and transmits a request information signal for requesting communication to the second communication terminal to the communication control device. An information transmission unit,
The communication control device includes:
A request information receiving unit for receiving a request information signal transmitted by the first communication terminal side request information transmitting unit;
A request information transmitting unit that transmits the request information signal received by the request information receiving unit to the second communication terminal;
A confirmation signal receiving unit that receives from the second communication terminal a reception confirmation signal indicating that the second communication terminal has received the request information signal transmitted by the request information transmission unit;
A communication system comprising: a charging processing unit that performs a charging process for transmission of the multimedia data from the first communication terminal to the second communication terminal when the confirmation signal receiving unit receives a reception confirmation signal. The second communication terminal is
A second communication terminal side request information receiving unit that receives the request information signal transmitted by the request information transmitting unit;
The communication system according to claim 14, further comprising: a second confirmation signal transmission unit that transmits a reception confirmation signal indicating that the second communication terminal side request information reception unit has received the request information signal to the confirmation signal reception unit. The second communication terminal is
A second communication terminal side multimedia data extracting unit for extracting the multimedia data included in the request information signal received by the second communication terminal side request information receiving unit;
A second communication terminal side multimedia data storage unit for storing the multimedia data extracted by the second communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit in association with a first communication terminal identifier for identifying the first communication terminal; Further comprising
The second confirmation signal transmission unit associates the multimedia data extracted by the second communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit with a first communication terminal identifier for identifying the first communication terminal, in the second communication. The communication system according to claim 15, wherein a reception confirmation signal is transmitted to the confirmation signal receiving unit after being stored in the terminal-side multimedia data storage unit. The second communication terminal is
An output unit for outputting multimedia data from the second communication terminal to the user in a perceptible manner;
The second communication terminal side multimedia data extraction unit extracts the response information signal received by the second communication terminal side request information reception unit before responding to the communication request from the first communication terminal. The communication system according to claim 16, wherein the multimedia data is output to the output unit.

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