JP5182731B2 - Communication terminal, billing method change support method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal, a charging method change support method, and a program, and more particularly to a communication terminal, a charging method change support method, and a program that support a change of a charging method for a communication service that can be used by the communication terminal.

  As a billing method for the communication service used by the communication terminal, there are a pay-as-you-go system and a flat-rate system (see Patent Document 1). In the pay-per-use system, the charge increases as the usage time of the communication service in the charge calculation target period (for example, one month) becomes longer. In the flat-rate charge system, the charge in the charge calculation target period becomes a fixed amount. .

JP 2005-198021 A

  In the pay-per-use system, if the usage time of the communication service increases within the accounting target period, the charge becomes higher than the charge of the flat-rate service. In this case, it is desirable to change the billing system for the communication service from the pay-per-use system to the flat-rate system.

  In order to determine whether or not the charging method needs to be changed from the pay-as-you-go billing system to the flat-rate charge system, the charge calculated in the pay-per-use charge system is higher than the charge in the flat-rate charge system. It is necessary to confirm whether it is.

  In other words, the user confirms whether the charge calculated by the pay-per-use system is higher than the communication charge of the flat-rate service, and changes the charge method from the pay-per-use system to the flat-rate service based on the confirmation result. There is a problem that it is necessary to perform a troublesome series of fee confirmation operations of determining whether or not it is necessary to do so.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal, a charging method change support method, and a program that can solve the above-described problems.

  The communication terminal of the present invention includes a communication means for performing communication using a communication service that can alternatively set a pay-as-you-go system or a flat-rate system as a charging system, and a charging system set for the communication service Storage means for storing the charging information indicating the change, the change screen information indicating the change screen for prompting the change of the charging method, the predetermined threshold information indicating the predetermined threshold time, the display means, and the calculation of the charging for the communication service Counting means for counting a cumulative time that is a cumulative time during which the communication means has used the communication service within a period; and in a situation where the billing information represents the pay-per-use system, the cumulative time is the predetermined threshold value Control means for displaying a change screen represented by the change screen information on the display means when a predetermined threshold time represented by the information is exceeded.

  The charging method change support method of the present invention is a charging method change support method in a communication terminal, and communicates using a communication service that can alternatively set a pay-as-you-go system or a flat-rate system as a charging system. A communication step for performing charging, charging information indicating a charging method set for the communication service, change screen information indicating a change screen for prompting the change of the charging method, and predetermined threshold information indicating a predetermined threshold time A storage step for storing in the means; a counting step for counting a cumulative time that is a cumulative time during which the communication service is used within a billing calculation period for the communication service; and the billing information represents the pay-per-use system. In a situation, when the accumulated time exceeds a predetermined threshold time represented by the predetermined threshold information, a change screen represented by the change screen information is displayed on a display unit. Includes a control step, the.

  The program of the present invention causes a computer to execute the operation of the communication terminal in the charging method change support method.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the necessity for a user to perform a series of fee confirmation operations in order to determine whether or not the billing method needs to be changed from the pay-as-you-go billing system to the flat-rate billing system.

It is the block diagram which showed the communication system containing the communication terminal 100 of 1st Embodiment of this invention. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a storage unit 102. FIG. It is the figure which showed an example of the change screen 102b1. It is the figure which showed an example of the connection screen 102c1. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user DB storage unit 201. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of communication terminal 100. It is the block diagram which showed the communication system containing the communication terminal 100A of 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication system including a communication terminal 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the communication system includes a communication terminal 100, a management server 200, wireless LAN (Local Area Network) access points 300 and 400, and a network 500.

  Communication terminal 100 includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, a display unit 103, a counter 104, an input unit 105, and a control unit 106.

  Communication unit 101 can be generally referred to as communication means.

  The communication unit 101 can use a communication service provided by the management server 200.

  In the present embodiment, the communication unit 101 includes a “public wireless LAN-a service” that is a communication service connected to the public wireless LAN-a via the access point 300 among the communication services provided by the management server 200, and an access. A “public wireless LAN-b service” that is a communication service connected to the public wireless LAN-b via the point 400 can be used.

  The public wireless LAN-a service and the public wireless LAN-b service can alternatively set a pay-as-you-go billing system or a fixed charge billing system. In this embodiment, in each of the pay-as-you-go billing system and the flat-rate billing system, the billing calculation period is one month. The billing calculation period is not limited to one month and can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, the communication unit 101 performs communication using a communication line specified by a communication service provided by the management server 200.

  Storage unit 102 can generally be referred to as storage means.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the storage unit 102.

  In FIG. 2, the storage unit 102 includes contract status information 102 a, change screen information 102 b, a user ID 102 d that is identification information of the user of the communication terminal 100, and a device ID 102 e that is identification information of the communication terminal 100. Remember.

  In the contract status information 102a, the communication service name 102a1, the charge system information 102a2, the accumulated time threshold 102a3, the accumulated time 102a4, the accumulated time 102a5 of the previous month, the service specifying information 102a6, and the connection screen information 102c are mutually connected. Is associated.

  The communication service name 102a1 represents the name of a communication service that can be used by the communication unit 101.

  In FIG. 2, for example, public wireless LAN-a service and public wireless LAN-b service are shown as the communication service name 102a1.

  Fee system information 102a2 can be generally referred to as billing information. The charge system information 102a2 represents a charging method set for the communication service indicated by the communication service name 102a1.

  In FIG. 2, a pay-as-you-go system (a pay-per-use charge system) is shown as a charging method for the public wireless LAN-a service, and a pay-per-use system is shown as a charging method for the public wireless LAN-b service.

  The accumulated time threshold 102a3 can be generally referred to as predetermined threshold information representing a predetermined threshold time. The accumulated time threshold 102a3 represents the accumulated time threshold for the communication service indicated by the communication service name 102a1.

  In the present embodiment, as a cumulative time threshold value for a communication service, a communication service usage time is used in which the charge for the communication service with the pay-per-use system is a flat-rate charge defined by the fixed charge system for the communication service.

  For example, in a situation where the flat fee for the communication service flat fee system is 2000 yen, and the charge for the pay-per-use system when the usage time of the communication service is 2 hours is 2000 yen, the cumulative number of communication services The time threshold is 2 hours.

  In FIG. 2, 1 hour (predetermined threshold time) is shown as the cumulative time threshold value for the public wireless LAN-a service, and 1 hour (predetermined threshold time) is shown as the cumulative time threshold value for the public wireless LAN-b service. Has been.

  The accumulated time 102a4 represents the accumulated time that is the accumulated time that the communication unit 101 has used the communication service within the billing calculation period (current month) for the communication service indicated by the communication service name 102a1. The accumulated time counted by the counter 104 is stored in the accumulated time 102a4.

  In FIG. 2, 66 minutes and 23 seconds are shown as the cumulative time of the public wireless LAN-a service for the current month, and 25 minutes and 36 seconds are shown as the cumulative time of the public wireless LAN-b service for the current month.

  The accumulated time 102a5 of the previous month represents the accumulated time that is the accumulated time of the communication unit 101 using the communication service in the previous month for the communication service indicated by the communication service name 102a1. The accumulated time 102a5 of the previous month is recorded by the control unit 106 when the communication service billing calculation period is updated, and is then displayed as the accumulated time 102a4. The accumulated time is reset to “0” by the control unit 106.

  In FIG. 2, 36 minutes and 12 seconds are shown as the cumulative time of the public wireless LAN-a service last month, and 5 minutes and 3 seconds are shown as the cumulative time of the public wireless LAN-b service last month.

  The service specifying information 102a6 represents information for specifying use of the communication service indicated by the communication service name 102a1.

  In FIG. 2, SSID (Service Set Identifier) = “XX” set in the public wireless LAN-a is shown as information for specifying the use of the public wireless LAN-a service. In FIG. 2, SSID = “Δ ◯ □” set in the public wireless LAN-b is shown as information for specifying the use of the public wireless LAN-b service.

  The change screen information 102b represents a change screen that prompts the change of the charging method.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the change screen 102b1 that prompts the user to change from the pay-per-use billing system to the flat-rate billing system.

  The change screen 102b1 shown in FIG. 3 shows a change in the billing system ("This month's cumulative connection time has exceeded 1 hour. We recommend that you apply for a flat-rate plan.") A comment 102b1a for prompting the user to change the password and an OK button 102b1b.

  When the OK button 102b1b is operated, for example, among the communication services indicated by the communication service name 102a1, a connection associated with a communication service in which the fee information 102a2 indicates a pay-as-you-go system and the accumulated time 102a4 exceeds the accumulated time threshold 102a3 A connection screen represented by the screen information 102c is displayed.

  On the connection screen, an operation unit for connecting to the management server 200 that executes the charging method change procedure is displayed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the connection screen 102c1 associated with the public wireless LAN-a service.

  The connection screen 102c1 illustrated in FIG. 4 includes an operation unit (application button) 102c1a for connecting to the management server 200 that executes the charging method change procedure, a display unit 102c1b that indicates the accumulated time of the current month, A display unit 102c1c representing the time, an operation unit (connection button) 102c1d for starting the communication service with the currently set charging method, and a display unit 102c1e representing the communication service name are displayed.

  Display unit 103 can generally be referred to as display means.

  The display unit 103 performs various displays, for example, a change screen 102b1 shown in FIG. 3 and a connection screen 102c1 shown in FIG.

  Counter 104 can generally be referred to as counting means.

  The counter 104 counts, for each communication service indicated by the communication service name 102a1, a cumulative time that is a cumulative time during which the communication unit 101 has used the communication service within a billing calculation period for the communication service.

  In the present embodiment, the counter 104 counts the cumulative time within the calculation period for each communication service calculation period in the communication service unit indicated by the communication service name 102a1.

  The input unit 105 is, for example, an input key or a touch panel, and accepts an operation of a user of the communication terminal 100.

  Control unit 106 can be generally referred to as control means.

  When the accumulated time of the communication service for which the fee information 102a2 represents the pay-per-use system exceeds the accumulated time threshold of the communication service, the control unit 106 displays the change screen 102b1 represented by the changed screen information 102b on the display unit 103. indicate.

  The control unit 106 displays the connection screen 102c1 represented by the connection screen information 102c when the cumulative time of the communication service for which the fee-based information 102a2 represents the pay-per-use system exceeds the cumulative time threshold of the communication service. 103 may be displayed.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 106 first displays the change screen 102b1 when the cumulative time of the communication service for which the fee information 102a2 represents a pay-per-use system exceeds the cumulative time threshold of the communication service. To display.

  Thereafter, when the OK button 102b1b in the change screen 102b1 is operated, the control unit 106 displays the connection screen 102c1 on the display unit 103 instead of the change screen 102b1.

  When the operation unit 102c1a in the connection screen 102c1 is operated by the operation of the input unit 105 by the user, the control unit 106 connects to the management server 200 via the communication unit 101, and changes the accounting method from the management server 200. A change procedure screen capable of performing the procedure is received, and the change procedure screen is displayed on the display unit 103.

  The user of the communication terminal 100 uses the change procedure screen to change the billing method for the communication service.

  The management server 200 includes a user DB (database) storage unit 201 and a control unit 202.

  The user DB storage unit 201 stores a user ID, a device ID, and contract status information indicating a name of a communication service contracted by the user, a charging method, and a cumulative time threshold in association with each other.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user DB storage unit 201.

  In FIG. 5, the user DB storage unit 201 stores a user ID 201a, a device ID 201b, and contract status information 201c in association with each other. The contract status information 201c includes a communication service name 201c1, fee information 201c2 indicating a charging method, and a cumulative time threshold value 201c3.

  In FIG. 5, for example, a communication terminal 100 with a device ID “□□□□” is handed over to a user with a user ID “□ ○”, and the communication terminal 100 is a public wireless system with a pay-per-use system. It indicates that the LAN-a service and the public wireless LAN-b service can be used, and the cumulative time threshold of the public wireless LAN-a service and the public wireless LAN-b service is 1 hour.

  The control unit 202 controls the management server 200. For example, the control unit 202 controls the use of the public wireless LAN-a service using the access point 300 and the public wireless LAN-b service using the access point 400.

  Communication terminal 100 may be realized by a computer. In this case, the computer reads and executes a program recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk Read Only Memory) that can be read by the computer, thereby executing the communication unit 101, the storage unit 102, and the display unit 103. , Function as a counter 104, an input unit 105, and a control unit 106. The recording medium is not limited to the CD-ROM and can be changed as appropriate.

  Next, the operation will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of communication terminal 100.

  In the following, a communication service provider that provides an Internet connection service that connects to the Internet via a fixed line such as an optical fiber provides a user who subscribes to the Internet connection service to a public wireless LAN-a service and a public wireless service. The operation of this embodiment will be described using an example in which a wireless communication service such as a LAN-b service is provided as an option. However, the present embodiment is not limited to this example.

  The user uses a communication device (for example, a personal computer) different from the communication terminal 100 to connect to the management server 200 managed by the communication service provider and applies for the purchase of the communication terminal 100 that is a mobile terminal.

  In the management server 200, the control unit 202, when the purchase processing of the communication terminal 100 is completed, the user ID that is the identification information of the user, the device ID that is the identification information of the communication terminal 100, and the communication contracted by the user. The service name and the accounting method are stored in the user DB storage unit 201 in association with each other.

  At this time, the control unit 202 determines, for the communication service contracted by the user, the cumulative time threshold recognized by the communication service provider (the charge for the pay-per-use charge system of the communication service is specified by the flat-rate charge system of the communication service). The communication service usage time (which is a flat rate) is also stored in the user DB storage unit 201 in association with the user ID and the device ID (see FIG. 5).

  Note that the contract status information having the name of the communication service contracted by the user, the charging method, and the cumulative time threshold is based on the content of the contract contracted by the user with the communication service provider when purchasing the communication terminal 100. Created by.

  When the purchase process of the communication terminal 100 is completed, the communication terminal 100 is provided to the user.

  When the communication terminal 100 is provided to the user, the storage unit 102 in the communication terminal 100 stores the device ID 102e of the communication terminal 100, the change screen information 102b, the connection screen information 102c, and the contract status information 102a. A communication service name 102a1 and service identification information 102a6 are stored.

  However, at this point, the storage unit 102 does not store the user ID 102d, the fee information 102a2 in the contract status information 102a, and the cumulative time threshold 102a3. At this time, “0” is stored in the accumulated time 102a4 and the accumulated time 102a5 of the previous month.

  When the communication terminal 100 is first activated after the communication terminal 100 is delivered to the user, the control unit 106 uses the communication unit 101 to request a user ID from the management server 200 for a user ID. Send. Note that the user ID request includes the device ID of the communication terminal 100.

  In the management server 200, when receiving the user ID request, the control unit 202 reads the user ID associated with the device ID included in the user ID request from the user DB storage unit 201, and the user ID Is transmitted to the communication terminal 100 that is the transmission source of the user ID request.

  In the communication terminal 100, when receiving the user ID via the communication unit 101, the control unit 106 stores the user ID in the storage unit 102.

  In addition, the control unit 106 transmits a contract status information request for requesting the contract status information 201c of the user to the management server 200 when starting communication or at a regular timing. The contract status information request includes a user ID.

  In the management server 200, when receiving the contract status information request, the control unit 202 refers to the user DB storage unit 201 and specifies the contract status information 201c associated with the user ID included in the contract status information request. To do.

  The control unit 202 reads out the communication service name 201c1, the fee system information 201c2, and the cumulative time threshold value 201c3 from the identified contract status information 201c.

  It should be noted that application for a pay-per-use system is not required for a communication service in which the charge system is a pay-per-use system without a flat-rate application. Therefore, for this communication service, the control unit 202 determines that the charging method is a pay-as-you-go system when the subscription record for the flat rate system is not described in the rate system information 201c2. Note that the control unit 202 stores information indicating a communication service in which the charging method is a pay-as-you-go system if there is no application for a flat rate system. Identify the communication services that are subject to pay-per-use.

  For a communication service that requires application for either the pay-per-use or fixed-rate charge, the control unit 202 determines that the communication service is not included in the charge-based information 201c2 if a pay-per-use or flat-rate charge contract is not described. Judge that there is no contract for. The control unit 202 stores information indicating a communication service that requires application for either the pay-per-use system or the flat-rate charge system. Using this information, either the pay-per-use system or the flat-rate charge system is stored. Identify communication services that require one application.

  For a communication service for which only a fixed charge system is provided, the control unit 202 determines that there is no contract for the communication service unless a fixed charge system contract is described in the charge system information 201c2. The control unit 202 stores information indicating a communication service for which only a flat fee system is provided, and uses this information to identify a communication service for which only a flat fee system is provided.

  The control unit 202 uses the communication service name 201c1, the charge system information indicating whether the charge method of the communication service is a pay-per-use charge system, a fixed charge system, or no contract, and the cumulative time threshold value 201c3 as the contract status information. It transmits to the communication terminal 100 which is the transmission source of the status information request.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 202 includes an identifier for the communication service name 201c1 (an identifier for identifying each communication service name), and fee-based information indicating whether the charging method for the communication service is a pay-as-you-go system, a flat-rate system, or no contract. And the identifier of the accumulated time threshold value 201c3 (identifier for identifying the accumulated time threshold value) are transmitted as the contract status information to the communication terminal 100 that is the transmission source of the contract status information request.

  In communication terminal 100, when control unit 106 receives the contract status information via communication unit 101, control unit 106 stores in storage unit 102 the information indicated by the contract status information (the fee information and the cumulative time threshold for each communication service). To do. As a result, the pay-per-use system, fixed-rate system, or no contract is stored in the column of the fee information 102a2 in the storage unit 102, and the cumulative time threshold value is stored in the column of the cumulative time threshold value 102a3 in the storage unit 102.

  Thereafter, for example, when the communication terminal 100 enters the communication area of the access point 300 and the communication unit 101 tries to start communication (step S601), the control unit 106 stores the service identification information 102a6 in the storage unit 102. The service specifying information 102a6 used by the communication unit 101 is specified from the inside.

  In this case, since the control unit 106 receives the SSID = ◯◯ △ transmitted from the access point 300 via the communication unit 101, the service identification information 102a6 used by the communication unit 101 is SSID = XX. △ is specified.

  When specifying SSID = XXX, the control unit 106 specifies a communication service associated with SSID = XXX as a communication service to be used (step S602). In this case, the control unit 106 specifies the public wireless LAN-a service as the communication service to be used.

  Here, when a plurality of communication services can be used, that is, when a plurality of communication services are specified, the control unit 106 selects from the plurality of communication services according to user selection using the input unit 105 or a predetermined condition. One communication service may be specified as a communication service to be used.

  When specifying the communication service to be used, the control unit 106 refers to the storage unit 102 and reads the accumulated time 102a4 and the accumulated time threshold 102a3 associated with the used communication service name 102a1.

  When the accumulated time 102a4 is equal to or less than the accumulated time threshold 102a3 (step S603), the control unit 106 reads the connection screen information 102c corresponding to the communication service to be used from the storage unit 102, and the connection screen represented by the connection screen information 102c. 102c1 (see FIG. 4) is displayed on the display unit 103 (step S604).

  Thereafter, when the user operates the input unit 105 to operate the operation unit (connection button) 102c1d in the connection screen 102c1 (steps S605 and S606), the communication unit 101 uses the communication service (specifically, Specifically, public wireless LAN-a service via the access point 300 is started (step S607).

  When the communication service by the communication unit 101 is started, the control unit 106 refers to the storage unit 102, reads the accumulated time 102a4 associated with the communication service name 102a1 used, and sets the accumulated time in the counter 104. Thereafter, the counter 104 is caused to execute a count-up operation (step S608).

  When the communication using the communication service is completed (step S609), the control unit 106 stops the count-up operation of the counter 104, and counts the accumulated time 102a4 associated with the communication service name 102a1 used by the counter 104. The value is updated (step S610).

  On the other hand, when the cumulative time exceeds the cumulative time threshold value in step S603, the control unit 106 reads the change screen information 102b from the storage unit 102, and displays the change screen 102b1 (see FIG. 3) represented by the change screen information 102b. The information is displayed on the display unit 103 (step S611).

  Subsequently, when the user operates the input unit 105 and the OK button 102b1b in the change screen 102b1 is operated, the control unit 106 executes step S604 and associates with the communication service to be used. The connection screen 102c1 (see FIG. 4) is displayed on the display unit 103.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on the connection screen 102c1, the display unit 102c1e for the specified communication service name, the display unit 102c1b for the current accumulated time, and the management for performing the procedure for changing the rate plan for the specified communication service An application button 102c1a connected to the URL of the server 200 and a display unit 102c1c representing the accumulated time of the previous month are displayed.

  In addition, when past accumulated time such as past average accumulated time or transition of past accumulated time is also displayed on the connection screen 102c1, whether or not the accumulated usage time of the communication service happens to exceed the accumulated time threshold only for this month. Is even better because the user knows.

  Here, when the user operates the input unit 105 to operate the operation unit 102c1a in the connection screen 102c1, that is, when the user selects to change the charging method, the communication unit 101 starts the specified communication service. (Step S612).

  Subsequently, the control unit 106 uses the URL of the management server 200 to transmit to the management server 200 a change procedure screen request for requesting a change procedure screen that can be used to change the billing method for the communication service.

  In the management server 200, when receiving the change procedure screen request, the control unit 202 transmits change procedure screen information representing the change procedure screen to the communication terminal 100 that is the transmission source of the change procedure screen request.

  In the communication terminal 100, when receiving the change procedure screen information via the communication unit 101, the control unit 106 displays the change procedure screen represented by the change procedure screen information on the display unit 103 (step S613).

  The user operates the input unit 105 to use the change procedure screen on the display unit 103 to input for changing the charging method of the specified communication service from the pay-per-use system to the flat-rate system. The control unit 106 transmits the input result on the change procedure screen to the management server 200 via the communication unit 101 together with the user ID 102 d in the storage unit 102.

  In the management server 200, when the input result on the change procedure screen indicates that the charge method of a specific communication service is a change procedure from a pay-per-use charge system to a fixed charge system, the control unit 202 first displays the change procedure screen. The contract status information associated with the user ID received together with the input result is specified.

  Subsequently, the control unit 202 specifies the rate information 201c2 associated with the specific communication service name indicated by the input result to the change procedure screen among the communication service names in the specified contract status information.

  Subsequently, the control unit 202 changes the content indicated by the specified fee system information 201c2 from a pay-as-you-go system (a pay-per-use system) to a flat-rate system (a flat-rate service system).

  Subsequently, the control unit 202 transmits the contract state information in which the fee system information 201c2 is changed to the communication terminal 100.

  In communication terminal 100, when receiving the contract status information via communication unit 101, control unit 106 updates the contract status information in storage unit 102 to match the received contract status information (step S614). Thereafter, step S608 is executed.

  Note that the timing for comparing the accumulated time of the communication service and the accumulated time threshold is not limited to the start timing of the communication service, and may be performed while using the communication service.

  According to the present embodiment, the control unit 106 displays the change screen 102b1 that prompts the user to change the billing method when the charge information 102a2 indicates a pay-per-use charge system and the cumulative time exceeds the cumulative time threshold. Are displayed on the display unit 103.

  For this reason, when the charge calculated in the pay-per-use system exceeds the charge corresponding to the cumulative time threshold in the pay-per-use system, the user can be prompted to change the charge system.

  Therefore, does the user have a higher charge in the pay-per-use system than a charge corresponding to the cumulative time threshold in the pay-per-use system (for example, a flat-rate charge or a nearby charge)? It is possible to eliminate the need to perform a troublesome series of fee confirmation operations for determining whether or not it is necessary to change the billing method from the pay-as-you-go billing system based on the confirmation result.

  Note that the cumulative time threshold is preferably the usage time of the communication service in which the charge in the pay-per-use system becomes the fixed charge defined in the fixed charge system. In this case, when the communication fee calculated by the pay-per-use system is higher than the communication fee of the flat-rate system, the user can be prompted to change the accounting method.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 106 further executes a charging method change procedure when the accumulated time exceeds the accumulated time threshold value in a situation where the rate information 102a2 indicates a pay-per-use system. A connection screen 102c1 on which an operation unit 102c1a for connecting to the device 200 is displayed is displayed on the display unit 103. When the operation unit 102c1a is operated, the connection to the management server 200 is established via the communication unit 101.

  Therefore, the user can easily connect to the management server 200 that executes the charging method change procedure by operating the operation unit 102c1a.

  The control unit 106 may display the connection screen 102c1 on the display unit 103 after the change screen 102b1 is displayed, or may display the connection screen 102c1 on the display unit 103 together with the change screen 102b1.

  In addition, it is desirable that the connection screen 102c1 displays the accumulated time within the current calculation period and the accumulated time within the past calculation period. In this case, the user can recognize whether or not the cumulative usage time of the communication service has exceeded the cumulative time threshold only during the current calculation period.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a communication system including the communication terminal 100A according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the same components as those shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, the main difference between the communication terminal 100A and the communication terminal 100 shown in FIG. 1 is that the storage unit 102 displays change screen information 102bA that represents a change screen that prompts the user to change from the flat-rate billing system to the pay-per-use system. The predetermined period information indicating the predetermined period is further stored, and the communication terminal 100A has a control unit 106A instead of the control unit 106. Hereinafter, the communication terminal 100A will be described focusing on differences from the communication terminal 100.

  On the change screen represented by the change screen information 102bA, for example, the comment “There is a high possibility that the cumulative connection time of this month does not exceed 1 hour. We recommend changing to a pay-as-you-go plan.” An OK button is displayed.

  Control unit 106A can be generally referred to as control means.

  The control unit 106A has the functions of the control unit 106.

  The control unit 106A further displays the predetermined period information after the start date of the calculation period of the charge for the communication service and after the end date of the calculation period in a situation where the charge system information 102a2 indicates the fixed charge system. When the accumulated time of the communication service at a timing just before a predetermined period (for example, 5 days) is less than the accumulated time threshold of the communication service, a change screen represented by the change screen information 102bA is displayed on the display unit 103. indicate.

  For example, the control unit 106A can change the billing method from the flat rate charge system to the pay-per-use charge system and the charge system information 102a2 represents the flat charge system in the calculation period. When the wireless communication service is used during a period between the closing date for determining the billing method and the day before the predetermined date (for example, three days before), the following operation is performed.

  When the cumulative time of the communication service does not exceed the cumulative time threshold of the communication service, the control unit 106A displays a change screen represented by the change screen information 102bA on the display unit 103. In this case, the cumulative time threshold value in the storage unit 102 functions as specific threshold value information indicating the specific threshold time.

  Note that, in a situation where the fee information 102a2 represents a fixed charge system, the control unit 106A uses a time (specific threshold time) equal to or less than the cumulative time threshold as a threshold to be compared with the cumulative time instead of the cumulative time threshold. It may be used.

  In this case, the storage unit 102 stores specific threshold information indicating a specific threshold time for each communication service. Then, the control unit 106A uses the specific threshold time indicated by the specific threshold information in the storage unit 102 in place of the cumulative time threshold in a situation where the fee information 102a2 indicates a fixed charge system.

  Subsequently, when the user operates the input unit 105 to operate the OK button in the change screen represented by the change screen information 102bA, the control unit 106A is associated with the communication service being used. The connection screen 102c1 (see FIG. 4) is displayed on the display unit 103.

  In addition, if past cumulative time such as past average cumulative time or past cumulative time transition is also displayed on the connection screen 102c1, it happens that the cumulative total usage time of the communication service falls below the cumulative time threshold or the specific threshold time only for this month. It is even better because the user knows whether or not

  Here, when the user operates the operation unit 102c1a in the connection screen 102c1 by operating the input unit 105, that is, when the user selects to change the accounting method, the control unit 106 uses the URL of the management server 200. The change procedure screen request is transmitted to the management server 200.

  In the management server 200, when receiving the change procedure screen request, the control unit 202 transmits the change procedure screen information to the communication terminal 100 that is the transmission source of the change procedure screen request.

  In the communication terminal 100, when receiving the change procedure screen information via the communication unit 101, the control unit 106 displays the change procedure screen on the display unit 103.

  The user operates the input unit 105 and uses the change procedure screen on the display unit 103 to make an input for changing the billing method of the communication service being used from the flat-rate billing system to the pay-per-use system. The control unit 106 transmits the input result on the change procedure screen to the management server 200 via the communication unit 101 together with the user ID 102 d in the storage unit 102.

  In the management server 200, when the input result to the change procedure screen indicates that the charge method of the communication service being used is a change procedure from the flat rate charge system to the pay-per-use system, the change procedure screen is first displayed. The contract status information associated with the user ID received together with the input result is specified.

  Subsequently, the control unit 202 specifies the pricing information 201c2 associated with the name of the communication service in use indicated by the input result on the change procedure screen among the communication service names in the specified contract status information.

  Subsequently, the control unit 202 changes the content indicated by the specified fee system information 201c2 from a fixed amount system (fixed amount charging system) to a pay-as-you-go system (based amount charging system).

  Subsequently, the control unit 202 transmits the contract state information in which the fee system information 201c2 is changed to the communication terminal 100.

  In communication terminal 100, upon receiving the contract status information via communication unit 101, control unit 106A updates the contract status information in storage unit 102 so as to match the received contract status information.

  Note that the timing for comparing the accumulated time of the communication service and the accumulated time threshold value is not limited to during the use of the communication service, and may be performed at the start timing of the communication service.

  According to the present embodiment, the control unit 106A is in a situation where the charge system information 102a2 indicates a fixed charge system, and is later than the start date of the communication service charge calculation period and is later than the end date of the calculation period. When the accumulated time at the timing before a predetermined period is less than the accumulated time threshold value or the specific threshold time, a change screen that prompts the user to change the charging method is displayed on the display unit 103.

  For this reason, it is possible to prompt the user to change the billing method when the fee calculated by the flat-rate billing system is higher than the fee calculated by the pay-as-you-go system.

  Therefore, the user needs to check whether the charge in the flat rate charge system is higher than the charge calculated in the pay-per-use system, and change the charge method from the flat-rate charge system to the pay-per-use system based on the confirmation result. It is possible to eliminate the need to perform a troublesome series of fee confirmation operations for determining whether or not there is a fee.

  In each of the above embodiments, the communication service that can be used is not limited to the public wireless LAN service, but may be at least a communication service that can change the charging method from the pay-per-use system to the flat-rate system.

  According to each of the above-described embodiments, the user can know that the charge for the month (calculation period) can be obtained by changing the charging method, and the change procedure can be performed immediately, so the charge for the month becomes high. Can be prevented.

  In each embodiment described above, the illustrated configuration is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration.

100, 100A Communication terminal 101 Communication unit 102 Storage unit 103 Display unit 104 Counter 105 Input unit 106, 106A Control unit 200 Management server 300, 400 Access point 500 Network

Claims (9)

A communication means for performing communication using a communication service in which a pay-as-you-go system or a flat-rate system can be alternatively set as a charging system;
Storage means for storing charging information indicating a charging method set for the communication service, change screen information indicating a change screen for urging change of the charging method, and predetermined threshold information indicating a predetermined threshold time;
Display means;
A counting means for counting a cumulative time that is a cumulative time during which the communication means has used the communication service within a billing calculation period for the communication service;
In a situation where the billing information represents the pay-per-use billing system, a change screen represented by the change screen information is displayed on the display means when the cumulative time exceeds a predetermined threshold time represented by the predetermined threshold information. and control means for displaying, only including,
The communication terminal , wherein the predetermined threshold time is a usage time of the communication service in which a charge in the pay-per-use system is a fixed charge defined in the flat-rate service . The communication terminal according to claim 1 ,
The storage means further stores connection screen information representing a connection screen on which an operation unit for connecting to a management server for executing the charging method change procedure is displayed,
In the situation where the charging information represents the pay-per-use system, the control means further displays a connection screen represented by the connection screen information when the cumulative time exceeds the predetermined threshold time. The communication terminal is connected to the management server via the communication means when the operation unit in the connection screen is operated. In the communication terminal according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The counting means counts the accumulated time within the calculation period for each calculation period,
The storage means further stores the accumulated time in the past calculation period,
The communication terminal, wherein the change screen or the connection screen displays the accumulated time in a current calculation period and the accumulated time in a past calculation period in the storage unit. The communication terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
The storage means stores specific threshold information indicating a specific threshold time equal to or less than the predetermined threshold time, and predetermined period information indicating a predetermined period,
In the situation where the billing information represents the flat-rate billing system, the control means is after the start date of the calculation period and before the end date of the calculation period by a predetermined period represented by the predetermined period information. A communication terminal that displays a change screen represented by the change screen information on the display means when the cumulative time at the timing is less than a specific threshold time represented by the specific threshold information. A charging method change support method at a communication terminal,
A communication step of performing communication using a communication service in which a pay-as-you-go system or a flat-rate system can be alternatively set as a charging system;
A storage step of storing, in a storage unit, charging information indicating a charging method set for the communication service, change screen information indicating a change screen for prompting the change of the charging method, and predetermined threshold information indicating a predetermined threshold time When,
A counting step of counting a cumulative time that is a cumulative time spent using the communication service within a calculation period of billing for the communication service;
In a situation where the billing information represents the pay-per-use billing system, the change screen represented by the change screen information is displayed on the display means when the cumulative time exceeds the predetermined threshold time represented by the predetermined threshold information and a control step of, only including,
The charging method change support method , wherein the predetermined threshold time is a usage time of the communication service in which a charge in the pay-per-use system becomes a flat-rate charge defined in the fixed charge system . The charging method change support method according to claim 5 ,
In the storage step, connection screen information representing a connection screen on which an operation unit for connecting to a management server for executing the charging method change procedure is displayed is further stored in the storage unit.
In the control step, in a situation where the billing information represents the pay-per-use billing system, a connection screen represented by the connection screen information is further displayed when the cumulative time exceeds the predetermined threshold time. And charging method change support method for connecting to the management server when the operation unit in the connection screen is operated. The charging method change support method according to claim 5 or 6 ,
In the counting step, the cumulative time in the calculation period is counted for each calculation period,
In the storing step, the accumulated time in the past calculation period is further stored in the storage means,
The billing method change support method, wherein the change screen or the connection screen displays the accumulated time in the current calculation period and the accumulated time in the past calculation period in the storage means. The charging method change support method according to any one of claims 5 to 7 ,
In the storing step, specific threshold information indicating a specific threshold time equal to or less than the predetermined threshold time and predetermined period information indicating a predetermined period are stored in the storage unit,
In the control step, in a situation where the billing information represents the flat-rate billing system, the calculation period is later than the start date of the calculation period and before the end date of the calculation period by a predetermined period represented by the predetermined period information. A charging method change support method for displaying a change screen represented by the change screen information on the display means when the cumulative time at the timing is less than a specific threshold time represented by the specific threshold information. The program for making a computer perform operation | movement of the communication terminal in the charging system change assistance method of any one of Claim 5 to 8 .

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