KR20030076940A - System and method of audio response service with advance payment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method and system for a prepayment type ARS(Automatic Response Service) is provided to enable an ARS user to use an ARS by off-line terminal or an on-line terminal using the balance of a PIN(Personal Identification Number) by connecting to a prepayment service system using the PIN purchased by on-line or off-line. CONSTITUTION: A web server(102) permits a web connection of a user through an on-line terminal on the Internet, and supplies a web service in accordance with a web request of the user. A gate keeper(103) analyzes a call request from the on-line terminal, connects a call to a corresponding VoIP gateway(107), communicates with a billing server(104) in real time, and subtracts a calling possible time of a PIN in real time. If the balance is insufficient, the gate keeper(103) terminates a call when a termination of the call is requested from the on-line terminal. The gate keeper(103) creates a CDR(Call Detail Record) and transmits the CDR to the billing server(104). The billing server(104) creates a PIN, receives the CDR from the gate keeper(103), subtracts the balance of the PIN, and manages a charge of the PIN. The VoIP gateway(107) intermediates a communication among the on-line terminal, the gate keeper(103), and an ARS server(108). The VoIP gateway(107) converts an analogue signal into digital packet data, and converts digital packet data into an analogue signal. The ARS server(108) responds to a DTMF(Dual Tone Multi Frequency) signal transmitted in the on-line terminal, transmits a response message, or executes a routing of a call to a counselor terminal.

Description

Prepaid Automated Response Methods and Systems {SYSTEM AND METHOD OF AUDIO RESPONSE SERVICE WITH ADVANCE PAYMENT}

The present invention relates to a technology for providing prepaid online and / or offline audio response system (ARS) service, wherein a user can use an ARS service using not only an offline terminal such as a general telephone or a mobile phone but also an online terminal such as an internet web phone. The present invention relates to a service system and a method for enabling an ARS service using a personal identification number (PIN) purchased in advance and online and / or offline.

The current ARS service is provided to users in the form of post-paid form of a telephone bill aggregation method based on a public switched telephone network (PSTN). 1 is a block diagram of an ARS service according to the prior art, an offline terminal 113 such as a general telephone or a mobile phone, an intelligent network switch 202 of a telecommunications carrier and a billing system 201, and an ARS server of an ARS service provider. 108 and the like. In the case of the counseling-type ARS service, an agent terminal 112 that represents an agent's headset, a phone, a mobile phone, and the like is added.

The above-mentioned ARS service user carries the offline terminal 113 and installs it in the telehousing center of the main communication service provider or the building of the ARS service provider via the PSTN 110 via the intelligent network switch 202 of the main communication service provider. After accessing the ARS server 108 of the ARS service provider, the ARS service is used while exchanging DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) signals, voice messages, and menus between the user and the ARS server 108.

On the other hand, in the case of the counseling service, the ARS server 108 according to the prior art routes the call request signal from the offline terminal 113 to the counselor terminal 112 to enable real-time counseling between the user and the counselor. The call record between the offline terminal 113, the ARS server 108, and the agent terminal 112 of FIG. 1 remains in the form of a log file (CDR) in the intelligent network switch 202 of the telecommunication service provider. The billing system 201 calculates the ARS information usage fee for each user at the end of each month or for a specific billing cycle using the pre-registered ARS service product information, that is, the unit price per frequency (30 seconds), and adds it with the telephone fee. After generating the billing data, a bill for the next month's telephone bill is prepared and sent to the user by mail or e-mail.

The telecommunication service provider collects and collects the deduction of approximately 10% of collection fees and charges after dividing and classifying the ARS information usage fee by the ARS information provider among the phone charges collected along with the telephone charge through Giro or direct debit. At the end of the following month, the ARS information provider will make a deposit.

Based on the above-described conventional ARS service providing method, users have to use the ARS service by providing an expensive information service fee and a separate phone charge using an offline terminal 113, that is, a regular phone or a mobile phone. Even after searching for the ARS number in the ARS specialized site such as a professional web portal and fortune telling, the ARS service was inevitably pressed by directly pressing the searched number on the offline terminal 113.

Moreover, the billing method is a post-paid billing method for the telephone bills of the main telecommunications service provider, which is an ARS hosting company, so that the actual information users and the person responsible for paying the phone bills are different and the users who cannot pay the bills use the ARS service indiscriminately and excessively. Frequently, there were frequent disputes over liability charges and unpaid problems, which led to the failure of voice information fees.

In addition, during the period in which the ARS service fee collection service is performed, the telecommunication service provider collects the ARS information fee from the user in the month following the month used when the user uses the ARS service, and collects the fee about 10% at the end of the month after the month of collection. The remaining amount deducted from the ARS information provider was settled.

That is, a method of calculating the amount based on the amount of money, rather than the amount of information charges, is commonly used. Therefore, in the practice of terminating the telephone service after 3 months of arrears, ARS service providers are forced to collect the monthly service usage for at least two months and up to five months later. The amount that the service provider could not collect must bear the burden of being unable to collect it permanently.

This translates into worse cash liquidity for ARS service providers, and due to the nature of ARS voice providers, which have to rely heavily on media advertising for a large portion of their operations, and therefore have to pay for high advertising costs, the deterioration of cash liquidity is a direct result of small and medium ARS service providers. It could lead to a worsening of management, or a decrease in sales due to a reduction in ad spending.

In addition, as described above, the main telecommunication operators collect the ARS information usage fee using the telephone bill sum billing method, and thus, the users who live abroad who are unable to bill sum bills are not allowed to access the domestic intelligent network. Therefore, it was impossible for foreign users to use domestic ARS services such as fortune-telling.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and ARS service users can use a personal identification number (PIN) purchased online on a website and / or offline such as a convenience store. After accessing the prepaid service system, the prepaid online / offline ARS service allows the user to use the ARS service on the offline terminal such as a general telephone or mobile phone and the online terminal such as an Internet web phone by using the balance of the PIN purchased by the user. The purpose is to provide a providing system and method.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ARS service system according to the prior art.

2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a prepaid online and offline ARS service system according to the present invention;

3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a membership registration procedure, an authentication procedure, and a personal identification number charging for using a prepaid online ARS service according to the present invention;

4 illustrates an embodiment of a prepaid online ARS service provided in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a first embodiment of a prepaid offline ARS service provided in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a prepaid offline ARS service provided in accordance with the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

101: online terminal

102: web server

103: Gatekeeper

104: billing server

105: Prepaid System

106a: first exchanger

106b: second exchanger

107: VoIP gateway

108: ARS Server

109: Wide Area Network

110: PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)

112: agent terminal

113: offline terminal

201: carrier billing system

202: Carrier Intelligent Network Switch

The prepaid online / offline ARS service system according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object is a web browser and online used for the user to access the Internet and receive web services from a web server as shown in FIG. It includes an online terminal 101 that collectively refers to a web phone, an Internet phone, etc. and an offline terminal 113, which refers to a general phone or a mobile phone, for entering an ARS phone number and accessing an ARS server to use an ARS service.

In addition, the call request from the online server 101 and the web server 102 that permits the user's web access and provides the web service according to the user's web request is analyzed and connected to the VoIP gateway. When the call starts and at the same time, the callable time received from the billing server is subtracted in real time, and when the call time is exceeded, that is, when the balance is insufficient or when the call is terminated from the online terminal 101, the call is terminated. A gatekeeper 103 is provided to allow the billing server to deduct the balance immediately after completion and to generate and send billing data (CDR) to the billing server.

In addition, the present invention billing server 104 to generate a personal authentication number and to communicate in real time with the gatekeeper 103 or a prepaid system, deducting the balance of the personal authentication number immediately after the end of the call, and manages the charging of the personal authentication number, etc. And a first switch 106a which receives a call request and a call from the offline terminal 113 and connects to the ARS server via a VoIP gateway. In addition, the call is initiated while communicating with the billing server 104 and the first switch 106a in real time, and the available time received from the billing server 104 is subtracted in real time. Requesting the end of the call from the offline terminal 113 to the first exchange 106a, causing the billing server 104 to deduct the balance immediately after the call ends, and generating the billing data to generate the billing server ( And a prepaid system 105 for transmission to 104.

In addition, a wide area network (WAN) network including an Internet network and a dedicated line, and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 110 are provided, and the gatekeeper 103 or the first switch 106a and the ARS server are provided. The VoIP terminal 107 converts analog signals into digital (packet) data and converts analog (packet) data into analog signals while mediating communication between the online terminal 101 and the offline terminal using the built-in voice board. ARS server 108 for transmitting a voice message or routing a call to a counselor terminal according to a DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) signal from a) and a counselor terminal 112 for a counseling service. .

In addition, the present invention is the authentication step of the personal authentication number on-line by the user ID and password on-line and the purchase of a personal authentication number and the personal authentication number by charging a prepaid card through the membership online or offline It includes a step. In addition, the present invention is to calculate the time available for the call when the connection request from the online terminal 101 or offline terminal 113 to the ARS server 108 and the ARS server (on the online terminal 101 or offline terminal 113) ( And setting up a call to the corresponding ARS server 108 via the VoIP gateway 107 interworking with the corresponding ARS server 108 when the connection request is made to 108.

And transmitting a DTMF signal or voice message from the on-line terminal 101 to the ARS server 108 via the VoIP gateway 107, and the DTMF signal or voice message from the offline terminal 113. Transmitting the voice menu or voice message from the ARS server 108 to the ARS server 108 via the switchboard 106a and the VoIP gateway 107, and via the VoIP gateway 107. And transmitting to).

The present invention transmits a voice menu or voice message from the ARS server 108 to the offline terminal 113 via the VoIP gateway 107 and the first switch 106a, and the gatekeeper 103 or prepaid. The system 105 includes subtracting in real time the available talk time received from the billing server 104. The gatekeeper 103 or the prepaid system 105 ending the call or requesting the end of the call to the first exchange 106a when the personal authentication number is available for a call, that is, when the balance is exhausted, and the online terminal 101 or Immediately after the end of service use from the offline terminal 113, the gatekeeper 103 or the prepaid system 105 notifies the billing server 104 of the call termination in real time, and the billing server 104 subtracts the balance in real time. do.

In addition, the gatekeeper 103 or the prepaid system 105 is characterized in that it comprises the step of creating a settlement call detail record (CDR) immediately after the end of the call to the billing server (104).

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a prepaid online / offline ARS service method and system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a membership registration procedure (step S310), an authentication procedure (step S320), and a charging of a personal authentication number (step S330) for using a prepaid online ARS service according to the present invention.

Referring to the embodiment of the membership registration procedure (step S310) with reference to Figure 3, the user first accesses the web server 102 on an online terminal 101 such as a web browser, and then the user ID and other personal information on the membership registration page. After inputting information such as matters, and requesting membership registration (step S311), the web server 102 that received the request searches the user database and checks whether the user ID is duplicated, and then the online terminal 101 transmits it. If one user information satisfies the membership requirement, the billing server 104 sends a user ID and requests for issuance of a personal identification number (PIN) (step S312). When the billing server 104 issues a personal identification number and sends it to the web server 102 (step S313), the web server 102 sends the web page including the personal identification number and the membership approval contents to the online terminal ( 101) (step S314).

On the other hand, looking at the embodiment of the login and authentication procedure (step S320) according to the present invention, if the user enters the user ID and the password on the online terminal 101 and then request authentication (step S321), the web received the request The server 102 searches the user database and checks whether the user ID and password entered by the user match the user ID and password stored in the user database, and then transmits the user ID to the billing server 104 for the user. The balance of the personal authentication number corresponding to the ID is requested (step S322). Billing server 104 retrieves the balance of the personal identification number and personal identification number corresponding to the user ID received from the web server 102, and then transmits the retrieved balance information to the web server 102 (step S323), The web server 102 transmits the web page including the balance information and the authentication approval to the online terminal 101 (step S324).

Looking at the embodiment of the charging procedure (step S330) of the personal authentication number according to the present invention, when the user logs in on the online terminal 101, enters the charge amount, etc. and requests the charge, the web server 102 received the request Transmits it to the billing server 104 (step S331). The billing server 104 requests the web server 102 for information necessary for payment, and the web server 102 transmits it to the online terminal 101 (step S332).

Meanwhile, when a user inputs payment information such as a credit card number or a mobile phone number on the online terminal 101 and then makes a payment approval request, the web server 102 receiving the request transmits it to the billing server 104 ( Step S333). The billing server 104 transmits payment related information received from the web server 102 to a payment agent and then receives a payment approval result from the payment agent.

If the payment is approved, the billing server 104 increases the balance of the personal authentication number by the requested amount, and then transfers the payment approval result and the new balance to the web server 102, and the web server 102 transmits the payment approval. And a web page including balance information to the online terminal 101 (step S334).

4 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a prepaid online ARS service according to the present invention. Referring to Fig. 4, the process of the user logging in using the online terminal 101 is the same as the authentication procedure (step S320) of Fig. 3 (step S321, step S322, step S323, step S324).

Subsequently, the user who has completed the authentication procedure (step S320) downloads the web apple 102 or the Java Applet or ActiveX control type web phone included in the application or web page installed on the personal computer. When a user makes a call request after inputting an ARS service number on the on-line terminal 101, the request signal is transmitted to the gatekeeper 103 (step S401).

The gatekeeper 103 receiving the call request signal transmits the user ID and the ARS service number to the billing server 104 (step S402), and the billing server 104 receives a personal authentication corresponding to the user ID received from the gatekeeper. After calculating the available call time using the balance information of the number and the rate information of the ARS service number (step S403), the gatekeeper 103 is notified of the available call time (step S404).

The gatekeeper 103 receiving the available call time sets up a call between the online terminal 101, the VoIP gateway 107, and the ARS server 108 (step S405). The ARS server 108 transmits the voice message and the voice menu to the VoIP gateway 107, and the VoIP gateway 107 converts and compresses it into packet data and transmits it to the online terminal 101 (step S406).

When the user selects a menu by clicking a dial by using a mouse or a keyboard on the online terminal 101, a dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) signal is transmitted to the ARS server 108 via the VoIP gateway 107 ( Step S407). The voice message or voice menu is transmitted from the ARS server 108 to the online terminal 101 (step S406) and the DTMF signal is transmitted from the online terminal 101 to the ARS server 108 (step S407). Is repeated until the end point.

If the service selected by the user is a counseling service, in a specific step of the process in which steps S406 and S407 are repeated, the ARS server 108 routes the call from the online terminal 101 to the agent terminal 112 (step S408, after the call is set up between the online terminal 101, the VoIP gateway 107, the ARS server 108, and the counselor terminal 112, voice counseling is performed between the user and the counselor through the same path (step S409).

The gatekeeper 103 subtracts a callable time of the personal authentication number received from the billing server 104 in real time from immediately after the call is set up for both the counseling service or the emergency service. If the callable time of the personal authentication number is exhausted before the call ends, the gatekeeper 103 terminates the call.

When the forced call ends by the gatekeeper or when the online terminal 101 makes a call termination request (step S410), the gatekeeper 103 terminates the call to the gateway 107 and sequentially the ARS server 108 And in the case of the consultation type service, the call to the counselor terminal 112 ends (step S411).

Immediately after the end of the call, when the gatekeeper 103 notifies the billing server 104 of the end of the call and the talk time in real time (step S412), the billing server 104 uses the received talk time to record the personal authentication number in real time. The balance is deducted (step S413). In addition, the gatekeeper prepares a call detail record (CDR) including a measured talk time, user information, ARS service number, and the like, and transmits the generated bill detail record (CDR) to the billing server 104 (step S414).

5 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a prepaid offline ARS service according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, when the user requests a connection to the prepaid system 105 via the first switch 106a on a public switched telephone network (PSTN) using an offline terminal 113 such as a general telephone or a mobile phone. (Step S501), the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system embedded in the prepaid system 105 transmits a voice message requesting the input of the personal authentication number to the offline terminal 113 via the first switch 106a. (Step S502).

When the user who listens to the voice message enters the requested personal authentication number by pressing the dial of the offline terminal 113, the first exchange 106a that has received the personal authentication number transmits it to the prepaid system 105 (step S503). ), The prepaid system 105 requests the billing server 104 to verify the personal identification number while transmitting the personal identification number to the billing server 104 (step S504).

At this time, the billing server 104 checks the database and checks whether there is a number that matches the received personal identification number to determine the validity of the personal identification number, and retrieves the balance information of the personal identification number, and then the authentication result and the individual. The balance information of the authentication number is transmitted to the prepaid system 105 (step S505), and the prepaid system 105 uses the IVR system having a built-in voice message including the received balance information and the service menu. The transfer is made to the offline terminal 113 via the exchange 106a (step S506).

On the other hand, the prepaid system 105 may be replaced with the gatekeeper 103 shown in the embodiment of the prepaid online ARS service system. When the user presses the dial of the offline terminal 113 to select a service or directly inputs the ARS service number (step S507), the first switch 106a transmits the ARS service number input by the user to the prepaid system 105. (Step S508), the prepaid system 105 transmits the ARS service number received and the personal authentication number received in advance to the billing server 104 (step S509).

The billing server 104 retrieves the balance information of the received personal authentication number and the rate of the ARS service number, calculates the available call time (step S510), and transmits it to the prepaid system 105 (step S511). . The prepaid system 105 transmits the voice message including the talkable time received using the built-in IVR system to the offline terminal 113 via the first switch 106a (step S512).

At the same time, the first exchange 106a sets up a call between the offline terminal 113, the VoIP gateway 107 and the ARS server 108 (step S513). The ARS server 108 transmits the voice message and the voice menu to the VoIP gateway 107, which is directly or via another VoIP gateway 107 which is linked with the first exchange 106a. The first exchange 106a transmits it to the offline terminal 113 again (step S514).

When the user presses the dial of the offline terminal 113 to select a menu, a dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) signal is transmitted to the ARS server 108 via the first switch 106a and the VoIP gateway 107 ( Step S515). The process of transmitting a voice message or voice menu from the ARS server 108 to the offline terminal 113 (step S514) and the process of transmitting the DTMF signal from the offline terminal 113 to the ARS server 108 (step S515). ) Is repeated until the end of the call.

If the service selected by the user is a counseling service, the ARS server 108 routes the call from the offline terminal 113 to the counselor terminal 112 in a specific step in which steps S514 and S515 are repeated. (Step S408), after a call is set up between the offline terminal 113, the first switch 106a, the VoIP gateway 107, the ARS server 108, and the agent terminal 112, the voice is communicated between the user and the agent through the same path. Consultation is made (step S516).

The prepaid system 105 deducts in real time the available time of the personal authentication number received from the billing server 104 from immediately after the call is set up for both the counseling or non-consulting service to the end of the call. If the available time for the personal authentication number is exhausted before the call ends, the prepaid system 105 requests the first exchange 106a to terminate the call and at the same time the balance has been exhausted using the built-in IVR system. The voice message is sent to the offline terminal 113, and the first exchange 106a which has received the request forcibly terminates the call.

When the first exchange terminates the call in accordance with the balance of the personal authentication number or the offline terminal 113 terminates the call (step S517), the first exchange 106a terminates the call of 107 to the gateway. In the case of the ARS server 108 and the counseling service sequentially, the call to the counselor terminal 112 ends (step S518).

At the same time, the first exchange 106a notifies the prepaid system 105 of the end of the call (step S519), and the prepaid system 105 notifies the billing server 104 of the end of the call and call time information in real time (step S520). ). The billing server 104 notified of the end of the call from the prepaid system 105 deducts the balance of the personal authentication number in real time using the received talk time information (step S413).

In addition, the prepaid system 105 creates a call detail record (CDR) including a call time, a personal identification number, an ARS service number, and the like measured in real time, and transmits it to the billing server 104 (step S521).

Figure 6 illustrates a second embodiment of a prepaid offline ARS server provided in accordance with the present invention. Referring to Fig. 6, the second embodiment according to the present invention is provided with a dedicated line installed between the first switch 106a of the prepaid system and the second switch 106b on the ARS service provider side, so that a call without an additional VoIP gateway is made. The connection is made possible.

That is, in the case of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 5, a service is provided between the offline terminal 113 and the ARS server 108 by interworking with the first switch 106a and the VoIP gateway 107. The second embodiment is characterized in that the first switch 106a on the prepaid system 105 side and the second switch 106b on the ARS server side are connected by a dedicated line.

Referring to FIG. 6, when the user requests a connection to the prepaid system 105 via the first switch 106a on a public switched telephone network (PSTN) using an offline terminal 113 such as a general telephone or a mobile phone. (Step S601), the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system embedded in the prepaid system 105 transmits a voice message requesting the input of the personal authentication number to the offline terminal 113 via the first switch 106a. (Step S602).

When the user who listens to the voice message enters the requested personal authentication number by pressing the dial of the offline terminal 113, the first exchange 106a, which has received the personal authentication number, transfers it to the prepaid system 105 (step S603). ), The prepaid system 105 requests the billing server 104 to verify the personal identification number while transmitting the personal identification number to the billing server 104 (step S604).

At this time, the billing server 104 checks the database and checks whether there is a number that matches the received personal identification number to determine the validity of the personal identification number, and retrieves the balance information of the personal identification number, and then the authentication result and the individual. The balance information of the authentication number is transmitted to the prepaid system 105 (step S605), and the prepaid system 105 uses the IVR system having a built-in voice message including the received balance information and a service menu. The transfer is made to the offline terminal 113 via the exchange 106a (step S606).

On the other hand, the prepaid system 105 may be replaced with the gatekeeper 103 shown in the embodiment of the prepaid online ARS service system. When the user presses the dial of the offline terminal 113 to select a service or directly inputs an ARS service number (step S607), the first switch 106a transmits the ARS service number entered by the user to the prepaid system 105. (Step S608), the prepaid system 105 transmits the received ARS service number and the personal identification number received in advance to the billing server 104 (step S609).

The billing server 104 retrieves the balance information of the received personal authentication number and the rate of the ARS service number, calculates the available call time (step S610), and transmits it to the prepaid system 105 (step S611). . The prepaid system 105 transmits the voice message including the talkable time received using the built-in IVR system to the offline terminal 113 via the first switch 106a (step S612).

At the same time, the first exchange 106a sets up a call between the offline terminal 113, the second exchange 106b and the ARS server 108 (step S613). The ARS server 108 transmits the voice message and the voice menu to the second exchange 106b, and the second exchange 106b sends it directly to the first exchange 106a on the offline terminal side, and the first exchange 106a. ) Transmits it back to the offline terminal 113 (step S614).

When the user presses the dial of the offline terminal 113 to select a menu, a dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) signal is transmitted to the ARS server 108 via the first and second exchangers 106a and 106b (step). S615). The process of transmitting the voice message or the voice menu from the ARS server 108 to the offline terminal 113 (step S614) and the process of transmitting the DTMF signal from the offline terminal 113 to the ARS server 108 (step S615). ) Is repeated until the end of the call.

If the service selected by the user is a counseling service, the ARS server 108 routes the call from the offline terminal 113 to the counselor terminal 112 in a specific step in which steps S614 and S615 are repeated. (Step S408), after a call is set up between the offline terminal 113, the first switch 106a, the second switch 106b, the ARS server 108, and the agent terminal 112, between the user and the agent through the same path. Voice consultation is performed (step S616).

The prepaid system 105 deducts in real time the available time of the personal authentication number received from the billing server 104 from immediately after the call is set up for both the counseling or non-consulting service to the end of the call. If the available time for the personal authentication number is exhausted before the call ends, the prepaid system 105 requests the first exchange 106a to terminate the call and at the same time the balance has been exhausted using the built-in IVR system. The voice message is sent to the offline terminal 113, and the first exchange 106a which has received the request forcibly terminates the call.

When the first exchange forcefully terminates the call according to the remaining balance of the personal authentication number, or when the offline terminal 113 terminates the call (step S617), the first exchange 106a calls the second exchange 106b. In the case of the ARS server 108 and the counseling service, the call to the counselor terminal 112 is ended sequentially (step S618).

At the same time, the first exchange 106a notifies the prepaid system 105 of the end of the call (step S619), and the prepaid system 105 notifies the billing server 104 of the end of the call and call time information in real time (step S620). ). The billing server 104 notified of the end of the call from the prepaid system 105 deducts the balance of the personal authentication number in real time using the received talk time information (step S413).

In addition, the prepaid system 105 creates a call detail record (CDR) including a call time, a personal identification number, an ARS service number, and the like measured in real time, and transmits it to the billing server 104 (step S521).

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order to better understand the claims of the invention which will be described later. Additional features and advantages that make up the claims of the present invention will be described below. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments of the invention disclosed can be readily used as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out similar purposes to the invention.

In addition, the inventive concepts and embodiments disclosed herein may be used by those skilled in the art as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. In addition, such modifications or altered equivalent structures by those skilled in the art may be variously changed, substituted and changed without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention described in the claims.

As described above, the prepaid online / offline ARS service system according to the present invention has the following unique effects.

First, there is an expansion of the means for using ARS. Users can use the ARS service using an online terminal such as a web phone as well as an offline terminal such as a general telephone or a mobile phone, and thus can be freed from the limitation of time, place and means of using the ARS service.

Second, the issue of eradicating disputes over payment of ARS information fees and unpaid issues. According to the present invention, the users can access the prepaid service system using the personal authentication number purchased online or offline, and then use the ARS service on the online and offline terminals using the balance of the personal authentication number purchased by the user. In other words, the use of ARS information does not affect the cost of landline or mobile phones.

Therefore, no dispute factor related to payment can occur. In addition, because it is a prepaid system, there is no problem of indiscriminate use and nonpayment of fees exceeding the limit. This makes it easy to solve the problem of fees not being a chronic problem of ARS information provider.

Third, the effect of creating a new business model. This refers to the prepaid web ARS portal business model on the Internet and the ARS prepaid card-based ARS portal business model on the Internet, and is composed of online / offline ARS portal operators and a number of entry ARS service providers. The online / offline ARS portal service provider installs a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) gateway at the location where the ARS server of the ARS service provider is installed, interworks with the ARS server, and then interlocks the VoIP gateway with the gatekeeper and the first exchanger and a dedicated line. The service is provided to users, and ARS service providers are settled with online / offline ARS portal operators, not with the main carrier.

Fourth, ARS service providers' revenue growth and cash flow increase. As the use of ARS expands not only to offline terminals but also to online terminals, the user base is diversified and usage time is increased, which contributes to increased sales of ARS service providers. In addition, ARS service providers use prepaid billing services of online / offline ARS portal operators instead of back-up services of main carriers, so that online and offline ARS portals are not fixed. Individual contracts with operators allow flexible settlement cycles, and users can pay for ARS services upfront, resulting in innovative yield reductions. Increasing the settlement amount by shortening the settlement cycle and reducing yields can contribute greatly to the cash flow of ARS service providers.

Fifth, overseas users can also use domestic ARS services. The prepaid online ARS service system according to the present invention provides the ARS service through the internet network in a prepaid manner without going through the intelligent network switch of the main communication service provider. Therefore, users who live abroad can use the domestic ARS service without a separate access fee using the online terminal after making a prepaid payment with a credit card.

Claims (15)

An ARS service system that provides a voice answering service (ARS) service, but operates a service fee for a voice answering service provided to a user in advance, wherein the user is given a personal identification number (PIN) and the personal The prepaid ARS service usage call time information is associated with the authentication number, and when the ARS service is provided to the user, the ARS service usage call time of the corresponding personal authentication number is subtracted in real time, and the remaining amount of available time for the call is depleted. The prepaid ARS service system, characterized in that it terminates the service call if the balance is insufficient. According to claim 1, The prepaid ARS system, A web server allowing the user to access the web through a web browser, a web phone, or an online terminal including an internet phone on the Internet, and providing a web service according to a user's web request; It analyzes the call request from the online terminal, connects the call to the corresponding VoIP gateway, and in real time communicates with the billing server, subtracts the available time of the personal identification number (PIN) in real time, and when the balance is insufficient or the online terminal. A gatekeeper for terminating a call upon request for termination from the call, and generating and transmitting billing data (CDR) to a billing server; A billing server that generates the personal authentication number, receives the billing data from the gatekeeper, subtracts the balance of the personal authentication number, and manages the charging of the personal authentication number; A VoIP gateway which converts analog signals into digital packet data and digital packet data into analog signals while mediating communication between the online terminal, the gatekeeper and / or an ARS server; And An ARS server that transmits a voice message or routes a call to an agent terminal in response to a DTMF signal transmitted by the online terminal. Prepaid ARS service system comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the prepaid ARS service system Send the personal authentication number entered by the user to the billing server to request authentication, and in real time communication with the billing server and the first exchange, the call is started and at the same time subtracts the available call time received from the billing server, If the personal authentication number exceeds the available time, that is, if the balance is insufficient, request the first exchange to terminate the call from the offline terminal, and immediately after the end of the call, send a call end message and call time information to the billing server. A prepaid system or gatekeeper which subtracts and generates a call detail record (CDR) and transmits it to a billing server; A billing server that generates the personal authentication number and deducts the balance of the personal authentication number in real time immediately after a call is terminated while communicating with the prepaid system or gatekeeper in real time, and manages charging of the personal authentication number; And ARS server for transmitting voice messages or routing calls to counselor terminals according to DTMF (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) signals transmitted from the offline terminal Prepaid ARS service system comprising a. 4. The prepaid ARS service system of claim 3, wherein Analog signal to digital (packet) data for communication with a first switch that receives a call request and / or call from an offline terminal, including a regular telephone or a mobile phone, and relays communication to the ARS server. VoIP gateway converts to signal Prepaid ARS system further comprising. 4. The prepaid ARS service system of claim 3, wherein A dedicated line is provided between a first exchanger that receives a call request and / or a call from an offline terminal including a general telephone or a mobile phone and relays the communication to the ARS server side, and the second exchanger of the ARS server side. A prepaid ARS system, characterized in that communication takes place between two exchanges. Providing voice answering service (ARS) service, but paying the service fee for the voice answering service provided to the user for a fee in advance by subtracting the available call time for ARS service corresponding to the personal identification number (PIN) purchased in advance. Operating the ARS service, and wherein the personal authentication number is generated online or offline and is provided with a charge. The method of claim 6, wherein the user is provided with a personal identification number (PIN) in addition to a user ID and / or password on an online or offline basis, and refills the personal identification number. The method of claim 6, wherein the ARS service is provided. When the user requests to access the ARS service, the available time for using the ARS service is calculated by referring to the user's ID, the ARS service number, and the personal authentication number of the user, and when approved, the user's online terminal and the corresponding ARS server A call is set up by the gatekeeper between the VoIP gateway and the corresponding ARS server interworking with each other; A voice menu or voice message is transmitted from the ARS server to the user's online terminal via the VoIP gateway, and a DTMF signal or voice message is transmitted from the user's online terminal to the ARS server via the VoIP gateway. ; And When a call connection is started between the user's online terminal and the ARS server, the gatekeeper subtracts the available call time corresponding to the user's personal authentication number, and blocks the call connection when the charged call available time is exhausted. Steps to Prepaid ARS service providing method comprising a. The method of claim 8, wherein the prepaid ARS service is provided. When the call is terminated between the user and the ARS server, the gatekeeper transmits call termination and call time information to cause the billing server to deduct the balance of the personal authentication number, and / or the gatekeeper charges for settlement. Transmitting data to the billing server Method of providing a prepaid ARS service further comprising. The method of claim 6, wherein the prepaid ARS service is provided. And when the ARS server routes a call from the user online terminal to a counselor terminal, a call is set up between the user online terminal, the VoIP gateway, the ARS server, and the counselor terminal to perform voice counseling. How to Provide ARS Services. The method of claim 6, wherein the prepaid ARS service is provided. When the user requests a connection to a prepaid system or gatekeeper using an offline terminal including a telephone or a mobile phone, the prepaid system or gatekeeper requests the user to input a personal authentication number; When the user presses the dial of the offline terminal and inputs the requested personal authentication number, the prepaid system or gatekeeper, which has received the personal authentication number via the first exchange, transmits it to the billing server again to authenticate the personal authentication number. Requesting; The billing server searches a database to determine whether there is a number that matches the received personal identification number, determines the validity of the personal identification number, and retrieves the balance information of the personal identification number. Transmitting balance information of the number to the prepaid system or the gatekeeper; Notifying the offline terminal of the voice message including the balance of the personal authentication number and / or the service selection menu after the authentication is successful; When the user presses the dial of the offline terminal to select a service or directly inputs an ARS service number, the first exchange transmits the service number input by the user to the prepaid system or the gatekeeper, and the prepaid system or the gatekeeper When the received service number and personal authentication number are transmitted to the billing server again, the billing server retrieves the balance information of the personal authentication number and the rate information of the service number, calculates the available time, and then again the gatekeeper or Notifying the prepaid system; And When the first exchange establishes a call between the offline terminal and a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) gateway and an ARS server interworking with the corresponding ARS server, the ARS server transmits a voice message and a voice menu to the VoIP gateway, DTMF from the offline terminal when sending to the first exchange via the VoIP gateway, the first exchange sends it back to the offline terminal, and the user presses the dial of the offline terminal to select a menu. (Dual Tone Multi Frequency) signal is transmitted to the ARS server via the first switch and the VoIP gateway Prepaid ARS service providing method comprising a. The method of claim 6, wherein the prepaid ARS service is provided. When the user requests a connection to a prepaid system or gatekeeper using an offline terminal including a telephone or a mobile phone, the prepaid system or gatekeeper requests the user to input a personal authentication number; When the user presses the dial of the offline terminal and inputs the requested personal authentication number, the prepaid system or gatekeeper, which has received the personal authentication number via the first exchange, transmits it to the billing server again to authenticate the personal authentication number. Requesting; The billing server searches a database to determine whether there is a number that matches the received personal identification number, determines the validity of the personal identification number, and retrieves the balance information of the personal identification number. Transmitting balance information of the number to the prepaid system or the gatekeeper; Notifying a voice message including a balance of the personal authentication number and / or a service selection menu to the offline terminal after the authentication is successful; When the user presses the dial of the offline terminal to select a service or directly inputs an ARS service number, the first exchange transmits the service number input by the user to the prepaid system or the gatekeeper, and the prepaid system or the gatekeeper When the received service number and personal authentication number are transmitted to the billing server again, the billing server retrieves the balance information of the personal authentication number and the rate information of the service number, calculates the available time, and then again the gatekeeper or Notifying the prepaid system; And When the first exchange establishes a call between the offline terminal and the second exchanger and the ARS server interworking with the corresponding ARS server, the ARS server transmits the second exchange voice message and voice menu, Via the first exchange, the first exchange sends it back to the offline terminal, and when the user presses the dial of the offline terminal to select a menu, DTMF (Dual Tone Multi) from the offline terminal Frequency) signal is transmitted to the ARS server via the first switch and the second switch. Prepaid ARS service providing method comprising a. The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the prepaid ARS service is provided. Subtracting, by the prepaid system or the gatekeeper, the callable time of the personal authentication number received from the billing server in real time at the same time as the call setup; The prepaid system or the gatekeeper requests the first exchange to terminate the call when the personal authentication number exceeds the available time for the personal authentication number, the first exchange forcibly terminates the call, and the first exchange is the prepaid system or the When the gatekeeper is notified of the end of the call, the prepaid system or the gatekeeper transmitting a call termination signal and talk time to the billing server in real time; The billing server subtracting the balance of the personal authentication number in real time using call time information received from the prepaid system or the gatekeeper; Immediately after a call is terminated by the prepaid system or the gatekeeper, creating a call detail record (CDR) and transmitting it to the billing server; Prepaid ARS service providing method characterized in that it further comprises. The method of claim 11, wherein the prepaid ARS service is provided. Setting up a call between the offline terminal, the first switch, the VoIP gateway, the ARS server, and the counselor terminal when the ARS server routes the call from the offline terminal to a counselor terminal; And Voice counseling is performed between a user using the offline terminal and a counselor using the counselor terminal via the first exchange, the VoIP gateway, and the ARS server. Prepaid ARS service providing method comprising a. The method of claim 12, wherein the prepaid ARS service is provided. Setting up a call between the offline terminal, the first switch, the second switch, the ARS server, and the counselor terminal when the ARS server routes the call from the offline terminal to a counselor terminal; And Voice counseling is performed between a user using the offline terminal and a counselor using the counselor terminal via the first exchange, the VoIP gateway, and the ARS server. Prepaid ARS service providing method comprising a.