JP2000354120A - Communication equipment, method for selecting optimal communication service, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To select an optimal communication charge discount service and a communication company by switching communication to the selected optimal communication charge discount service and the communication company by using a communication charge table stored in a charge table storage means by an optimal communication service selection program. SOLUTION: In this communication equipment 1, the charge tables of the communication charge discount service and the communication company to be distributed from a communication network 2 via an interface part 3 are stored in the charge table storage part 7 and the optimal communication service selection program is stored in an optimal communication service selecting part 6 respectively by a control part 4. The optimal communication charge discount service and the communication company are selected by the optimal communication service selection program by using the charge table stored in the charge table storage part 7 under control of the control part 4, the communication is switched to the selected optimal communication charge discount service and the optimal communication company by using additional information about the charge table of the selected communication service and the call is originated by the optimal communication service selecting part 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication apparatus, an optimum communication service selection method, and a recording medium that enable an optimum communication charge discount service and a communication carrier to be selected from various communication services.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there have been various communication fee discount service systems for keeping communication fees low. In order to select an optimal communication fee discount service and a communication carrier from among them, complicated work is required. Was needed. Therefore, technology that automatically selects the best service, for example,
LCR that selects a communication carrier according to the calling time and the calling area so that the analog telephone call fee is minimized for each call
Technologies such as features have been developed.

[0003] However, recently, a plurality of telecommunications carriers provide a wide variety of services, which complicates the fee structure. In addition, since there is also a monthly telecommunications fee service, the conventional telecommunications carriers have a problem. The decision of each call by the selection method alone cannot be said to be the optimal decision. In addition, since the caller performs communication with different tendencies for each user, the conventional method uniformly optimizes for all users. It was impossible to determine a good service.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a communication apparatus which enables a large number of users to select an optimal communication fee discount service and a communication carrier in view of the above situation. , A communication method and a recording medium.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a communication apparatus according to the present invention has an interface means for connecting to a communication network, and a plurality of communication charge discount services defined by a communication charge discount service distributed from the communication network. Charge table storage means for storing a communication charge table, an optimum communication service selection unit for storing an optimum communication charge discount service distributed from a communication network and an optimum communication service selection program for selecting a communication carrier, and an optimum communication service selection The optimal communication charge discount service and the communication carrier are selected by using the communication charge table stored in the charge table storage means by the optimal communication service selection program stored in the department, and the selected optimum communication charge discount service is selected. And control means for controlling the communication carrier to switch the communication.

The method for selecting an optimum communication service according to the present invention using the communication apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of communication charge tables specified for each communication charge discount service from the communication network to the communication apparatus; Distribute an optimal communication service selection program that selects discount services and telecommunications carriers, and the communication equipment selects and selects the optimal communication fee discount service and telecommunications carrier using the telecommunications fee table according to the optimal communication service selection program. The communication is switched to an optimal communication fee discount service and a communication carrier.

[0007] According to the present invention, each time a charge table of various communication services is updated, the charge table and a communication charge discount service and a communication carrier that minimize the communication charge from the charge table are determined. The program to be selected is distributed from the communication network to the communication device, so that the communication device uses the distributed fee schedule and the program, and selects a communication fee discount from a complicated fee structure, for example, a communication fee that is the lowest. Services and carriers can be selected.

[0008] Another communication apparatus of the present invention is an interface means for connecting to a communication network, a charge table storage means for storing a plurality of communication charge tables specified for each communication charge discount service distributed from the communication network, An optimal communication service selection unit that stores an optimal communication fee discount service distributed from the network and an optimal communication service selection program that selects a communication carrier; a communication history storage unit that stores a history of communication transmitted to the communication network; Using the communication charge table stored in the charge table storage means by the optimum communication service selection program stored in the optimum communication service selection section and the communication history statistical information stored in the communication history storage means, the optimum communication charge Select a discount service and carrier, and switch the communication to the selected optimal communication fee discount service and carrier. Characterized in that it comprises control means for controlling.

According to another method for selecting an optimum communication service of the present invention using such another communication device of the present invention, a plurality of communication fee tables specified for each communication fee discount service from a communication network to a communication device; Distribute an optimal communication fee discount service and an optimal communication service selection program for selecting a communication carrier; the communication device accumulates a history of communications transmitted to the communication network; and It is characterized in that an optimal communication charge discount service and a communication carrier are selected using the statistical information of the communication history, and communication is switched to the selected optimal communication charge discount service and the communication carrier.

According to the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned invention, the history of the communication transmitted to the communication network is accumulated, and the optimum service is determined in consideration of the communication history. As a result, it is possible to determine the optimum service in consideration of the communication tendency of the user.

Still another communication device according to the present invention further comprises a plurality of communication devices selected by using the optimum communication service selection program stored in the optimum communication service selection unit in each of the above two inventions. A communication fee discount service and a communication carrier are presented to communication device users as candidates, thereby comprising a candidate presentation selecting means capable of selecting an optimal communication fee discount service and a communication carrier to be used by the user, The communication is switched to an optimal communication fee discount service and a communication carrier selected by a user.

[0012] Still another optimum communication service selection method of the present invention using such another communication device of the present invention is to provide a communication device from a communication network to a communication device with a plurality of communication charge tables specified for each communication charge discount service; And, an optimal communication service discount service and an optimal communication service selection program for selecting the communication carrier are distributed, and the communication device communicates a plurality of communication fee discount services and communication companies selected using the optimum communication service selection program. It is presented to the communication device user as a candidate, thereby selecting the optimal communication fee discount service and communication carrier to be used by the user, and the communication device sets the optimum communication fee discount service and communication selected by the communication device user. The communication is switched to a business operator.

According to the present invention, for example, a plurality of top candidates are presented to the user according to the order considered to be advantageous to the user, and an optimum service can be provided based on the user's will.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, for the sake of simplicity, the communication network will be described as an ISDN network, and the call will be described as a voice call.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the communication apparatus of the present invention. The communication apparatus 1 includes an interface unit 3 connected to the communication network 2, a control unit 4, an exchange unit 5 for exchanging communication paths with the interface unit 3, an optimal communication fee discount service and an optimal communication distributed from the communication network. An optimum communication service selection unit 6 for storing an optimum communication service selection program for selecting an operator, and a charge table storage unit 7 for storing a plurality of communication charge tables specified for each communication charge discount service distributed from the communication network. .

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment. First, the operator checks the version of the optimal communication service selection program through the communication network 2 (step 11), and if the program is an old version (step 11).
12), and distribute the latest version of the program through the communication network 2 (step 13). The communication device 1 sets up and uses the program thus distributed.
For example, when the communication charge calculation method is changed, the program is updated. Next, the carrier checks the update date and time of the charge table via the communication network 2 (step 14). Distribute the table (step 16). For example, when the communication fee corresponding to the communication distance or the communication time is changed, the fee table is updated.

The control unit 4 of the communication device 1 stores the communication fee discount service distributed from the communication network 2 via the interface unit 3 and the charge table of the communication company in the charge table storage unit 7.
The optimum communication service selection programs are stored in the optimum communication service selection unit 6, respectively.
Under the control of the control unit 4, selects an optimal communication fee discount service and a telecommunications carrier by an optimal communication service selection program using the fee table stored in the fee table storage unit 7 (step 17). Using the additional information in the price list of the selected communication service, switch the communication to the selected optimum communication fee discount service and the optimum communication carrier (step 18),
Make a call (step 19). For example, if the communication destination is short in the city and the communication time is short, a communication service that has the shortest communication time and the lowest communication fee in a local call is selected, and the communication to the communication destination uses the selected communication service. Control. At this time, it is possible to automatically add the operator selection number before dialing by using the additional information.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the communication apparatus according to the present invention. In the second embodiment, the communication device 1 includes a communication history storage unit 8 for storing a communication history transmitted by a user of a communication device, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, and the control unit 4 controls the first unit. In addition to the function of the control unit of the embodiment,
When the optimum communication service selecting unit 6 selects the optimal communication charge discount service and the communication carrier, the optimum communication charge discount service is used more accurately by using the communication history statistical information stored in the communication history storage unit 8. And a function to control so as to select a communication carrier.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment. First, Step 21 is the same as Steps 11 to 16 in the first embodiment of FIG. 2, and accumulates the latest optimal communication service selection program and fee schedule. afterwards,
Using the stored charge table, calculate the communication charge corresponding to the communication history using the latest program (step 2
2) The optimum communication service selection unit 6 uses the optimum communication service selection program based on the statistical information of the communication history, refers to the communication history and the calculated communication fee, and accurately determines the optimal communication fee discount service and communication. Select a business operator (step 23). Next, similarly to steps 18 and 19 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the service is switched to the optimal service and the transmission is performed (step 24), and after the communication is completed, the communication history is accumulated (step 25).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of step 23 in detail. Step 23 is a step of selecting an optimal communication fee discount service and a communication carrier. First, refer to the communication history statistical information for each individual number (step 3
1) The average communication time is determined (step 32), and if it is a normal length, it is selected as it is, and if it is particularly long, an advantageous communication charge discount service is selected (step 33). Next, the average number of times of communication is determined (step 34). If the number of times is normal, the communication rate discount service is selected (step 35). Further, the communication distance is distinguished into long distance, middle distance, city, etc., and an advantageous discount service is selected (step 36), and the transmission destination is classified into subscriber telephone, PHS, mobile telephone, international telephone, etc. An advantageous discount service is selected (step 37), the communication time zone is classified into daytime, nighttime, late night, etc., and an advantageous discount service is selected for each (step 38), and candidates for the discount service finally used are narrowed down. (Step 39).

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the communication apparatus according to the present invention. In the third embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment, the communication apparatus 1 provides a communication fee discount service selected by the optimum communication service selection unit 6 and a plurality of candidates for a communication carrier to a user of a communication device. The control unit 4 includes a candidate presentation selection unit 9 for presenting and requesting a user's selection.
However, in addition to the function of the control unit in the second embodiment, the candidate presentation selection unit 9 has a function of controlling the communication fee discount service and the communication carrier to be determined optimally by the user's selection.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment. First, Step 41 is the same as Steps 11 to 16 in the first embodiment of FIG. 2, and accumulates the latest optimum communication service selection program and charge table. Steps
Reference numeral 42 is the same as steps 22 and 23 in the second embodiment of FIG. 4, calculates the communication fee corresponding to the communication history using the stored fee table, and
Using the optimal communication service selection program, for example, a plurality of communication charge discount services and candidates for communication carriers are selected (step 43), and the candidates are presented to the user (step 44). The user selects the optimal communication fee discount service and communication carrier (Step 4
Five). In step 46, the optimum communication service selecting unit 6 switches to the optimum service and makes a call in the same manner as in steps 18 and 19 in the first embodiment of FIG. 2, and in step 47, the communication is performed similarly to step 25 in FIG. After the end, the communication history is finally stored.

In the third embodiment, the example including the communication history accumulating unit 8 has been described. However, the effect of providing the candidate presentation selecting unit 9 does not change even if the configuration does not include this. Also, in the above embodiment, the case where the communication network is an ISDN network and the communication is voice communication has been described as an example. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to various communications using various communication networks, such as voice communication and data communication using a wireless communication network.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By updating the optimal communication service selection program and fee schedule for communication services that are becoming more complicated,
It is possible to accurately select the optimal communication fee discount service and communication carrier. Further, by using the communication history, it is possible to select an optimal communication fee discount service and a communication carrier according to the communication status of each individual user. In addition, by presenting an optimal communication fee discount service and a communication carrier candidate to the user so that the user can select from them, efficient selection becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a communication device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the communication device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of step 23 of the flowchart of FIG. 4 in detail.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the communication device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication apparatus 2 Communication network 3 Interface part 4 Control part 5 Exchange part 6 Optimal communication service selection part 7 Charge table storage part 8 Communication history storage part 9 Candidate presentation selection part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Matsui 3-19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Inside Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Katsuhiko Ogawa 3-192-1, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation F-term (reference) 5K025 AA08 BB02 BB06 CC01 EE04 EE05 JJ04 JJ10 JJ12 JJ18

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. Interface means for connecting to a communication network, charge table storage means for storing a plurality of communication charge tables prescribed for each communication charge discount service distributed from the communication network, The communication fee discount service and the optimum communication service selection program storing the optimum communication service selection program for selecting the communication carrier, and the optimum communication service selection program stored in the optimum communication service selection unit are stored in the charge table storage means. A communication means for selecting an optimal communication charge discount service and a communication carrier using the communication charge table, and controlling the communication so as to switch the communication to the selected optimal communication charge discount service and the communication carrier. Characteristic communication device. 2. An interface means for connecting to a communication network, a charge table storage means for storing a plurality of communication charge tables specified for each communication charge discount service distributed from the communication network, and an optimal charge table distributed from the communication network. The optimal communication service selection unit that stores the communication fee discount service and the optimal communication service selection program that selects the communication carrier, the communication history storage unit that stores the communication history transmitted to the communication network, and the storage that is stored in the optimum communication service selection unit Using the communication charge table stored in the charge table storage means and the communication history statistical information stored in the communication history storage means by the optimal communication service selection program, the optimum communication charge discount service and communication carrier are identified. Control means for selecting and selecting the optimal communication charge discount service and the communication carrier to switch the communication. Communication apparatus characterized by obtaining. 3. An interface means for connecting to a communication network, a charge table storage means for storing a plurality of communication charge tables specified for each communication charge discount service distributed from the communication network, and an optimal charge table distributed from the communication network. The optimal communication service selection section that stores the communication fee discount service and the optimal communication service selection program that selects the telecommunications carrier, and multiple communication charges that are selected using the optimal communication service selection program that is stored in the optimal communication service selection section Candidate presentation selection means for presenting a discount service and a telecommunications carrier as candidates to a communication device user, thereby selecting an optimal communication fee discount service and a telecommunications carrier to be used by the user, and using the communication device Communication fee discount service selected by the operator and control means for controlling the communication to be switched to the carrier. A communication device, comprising: 4. An interface means for connecting to a communication network, a charge table storage means for storing a plurality of communication charge tables specified for each communication charge discount service distributed from the communication network, The optimal communication service selection unit that stores the communication fee discount service and the optimal communication service selection program that selects the communication carrier, the communication history storage unit that stores the history of the communication transmitted to the communication network, the information that is stored in the optimum communication service selection unit A plurality of communication fee discount services and telecommunications carriers selected using the optimal telecommunications service selection program are presented to communication device users as candidates, whereby the optimal telecommunications fee discount services and telecommunications carriers used by the users are provided. Candidate selection means for selecting a communication device, and an optimal communication fee discount service selected by a communication device user. Communication apparatus characterized by comprising a control means for controlling to switch the communication to a fine operators. 5. Distributing a plurality of communication fee tables prescribed for each communication fee discount service from a communication network to a communication device, and an optimal communication service selection program for selecting an optimal communication fee discount service and a communication carrier; The communication device selects an optimal communication fee discount service and a communication carrier using a communication fee table by an optimal communication service selection program, and switches communication to the selected optimal communication fee discount service and the communication carrier. And the optimal communication service selection method. 6. A recording medium on which each step of claim 5 is recorded in a computer-readable manner. 7. A plurality of communication charge tables prescribed for each communication charge discount service and an optimum communication service selection program for selecting an optimum communication charge discount service and a communication carrier from the communication network to the communication device, The communication device accumulates a history of communications transmitted to the communication network, and selects an optimal communication fee discount service and a telecommunications carrier using a communication fee table and communication history statistical information by an optimal communication service selection program, A method for selecting an optimum communication service, wherein the communication is switched to a selected optimum communication fee discount service and a communication carrier. 8. A recording medium in which the steps according to claim 7 are recorded in a computer-readable manner. 9. Distributing a plurality of communication charge tables prescribed for each communication charge discount service from a communication network to a communication device, and an optimum communication service selection program for selecting an optimum communication charge discount service and a communication carrier; The communication device presents a plurality of communication fee discount services and a communication carrier selected using the optimal communication service selection program to the communication device user as candidates, thereby providing an optimal communication fee discount service to be used by the user. An optimal communication service selection method, comprising: selecting a communication carrier; and a communication device switching communication to an optimal communication fee discount service and a communication carrier selected by a communication device user. 10. A recording medium in which the steps according to claim 9 are recorded in a computer-readable manner. 11. Distributing a plurality of communication charge tables prescribed for each communication charge discount service from a communication network to a communication device, and an optimum communication service selection program for selecting an optimum communication charge discount service and a communication carrier; The communication device accumulates the communication history transmitted to the communication network, and presents the communication device user as a candidate a plurality of communication fee discount services and communication carriers selected using the optimum communication service selection program, The feature is that the user selects the optimal communication fee discount service and communication carrier to be used by the user, and the communication device switches communication to the optimal communication fee discount service and communication carrier selected by the communication device user. Communication device. 12. A recording medium on which the steps according to claim 11 are recorded in a computer-readable manner.