JP2001313744A - Call charge adjustment adapter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a call charge adjustment adapter which enables a user to easily use a telephone with a cash card and authenticates the cash card with low operation expenses. SOLUTION: This adapter is provided with an ISDN line interface part connected to an ISDN line, a read part 12 which reads the cash card, a telephone set interface part 14 to which a telephone set is connected, a signal discrimination part which discriminates a PB or dial signal from the telephone set, a signal storage part where the signal discriminated by the signal discrimination part is stored, a cash card availability confirmation part which confirms availability of the cash card, a call originating part which calls the call destination with a destination telephone number stored in the signal storage part, and a charge adjustment request part which receives a charge report from the ISDN line at the time of the end of speech and transmits it to an authentication center 20 by UUI information and pulls out the charge from the cash card.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a call rate adjusting adapter for adjusting a call rate for each call, such as a public telephone or a pink telephone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a public telephone is charged with money in advance, receives a billing pulse at every talk time corresponding to a call destination, and stores money every time. Returning the change after deducting the usage fee from a 100-yen coin here means replenishing change to a large number of installed telephones, which has not been realized. The telephone card developed to solve this problem, like the previous public telephone, writes the call frequency according to the amount paid earlier as magnetic information, and magnetically subtracts according to the billing pulse to talk. A charge has been collected.

[0003] The structure of the pink telephone is the same as that of a public telephone, but uses a general subscriber line, and the telephone charge paid by the user is acquired by the telephone installer and paid to a network operator. Become. Therefore, the telephone card which has already been paid to the network operator cannot be used.

[0004]

However, telephone cards have a problem that a specific card that cannot be used for other purposes must be purchased in advance, and that some cards are buried.

A pink telephone can only use coins, has no means for returning change, and has a limit in selecting a telephone having a color and design that matches the installation environment such as a store.

In order to solve these problems, it is preferable to use a cash card of a bank or the like which is usually carried and to make a commercially available analog telephone available. However, a system for realizing this and a device used therefor have been developed. It has not been.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a call charge settlement adapter which can easily use a telephone using a cash card and can authenticate the cash card at a low operation cost. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a call charge settlement adapter comprising: an ISDN line interface unit connected to an ISDN line having an ISDN exchange; a reading unit for reading a cash card; A telephone interface unit to which the telephone is connected, a signal identification unit for identifying a PB or dial signal from the telephone, a signal storage unit for storing the signal identified by the signal identification unit, and a validity of the cash card. Cash card validity checking unit, a calling unit for calling the other party with the other party's telephone number stored in the signal storage unit, and receiving a charge notification from the ISDN exchange when the call is over and authenticating with UUI information. A charge settlement request unit for requesting a charge settlement to be transmitted to the center and deducted from the cash card. It is an butterfly.

[0009] The present invention is also characterized in that in the call charge settlement adapter, a magnetic card or an IC card is used as a cash card.

The present invention also provides the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, wherein the cash card validity confirmation unit receives a PB from a telephone or a password by a dial signal and transmits it to an authentication center using UUI information, thereby validating the validity of the cash card. The present invention is characterized in that a cash card validity confirmation request unit for requesting confirmation is used.

According to the present invention, in the call charge settlement adapter, the cash card validity checking unit compares the fingerprint information recorded in the cash card with the fingerprint information input from the fingerprint reading unit to identify the validity. A gender identification unit is used.

According to the present invention, in the call charge settlement adapter, the cash card validity checking unit compares and identifies voice print information recorded in the card with voice information input from a voice input unit or a telephone. The present invention is characterized in that a validity identification unit is used.

According to the present invention, in the call charge settlement adapter, as a cash card validity confirmation unit, a signature combining the shape of handwriting and / or the stroke order and / or the writing pressure and / or the writing speed recorded in the card. It is characterized in that a validity identification unit is used for comparing and identifying information and signature information input from the tablet unit.

According to the present invention, in the call charge settlement adapter, when the cash card validity confirmation unit confirms the validity of the cash card, a display unit and / or a voice for notifying a user of an operation procedure and a confirmation result. A message transmission unit is provided.

The present invention also provides the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, wherein the cash card validity confirming unit confirms the validity of the cash card from the card authentication center to the number of billing seconds per unit charge with the call partner. A call charge notifying unit is provided which receives the notification and notifies the user that the call charge has been added for each charging second.

The present invention also provides the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, wherein the call charge notification unit uses the service charge as a small number of seconds per unit charge with the call partner notified from the card authentication center. It is displayed that charging is being performed, and the charge settlement request unit notifies the card authentication center at the end of the call that the amount indicated by the call charge notification unit is to be deducted.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the cash card reading unit enables reading of the cash card when the telephone is off-hook.

Further, in the present invention, in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the charge settlement request unit requests the card authentication center to add a fixed charge as a service charge to the charge notified from the ISDN exchange to deduct the charge. It is a feature.

In the present invention, the call charge settlement adapter may further include a recording unit for recording at least an area code and a call time of a caller corresponding to the used cash card; Is provided, and a printing unit capable of printing is provided.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the cash card validity confirming unit does not permit a call if the cash card does not have a balance exceeding a certain amount.

According to the present invention, in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the charge settlement request unit does not return the cash card when the shortage occurs in the withdrawal but returns the card lock when the cash settlement is completed. The present invention is characterized in that a unit is provided.

The present invention is also characterized in that in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the card lock unit has a key for releasing the locked cash card so as not to be returned.

The present invention is also characterized in that in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the card lock unit can release the locked cash card so as not to be returned online.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the cash card reader has a key for enabling the telephone to be used without a cash card.

According to the present invention, in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the cash card validity checking unit may include a balance per unit charge between the balance notified by the card authentication center and a call partner notified by the card authentication center. It is characterized in that a call continuation determining unit for comparing call charges calculated from the number of seconds and determining whether or not to accept the call is provided.

The present invention is also characterized in that in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the calling unit adds a carrier identification number of a network carrier which promotes a telephone service using a cash card at the time of calling. It is.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the call charge settlement adapter, set device information such as an address and / or a sub-address number for connecting to a card authentication center can be changed offline or online. is there.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the call charge settlement adapter is provided with a backup battery so that it can operate even during a power failure.

The present invention uses the UUI information of the ISDN to authenticate a cash card at a low operating cost using a debit card system, and uses a dial button for a PB or dial signal to enable use of a general analog telephone. To achieve the intended purpose of the adapter.

[0030]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing an embodiment of a call charge settlement adapter according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a call charge settlement adapter, a signal identification unit, a cash card validity check unit, a calling unit, a charge settlement request unit,
A recording unit and a PB (push button) signal receiving unit are provided. Reference numeral 12 denotes a card reading unit provided with a lock mechanism capable of locking a card by setting, 13 denotes a display function unit, 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a telephone interface unit, 15 denotes a printing mechanism for recording a call record and a charge settlement record output, 16 denotes a key for releasing a card lock, secure an emergency call, etc., 17 denotes an analog telephone, 18 denotes a DSU (Digital Service).
Unit), 19 is ISDN (Integrated)
Services Digital Network
k) and 20 are a card authentication center, 21 is an analog telephone network, 22 is a digital telephone of a communication partner, and 23 is an analog telephone of a communication partner. The call charge settlement adapter 11 is connected to the ISDN 19 via the DSU 18 via an S / T point interface or to the ISDN 19 via a U point interface. The analog telephone 17 is connected to the telephone interface unit 14 of the call charge settlement adapter 11. The card authentication center 20 and the other party's digital telephone 22 are connected to the ISDN 19, and the other party's analog telephone 23 is connected to the ISDN 19 via the analog telephone network 21. System settings include setting password, call limit (time) setting, billing method (charge table) setting, default network (trader) setting, card lock (condition) setting, other printing, display mode, etc. I do.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a communication procedure of the call charge settlement adapter of FIG. That is, when the handset of the analog telephone set 17 is lifted and the telephone interface unit 14 of the call charge settlement adapter 11 detects the blockage of the circuit, the call charge settlement adapter 11 can read the cash card. Here, a cash card input request is made by voice guidance from the call charge settlement adapter 11, and the user inserts the cash card into the cash card reading unit 12 of the call charge settlement adapter 11.
, The call charge settlement adapter 11 reads the number of the cash card and stores it in the recording unit.

Subsequently, a request for input of a personal identification number is made by voice guidance from the call charge settlement adapter 11, and when the user inputs the personal identification number of this cash card with the dial button of the analog telephone 17, a PB signal is output from the analog telephone 17. Sent out. When the PB signal transmitted from the analog telephone 17 is detected by the PB receiver of the call charge settlement adapter 11, the call charge settlement adapter 11
N line I / F (S / T point or U point interface unit)
Then, the cash card number and its password are added to the UUI in the call setting as a command information such as a card authentication request and transmitted to the card authentication center 20. The card authentication center 20 performs an authentication process, adds a card authentication result, for example, OK to the UUI in the disconnection information, and transmits the result to the call charge settlement adapter 11. During this time, a status guidance during the authentication process is provided from the call charge settlement adapter 11 to the analog telephone 17 by voice guidance. When the authentication result is OK, the call charge settlement adapter 11 requests the analog telephone 17 to input a telephone number by voice guidance. When the telephone number of the call partner is input from the analog telephone 17, the telephone number of the call partner input from the dial button by the call charge settlement adapter 11 is recorded in the recording unit, and is also transmitted through the interface unit of the ISDN. A call is made to a phone number. Thereafter, when a ringing tone is played to the analog telephone 17 via the call charge settlement adapter 11 and a response is received from the other party's telephone 23, communication (call) is enabled and communication (call) is established.

When the call is completed, disconnection information is transmitted from the call charge settlement adapter 11 to the other party's telephone 23,
Since the call charge is notified from the ISDN 19 network to the call charge settlement adapter 11 in the release information, the call charge settlement adapter 11 calculates the use charge (call charge notification amount + α (UUI usage charge)), and this calculation is performed. After the usage fee is recorded in the recording unit, the usage fee is transmitted to the UUI in the call setup at the ISDN interface unit (command information such as a fee payment request, cash card number + PIN number information, usage (payment) fee information). ) Is transmitted to the card authentication center 20. The card authentication center 20 uses the settlement system to deduct the usage fee from the user's account, performs a payment process to be transferred to the used telephone line subscriber's account, and notifies the result of the payment. In the call charge settlement adapter 11, the processing result such as OK is displayed in the UUI in the disconnection information.
And the balance information. During this time, the call charge settlement adapter 11 provides the analog telephone 17 with voice guidance as to the situation during the settlement process.

Here, since the UUI communication is used four times in addition to the telephone call, an extra 1.6 yen is required in addition to the telephone charge. Therefore, each time the user uses the service, a fixed fee is added to the communication fee, and the UDN
The information can be transmitted to a card authentication center and debited.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the communication procedure of the call charge settlement adapter of FIG. That is,
Prior to the authentication processing at the card authentication center 20, a telephone number input request is made from the call charge settlement adapter 11 to the analog telephone set 17 by voice guidance. When the telephone number of the other party is input from the analog telephone set 17, the telephone number of the other party input from the dial button by the call charge settlement adapter 11 is recorded in the recording unit, and the call charge settlement adapter 11 sends the card to the card authentication center. The connection destination telephone number information is added to UUI in the call setting information and transmitted to 20.
In the authentication process, the card authentication center 20 performs a charging table search and a card balance inquiry, and transmits the call charge settlement adapter 11 from the card authentication center 20 by adding the charging unit time and the card balance information to the UUI in the disconnection information. I do.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a part of FIG. 3 in detail.

The call charge settlement adapter 11 recognizes the telephone number input from the analog telephone 17 with the PB receiver,
At the same time as the request for authentication of the cash card, all or part of the telephone number excluding the last four digits is added to the UUI and transmitted to the card authentication center 20. At the same time as the authentication processing, the card authentication center 20 searches the billing table (seconds) based on the calling address and the toll-free telephone number of the connection destination. To the call charge settlement adapter 11. When a call is started, the accumulated charges will be displayed each time the communication seconds per unit time elapse,
The user can be notified of the communication fee during communication. As a result, it is not necessary to receive a signal from the network provider every time the number of calls increases during communication, and the user can be informed of the progress of the charge independently.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the communication procedure of the call charge settlement adapter of FIG. 1 in detail.

Even if the cash card is authenticated, since it is not a credit card, it may not be possible to withdraw the call fee when the call is terminated. Therefore, as described in FIG. 3, when the number of call seconds per unit time corresponding to the telephone number is notified, if the call time is previously set to, for example, 20 minutes, the number of call seconds per 10 yen becomes 20. If it is seconds, it is possible to make a call only when a withdrawal of 600 yen or more is possible. Therefore, the card authentication center 20 performs the authentication process, performs a card balance inquiry, adds the card account balance information to the UUI, and transmits the UUI to the call charge settlement adapter 11. The call charge settlement adapter 11 checks the possibility of the card balance, and checks the possible call time based on the charging unit time and the card balance.

According to the present invention, a magnetic card or an IC card can be used as a cash card in the call charge settlement adapter.

According to the present invention, in the call charge settlement adapter, the cash card validity confirmation unit receives a PB from a telephone set or a personal identification number by a dial signal and transmits it to an authentication center using UUI information, thereby validating the validity of the cash card. A cash card validity confirmation requesting unit that requests confirmation can be used.

According to the present invention, in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the cash card validity checking unit compares the fingerprint information recorded in the cash card with the fingerprint information input from the fingerprint reading unit to identify the validity. A gender identification unit can be used.

Further, according to the present invention, in the call charge settlement adapter, the cash card validity checking unit compares and identifies voiceprint information recorded in the card with voice information input from a voice input unit or a telephone. A validity identifier may be used.

According to the present invention, in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the cash card validity checking unit may include a signature combining the shape and / or the stroke order and / or the writing pressure and / or the writing speed of the handwriting recorded in the card. It is possible to use a validity identifying unit for comparing information and signature information input from the tablet unit and identifying them.

According to the present invention, in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the call charge notifying section may use the service charge as a small number of seconds as compared with the charge seconds per unit charge with the call partner notified from the card authentication center. It is possible to display that charging has been performed, and the charge settlement request unit can notify the card authentication center at the end of the call that the amount indicated by the call charge notification unit should be deducted.

Further, in the present invention, in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the charge settlement request unit does not return the cash card but returns the cash lock at the time of completion of the cash settlement when the shortage occurs in the debit. A part can be provided.

According to the present invention, in the call charge settlement adapter, the card lock unit may have a key for enabling the locked cash card to be released so as not to be returned.

Further, according to the present invention, in the call charge settlement adapter, the card lock unit can release the locked cash card online so as not to return it.

Further, according to the present invention, in the call charge settlement adapter, the cash card reader may have a key for enabling the telephone to be used without a cash card.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned call charge settlement adapter, the calling unit can add a carrier identification number of a network carrier that promotes a telephone service using a cash card at the time of calling.

Further, according to the present invention, in the call charge settlement adapter, set device information such as an address and / or a sub address number for connecting to a card authentication center can be changed offline or online.

According to the present invention, a backup battery can be provided in the call charge settlement adapter so that the backup battery can operate even during a power failure.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention, a telephone user can easily use a telephone by using a cash card which is usually carried in and out of deposits and withdrawals. For phone providers,
You can freely choose the phone design that fits your installation location, which means you can choose the location of your phone without having to change it. Moreover, this method can be used not only in the form of a pink telephone but also in the form of a public telephone.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system block diagram showing an embodiment of a call charge settlement adapter of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a communication procedure of the call charge settlement adapter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the communication procedure of the call charge settlement adapter of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a part of FIG. 3 in detail;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the communication procedure of the call charge settlement adapter of FIG. 1 in detail.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Call rate settlement adapter 12 Card reading part 13 Display function part 14 Telephone interface part 15 Printing mechanism part 16 Key 17 Analog telephone 18 DSU 20 Card authentication center 21 Analog telephone network 22 Digital telephone of the other party 23 Analog telephone of the other party

Continued on the front page F-term (reference) 2C005 MA33 MB05 SA04 SA05 SA06 SA15 TA24 5K025 BB02 BB10 CC01 DD07 DD09 EE01 EE02 EE05 EE08 EE16 EE18 EE24 EE25 EE26 FF17 FF21 FF26 FF36 GG03 GG04 GG18 JJ01 FF01 FF18 GG14 GG15 GG19 HH23 HH26

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An ISDN line interface unit connected to an ISDN line having an ISDN exchange, a reading unit for reading a cash card, a telephone interface unit connected to a telephone, and a PB or dial signal from the telephone are identified. A signal discriminator, a signal accumulator for accumulating the signal identified by the signal discriminator, a cash card validity confirmer for confirming the validity of the cash card, and a telephone number stored in the signal accumulator. A calling unit for calling a call partner by number; and a charge settlement request unit for requesting a charge settlement for receiving a charge notification from the ISDN exchange, transmitting the charge to the authentication center with UUI information and withdrawing from the cash card when the call is completed. A call charge settlement adapter comprising: 2. The call charge settlement adapter according to claim 1, wherein a magnetic card or an IC card is used as the cash card. 3. As a cash card validity confirmation unit,
2. A cash card validity confirmation requesting unit which receives a personal identification number by a PB or a dial signal from a telephone, transmits it to an authentication center with UUI information, and requests a validity confirmation of a cash card. Call rate settlement adapter. 4. As a cash card validity confirmation unit,
2. The call charge settlement adapter according to claim 1, wherein a validity identification unit is used for comparing and identifying fingerprint information recorded in the cash card and fingerprint information input from the fingerprint reading unit. 5. As a cash card validity confirmation unit,
2. The call fee settlement adapter according to claim 1, wherein a validity identification unit is used for comparing and discriminating the voiceprint information recorded in the card with the voice input unit or the voice information input from the telephone. 6. As a cash card validity confirmation unit,
A validity identification unit is used that compares signature information obtained by combining the shape and / or stroke order and / or writing pressure and / or writing speed of the handwriting recorded in the card with signature information input from the tablet unit. 2. The call charge settlement adapter according to claim 1, wherein: 7. A cash card validity checking unit is provided with a display unit and / or a voice message sending unit for notifying a user of an operation procedure and a confirmation result when checking the validity of a cash card. The call charge settlement adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 6. 8. A cash card validity confirmation unit, when confirming the validity of a cash card, receives a notification of the number of billing seconds per unit charge with a communication partner from a card authentication center, and 7. The call charge settlement adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a call charge notification unit for notifying a user that the call charge has been added. 9. The call charge notifying section displays a charge as a service use charge in a small number of seconds per unit charge with a call partner notified from the card authentication center. 9. The call charge settlement adapter according to claim 8, wherein the settlement request unit notifies the card authentication center that the amount indicated by the call charge notification unit is to be deducted at the end of the call. 10. The call charge settlement adapter according to claim 1, wherein the cash card reader enables reading of the cash card when the telephone is off-hook. 11. The card settlement center according to claim 1, wherein the charge settlement request unit requests the card authentication center to add a fixed charge as a service charge to the charge notified from the ISDN exchange and to deduct the charge. Or the call charge settlement adapter described in 1. 12. A recording unit for recording at least an area code and a call time of a caller corresponding to a used cash card, and a printing unit capable of printing the record of the recording unit is provided. The call charge settlement adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: 13. The call charge settlement adapter according to claim 1, wherein the cash card validity confirmation unit does not permit a call if the cash card does not have a balance equal to or more than a fixed amount. 14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the charge settlement request unit is provided with a card lock unit that does not return the cash card and returns the cash card at the time of completion of the cash settlement when a shortfall occurs in the debit. Item 7. The call charge settlement adapter according to any one of Items 1 to 6. 15. The call charge settlement adapter according to claim 14, wherein the card lock section has a key for releasing the cash card locked so as not to be returned. 16. The call fee settlement adapter according to claim 14, wherein the card lock unit can release the cash card locked so as not to be returned online. 17. The call charge settlement adapter according to claim 1, wherein the cash card reader has a key for enabling use of the telephone without a cash card. 18. The cash card validity checking unit compares the balance notified from the card authentication center with the call charge calculated from the billing seconds per unit charge with the call partner notified from the card authentication center. 7. The call charge settlement adapter according to claim 1, further comprising a call continuation determining unit for determining whether or not to accept the call. 19. The calling unit according to claim 1, wherein the calling unit adds a carrier identification number of a network carrier that promotes a telephone service using a cash card at the time of calling.
7. The call charge settlement adapter according to any one of items 1 to 6. 20. The call charge settlement adapter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein set device information such as an address and / or a sub-address number for connecting to a card authentication center is stored offline or online. Call rate settlement adapter characterized by being changeable. 21. The call charge settlement adapter according to claim 1, wherein a backup battery is provided so as to be able to operate even during a power failure.