JP2002352149A - Charging system and charging method in service over the internet - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems of the defect that charge counting is continued, even though a service can not be utilized due to deficiency of a network and a user terminal once log-in is made and charging is started and also that charging is not performed for each type of a service in the conventional charging system. SOLUTION: A client application 12 displays received information and procedures, receives a charging unit time to set a timer 121, at service allowed time and transmits a points charging message to a service providing means 23 at a timer cycle. A DB 24 includes a user utilization points table (user authentication information, points held and limiting value) and service providing management table (charging unit time in each service, points value and management interval), and the service-providing means 23 also transmits the charging unit time to the application 12, when a service is allowed, counts charging with a points charging message, terminates communication connection when the message cannot be received over a period of time equal to or longer than the management interval and also stops the charging.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a billing system and a billing method for providing various services to an unspecified number of users through a network for a fee, and more particularly, to paying various services to terminals of contract users using the Internet. It relates to a billing system and a billing method for providing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been no strict management system for each service on the Internet. An example of time-based billing for Internet use by providers is disclosed in
No. 0-27036.

[0003] In the time-based billing mode disclosed in this publication, the billing server bills if the server is in a login state.

[0004]

Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional billing system, there are problems in the software and system of the Internet between the server and the personal computer used by the user,
There is a first problem that if a failure of a line or a modem or a trouble of a personal computer or the like used by a user occurs after logging in, the user is charged even if the service is not received.

In the conventional time-based billing system, billing is based on the time during which the user logs in to the entire service site.
Even if a site offers multiple types of services, charging for each individual service is not considered. Therefore, there is a second problem that it is not possible to make a charge corresponding to the construction cost and operation cost of each service.

Further, in the conventional billing system, billing is often performed by a simple mechanism such as terminating the service to the user when the use point becomes 0, and various processes of the user regarding the use and payment of the service are performed. Contracts were not made in response to requests, and one service was not flexibly charged according to the form of the contract with each user.

In the billing system of the present invention, for example, in the case of a prepaid contract by contract, the use ends at 0, and in the case of a postpaid contract and account withdrawal, the limit point can be reduced to a minus point. Can be used.

[0008]

A first billing system according to the present invention is a billing system for providing various services to a user for a fee through a network, wherein a client application mounted on a user terminal includes service providing means. Communication means, means for displaying and executing information and procedures received from the service providing means, and a timer for generating a timing of the unit time period when the start request is made to the service providing means and the charging count unit time is received and the charging count unit time is received. Means for setting and transmitting a point billing message to the service providing means at that timing, wherein the service providing server includes the service providing means, authentication information of each user,
A database having service management information including management information for each user including holding points, a charging count unit time, a charging point value per unit time, and a management interval at which the point charging message is considered to be interrupted; After receiving a service start request from the client application together with a user identification from the client application, the application refers to the database, authenticates the user, confirms possession points, transmits a usage permission, and a charging count unit time. Monitoring the reception of the point charging message, if the reception is not possible for the management interval or more, terminates the communication connection with the client application, decrements the holding points by receiving the point charging message, Point and having a provision management accounting unit to abort the communication connection with the run out.

[0009] The second accounting system of the present invention comprises the first accounting system.
In the charging system, the service providing means has a plurality of service applications, and the database has, as service management information, a charging count unit time for each service application, a charging point value per unit time, a management interval, Upon receiving a service start request and service identification from the client application together with the user identification from the client application, the provision management and billing means refers to the database, authenticates the user, confirms the possessed points, and transmits the usage count and the charging count unit time corresponding to the service. Thereafter, the reception of the point billing message is monitored for each service. If the point billing message cannot be received for the service management interval or more, the communication connection with the client application is terminated, and the points held are serviced by receiving the point billing message. Decrements according to the accounting point value, the manner abort the communication connection with the held point is exhausted, characterized in that the charging on a per-service basis.

In a third accounting system according to the present invention, in the first or second accounting system, the database may include, as management information for each user, authentication information of each user, service termination in addition to holding points. The provision management billing means also permits the communication connection with the client application if the possession point is larger than the limit value upon receiving the service start request or the point billing message, and continues. If it is less than the limit value, the communication connection is terminated.

[0011] The fourth billing system of the present invention comprises the third billing system.
In the billing system, the service providing server comprises:
Means for storing a procedure file of the client application; and means for transmitting the procedure file of the client application to the user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal, wherein the client application is downloaded from a service providing server prior to the user using the service. And

A fifth accounting system according to the present invention is characterized in that the fourth accounting system
In the billing system, the provision management billing means transmits the user's possession points together with the use permission and the billing unit time to the client application, and returns the decremented possession points in response to the point billing message. The application displays the received latest possessed points on the user terminal together with an application service screen.

A first billing method according to the present invention is a billing method for providing various services to a user for a fee through a network, wherein a client application mounted on a user terminal communicates with a service providing procedure and a service procedure. Set the timer to display and execute the information and procedure received from the provision procedure, and to set the timer to generate the timing of the unit time cycle when the start of the service provision procedure is requested and allowed and the charge count unit time is received. Sending a point billing message to the service providing procedure, wherein the service provider provides the service providing procedure,
It has authentication information of each user, management information for each user including a holding point, a charging count unit time, a charging point value per unit time, and service management information including a management interval for determining that a point charging message from the client application has been interrupted. With a database,
The service providing procedure includes a service application,
Upon receiving a service start request together with a communication procedure with the client application and a user identification from the client application, the database is referred to, the user is authenticated and the possessed point is confirmed, the use permission is transmitted, and the charging count unit time is transmitted. A provision management accounting procedure for monitoring the reception of the accounting message and terminating the communication connection with the client application if the reception is not possible for the management interval or more, decrementing the possession points by receiving the point accounting message, and terminating the communication connection when the possession points are exhausted. And characterized in that:

According to a second billing method of the present invention, in the first billing method, the service providing procedure includes a plurality of service applications, and the database includes service management information as a charge count unit for each service application. Time, a charging point value per unit time, and a management interval. The provision management charging procedure refers to the database upon receiving a service start request and service identification from the client application together with user identification, performs user authentication, and performs user authentication. After transmitting the usage permission and the charging count unit time corresponding to the service, the reception of the point charging message is monitored for each service, and the communication connection with the client application is terminated if the reception of the point charging message cannot be received for the service management interval or more, The point billing message Decremented depending holdings points by over-di receiving the accounting point value services corresponding, the manner abort the communication connection with the held point is exhausted, characterized in that the charging on a per-service basis.

According to a third billing method of the present invention, in the first or second billing method, the database may include, as management information for each user, authentication information of each user, service termination in addition to holding points. Also has a limit value of the holding point to perform, the provision management charging procedure permits the communication connection with the client application if the holding point is larger than the limit value when the service start request or the point charging message is received, It is characterized in that communication is continued and the communication connection is terminated if it is below the limit value.

According to a fourth billing method of the present invention, in the third billing method, the service provider stores and manages a procedure file of the client application; The method also includes a procedure for transmitting a procedure file to a user terminal, wherein the client application is downloaded from a service providing side prior to the user using the service.

[0017]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a lineblock diagram of the whole system including the billing system of the 1st example of an embodiment. The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The user terminal 1 is a device such as a personal computer, and includes a browser 11 and an application 12 (client application) downloaded from the server 2.

The server 2 on the service provider side includes a web server processing means 21, an application program file 22 to be transferred to the user side, a service providing means 23, and a database 24 having management information necessary for providing the service. When the web server processing means 21 receives a message addressed to its own URL via the network 3, the web server processing means 21 presents a menu and displays a designated HTML (HyperText Ma
This is a means for returning information in an rkup language (rkup Language) format.

Under the control of the browser 11, the application 12 executes processing relating to display and input for services, a portion for communicating with the service providing means 23 of the server 2, and a timer 121 for generating timing for performing point billing. And a means for receiving the timing of the termer 121 and transmitting a point billing message to the service providing means 23.

The service providing means 23 has a communication processing means 231 for communicating with the application 12, a service application (1) 233,... A service application (n) 236, and a provision management and billing means 232. The provision management charging means 232 receives the service request, refers to the database 24, confirms the user's holding points and limit points after user authentication, permits the use of the specified service, and sends a point charging message from the application 12 during the service. At the same time as receiving and counting, the reception of this signal is periodically monitored, and if the signal cannot be received for more than the management interval, the communication connection with the application 12 is terminated. Also, a timer module 2322 for generating a timing for monitoring the point billing message is included.

The database 24 includes a user use point table 241 and a service provision management table 242.

The contents will be described with reference to FIG. The user usage point table 241 includes user ID (identification), password, holding points, and limit point information of each user. When the usage fee is paid in advance, the points are added at a conversion rate of, for example, 1 point / 10 yen,
It is deducted by using the service. Therefore, it is the point as the usage right held by the user. Further, a negative value indicates that the converted value of the absolute value into the fee has not been paid, and is a charged amount in postpayment or account debit.

The limit point indicates a holding point value at which the service is terminated and is determined at the time of contract. Limit point 0
Indicates that the service is to be discontinued when the possessed points are exhausted, and -30 indicates that the service is continued up to 30 points even if the retained points are exhausted.

The service provision management table 242 holds, for each service, a server management interval value indicating a unit time for charging, a point value per unit time, and a unit time for terminating the service when the point charging message is no longer received. are doing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed configuration of the service providing means 23. Referring to the figure, the service providing unit 23 includes a communication processing unit 231 for communicating with the application 12 and a service application (1),.
It has a service application (n) and a provision management and billing unit 232.

Management control means 2 of provision management and billing means 232
321 receives a service start request from the application 12, refers to the database 24, authenticates the user, checks the user's possession points and limit points, and permits the application 12 to use the service. In addition, a point charge message is received from the application 12 during the service, the charge is counted, and whether or not this signal is sent is periodically monitored. If the signal is not received within the management interval, the service communication is terminated. The timer module 2322 has a plurality of timers 2322-1 to 2322-n for generating the monitoring timing of receiving the point charging message. Each timer is a service application (1)
~ Service application (n).

A management flag area 2323 is provided on a memory, and a server management interval value, an IP address of all user terminals in service, a user ID, and a point billing reception for each service so that the management control means 2321 can perform the above-mentioned monitoring. It has a flag and a monitoring management count. The point billing reception flag is set when a point billing signal is received from the application 12 of the user terminal 1, and is reset when read by the monitoring operation. The monitoring management count is incremented each time the point billing reception flag is not set in the monitoring operation.

For example, in the state of FIG. 4, the service ID is AB0
01, the IP address becomes 133-XX
For the user of X-WWW- △△△, the monitoring management count (2 bits) is “10” and the server management interval “2 (10
) ”And communication between the user terminal and the service application (1) is terminated.

Next, the operation of the first example of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, the user makes an access request (message 1) to the web server processing unit 21 of the service provider using the browser 11 from the environment of the user terminal 1. The user downloads the application 12 that can be used on the browser 11 (message 2). When the application 12 is incorporated under the browser 11, the application 12 sends a message 3 of user authentication information (user ID and password) and service information (service ID) to be used to the service providing means 23.

The service providing means 23 checks whether the user can use the service. The procedure will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the message 3 is received (Step A)
1) Access the user usage point table 241 of the database 24 based on the user ID (step A)
2).

Then, a user authentication check is performed to determine whether the user ID exists and the password is correct (step A).
3). If the user ID exists and the password is correct, the process proceeds to use point confirmation (step A4). Otherwise, the process proceeds to the disconnection process (step A9) to reject the connection.

In the use point confirmation (step A4), it is confirmed whether the point can be used with the possessed point and the limit point in the user use point table shown in FIG. If the possessed point is less than the limit point, the communication disconnection processing is performed (step A9).
Then, access is made to the service provision management table 242 of No. 4 using the service ID as a key (step A5).

The service providing means 23 controls the service I of the timer module 2322 so as to generate a timer interrupt at a unit time cycle of the service providing management table 242.
Set the timer (I) corresponding to D. Here, I is any one of 1 to n. Then, the IP address of the user terminal 1 received from the communication processing means 231 is set in the table corresponding to the service ID in the management flag area 2323, and the point billing reception flag and the number of times of monitoring management are initialized to zero (step A6). A service use permission message 4 (holding points and service providing means 23)
(Including the unit time for sending point billing messages)
Is transmitted (step A7).

The communication processing means 231 holds the IP address of the user terminal of the other party as the address of the other party during communication connection. In the communication from the user terminal 1 to the service providing means, the middle layer of the communication is the destination AP (providing management and billing means,
(A service application (1),..., Service application (n));
The address is held (step A8).

The application 12 that has received the service use permission message sets the timer 121 so that the point billing message (message 5) can be transmitted at the time interval specified in the message 4. Thereafter, the application 12 freely exchanges services with the service application (I) of the service providing means 23 and transmits a point billing message to the service providing means 23 at the set time intervals.

Next, the operation when the service providing means 23 receives the point billing message will be described with reference to FIG. When the communication processing means 231 receives the point billing message from the application 12, it passes it to the management control means 2321 together with the transmission source IP address (step B1).
The management control means 2321 sets the point billing reception flag of the user of the corresponding service in the management flag area 2323 (step B2).

The user access point table 241 is accessed, the corresponding entry is read using the user ID as a key (step B3), and the value specified by the point in the service provision management table 242 is subtracted from the owned point (step B4). . It is determined whether the retained points after the subtraction are larger than the limit points (available) (step B).
5) If below, the communication connection is terminated. That is, the communication processing means 231 is instructed to disconnect the connection together with the IP address received in step B1, and the communication processing means 231
The address is deleted from the P address information so that a message other than a message addressed to the service application (I) or a service start request (connection request) addressed to the provision management and billing means 232 is not accepted thereafter (step B).
6).

Next, after the user receives the service use permission, it is determined whether the service is in an environment where the service cannot be used due to a problem in the network 3 or a problem in the user terminal 1, or whether the service is used illegally. The method of determination by the providing unit 23 will be described with reference to the drawings.

Management control means 23 of service providing means 23
Before transmitting the message 4, the timer 21 sets the timer (I). Therefore, an interrupt is generated by the timer (I) at the set cycle (unit time). FIG. 7 shows a series of processing operations performed by the management control unit 2321 triggered by this interrupt.

When an interruption by the timer (I) occurs (step C1), the I-th service ID table in the management flag area 2323 is accessed (step C2).
The entry number (J) to be accessed is initialized to 0 (step C3).

The point billing reception flag of the entry J is checked (step C4). If the flag is ON, the monitoring management count is cleared, and the point billing reception flag is reset (step C5). If it is off, the monitoring management count is incremented (step C6), and it is determined whether the monitoring management count is smaller than the server management interval (step C7). If not, the connection disconnection processing is performed. That is, I of the entry
The communication processing unit 231 is instructed to disconnect the connection together with the P address, and the communication processing unit 231 performs the same processing as described above (step C8).

The above is the processing for one entry. If all the entries have not been processed (step C9), the entry number J is incremented and the same processing is repeated (step C10).

As described above, when the point billing signal is not received continuously for the server management interval or more, the communication connection is cut off, and the service and billing count (subtraction points are subtracted).
Is terminated, and a charge count in a state where the user cannot use the service or prevention of unauthorized use is performed.

Next, a description will be given of a second example of the point billing system according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the service providing means does not charge for each application of the service, and it is sufficient if there is at least one service application. Instead of the service provision management table, the database has service management information including one kind of charging unit time, points and server management intervals, or the database is only the user use point table 241 and the provision management and billing means has the above service management information. .

The point billing message from the user terminal 1 is monitored by one timer instead of the timer module 2322. Further, the management flag area holds and updates and manages the IP address of each user, the user ID, the point billing reception flag, and the number of times of monitoring management for the user who is permitted to use any service.

Further, in the third example of the point billing system of the present embodiment, the user use point table of the database does not include the limit point, and the service providing means retains the service start request or the point billing message upon receiving the point billing message. If the points have been exhausted, the service is permitted if it is not zero, and if it is zero, the service is terminated if it is zero.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This embodiment is a specific example of a service using the charging system and method of the first example of the first embodiment.

One is a paid chat system (which refers to a dialogue exchange service for one-to-N conversations), and the other is paid real-time bulletin news. First, the user separately contracts with the service provider to have a user ID and a password issued in advance in the user use point table, and then use the service. It is used in a relationship between the user and the service provider as shown in FIG.

In the case of a chat system, a menu is selected as shown in FIG. 9 (1), and in the case of real-time bulletin news, a menu is selected as shown in FIG. 9 (2). In the case of a chat system as shown in FIG. 10, client applications (applications downloaded in advance to the user terminal) display image information of a speaker or the like on the sub-screen 51 on the screen 5 and operate with time. An input unit 52 for chatting, an area 53 for displaying the conversation, an area 54 for displaying possessed points, and the like are provided to provide a service.

Next, in the case of real-time bulletin news, a service is provided in which the possession points are displayed in the area 61 on the screen 6 and the news bulletin content is displayed in the area 62.

The provision management / charging means 232 transmits the user's holding points together with the usage permission and the charging unit time to the client application and returns the decremented holding points in response to the point charging message. Always obtains the latest possessed point value and displays it on the screen.

[0052]

As described above, according to the billing system and the billing method of the present invention, the user terminal and the service providing server manage the timer by counting the bills and monitor the billing. It has the effect of charging only when available. Also, there is an effect that the communication connection with the client application of the unauthorized user can be promptly terminated.

According to the first embodiment of the billing system and the billing method of the present invention, billing is counted for each service, so that billing can be performed in proportion to the cost of construction and operation of each service. Have.

Further, since the service use permission and the billing process are performed by setting the holding points and the limit points and referring to these points, there is an effect that it is possible to cope with various service use conditions and payment conditions of the user. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an entire system including a charging system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing contents of a database 24 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a service providing unit 23 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a view showing the contents of a management flag area 2323 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a service providing unit 23 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart showing the operation and procedure of FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a service providing unit 23 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart showing an operation and a procedure when the terminal receives a point billing message.

FIG. 7 shows a service providing unit 23 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Is a flowchart showing an operation and a procedure for monitoring reception of a point billing message.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a user and a service application of the service system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a menu screen of the service system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein (1) illustrates a menu screen of a chat system, and (2) illustrates a menu screen of real-time posted news.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a service processing screen of the service system according to the second embodiment of the present invention, wherein (1) shows a screen of a chat system, and (2) shows a screen of real-time posted news.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 user terminal 11 browser 12 application 121 timer 2 server 21 web server processing means 22 application program file 23 service providing means 231 communication processing means 232 provision management billing means 2321 management control means 2322 timer module 2323 management flag area 233 to 236 service application 24 Database 241 User usage point table 242 Service provision management table 3 Network

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A charging system for providing various services to a user for a fee through a network, wherein a client application mounted on a user terminal communicates with a service providing unit, and information and procedures received from the service providing unit. And a timer for setting a timer to generate a timing of the unit time period when the start request is made to the service providing means and the charging count unit time is received, and a point charging message is sent to the service providing means at the timing. The service providing server, the service providing means, the information for authentication of each user, the management information for each user including the possessed points, the charging count unit time, the charging point value per unit time, and the point charging message. Service management information, including management intervals that are considered lost And a database having information
The service providing means includes: a service application;
When receiving a service start request together with a user identification from the client application, the communication means with the client application refers to the database, authenticates the user and confirms the possessed point, transmits a use permission, a charging count unit time, and A provision management and billing means for monitoring the reception of the billing message and terminating the communication connection with the client application if it cannot receive the billing message for more than the management interval, decrementing the possession points by receiving the point billing message, and terminating the communication connection when the possession points are exhausted. And a charging system. 2. The service providing means includes a plurality of service applications, the database includes, as service management information, a charging count unit time for each service application, a charging point value per unit time, and a management interval. The management / charging means refers to the database upon receiving a service start request and service identification together with the user identification from the client application, authenticates the user, confirms the possessed points, and transmits a usage permission and a charging count unit time corresponding to the service. The reception of the point billing message is monitored for each service, and if the point cannot be received for the service management interval or more, the communication connection with the client application is terminated, and the received points are charged to the service points corresponding to the service. 2. The charging system according to claim 1, wherein the charging is decremented in accordance with the service value, the communication connection is terminated when the possessed points are exhausted, and charging is performed on a service basis. 3. The database has, as management information for each user, authentication information of each user, a holding point, and also a limit value of holding points at which a service is to be terminated. 3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication connection with the client application is permitted if the holding point is larger than the limit value when the point charging message is received, and the communication connection is terminated if the holding point is smaller than the limit value. The billing system as described. 4. The service providing server also includes means for storing a procedure file of the client application, and means for transmitting the procedure file of the client application to the user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal. 4. The billing system according to claim 3, wherein the billing system is downloaded from a service providing server beforehand. 5. The provision management / charging means transmits the user's holding points together with the usage permission and the charging unit time to the client application, and returns the decremented holding points in response to the point charging message. 5. The charging system according to claim 4, wherein the received latest possessed points are displayed on the user terminal together with an application service screen. 6. A charging method for providing various services to a user for a fee through a network, wherein a client application mounted on a user terminal communicates with a service providing procedure, and information and procedures received from the service providing procedure. And a timer to set the timer to generate the timing of the unit time period when the start of the service provision procedure is requested and permitted and receives the charging count unit time, and the point charging message is transmitted to the service provision procedure at that timing. The service providing side includes a service providing procedure, authentication information of each user, management information for each user including a possessed point, a billing count unit time, a billing point value per unit time, a billing point value from the client application. A pipe that considers the point billing message to be lost A database having service management information including a management interval, wherein the service providing procedure refers to a service application, a communication procedure with the client application, and the database when receiving a service start request together with a user identification from the client application. After authenticating the user and confirming the possessed points, transmitting the use permission and the billing count unit time, monitoring the reception of the point billing message, and if the point billing message cannot be received for the management interval or more, terminates the communication connection with the client application, and terminates the point. A billing method, comprising: decrementing the possessed points by receiving the billing message, and terminating the communication connection when the possessed points are exhausted. 7. The service providing procedure includes a plurality of service applications, the database includes, as service management information, a charging count unit time for each service application, a charging point value per unit time, and a management interval. The management billing procedure is a service start request together with the user identification from the client application, when the service identification is received, the database is referred to, the user is authenticated, the possessed points are confirmed, the use permission and the service corresponding billing count unit time are transmitted, The reception of the point billing message is monitored for each service, and if the point cannot be received for the service management interval or more, the communication connection with the client application is terminated, and the received points are charged to the service points corresponding to the service. 7. The charging method according to claim 6, wherein the decrement is performed in accordance with the service value, the communication connection is terminated when the possessed points are exhausted, and charging is performed for each service. 8. The database has, as management information for each user, authentication information of each user, a holding point, and also a limit value of a holding point at which a service is to be discontinued. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein when the point charge message is received, the communication connection with the client application is permitted if the holding point is larger than the limit value, and the communication connection is continued if the holding point is less than the limit value, or the communication connection is terminated. 7. The billing method according to 7. 9. The service providing side also includes a procedure for storing and managing a procedure file of the client application, and a procedure for transmitting the client application procedure file to the user terminal in response to a request from the user terminal. 9. The charging method according to claim 8, wherein downloading is performed from a service providing side before using the service.