JP2003044753A - System for managing charging data, mobile communication system and information center - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To charge each service user in the case a plurality of persons use the same mobile object to receive a pay service from an information center. SOLUTION: In a charging data management system including the mobile object and the information center, the mobile object is provided with a communication module for performing data communication with the information center, an inputting means for inputting a prescribed service request, and a means for transmitting the prescribed service request, the identification information of a user who requests the prescribed service and the identification information of the mobile object to the information center through the communication module in the case the prescribed service request is inputted, and the information center is provided with a means for associating user identification information with user identification information coinciding with user identification information received through a communicating means from at least one piece of user identification information associated with mobile identification information received through the communicating means and storing the user identification information in a prescribed storing means.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention charges each user of a service when a plurality of people use the same mobile unit (vehicle or portable terminal) to receive a paid service from an information center. Regarding technology.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a vehicle or a mobile body such as a mobile terminal such as a PDA, a mobile phone terminal or a mobile personal computer, an external information center or the like is accessed through a communication device mounted on the mobile body, and a fee is charged. There is provided a system for receiving the service (for example, a service for providing content to be charged).

However, when a plurality of persons from the same mobile body receive a paid service from the information center using the above system, for example, the mobile body owner and his or her family or acquaintances, etc. Even when the content to be charged is acquired from the same mobile body, a specific person such as the mobile body owner is charged and not charged for each user.

Further, since the same person may receive a paid service from the information center by using the above system from various mobile bodies, the above system is used for issuing the usage statement. It is also necessary to identify the person and the moving body.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first object of the present invention is to charge each user of a service when a plurality of people receive a paid service from an information center using the same mobile unit. Especially.

A second object of the present invention is to specify a person who uses the service and a moving body when the same person receives a paid service from the information center using various moving bodies. .

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a billing data management system including a mobile unit and an information center, wherein the mobile unit stores data between the mobile unit and the information center. A communication module that performs communication, an input unit that inputs a request for a predetermined service, and a request for the predetermined service and the predetermined request through the communication module to the information center when the request for the predetermined service is input. The information center includes identification information of a user who requests a service and means for transmitting the identification information of the mobile body, and the information center includes the mobile body identification information and at least one user identification information associated with the mobile body identification information. And a communication means for performing data communication between the communication module and the database, and the communication module via the communication means. A billing data generation unit that generates billing data when the request for the predetermined service, the identification information of the user, and the identification information of the mobile unit are received, and the mobile unit that receives the billing data via the communication unit. Of at least one piece of user identification information associated with the identification information, means for storing in a predetermined storage means in association with the user identification information that matches the user identification information received via the communication means, did.

The moving body is a vehicle or a portable terminal such as a PDA, a mobile phone terminal or a mobile personal computer. When the moving body is a vehicle, the moving body identification information is a frame number given to the vehicle body frame of the vehicle. When the mobile body is a mobile terminal, the mobile body identification information is a serial number given to the mobile terminal.

According to the present invention, the mobile transmits a request for a predetermined service and identification information of a user who makes a request for the predetermined service to the information center. The information center generates billing data and stores it in association with the received user identification information. Therefore, even when a plurality of persons receive a paid service from the information center using the same mobile body, it is possible to charge each user of the service.

Further, the mobile body transmits identification information of the mobile body to the information center in addition to the identification information of the predetermined service and the identification information of the user who requests the predetermined service. The information center generates the billing data and corresponds to the user identification information that matches the user identification information received from the mobile body among at least one user identification information that is associated with the mobile body identification information received from the mobile body. And store it. That is, the billing data is linked to the mobile unit identification information and the user identification information. Therefore, even if the same person receives a paid service from the information center using various mobile bodies, when issuing a billing statement, etc., the person who used the service and the mobile body that used the service can be charged. It becomes possible to specify.

The mobile unit identification information may include a module number assigned to the communication module. With this configuration, it is possible to determine the performance of the communication module based on the module number and provide the service according to the performance.

Before the mobile unit is shipped from the manufacturing plant (or the communication module 1 is stored in the database).
Before the vehicle equipped with 00 is sold to users),
It is preferable that the frame number and the module number received from the communication module via the communication means are registered. In this way, the user does not need to register the data.

The billing data includes at least a credit card number and a billing amount. The billing data may further include the date and time when the predetermined service was received. This makes it possible to create the billing details in more detail.

The charging data generating means can calculate a charging amount according to the content of the predetermined service.

The request for the predetermined service may include current location information of the mobile unit. By doing so, it becomes possible to receive a service regarding the current location of the mobile body, for example, to acquire map data of an area including the current location of the mobile body.

The information center further includes a predetermined service executing means for executing a predetermined service. When the request for the predetermined service is a content acquisition request, the predetermined service execution means transmits the corresponding content as the predetermined service to the communication module via the communication means. This content is acquired from this content database, for example, by providing a content database in the information center.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a mobile communication system mounted on a mobile body,
A communication module for performing data communication with an information center; a storage unit for storing identification information of the mobile unit; an input unit for inputting a predetermined service request and identification information of a user who requests the predetermined service; When a request for a predetermined service is input, a request for the predetermined service to the information center, identification information of a user who requests the predetermined service, and a mobile object stored in the storage unit And means for transmitting the identification information.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is an information center having a communication means for performing data communication with a communication module mounted on a mobile body, wherein the mobile body identification information and the mobile body are provided. A database storing at least one user identification information associated with the identification information, a request for a predetermined service from the communication module via the communication means, identification information of a user who requests the predetermined service, and identification of a mobile unit. Among the at least one user identification information corresponding to the mobile body identification information received via the communication means, the charge data generation means for generating charge data when the information is received, and the charge data, And means for storing in a predetermined storage means in association with the user identification information that matches the user identification information received via the communication means. It has a configuration that.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A billing data management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a vehicle will be described as an example of the moving body.

1 and 5 are diagrams showing a schematic system configuration of a billing data management system. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a mounting state of a communication module and the like. Figure 1,
As shown in FIG. 5, the charging data management system is a vehicle V
It includes a communication module 100 and an in-vehicle information terminal 200 mounted on the vehicle, and an information center 300.

The communication module 100 is used in the information center 3
00 is a communication device for data communication (or dedicated for data communication) for performing data communication with a mobile phone network 00 (including a case where another public line network or the Internet is used). As a communication method, a packet switching method is used, which is charged according to the amount of data. Therefore, there is no communication charge unless data is sent and received.

As shown in FIG. 2, the communication module 100 is formed in a casing having a substantially rectangular box shape and is mounted in the dashboard. Communication module 10
Reference numeral 0 denotes a built-in storage device (not shown) such as a ROM, which stores the telephone number of the communication module 100, vehicle identification information (a unique module number assigned to the communication module 100, communication Module 100
And the frame number given to the vehicle body frame of the vehicle on which is mounted. The vehicle identification information may be only the frame number given to the body frame of the vehicle in which the communication module 100 is mounted.

The telephone number of the communication module 100 and the module number given to the communication module 100 are written in the storage device at the manufacturing plant of the communication module 100. The communication module 100 is attached to a vehicle in a vehicle manufacturing factory.

The communication module 100 includes the in-vehicle information terminal 2
By being controlled from 00 or the like, a specific telephone number is sent to the outside as outgoing call information. As a result, a communication path for performing data communication with the information center 300 is established, and it becomes possible to perform data communication with the information center 300. When the communication module 100 is installed in the dashboard, in order to ensure the stability of data communication, it is possible to connect the antenna 101, which is installed in the vehicle part such as the inside of the windshield, where the electric wave is easily transmitted and received, to the communication module 100. preferable.

In the communication module 100, the engine is started by turning on an ignition key (or another engine starting method such as a wireless key), so that a battery (a battery for starting an engine (not shown)) installed in the vehicle in advance is used. The operating power is supplied (communication module power on), and the engine is stopped by turning off the ignition key (or other engine stop method such as wireless key), so that the operating power is not supplied (communication module power off). ).

If the battery for starting the engine or a separate power supply for emergency communication mounted on the vehicle separately from the battery is constantly supplied to the communication module 100 so that the communication can be received, for example, the engine is started. Even if the vehicle is stolen by a wrecker or the like without any need, it is possible to call the communication module 100 from the information center 300 and check the position of the stolen vehicle.

In the present embodiment, the information center 3
The operating company that operates 00 is a telecommunications carrier (telecommunications carrier)
According to the contract with the company, the communication cost such as the data communication charge by the communication module 100 and the monthly basic charge is borne. Therefore, the user is not charged with the data communication charge by the communication module 100 or the monthly basic charge, but only the information charge (content usage charge). It should be noted that the contract that the business company that operates the information center 300 makes with the communication carrier is on a vehicle basis, not on a person basis. The business company that operates the information center 300 pays the communication cost to the communication carrier at a predetermined timing.

The communication module 100 may be separate from the vehicle-mounted information terminal 200 as described above, or may be housed in the housing of the vehicle-mounted information terminal 200. In addition, the communication module 100 is not limited to the inside of the dashboard, such as under a seat such as a driver's seat or a passenger seat or a trunk room.
It may be attached to various places in the car.

An in-vehicle information terminal 200 is connected to the communication module 100 via a predetermined interface. The vehicle-mounted information terminal 200 includes a CPU, a RAM, a ROM (or a storage medium such as a hard disk device), a memory card reader, which is connected to the CPU via a bus.
Audio output device, interface with communication module 100 (none shown), image display device 201, input device 202, vehicle current position detection means (GPS antenna 20)
3, vehicle speed sensor 204, geomagnetic sensor 205, etc.), other sensors 206 such as a residual fuel detection sensor, and a microphone 207. The GPS function may be built in the communication module 100.

The ROM stores an operating system such as Windows CE, a navigation program executed on this operating system, a music / image (still image or moving image) reproduction program, and the like.

The navigation program is based on data (map data, route search data, route guidance data, etc.) read from the memory card by the memory card reader and used for route guidance, based on the current location of the vehicle. Guiding the route from a predetermined position to the destination.
As the vehicle current position, an absolute position calculated based on a signal received from a satellite via the GPS antenna 203,
There is a relative position calculated based on signals detected by the vehicle speed sensor 204 and the geomagnetic sensor 205.

The reproduction program mainly outputs music from a voice output device such as a vehicle-mounted speaker based on a music file or an image file read from the memory card by the memory card reading device, and also a liquid crystal display or a CRT. An image is displayed on the image display device 201 such as a display.

Data, music files and image files used for route guidance are acquired from the information center 300 via the communication module 100 and recorded in the memory card. These data (data used for route guidance, music files, image files) are stored in the information center 300.
Get it in a compressed state from and record it in a memory card,
It may be thawed and used as needed. Note that these data may be recorded in a memory card by a home-use personal computer (not shown) or the like.

The input device 202 is a device for inputting a request for a predetermined service or the like, and uses a switch provided on the front of the vehicle-mounted information terminal 200, a voice recognition device, a touch panel provided on the display surface of the image display device 201, and the like. The voice recognition device extracts a characteristic pattern from the voice input from the in-vehicle microphone 207 and extracts the characteristic pattern from the prepared pattern (RO
(Stored in M or the like), a device for recognizing an input voice by comparing it with the input voice, and when a specific pattern is recognized, information associated with the recognition pattern is input, or The instructions are ready to be executed.

The vehicle-mounted information terminal 200 controls the communication module 100 to send out a specific telephone number as outgoing information when a request for a predetermined service is input via the input device 202. As a result, the information center 30
A communication path for data communication with 0 is established,
It becomes possible to perform data communication with the information center 300. Note that when a request for a predetermined service is input via the input device 202, the information center 30 has already been input.
When the communication path for performing data communication with 0 is established, the above process is not performed.

The in-vehicle information terminal 200 is the information center 30.
When a communication path for performing data communication with 0 is established, the communication module 100 is connected to the information center 300.
Via the input device 202, the request for the predetermined service, the identification information of the user who makes the request for the predetermined service, and the vehicle identification information (the frame number and the module stored in the storage device built in the communication module 100). Number) and the telephone number of the communication module 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information center 300 is a CPU 301 and various databases (vehicle information database 302, etc.) built in a storage device such as a hard disk device connected to the CPU 301 via a bus.
The user information database 303, the billing information database 304, etc.), a communication device (not shown) for performing data communication with the communication module 100 mounted on the vehicle, and the like. FIG. 3 shows the logical structure of these databases.

The vehicle information database 302 is composed of items of frame number, module number, telephone number, and vehicle information. The user information database 303 includes items such as a frame number, user identification information (login number or voice recognition data), and credit card number (payment number). The user information database 303 corresponds to a database storing mobile body identification information and at least one user identification information associated with the mobile body identification information.

In the user information database 303, a plurality of user identification information may be registered for one frame number. This is to charge each user when a plurality of people use the same vehicle, for example, when the vehicle owner and his / her family or acquaintances use the same vehicle.

The billing information database 304 is composed of items such as a credit card number (payment number), a frame number, a date and time of use, and an amount of use (amount of charge). Instead of the billing information database 304, a credit card number, a frame number, a date and time of use, and a usage amount of money may be recorded in a file as billing data every time a billing occurs. It should be noted that the billing data may include at least items of credit card number and usage amount.

The information center 300 has various content databases (not shown) in which data used for route guidance, music files, image files, etc. are registered.

Next, the operation of the charging data management system having the above configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 4
6 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the billing data management system.

The communication module 100 is mounted on a vehicle at a vehicle manufacturing plant. The frame number is
It is written in a storage device or the like built in the communication module 100 in the manufacturing process of this vehicle. In a vehicle manufacturing factory, before the vehicle is shipped from the manufacturing factory (or before the vehicle in which the communication module 100 is mounted is sold to a user), for an operation confirmation test of the communication module 100, The vehicle identification information (frame number and module number) stored in the storage device built in the communication module 100 and the communication module 1 for the information center 300 via the communication module 100.
The telephone number of 00 is transmitted (S100). The information center 300 receives the vehicle identification information (frame number and module number) and the telephone number from the communication module 100 via the communication device, and receives the vehicle information database 30.
2 is registered (S101). As a result, the frame number and the module number are linked.

A user who has purchased a vehicle equipped with the communication module 100 is provided with an information fee according to an initial registration screen displayed on the image display device 201 when the vehicle-mounted information terminal 200 is operated for the first time and a voice guidance output from the voice output device. (Content usage fee) Credit card number (payment number) for payment, own name, user identification information (also used as login number for personal identification number, etc.), contact information (address, telephone number, e-mail address) Etc.), date of birth, etc. are input via the input device 202. As a method of paying the information fee, payment by a prepaid card, payment by automatic debit by designating an account, payment by cash, etc. can be selected.
Further, instead of the user identification information, it is also possible to input a specific voice through the microphone 207, extract a characteristic pattern from the input voice, and use this as the user identification information. By doing so, it becomes possible to log in to the information center 300 by emitting a specific voice.

The input user information is transmitted to the information center 300 via the communication module 100, vehicle identification information (frame number and module number) stored in a storage device built in the communication module 100, and the communication module 100. Sent with your phone number (S
102). When the information center 300 receives the frame number and the user information, the information center 300 registers them in the user information database 303 (S101). by this,
The initial registration is completed, and the frame number, the module number, the telephone number of the communication module 100, and the user information are associated with each other.

Next, the operation of acquiring various contents from the information center 300 via the communication module 100 will be described.

When the ignition key is turned on, the power supply of the communication module 100 is turned on and the vehicle-mounted information terminal 200 is activated. When receiving a paid service from the information center 300 (for example, when acquiring content to be charged), in order to log in to the information center 300, the user who requests the paid service via the input device 202 is requested. Enter identification information (and password if set). This user identification information is S102 above.
Use the one entered in. When the characteristic pattern of the specific voice is registered as the user identification information, the specific voice emitted during the initial registration is emitted to the microphone 207 to log in.

When a user different from the initially registered user, for example, a family member or an acquaintance of the vehicle owner, receives a paid service from the information center 300 (for example, when acquiring chargeable contents), Enter that person's user information (and password if you have set one). The items of this user information are the same as those input at the time of the initial registration. The input user information is the vehicle identification information (frame number and module number) stored in the storage device built in the communication module 100 and the telephone number of the communication module 100, via the communication module 100 to the information center 300. Sent with. When the information center 300 receives the frame number and the user information, the information center 300 receives the user information database 303.
Register with. When a user different from the initially registered user subsequently acquires the chargeable content from the information center 300, he / she only has to input his / her user identification information via the input device 202.
You can log in to.

The information center 300 authenticates the user with an authentication server (not shown) or the like, and permits login if the authentication is successful. As a result, various contents can be used.

When the request for the predetermined service is input through the input device 202 after the login, the in-vehicle information terminal 200 sends the communication module 1 to the information center 300.
00, a predetermined service request and identification information of a user who requests the predetermined service (user identification information of the currently logged-in user) and vehicle identification information stored in a storage device built in the communication module 100 ( The frame number and the module number) are transmitted (S103). When requesting the predetermined service, only the module number may be transmitted as the vehicle identification information.

Requests for the predetermined service include an acquisition request for data used for route guidance, an acquisition request for map data of an area including the current vehicle location, an acquisition request for music files and image files. If the request for the predetermined service is an acquisition request for map data of an area including the vehicle current position, the position information detected by the vehicle current position detection means is included and transmitted.

The information center 300 includes the communication module 1
When the request for the predetermined service, the user identification information, and the frame number are received from 00 through the communication device, the received request for the predetermined service is searched (analyzed). Then, when the request is a content acquisition request, the information center 300 reads out the content according to the request content from the content database, processes it as necessary, and performs communication with the predetermined service request source communication module 100.
The corresponding content is transmitted to the device via the communication device (predetermined service executing means) (S104). The predetermined service executing means is mainly realized by the CPU 301 and a predetermined program.

The in-vehicle information terminal 200 includes the communication module 1
By receiving content via 00 and executing a program according to the content, route guidance,
It displays a map of the area including the vehicle's current location and plays back music and images.

The information center 300 also generates billing data when it receives a request for a predetermined service, user identification information, and a frame number from the communication module 100 via the communication device (billing data generating means). The billing data generating means is mainly realized by the CPU 301 and a predetermined program. The generated billing data is
Among at least one piece of user identification information associated with the frame number received from the communication module 100 via the communication device, the user identification information received from the communication module 100 via the communication device (identification of the currently logged-in user The information is registered (or stored) in the billing information database 304 in association with the user identification information (credit card number of the user identification information) that matches the information).

Thus, when a plurality of persons use the same vehicle and receive a paid service from the information center, it is possible to charge each user of the service.

The generated billing data includes at least the credit card number and the usage amount (billing amount) associated with the user identification information received from the communication module 100. In addition, the communication module 100
It may include the frame number, the date and time of use (the date and time when the content was acquired), etc. As for the usage fee,
The billing data generation means calculates the amount of billing according to the requested content of the predetermined service (type of content and data amount requested as the predetermined service). The generated billing data is transmitted to the computer of the financial institution at a predetermined timing via a dedicated line or the like, and the user is charged a usage fee (S106). The usage fee may be billed to the representative user such as the vehicle owner for each vehicle by clearly indicating in the usage statement etc. who used which service in what vehicle at what time. Alternatively, each user may be charged.

Next, the operation when there is an incoming call to the communication module 100 from the information center 300 (or a computer such as a store, the same applies hereinafter) will be described.

The information center 300 uses the telephone number registered in the vehicle information database 302 to perform a calling process for performing data communication with the communication module 100. When an incoming call is received from the information center 300 while the power of the communication module 100 is on, a communication path for performing data communication with the information center 300 is established after the predetermined number of calls, and the communication module 100
It becomes possible to perform data communication with the. The information center 300 transmits a vehicle information acquisition request when the communication path is established (S107, S112).

As the vehicle information acquisition request, the remaining fuel value detected by the remaining fuel detection sensor, the number of kilometers traveled, the wiper on / off information at a specific position, and the light on / off information at a specific position detected by other sensors, Temperature / humidity information at a specific position, vehicle speed value at a specific position, traveling locus information, other, vehicle type, number of passengers,
There is a request to acquire the destination. These vehicle information acquisition requests may be acquisition requests that target specific vehicle information, or may be acquisition requests that target all vehicle information.

The vehicle information may be detected and transmitted each time there is a vehicle information acquisition request from the information center 300. Alternatively, the vehicle information may be stored in a vehicle-mounted memory each time it is detected, and the vehicle information may be transmitted from the information center 300. When there is an information acquisition request, the information may be read from the memory and transmitted.

When the vehicle information acquisition request is received, the in-vehicle information terminal 200 sends vehicle information corresponding to the request content, vehicle identification information, and user identification information to the information center 300 via the communication module 100. The communication module 100 is controlled to transmit (S108).

The information center 300 receives the vehicle information and performs various processing and processing based on the vehicle information (S109). For example, when the residual fuel value received as vehicle information is less than or equal to a preset threshold value, it is possible to transmit data for guiding the route to the nearest gas station to the vehicle. Further, when the number of running kilometers received as vehicle information exceeds a preset threshold value, it is possible to transmit data notifying the vehicle of guidance for vehicle inspection.

Further, based on the wiper on / off information, the light on / off information, and the temperature / humidity information at the specific position received as the vehicle information, it is possible to determine the weather condition of the specific area. Further, based on the vehicle speed value at the specific position received as the vehicle information, it is possible to determine whether there is traffic congestion on the specific road. Further, based on the traveling locus information (continuous position data detected by the vehicle current position detection means) received as vehicle information, it is possible to create a database of new roads.

The information center 300 may send the advertisement information and the recall information when the communication channel is established. In this case, the vehicle-mounted information terminal 200 receives the advertisement information and the recall information via the communication module 100, displays the information on the image display device 201, or outputs the sound from the sound output device.

When the store computer or the like makes a vehicle information acquisition request, the information center 300 generates billing data for the store and registers it in a predetermined database (S110). The billing data is transmitted to the computer of the financial institution through a dedicated line or the like at a predetermined timing and billed to the store (S111).

Although it has been described that the communication module 100 is a communication device for data communication, an emergency call button or the like is provided inside the vehicle, and when this button is pressed, the communication module 100 communicates with a specific partner. A call may be made possible via the communication module 100.

As described above, by mounting the communication module 100 on the vehicle (by incorporating it in the vehicle), it is possible to create a situation in which the communication module 100 is not removed or the power is not cut off when the vehicle is stolen.

Further, as described above, by making a contract with a telecommunications carrier collectively by the entrepreneur and making it invisible to the user, a business model such as a usage fee collected from the telecommunications user is designed independently. be able to. For example, when the vehicle information is taken up by the needs of the automobile manufacturer / distributor instead of the user's intention, the burden of communication cost can be controlled.

Since the frame number is used as the information for identifying the vehicle as described above, the vehicle traveling and control information (distance traveled) is determined by the user's intention or the needs of the automobile manufacturer / distributor. , Driving time, fuel efficiency, equipment operating status, breakdown, etc.) can be added to the center side to add a "record of manufacturing to sales" by specifying the vehicle (vehicle information uplink service). Also, various information can be provided to the user of a specific vehicle from an automobile manufacturer / distributor (a downlink service of information about the vehicle).

Further, as described above, since the identification information of the user who requests the predetermined service is used as the information for identifying the user, the information center side or the network server side has an agent function,
It is possible to provide an information providing service corresponding to an individual's request after accumulating an individual's preference (individual specific service). Also, assuming that the same vehicle is used by multiple users, it is possible to charge only the users who have used the same vehicle (use by multiple users).

In the above embodiment, the vehicle is described as an example of the moving body, but a portable terminal may be used as the moving body. In this case, the manufacturing number given to the mobile terminal is used as the mobile body identification information.

The above billing data management system can also be applied to a rental car service. Charge the fee for using the service from the rental car to the rental car company, not to the user. This is because there are many problems in security that the payment of individual users intervenes. To apply to a car rental service: At the time of initial registration, the rental car company (corporation) registers the payment method.
At the same time, it is registered that the corresponding vehicle is a “rental car”. The rent-a-car company creates a usable environment without inputting "login NO" via the network and allowing the user to operate. The rental fee or communication fee will be charged to the rental car company. Settlement (fee setting and timing) between the rental car company and the user is performed in accordance with separately defined rules. In addition, in order to control unauthorized use, categories such as usage time and usage fee should be clearly indicated on the billing materials to the rental car company so that the users can be traced back.

The above charge data management system can also be applied to carriers such as taxis and TA-Q-BIN (registered trademark). When charging a fee for using a service from a taxi or the like to the taxi company or the like instead of the driver, operate the same as the above-mentioned rental car.

When a plurality of people receive services from the same vehicle at the same time, the following can be done. If more than one person is in a vehicle and the same person is using the service during the same drive and charges the person who used it only for the amount used, the car owner will register the payment method at the first registration. It is assumed that Separately, a new person may register for the first time and during use while driving. The mechanism is to reset "who is using (who should be charged)" each time the registration is performed at the time of use.

The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or the main features. Therefore, the above embodiments are merely examples in all respects, and should not be construed as restrictive.

According to the present invention, when a plurality of persons with the same mobile body receive a predetermined service (for example, acquisition of contents) from the information center, it is possible to charge each service user. It was

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of a billing data management system for explaining an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a mounting state of a communication module.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a logical configuration of a database held by an information center.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the billing data management system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic system configuration diagram of a billing data management system.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 communication module 200 Car Information Terminal 201 image display device 202 input device 203 GPS antenna 204 vehicle speed sensor 205 Geomagnetic sensor 206 Other sensors 207 microphone 300 Information Center 301 CPU 302 Vehicle information database 303 User Information Database 304 Billing information database

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Yamada             1 Toyota Town, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture Toyota Auto             Car Co., Ltd. F term (reference) 5K025 BB10 DD06 EE12 EE25 JJ02                       JJ10 KK06                 5K067 AA29 BB21 DD17 EE02 EE16                       FF04 HH22

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. A billing data management system including a mobile unit and an information center, wherein the mobile unit has a communication module for performing data communication with the information center, and an input unit for inputting a request for a predetermined service. And, when a request for the predetermined service is input, a request for the predetermined service via the communication module to the information center, identification information of a user who requests the predetermined service, and identification information of the mobile unit. And a database for storing mobile body identification information and at least one user identification information associated with the mobile body identification information, and data communication between the communication module. A communication means for performing the request, the request for the predetermined service and the identification information of the user from the communication module via the communication means And billing data generation means for generating billing data when the identification information of the mobile body is received, and at least one user associated with the billing data with the mobile body identification information received via the communication means. A billing data management system, comprising: among the identification information, means for storing the predetermined identification information in association with the user identification information that matches the user identification information received via the communication means. 2. The charging data management system according to claim 1, wherein the moving body is a vehicle, and the moving body identification information is a frame number given to a vehicle body frame of the vehicle. 3. The mobile body identification information includes a module number assigned to the communication module.
Billing data management system described in. 4. The frame number and the module number received from the communication module via the communication means before the mobile body is shipped from a manufacturing factory are registered in the database. Billing data management system described. 5. The billing data management system according to claim 1, wherein the billing data includes at least a credit card number and a billing amount. 6. The billing data generating means calculates a billing amount according to the content of the predetermined service.
5. The charging data management system according to any one of 1 to 5. 7. The billing data management system according to claim 1, wherein the request for the predetermined service includes current location information of the mobile unit. 8. The billing data management system according to claim 1, wherein the information center further comprises a predetermined service executing means for executing the predetermined service. 9. The predetermined service execution means, when the request for the predetermined service is a content acquisition request, transmits the corresponding content as the predetermined service to the communication module via the communication means. The billing data management system according to claim 8. 10. The billing data management system according to claim 1, wherein the mobile body is a mobile terminal, and the mobile body identification information is a manufacturing number given to the mobile terminal. 11. A mobile communication system mounted on a mobile body, comprising: a communication module for performing data communication with an information center; a storage unit for storing identification information of the mobile body; and a request for a predetermined service. And an input means for inputting identification information of a user who makes a request for the predetermined service, and, when the request for the predetermined service is input, the request for the predetermined service and the predetermined information via the communication module to the information center. A mobile communication system comprising identification information of a user who requests a service and means for transmitting the identification information of the mobile object stored in the storage means. 12. The mobile communication system according to claim 11, wherein the mobile is a vehicle, and the mobile identification information is a frame number given to a body frame of the vehicle. 13. The mobile communication system according to claim 12, wherein the mobile unit identification information includes a module number assigned to the communication module. 14. The mobile communication system according to claim 11, further comprising a current position detecting unit for the mobile unit, wherein the request for the predetermined service includes current position information of the mobile unit detected by the current position detecting unit. 15. An image display device, and when a content transmitted from the information center in response to a request of the predetermined service is received via the communication module, an image is displayed on the image display device based on the content. 12. A means for displaying, further comprising:
15. The mobile communication system according to any one of 1 to 14. 16. An audio output device, and when a content transmitted from the information center in response to a request of the predetermined service is received via the communication module, music is output from the audio output device based on the content. The output device further comprises:
16. The mobile communication system according to any one of 1 to 15. 17. The mobile communication system according to claim 11, wherein the mobile is a mobile terminal, and the mobile identification information is a serial number given to the mobile terminal. 18. An information center having a communication means for performing data communication with a communication module mounted on a mobile body, wherein the mobile body identification information and at least one user associated with the mobile body identification information. Generates billing data when receiving a database storing identification information, a request for a predetermined service, identification information of a user who makes a request for the predetermined service, and identification information of a mobile unit from the communication module via the communication means. Charging data generating means for converting the charging data into user identification information received via the communication means among at least one user identification information associated with the mobile body identification information received via the communication means. An information center comprising means for storing in a predetermined storage means in association with the matching user identification information. 19. The information center according to claim 18, wherein the moving body is a vehicle, and the moving body identification information is a frame number given to a vehicle body frame of the vehicle. 20. The information center according to claim 19, wherein the mobile unit identification information includes a module number assigned to the communication module. 21. The frame number and the module number received from the communication module via the communication means before the mobile body is shipped from a manufacturing factory are registered in the database. Information center described. 22. The information center according to claim 18, wherein the billing data includes at least a credit card number and a billing amount. 23. The information center according to claim 18, wherein the billing data generating means calculates a billing amount according to the content of the predetermined service. 24. The information center according to claim 18, wherein the request for the predetermined service includes current location information of the mobile unit. 25. The information center according to claim 18, further comprising a predetermined service executing means for executing the predetermined service. 26. The predetermined service executing means, when the request for the predetermined service is a content acquisition request, transmits the corresponding content to the communication module as the predetermined service via the communication means. The information center according to claim 25. 27. The information center according to claim 18, wherein the mobile body is a mobile terminal, and the mobile body identification information is a serial number given to the mobile terminal.