JP2003330562A - Usage-based billing sales method for software and its program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize the setting of inexpensive initial buying expenses on the premise of usage-based billing or free distribution for increasing the number of users. <P>SOLUTION: A usage-based billing sales method for software by which the software is sold to an unspecified number of users, a user buys the software (step 21), performs user registration at first (step 22), then runs the software with a device which can run it (step 23), and can pay a fee according to the amount used of the software. Usage-based billing software has a function which notifies a billing center 3 of billing information according to the amount used by the user of the usage-based billing software through a communication line 2 for every passage of a predetermined time or for every use of a specific processing function. The billing center 3 performs usage-based billing to the user according to the billing information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a software selling method and a billing method related to the software, and more particularly, to a pay-per-use software selling method for billing according to the usage time of the software and the use of a specific processing function possessed by the software and the method. Regarding the program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as commercially available software, game software, database search software via the Internet, train time software for travel, computer control software, video and photo editing software, communication security software, users There are countless types of commercial software, such as authentication software, unauthorized access prevention software, encryption software, and security software.

Conventionally, if there is software to be used, the only way to purchase it is by paying the price individually or by a company. Some companies also rent software. Even if there were other users who wanted the same software, each user paid for it individually and purchased it. That is, in the past, it was impossible to reduce the purchase price by sharing software.

There is also a method of performing simple input / output from terminals such as the Internet and executing software functions and billing at the center. In this case, however, the use of software from an unspecified number of terminals is used. It was necessary to meet the demand, and inevitably the center needed a large processing capacity.

[0005]

As described above, in the past, even if there are many applicants for using the same commercially available software, it is impossible to reduce the purchase price by joint use, and each of them can be individually used. There was no alternative to paying for and buying. Further, in the conventional communication network, there is a method of executing software functions and billing at the center, but since there are many usage requests from terminals, the center requires a large processing capacity.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve these conventional problems, set a low initial purchase cost on the assumption of pay-as-you-go billing, or realize free distribution to expand the number of software users. To provide a pay-as-you-go sales method and a program for such software.

Another object of the present invention is that the user only has to pay a fee according to the time and function used,
A software-based pay-as-you-go method that reduces initial investment in software, eliminates unnecessary expense for unused or unused functions, and prevents unauthorized use and copying of software. To provide that program.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the method of selling software on a pay-per-use basis according to the present invention sells the software to an unspecified number of users. When the user purchases the software, the user first registers. A software-based pay-as-you-go method of driving software by a device capable of driving the software and paying a fee according to the usage amount of the software. Each time the specific processing function is used, charging information corresponding to the usage amount of the software by the user is received from the software via the communication line, and the charging center uses the charging information to notify the user of the pay-per-use software to the user. Charge according to the amount of software used.

The protocol for notifying the billing information of the pay-per-use software is shared regardless of the vendor of the pay-per-use software and / or the pay-per-use software, and the billing center is provided independently of the vendor of the pay-per-use software.

In addition, the pay-per-use sales program of the present invention comprises a step of sharing a protocol relating to notification of billing information of the pay-per-use software regardless of the pay-per-use software and / or the vendor of the pay-per-use software, and from the pay-per-use software. And a step of notifying the charging center of the charging information by an independent charging information notification function. Further, in the step of notifying the billing center of the billing information of the pay-per-use software, if the billing information cannot be notified to the billing center due to a failure of the communication network, the step of limiting the function of the pay-per-use software, and the obstacle If it is restored, the function of the limited pay-per-use software that has been limited is restored.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, functional blocks having the same function are assigned the same numbers. Software that is charged according to the amount used is called pay-per-use software. (Overall Configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram of a software pay-per-use sales system showing the concept of the present invention. In FIG. 1, when the purchaser of the pay-per-use software 1 starts to use the pay-per-use software 1, the pay-per-use software 1 sends the usage data to the billing center 3 via the communication network 2 at predetermined time intervals or use of a specific processing function. Each time, the billing information 4 regarding the used pay-per-use software 1 is notified.

(Operation of Software) FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of the software pay-per-use selling method showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, when the user purchases the pay-per-use software (step 21), the user registers (step 22) and uses the pay-per-use software 1 purchased by the next owned driving device (step 2).
3). The user registration is performed at a registration center or the like designated by the vendor who sold the pay-per-use software 1. Regarding usage of the pay-per-use software 1 via the network 2 from the software 1 every predetermined use time of the pay-per-use software 1 used by the user, or use of a specific processing function such as file output of the pay-per-use software 1 The predetermined charging information 4 is notified to the charging center 3.

If the billing information 3 cannot be notified to the billing center 3 during use of the pay-per-use software 1 due to a failure of the communication network or the like, the function of the pay-per-use software 1 is limited so that the fault can be recovered. For example, the limited function of the pay-per-use software 1 is restored. For example,
In the case of game software, attached software for notifying the billing information 3 to the billing center 3 via the network 2 is incorporated in the game software every time the game software is used. When the communication network 2 cannot notify due to a failure etc., this attached software notifies the failure of the communication network by temporarily stopping the use of the gate software or entering a pause every time it operates for a short time. , Warn to recover quickly. As soon as the failure is recovered and the billing information 4 is transmitted to the billing center 3, the restriction is released, that is, the non-use is restored, and the billing information 4 can be used as usual.

Since the pay-per-use software 1 operates as shown in FIG. 2, the user who purchases the pay-per-use software 1 only needs to pay the price for the software 1 that he / she actually used, and it is useless for the software 1. You can save money. Also, the software 1
Since it can be shared with an unspecified number of users, it is possible to reduce the cost of software and the cost of center equipment, expand the use of software, and prevent unauthorized use of software 1 by user registration. For example, when a registered user uses the pay-per-use software 1 to illegally access another user, uses the pay-per-use software 1 for fraud, or illegally operates the billing information 4 of the pay-per-use software 1. It is also possible to give a warning to the registered user and send it to the police when it appears as if it was sent to the billing center 3 as a result.

(Operation Mode) FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a common operation mode in the present invention. FIG. 3 shows an operation mode in which the charging center 3 of the present invention is common regardless of the software vendor (seller). That is,
1A is pay-per-use software sold by vendor A, 1B
Is a pay-per-use software sold by vendor B. For example, even if the vendor 1A is a vending machine existing at a certain place and the vendor 1B is a seller of the pay-per-use software that doubles as an Internet provider, the sold pay-per-use software 1 is exactly the same. The billing information 4 is notified to the billing center 3 every time it is used or each time a specific processing function is used, so that it can be said that the user has a common operation form.

That is, the protocol relating to the notification of the charging information is made common regardless of the usage-based charging software and / or the usage-based charging software vendor, and the charging center 3 is provided independently of the usage-based charging software vendor.
In FIG. 3, since the charging center 3 is common regardless of the software vendor, the software price can be further reduced by the pay-per-use sales method according to the present invention.

(Common Interprocess Interface) FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a common function sharing mode in the present invention. In FIG. 4, 1A is pay-per-use software sold by vendor A, 1B is pay-per-use software sold by vendor B, 41 is a common inter-process interface, and 42 is a common billing information notifying means. As shown in FIG. 4, regardless of the vendor of the software, since the transfer process of the charging information 4 and the inter-process interface 41 leading to the transfer process are common, the software price is reduced by the software pay-per-use selling method according to the present invention. Can be expected further.

(Other Embodiment) In the embodiment, the pay-per-use charging software 1 notifies the charging information 3 to the charging center 3 via the network 2, but it need not necessarily be via the network. For example, by special contract,
It is also possible to add a wireless transmitter to wirelessly transmit the charging information. Also, due to a special contract, the usage amount must be charged by using the communication means such as a telephone at regular intervals.
It is also possible to report to.

As for the charging method, the pay-per-use software 1 has a function of notifying the charging center 3 of the charging information 4 according to the time and function of using the software and the product, and the vendor side has the charging center. It is possible to charge the accumulated charge of the charging information notified to the user No. 3 to each user by mail or by mail. That is, the protocol relating to the notification of the billing information of the pay-per-use software is made common regardless of the vendor of the pay-per-use software and / or the pay-per-use software, and the billing information is notified to the billing center 3 by the billing information notifying means independent of the pay-per-use software. To do.

(Program) It is also possible to convert the flow of FIG. 2 into a program and realize it as a software pay-per-use sales program. That is, the software is sold to an unspecified number of users, the user who purchases the software performs user registration, and then the software is driven by a device that can be driven to be used, depending on the usage amount of the software. A pay-per-use software sales program that charges the fee, and standardizes the protocol for notifying the billing information of the pay-per-use software without depending on the pay-per-use software and / or the vendor of the software, or from the pay-per-use software. The step of notifying the charging center of the charging information by the independent charging information notifying means.

(Effect or Merit) Since it is possible to set an inexpensive initial purchase cost or to distribute it free of charge on the premise of the pay-per-use charge, it is possible to increase the number of users. Users only have to pay for the time and features they use, which reduces initial investment and eliminates the need to pay for unused or unused features.
Wasted expenses are reduced. Since the software is registered and authenticated for the user, it is possible to prevent illegal use or illegal copying.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to set a low initial purchase cost or realize free distribution on the assumption of pay-as-you-go charges, and as a result, it is possible to increase the number of users. Further, since the user only has to pay the fee according to the time and function used, the initial investment in the software is suppressed, and unnecessary expense is unnecessary for the function not used and the function not used. Further, since the user registration of the software is performed, it is possible to prevent illegal use or illegal copy of the software.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a concept of a software pay-per-use sales system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation explanatory view of the pay-per-use software showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a common operating form of a software pay-per-use sales system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a common function sharing form of a charging notification function of the software pay-per-use system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Pay-per-use software, 1A ... Vendor A's pay-per-use software, 1B ... Vendor B's pay-per-use software, 2 ... Communication network, 3 ... Billing center, 4 ... Billing information, 41 ... Common interprocess interface,
42 ... Charge information notifying means.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. The amount of use of the software, which includes selling the software to an unspecified number of users, registering the user by the user who purchased the software, and then driving the software by a device capable of driving the software. Is a pay-as-you-go sales method for software, in which the billing center charges information according to the amount of software used by the user each time a predetermined time elapses or each time a specific processing function of the software is used. Is received from the software via a communication line, and the billing center charges the user of the pay-per-use software according to the billing information according to the usage amount of the software. How to sell. 2. A protocol for notification of billing information possessed by the pay-per-use software is shared without depending on the pay-per-use software and the vendor of the software, or one of them, and the billing center is the vendor of the pay-per-use software. The method of claim 1, wherein the software is independently provided. 3. The amount of use of the software, in which the software is sold to an unspecified number of users, the user who purchases the software performs user registration, and then the software is driven by a device capable of being used. Is a pay-per-use software sales program that charges a fee according to the above, wherein a protocol relating to notification of billing information of the pay-per-use software is standardized without depending on the pay-per-use software and the vendor of the software, or one of them. A step of notifying the billing center of the billing information by means of billing information notifying means independent of the pay-per-use software. 4. In the step of notifying the billing center of the billing information of the pay-per-use software, if the billing information cannot be notified to the billing center due to a failure of the communication network, the function of the pay-per-use software is restricted. 4. The software pay-per-use sales program according to claim 3, further comprising the step of restoring the function of the limited pay-per-use software when the failure or the like is restored.