JP2005210178A - Communication apparatus, and charge amount calculating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology capable of imposing charging based on a history of communication, even if a communication apparatus is employed for a network, wherein all of the communication data do not necessarily pass through a particular communication apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: In a pseudo-communication network 1 wherein mobile stations 11 to 15 transmit, receive, relay information and fixed stations 16 to 18 transmit information, each mobile station stores a utilizing information table and a transmission/relay information table for recording the number of transmitted, received and relayed packets of the mobile stations 11 to 15, and the tables are given to a management center 19, which calculates a charging amount imposed on the mobile stations 11 to 15 and the fixed stations 16 to 18, on the basis of the number of transmitted packets, the number of relayed packets, and the number of packets received. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is based on a communication device that can be charged based on the communication amount even if it is used in a network in which all communication data does not pass through a specific communication device, and the communication history of the communication device, The present invention relates to a billing amount calculation device that calculates a billing amount for the communication device.

  Conventionally, in a system that charges based on the communication volume of a communication device, all communication data addressed to the communication device or originating from the communication device is routed through a specific other communication device. In another specific communication apparatus, the communication amount is calculated based on the communication data, and charging is performed based on the calculated communication amount.

  As an example of such a charging system, a dial-up IP service in which a communication amount (communication time, communication count, communication packet amount, communication data size, etc.) is calculated in a dial-up server, and a call time is calculated in a control station. There is a mobile phone service.

Conventionally, a technology has been disclosed in which vehicles as moving bodies gathered in the vicinity form a communication network in a pseudo manner by transmitting, receiving, and relaying information from each other using a short-range communication function ( For example, see Patent Document 1). In such a pseudo communication network, communication between terminals is performed directly without going through other communication devices, or even if communication is not performed directly, the communication data delivery route is different for each communication partner. It ’s different. Therefore, when attention is paid to any one of terminals (mobile bodies) forming such a pseudo communication network, all communication data between the terminal and other terminals passes through a specific communication device. There is no.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-32538

  In a network where not all of the communication of a certain terminal as described above goes through other specific communication devices, when trying to charge based on the traffic, the conventional There is a problem that the billing system cannot be used.

  In view of the above points, the present invention makes it possible to apply charging based on the communication history even when the communication device is used in a network in which not all of the communication data passes through the specific communication device. For the purpose.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that the communication means (22) and the communication history by the communication means are used as information for calculating the charge amount for communication by the charge amount calculation device (19). And a storage control means (24) for storing in the storage medium (25, 28).

  As a result, the communication device stores the communication history in the storage medium as information for calculating a charge amount for communication. The communication history stored in the storage medium in this manner is later input to a device that calculates a billing amount based on the communication data, so that the communication device of the present invention has all of the communication data as a specific communication. Even if it is used in a network that does not necessarily pass through the device, it becomes possible to charge the communication device based on the communication history.

  The “other specific communication device” may be composed of a plurality of specific communication devices. The communication in the present invention is a concept including any of the three modes of transmission and reception, transmission only, and reception only. “Self-communication” means self-addressed and self-communication.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage control means determines the amount of data received by the communication means for use of the communication apparatus or its peripheral device by the communication means. The information is stored in the storage medium as a part of the communication history.

  As a result, the communication device can calculate the charge amount based on the amount of data received for use of itself or its peripheral devices. Note that the reception amount is an amount that increases with reception, such as reception time, number of receptions, reception packet amount, and reception data size. Note that a peripheral device refers to a device connected to the communication device, and when the communication device is mounted on a mobile body, refers to other devices mounted on the mobile body.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to the second aspect, when the storage control unit receives the same data twice or more, the received amount of the data includes 1 of the data. It is characterized in that only the first reception is reflected.

  This eliminates the calculation of the charge amount based on the increase in the reception amount in the communication history due to useless reception.

  The invention according to claim 4 is the communication device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the amount of data received for use of the communication device or its peripheral device included in a part of the communication history is It is stored for each data source.

  Accordingly, it is possible to charge based on the transmission amount to the transmission source of the data for other use.

  Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the storage control means uses the relay amount of the communication means as a part of the communication history. It is stored in a storage medium.

  As a result, the communication apparatus can calculate a charge amount based on the relay amount. Note that the relay amount is an amount that increases when there is relay, such as relay time, number of relays, relay packet amount, and relay data size.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the communication means receives data identical to data that has already been relayed in the past. The received data is not relayed.

  This eliminates the calculation of the charge amount based on useless relay.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the communication means does not always pass all of its own communication through a specific other communication device. It is characterized by no communication.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the storage control means uses the communication for use of a destination communication device or a peripheral device thereof. The transmission amount of the means is stored in the storage medium as a part of the communication history.

  As a result, the communication apparatus can calculate a billing amount based on the transmission amount of transmission for use of the destination communication apparatus or its peripheral devices. The transmission amount is an amount that increases when there is transmission, such as transmission time, number of transmissions, transmission packet amount, transmission data size, and the like.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the storage medium in which the storage control means stores the communication history is detachable from the communication device. It is characterized by becoming.

  As a result, the storage medium storing the communication history is removed, and the charge amount calculation device for calculating the charge amount for the communication terminal is directly input or the storage medium is read by a personal computer or the like. It is possible to transmit a communication history to the billing amount calculation apparatus via the network.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the communication apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the communication means stores the communication history stored in the storage medium by the storage control means. It transmits to a charge amount calculation apparatus, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  As a result, the communication history can be directly transmitted from the communication device to the billing amount calculation device.

  The invention according to claim 11 is a receiving means for receiving the communication history stored in the storage medium by the storage control means of any one of the communication terminals according to claims 1 to 9, and the communication received by the receiving means. A billing amount calculation apparatus comprising: calculation means for calculating a billing amount for the communication terminal based on a history.

  Even if the communication device is used in a network in which not all of the communication data passes through a specific communication device by calculating the charge amount based on the communication history of the charge amount calculation device, Charging based on history can be applied.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means shows the correspondence with the software process for functioning the following CPU24, CPU34, and CPU42 as a specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later, or a specific means. is there.

  FIG. 1 shows a conceptual diagram of a pseudo communication network 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pseudo communication network 1 is a communication device installed in the mobile stations 11 to 15 which are communication devices mounted on a vehicle traveling on the road 2, on the road side of the road 2, a store on the side of the road 2, a traffic light on the road 2, etc. It consists of certain fixed stations 16-18. When these mobile stations 11 to 15 and fixed stations 16 to 18 come close to each other so that they can communicate with each other (for example, within a few tens of meters), they transmit information they have to the other party and receive information from the other party. Or, information received from a certain communication partner is transmitted (that is, relayed) to another communication partner. In this way, the pseudo communication network 1 is formed by performing a plurality of communications between the communication devices that are close to each other. In the pseudo communication network 1 formed in this way, not all of the communication data originating from or destined for one communication device passes through a specific other communication device.

  Each of the users of the mobile stations 11 to 15 in the pseudo communication network 1 pays a fixed amount to the provider of the system forming the pseudo communication network 1 in order to participate in the pseudo communication network 1. ing. However, the billing amount is reduced based on the amount of relay and transmission of information of the mobile stations 11-15. In addition, the fixed station 17 and the fixed station 18 are configured to pay the system provider an amount corresponding to the amount of information transmitted such as store information, event information, and advertisements. The charge amount is calculated at the charge management center 19 (corresponding to a charge amount calculation device).

  Note that the communication described below is performed after successful authentication that the communication apparatuses are subscribed to the same information service, and all communication data is encrypted.

  FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration common to each of the mobile stations 11 to 15. These mobile stations 11 to 15 each have an antenna 21, a wireless communication module 22, a wired communication module 23, a CPU 24, a memory 25, an input device 27, and a removable memory control device 28.

  The wireless communication module 22 is a device for performing short-range wireless communication, and performs processing in accordance with a predetermined wireless communication protocol, such as amplification, frequency conversion, demodulation, A / D conversion, and the like for a signal received by the antenna 21. The result is output to the CPU 24. The wireless communication module 22 performs processing according to a predetermined wireless communication protocol, such as D / A conversion, modulation, frequency conversion, amplification, etc., on the data input from the CPU 24, and outputs the resulting signal to the antenna 21. To do. Examples of the predetermined protocol include DSRC, wireless LAN, and Bluetooth.

  The wired communication module 23 acquires information from various information output devices of the vehicle on which each of the mobile stations 11 to 15 is mounted, and outputs the acquired information to the CPU 24. Examples of the vehicle information output device include a GPS receiver that calculates and outputs the current position coordinates of the vehicle, a vehicle speed sensor that detects and outputs the vehicle speed, a wiper sensor that detects and outputs the wiper operation status, There is a car navigation device that outputs an input destination of a vehicle, a travel route history, and the like.

  The memory 25 includes a RAM, a ROM, and a flash memory (not shown). Based on a control signal from the CPU 24, the memory 25 reads data from the RAM, ROM, and flash memory and outputs the data to the CPU 24, or the data input from the CPU 24 is stored in the RAM, Write to flash memory.

  The input device 27 includes buttons, a touch panel, a switch, and the like, and outputs a signal based on a user operation on these to the CPU 24.

  The removable memory control device 28 is detachable from a portable storage medium such as a memory card. Based on a control signal from the CPU 24, the removable memory control apparatus 28 reads out the data recorded on the attached storage medium and sends it to the CPU 24. The data output and the data input from the CPU 24 are written in the attached storage medium.

  The CPU 24 reads the program from the ROM of the memory 25 and executes it, and operates based on the processing contents described in the program and the contents of signals from the input device 27, the wired communication module 23, and the wireless communication module 22, In operation, information is read from the memory 25 and the removable memory control device 28 as appropriate, the information is written to a storage medium connected to the memory 25 and the removable memory control device 28, and transmitted to the wireless communication module 22 and the wired communication module 23. Signal for output. A program executed by the CPU 24 will be described later.

  In addition, the CPU 24 can exchange information with the charging management center 19 on the wide area network 10 such as the Internet via a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone (not shown) having a data communication function.

  FIG. 3 shows a hardware configuration common to each of the fixed stations 16 to 18. Each of these fixed stations 16 to 18 includes an antenna 31, a wireless communication module 32, a wired communication module 33, a CPU 34, a memory 35, a display device 36, and an input device 37.

  The wireless communication module 32 is a device for performing short-range wireless communication similar to the wireless communication module 22 illustrated in FIG. 2. The wireless communication module 32 performs predetermined processing on the signal received by the antenna 31 and outputs the signal to the CPU 34. The data input from the CPU 34 is subjected to predetermined processing and output to the antenna 31.

  The wired communication module 33 receives data from the wide area network 10 such as the Internet, converts it into a format that can be recognized by the CPU 34, and outputs it to the CPU 34. The wired communication module 33 performs processing such as adding destination information to the data input from the CPU 34 so as to match the communication protocol of the wide area network 10, and outputs the processed data to the wide area network 10.

  The memory 35 includes a RAM, a ROM, and a flash memory (not shown). Based on a control signal from the CPU 34, the memory 35 reads data from the RAM, ROM, and flash memory and outputs the data to the CPU 34, or the data input from the CPU 34 is stored in the RAM, Write to flash memory.

  The input device 37 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and outputs a signal based on user operations on these to the CPU 34.

  The CPU 34 reads out and executes a program from the ROM of the memory 35, and operates based on the processing content described in the program and the content of signals from the input device 37, the wired communication module 33, and the wireless communication module 32. In operation, information is read from the memory 35 as appropriate, information is written to the memory 35, and data for transmission is output to the wireless communication module 32 and the wired communication module 33. A program executed by the CPU 34 will be described later.

  FIG. 4 shows the hardware configuration of the charge management center 19. The accounting management center 19 includes a wired communication module 41, a CPU 42, a memory 43, a mass storage device 44, a display device 45, an input device 46, and an output device 47.

  The wired communication module 41 receives the data from the wide area network 10 such as the Internet by the same operation as the wired communication module 33 of FIG. 3, performs a predetermined process on the data, and outputs it to the CPU 42. The data is subjected to predetermined processing and output to the wide area network 10.

  The memory 43 includes a RAM, a ROM, and a flash memory (not shown). Based on control signals from the CPU 42, the memory 43 reads data from the RAM, ROM, and flash memory and outputs the data to the CPU 42, or the data input from the CPU 34 is stored in the RAM, Write to flash memory.

  The large-capacity storage device 44 is composed of a large-capacity storage medium such as an HDD, and reads data from the storage medium based on a control signal from the CPU 42 and outputs the data to the CPU 42, or stores data input from the CPU 34 in this storage Write to media.

  The output device 45 displays the video signal input from the CPU 42 as a video to the user.

  The input device 46 includes a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like, and outputs a signal based on user operations on these to the CPU 42.

  The output device 46 is a printer that outputs data input from the CPU 42 to a paper medium.

  Specific operations of the mobile stations 11 to 15, the fixed stations 16 to 18, and the charging management center 19 having the above hardware configuration will be described below. Hereinafter, “terminal” refers to any of the mobile stations 11 to 15 and the fixed stations 16 to 18.

  When the CPU 24 of the mobile stations 11 to 15 detects that communication with other terminals is possible based on a signal from the wireless communication module 22, the CPU 24 establishes a link so that data communication with the communication partner terminal can be performed mutually. In order to exchange data, data is exchanged with a partner terminal via the wireless communication module 22. Then, the programs shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 are executed as necessary.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a program for reception data processing executed by the CPU 24 of the mobile stations 11 to 15.

  When the data received by the wireless communication module 22 from another terminal is input after the above-described link establishment, the CPU 24 starts executing the program, and performs the processing of steps 510 to 570 for each packet of the received data. Execute.

  A packet refers to a group of data transmitted and received between terminals. The packet in the present embodiment includes the transmission time of the packet, the transmission source ID, the packet ID, the type of information that the packet has, the content of the information, and the like. The transmission time is the time when the packet is first transmitted. The transmission source ID is an identification symbol assigned to the terminal that originally transmitted the packet. The packet ID is an identification symbol uniquely assigned to each packet to be transmitted at the first transmission source of the packet. Therefore, a packet having the same source ID and packet ID is the same packet first transmitted from the same source.

  The type of information refers to classifications based on the purpose and nature of information, such as position / speed information, temperature information, wiper operation information, traffic jam information, accident information, construction information, regional event information, and store information.

  First, in step 510, data reception is performed. Specifically, the packet input from the wireless communication module 22 is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the memory 25. Further, the set of the source ID, packet ID, and current time of the received packet is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the memory 25 as one entry of the received packet history. Note that the received packet history is a list having a plurality of entries each including a combination of a transmission source ID, a packet ID, and a reception time of a packet received by the memory 25 in the past. Further, if there is an entry whose reception time in the reception packet history is older than a predetermined reference, the CPU 24 deletes the entry from the reception packet history. As the predetermined standard, for example, there are several seconds and one minute. The predetermined standard may be changed based on the speed of the vehicle, the communication environment, and the like.

  Next, in step 520, it is determined whether the received data has been processed. Specifically, it is determined whether or not there is an entry of the same source ID and packet ID as the received packet (other than the one added immediately at step 510) in the received packet history. If it has been processed, the process proceeds to step 570, and after the data is discarded, the process ends. If not, the process proceeds to step 530.

  In step 530, it is determined whether the received data is data used by the host vehicle. Specifically, it is determined by referring to a use request list stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the memory 25 whether the received packet is a packet used by the processing device of the host vehicle.

  The use request list is data having a plurality of entries provided for each data request from the vehicle. The data request from the inside of the vehicle refers to information based on a signal input from a processing device in the vehicle such as a car navigation device via the wired communication module 23. Each entry in the usage request list includes, as elements, an information type requesting usage, an identification symbol of a request output source, detailed conditions of information requesting usage, and the like. When the CPU 24 receives a data request input via the wired communication module 23, the CPU 24 adds an entry based on this request to the use request list. Detailed conditions include, for example, the origin of the information type (corresponding position, corresponding time, etc.).

  “The received packet is a packet used by the host vehicle” means that the information type of the received packet is the information type requested in at least one entry of the use request list. In addition, “the information type of the received packet is the information type requested in one entry” means that the information type included in the received packet requires the entry to be used. When included as a type. However, if the detailed condition item of the information requesting use in the entry is not empty, the detailed condition is limited to when the content of the received packet is satisfied.

  If the received data is data used by the host vehicle, the process proceeds to step 540. If the received data is not data used by the host vehicle, the process proceeds to step 550.

  In step 540, the received data is stored, further notified in the vehicle, and the number of used packets is counted up. Saving the received data means copying the received packet to a predetermined area of the RAM of the memory 25.

  Notifying the inside of the vehicle means outputting the fact that the requested packet has been received to the processing device requesting the packet via the wired communication module 23. Specifically, a destination is specified so that the data including the information type, source ID, and packet ID of the received packet reaches the processing device requesting the packet, and is output to the wired communication module 23. The processing device requesting this packet is the output source of the request included in the “entry having the information type of the received packet in the usage request list as the requested information type” detected in step 530. The processing apparatus in the vehicle specified by the identification symbol. When there is a request for outputting the packet from the processing apparatus that has received such notification, the CPU 24 outputs the stored packet to the request source via the wired communication module 23. .

  Counting up the number of usage packets means updating the usage information table stored in the flash memory of the memory 25 or the storage medium connected to the removable memory control device 28 based on the received packets. FIG. 6 shows an example of the usage information table. The usage information table is data having a plurality of entries provided for each pair of a transmission source ID and an information type. Each entry has, as elements, information on the type of packet used, source ID, and accumulated packet count. Each row other than the first row in the table of FIG. 6 represents one entry, and each item in each row represents one element of a set of information included in the entries. For example, the entry on the fourth line in FIG. 6 indicates that 1457 packets have been used so far for the packet of the local event information having the transmission source ID 37912 as the transmission source.

  Specifically, the usage information table is updated by specifying an entry in the table that matches the source ID and the type of information included in the received packet, and the number of packets included in the specified entry. This is realized by increasing the value by one.

  After step 540, processing proceeds to step 550.

  In step 550, it is determined whether the received data is data that needs to be relayed. Specifically, the transmission time of the received packet is compared with the current time, and if the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined time, it is determined that there is no need for relay, and otherwise, the data needs to be relayed. judge. As a result, old data that has passed since it was transmitted is not relayed. Further, when the packet includes information on the number of times of relaying and the number of times of relaying is a predetermined number or more, it may be determined that the data does not need to be relayed. The number of relays refers to a value indicating how many terminals the packet has passed from the first transmission source to the terminal of the own vehicle. If it is data that needs to be relayed, the process proceeds to step 560. If the data is not necessary, the process proceeds to step 570, and after the data is discarded, the process ends.

  In step 560, relay data is transmitted and the number of relay packets is counted up. More specifically, the relay data is transmitted by outputting the packet as transmission data to the wireless communication module 22. Counting up the number of relay packets means updating the transmission / relay information table stored in the storage medium connected to the flash memory of the memory 25 or the removable memory control device 28 based on the received packets. FIG. 7 shows an example of the transmission / relay information table. The transmission / relay information table is data having a plurality of entries provided for each pair of information type and transmission / relay distinction. Each entry has, as elements, information types of packets that have been transmitted or relayed, transmission / relay discrimination, and cumulative packet count information. Each row other than the first row in the table of FIG. 7 represents one entry, and each item in each row represents one element of a set of information included in the entries. For example, the entry on the fifth line in FIG. 7 indicates that the cumulative number of packets of the information type of relayed temperature information is 4598.

  Specifically, the transmission / relay information table is updated by specifying an entry in the table corresponding to the relay of the type of information included in the received packet, and setting the number of packets included in the specified entry. This is achieved by increasing by one.

  After step 560, the process proceeds to step 570, after which the process ends.

  Note that the discarding of data in step 570 specifically means erasing the packet of the data stored in the RAM of the memory 25 in step 510.

  With the received data processing program as described above, the CPU 24 causes the received data to be processed when the received data is not processed data (step 520) and is used by the processing device of the own vehicle (step 530). Processing for outputting to the apparatus is performed, and the number of packets in the usage information table is counted up (step 540). Further, when the received data is not processed data (step 520) and is not used by the processing device of the own vehicle (step 530), that is, when the received data is data for relay, It is determined whether or not relaying is necessary (step 550). If necessary, the data is transmitted for relaying, and the number of packets in the usage information table is counted up (step 560).

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a program for acquisition data processing executed by the CPU 24 of the mobile stations 11 to 15. When the CPU 24 receives data from the vehicle information output device from the wired communication module 23 after the link is established, the CPU 24 starts executing this program.

  First, in step 810, data input from the wired communication module 23 is acquired by storing it in a predetermined area of the RAM of the memory 25.

  Next, in step 840, it is determined whether or not the data acquired in step 810 is transmission required data. Whether or not the data needs to be transmitted is determined based on a criterion corresponding to the type of each data. For example, in the case of vehicle speed information, if the change from the speed information input from the previous wired communication module 23 is a change that crosses a threshold value, it is determined that the data is necessary for transmission. For example, when the threshold value is set at 10 km / h, 20 km, 30 km,... Every 10 km / h, there are changes from 28 km / h to 31 km / h, and from 55 km / h to 41 km / h. .

  If the data needs to be transmitted, the process proceeds to step 850. If the data is not necessary, the process proceeds to step 860.

  In step 850, the acquisition data is transmitted, and the number of transmitted packets is counted up. For the transmission of the acquired data, the data acquired in step 810 is collected into one or more packets, and the transmission source ID of the terminal, the transmission time, the packet ID, the type of information, etc. are added to each packet. Data is output to the wireless communication module 22 for transmission. The type of information is specified by the information output device that is the information output source. For example, the information from the wiper sensor is wiper information. When a plurality of types of data are output from one information output device such as a car navigation device, a flag indicating the type information is added to the data, and the CPU 24 specifies the type based on the flag. .

  Counting up the number of outgoing packets means updating the outgoing / relay information table described with reference to FIG. 7 based on the acquired data. Specifically, the entry in the transmission / relay information table corresponding to the transmission of the type of information identified as described above is identified, and the item of the number of packets included in the identified entry is transmitted in step 850. This is achieved by increasing the number of packets. After the process of step 850, the process proceeds to step 860.

  In step 860, the acquired data is discarded by a process equivalent to step 570 in FIG. Then, the process ends.

  With the above acquisition data processing program, the CPU 24, when it is necessary to transmit data input from the information output device mounted on the vehicle (step 840), processing for transmitting the data to another terminal And the number of packets in the transmission / relay information table is counted up (step 850).

  Further, the CPU 24 uses a usage information table stored in a storage medium connected to the memory 25 or the removable memory control device 28 based on a predetermined operation of the input device 27 by the user or a preset time interval. The transmission / relay information table and the identification information of the terminal itself are transmitted to the billing management center 19 using the mobile phone (not shown).

  Next, the processing of the fixed stations 16 to 18 will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 34 executes this program periodically (for example, every 5 seconds).

  First, in step 910, data obtained by inputting from information equipment on the wide area network 10 via the wired communication module 33 or information input by the user using the input device 37 is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the memory 35. Get by that.

  Next, in step 920, it is determined whether or not the data acquired in step 910 is transmission-required data. Whether or not the data needs to be transmitted is, for example, information that is not updated, that is, data input from the wired communication module 33 or the input device 37 is the same as the data currently stored in the memory 35. For the information, a criterion such as not transmitting again within a certain period from the time when the information was transmitted last time is used.

  If the data needs to be transmitted, the process proceeds to step 930, and if not, the process proceeds to step 940.

  In step 930, the data acquired in step 910 are collected into one or more packets, and the source ID, transmission time, packet ID, type of information, etc. of the terminal are added to each packet. Output to the wireless communication module 32 for transmission. As for the type of information, a flag indicating the type information is added to the acquired data, and the CPU 34 specifies the type based on the flag. After the process of step 930, the process proceeds to step 940.

  In step 940, the acquired data is saved. Specifically, the acquired data is copied to a predetermined area of the RAM of the memory 35. Alternatively, the acquired data may be discarded as in step 570 in FIG. 5 and step 860 in FIG.

  Through the processing of the CPU 34 as described above, the fixed stations 16 to 18 transmit store information and various information to the mobile stations 11 to 15.

  Next, the operation of the charge management center 19 will be described. The charge management center 19 calculates a charge amount for communication in the pseudo communication network 1 in each terminal based on the contents of the usage information table and the transmission / relay information table stored in each of the mobile stations 11 to 15. 10 and 11 show flowcharts of programs executed by the CPU 42 for this purpose.

  The program shown in FIG. 10 is for processing (corresponding to receiving means) for receiving the usage information table, the transmission / relay information table, and the like via the wide area network 10. The CPU 42 starts executing this program when data such as the table is input from the wired communication module 41 via the wide area network 10 such as the Internet. As described above, the usage information table and the transmission / relay information table may be transmitted from the mobile stations 11 to 15 using a mobile phone. The stored removable memory control device 28 may be read into a communication device such as a personal computer connectable to the wide area network 10 and transmitted to the billing management center 19 by this communication device.

  First, in step 110, the usage information table, the transmission / relay information table input from the wired communication module 41, and the identification information of the terminal having these tables are stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the memory 43. Get in.

  Next, in step 120, the acquired data is analyzed and stored. Specifically, the usage information table, transmission / relay information table, and identification information acquired in step 110 are associated, and the associated data is stored in a predetermined area of the mass storage device 44. After step 120, the process ends.

  As a result, the billing management center 19 can store the usage information table and the transmission / relay information table information stored in each mobile station together with the identification information of the mobile station.

  The program shown in FIG. 11 is for processing (corresponding to calculation means) for calculating the charge amount of each mobile station based on the usage information table and the transmission / relay information table received by the processing of FIG. . The CPU 42 executes this program periodically (for example, once a month).

  First, in step 130, the stored data is read. Specifically, one set of the usage information table and the transmission / relay information table stored in step 120 in FIG.

  Next, in step 140, the mobile station user's reduction amount is calculated and billed. The reduction fee is calculated based on the transmission / relay information table read out in step 130. Specifically, the number of packets of the entry is multiplied by the reduction rate predetermined for each information type and transmission / relay of each entry of the transmission / relay information table, and the result is Add up the entries and use it as a reduction amount. For example, the reduction rate is 0.02 for transmission regardless of the information type, 0.01 for relay, the total number of outgoing packets in the transmission / relay information table is 12000, and the total number of relay packets is 33000. In this case, the reduction amount is 1000 × 0.02 + 33000 × 0.01 = 600 yen. The billing process causes the printer of the output device 47 to output a bill of an amount obtained by subtracting the reduced amount from the fixed amount. Alternatively, the billing process may be such that the wired communication module 41 is used to access a deposit withdrawal acceptance server of a bank connected to the wide area network 10 and directly make a billing amount withdrawal request.

  Next, in step 150, the usage packet count data is tabulated for each sender ID. That is, based on the usage information table read in step 130, the number of used packets is integrated for each caller ID. Specifically, the number of packets of each entry in the usage information table is added to the value of the packet in the entry having the same source ID in the outgoing billing table. The outgoing billing table is a table that is provided and initialized in a predetermined area of the RAM of the memory 43 at the start of the billing calculation processing program. The outgoing billing table has a plurality of sender source ID and packet number entries. doing. The number of packets becomes zero by initialization.

  Next, in step 160, it is determined whether or not all user data has been aggregated. That is, it is determined whether the transmission / relay information table and the usage information table for all mobile stations stored in the large-capacity storage device 44 have been read. If all data has been aggregated, the process proceeds to step 170; otherwise, the process returns to step 130.

  In step 170, the billing amount for the users of the fixed stations 16 to 18 is calculated and billed based on the number of packets used. The billing amount is calculated based on the outgoing billing table compiled for all mobile stations by repeating step 150. Specifically, the number of packets of each entry having a transmission source ID corresponding to a fixed station in the transmission charging table is multiplied by a predetermined charging rate, and the result is used as the charging amount of the fixed station. For example, when the charging rate is 0.05 and the number of outgoing packets in the outgoing billing table entry for a certain fixed station is 128000, the charged amount to the fixed station is 128000 × 0.05 = 6400 yen. The billing process is the same as the billing process in step 140. After step 170, the process ends.

  By such processing of the CPU 42, the charge management center 19 can calculate the charge amount of each mobile station and fixed station.

  As described above, the mobile stations 11 to 15 that transmit, receive, and relay information, the fixed stations 16 to 18 that transmit information, and the charge management center 19 that calculates the charge based on the communication amount of each mobile station. By the operation, the mobile stations 11 to 15 that perform communication in the pseudo communication network 1 can use the memory 25 or the detachable memory 25 as the information for calculating the charge amount for the communication. The data is stored in the storage medium of the memory control device 28. The communication history stored in this manner is later input to the charging management center 19 via the wide area network 10 so that each mobile station can be charged based on the communication history. Become.

  The usage information table and the transmission / relay information table have the number of received packets and the number of relays of data to be used for the mobile station or the processing device mounted on the same vehicle as the mobile station. Accordingly, the mobile station 11 to 15 can calculate a charge amount based on the amount of data received and relayed for use of the mobile station or its peripheral devices.

  Also, in step 520 of FIG. 2, the processed data is discarded, so that if the same packet is received more than once, the packet is received once in the usage information table and the transmission / relay table. Since this is reflected only, there is no increase / decrease in billing amount due to useless reception / relay.

  Further, the transmission / relay information table has the number of outgoing transmission packets to be used for the use of the destination mobile station or the processing device mounted on the same vehicle as the mobile station. Therefore, it is possible to calculate a billing amount for the mobile stations 11 to 15 based on the amount of outgoing calls for use of the destination mobile station or its peripheral devices.

  Further, since the usage information table and the transmission / relay information table are stored in a removable storage medium, the storage medium storing these tables is removed, and the charge amount for the communication terminal is calculated. It is possible to input directly to the billing amount calculation device, or to read the storage medium into a personal computer or the like and transmit a communication history from the personal computer to the billing management center 19 via the wide area network 10.

  Further, the mobile stations 11 to 15 can transmit the usage information table and the transmission / relay information table to the charging management center 19 using a mobile phone.

In the usage information table, an entry is provided for each source ID of the used data and the amount of packets is stored. Therefore, in the billing management center 19, the information transmitted from the fixed station 17 and the fixed station 18 is stored. The total number of packets can be calculated, and as a result, the fixed station 17 and the fixed station 18 as the data transmission source can be charged based on the transmission amount. Also, in the transmission / relay information table Since there is an entry for each information type and transmission / relay and the number of packets is stored, the charge management center 19 calculates a reduction amount by changing the reduction rate for each information type and transmission / relay. can do.

  Further, since the billing amount is calculated collectively by the billing management center 19, it is not necessary to change the billing setting in the mobile station and the fixed station even if the billing rate, the reduction rate, etc. are changed. You only need to change the settings at.

  In the present embodiment, the mobile stations 11 to 15 are realized as communication devices mounted on a vehicle. However, the mobile stations 11 to 15 are not necessarily mounted on the vehicle, and may be mounted on another mobile body. . Furthermore, it does not necessarily have to be mounted on the moving body.

  The mobile stations 11 to 15 are configured to perform the processes of FIGS. 5 and 8 every time data is received and acquired. For example, other information devices of the vehicle are periodically (for example, every 5 seconds). The information from may be transmitted to other terminals.

  In addition, although the CPU 24 of the mobile stations 11 to 15 performs storage and notification in step 540 of FIG. 5, the received packet may be output immediately to the requesting processing device.

  Further, although the usage information table and the transmission / relay information table have information on the number of packets as a communication amount, this may be a transmission data amount, a reception data amount, and a relay data amount.

  Further, the mobile stations 11 to 15 may be realized as a partial function of a processing device such as a car navigation device. In that case, not only the peripheral device but also reception of data used by itself may be counted up and stored as usage information data.

  Further, the fixed stations 16 to 18 may relay information.

It is a figure showing composition of pseudo communication network 1 grade. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the mobile stations 11-15. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the fixed stations 16-18. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a charge management center 19. FIG. It is a flowchart of the reception data process which CPU24 of the mobile stations 11-15 performs. It is a figure which shows an example of a transmission / relay information table. It is a figure which shows an example of a utilization information table. It is a flowchart of the acquisition data process which CPU24 of the mobile stations 11-15 performs. It is a flowchart of the data transmission process which CPU34 of the fixed stations 16-18 performs. 4 is a flowchart of data acquisition processing executed by a CPU 42 of the charge management center 19. 4 is a flowchart of a charge calculation process executed by a CPU 42 of the charge management center 19.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Pseudo communication network, 2 ... Road, 10 ... Wide area network, 11-15 ... Mobile station,
16 to 18: fixed station, 19: billing management center, 21, 31: antenna,
22, 32 ... wireless communication module, 23, 33, 41 ... wired communication module,
24, 34, 42 ... CPU, 25, 35, 43 ... memory,
27, 37, 46 ... input device, 28 ... removable memory control device, 36, 45 ... display device,
44 ... Mass storage device, 47 ... Output device.

Claims (11)

Communication means (22);
Storage control means (24) for storing the communication history by the communication means in the storage medium (25, 28) as information for calculating the charge amount for communication by the charge amount calculation device (19). A communication device. The storage control unit stores the received amount of data used by the communication unit for use of the communication device or its peripheral device in the storage medium as a part of the communication history. The communication device described. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the same data is received twice or more, the storage control unit reflects only one reception of the data in the received amount of the data. The amount of data received for use of the communication device or its peripheral device included in a part of the communication history is stored for each transmission source of the data. Communication device. 5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage control unit stores the relay amount of the communication unit in the storage medium as a part of the communication history. 6. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the same data as data that has already been relayed in the past is received, the communication means does not relay the received data. . The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit performs communication in which all of its own communication does not necessarily pass through a specific other communication apparatus. The storage control unit stores the transmission amount of the communication unit for use in a destination communication device or its peripheral device as a part of the communication history in the storage medium. The communication device according to any one of 7. 9. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a storage medium in which the storage control unit stores the communication history is detachable from the communication apparatus. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit transmits a communication history stored in the storage medium by the storage control unit to the billing amount calculation device. Receiving means for receiving the communication history stored in the storage medium by the storage control means of any one of the communication terminals according to claim 1;
A billing amount calculation apparatus comprising: a calculation unit that calculates a billing amount for the communication terminal based on a communication history received by the receiving unit.

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