JP2008263471A - Charging information processing method and charging information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a charging information processing method and apparatus that can surely perform information processing for charging for international roaming communication that a user uses in an in-use country. <P>SOLUTION: A communication use information file of international roaming communication is received and based upon a file serial number written in the communication use information file, it is judged whether or not the communication use information file is targeted for following processing. Here, it may be judged whether or not the communication use information file is targeted for the following processing based upon the value of a counter in a counter management file and the file serial number of the file name of the communication use information file or a file serial number read out of the communication use information file. When it is judged that the communication use information file is not targeted for the following processing, the communication use information file is processed not to be passed to the following processing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention charges a fee for use of international roaming communication that a user who has made a communication service contract for a mobile communication terminal with a communication carrier in a first country uses a communication network of a communication carrier in a second country. The present invention relates to a billing information processing method and a billing information processing apparatus for performing information processing.

  In recent years, international roaming using mobile phones as mobile communication terminals contracted in the first country (subscriber country) for communications such as telephones and e-mails in a communication network in a second country (user country) different from the first country Communication has become possible. When charging users for this international roaming communication charge, the communication service in the subscriber country with which the user has a contract for the communication service from the carrier in the communication network of the user country where the international roaming communication was performed. A communication usage information file in which usage information of the international roaming communication is written is sent to the user. The telecommunications carrier in the member country executes information processing for charging using the communication usage information file received from the telecommunications carrier in the above-mentioned country of use, and the user uses the international roaming communication used by each user in the country of use. Or paying with the telecommunications carrier in the country of use.

  However, the communication usage information file of the international roaming communication is transmitted / received via a communication network across countries, and the number of files reaches several hundred per day. In addition, the data may not be received directly from the telecommunications carrier in the country of use, but may be received via an information processing device of a data transfer broker. Under such circumstances, there may be a case where a part of the communication usage information file transmitted from the telecommunications carrier in the user country is received by the telecommunications carrier in the subscriber country in a state where some of the communication usage information files are missing or duplicated. If a part of the communication usage information file is missing or duplicated in this way, there is a possibility that the information processing for charging for the international roaming communication cannot be reliably executed on the telecommunications carrier side in the subscriber country.

  The present invention has been made under the above background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a charging information processing method and a charging information processing capable of reliably executing information processing for charging for international roaming communication used by a user in a country of use. Is to provide a device.

The billing information processing method according to the present invention is an international network in a communication network of a communication carrier in a second country used by a user who has contracted a communication service for a mobile communication terminal with a communication carrier in a first country. A billing information processing method for performing billing information processing with a billing information processing apparatus on the telecommunications carrier side in the first country for the usage fee of roaming communication, wherein the international roaming communication usage information and file serial number are written A step of receiving the communication usage information file, and a step of determining whether or not to make the communication usage information file a target of subsequent processing related to the accounting based on a file serial number written in the communication usage information file Including.
In this accounting information processing method, whether or not the communication usage information file is checked for omissions or duplication based on the file sequence number written in the received communication usage information file, and the communication usage information file is subject to subsequent processing related to accounting. By determining whether or not, it is possible to prevent leakage of communication usage information files and occurrence of duplication. Therefore, it is possible to reliably execute information processing for charging for international roaming communication used by the user in the second country outside the country.

The billing information processing method may further include a step of reading the file serial number from the communication usage information file and adding the file serial number to the file name of the communication usage information file prior to determining whether or not to make the subsequent processing target. Good.
In this billing information processing method, the file serial number added to the file name of the communication usage information file can be used for checking the leakage or duplication of the communication usage information file. Can be easily determined.

In the accounting information processing method, a counter value in a counter management file for managing a file sequence number of a communication usage information file that has been received as a target of subsequent processing related to the accounting, and a communication usage information file to be determined Determining whether or not to make the communication usage information file a target of subsequent processing related to the accounting based on the file serial number of the file name or the file serial number read from the communication usage information file; If the communication usage information file is determined not to be the target of the subsequent processing, the communication usage information file is processed so as not to be passed to the subsequent processing; If it is determined that it is a target for subsequent processing, the counter value in the counter management file is set to And updating the file serial number of the communication usage information file is determined to subject to further processing may further include.
In this accounting information processing method, by using the counter value in the counter management file that is updated with the file serial number of the communication usage information file that is the target of subsequent processing, it is simpler and more reliable that the communication usage information file is leaked or duplicated. Can be checked.

Further, in the billing information processing method, when a plurality of the communication usage information files are received, it is determined whether or not the communication usage information file is a target of subsequent processing related to the billing and updating the counter, You may repeat about the received several communication utilization information file.
In this billing information processing method, even when a plurality of communication usage information files are received together, it is possible to more easily and reliably check for leakage or duplication of the plurality of communication usage information files.

In the accounting information processing method, a communication usage information file having a file sequence number obtained by adding 1 to a counter value in the counter management file is searched, and the communication usage information file found by the search is searched for the subsequent processing target file. It is characterized by that.
In this billing information processing method, leakage or duplication of the plurality of communication usage information files can be more reliably and efficiently checked by searching the communication usage information file using the counter value in the counter management file.

Further, in the accounting information processing method, a plurality of counters in the counter management file are set for each telecommunications carrier in the second country that issues the communication usage information file, and the communication usage information file is processed in subsequent processing related to the accounting. The counter corresponding to the telecommunications carrier in the second country that issued the communication usage information file may be used to determine whether or not to make a target and to update the counter.
In this billing information processing method, by using a counter set for each telecommunications carrier in the second country that publishes the communication usage information file, leakage of the communication usage information file issued by each telecommunications carrier in each second country Duplicates can be checked more reliably and efficiently.

In the accounting information processing method, if the communication usage information file to be determined has a file sequence number that is two or more larger than the maximum file sequence number of the communication usage information file that has been received and processed as the target of the subsequent processing, The communication usage information file to be determined may not be the target of the subsequent processing.
With this billing information processing method, when there is a missing file sequence number, the communication usage information file of the file sequence number after the missing is kept in a pending state without being subject to subsequent processing, and there was a missing When the communication usage information file is received, it can be processed so as to be collectively passed to the subsequent processing. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid omission of charges for international roaming communication when a part of the communication usage information file is received late.

In the accounting information processing method, when the communication usage information file to be determined has a file sequence number smaller than the maximum file sequence number of the communication usage information file that has been received as the target of the subsequent processing, the communication to be determined The usage information file may not be the target of the subsequent processing.
In this billing information processing method, it is possible to avoid processing of a communication usage information file whose file serial number overlaps with a received communication usage information file as a target of subsequent processing, and to charge for one international roaming communication. Can be prevented beforehand.

In the accounting information processing method, if the file serial number of the communication usage information file to be determined overlaps with any one of the communication usage information files that have been received and processed as the target of the subsequent processing, the determination The target communication usage information file may not be the target of the subsequent processing.
In this billing information processing method, it is possible to avoid duplication processing of a plurality of communication usage information files having a common file sequence number, and to prevent duplication of billing for one international roaming communication.

The billing information processing method may further include a step of integrating a plurality of communication usage information files targeted for the subsequent processing into one.
In this billing information processing method, since one integrated file including a plurality of communication usage information files can be collectively processed in subsequent processing related to billing, the data of the plurality of communication usage information files included in the integrated file can be efficiently processed.

In the accounting information processing method, the plurality of communication usage information files may be integrated into one file for each receipt date.
In this billing information processing method, it is possible to efficiently process data of a plurality of communication usage information files included in an integrated file integrated for each receipt date.

In the accounting information processing method, the plurality of communication usage information files to be integrated may include a communication usage information file output for each communication facility belonging to the communication carrier in the second country.
In this billing information processing method, when a plurality of communication facilities belonging to a communication provider in the second country output a communication use information file, the communication use information file output for each communication facility is also integrated. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the efficiency of data processing in subsequent processing.

The billing information processing apparatus according to the present invention is an international network in a communication network of a communication carrier in a second country used by a user who has contracted a communication service for a mobile communication terminal with a communication carrier in a first country. A billing information processing apparatus that performs information processing for billing for a usage fee for roaming communication, the receiving means for receiving a communication usage information file in which usage information and file serial number of the international roaming communication are written, and the communication And determining means for determining whether or not to make the communication usage information file a target of subsequent processing related to the accounting based on the file sequence number written in the usage information file.
In this billing information processing apparatus, whether or not the communication use information file is checked for omissions or duplication based on the file sequence number written in the received communication use information file, and whether or not the communication use information file is subject to subsequent processing related to billing By determining whether or not, it is possible to prevent leakage of communication usage information files and occurrence of duplication. Therefore, it is possible to reliably execute information processing for charging for international roaming communication used by the user in the second country outside the country.

In the billing information processing apparatus, prior to determining whether or not to subject to the subsequent processing, file name changing means for reading the file serial number from the communication usage information file and adding it to the file name of the communication usage information file Further, it may be provided.
In this billing information processing apparatus, the file serial number added to the file name of the communication usage information file can be used for checking the leakage or duplication of the communication usage information file. Can be easily determined.

In the accounting information processing apparatus, storage means for storing a counter management file having a counter for managing a file sequence number of a communication usage information file that has been received and processed as a target of subsequent processing related to the accounting, Based on the value of the counter and the file serial number of the file name of the communication usage information file to be determined or the file serial number read from the communication usage information file, the communication usage information file is set as a target for subsequent processing related to the accounting. A determination means for determining whether or not to perform the processing, and when it is determined that the communication usage information file to be determined is not to be the target of the subsequent processing, processing is performed so that the communication usage information file is not passed to the subsequent processing. A file processing means for performing the determination and a communication usage information file to be determined as a target for the subsequent processing. Then when determining the value of the counter of the counter management file may further include a counter updating means for updating the file serial number of the communication usage information file is determined to subject to the succeeding process.
In this billing information processing apparatus, by using the counter value in the counter management file that is updated with the file serial number of the communication usage information file that is the target of subsequent processing, it is easier and more reliable that the communication usage information file is leaked or duplicated. Can be checked.

In the accounting information processing apparatus, when a plurality of the communication usage information files are received, the determination as to whether or not the communication usage information file is a target of subsequent processing relating to the accounting and the updating of the counter are performed, You may repeat about the received several communication utilization information file.
In this billing information processing apparatus, even when a plurality of communication usage information files are received together, it is possible to more easily and reliably check for leakage or duplication of the plurality of communication usage information files.

In the billing information processing apparatus, a communication usage information file having a file serial number obtained by adding 1 to the counter value in the counter management file is searched, and the communication usage information file found by the search is searched for the subsequent processing target file. It may be.
In this billing information processing apparatus, leakage or duplication of the plurality of communication usage information files can be more reliably and efficiently checked by searching the communication usage information file using the counter value in the counter management file.

In the accounting information processing apparatus, a plurality of counters in the counter management file are set for each communication carrier in the second country that issues the communication usage information file, and the communication usage information file is processed in subsequent processing related to the accounting. The counter corresponding to the telecommunications carrier in the second country that has issued the communication usage information file is used for the determination of whether or not to make a target and the updating of the counter.
In this billing information processing apparatus, by using a counter set for each telecommunications carrier in the second country that issues the communication usage information file, leakage of the communication usage information file issued by the telecommunications carrier in each second country Duplicates can be checked more reliably and efficiently.

In the accounting information processing apparatus, if the communication usage information file to be determined has a file sequence number that is two or more larger than the maximum file sequence number of the communication usage information file that has been received and processed as the target of the subsequent processing, The communication usage information file to be determined may not be the target of the subsequent processing.
In this billing information processing apparatus, when there is a missing file serial number, the communication usage information file of the file serial number after the missing is kept in a pending state without being subject to subsequent processing, and there was a missing When the communication usage information file is received, it can be processed so as to be collectively passed to the subsequent processing. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid omission of charges for international roaming communication when a part of the communication usage information file is received late.

In the accounting information processing apparatus, if the communication usage information file to be determined has a file sequence number smaller than the maximum file sequence number of the communication usage information file that has been received as the target of the subsequent processing, the determination target The communication usage information file may not be the target of the subsequent processing.
In this billing information processing apparatus, it is possible to avoid the processing of a communication usage information file whose file serial number overlaps with the received communication usage information file as a target of subsequent processing, and to charge for one international roaming communication. Can be prevented beforehand.

In the accounting information processing apparatus, if the file serial number of the communication usage information file to be determined overlaps with any one of the communication usage information files that have been received and processed as the target of the subsequent processing, the determination The target communication usage information file may not be the target of the subsequent processing.
In this billing information processing apparatus, it is possible to avoid duplication processing of a plurality of communication usage information files having a common file sequence number, and to prevent duplicate billing for one international roaming communication.

The billing information processing apparatus may further include a step of integrating a plurality of communication usage information files targeted for the subsequent processing into one.
In this billing information processing apparatus, in a subsequent process related to billing, a single integrated file including a plurality of communication usage information files can be collectively processed, so that data of a plurality of communication usage information files included in the integrated file can be efficiently processed.

In the accounting information processing apparatus, the plurality of communication usage information files may be integrated into one file for each receipt date.
In this billing information processing apparatus, it is possible to efficiently process a plurality of pieces of communication usage information data included in an integrated file integrated for each receipt date.

In the accounting information processing apparatus, the plurality of communication usage information files to be integrated may include a communication usage information file output for each communication facility belonging to the communication carrier in the second country.
In this billing information processing apparatus, when a plurality of communication facilities belonging to a communication provider in the second country output a communication use information file, the communication use information file output for each communication facility is also integrated. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the efficiency of data processing in subsequent processing.

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that information processing related to billing can be reliably executed for international roaming communication used by a user outside the country.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an international roaming charging system including a charging system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This international roaming billing system charges a mobile telecommunications carrier (hereinafter referred to as a “subscriber country telecommunications carrier”) 10 in a first country (hereinafter referred to as a “subscriber country”) in which the subscriber has a contract for a communication service. An information processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “subscriber country billing system”) 100 and a mobile communication carrier (hereinafter referred to as “user country carrier”) located in a second country (hereinafter referred to as “user country”) different from the member country. 20 charging information processing apparatuses (hereinafter referred to as “use country charging system”) 200 and an information relay processing apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “relay system”) 300 managed and operated by an intermediate information relay operator 30. Prepare. The country-of-use billing system 200 of the mobile communication carrier 20 in the second country is such that a user who is a subscriber to the communication service in the mobile communication network in the first country makes a call and various data on the mobile communication network in the second country. When international roaming communication such as communication is used, a TAP (Transfer Accounting Procedure) file is generated as a communication usage information file in which usage information related to the international roaming communication is written, and is transmitted to the relay system 300 of the information relay operator 30. Send. The relay system 300 converts the TAP file received from the user country billing system 200 into a relay file created in a unique internal format, and transmits it to the subscriber country billing system 100 of the mobile communication carrier 10 in the first country. Based on the relay file received from the relay system 300, the subscriber country billing system 100 charges the corresponding user for the usage fee of the international roaming communication and performs a settlement process with the country of communications carrier 20. Execute information processing.

  Each of the subscriber country billing system 100, the user country billing system 200, and the relay system 300 may be configured by one computer device, or may be configured to operate in cooperation by connecting a plurality of computer devices to a network. May be. In addition, communication between the subscriber country billing system 100 and the relay system 300 and between the user country billing system 200 and the relay system 300 is performed via a communication line such as a dedicated line or the Internet so that data such as the file can be transmitted and received. It is possible.

The TAP file is created by, for example, a user's one-time call or one-session data communication, or a combination of a plurality of these data. A file that is sent and received between the operator and the country's telecommunications carrier. Usage information (CDR: Call Detail record) and file serial number (hereinafter referred to as “file serial number”) Etc.). The format of this TAP file is defined by the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) association. For example, the record length of the record written in the TAP file is variable, and the file format is “ASN.1”. Further, the format of the file name of the TAP file is defined as follows.
File name: AABBBBBCCCCCxxxxx
AA (0-2 digits): File type (commercial: CD, test: TD),
BBBBB (3-7 digits): Source carrier (PLMN code),
CCCCC (8-12 digits): Destination operator (PLMN code),
xxxxx (13-17 digits): File serial number (00001-99999).

  The PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) code is a code set in advance to identify a communication carrier. For example, the TAP file for the inbound commercial international roaming communication used by the subscriber of the user country carrier (PLMN code: “GGGGG”) in the communication network of the country carrier (PLMN code: “JJJJJ”) is “ The file name is written as “CDJJJJJGGGGGxxxxx” and sent from the subscriber country carrier to the user country carrier. In addition, the TAP file for outbound commercial international roaming communication that the subscriber of the subscriber country carrier (PLMN code: “GGGGG”) uses in the communication network of the country carrier carrier (PLMN code: “JJJJJ”) is “ The file name is written as “CDGGGGGJJJJJxxxxx” and is sent from the user country carrier to the subscriber country carrier.

  Further, the file serial number of the TAP file (hereinafter referred to as “TAP file serial number”) is assigned a different serial number for each transmission source business operator and transmission destination business operator. That is, in the transmission source company that creates and transmits the TAP file, the TAP file serial number is managed so that the serial number is assigned to the file name for each different transmission destination company. On the other hand, in the transmission destination company that receives the TAP file, the file received from each transmission company is inspected, managed, and processed based on the TAP file sequence number.

  The relay file is a communication use information file that is converted from the TAP file received from the transmission source carrier in the relay system 300 of the information relay carrier 30 and transferred to the transmission destination carrier. This relay file basically includes the same data as the TAP file, but a part of the format is converted into an internal format unique to the information relay operator. For example, the record length of the usage information (hereinafter referred to as “CDR”) written in the relay file is a fixed length, and the file format is a “Text” format. Further, as the format of the file name of the relay file, the same format as that of the TAP file described above is used. However, the file serial number of the TAP file is included in the transmission source business portion of the file name of the relay file transmitted from the relay system 300 and the transmission destination business portion of the file name of the relay file received by the relay system 300, respectively. Information based on a different concept system is written.

  In the relay system 300, the file serial number of the relay file name is reassigned to a serial number (yyyyy) different from the TAP file serial number (xxxxx). The file serial number (yyyyy) of the relay file is a serial number that differs for each transmission destination operator of the relay file transmitted from the relay system 300. Note that the TAP file sequence number (xxxxx) described in the file name of the original TAP file is written in the data area or header area of the relay file during the file conversion process.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a subscriber country billing system 100 used for billing processing of international roaming communication by the subscriber country carrier 10. The subscriber country billing system 100 can be configured by a computer device having, for example, a CPU, a memory (RAM, ROM, etc.), an external storage device such as an HD, an external communication unit, and the like. The subscriber country billing system 100 includes, for example, a basic software (OS: Operating System) and a predetermined application program such as a database server function and a communication function in a computer that is hardware, and is executed. 110, the receipt / inspection processing unit 120, the file distribution processing unit 130, the charging processing unit 140, the file storage unit 150, the subscriber database 170, the charging management database 180, and the like can be realized. The various databases 170 and 180 are constructed using a server program for a relational database, for example.

  The file receiving unit 110 performs a process for receiving a relay file from the relay system 300 and a process for rewriting the file name of the relay file after reception (hereinafter referred to as “received file”).

  The reception / inspection processing unit 120 checks the serial number and CDR record of the received file after changing the file name, and converts the received file into an international standard CDR (Call Detail record) file (hereinafter referred to as “CDR file”). Format conversion and daily file integration processing for integrating a plurality of format-converted CDR files for one day into one CDR file (hereinafter referred to as “integrated CDR file”).

  In addition, the file distribution processing unit 130 searches for a subscriber number (MSN: Mobile Subscriber Number) corresponding to an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of each CDR in the integrated CDR file. A search process, a CDR distribution process based on the presence / absence of the MSN or IMSI data corruption, and a distribution process of the CDR based on the MSN to the charging processing unit 140 of each regional charging system are performed.

  Further, the billing processing unit 140 performs a subscriber search process for identifying a billing target subscriber corresponding to each CDR in the integrated CDR file, a CDR distribution process based on a communication type in each CDR, and a communication type. The calculation processing of the actual usage fee according to the request and the generation processing of the CDR used for the billing processing for billing the user are performed.

Hereinafter, the processing of each part constituting the subscriber country billing system 100 will be described in detail.
The file receiving unit 110 receives the relay file from the relay system 300 and temporarily stores it as a received file in the file storage unit 150. Further, the file receiving unit 110 reads the received file from the file storage unit 150 and rewrites the file name. Specifically, the TAP file sequence number assigned when the TAP file is created by the user country billing system of the user country carrier 20 is read from a predetermined storage area of the received file, for example, a header area (or data area). Then, in the file name of the received file, the file name is rewritten so that the part of the file serial number unique to the information relay operator assigned by the relay system 300 is replaced with the original TAP file serial number read from the received file.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the reception / inspection processing unit 120. In this block diagram, various files in the file storage unit 150 used in the reception / inspection processing unit 120 are also illustrated. The reception / inspection processing unit 120 includes a file sequence number check processing unit 121, a CDR data check processing unit 122, a format conversion processing unit 123, a daily file integration processing unit 124, and a file transfer processing unit 125. Yes.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a check process using the counter management file by the file sequence number check processing unit 121. In the counter management file used for this check process, for example, the following information (1) to (6) is stored for each communication carrier in the country of use.
(1) Commercial / test identifier: CD
(2) PLMN code for identifying the transmission source carrier: ggggg (example of this embodiment)
(3) PLMN code for identifying a destination communication carrier: jjjjj (example of this embodiment)
(4) Last TAP file serial number of received received file: xxxxx (example of this embodiment)
(5) Judgment type (6) Country code

  In FIG. 4, first, the counter management file 152A is read from the file storage unit 150, and the received file serial number nnnnn (the book number) for the first transmission source carrier is read from the counter management table written in the read counter management file 152A. In the embodiment, the initial value xxxxx) is read (S1, S2). Next, a value obtained by adding 1 to the read received file sequence number nnnnn is set to the first search target file sequence number mmmmm (S3). Next, it is searched whether there is a received file having a search target file serial number mmmmm among a plurality of received files stored in a predetermined folder of the file storage unit 150 (S4). If the received file having the search target file sequence number mmmmm is found by this search, the received file 152B is stored in the file storage unit 150 (S5), and the search target file sequence number mmmmm is counted up (S6). This search for the received file is repeated until no corresponding received file is found (S4 to S6). When the received file with the search target file sequence number mmmmm is not found in the above search, a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the search target file sequence number mmmmm is used as the received file sequence number of the corresponding transmission source carrier in the counter management file 152A. Counter update processing to be written into the counter management table is performed (S7). If there is a next source communication carrier, reading of received file sequence number nnnnn, file search, and updating of received file sequence number nnnnn are repeated (S2 to S8). When the processing of reading the received file sequence number nnnnn to file search to updating the received file sequence number nnnnn (S2 to S8) is completed for all of the plurality of transmission source carriers registered in advance in the counter management file 152A. The counter management file 152A is overwritten and saved in the file storage unit 150 (S9). As described above, the TAP file sequence number of the received file is checked using the counter management file 152A, and only the received file having the continuous TAP file sequence number is passed to the subsequent processing as the received received file to be charged. Further, the received file that has been received by the file sequence number check process is not received again. Further, when the TAP file sequence number is missing, or in the case of a young file, the subsequent receiving process of the corresponding received file is not performed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent leakage and duplication of received files from each source communication carrier, and charge for international roaming communication used by the user in the user country and the carrier in the user country related to the charge. Information processing for settlement between the two can be executed reliably.

  Note that the received file of the transmission source carrier not registered in the counter management file 152A is received by the file receiving unit 110, but the receiving process shown in FIG. 4 is not performed. When the value nnnnn of the received file sequence number in the counter management file 152A reaches the maximum value (99999), the next search target file sequence number mmmmm is set to 00001.

  The CDR data check processing unit 122 checks the data of the header part, the main part, and the trailer part that respectively constitute the received file for the received file for which the TAP file serial number check has been normally completed. In other words, the trailer unit is used for the purpose of error compensation of CDR data, and the trailer unit includes a summary of the number of records in the main unit (the number of records of individual information of calls or communications) and a summary of the amount related to all the records. Is described, and a consistency check or the like is performed by matching the information with the record information of the main part.

  The daily file integration processing unit 124 integrates a plurality of CDR files for one day (for example, about 200 to 300 CDR files) into one integrated CDR file. By integrating CDR files in preparation for subsequent processing in this way, data generated every day can be processed in a lump, which contributes to the efficiency of subsequent processing and to subscribers (users). The accounting process can be processed in a batch.

  By the way, the relay file received from the relay system 300 is acquired at a predetermined period (for example, every hour) by the file receiving unit 110 by making a file acquisition request (for example, a GET command) to the relay system 300. ing. In addition, the relay file output by the relay system 300 is sequentially generated from the end of the predetermined file conversion process when the TAP file is output from each user country carrier 20.

  Then, in the relay file acquired by the file receiving unit 110, information related to the TAP file output from a plurality of used communication carriers is merged, and this is generated as a relay file. In such a case, in the process of charging the user for billing the usage fee, it may be sufficient to perform the charging process for each communication carrier in the country of use. That is, a different unit price (also referred to as “tariff”) is set for each telecommunications carrier, and it is sufficient for the telecommunications carrier in the country of use to be specified in the tariff application related to the billing process. And in this embodiment, it can also be realized by identifying with the PLMN code described in the relay file.

  However, depending on the telecommunications carrier in the country of use, there are telecommunications carriers that cannot output a TAP file on a telecommunications carrier basis. That is, a TAP file may be output for each communication facility (for example, each exchange) belonging to the communication carrier. In such a case, for example, if an integration process is performed for each carrier as a pre-process for the billing process, the number of processes increases, and the processing load of the subscriber country billing system 100 is further increased. It will be.

  Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, file integration is performed in a lump for each communication carrier without adopting a means for integrating communication usage information files. By performing such an integration process, the subsequent process can be made smooth, and the user can be billed accurately for the usage fee.

  The file transfer processing unit 125 transfers the integrated CDR file to the subsequent file distribution processing unit 130.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a more detailed configuration example of the file distribution processing unit 130. In this block diagram, various individual files in the file storage unit 150 used in the file distribution processing unit 130 and various tables of the subscriber database 170 are shown. The file distribution unit 130 includes a subscriber search processing unit 131, a CDR copy processing unit 132, and a regional distribution processing unit 133.

  The subscriber search processing unit 131 performs the following processing for each CDR included in the integrated CDR file transferred from the reception / inspection processing unit 120. That is, whether or not the subscriber search processing unit 131 can search for the MSN (subscriber number) based on the IMSI (international mobile station identification number) in the CDR to make it a target for subsequent charging processing using the MSN. And illegal CDRs are eliminated in advance. More specifically, the IMSI is read from the CDR in the integrated CDR file, the IMSI management table 173A of the subscriber database 170 is searched based on the read IMSI, and the service ID corresponding to the IMSI is acquired. Next, the MSN management table 173B of the subscriber database 170 is searched based on the acquired service ID, and the MSN corresponding to the service ID is acquired. By these subscriber search processes, it is possible to obtain the MSN required for the billing process corresponding to the IMSI in each CDR, so even if the MSN is not included in the CDR issued by the user country carrier, Accounting processing for international roaming communication can be reliably performed.

  Here, for some reason, the subscriber country charging system 100 may not be able to acquire the MSN corresponding to the IMSI even though the user uses the international roaming communication in the communication network of the user country. For example, the MSN acquisition process in a subscriber country is executed according to the local time of the subscriber country. On the other hand, when MSN acquisition is performed based on the CDR received from the user country carrier in the user country (second country), the MSN acquisition process is executed based on the description of the CDR. The MSN acquisition process is performed with reference to the subscriber information based on the time information described in (for example, call date and time recording in the second country). That is, although the subscriber information at the time of the second country is referred to, a CDR that cannot be charged to the user may occur depending on the timing of canceling the contract of the subscriber. That is, the MSN acquisition process may be performed at a future time, and the user joins before the CDR of the user's international roaming communication used in the communication network of the user country (second country) is generated. If the mobile phone usage contract is canceled in the country, the user cannot be charged for the international roaming communication.

  Therefore, when the subscriber copy processing unit 131 cannot acquire the MSN corresponding to the IMSI, the CDR copy processing unit 132 copies the CDR to the unauthorized CDR file 153A in the file storage unit 150. On the other hand, when the MSN corresponding to the IMSI can be acquired, the CDR is copied to the subscriber searched CDR file 153B of the file storage unit 150. Thereafter, the CDR temporarily stored in the CDR copy processing unit 132 is deleted. In this way, by storing the unauthorized CDR and the subscriber searched CDR in separate unauthorized CDR file 153A and subscriber searched CDR file 153B, the billable subscriber searched CDRs are collected in the subsequent billing process. In addition to processing, it is possible to avoid useless charging processing for illegal CDRs.

  The regional distribution processing unit 133 reads each subscriber searched CDR from the subscriber searched CDR file 153B, and searches for each subscriber for each of a plurality of regions that are in charge of using the mobile phone based on the subscriber information. Sort the completed CDRs. In the example of FIG. 5, each subscriber-searched CDR is allocated to each of nine regions including the Hokkaido region, Tohoku region, Hokuriku region, Tokyo region, Tokai region, Kansai region, China region, Shikoku region, and Kyushu region. In addition, the regional distribution processing unit 133 generates a regional integrated CDR file 153 </ b> C in which CDRs that have been searched for subscribers distributed for each region are collected, and stores them in the file storage unit 150. In the example of FIG. 5, nine regional integrated CDR files 153C (1)... 153C (9) corresponding to the nine regions are stored.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a more detailed configuration example of the accounting processing unit 140. In this block diagram, various files in the file storage unit 150 used by the charging processing unit 140 and various tables of the subscriber database 170 and the charging management database 180 are shown. The accounting processing unit 140 is provided for each region, and includes a file transfer processing unit 141 and a communication type processing unit 142.

  The file transfer processing unit 141 is a GET type file transfer processing unit, and accesses and acquires an integrated CDR file 153C in a region corresponding to the billing processing unit 140.

  The communication type processing unit 142 performs the following processing on the CDR acquired by the file transfer processing unit 141. That is, the communication type processing unit 142 reads out the communication type written on the CDR that has been searched for the subscriber, and uses the communication type after that based on the communication type (for example, the type of voice call, video call, data communication, etc.). Various sorts related to the billing to the person. By this distribution process, even when the tariff applied to each communication type is different, an appropriate charging process according to the tariff can be performed.

  For example, when the communication type processing unit 142 determines that the subsequent billing process cannot be performed based on the communication type on the CDR, the communication type processing unit 142 stores the CDR in the unauthorized CDR file 154C.

  In addition, the international roaming communication of SMS (Short Message Service) used in the communication network of the user country's carrier is performed via the SMS system of the carrier of the subscriber country, and the calling country (No. Since a CDR is generated in the communication network of the (two countries) and the communication network of the subscriber country (first country) on the receiving side, if both are processed, a double charge will occur. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the SMS international roaming communication is not the billing process as the international roaming process, but is output from the SMS switch in the subscriber country in the same manner as the SMS used by the subscriber (user) in the subscriber country. The billing process is performed based on the received data, and the data of the SMS switch in the country of use is exclusively processed. Therefore, if the communication type processing unit 142 determines that the communication type on the CDR is SMS, the CDR is stored in the CDR file 154D of the SMS call so that it is not charged for subsequent international roaming communication. Yes.

  Among the international roaming communications used in the communication network of the user country carrier, there is an unsolicited communication that is not charged in the subscriber country. This unsolicited communication includes videophone communication (video call communication) that has not started commercial communication service in the communication network of the subscriber country, but is communicable in the communication network of the user country, This applies to international roaming communications that are not charged by the contracted rate plan. Such unsolicited international roaming communication needs to be excluded from charging.

  For example, in a 3G mobile communication network, UDI communication (video call communication) can be performed naturally depending on the communication facilities of a foreign communication carrier, starting with interconnection of voice communication lines (connection between other carriers). There is a case. However, UDI communication does not reach a level that can withstand commercial use unless the line quality exceeds a specified value. However, depending on the line quality of a foreign telecommunications carrier, it refrains from commercializing the interconnection as a carrier, and for the time being only voice communication. The service may be provided. In addition, at this stage, the basic fee for the inter-operator settlement in the interconnection is not advanced, and the fee cannot be presented to the customer. However, as mentioned above, voice communication is technically possible, and normally, the UDI communication line is restricted so that communication is disabled. However, if the setting is insufficient, UDI communication can be performed. There is a risk that. In addition, there is a possibility that a general user communicates with UDI at the timing when the restriction is temporarily canceled by the test connection. Even in such a case, it is necessary to perform exclusive processing of CDR for such UDI communication (video call communication) in order to perform unsolicited processing properly.

  Therefore, the communication type processing unit 142 refers to the charging method determination table 184A of the database unit and the operation mode table 184B of the communication service operation management database based on the communication type on the CDR, and the communication type of the CDR is not charged. Determine whether the international roaming communication. The billing method determination table 184A stores information such as the charge plan of each subscriber in the area. The operation mode table 184B stores information such as the operation status of the communication service in the subscriber country. If the communication type processing unit 142 determines that the CDR communication type is unsolicited international roaming communication, the CDR stores the CDR in the unsolicited CDR file 154E. As a result, the CDR is excluded from the object of billing processing related to the subsequent international roaming communication.

  Further, when the communication type processing unit 142 determines that the communication type on the CDR is the international roaming communication to be charged, the communication type processing unit 142 further sorts the CDR according to the communication type such as telephone and packet communication. For example, when the CDR communication type is a voice call telephone, the CDR is stored in the voice call CDR file 154F. By using the voice call CDR file 154F for the charging process for the subscriber, the charging process for the international roaming communication of the voice call can be efficiently performed. When the CDR communication type is packet data communication such as GPRS (General Packet Roaming / Radio Service), the CDR is stored in the packet CDR file 154G. By using the packet CDR file 154G for the charging process for the subscriber, the charging process for the international roaming communication using the packet data communication can be efficiently performed.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but various modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments within the scope of the technical matters described in the claims.

Explanatory drawing which shows an example of schematic structure of the international roaming charging system containing the subscriber country charging system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The block diagram which shows schematic structure of the subscriber country billing system used for the billing process of the international roaming communication by a subscriber country carrier. The block diagram which shows the example of a more detailed structure of a receipt / inspection process part. The flowchart which shows an example of the check process using the counter management file by a file serial number check process part. The block diagram which shows the more detailed structural example of a file distribution process part. The block diagram which shows the more detailed structural example of an accounting process part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Member country telecommunications carrier 20 User country telecommunications carrier 30 Information relay carrier 100 Subscriber country billing system 110 File receiving unit 120 Receipt / inspection processing unit 130 File distribution unit 140 Billing processing unit 200 Country billing system 300 Relay system

Claims (24)

For charging the usage fee of international roaming communication in the communication network of the communication carrier of the second country used by the user who has contracted the communication service of the mobile communication terminal with the communication carrier of the first country A billing information processing method for performing the information processing in the billing information processing apparatus on the telecommunications carrier side in the first country,
Receiving the communication usage information file in which the international roaming communication usage information and file serial number are written;
And a step of determining whether or not to make the communication usage information file a target of subsequent processing related to the charging based on a file sequence number written in the communication usage information file. . The billing information processing method according to claim 1,
The billing information processing further includes the step of reading out the file serial number from the communication usage information file and adding it to the file name of the communication usage information file prior to determining whether or not to make the subsequent processing target. Method. In the billing information processing method according to claim 1 or 2,
The value of the counter in the counter management file for managing the file sequence number of the communication usage information file that has been received and processed as the target of the subsequent processing related to the accounting, and the file sequence number of the file name of the communication usage information file to be determined or Determining whether to make the communication usage information file a target for subsequent processing related to the accounting based on the file serial number read from the communication usage information file;
If it is determined that the communication usage information file to be determined is not to be the target of the subsequent processing, processing to not pass the communication usage information file to the subsequent processing;
When it is determined that the communication usage information file to be determined is the target of the subsequent processing, the value of the counter in the counter management file is determined to be the target of the subsequent processing. A billing information processing method, further comprising the step of updating to a serial number. The billing information processing method according to claim 3,
When a plurality of communication usage information files are received, a determination is made as to whether or not the communication usage information files are to be subjected to subsequent processing related to the accounting, and the counter is updated for the received plurality of communication usage information files. A billing information processing method characterized by repeating. The billing information processing method according to claim 4,
Billing information characterized in that a communication usage information file having a file sequence number obtained by adding 1 to a counter value in the counter management file is searched, and the communication usage information file found by the search is a target of the subsequent processing. Processing method. The accounting information processing method according to claim 3, 4 or 5,
A plurality of counters in the counter management file are set for each communication carrier in the second country that issues the communication usage information file,
A counter corresponding to the telecommunications carrier in the second country that issued the communication usage information file is used to determine whether or not the communication usage information file is a target of subsequent processing related to the billing and to update the counter. A billing information processing method characterized by the above. The billing information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
When the determination target communication usage information file has a file sequence number that is two or more larger than the maximum file sequence number of the reception processing completed communication usage information file as the target of the subsequent processing, the determination target communication usage information file is A billing information processing method characterized in that it is not set as a target for subsequent processing. The billing information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
When the communication usage information file to be determined has a file sequence number smaller than the maximum file sequence number of the communication usage information file that has been received as the target of the subsequent processing, the communication usage information file to be determined is processed as the subsequent processing The billing information processing method is characterized in that it is not subject to the above. The billing information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
If the file serial number of the communication usage information file to be determined overlaps with any file serial number of the communication usage information file that has been received as the target of the subsequent processing, the communication usage information file to be determined is A billing information processing method, characterized in that it is not subject to processing. The billing information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The billing information processing method further comprising the step of integrating the plurality of communication usage information files that are the targets of the subsequent processing into one. The billing information processing method according to claim 10,
An accounting information processing method, wherein the plurality of communication usage information files are integrated into one file for each receipt date. The billing information processing method according to claim 10 or 11,
The accounting information processing method, wherein the plurality of communication usage information files to be integrated includes a communication usage information file output for each communication facility belonging to the communication carrier in the second country. For charging the usage fee of international roaming communication in the communication network of the communication carrier of the second country used by the user who has contracted the communication service of the mobile communication terminal with the communication carrier of the first country A billing information processing apparatus for performing information processing of
Receiving means for receiving a communication usage information file in which the usage information and file serial number of the international roaming communication are written;
Billing information processing comprising: judging means for judging whether or not the communication usage information file is a target of subsequent processing related to the billing based on a file sequence number written in the communication usage information file apparatus. The billing information processing apparatus according to claim 13,
Prior to the determination as to whether or not to make the subsequent processing target, it further comprises file name changing means for reading the file serial number from the communication usage information file and adding it to the file name of the communication usage information file. Billing information processing device. The billing information processing apparatus according to claim 13 or 14,
Storage means for storing a counter management file having a counter for managing a file serial number of a communication usage information file that has been received as a target of subsequent processing relating to the accounting;
Based on the value of the counter in the counter management file and the file serial number of the file name of the communication usage information file to be determined or the file serial number read from the communication usage information file, the communication usage information file is charged A determination means for determining whether or not to make it a target for subsequent processing,
If it is determined that the communication usage information file to be determined is not to be the target of the subsequent processing, a file processing means for processing the communication usage information file so as not to pass to the subsequent processing;
When it is determined that the communication usage information file to be determined is the target of the subsequent processing, the value of the counter in the counter management file is determined to be the target of the subsequent processing. An accounting information processing apparatus, further comprising: a counter updating means for updating to a serial number. The billing information processing apparatus according to claim 15,
When a plurality of communication usage information files are received, a determination is made as to whether or not the communication usage information files are to be subjected to subsequent processing related to the accounting, and the counter is updated for the received plurality of communication usage information files. A billing information processing apparatus characterized by repeating. The billing information processing apparatus according to claim 16,
Billing information characterized in that a communication usage information file having a file sequence number obtained by adding 1 to a counter value in the counter management file is searched, and the communication usage information file found by the search is a target of the subsequent processing. Processing equipment. The billing information processing apparatus according to claim 15, 16 or 17,
A plurality of counters in the counter management file are set for each communication carrier in the second country that issues the communication usage information file,
A counter corresponding to the telecommunications carrier in the second country that issued the communication usage information file is used to determine whether or not the communication usage information file is a target of subsequent processing related to the billing and to update the counter. A billing information processing apparatus. The billing information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 18,
When the determination target communication usage information file has a file sequence number that is two or more larger than the maximum file sequence number of the reception processing completed communication usage information file as the target of the subsequent processing, the determination target communication usage information file is A billing information processing apparatus that is not subject to subsequent processing. The billing information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 18,
When the communication usage information file to be determined has a file sequence number smaller than the maximum file sequence number of the communication usage information file that has been received as the target of the subsequent processing, the communication usage information file to be determined is processed as the subsequent processing A billing information processing apparatus that is not subject to The billing information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 18,
If the file serial number of the communication usage information file to be determined overlaps with any file serial number of the communication usage information file that has been received as the target of the subsequent processing, the communication usage information file to be determined is A billing information processing apparatus that is not subject to processing. The billing information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 21,
A billing information processing apparatus further comprising a step of integrating a plurality of communication usage information files as targets of the subsequent processing into one. The billing information processing apparatus according to claim 22,
An accounting information processing apparatus, wherein the plurality of communication usage information files are integrated into one file for each receipt date. The billing information processing apparatus according to claim 22 or 23,
The accounting information processing apparatus, wherein the plurality of communication usage information files to be integrated include a communication usage information file output for each communication facility belonging to the communication carrier in the second country.

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