JP2009225120A - Fee calculation system, fee calculation program, and fee calculation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a fee calculation system for flexibly dealing with future diversity of fee plans of a communication service or additional services. <P>SOLUTION: A billing destination determination means of the fee calculation system determines a billing destination of the fee on use of the communication service. A service user number determination means determines a service user number accompanying the billing determination. A flat rate fee calculation means calculates a flat rate fee of the communication service according to the service user number. A communication fee calculation means calculates the communication fee of the communication service according to the service user number. A discount calculation means calculates a discount on the flat rate fee and the communication fee for each service user number, or the sum of the flat rate fee and the communication fee. A billing destination fee calculation means calculates the fee of the billing destination based on the discounted fee calculated by the discount calculation means of all of the service user numbers accompanying the billing destination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is implemented by a charge calculation system for calculating a charge for using a communication service, a charge calculation program for causing a computer to calculate a charge for using a communication service, and a charge calculation system for calculating a charge for using a communication service. This is related to the charge calculation method.

  In a communication service represented by a mobile phone, the number of users of the communication service or the increase in calls, particularly the increase in non-voice calls, has been remarkable. In addition, with the diversification of user demands, the rate plans are also diversifying, and there are various types of additional services such as discounts associated therewith. As a result, calculation processing for charging users is increasing.

The following is a conventional technique for calculating a communication service usage fee.
Collecting communication data from the exchanges at each site, with the objective of editing the necessary communication data and handling the billing at each site uniformly when collecting communication data from multiple exchanges and charging First, adjust the communication time to obtain the charging fee for each call, and perform matching processing by referring to the communication time and the communication route, etc., and edit the communication data and the charging fee. Some sites provide it (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

An object is to realize flexible charging, and an IP packet passing through a transmission line connecting the GGSN and the IP network is branched by a branching device and supplied to the packet information generating means, and its start / end time for each application session , Socket, MSIP address, URL, MIME type, packet log recording the number of transmitted bytes and the number of retransmitted bytes for each layer, and the session information generating means having the RADIUS server function of accounting is used for the RADIUS session of each user. Creates a session log that records the start / end time, matches the packet log and session log with the primary CDR generation means, and records the data amount of the layer selected for each tariff class set according to the socket or URL Create CDR file output means It is intended to supply (e.g., see Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-290634 A JP 2004-349925 A

As described above, it is expected that the charge billing process will be delayed due to an increase in calls and diversification of charge plans. Furthermore, as the types of non-voice calls increase, it is also desired to deal with charge calculations for diversifying call details. That is, the conventional techniques described in the background art have the following problems.
(1) Problems caused by the billing period Some users may be corporations or credit card settlements, and the billing deadline is different. In Japanese customs, there are many three patterns: 10 day closing, 20 day closing, and month end closing (hereinafter also referred to as 30 day closing).
On the other hand, the CDR is generated at the date and time (every hour), while the billing timing is monthly, and the fee cannot be processed until the closing date.
It is necessary to construct a fee calculation system adapted to such circumstances.

(2) Problems due to information processing timing The number of subscribers in recent years exceeds 15 million.
Under such circumstances, the billing business (charge processing unit and billing processing unit) must be processed only monthly, and it is extremely difficult to process all users simultaneously monthly.

(3) Problems based on the increase in service types The mobile communication business includes not only voice communication but also non-voice communication, and even non-voice communication includes UDI communication and packet communication. These services exist for each generation of communication network.
It is necessary to construct a fee calculation system adapted to all of these, and to be able to flexibly cope with future diversification.

(4) Problems due to diversification of rate plans and related additional services Today's rate plans are diverse, and it is necessary to provide different discount services for each service type.
In recent times, customer requests are diversifying and accelerating, and there is a growing need for quick and efficient addition of functions to these plan menus.

  The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems of the prior art, and is a fee calculation system and fee calculation that can flexibly cope with future diversification of communication service fee plans or additional services. Its purpose is to provide a program and fee calculation method.

The gist of the present invention for achieving the object lies in the inventions of the following items.
[1] A charge calculation system for calculating a charge for using a communication service,
A billing address determining means for determining a billing address for the use of the communication service;
Service user number determining means for determining a service user number associated with the billing address determined by the billing address determining means;
A flat fee calculating means for calculating a flat fee of the communication service by the service user number determined by the service user number determining means;
A communication fee calculating means for calculating a communication fee of the communication service by the service user number determined by the service user number determining means;
Discount calculation means for calculating a discount for the flat fee for each service user number determined by the service user number determination means, the communication fee, or the sum of the flat fee and the communication fee;
Billing fee calculation means for calculating the fee of the billing destination based on the fee calculated by the discount calculation means for all service user numbers associated with the billing address determined by the billing address determination means; A charge calculation system characterized by

[2] Customer information storage means for storing the billing destination of the user using the communication service;
A charge reference storage means for storing a communication service charge plan and information relating to a fixed charge and a discount in the charge plan;
Comprising communication information storage means for storing information relating to communication that occurs every communication;
The billing destination determining means determines a billing destination for calculating a charge using the billing destination stored in the customer information storage means,
The flat fee calculation means refers to a flat fee stored in the charge reference storage means according to the service user number, calculates a flat fee,
The communication fee calculating means refers to the communication information stored in the communication information storage means according to the service user number, calculates the communication fee,
The discount according to [1], wherein the discount calculation means calculates a discount by referring to information related to the discount stored in the charge reference storage means according to the service user number. Calculation system.

[3] The charge calculation system according to [1] or [2], wherein the charge calculation performed by the charge destination charge calculation means includes a discount calculation at the charge destination.

[4] The apparatus according to [1], [2], or [2], further comprising: bill generation means for generating a bill for the billing destination based on the billing fee calculated by the billing fee calculation means The charge calculation system according to [3].

[5] A charge calculation program for causing a computer to calculate a charge for using a communication service,
The computer,
A billing address determining means for determining a billing address for the use of the communication service;
Service user number determining means for determining a service user number associated with the billing address determined by the billing address determining means;
A flat fee calculating means for calculating a flat fee of the communication service by the service user number determined by the service user number determining means;
A communication fee calculating means for calculating a communication fee of the communication service by the service user number determined by the service user number determining means;
Discount calculation means for calculating a discount for the flat fee for each service user number determined by the service user number determination means, the communication fee, or the sum of the flat fee and the communication fee;
Functions as a billing fee calculation unit that calculates the billing fee based on the discount calculated by the discount calculation unit for all service user numbers associated with the billing address determined by the billing address determination unit Charge calculation program characterized by letting you do.

[6] Customer information storage means for storing the billing destination of the user using the communication service;
A charge reference storage means for storing a communication service charge plan and information relating to a fixed charge and a discount in the charge plan;
Comprising communication information storage means for storing information relating to communication that occurs every communication;
The billing destination determining means determines a billing destination for calculating a charge using the billing destination stored in the customer information storage means,
The flat fee calculation means refers to a flat fee stored in the charge reference storage means according to the service user number, calculates a flat fee,
The communication fee calculating means refers to the communication information stored in the communication information storage means according to the service user number, calculates the communication fee,
The discount according to [5], wherein the discount calculation means calculates a discount by referring to information related to the discount stored in the charge reference storage means according to the service user number. Calculation program.

[7] A charge calculation method performed by a charge calculation system for calculating a charge for using a communication service,
Decide where you will be charged for the use of communications services,
Determining a service user number associated with the determined billing address;
Calculating a flat fee for the communication service by the determined service user number;
Calculating a communication fee of the communication service by the determined service user number;
Perform a discount calculation on the fixed fee for each determined service user number, the communication fee, or the sum of the fixed fee and the communication fee,
A charge calculation method characterized in that the charge of the billing destination is calculated based on the discounted charge of all service user numbers associated with the determined billing destination.

[8] The charge calculation system
Customer information storage means for storing the billing destination of the user using the communication service;
A charge reference storage means for storing a communication service charge plan and information relating to a fixed charge and a discount in the charge plan;
Comprising communication information storage means for storing information relating to communication that occurs every communication;
The determination of the billing destination uses the billing destination stored in the customer information storage means to determine a billing destination for calculating a charge,
The calculation of the flat fee refers to the flat fee stored in the fee reference storage means according to the service user number, calculates the flat fee,
The calculation of the communication fee refers to the communication information stored in the communication information storage means according to the service user number, calculates the communication fee,
The discount calculation according to [7], wherein the discount calculation is performed by referring to information related to the discount stored in the charge reference storage unit according to the service user number. Method.

The present invention operates as follows.
The fee calculation system, the fee calculation program, and the fee calculation method according to the present invention calculate a fee for using a communication service.
Determining a billing fee for use of the communication service, determining a service user number associated with the determined billing address, calculating a flat fee for the communication service according to the determined service user number, and Calculate the communication fee of the communication service by the determined service user number, and for the determined flat fee, the communication fee, or the sum of the fixed fee and the communication fee for each determined service user number A discount is calculated, and the charge of the billing party is calculated based on the discounted charge of all service user numbers associated with the determined billing party. As a result, it becomes possible to flexibly cope with future diversification in the charge plan of the communication service or the additional service.

  According to the charge calculation program, the charge calculation system, and the charge calculation method according to the present invention, it is possible to flexibly cope with future diversification in the charge plan of the communication service or the additional service.

  Hereinafter, various preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, a basic embodiment (basic form) will be described, and then five specific embodiments (first specific form to fifth specific form) will be described.

<< Basic form >>
FIG. 1 shows a conceptual module configuration diagram of a basic form in the present invention.
The module generally refers to a component such as software or hardware that can be logically separated. Therefore, the module in the present embodiment indicates not only a module in a program but also a module in a hardware configuration. Therefore, the present embodiment also serves as an explanation of a program, a system, and a method. In addition, the modules correspond almost one-to-one with the functions. However, in mounting, one module may be composed of one program, or a plurality of modules may be composed of one program. A plurality of programs may be used. The plurality of modules may be executed by one computer, or one module may be executed by a plurality of computers in a distributed or parallel environment. Hereinafter, “connection” includes not only physical connection but also logical connection.
The system includes a configuration in which a plurality of computers, hardware, devices, and the like are connected via a network and the like, and includes a case where the system is realized by one computer, hardware, devices, and the like.

First, a basic system for billing a usage fee for a communication service will be described below using a mobile communication network as an example. With reference to FIG. 1, an example of the relationship between a telecommunication network and a usage fee processing system, taking a mobile communication network as an example, is described. Hereinafter, a communication service using a mobile phone will be described as an example.
An MSC 131, GGSN, SGSN 132, subscriber terminal 134, and subscriber terminal 135 are connected to the communication network 133, and communication between the subscriber terminal 134 and the subscriber terminal 135 is performed.
In addition, the MSC 131, GGSN, and SGSN 132 are connected to the mediation gateway 141. The mediation gateway 141 is connected to the billing processing module 111 of the fee processing system 110. In the fee processing system 110, there are a charging processing module 111, a fee processing module 112, a billing processing module 113, and a customer information holding module 114. The charge processing module 111 is connected to the charge processing module 112 and the customer information holding module 114, and the charge processing module 112 is connected to the charge processing module 111, the billing processing module 113, and the customer information holding module 114, and the billing processing module 113 is connected to a fee processing module 112 and a customer information holding module 114, and the customer information holding module 114 is connected to a customer information registration instruction module 121 of the user terminal 120. A user information registration instruction module 121 is provided in the user terminal 120, and the customer information registration instruction module 121 is connected to the customer information holding module 114 of the fee processing system 110.

The subscriber terminals 134 and 135 are terminals used for using communication services.
The MSC 131 is a voice exchange, and the GGSN and SGSN 132 are non-voice exchange nodes such as packet communication. These record CDRs that are communication service usage histories. The CDR (Charging Data Record / Call Detail Record / Call Data Record) is communication information related to a call or communication.
The mediation gateway 141 (MDGW) has a function of collecting CDRs output from various exchanges (MSC 131, GGSN, SGSN 132) in units of nodes. The CDR recorded by the exchange (MSC 131, GGSN, SGSN 132) may include at least source identification information that can identify the source.

  The user terminal 120 is a device installed at a shop store, a mass sales store, a call center, or the like, and has a customer information registration instruction module 121. The customer information registration instruction module 121 accepts the subscription of a subscriber who desires to use a communication service, and also provides customer information of the subscriber (user such as the subscriber terminal 134) and the selected terminal to the fee processing system 110. It has functions for inputting model information and paying out subscriber numbers. In addition, the customer information registration instruction module 121 may define a plan that the customer subscribes to in the communication service, or may define a discount service and category type applied to the customer.

  The customer information holding module 114 is a device unit that records and holds customer information, model information, and a subscriber number in association with each other. In particular, in the present embodiment, the service type / additional service type such as the usage fee plan and option plan selected by the subscriber is recorded and held in association with the customer information. In other words, a transmission source identifier, a subscription plan identifier that can specify a plan for a communication service subscribed to by a user, and an additional service identifier that can specify an additional service added to the plan are stored in association with customer information. Is.

  The billing processing module 111 assigns a tariff (communication unit charge information defined in service type unit, for example, a call unit charge amount), which is a communication unit price, to the CDR collected by the mediation gateway 141. To generate a billing-processed CDR. That is, it has a function of adding a tariff to the CDR output by the mediation gateway 141. A CDR to which such a tariff is assigned is called a charging CDR. Further, the billing processing module 111 may make an inquiry to the customer information holding module 114 based on the sender identification information included in the CDR, acquire the subscription plan identifier, and give it to the CDR.

  The charge processing module 112 multiplies the tariff in the charge-processed CDR generated by the charge processing module 111 and the communication amount to generate a use charge amount. In other words, the billing CDR is summarized, the usage fee is calculated according to the total communication amount (or communication time), the usage fee is added or subtracted according to the charge plan and the additional service, and the pre-billing CDR file is output. It has a function. In addition, pre-billing amount information obtained by adding or subtracting a basic fee based on the subscription plan identifier assigned to the CDR by the billing processing module 111 and a discount amount based on the additional service identifier to the CDR is assigned to the CDR. It may be.

The billing processing module 113 generates the usage fee amount calculated by the fee processing module 112 and the billing-processed CDR generated by the billing processing module 111 as one bill data 151. In other words, it has a function of converting the format of the pre-billing CDR file generated by the fee processing module 112 into billing data.
The invoice data 151 is data output by the invoice processing module 113, that is, invoice-processed data, and is used for invoice data and detailed data on the WEB page.

The flow (4 steps) from the process in the exchange to the billing process when one customer is the unit is shown below.
Step 1. Processing steps from the exchange (MSC 131, GGSN, SGSN 132) to the mediation gateway 141 2. Processing step in charging processing module 111 Processing Step in Charge Processing Module 112 4. Processing in the billing processing module 113

Hereinafter, the processing of each step will be described in detail.
<Step 1. Processing from Exchange (MSC131, GGSN, SGSN132) to Mediation Gateway 141>
(1) After communication by the subscriber terminal 134 is completed, a CDR is generated in the MSC 131. The internal data of the generated CDR is as shown in FIG. As internal data of the CDR, caller subscriber number data 201, caller identification identifier data 202, callee subscriber number data 203, callee identification data 204, call date / time data 205, call end date / time data 206, call time data There are 207. The calling subscriber number data 201 is a telephone number (for example, 11 digits) of the calling subscriber terminal 134 and the like, and the caller identification identifier data 202 is an identifier that can uniquely specify the calling subscriber terminal 134 and the like ( For example, the destination subscriber number data 203 is a telephone number (for example, 11 digits) of the called subscriber terminal 134 and the called party identification identifier data 204 is the called subscriber terminal 134. Etc. are uniquely identified identifiers (for example, 16 digits), the transmission date / time data 205 is the date / time when the call was started (for example, year / month / day / hour / minute / second), and the call end date / time data 206 is the date / time when the call ended (for example, For example, the year / month / day / hour / minute / second) and the call time data 207 is the time (for example, minute / second) between the outgoing date / time data 205 and the call end date / time data 206.
That is, information on parameters that can be specified as a communication event is described. This CDR is output for each call (call, Call). The generated CDR is held in the MSC 131 during a predetermined period. The non-voice CDR is generated for each packet by the GGSN and SGSN 132, and the generated CDR is held by the GGSN and SGSN 132 during a predetermined period. Also, the data in the generated CDR is equivalent to that shown in FIG.

(2) The mediation gateway 141 accesses the MSC 131 or the GGSN / SGSN 132 for each predetermined period by polling reception, and collects the generated CDRs.
(3) The mediation gateway 141 converts the acquired CDR into the CDR format shown in FIG. This conversion is mainly conversion from variable-length data to fixed-length data. This is because the format of the CDR generated for each exchange or each manufacturing vendor may be different. The collected CDR is summarized (summarized, converted, formatted, etc.) and generated as a “CDR collection file”.

<Step 2. Processing in Charge Processing Module 111>
The charging processing module 111 generates a charged CDR from the generated CDR.
(1) The billing processing module 111 polls the mediation gateway 141 every predetermined period and at an interval deviated by a predetermined time from the timing at which the mediation gateway 141 polls the MSC 131 or GGSN, SGSN 132, and the CDR. Acquire the collected file.
(2) The billing processing module 111 uses the calling party subscriber number data 201 or the calling party identification identifier data 202 (hereinafter also referred to as the calling party subscriber number data 201) described in each CDR information in the CDR collection file. The customer information holding module 114 is accessed using the key.
Note that the CDR received from the MSC 131, GGSN, or SGSN 132 does not include information related to charges. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain information regarding this fee. Information about the fee is stored in the customer information holding module 114. Therefore, the information about the charge is acquired by accessing here using the parameter that can be specified by the subscriber as a key.
In Japan, since there is a charge, the calling subscriber number data 201 is used as a key. In the case of receiving a charge, the destination subscriber number data 203 or the callee identification identifier data 204 may be used as a key.

The customer information holding module 114 holds a service ID (hereinafter also referred to as “service user number” or “S #”; S: Service, ID: IDentification number) associated with the transmission source subscriber number data 201 or the like. Accordingly, the billing processing module 111 acquires S # and also charges information (for example, 10 yen / Call) of communication unit price (hereinafter also referred to as communication tariff or tariff).
The service ID is an identification code assigned to each subscriber.
The reason why the service ID is used is that the equipment system of the communication network is different from the equipment system of the charge billing system, and the reason is that the number system for basic management is different. In principle, the service ID is uniquely associated with the subscriber number.

Then, the charging processing module 111 adds the acquired tariff and S # to the CDR collection file. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, (applicable) tariff data 308, S # data 309, and B # data 310 are added to the calling party subscriber number data 201 to call time data 207. The CDR information obtained in this way is called “charged CDR”.
At this time, the billing group ID (hereinafter also referred to as B #; B: Billing) is acquired together with the acquisition of S #. The use of B # will be described later.

<Step 3. Processing in Charge Processing Module 112>
When the predetermined time comes, the charged CDR is transferred from the charging processing module 111 to the fee processing module 112.
The fee processing module 112 calculates a basic fee, a discount fee, etc. from the charged CDR collected in a predetermined period, and generates a “CDR file”.

(1) The charge processing module 112 summarizes the charged CDRs collected in a predetermined period, and calculates a call charge for each period.
(2) The fee processing module 112 accesses the customer information holding module 114 using S # as a key, refers to the subscription fee plan (price plan) information of the calling subscriber, and determines the basic fee amount (¥ X, XXX -) Get information.
(3) The fee processing module 112 accesses the customer information holding module 114 by using S # as a key, refers to an additional service (discount service) that is alternatively selected by the subscriber, and determines a discount fee amount (▲ ¥ X, XXX- or ▲ X%) information is acquired. For example, information such as 20% off long-term discount for a price plan of 2,000 yen.

  Thereby, a CDR file 400 as shown in FIG. 4 can be obtained. That is, the CDR file 400 includes a call / communication history table 410, a price plan column 420, and an additional service column 421. The call / communication history table 410 includes a caller subscriber number column 411, a callee subscriber number column 412, and a call originator. It has a date / time column 413, a call end date / time column 414, a call duration column 415, a tariff column 416, an S # column 417, and a B # column 418. The source subscriber number column 411 to B # column 418 correspond to the source subscriber number data 201 to B # data 310 shown in FIG. 3, respectively, and the price plan column 420 and the additional service column 421 are the charge processing module 112. Is obtained from the customer information holding module 114.

<Step 4. Processing in Claim Processing Module 113>
The billing processing module 113 acquires a CDR file from the fee processing module 112 and generates bill data 151 to calculate a specific usage fee amount.
(1) The billing processing module 113 refers to the CDR information of the received CDR file and calculates the total call charge during a predetermined period.
(2) The billing processing module 113 calculates a usage fee for a predetermined period from the price plan and the discount rate.

Thereby, invoice data 500 as shown in FIG. 5 can be obtained. That is, the basic charge column 530, the call charge column 531 and the charged amount column 532 are added to the data of the CDR file 400 shown in FIG.
The basic charge column 530 is calculated using the price plan column 420 and the additional service column 421 (2000 yen-2000 yen × 20%), and the call charge column 531 is a call in the call time column 415 in each call. The time is multiplied by the charge in the unit time of the tariff column 416, and it is integrated. The charge amount column 532 is obtained by adding the basic fee column 530 and the call charge column 531.

<< First Specific Form >>
In the basic form described above, charge calculation and discount calculation are performed on a subscriber basis.
On the other hand, there are cases where discounts are made in billing units based on usage fees and discounted fees. For example, this is a case where a discount is applied to the total of usage charges (for example, individual usage charges within a family) for a plurality of S # that are related to each other.
Therefore, in the first specific form, B # (billing group ID) is provided so that discounts can be made in billing units, a discount reference added in B # units, and a discount fee defined by B # is defined. Processing is performed.
According to the first specific form, it is possible to apply a discount for a billing unit.

  The communication plan using a mobile phone differs depending on the mobile phone number or the contract area (area where the mobile phone user has contracted the communication service with the business operator). The period start date and period end date of the monthly fee calculation period differ depending on the mobile phone number, contract area, rate plan, contractor designation, and the like. However, mobile phone numbers, contract areas, and price plans are related.

  The charge plan that is the basis for charge calculation refers to the charge system that is relative to the basic contract that the user selects as the main contract condition when using the line. Additional services are discount services such as period discounts and multi-line discounts. A charge system for ancillary additional services relative to the charge system of the basic contract, such as a unit communication charge application service for each call type such as voice communication, data communication, and streaming. These fee systems may be provided according to the contractor attributes such as individuals, corporations, non-corporations, men, women, adults, children, junior and senior high school students, university students, etc., and terminal devices and terminals used for communication services You may provide according to the kind of apparatus attributes, such as generation of equipment, portable type, fixed type, land use, marine use, and air use.

  In addition, there are various discount services applied in association with the rate plan. Specific examples of this discount service include: (1) “basic usage fee discount” applied to fixed-rate basic usage fees determined by the selection of the rate plan; and (2) specific conditions in voice communications. In addition to “call discount” and (3) “mail communication fee discount” applied for specific conditions in email communications, (4) “mail” applied to packet data communications such as email and web access.・ Web communication fee discount service ”.

More specifically, there are the following discount services.
(1) Basic usage fee discount (i) “Multi-line basic usage fee discount service” with two or more lines under a multi-line contract with a basic usage charge of 50%
(Ii) "Long-term discount service" applied to customers who have committed long-term contracts
(2) Call charge discount (i) “Half price charge between family members” applied when the main line and multiple lines are used between relatives
(Ii) “All-you-can-call family service” that frees call charges between relatives when the subscriber is relative
(Iii) “Specified destination unlimited call service” that does not charge a specific amount of calls for a specific fixed call rate only for a specific callee
(3) Mail communication fee discount (i) “Family mail communication fee free service” applied when the main line and multiple multiple lines are used between relatives
(Ii) “Specified destination unlimited email service” that does not charge for email communications at a fixed rate only for specific recipients
(4) E-mail / web communication fee discount service (i) “Email flat-rate service” that does not charge a fixed amount for e-mail service
(Ii) “Packet flat-rate service” in which packet data communication is not metered at a fixed amount
(Iii) Discount service at a predetermined rate for packet data communication

  The first specific form is to calculate a charge for the use of a communication service, that is, to perform a discount calculation in a billing unit. As shown in FIG. 6, a billing destination determination module 610, a customer information DB 620, a service A user number determination module 630, a service user number fee calculation module 640, a fee reference 650, a billing CDR 660, a billing destination fee calculation module 670, and a bill data creation module 680 are provided. Further, the service user number fee calculation module 640 includes a flat fee calculation module 641, a communication fee calculation module 642, an other fee calculation module 643, and a discount calculation module 644.

  The correspondence between the modules of the basic form and the first specific form is that the customer information DB 620 and the charge reference 650 correspond to the customer information holding module 114, the billing CDR 660 corresponds to the mediation gateway 141, and the billing destination. The determination module 610 and the service user number determination module 630 correspond to the customer information holding module 114, the service user number fee calculation module 640 corresponds to the fee processing module 112, the billing destination fee calculation module 670, the bill data creation module Reference numeral 680 corresponds to the billing processing module 113.

The customer information DB 620 is a database that is accessed from the billing destination determination module 610 and stores information related to customers, for example, billing destinations (billing group IDs) of charges for users using communication services. In addition, a service user number associated with the billing destination is stored correspondingly. Here, the service user number is a number that can uniquely identify the user of the communication service, and is a user who has a certain relationship with the billing party (for example, between family members) When (one of the users) represents payment and pays a usage fee by another user, the user (including the billing party) is called a service user. Therefore, when there is one service user number associated with the billing party (when the billing party and the user represented by the service user number are the same person), there may be multiple service user numbers associated with the billing party. is there.
Further, the customer information DB 620 records information related to the contracted fee plan and application of various additional services when the user uses the communication service. Therefore, by giving a billing address or service user number, user information to be subject to charge calculation is specified, and information related to the user's charge plan and additional services can be acquired.
That is, the customer information DB 620 further holds a billing group identifier that can specify the billing destination of the usage fee in association with the customer information in the customer information holding module 114 of the basic form.

  The billing destination determination module 610 is connected to the customer information DB 620 and the service user number determination module 630, and uses the information (billing destination) related to the customer in the customer information DB 620 to determine the billing destination for the use of the communication service. decide. Then, the billing group identifier is assigned to the CDR. This also determines a billing destination for specifying the destination when creating the bill.

  The service user number determination module 630 is connected to the billing destination determination module 610 and the flat fee calculation module 641, and determines the service user number associated with the billing destination determined by the billing destination determination module 610. At the time of this determination, the service user number determination module 630 may refer to the correspondence between the billing address and the service user number in the customer information DB 620.

  The charge reference 650 is accessed from the flat fee calculation module 641 and the discount calculation module 644, and stores the communication service charge plan and information related to the fixed charge and discount in the charge plan.

  The flat fee calculation module 641 is connected to the service user number determination module 630, the communication fee calculation module 642, and the fee reference 650, and the fixed amount of the communication service by the service user number determined by the service user number determination module 630. Calculate the charge. At that time, the flat fee may be calculated by referring to the flat fee stored in the fee reference 650 according to the service user number.

  The billing CDR 660 is a database that is accessed from the communication fee calculation module 642 and stores communication information (CDR) for fee calculation.

  The communication fee calculation module 642 is connected to the flat fee calculation module 641, the other fee calculation module 643, and the billing CDR 660. The communication fee calculation module 642 calculates the communication fee for the communication service based on the service user number determined by the service user number determination module 630. calculate. At that time, the communication fee is calculated with reference to the communication information stored in the billing CDR 660 according to the service user number.

  The other fee calculation module 643 is connected to the communication fee calculation module 642 and the discount calculation module 644, and is required in addition to the flat fee calculated by the flat fee calculation module 641 and the communication fee calculation module 642 and the communication fee ( For example, adjustment money (compensating for excess or deficiency of charges caused by input errors, etc.), lump sum payment, etc. is calculated.

  The discount calculation module 644 is connected to the other fee calculation module 643, the billing fee calculation module 670, and the fee reference 650, and the flat fee and communication fee for each service user number determined by the service user number determination module 630. Or, calculate the discount for the sum of the flat rate charge and the communication charge. At that time, the discount may be calculated by referring to the information about the discount stored in the charge reference 650 according to the service user number. Further, as a discount calculation order, a discount for a flat fee may be calculated, and then a discount for a communication fee may be calculated. That is, based on the billing group identifier assigned by the billing processing module 111, a discount calculation associated with the billing group identifier is performed to generate a usage fee amount.

  The billing fee calculation module 670 is connected to the discount calculation module 644 and the bill data creation module 680, and the discount calculation module 644 for all service user numbers associated with the billing destination determined by the billing destination determination module 610. The charge for the billing destination is calculated based on the charge calculated by the discount. That is, the total usage fee of the user specified by the service user number attached to the billing destination is calculated. Further, the charge calculation by the billing fee calculation module 670 may include a discount calculation at the billing destination. Furthermore, consumption tax may be calculated.

The invoice data creation module 680 is connected to the invoice destination fee calculation module 670 and generates an invoice for the invoice destination based on the invoice destination fee calculated by the invoice destination fee calculation module 670. That is, the invoice is printed using a printing machine and mailed to the user who is the invoice destination. In addition to printing an invoice on paper, it can also be posted as electronic information on the Internet or the like. At that time, it is possible to make only the user viewable by using a password.
As a specific example of the bill, bill data 800 is shown in FIG. Similar to the invoice data 500 shown in FIG. 5, the call / communication history table 410, the price plan column 420, the additional service column 421, the basic charge column 530, and the call charge column 531 are provided. And a billing amount column 841. The billing discount column 840 shows the discount amount in B #, and the billing amount column 841 shows the billing amount obtained by subtracting the discount amount shown in the billing discount column 840.

The fee calculation process will be described with reference to FIG.
In step S702, the billing destination determination module 610 determines a billing destination.
In step S704, based on the billing address determined in step S702, the service user number determination module 630 determines a service user number.
In step S706, the flat fee calculation module 641 calculates a flat fee based on the service user number determined in step S704.
In step S708, the communication fee calculation module 642 calculates a communication fee based on the service user number determined in step S704.
In step S710, the other fee calculation module 643 calculates another fee based on the service user number determined in step S704.

In step S712, the discount calculation module 644 performs a discount calculation for the charges calculated in steps S706, S708, and S710.
In step S714, it is determined whether charges for all service user numbers associated with the billing address determined in step S702 have been calculated. If all have been calculated (Yes in step S714), the process proceeds to step S716. Otherwise (No in step S714), the process returns to step S704. That is, the processing from step S704 to step S712 is repeated for the number of service user numbers. By repeating this, a charge for all service user numbers attached to the billing destination is calculated.
In step S716, the billing fee calculation module 670 calculates the sum of the charges related to the billing destination, that is, the service user number. If there is a discount process for the billing destination, the discount process is performed. In addition, the consumption tax is calculated.
In step S718, the bill data creation module 680 creates the bill for the billing destination calculated in step S716.

<< Second specific form >>
According to the first specific form, after specifying B #, individual charges are calculated for S #, and finally billing discount is performed with B #. Such processing is schematically shown in FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a conceptual configuration example of charge calculation (with duplicate processing).
That is, the charge calculation 901 is to calculate charges for B # 1 911, B # 2 921, B # 3 931, and the charge calculation for each B # is S # (service ID, The charge is calculated for each telephone number), and the result is integrated to calculate the charge for B #. For example, B # 1 911 calculates a fee for each S # such as a service ID (MSN) fee calculation 912 to 914, and sums these to calculate a fee calculation 919 for B # 1 (a discount calculation for B #) Included).

For example, there may be a case where a plurality of contracts (B #) such as a corporate contract are made, and duplicate processing occurs in the first specific form (billing process shown in FIG. 9). For example, a plurality of organizations in a single company may have contracts for communication services, but the total usage fee may be discounted for that company.
The second specific form is designed to cope with such a case, suppress duplication processing as much as possible, and reduce the load.

That is, it is a two-stage process of calculating individual charges for MSN (subscriber number) and billing destination integration process.
The fee calculation processing according to the second specific form is schematically shown using FIG.
In the second specific form, the charge calculation 1001 performed by the charge processing module 112 is divided into a first stage MSN individual process 1011 and a second stage billing destination integration process 1041 for processing.
The MSN individual processing 1011 is processing for each B #, that is, B # 1 1021, B # 2 1031 and the like. Further, charge calculation for each B # is S # (service ID, telephone number). ) Charge calculation for each. For example, B # 1 1021 performs charge calculation for each S # such as service ID (MSN) charge calculation 1022 to 1029.
The billing destination integration process 1041 is to perform B # 1 1051, B # 2 1061, etc., and integrates these calculation results to perform charge calculation with discount calculation. Then, the billing amount is calculated for each B # (for example, for each organization).

The second specific form includes the basic form or the first specific form, and the customer information holding module 114 further holds B # (billing group ID) in association with a plurality of sender identifiers. Then, the fee processing module 112 calculates a fee for each B #, calculates a discount for the plurality of B # s (a fee that crosses B #), and performs an integration process. Further, after identifying the CDR to be charged based on the billing group identifier held in the customer information holding module 114, a usage fee is generated for each sender identifier.
According to the second specific form, in the case of overlapping billing destinations, billing discount processing can be performed collectively, which can contribute to reducing the charge calculation load.

<< Third Specific Form >>
In the basic form described above, a single price plan is provided with a plurality of additional services, and the subscriber can alternatively select the additional services. This is schematically shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a conceptual configuration example of fee calculation (additional service addition).
Various price plans are regarded as “strips” and various additional services are defined in such a way that they are difficult to connect. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, there are “Strip” as strip 1 (talk FF) 1110, strip 2 (holiday) 1120, strip 3 (value) 1130, strip 4 (flex) 1140, and strip 1 (talk FF). Additional service 1 1111 and additional service 2 1112 are associated with 1110, strip 2 (holiday) 1120 is associated with additional service 1 1121, and strip 3 (value) 1130 is associated with additional service 1 1131, Additional service 2 1132 is associated, and strip 4 (flex) 1140 is associated with additional service 1 1141 and the like (description in parentheses is an example of a specific name of a price plan).
The fee calculation 1101 performed by the fee processing module 112 is called strip processing because the fee calculation is performed with reference to the strip information. This information is defined as a “charge reference”, for example, in the charge reference 650 in the first specific form.
According to this configuration, it is necessary to increase the definition of additional services every time a new price plan is made.
According to the recent diversification of charge plans, a great amount of man-hours are required for reference maintenance, and table information to be referred to in charge calculation is diversified, which is not preferable in terms of system efficiency.

In a third specific form, a discount table grouped (categorized) for each discount type of additional service is provided, and a table configuration (matrix type) is associated with the price plan.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a conceptual configuration example of fee calculation (categorization of additional services).
As shown in FIG. 12, apart from the price plan, discount tables such as day of the week time zone discounts and counterparty-designated discounts are provided so that each can be defined as a reference.
That is, the fee processing module 112 performs strip processing such as strip 1 (bundle plan) 1210, strip 2 (pack plan) 1220, strip 3 (basic plan) 1230, etc. as the fee calculation 1201, but there is an addition associated therewith. The services are classified and associated with one of the day-of-week discount 1240, destination designation discount 1250, and non-voice discount 1260.
According to the third concrete form, the definition of the price plan and the discount service can be made independent. In charge calculation, the applicable charge / service can be specified based on the label information acquired using S # and B # as keys, so that the calculation calculation can be made more efficient. Furthermore, it becomes possible to respond flexibly and immediately to requests for additional price plans and additional services.

  The third specific form includes the basic form described above or the first and second specific forms, and the customer information holding module 114 further includes the category information of the discount service according to the category of the additional service, Additional information belonging to a category and basic information that can identify additional services applicable to the subscription plan are held based on the category information. Then, the fee processing module 112 searches the customer information holding module 114 based on the subscription plan identifier and the additional service identifier, and specifies the amount information or discount information of the predetermined fee processing.

Examples as basic information will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a basic monthly fee discount.
The monthly basic charge discount table 1300 has a discount processing column 1301, a category column 1302, a discount function column 1303, and a discount name column 1304. That is, for the basic monthly fee discount, the discount processing column 1301 performs discount calculation for each B #, the category column 1302 belongs to the aggregated discount as its category information, and the discount function column 1303 The discount target is a basic fee, and the discount name column 1304 indicates the name of the additional service.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a call charge / communication charge discount (for individuals).
The call charge / communication charge discount table 1400 has a discount processing column 1401, a category column 1402, a discount function column 1403, and a discount name column 1404. As for the call charge / communication charge discount (for personal use), the discount processing column 1401 performs a discount calculation for each S #, and the category column 1402 provides, for example, per-call type discount (one call / Discount for each communication), a discount function column 1403 indicates a discount target (for example, a destination is designated as a discount target), and a discount name column 1404 indicates the name of the additional service. In addition to call-type discounts, there are total discounts, bundle discounts, automatic discounts, and the like.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a call charge / communication charge discount (for corporations).
The call charge / communication charge discount table 1500 includes a discount processing column 1501, a category column 1502, a discount function column 1503, and a discount name column 1504. For call / communication charge discounts (for corporations), discount processing is performed for each B # in the discount processing field 1501, and the category information is, for example, an aggregated discount in the category field 1502, discount function field 1503 indicates a discount target (for example, a corporate contract is a discount target), and a discount name column 1504 indicates the name of the additional service.

Further, in the basic form described above, there is a “charge item ID” as a code for identifying a basic charge that defines a price plan and an additional service.
In the basic form described above, the basic charge and the additional service are individually combined according to the price plan to be prepared, and used as a charge calculation parameter. That is, as described with reference to FIG. 11 described above, the definition of attaching additional services to strips is performed.
For example, even one price plan may belong to the “call-type discount” category or the “aggregate discount”. In this way, even with a price plan with the same name, it is necessary to provide different fee systems depending on the discount service to be applied.
In order to efficiently apply this to each user (for each S #), matrix type charge setting is possible, and whether or not the setting is appropriate can be made for each charge item ID. Examples thereof are shown in FIGS. By using the appropriateness of the setting in this matrix, it can be used for inspection when registering a new service, it can be used for inspection when applying a discount, and the like.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of categorization of the basic monthly fee discount.
The basic fee discount table 1600 is a matrix for categorizing basic monthly fee discounts, and includes an S # / B # discount column 1611, a category column 1612, an item number column 1613, and a discount name column 1614. The S # / B # discount column 1611 indicates whether to apply to S # and B #. The category column 1612 indicates whether it belongs to a non-standard category (individual discounts are different), a standard category (a certain discount rate, a discount for a certain period, etc.), or a total category. An item number column 1613 indicates a charge item ID. A discount name column 1614 indicates a discount name. Whether or not the combination can be specified (adequacy of setting) is indicated by a sign (“◯ (can be specified)” or “− (cannot be combined)” in the matrix).

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of categorization of call charge / communication charge discount.
The call charge discount table 1700 is a matrix of categorization of call charge / communication charge discount. Like the basic charge discount table 1600, the S # / B # discount field 1711, the category field 1712, the item number field 1713, the discount name It has a column 1714. The symbols in the matrix of the call charge discount table 1700 are “○ (can be specified)”, “● (can be specified only for the net)”, “△ (can only be specified for gross)”, “× (cannot be used together)”, (Cannot be combined) ”. Note that the net has a predetermined discount order. Gross has a basic call charge and discounts it regardless of the order. That is, the designation may be divided according to net and gloss.

<< 4th specific form >>
The basic form or the first to third concrete forms described above are based on an example of a customer and a voice call per person.
Recently, the number of customers has become enormous (for example, 150,000,000 or more), and not only voice calls but also non-voice services have been expanded.
That is, the above-described processing (fee processing based on price plan, discount processing based on additional services, billing discount processing, etc.) is performed as many times as the number of customers × service types.
By the way, generally, it is necessary to make a bill to a customer on a monthly basis (by a closing date). Therefore, in the processing described above, the CDR is generated at any time for each call or communication. The charge calculation period is specified by the start date and the last date of the period. For example, as the charge calculation period, from the 11th of the previous month to 10th of the current month (hereinafter also referred to as “10 group”), from 21st of the previous month to 20th of the current month (hereinafter also referred to as “20th group”), the current month 1 From the day before the end of the current month (hereinafter also referred to as “30 group”). These are collectively called a claim group.

In the fourth specific form, the generation of the charged CDR is performed on a daily basis (may be performed a plurality of times within a day, hereinafter also referred to as daily), and the charge calculation is performed on a monthly basis (that is, on each closing date, (Hereinafter also referred to as monthly).
That is, it is necessary to record and hold (pool) the charged CDR in a predetermined area until the monthly processing.
The fourth specific form includes the basic form described above or the first to third specific forms. Further, the billing processing module 111 performs processing on a daily basis, and the fee processing module 112 performs processing on a monthly basis. Is. More specifically, the various exchanges (MSC 131, GGSN, SGSN 132) perform processing for each event (call or communication), and the mediation gateway 141 is in units of each exchange every predetermined time (for example, 6 times a day). The billing processing module 111 performs processing every predetermined time (for example, six times a day) for each voice or non-voice service, and the fee processing module 112 performs monthly processing for each subscriber. The billing processing module 113 performs processing on a monthly basis for each billing destination.
Since the billing closing date is divided into 10 groups, 20 groups, and 30 groups, the fee calculation by the fee processing module 112 is performed for each group. This is called “group processing”.

FIG. 18 is a conceptual module configuration diagram of a usage fee calculation system that calculates a usage fee for each billing group.
The billing processing module 1821 is connected to the billed CDR storage module 1811, the billing processing module 1822 is connected to the billed CDR storage module 1812, and the billing processing module 1823 is connected to the billed CDR storage module 1813, and the billing processing modules 1821, 1822, 1823 are connected. Is equivalent to the accounting processing module 111 described above. Charged CDR storage modules 1811, 1812, and 1813 store the charged CDRs processed by the charge processing modules 1821, 1822, and 1823, and store the CDRs by charge group in the usage charge billing systems 1891, 1892, and 1893, respectively. Transfer to module 1831 or the like. As described above, the transfer timing is performed every predetermined time.

In addition, the customer information holding module 114 further holds a billing group identifier indicating the billing date of the usage fee in a month together with the sender identifier.
The billing processing modules 1821, 1822, and 1823 (billing processing module 111) make an inquiry to the customer information holding module 114 based on the sender identification information included in the CDR during the CDR billing processing to identify the billing group, A “billing group identifier (that is, an identifier indicating which closing date the customer designates)” is acquired and added as a CDR parameter. That is, the CDR generated by the billing processing module 1821 includes, as shown in FIG. 19, the caller subscriber number data 201, caller identification identifier data 202, callee subscriber number data 203, callee identification identifier data 204, caller. It has date / time data 205, call end date / time data 206, call time data 207, (applicable) tariff data 308, S # data 309, B # data 310, and billing group data 1920, and is charged to the one shown in FIG. Group data 1920 is given.

The usage fee billing system 1891 includes bill group-specific CDR storage modules 1831, 1832, 1833, customer billing processing module 1841, billing data 1842, bill 1843, and CDR inquiry processing module 1851.
The bill storage CDR storage modules 1831, 1832, and 1833 are connected to a customer billing processing module 1841 and a CDR inquiry processing module 1851, respectively. The bill storage group-specific CDR storage module 1831 and the like process the usage fee amount and CDR generated by the customer billing processing module 1841 (charge processing module 112), and perform monthly processing by the customer billing processing module 1841 (billing processing module 113). Hold until you see it. Further, the CDR storage module 1831 for each billing group may store the CDRs by day.

The customer billing processing module 1841 is connected to the bill group CDR storage modules 1831, 1832, and 1833, and creates billing data 1842 and bills 1843. The customer billing processing module 1841 corresponds to the fee processing module 112 and the billing processing module 113. The customer billing processing module 1841 refers to the billing group data 1920 in the CDR, and specifies the billed CDR stored in the billing group-specific CDR storage module 1831 to be charged. That is, a usage fee is generated for each billing date based on the billing group identifier assigned to the CDR.
The CDR inquiry processing module 1851 is connected to the bill storage CDR storage modules 1831, 1832, 1833 and the inquiry terminal 1861. The inquiry terminal 1861 corresponds to the user terminal 120. The CDR inquiry processing module 1851 searches the CDR storage module 1831 by billing group in response to an inquiry instruction from the inquiry terminal 1861 and returns the result to the inquiry terminal 1861.

  The usage fee billing system 1892 and the usage fee billing system 1893 have the same configuration as the usage fee billing system 1891. The usage fee billing system 1891 performs processing for 10 groups of CDRs, the usage fee billing system 1892 performs processing for 20 groups of CDRs, and the usage fee billing system 1893 performs processing for 30 groups of CDRs. Further, the billing processing module 1821 determines which of the usage fee billing systems 1891, 1892, and 1893 is to be transferred according to the group information (billing group data 1920) given to the CDR. That is, the 10 groups of CDRs are transferred to the usage fee billing system 1891, the 20 groups of CDRs are transferred to the usage fee billing system 1892, and the 30 groups of CDRs are transferred to the usage fee billing system 1893.

  The generation of the charged CDR performed by the charging processing module 1821 and the like, the storage of the charged CDR in the charged CDR storage module 1811, and the transfer to the usage charge billing systems 1891, 1892, and 1893 according to the billing group are performed daily. The process by the customer billing processing module 1841 is a monthly process.

<< Fifth Specific Form >>
In the fourth specific form, fee processing is performed for each billing group, but it does not prevent overload due to concentration of calculations on the closing date.
In the fifth specific form, fee processing by the fee processing module 112 is performed daily. That is, billing processing, discount calculation, and billing discount calculation are performed for each charged CDR on a daily basis.
The process of generating the CDR file from the charged CDR is performed daily, and all the CDR files are stored in the “CDR server”. That is, the fifth specific form includes the basic form described above or the first to fourth specific forms, and adds a “CDR server”.

FIG. 20 is a conceptual module configuration diagram of a usage fee calculation system using the CDR server 2030.
The billing processing module 2021 corresponds to the billing processing module 111, collects CDRs from each exchange as described above, generates billed CDRs with tariffs, and stores them in the billed CDR storage module 2011. Then, the contents of the charged CDR storage module 2011 are transferred to the CDR server 2030.

  The CDR server 2030 includes a call type charged CDR storage module 2031, and the call type charged CDR storage module 2031 is connected to the CDR inquiry processing module 2045 of the usage charge billing system 2040. The contents of the charged CDR storage module 2011 are received as daily processing from the charging processing module 2021 and stored in the charged CDR storage module 2031 for each call type. Then, in response to an instruction from the customer billing processing module 2041 of the usage fee billing system 2040, the contents of the call type charged CDR storage module 2031 are transferred to the usage fee billing system 2040. Further, in response to a search from the CDR inquiry processing module 2045 of the usage charge billing system 2040, the corresponding CDR of the charged CDR storage module 2031 for each call type is passed to the CDR inquiry processing module 2045.

The usage fee billing system 2040 includes a customer billing processing module 2041, a billing group / call type / daily CDR storage module 2042A to 2042J, and a CDR inquiry processing module 2045.
The bill storage group / call type / day CDR storage modules 2042A to 2042J are connected to the customer billing processing module 2041, respectively. Charged CDRs transferred from the charged CDR storage module 2031 for each call type of the CDR server 2030 are classified and stored for each billing group, for each call type, and for each day. These data are processed by the customer billing processing module 2041.

  The customer billing processing module 2041 is connected to the CDR storage modules 2042A to 2042J by billing group / call type / daily, and creates billing data 2043 and bills 2044. That is, the tariff in the charged CDR by call type and the communication amount are multiplied from the charged CDR storage module 2031 by call type in the CDR server 2030, and a daily CDR file including the usage fee is generated for each day. Also, a daily CDR file may be generated for each billing group identifier in accordance with the billing group identifier in the charged CDR by call type. Further, a daily CDR file may be generated for each call type. The generated CDR file is stored in the billing group / call type / daily CDR storage modules 2042A to 2042J.

  Next, the customer billing processing module 2041 uses the CDR file for each day of the target month (month to be charged) stored in the CDR storage modules 2042A to 2042J by billing group / call type / day. , Billing data 2043 and bill 2044 in the target month are created. In addition, by using the CDR file for each target month and each target group identifier stored in the CDR storage modules 2042A to 2042J for each billing group / call type / daily, billing of a target billing group in the target month A data file may be generated. Further, by using the day of the target month, the billing group identifier and the CDR file for each call type stored in the CDR storage modules 2042A to 2042J by billing group / call type / day, billing for the target month A group of billing data files may be generated. The customer billing processing module 2041 corresponds to the fee processing module 112 and the billing processing module 113.

  The CDR inquiry processing module 2045 is connected to the charged CDR storage module 2031 for each call type of the CDR server 2030 and the inquiry terminal 2061. The inquiry terminal 2061 corresponds to the user terminal 120, receives the inquiry instruction regarding the CDR from the inquiry terminal 2061, searches the charged CDR storage module 2031 for each call type in the CDR server 2030 according to the inquiry instruction, and performs the search. The result is passed to the inquiry terminal 2061.

The customer billing processing module 2041 (charge processing module 112) performs CDR file generation on a daily basis, and holds data immediately before billing in the charged CDR storage module 2031 for each call type of the CDR server 2030.
The customer billing processing module 2041 (billing processing module 113) extracts a target file from each billing group / call type / day CDR storage module 2042A to 2042J for each closing date, and performs file format conversion for conversion into billing data. Further, only the items necessary for billing are stored in the bill storage group / call type / day CDR storage modules 2042A to 2042J and deleted after the billing process.

According to the fifth specific form, monthly processing can be distributed daily, so that the processing load can be reduced.
It is possible to eliminate the concept of “delayed CDR (which may be delayed due to processing delay of the exchange, and the corresponding CDR)”, and to shorten the billing processing time.
In the basic configuration, there is a case where the same file exists in the charge processing module 112 and the billing processing module 113 at the same time, but this file is shared by the charged CDR storage module 2031 by call type of the CDR server 2030. Can contribute to the utilization of system resources.
Since the processing flow in the basic form can be performed without any modification, there is also a secondary effect that the investment cost can be minimized.

The CDR file stored in the charged CDR storage module 2031 for each call type in the CDR server 2030 is equal to the daily billing data.
By using this data for detecting high-priced users, it is possible to detect high-priced use on the same day.
Further, the automatic voice response device (IVR (Interactive Voice Response)) uses the charged CDR storage module 2031 for each call type of the CDR server 2030, so that the user can request the day of actual use in the current month. You can also refer to the amount. In addition, conventionally, only a simple calculation response is made to a customer inquiry, but by using the CDR server 2030, it is possible to report a more accurate amount even in an inquiry from the outside.

  Note that the hardware configuration of the computer on which the program according to the above-described embodiment is executed is a general computer as shown in FIG. 21, and specifically, there are many other than the processing according to the above-described embodiment. It is a computer that can be a server that can execute the above process at high speed. Stores a CPU 2101 for executing programs such as a billing processing module 111, a charge processing module 112, a billing processing module 113, a customer information holding module 114, a RAM 2102 for storing the programs and data, a program for starting the computer, and the like. ROM 2103, an auxiliary storage device HD 2104, an input device 2106 for inputting data such as a keyboard and a mouse, an output device 2105 such as a CRT and a liquid crystal display, and a communication line interface 2107 for connecting to a communication network. And a bus 2108 for connecting them and exchanging data. A plurality of these computers may be connected to each other via a network.

  The hardware configuration shown in FIG. 21 shows one configuration example, and the above-described embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 21, and the modules described in the above-described embodiment can be executed. Any configuration may be used. For example, some modules may be configured with dedicated hardware (for example, ASIC).

  In the above embodiment, a communication service using a mobile phone has been described. However, in addition to the mobile phone, communication services such as a fixed phone, a PHS, a data communication terminal, a game terminal, a car phone, and a pager (registered trademark) are provided. But you can.

In addition, about the program demonstrated, it is also possible to store in a recording medium, and it can also be grasped | ascertained also as the following invention in that case.
A computer-readable recording medium recording a charge calculation program for causing a computer to calculate a charge for using a communication service,
The computer,
A billing address determining means for determining a billing address for the use of the communication service;
Service user number determining means for determining a service user number associated with the billing address determined by the billing address determining means;
A flat fee calculating means for calculating a flat fee of the communication service by the service user number determined by the service user number determining means;
A communication fee calculating means for calculating a communication fee of the communication service by the service user number determined by the service user number determining means;
Discount calculation means for calculating a discount for the flat fee for each service user number determined by the service user number determination means, the communication fee, or the sum of the flat fee and the communication fee;
Functions as a billing fee calculation unit that calculates the billing fee based on the discount calculated by the discount calculation unit for all service user numbers associated with the billing address determined by the billing address determination unit A computer-readable recording medium on which a charge calculation program is recorded.

The “computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded” refers to a computer-readable recording medium on which a program is recorded, which is used for program installation, execution, program distribution, and the like.
The recording medium is, for example, a digital versatile disc (DVD), which is a standard established by the DVD Forum, such as “DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM,” and DVD + RW. Standards such as “DVD + R, DVD + RW, etc.”, compact discs (CDs), read-only memory (CD-ROM), CD recordable (CD-R), CD rewritable (CD-RW), etc. MO), flexible disk (FD), magnetic tape, hard disk, read only memory (ROM), electrically erasable and rewritable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, random access memory (RAM), etc. It is.
The program or a part of the program can be recorded on the recording medium and stored or distributed. Also, by communication, for example, a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wired network used for the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, etc., or wireless communication It can be transmitted using a transmission medium such as a network or a combination thereof, and can also be carried on a carrier wave.
Furthermore, the program may be a part of another program, or may be recorded on a recording medium together with a separate program.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a relationship between the telecommunication line network which uses a mobile communication network as an example, and a usage fee processing system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the data in audio | voice CDR. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the data in charged CDR. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a CDR file. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of bill data. It is a notional module block diagram of the 1st concrete form. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a calculation process of the usage fee by a 1st specific form. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of bill data. It is explanatory drawing which shows the conceptual structural example of a charge calculation (with duplication process). It is explanatory drawing which shows the conceptual structural example of a charge calculation (duplication process unnecessary). It is explanatory drawing which shows the conceptual structural example of charge calculation (additional service addition). It is explanatory drawing which shows the conceptual structural example of charge calculation (categorization of an additional service). It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a monthly basic usage fee discount. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a call charge and communication charge discount (for an individual). It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a call charge and communication charge discount (for corporations). It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of categorization of a monthly basic charge discount. It is explanatory drawing which shows the categorization example of a call charge and a communication charge discount. It is a conceptual module block diagram of the utilization fee calculation system which calculates the utilization fee for every claim group. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the data in CDR which added claim group data. It is a conceptual module block diagram of the usage fee calculation system using a CDR server. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of the computer which implement | achieves this Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 ... Charge processing system 111 ... Charge processing module 112 ... Charge processing module 113 ... Billing processing module 114 ... Customer information holding module 120 ... User terminal 121 ... Customer information registration instruction module 131 ... MSC
132 ... GGSN, SGSN
133 ... Communication network 134 ... Subscriber terminal 135 ... Subscriber terminal 141 ... Mediation gateway 151 ... Invoice data 1811 ... Charged CDR storage module 1821 ... Charge processing module 1831 ... Bill storage CDR storage module 1841 ... Customer billing processing module 1842 ... Billing data 1843 ... Bill 1851 ... CDR inquiry processing module 1861 ... Inquiry terminal 1891 ... Usage charge billing system 2011 ... Charged CDR storage module 2021 ... Charge processing module 2030 ... CDR server 2031 ... Charged CDR storage module by call type 2040 ... Usage charge billing system 2041 ... Customer billing processing module 2042 ... By billing group / call type / daily CDR storage module 2043 ... billing data 2044 ... bill 2 45 ... CDR query processing module 2061 ... inquiry terminal

Claims (8)

A charge calculation system for calculating a charge for using a communication service,
A billing address determining means for determining a billing address for the use of the communication service;
Service user number determining means for determining a service user number associated with the billing address determined by the billing address determining means;
A flat fee calculating means for calculating a flat fee of the communication service by the service user number determined by the service user number determining means;
A communication fee calculating means for calculating a communication fee of the communication service by the service user number determined by the service user number determining means;
Discount calculation means for calculating a discount for the flat fee for each service user number determined by the service user number determination means, the communication fee, or the sum of the flat fee and the communication fee;
Billing fee calculation means for calculating the fee of the billing destination based on the fee calculated by the discount calculation means for all service user numbers associated with the billing address determined by the billing address determination means; A charge calculation system characterized by Customer information storage means for storing the billing destination of the user using the communication service;
A charge reference storage means for storing a communication service charge plan and information relating to a fixed charge and a discount in the charge plan;
Comprising communication information storage means for storing information relating to communication that occurs every communication;
The billing destination determining means determines a billing destination for calculating a charge using the billing destination stored in the customer information storage means,
The flat fee calculation means refers to a flat fee stored in the charge reference storage means according to the service user number, calculates a flat fee,
The communication fee calculating means refers to the communication information stored in the communication information storage means according to the service user number, calculates the communication fee,
The fee according to claim 1, wherein the discount calculation means calculates a discount by referring to information related to the discount stored in the fee reference storage means according to the service user number. Calculation system. The charge calculation system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the charge calculation performed by the charge destination charge calculation unit includes a discount calculation at the charge destination. The fee according to claim 1, 2, or 3, further comprising: a bill generation unit that generates a bill for the billing destination based on the billing fee calculated by the billing fee calculation unit. Calculation system. A charge calculation program for causing a computer to calculate a charge for using a communication service,
The computer,
A billing address determining means for determining a billing address for the use of the communication service;
Service user number determining means for determining a service user number associated with the billing address determined by the billing address determining means;
A flat fee calculating means for calculating a flat fee of the communication service by the service user number determined by the service user number determining means;
A communication fee calculating means for calculating a communication fee of the communication service by the service user number determined by the service user number determining means;
Discount calculation means for calculating a discount for the flat fee for each service user number determined by the service user number determination means, the communication fee, or the sum of the flat fee and the communication fee;
Functions as a billing fee calculation unit that calculates the billing fee based on the discount calculated by the discount calculation unit for all service user numbers associated with the billing address determined by the billing address determination unit Charge calculation program characterized by letting you do. Customer information storage means for storing the billing destination of the user using the communication service;
A charge reference storage means for storing a communication service charge plan and information relating to a fixed charge and a discount in the charge plan;
Comprising communication information storage means for storing information relating to communication that occurs every communication;
The billing destination determining means determines a billing destination for calculating a charge using the billing destination stored in the customer information storage means,
The flat fee calculation means refers to a flat fee stored in the charge reference storage means according to the service user number, calculates a flat fee,
The communication fee calculating means refers to the communication information stored in the communication information storage means according to the service user number, calculates the communication fee,
6. The fee according to claim 5, wherein the discount calculation unit calculates a discount with reference to information on the discount stored in the fee reference storage unit according to the service user number. Calculation program. A charge calculation method performed by a charge calculation system that calculates a charge for the use of a communication service,
Decide where you will be charged for the use of communications services,
Determining a service user number associated with the determined billing address;
Calculating a flat fee for the communication service by the determined service user number;
Calculating a communication fee of the communication service by the determined service user number;
Perform a discount calculation on the fixed fee for each determined service user number, the communication fee, or the sum of the fixed fee and the communication fee,
A charge calculation method characterized in that the charge of the billing destination is calculated based on the discounted charge of all service user numbers associated with the determined billing destination. The fee calculation system is:
Customer information storage means for storing the billing destination of the user using the communication service;
A charge reference storage means for storing a communication service charge plan and information relating to a fixed charge and a discount in the charge plan;
Comprising communication information storage means for storing information relating to communication that occurs every communication;
The determination of the billing destination uses the billing destination stored in the customer information storage means to determine a billing destination for calculating a charge,
The calculation of the flat fee refers to the flat fee stored in the fee reference storage means according to the service user number, calculates the flat fee,
The calculation of the communication fee refers to the communication information stored in the communication information storage means according to the service user number, calculates the communication fee,
8. The fee calculation according to claim 7, wherein the discount calculation refers to information related to the discount stored in the fee reference storage means according to the service user number. Method.

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