JP2012138698A - Terminal device, charge management system, and charge management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress increase in communication traffic due to call origination by reducing the number of repetitions of call origination if call origination is rejected.SOLUTION: A terminal device 2 according to the invention comprises: an origination request transmission unit 21 for transmitting an origination request; a response receiving unit 22 for receiving a reply in response to the origination request transmitted by the origination request transmission unit 21; an information receiving unit 23 for receiving charge information; a charge information storage unit 24 for storing the charge information received by the information receiving unit 23; a charge information search unit 25 for determining whether no-charge information is stored or not by searching the charge information storage unit 24 if a reply received by the response receiving unit 22 indicates rejection; and a check information output unit 26 for outputting information to make a user check the remainder of prepaid amount if it is determined by the charge information search unit 25 that the no-charge information is stored in the charge information storage unit 24.

Description

  The present invention relates to a prepaid terminal device, a charge management system, and a charge management method.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a prepaid terminal device is known in which a user can receive a communication service by prepaying a charge. For example, Patent Literature 1 below discloses a technology for notifying a portable terminal device that the portable terminal device cannot be used by the portable terminal management system when there is no remaining charge available for the portable terminal device.

JP 2001-313743 A

  In the prepaid terminal device, when the remaining amount of the prepaid fee is exhausted (charge is exhausted), the user needs to charge again. If the user forgets to charge, it will be rejected when the next call is made. In the conventional prepaid terminal device, the user does not know the reason why the call is rejected, so that there is a problem that the user makes repeated calls. In addition, there has been a problem that the traffic of the communication network increases due to the re-calling.

  Therefore, in order to solve such problems, the present invention reduces the number of re-calls that are made when a call is rejected, and a terminal device that can suppress an increase in communication volume due to a call, charge management It is an object to provide a system and a charge management method.

  In order to solve the above problems, a terminal device according to the present invention includes a transmission request transmission unit that transmits a transmission request, a response reception unit that receives a response to the transmission request transmitted by the transmission request transmission unit, and a balance of a prepaid fee Information receiving means for receiving charge information, which is information relating to the presence or absence of information, charge information storage means for storing charge information received by the information receiving means, and charge information when the response received by the response receiving means indicates refusal Charge information retrieval means for determining whether or not charge expiration information, which is charge information indicating no remaining amount, is stored by searching the storage means, and the charge information retrieval means stores the charge expiration information in the charge information storage means. Confirmation information that outputs information for confirming the remaining amount of the prepaid charge to the user. Characterized in that and an output unit.

  The charge management system of the present invention is a charge management system that includes a terminal device and a communication control device that controls communication of the terminal device, and manages a prepaid fee by the terminal. Information regarding transmission request transmission means for transmitting a transmission request to the communication control apparatus, response reception means for receiving a response to the transmission request transmitted by the transmission request transmission means from the communication control apparatus, and presence / absence of the balance of the prepaid fee Information receiving means for receiving charge information from the communication control device, charge information storage means for storing charge information received by the information receiving means, and charge information storage means if the response received by the response receiving means indicates rejection To determine whether or not charge-out information, which is charge information indicating no remaining amount, is stored. And a confirmation information output means for outputting information for confirming the remaining amount of the prepaid fee to the user when it is determined by the information search means that the charge information search means stores the charge expiration information. The communication control device includes a transmission request receiving unit that receives a transmission request transmitted from the terminal device, a remaining amount calculating unit that calculates and stores a remaining amount of a prepaid charge for the terminal device, and a remaining amount calculating unit. Response transmitting means for transmitting a response to the call request received by the call request receiving means to the terminal apparatus based on the balance of the prepaid charge relating to the stored terminal apparatus, and information transmitting means for transmitting charge information to the terminal apparatus And.

  Further, the charge management method of the present invention includes a terminal device, a transmission request transmission step of transmitting a transmission request, a response reception step of receiving a response to the transmission request transmitted in the transmission request transmission step, and a balance of a prepaid charge An information receiving step for receiving charge information, which is information relating to the presence or absence, a charge information storing step for storing the charge information received in the information receiving step in the charge information storage means, and a response received in the response receiving step A charge information search step for searching the charge information storage means to determine whether or not charge expiration information, which is charge information indicating no remaining amount, is stored, and in the charge information search step, the charge information storage means is out of charge. It was determined that the information was stored If, characterized in that it and a confirmation information output step of outputting information for the confirmation of the balance of the charges that prepaid user.

  According to the present invention, when a rejection response is received in response to a call request, the charge information storage unit is searched to determine whether or not charge expiration information, which is charge information indicating no remaining amount, is stored. When the information is stored, by outputting the information for confirming the remaining amount of the prepaid charge to the user, when the terminal device is refused the call request due to the charge being exhausted, You can be prompted to check the remaining amount. Then, the remaining amount of the prepaid fee is confirmed by the user, and it is confirmed that the remaining amount is gone, so that the user can recognize that the charge has run out, and the user can be prompted to recharge. For this reason, it can suppress that a transmission request | requirement is transmitted in multiple times. As a result, communication network traffic can be reduced.

  Further, in the terminal device of the present invention, when the information receiving means receives the charge out information, the information indicating that there is no remaining amount is stored in the charge information storing means as the charge out information, and the charge information searching means is the charge information storing means. It is preferable to determine whether or not charge-out information is stored by searching whether or not a flag indicating no remaining amount is stored. According to this, when a rejection response is received in response to the call request, the charge information storage unit is searched to determine whether a flag indicating no remaining amount is stored, and a flag indicating no remaining amount is stored. If the terminal device has been refused a call request due to out-of-charge, by outputting information for confirming the remaining amount of the prepaid fee to the user, the remaining amount of the prepaid fee is confirmed to the user Can be encouraged. Then, the remaining amount of the prepaid fee is confirmed by the user, and it is confirmed that the remaining amount is gone, so that the user can recognize that the charge has run out, and the user can be prompted to recharge. For this reason, it can suppress that a transmission request | requirement is transmitted in multiple times. As a result, communication network traffic can be reduced. In addition, by using a flag indicating no remaining amount, it is possible to perform a determination process as to whether or not the charge is exhausted at high speed.

  In the terminal device of the present invention, when the response receiving unit receives a response indicating rejection, the response information determining unit determines whether or not a predetermined code is included in the response. When a code is included, it is preferable to search whether or not charge-out information is stored in the charge information storage means. According to this, for example, when a transmission request is rejected due to a charge exhaustion factor, it is possible to search whether or not charge expiration information is stored in the charge information storage means. Is not required, the process for searching for whether or not the charge-out information is stored in the charge information storage means becomes unnecessary.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of re-calls when a call is rejected, and to suppress an increase in communication volume due to the call.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a charge management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the screen displayed on the terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the communication control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the transmission request reception of the communication control apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of SMS reception of the terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of transmission of the terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of transmission of the terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the transmission of the terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement at the time of the transmission of the terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a terminal device, a charge management system, and a charge management method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or equivalent elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a charge management system 1 according to this embodiment of the present invention. The charge management system 1 is a system that manages information related to charging of the terminal device 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the charge management system 1 includes a terminal device 2. A terminal device 2 shown in the figure is a portable client terminal used by a user who wants to receive a communication service using a communication network NW. The terminal device 2 is, for example, a device such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a personal computer, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a game machine with a communication function.

  The charge management system 1 further includes a communication control device 3 that can communicate with the terminal device 2 via the communication network NW. The communication control device 3 is a device that provides a communication service to the terminal device 2. The communication control device 3 is a device that performs communication control and management such as a base station device or a radio network control device of a radio access network device, an exchange or gateway device of a core network device, a subscriber information management device, or the like.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the terminal device 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 2 physically includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202 as a main storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203, and others. Communication module 204 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the terminal device and server device via a communication network, input device 205 such as an input key, mouse and microphone as input devices, and auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk device 206 and hardware including an output device 207 such as a display and a speaker as output devices. Each function of the terminal device 2 to be described later includes a communication module 204, an input device 205, and an output device under the control of the CPU 201 by loading predetermined computer software on hardware such as the CPU 201 and the RAM 202 shown in FIG. This is realized by operating 207 and the like, and reading and writing data in the RAM 202 and the auxiliary storage device 206.

  Subsequently, functions of the terminal device 2 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 2 includes a transmission request transmission unit 21 (transmission request transmission unit), a response reception unit 22 (response reception unit), an information reception unit 23 (information reception unit), and a charge information storage unit. 24 (charge information storage means), a charge information search section 25 (charge information search means), and a confirmation information output section 26 (confirmation information output means).

  The transmission request transmission unit 21 functions as a transmission request transmission unit that transmits a transmission request. The transmission request transmission unit 21 transmits a transmission request to the communication control device 3 when a user operates a transmission button included in the input device 205, for example.

  The response receiving unit 22 functions as a response receiving unit that receives a response to the call request transmitted by the call request transmitting unit 21 from the communication control device 3. The response receiving unit 22 receives responses from the communication control device 3 such as a rejection signal Reject for rejecting the transmission request and a permission signal Accept for permitting the transmission request. Note that the rejection signal Reject may include code information RejectCause indicating a cause for rejecting the call request.

  The information receiving unit 23 functions as an information receiving unit that receives a notification from the communication control device 3 including charge information that is information related to the presence or absence of the remaining amount of the prepaid fee from the communication control device 3. The information receiving unit 23 includes communication control including charge information such as charge-out information, which is charge information indicating that there is no remaining amount of the prepaid charge, and charged information, which is charge information indicating completion of the charge prepaid process. A notification from the device 3 is received. In the present embodiment, the charge information is transmitted and received by a control SMS (Short Message Service) that is a signal for controlling the operation of the terminal device 2, for example. This control SMS is temporarily stored in the protection area of the RAM 202 or the auxiliary storage device 206 in the terminal device 2 after being received, and cannot be deleted by the user. For this reason, it is possible to prevent charge information from being erased due to a user's erroneous operation, and to prevent malfunction.

  The charge information storage unit 24 functions as a charge information storage unit that stores the charge information received by the information receiving unit 23. The charge information storage unit 24 stores the charge information in association with a time stamp that is information indicating the date and time when the charge information is transmitted or received. Note that the charge information storage unit 24 may store a charge-out flag indicating charge-out. The charge-out flag is set to ON when charge-out information is received by the information receiving unit 23, when charged information is received by the information receiving unit 23, and when a call request is permitted (Accept) It is set to OFF (when the line can be connected).

  When the response received by the response receiving unit 22 is a rejection signal Reject, the charge information search unit 25 searches the charge information storage unit 24 and determines whether or not charge expiration information is stored. It functions as. Specifically, the charge information search unit 25 searches the charge information stored in the charge information storage unit 24 for the charge information with the latest date and time indicated by the time stamp, and the charge information is the out-of-charge information. It is determined whether there is information or charged information.

  The charge information search unit 25 determines whether the charge information is out-of-charge information or charged information by determining whether predetermined information is included in the charge information. For example, when charge information is transmitted / received by control SMS, a code indicating charge-out information and a code indicating charged information are set in advance between the terminal device 2 and the communication control device 3, and communication is performed. The control device 3 transmits the control SMS including the code. The charge information search unit 25 reads out the code from the control SMS, thereby determining whether the information is out of charge information or charged information.

  The confirmation information output unit 26 outputs confirmation information for allowing the user to confirm the charge status when the charge information search unit 25 determines that the charge information storage unit 24 stores the charge expiration information. It functions as a means. The confirmation information output unit 26 displays a screen shown in FIG. 3A, for example, and prompts the user to confirm the charge status. The icon 61 displayed on the screen of FIG. 3A is a button for instructing connection to the communication network NW, for example. When this icon 61 is clicked, the terminal device 2 is connected to the communication network NW, and a web page or the like indicating the remaining charge of the terminal device 2 is displayed on the display screen of the terminal device 2. Alternatively, a screen that prompts charging may be displayed.

  The confirmation information output unit 26 displays, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 3B when the information receiving unit 23 receives the charge expiration information, and prompts the user to update the contract, that is, recharge the advance payment. . The icon 62 displayed on the screen of FIG. 3B is a button for instructing connection to the communication network NW, for example. When this icon 62 is clicked, the terminal device 2 is connected to the communication network NW, and a web page or the like for renewing (recharging) the contract of the terminal device 2 is displayed on the display screen of the terminal device 2. The

  Next, functions of the communication control device 3 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication control device 3 includes a call request receiving unit 31 (call request receiving unit), a remaining amount calculating unit 32 (remaining amount calculating unit), a response transmitting unit 33 (response transmitting unit), and an information transmitting unit. 34 (information transmission means). The communication control device 3 may be composed of a plurality of devices instead of a single device.

  The transmission request receiving unit 31 functions as a transmission request receiving unit that receives a transmission request from the terminal device 2. The transmission request receiving unit 31 outputs information indicating that the transmission request has been received to the remaining amount calculation unit 32.

  The remaining amount calculation unit 32 periodically acquires information related to the remaining amount of the advance payment (charge) of the terminal device 2 from the customer information management database via a service control device (not shown), and the time when the terminal device 2 communicates or the communication The remaining amount is calculated on the basis of the amount of data performed, and the remaining amount information indicating the remaining amount is held. The remaining amount calculation unit 32 outputs information indicating a shortage of the remaining amount to the information transmission unit 34 when there is no remaining amount. Further, when the balance calculation unit 32 receives information indicating that the call request is received from the call request reception unit 31, the balance calculation unit 32 outputs the balance information of the terminal device 2 that has made the call request to the response transmission unit 33.

  The response transmission unit 33 functions as a response transmission unit that transmits a response to the call request to the terminal device 2. More specifically, when receiving the remaining amount information of the terminal device 2 that has made a transmission request from the remaining amount calculation unit 32, the response transmission unit 33 determines whether there is a remaining amount. When there is a remaining amount, the response transmission unit 33 transmits a permission signal Accept that permits transmission to the terminal device 2. On the other hand, when there is no remaining amount, the response transmission unit 33 transmits a rejection signal Reject for rejecting the transmission to the terminal device 2. At this time, the response transmission unit 33 may transmit the rejection signal Reject including code information RejectCause indicating that the charge has expired.

  The information transmission unit 34 functions as an information transmission unit that transmits charge information to the terminal device 2. When the information transmission unit 34 receives information indicating the shortage of the remaining amount from the remaining amount calculation unit 32, the information transmission unit 34 transmits the charge expiration information to the terminal device 2. In addition, when the information transmitting unit 34 receives information indicating that the fee prepaid processing has been performed by the terminal device 2 from the service control device, the information transmitting unit 34 transmits the charged information to the terminal device 2.

  Next, the operation of the communication control device 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication control device 3 when the terminal device 2 is communicating. In the present embodiment, since the charge information is transmitted / received using the control SMS, in the following description, the charge information is “charge SMS”, the charge expiration information is “charge expiration SMS”, Information is “charged SMS”.

  The remaining amount calculation unit 32 periodically acquires information on the remaining amount of the prepaid fee of the terminal device 2 from the customer information management database via a service control device (not shown) (S1). Next, the remaining amount calculation unit 32 determines whether or not the terminal device 2 is communicating (S2). As a result of the determination, when it is determined that the terminal device 2 is not communicating (S2; No), this determination process is repeated at a predetermined cycle. If it is determined in S2 that communication is in progress (S2; Yes), the communication fee is counted and subtracted from the remaining amount (S3). Here, the communication fee is an amount determined based on the time when the terminal device 2 communicates or the amount of data communicated, and is determined by a fee plan that the user of the terminal device 2 contracts in advance.

  Next, the remaining amount calculation unit 32 determines whether or not the remaining amount of the terminal device 2 is exhausted (S4). When it is determined that there is a remaining amount (S4; No), the remaining amount calculation unit 32 returns to S2 and determines whether or not the terminal device 2 is communicating. On the other hand, in the determination of S4, when it is determined that there is no remaining amount (S4; Yes), the information transmission unit 34 transmits the out-of-charge SMS to the terminal device 2 (S5).

  Thereafter, the remaining amount calculation unit 32 determines whether or not the terminal device 2 has been charged (S6). For example, the remaining amount calculation unit 32 determines whether or not charging has been performed by acquiring the remaining amount information from the customer information management database. In the determination of S6, when it is determined that charging is not performed (S6; No), this determination process is repeated at a predetermined cycle. In the determination of S6, when it is determined that charging has been performed (S6; Yes), the information transmission unit 34 transmits the charged SMS to the terminal device 2.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication control device 3 when receiving a call request.

  The call request receiving unit 31 periodically determines whether or not a call request has been received from the terminal device 2 (S11). As a result of the determination, when it is determined that a call request is not received from the terminal device 2 (S11; No), this determination process is repeated at a predetermined cycle. In the determination of S11, when the transmission request receiving unit 31 receives the transmission request (S11; Yes), the remaining amount calculation unit 32 refers to the remaining amount information of the terminal device 2 that has transmitted the transmission request (S12).

  Then, the remaining amount calculation unit 32 determines whether there is a remaining amount (S13). When it is determined that there is no remaining amount (S13; Yes), the response transmission unit 33 transmits a rejection signal Reject to the terminal device 2 that has transmitted the transmission request, and ends the operation when the communication control device 3 receives the transmission request. . On the other hand, in the determination of S13, when it is determined that there is a remaining amount (S13; No), the response transmission unit 33 transmits a permission signal Accept to the terminal device 2 that transmitted the call request, and communicates with the terminal device 2. Communication using the network NW is started, and the operation of the communication control device 3 at the time of receiving a transmission request is ended.

  Next, the operation of the terminal device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the terminal device 2 at the time of SMS reception.

  When receiving the control SMS (S21, information receiving step), the information receiving unit 23 determines whether or not it is a charge related SMS related to the charge information (S22). When it is determined that it is not a charge-related SMS (S22; No), the information receiving unit 23 performs a predetermined operation (S23). Here, the predetermined operation is an operation corresponding to the contents of the control SMS. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S22 that the charge-related SMS is determined (S22; Yes), the information receiving unit 23 further determines whether the charge-related SMS is an out-of-charge SMS ( S24). If it is determined that the SMS is out of charge (S22; Yes), the confirmation information output unit 26 displays, for example, the screen shown in FIG. 3B and prompts the user to renew the contract, that is, to recharge the advance payment ( S25). On the other hand, when it is determined that the SMS is not an out-of-charge SMS, that is, a charged SMS (S22; No), the process of S25 is skipped and the screen output by the confirmation information output unit 26 is not performed. Thereafter, the charge-related SMS is stored in the charge information storage unit 24 together with the time stamp (S26, charge information storage step).

  If it is determined in S24 that the charge is out of SMS, the confirmation information output unit 26 may simply display a screen indicating that the charge is out. On the other hand, in the determination of S24, when it is determined that it is a charged SMS, the confirmation information output unit 26 may display a screen indicating that it is charged. Further, when charge management is performed using a charge-out flag indicating charge-out, if the received SMS is a charged SMS in S24, the information receiving unit 23 turns off the charge-out flag. On the other hand, if the received SMS is an out-of-charge SMS in S24, the information receiving unit 23 turns on the out-of-charge flag.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation when the terminal device 2 requests a call.

  The transmission request transmission unit 21 transmits a transmission request to the communication control device 3 when a transmission button is operated by the user (S31, transmission request transmission step). Next, the response reception unit 22 waits for a response to the transmission request transmitted by the transmission request transmission unit 21. When there is a response, the response reception unit 22 determines whether or not the response is a rejection signal Reject (S32, response reception step). When it is determined that the rejection signal is not reject, that is, the permission signal Accept (S32; No), the call request is permitted, and the terminal device 2 is provided with a communication service (S33).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S32 that the response is the rejection signal Reject (S32; Yes), the charge information search unit 25 is the latest among the control SMSs related to the charge stored in the charge information storage unit 24. Are searched for (S34, charge information search step). The charge information search unit 25 searches for the latest SMS based on the time stamp stored in association with the SMS. Then, the charge information search unit 25 determines whether the latest SMS is an out-of-charge SMS or a charged SMS (S35). When it is determined that it is a charged SMS (S35; charged SMS), the process returns to S31 and the transmission request transmission unit 21 transmits the transmission request to the communication control device 3 again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S35 that the charge is out-of-charge SMS (S35; out-of-charge SMS), the confirmation information output unit 26 displays the screen shown in FIG. 3A and confirms the charge status to the user. (S36, confirmation information output step). And the terminal device 2 complete | finishes the operation | movement at the time of a transmission request | requirement.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the operation of the terminal device 2 when a call is requested.

  The transmission request transmission unit 21 transmits a transmission request to the communication control device 3 when the user operates the transmission button (S41). Next, the transmission request transmission unit 21 adds 1 to a transmission request counter that counts the number of times the transmission request has been transmitted (S42). The response reception unit 22 waits for a response to the transmission request transmitted by the transmission request transmission unit 21. When there is a response, the response receiver 22 determines whether or not the response is a rejection signal Reject (S43). When it is determined that the rejection signal is not reject, that is, the permission signal Accept is determined (S43; No), the outgoing call request is permitted, and the terminal device 2 is provided with a communication service (S44).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in S43 that the response is the rejection signal Reject (S43; Yes), the transmission request transmission unit 21 determines whether or not the number of times indicated by the transmission request counter is equal to or less than a predetermined value N. (S45). When it is determined that the number of times indicated by the call request counter is equal to or less than the predetermined value N (S45; Yes), the process returns to S41, and the call request transmission unit 21 transmits the call request to the communication control device 3 again. On the other hand, if it is determined in S45 that the number of times indicated by the call request counter is greater than the predetermined value N (S45; No), the call request transmission unit 21 resets the call request counter (S46). Since the processing from S47 to S49 is the same as the processing from S34 to S36 in FIG. 7, the description thereof is omitted. The predetermined value N is a value set in advance in the call request transmission unit 21 and is N = 3, for example. Further, the predetermined value N may be set by notification from the communication control device 3. Moreover, the process of S46 may be implemented after the process of S47.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another modified example of the operation of the terminal device 2 when a call is requested.

  Since the process of S51-S53 is the same as the process of S31-S33 of FIG. 7, the description is abbreviate | omitted. If it is determined in S52 that the response is the reject signal Reject (S52; Yes), the response receiver 22 checks the code information RejectCause and determines whether the code information RejectCause is a predetermined code. (S54). The predetermined code is a code that is used only when charging is a cause, for example, a code indicating “Operator Determined Barring” indicating that connection is not possible due to communication restrictions.

  When it is determined that the code is not the predetermined code (S54; No), the process returns to S51, and the transmission request transmission unit 21 transmits the transmission request to the communication control device 3 again. On the other hand, if it is determined in S54 that the code is a predetermined code (S54; Yes), the charge information search unit 25 selects the latest SMS among the SMS related to the charge stored in the charge information storage unit 24. Search is performed (S55). Since the processing from S56 to S57 is the same as the processing from S35 to S36 in FIG. 7, the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another modified example of the operation of the terminal device 2 when making a call request. In this modification, the information receiving unit 23 turns on the charge-out flag stored in the charge information storage unit 24 when receiving the charge-out SMS. In addition, the information receiving unit 23 turns off the charge expiration flag stored in the charge information storage unit 24 when the charged SMS is received and the transmission request is permitted.

  Since the process of S61-S63 is the same as the process of S31-S33 of FIG. 7, the description is omitted. When it is determined in S62 that the response is the rejection signal Reject (S62; Yes), the charge information search unit 25 searches for a charge expiration flag stored in the charge information storage unit 24 (S64). Then, the charge information search unit 25 determines whether the charge expiration flag is ON or OFF (S65). When it is determined that the charge-out flag is OFF (S65; OFF), the process returns to S61, and the transmission request transmission unit 21 transmits the transmission request to the communication control device 3 again.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in S65 that the charge-out flag is ON (S65; ON), the confirmation information output unit 26 displays the screen shown in FIG. 3A and confirms the charge status to the user. (S66). And the terminal device 2 complete | finishes the operation | movement at the time of a transmission request | requirement.

  Next, the effect of the terminal device 2 of this embodiment is demonstrated. When the terminal device 2 according to the present embodiment receives the rejection signal Reject, the terminal device 2 searches the charge information storage unit 24 to determine whether or not the out-of-charge SMS is stored as the latest charge SMS. If stored, a screen prompting the user to confirm the charge status is displayed. Then, by confirming the charge status by the user and confirming that there is no remaining amount, the user can be made aware that the charge has run out, and the user can be prompted to perform a recharge process. Thereby, when the transmission request is rejected due to the charge being exhausted, it is possible to suppress the transmission request from being transmitted a plurality of times. As a result, traffic on the communication network NW can be reduced.

  Further, when the terminal device 2 of the present embodiment receives the rejection signal Reject, it determines whether or not the number of times that the transmission request has been made is less than or equal to the predetermined number of times, and if it is less than or equal to the predetermined number of times, transmits the transmission request again To do. As a result, when a transmission request is rejected due to a factor other than the out of charge, it is possible to make a call without determining whether or not the out-of-charge SMS is stored.

  Further, when the terminal device 2 of the present embodiment receives the rejection signal Reject, the terminal device 2 determines whether or not the code information RejectCause is a code indicating that the charge is exhausted, and indicates that the charge is the cause. If the code is not shown, the call request is sent again. As a result, when a transmission request is rejected due to a factor other than the out of charge, it is possible to make a call without determining whether or not the out-of-charge SMS is stored. Thereby, the convenience for the user is enhanced.

  Further, the terminal device 2 according to the present embodiment turns off the charge-off flag when receiving the charge-off SMS, sets the charge-off flag to ON, and receives the charged SMS, and when the call request is permitted. To. Thereby, it is possible to identify whether or not the charge has expired by checking the charge expiration flag. For this reason, the terminal device 2 can perform the process of determining whether or not the charge is exhausted at high speed.

  Note that the above-described embodiments have described the best embodiments of the terminal device, the charge management system, the charge management method, and the charge management program according to the present invention, and the terminal device, the charge management system, and the charge according to the present invention. The management method and the charge management program are not limited to those described in this embodiment. A terminal device, a charge management system, a charge management method, and a charge management program according to the present invention provide a terminal device, a charge management system, a charge management method, and a charge according to the embodiments so as not to change the gist described in each claim. The management program may be modified or applied to other things.

  In the embodiment described above, the charge information is transmitted and received using the control SMS. Instead of the control SMS, the charge information may be transmitted / received by text data transmission / reception message SMS, e-mail, or the like. In this case, a predetermined character string indicating the charge-out information and a predetermined character string indicating the charged information are set in advance between the terminal device 2 and the communication control device 3, and the communication control device 3 The text is included in the text of SMS or e-mail. The charge information search unit 25 reads out the character string from the message SMS or the body of the e-mail and performs character string matching, thereby determining whether the information is out-of-charge information or charged information. Good.

  When transmitting and receiving charge information using message SMS, when it is determined that information receiving unit 23 has received out-of-charge SMS (S22 in FIG. 6; Yes), a screen as shown in FIG. 3B is displayed. Instead, only the incoming SMS may be notified.

  The charge information storage unit 24 preferably stores charge information or an out-of-charge flag in a nonvolatile storage area. The terminal device 2 may be a non-volatile memory, or a non-volatile storage medium such as a USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module). By storing the charge information or the out-of-charge flag in the USIM, even if the terminal device 2 is initialized, powered off, or replaced, the charge information or the out-of-charge flag is stored without being erased. Therefore, the charge information search unit 25 searches the USIM and determines whether or not the charge-out SMS is stored as the latest charge SMS, or determines whether or not the charge-out flag is ON. It is possible to reliably identify whether the terminal device 2 is out of charge.

  In the above-described embodiment, the charge information storage unit 24 stores the received SMS together with its time stamp, and compares the time stamp to determine the latest charge SMS. Instead, the information receiving unit 23 may delete the out-of-charge SMS from the charge information storage unit 24 when the charged SMS is received and when the call request is permitted. In this way, the charge information search unit 25 identifies whether or not the terminal device 2 is out of charge simply by determining whether or not the charge out SMS is stored in the charge information storage unit 24. Can do.

  In the embodiment described above, the charge information search unit 25 determines that the latest SMS stored in the charge information storage unit 24 is a charged SMS (S35 in FIG. 7; charged SMS, FIG. 8). S48: charged SMS, S56 in FIG. 9: charged SMS), and when it is determined that the charge-out flag stored in the charge information storage unit 24 is OFF (S65 in FIG. 10; OFF), The transmission request transmission unit 21 transmits the transmission request to the communication control device 3 again. Alternatively, the process may be terminated without transmitting the call request again. At this time, a message such as “Could not be connected” may be displayed on the display screen of the terminal device 2.

  4 and FIG. 5 is not limited to the configuration implemented by each function unit of the communication control device, and it is only necessary that each step can be implemented in the communication control device. Similarly, each step described in FIG. 6 to FIG. 10 is not limited to the configuration implemented by each functional unit of the terminal device, as long as each step can be implemented in the terminal device.

  For example, you may comprise as a program module for performing each function in the terminal device 2. FIG. That is, a transmission request transmission module corresponding to the transmission request transmission unit 21, a response reception module corresponding to the response reception unit 22, an information reception module corresponding to the information reception unit 23, and means for storing charge information in the charge information storage unit 24 A charge management program comprising a corresponding charge information storage module, a charge information retrieval module corresponding to the charge information retrieval unit 25, and a confirmation information output module corresponding to the confirmation information output unit 26, and a computer system such as a portable terminal By reading the program, the same function as the terminal device 2 described above can be realized. The above charge management program is provided by being stored in a storage medium such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, or a ROM, or a semiconductor memory, for example. The charge management program described above may be provided via a network as a computer data signal superimposed on a carrier wave.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Charge management system, 2 ... Terminal device, 3 ... Communication control device, 21 ... Transmission request transmission part (transmission request transmission means), 22 ... Response reception part (response reception means), 23 ... Information reception part (information reception means) ), 24... Charge information storage unit (charge information storage unit), 25... Charge information search unit (charge information search unit), 26... Confirmation information output unit (confirmation information output unit), 31. (Receiving means), 32 ... Remaining amount calculating section (Remaining amount calculating means), 33 ... Response transmitting section (Response transmitting means), 34 ... Information transmitting section (Information transmitting means)

Claims (5)

A transmission request transmission means for transmitting a transmission request;
Response receiving means for receiving a response to the outgoing request transmitted by the outgoing request transmitting means;
An information receiving means for receiving charge information, which is information on the presence or absence of a balance of prepaid charges;
Charge information storage means for storing the charge information received by the information receiving means;
A charge information search means for determining whether or not charge expiration information, which is charge information indicating no remaining amount, is stored by searching the charge information storage means when the response received by the response reception means indicates rejection; ,
Confirmation information output means for outputting information for allowing the user to confirm the remaining amount when the charge information search means determines that the charge expiration information is stored in the charge information storage means;
A terminal device comprising: The information receiving means, when receiving the charge out information, stores a flag indicating no remaining amount in the charge information storage means as the charge out information,
The charge information search means determines whether or not the out-of-charge information is stored by searching whether or not a flag indicating no remaining amount is stored in the charge information storage means. The terminal device according to claim 1. When the response receiving unit receives a response indicating the rejection, it determines whether or not a predetermined code is included in the response,
2. The charge information search unit searches for whether or not the charge expiration information is stored in the charge information storage unit when the predetermined code is included in the response. Or the terminal device of 2. A charge management system comprising a terminal device and a communication control device for controlling communication of the terminal device, and managing a fee prepaid by the terminal,
The terminal device
A transmission request transmission means for transmitting a transmission request to the communication control device;
A response receiving means for receiving a response to the call request transmitted by the call request transmitting means from the communication control device;
Information receiving means for receiving, from the communication control device, charge information that is information relating to the presence or absence of a balance of a prepaid fee;
Charge information storage means for storing the charge information received by the information receiving means;
A charge information search means for determining whether or not charge expiration information, which is charge information indicating no remaining amount, is stored by searching the charge information storage means when the response received by the response reception means indicates rejection; ,
When it is determined by the charge information search means that the charge expiration information is stored in the charge information storage means, a confirmation information output means for outputting information for allowing the user to check the remaining amount, and
The communication control device includes:
Call request receiving means for receiving the call request transmitted from the terminal device;
A remaining amount calculating means for calculating and storing the remaining amount of the prepaid charge for the terminal device;
A response transmission unit configured to transmit a response to the call request received by the call request reception unit to the terminal device based on the remaining amount related to the terminal device stored by the remaining amount calculation unit;
An information transmission means for transmitting the charge information to the terminal device. In the terminal device,
An outgoing request sending step for sending an outgoing request;
A response reception step of receiving a response to the call request transmitted in the call request transmission step;
An information receiving step for receiving charge information, which is information about the presence or absence of a balance of prepaid charges;
A charge information storage step for storing the charge information received in the information reception step in a charge information storage means;
If the response received in the response reception step indicates rejection, a charge information search step of searching the charge information storage means to determine whether or not charge expiration information that is charge information indicating no remaining amount is stored. ,
A confirmation information output step for outputting information for allowing the user to confirm the remaining amount when it is determined in the charge information retrieval step that the charge expiration information is stored in the charge information storage means;
A charge management method comprising:

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