JP3424305B2 - Service billing method and device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a service charging method and apparatus for a software provider to charge a user in a software service using a public line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the development of communication networks, information network services using public lines capable of communicating digital information have rapidly spread. Software services are one of the services using such public lines. This service prepares paid product software (hereinafter referred to as software) to be serviced on the center computer of the service provider side, and supplies the software requested by the user to the terminal device on the user side through the public line. However, the system is such that the service provider collects the usage fee from the user.

As a technique related to the above-described software service, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-41930 discloses that the usage right of software is judged at the individual user level and the operation management of paid software is finely performed. An individual user right management system for paid software has been proposed. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-14109 proposes a software cost calculation method in which a charging means is provided for each user computer system. Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-336307 proposes a software usage fee calculation method in which usage information is collected every time the software is used by a terminal device on the user side and the fee is charged for the usage information.

[0004]

However, since the usage right management method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-41930 is to judge the usage right of software before executing the software, it is possible to use a public line to make an arbitrary decision. There is a drawback that it is not suitable for network services targeted at users. Further, in the cost calculation method of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-14109, it is necessary to install a charging means for each computer system of the user, and since the user counts the usage frequency, the data may be falsified. . Further, in the usage fee calculation method of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-336307, a charging means is required on the software user side as in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-14109, and data is encrypted to prevent tampering with the data in the charging means. However, there is a problem that the cost burden when constructing the system is large.

Further, in any of these methods, there is a problem that the service provider cannot collect the price of the legitimate software because the measures against the illegal copying by the user are insufficient.

According to the present invention, the charge information of the user side is centrally managed by the service provider side, so that the cost of the entire system can be reduced, and the illegal copy of the user and alteration of the charge information can be prevented. An object of the present invention is to provide a service charging method and device.

[0007]

A service billing device according to a first invention is the service billing device in a software service for supplying a product software requested by a user to a user's machine through a public line. The first code for inspecting the machine ID used by the user of the product software when the product software is executed and the use of the product software within the preset license period Code embedding means for embedding a second code for performing such inspection, database means for storing and managing information associating the used machine ID with the user ID of the user, and the first means by the code embedding means. Means for distributing the product code in which the above code and the second code are embedded to the user's machine When distributing the product software by the distributing means, a charge for the service of using the product software is calculated corresponding to the used machine ID and the license period, and the used machine ID is referred to by referring to the database means. And a charging means for charging a user having a user ID corresponding to the above based on the calculation result. In the service charging method according to the second invention, the product software group to be serviced is prepared in the center machine of the service provider side, and the product software requested by the user is used by the user from the center machine through the public line. In the service charging method in the software service supplied to the machine,
A first code for inspecting a machine ID used by a user of the product software when the product software is executed on the center machine and the use of the product software within a preset license period A second code for performing such a check is embedded in the product software, information that associates the used machine ID with the user ID of the user is stored and managed in a database, and the first code and the second code are stored. Distribute the product software in which the code is embedded from the center machine to the user's machine,
The machine used by the user checks the machine ID used by the user of the product software based on the first code when the product software is executed,
Based on the second code, it is inspected whether the use of the product software is within a preset license period, and the center machine distributes the product software by using the machine ID and the license. A charge for the service for using the product software is calculated according to the period, and a user having a user ID corresponding to the used machine ID is charged by referring to the database based on the calculation result. Characterize.

A service billing device according to the third invention is
In a service charging device in a software service for supplying a product software requested by a user to a user's machine through a public line, the use of the product software when the product software is executed A code for embedding a first code for inspecting a machine ID used by a user and a second code for performing control to notify the start and end of execution of the product software on the machine used by the user through the public line Embedding means, distribution means for distributing the product software in which the first code and the second code are embedded by the code embedding means to a user's machine, the machine ID and the second machine Start execution of the product software notified from the user's machine based on the code of Corresponds characterized by comprising a charging means for charging by calculating the price of the product software available services at completion. In the service charging method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the product software group to be serviced is prepared in the center machine of the service provider side, and the product software requested by the user is used by the user from the center machine through the public line. In a service charging method for a software service supplied to a machine, a first code for controlling an inspection of a machine ID used by a user of the product software when the product software is executed by the center machine, and the user. Embedding a second code in the product software for performing control for notifying execution start and end of the product software on the machine used by the public line, and the first code and the second code are Distribute the embedded product software from the center machine to the user's machine. And,
When the user machine executes the product software, the user machine checks the machine ID used by the user of the product software based on the first code, and the user machine checks the product software based on the second code. The start and end times of execution are notified to the center machine through the public line, and the center machine responds to the start and end of execution of the product software notified from the machine ID used and the machine used by the user. It is characterized in that a charge for the service for using the product software is calculated and charged.

[0009]

In the service billing apparatus and service billing method according to the first and second aspects of the invention, when the center machine receives an access request from the user, the fee calculation means responds to the request content declared by the user. The amount of money to be charged is calculated, and charging information including at least the calculated amount of charge is stored in the charging information storage means. On the other hand, in the software supplied to the user, a monitoring code for inspecting the used machine ID of the user and the period of use is embedded, and the software is transferred to the designated user machine.

According to this, since the charging information for each user can be centrally managed by the service provider side, it is not necessary to install a charging means or the like in the terminal device on the service user side, and the service is provided. It is possible to prevent users from tampering with billing information. Furthermore, the monitoring code embedded in the software can prevent unauthorized copying of the software and unauthorized use outside the period of use.

In the service billing apparatus and service billing method according to the third and fourth aspects, the center machine executes the software requested by the user when the software is executed / finished on the user machine. An accounting check code for establishing a connection with a machine and a monitor code for checking the machine ID used by the user are embedded, and the software is transferred to a designated user machine. When the user executes the software, a connection is established with the center machine by the billing inspection code, and the information about the establishment time of the connection is recorded by the recording means. Also, when the user finishes executing the software, a connection is established with the center machine by the charge inspection code,
Information about the establishment time of the connection is recorded by the recording means. When the information about the connection establishment time associated with the execution / termination of the software is recorded, the fee calculation means calculates the amount to be charged based on the information about the connection establishment time recorded by the recording means, and at least the calculated amount. The billing information including the billing amount is stored in the billing information storage means.

According to this, since the execution check / end time of the software is notified by the charge inspection code embedded in the software, it is possible to perform the charge according to the actual use time (pay-as-you-go charge). Further, since the charge information for each user can be managed by the service provider side, it is not necessary to install a charge means or the like on the terminal device of the service user side, and the tampering of the charge data by the service user can be prevented. Can be prevented. Further, the monitoring code embedded in the software can prevent unauthorized copying of the software.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of a service charging method and device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a network system to which a service charging apparatus and a service charging method according to the first invention and the second invention are applied. In FIG. 2, 11 is a center computer on the service provider side, 12 to 14 are computer systems on the service user side (hereinafter referred to as user computers), and 15 is a public computer connecting the user computers 12 to 14 and the center computer 11. Represents a line.

The user computers 12 to 14 correspond to personal computers and workstations arranged in offices and homes, and users can access the center computer 11 through these user computers.

The center computer 11 controls access to software from users and manages billing information and personal information of users who use the software. The center computer 11 is connected to a file device 16 that stores a software group to be serviced. The file device 16 can be composed of, for example, a large-capacity file server. The file device 16 may be connected to the public line 15 at a place different from the center computer 11.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the center computer 11. Center computer 1
1 comprises a data transmission / reception unit 17, a charge calculation unit 18, a billing information storage unit 19, and a service control unit 20.

The data transmission / reception unit 17 receives an access request from the user regarding the use of software through the interface (not shown) to the public line 15 and transmits / receives data such as software.

When the user takes out desired software from the center computer 11, the charge calculation unit 18
The amount to be charged is calculated according to the type of software and the license period. When using the software service, the user declares to the center computer 11 the type of software to be used along with the personal information and the license period for the software. The software usage fee is calculated according to the type of software declared by the user and the license period of the software, and is stored in the billing information storage unit 19. The license period declared at the time of use can be changed.
For example, when it is desired to extend (or shorten) the license period, the center computer 11 is notified of the new license period within the license period. Upon receiving this, the center computer 11 transfers the software with the rewritten license period rewritten to the user. The fee calculation unit 18 calculates a premium (or discount) charge amount according to the updated license period, and rewrites the item of the charge amount of the user.

In this embodiment, the charge amount is calculated according to the type of software and the license period, but the charging conditions are not limited to the type of software and the license period, and other conditions may be used. You may make it calculate based on.

The billing information storage unit 19 includes the charge calculation unit 1
The billing information including the billing amount calculated in 8 is stored in the billing information database, and at the same time, the personal information of the user is stored in the personal information database.

In this embodiment, the center computer 11
Users who want to use software managed by
As a general rule, personal information of each user such as identity data about each user, telephone number or machine ID to which the user computer is connected, account number of the financial institution to which the software usage fee is deducted is personal. Stored in the information database. Therefore, when the user takes out the software, it is judged whether the user is a registered user or not, but this is not for judging the right to use the software, but the system has already been used. It is to know whether or not the user is a user. Therefore, when the accessing user is a new user, a new entry is created in the billing information database or the personal information database according to a predetermined procedure. These databases can also be managed by a database system (not shown) connected to the center computer 11.

An example of the structure of the billing information database is shown in FIG. Items such as user ID, software used, license period (unit: month), usage start date, whether or not the period is updated, and amount of charge are set in the charge information database, and these charge information are set for each user. Will be recorded in the entered entry. Further, FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the personal information database. In the personal information database, settings such as user ID, host ID (machine ID used by the user), user name, address, telephone number, account number, and number of times of use are prepared. It is recorded in the entry set for each. In addition to the above, the personal information database may also record information such as the usage fee billing method and method, information on services such as discounts, the OS used on the user computer, and the usage environment of software. Good. For the contents recorded in these databases,
Additions, changes, corrections, etc. can be made as necessary.

The service control unit 20 includes the data transmission / reception unit 1
It interprets the access request and the like regarding the use of the software received from the user accepted in 7, and executes the software service regarding the software requested by the user. Also, a monitoring code for checking the machine ID of the user and the license period is embedded in the software extracted by the user, and the software is transferred to the designated user computer. The machine ID used by the user and the license period are set based on the usage conditions recorded in the billing information database or the personal information database.

FIG. 5 schematically shows software in which the monitoring code is embedded. In FIG. 5, the machine I used is included in the program data 31 of the software.
An instruction code 32 for D inspection and an instruction code 33 for license period inspection are embedded. When the software is executed on the user computer, the machine ID of the user computer is read by the instruction code 32 for checking the machine ID used.
Is inspected. This makes it possible to prevent the software from being illegally copied and used on another terminal device. Similarly, the instruction code 33 for checking the license period checks whether the date and time when the software is executed is within the license period specified by the user. This makes it possible to prevent the software from being illegally used beyond the licensed period. In addition, the machine ID is checked by the inspection code.
If the two do not match, or if the expiration of the license period is found, the management program included in the monitoring code stops the operation of the software, or automatically notifies the center computer 11 I do.

Next, the processing procedure of the center computer 11 when receiving an access request regarding the use of software from the user will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the service control unit 20 determines whether or not the user who has requested the access is a user who is already registered in the billing information database of the billing information storage unit 19 (step 101). If the user is not registered,
The process proceeds to a process for newly registering in the billing information database and the personal information database of the billing information storage unit 19 (step 102). If the user is registered, the request content from the user is accepted and passed to the charge calculation unit 18 (step 103). The charge calculation unit 18 checks the request content passed from the service control unit 20, calculates the amount of money to be charged according to the type of software requested by the user and the license period, and together with the received information, the charge information database. (Step 104). At this time, the contents of the personal information database can be rewritten if necessary. Next, the service control unit 2
0 reads out the software requested by the user from the file device 16, embeds a monitoring code for checking the user's machine ID and the license period (step 105), and the data transmitting / receiving unit 17 through the public line 15 , Is transferred to the designated user computer (step 106). After that, it is determined whether or not there is a receipt confirmation from the user (step 107), and the process ends when the receipt confirmation is received.

According to the network system of the first embodiment described above, the charging information and the personal information for each user can be managed in the database on the service provider side, so that the terminal device on the service user side is charged with a charging means. Need not be installed, nor is it necessary to visit service users to confirm billing information. Further, it is possible to prevent the service user from tampering with the billing information. Furthermore, the monitoring code embedded in the software can prevent unauthorized copying of the software and unauthorized use beyond the license period.

In the first embodiment, the monitoring code embedded in the software is used to check the machine ID used and the license period, but the monitoring code is made to check the actual usage time (cumulative time) of the software. The operation of the software may be stopped when the specified time has elapsed.

Also, when the charge information database of each user is periodically (for example, monthly) checked and it is judged that the charge is required (when a certain amount of money is exceeded, etc.), it is automatically designated. You can choose to withdraw that amount from your account.

Embodiment 2 Next, an embodiment of a network system to which the service billing apparatus and service billing method according to the third and fourth inventions are applied will be described with reference to FIGS.
The overall configuration of the network system of this embodiment is the same as that of the network system of the first embodiment described above (FIG. 2), and there are differences in the configuration of the center computer 11 and the code embedded in the software. . Therefore, in the second embodiment, the center computer 11 of FIG. 2 is replaced with the center computer 21 described below. Further, the same reference numerals are used for other common configurations.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the center computer 21 used in the network system of the second embodiment. The center computer 21 includes a data transmitter / receiver 22, a connection recorder 23, a charge calculator 24, a billing information storage 25, and a service controller 26.

The data transmission / reception unit 22 accepts an access request from the user regarding the use of software and a connection request from the user computer through an interface (not shown) to the public line 15, and transmits / receives data such as software.

The connection recording section 23 is a time for establishing a connection automatically established with the user computer when the software read by the user is executed and when the execution of the software is completed. Record information about. In this embodiment, the establishment time of the connection that occurs each time the software is executed / finished is recorded as the execution start time / execution end time of the software. However, the method of recording the information regarding the connection establishment time is not limited to this, and any method may be used as long as it can calculate the actual usage time of the software. For example, the time when the connection is established due to the execution of the software may be set to 0, and the time from that time to the time when the connection is established due to the termination of the software may be recorded.

The charge calculation unit 24 is the connection recording unit 2
The actual usage time is calculated from the difference between the execution start time and the execution end time of the software recorded in 3, and the amount to be charged is calculated based on the calculated usage time. The charge amount is set based on, for example, a fee per minute (or time) of the software, and is calculated based on this amount. In addition,
The connection recording unit 23 may calculate the actual usage time, and the charge calculation unit 24 may obtain only the result.

The billing information storage unit 25 stores the billing information including the billing amount calculated by the fee calculation unit 24 in the billing time database, and at the same time stores the personal information of the user in the personal information database.

Also in this embodiment, the user who wants to use the software managed by the center computer 21 is registered in advance in principle, and the personal information about each user is stored in the personal information database. If the user is a new user, a new entry is created in the billing time database or the personal information database according to a predetermined procedure. These databases can also be managed by a database system (not shown) connected to the center computer 21.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the structure of the charging time database. In the billing time database, items of user ID and software name used are set, and the usage time (unit: minutes) calculated for each software is recorded. In the personal information database, the user ID,
Items such as the user's name, address, telephone number, and billing amount for each month are set, and these personal information is recorded in the entry set for each user. Further, FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of the personal information database. Other service information items may be set in the personal information database as in the first embodiment described above. Further, as described above, the contents recorded in these databases can be added, changed, corrected, etc., if necessary.

The service control unit 26 includes the data transmission / reception unit 2
Interpret the access request regarding the use of the software from the user accepted in step 2, and execute the software service regarding the software requested by the user. Further, in the software extracted by the user, a charging inspection code for establishing a connection with the center computer 21 when the software is executed on the user computer and when the execution is completed, and a user. And a monitoring code for inspecting the machine ID used, and transfer the software to a designated user computer.

FIG. 10 schematically shows the software in which the charging inspection code and the monitoring code are embedded.
In FIG. 10, program data 41 of software
There is an instruction code 42 for billing inspection.
And an instruction code 43 for checking the used machine ID is embedded. When the software is executed on the user computer, a connection is established with the center computer by the charge inspection instruction code 42, and the execution start time of the software is recorded in the connection recording unit 23. Further, when the software execution is completed on the user computer, a connection is established with the center computer by the charge inspection instruction code 42, and the connection execution unit 23 records the software execution end time. As a result, the service provider can accurately grasp the software usage time of the service user, and can charge the user according to the actual usage time. The instruction code monitoring code for checking the used machine ID is the same as that in the first embodiment, and therefore its explanation is omitted.

Next, a desired software is read from the center computer and the processing procedure in the user computer when executing this software and the processing in the center computer 21 when the software supplied to the user computer is executed The procedure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, when the software for accessing the center computer 21 is activated on the user computer, the dial is called to the center computer 21, and the connection is established between the two computers by the modem (step 201). This allows the user to freely access (copy, etc.) the software stored in the file device 16 of the center computer 21.
can do. The user searches for the required software and installs it on his or her user computer (step 202). After installing the software,
The software for accessing the center computer 21 is terminated, and the connection between the computers is released (step 203).

After that, when the software installed in the user computer is executed, a connection is established with the center computer 21 by the charge inspection code (step 204).

In the center computer 21, when the connection accompanying the execution of the software supplied to the user is established, the connection recording unit 23 records the execution start time of the software with the user and releases the connection (step 301).

After this, the user can freely use the software. Now, when the user finishes using the software, a connection is established with the center computer 21 by the charge inspection code (step 2).
05).

In the center computer 21, when a connection is established due to the end of the software supplied to the user, the connection recording unit 23 records the execution end time of the user and the software and releases the connection (step 302). Thereafter, the charge calculation unit 24 of the center computer 21 calculates the amount to be charged based on the usage time of the user recorded in the connection recording unit 23,
It is stored in the billing information storage unit 25 for each user.

According to the network system of the second embodiment described above, since the service provider side can manage the charging information for each user, it is necessary to install a charging means or the like in the terminal device on the service user side. No need to visit service users to verify billing information. Further, it is possible to prevent alteration of billing data by the service user. Furthermore, the billing inspection code embedded in the software can prevent unauthorized copying of the software.

In the second embodiment, the software stored in the file device on the service provider side is installed on the computer of the service user by the service user.
When the speed of public lines such as telephone lines is increased in the future, it is conceivable that the software stored in the file device is directly executed (downloaded) on the user's computer. In this way, if the software is executed on the user's computer, the user does not need to install the software on his or her own computer, nor does it need to prepare a hard disk or the like for storing the software. In particular, in recent years, software with a capacity of 30 MB has emerged,
In some cases, it is necessary for the user to prepare a large-capacity hard disk, but by placing the software on the large-capacity file server of the service provider, the financial burden on the service user can be reduced. By the way, even if the software is executed on the computer on the user side, it is possible to charge each user according to the processing procedure described in the second embodiment.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the example of the service for providing the software to the user has been described, but the service billing method and apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to services other than software. An example is shown below.

(1) Service that provides disk capacity of large-capacity file server A service that allows files of service users to be stored in the large-capacity file server via a telephone line and read from the large-capacity file server. Billing system. In this case, the charge amount can be calculated from the access time of the user to the large capacity file server, the size of the usage area, and the like.

(2) Service for providing translation A billing system for a service of translating a document of a service user into a desired language by transferring the document of the service user to a translation machine managed by the service provider through a telephone line. The charge amount in this case can be calculated from the access time of the user to the translation machine.

[0052]

According to the service billing apparatus and service billing method of the first and second aspects of the present invention, when the software is taken out from the center machine, it is determined according to the type of the software supplied to the user and the license period. Since the billing is performed, the billing information for each user can be centrally managed on the service provider side. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a charging means or the like in the terminal device on the service user side, and it is possible to prevent the service user from falsifying the charging information. Further, since the monitoring code is embedded in the software supplied to the user and the user's machine ID and license period are inspected, illegal copy of the software or unauthorized use beyond the license period is prevented. be able to.

In the service billing apparatus and service billing method according to the third and fourth inventions, the billing check code for notifying the center machine of the execution state of the software is embedded in the software supplied to the user, and the actual usage time is Since the billing is performed according to the above, the billing information for each user can be centrally managed on the service provider side. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a charging means or the like in the terminal device on the service user side, and it is possible to prevent the service user from falsifying the charging information.
Further, since the monitoring code is embedded in the software supplied to the user to check the machine ID used by the user, it is possible to prevent illegal copying of the software.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a center computer according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of a network system according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a billing information database.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a personal information database.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of software with embedded monitoring code.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the center computer.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a center computer according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a charging time database.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a personal information database.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of software in which a billing inspection code and the like are embedded.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a user computer and a center computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

11, 21 ... Center computer, 12-14 ... User computer, 15 ... Public line, 16 ... File device,
17, 22 ... Data transmission / reception unit, 18, 24 ... Charge calculation unit, 19, 25 ... Billing information storage unit, 20, 26 ... Service control unit, 23 ... Connection recording unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── --- Continuation of the front page (56) Reference JP-A-5-134949 (JP, A) JP-A-58-87631 (JP, A) JP-A-3-75855 (JP, A) JP-A-6- 4479 (JP, A) JP-A-6-230847 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 1/00 G06F 13/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A service billing device in a software service for supplying product software requested by a user to a user's machine through a public line, wherein the product software is executed when the product software is executed. Machine ID used by product software user
Code embedding means for embedding a first code for inspecting the product and a second code for inspecting whether the use of the product software is within a preset license period, the use machine ID and the user Database means for storing and managing information associated with the user ID of the first code and the second code by the code embedding means.
Distribution means for distributing the product software having the code embedded therein to a user's machine, and the product software corresponding to the used machine ID and the license period when distributing the product software by the distribution means. Calculate the fee for the wear service and refer to the database means to use the machine I
A service charging apparatus, comprising: a charging unit that charges a user having a user ID corresponding to D based on the calculation result. 2. A software service in which a product software group to be serviced is prepared in a center machine of a service provider side, and the product software requested by the user is supplied from the center machine to a machine used by the user through a public line. In the service charging method according to the first aspect, a first code for inspecting a machine ID used by a user of the product software when the product software is executed on the center machine and use of the product software are preset. A second code for inspecting whether it is within the expiration date of the license period is embedded in the product software, information that associates the used machine ID with the user ID of the user is stored and managed in a database, and the first code is stored. The product software in which the code and the second code are embedded is the center machine. To the machine used by the user, the machine used by the user checks the machine ID used by the user of the product software based on the first code when the product software is executed. ,
Based on the second code, the use of the product software is checked whether it is within a preset license period, and the center machine distributes the product software by using the machine ID and the license. A charge for the service for using the product software is calculated according to the period, and a user having a user ID corresponding to the used machine ID is charged by referring to the database based on the calculation result. Characteristic service billing method. 3. A service billing device in a software service for supplying product software requested by a user to a user's machine through a public line, wherein the product software is executed when the product software is executed. Machine ID used by product software user
A code embedding means for embedding a first code for inspecting the above and a second code for performing control for notifying the start and end of execution of the product software on the machine used by the user through the public line; The first code and the second code are embedded by the code embedding means.
Distribution means for distributing the product software in which the above code is embedded to the machine used by the user, and the execution of the product software notified from the machine used by the user based on the machine ID used and the second code. A service billing device, comprising: a billing unit that computes and bills a fee for using the product software in response to start and end. 4. A software service in which a product software group to be serviced is prepared in a center machine of a service provider side, and the product software requested by the user is supplied from the center machine to a user's machine through a public line. In the service billing method according to the first aspect, a first code for controlling an inspection of a machine ID used by a user of the product software when the product software is executed on the center machine and a machine used by the user are provided. A second code is embedded in the product software for performing control of notifying the start and end of execution of the product software through the public line, and the product software in which the first code and the second code are embedded. Is distributed from the center machine to the user's machine, and the user machine is When the product software is executed, the machine ID used by the user of the product software is checked based on the first code, and the execution start and end of the product software are executed based on the second code. Time is notified to the center machine through the public line, and the center machine responds to the machine ID of the user and the product software corresponding to the start and end of execution of the product software notified from the machine used by the user. A service billing method, characterized in that a fee for the service used by is calculated and billed.