JP3589625B2 - Communication billing system - Google Patents

Communication billing system Download PDF

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JP3589625B2
JP3589625B2 JP2000256334A JP2000256334A JP3589625B2 JP 3589625 B2 JP3589625 B2 JP 3589625B2 JP 2000256334 A JP2000256334 A JP 2000256334A JP 2000256334 A JP2000256334 A JP 2000256334A JP 3589625 B2 JP3589625 B2 JP 3589625B2
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base station
wireless base
communication
wireless
private
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JP2002077462A (en
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悟志 宗田
聡 相河
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Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp
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Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp
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Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、無線端末が無線基地局を経由して通信網に接続される無線通信システムにおいて、無線基地局を通信事業者以外の者が設置して所有する場合に、その無線基地局の所有者に支払う基地局使用料金を算出するための通信料金課金システムに関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図９は、従来の無線通信システムの構成例を示す。図において、携帯電話やＰＨＳに代表される無線通信システムは、通信網１に複数の無線基地局２−１，２−２を接続し、ユーザが所有する無線端末３は無線基地局２−１，２−２のいずれかを介して通信網１に接続する構成になっている。通信網１に接続される基地局制御装置４は、例えば通信中の無線端末３が無線基地局２−１の無線ゾーンから無線基地局２−２の無線ゾーンに移動したときに、公知のハンドオーバ制御により無線端末３との接続を行う無線基地局を無線基地局２−１から無線基地局２−２へ切り替える処理を行う。
【０００３】
また、通信網１には、無線端末３の認証および回線使用料金の課金処理を行う認証課金装置５が接続される。さらに、この通信網１には他の通信網（電話回線やインターネット）６が接続される場合もある。
【０００４】
このような従来の無線通信システムは、少なくとも通信網１と無線基地局２−１，２−２は同じ通信事業者により運営されている。したがって、認証課金装置５は、無線端末３と無線基地局２との間の無線回線、無線基地局２、通信網１を一体とした通信回線の使用料金（回線使用料金）を課金処理しており、ハンドオーバにより無線基地局が切り替わった場合でも無線端末３との回線が接続されている限り課金が継続される。通信事業者は、この認証課金装置５の課金データに基づき、回線使用料金をユーザに請求するようになっている。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところで、以下に説明する事情により無線基地局（アクセスポイント）の増設が必要とされるが、通信事業者がそれに応えて多くの無線基地局を設置することは経済的に困難な状況も予想される。このような場合に、通信事業者以外の者が無線基地局を設置し、通信事業者の通信網に接続する形態が考えられる。なお、通信事業者以外で無線基地局を所有する者を「基地局所有者」といい、通信事業者が所有する無線基地局を単に「無線基地局」、基地局所有者が所有する無線基地局を「私設無線基地局」という。このとき、基地局所有者に支払う基地局使用料金の算出手段が必要になる。
【０００６】
ここで、無線基地局の増設が必要になる２例について説明する。一般的な無線通信システムは、周波数を有効に利用するために１つの無線基地局の無線ゾーン（セル）を小さくし、同一周波数を繰り返し利用するセルラー方式を使用している。そのため、無線通信システムがカバーするエリアを広くするには、多くの無線基地局を設置してゆく必要がある。これが第１の増設例である。
【０００７】
また、無線通信システムは、音声通信に限らずインターネット等でデータ通信にも利用されている。このデータ通信では、音声通信よりも信号伝送速度の高速化が要求されており、無線端末でも信号処理速度の上昇のために消費電力が大きくなっている。しかし、消費電力の上昇は、無線端末のバッテリーの持続時間および端末の小型軽量化に大きな障害となる。そのため、無線端末の送信電力を小さくして消費電力を低減する方法が考えられている。
【０００８】
しかし、無線端末の送信電力を小さくすると、１つの無線基地局の無線ゾーンを小さくする必要があり、同一面積に対して多くの無線基地局が必要になる。すなわち、無線基地局を密に多数設置することにより、無線端末の送信電力および消費電力の低減が可能になるという仕組みである。これが第２の増設例である。
【０００９】
本発明は、以上説明したような理由で無線基地局の増設が必要であるにもかかわらず、通信事業者による増設が見込めない状況において、基地局所有者による私設無線基地局の設置および通信網への接続を認めた場合に、基地局所有者に支払うための基地局使用料金の課金処理を可能とする通信料金課金システムを提供することを目的とする。
【００１０】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１に記載の発明は、任意の無線端末と無線回線を介して接続する無線基地局と、無線基地局を介して無線端末と通信を行う通信網と、無線端末から通知される識別番号により通信網に接続のための認証を行い、無線端末が無線基地局を介して通信網に接続したときの回線使用料金を算出する認証課金装置とを備えた通信料金課金システムにおいて、無線基地局および通信網を所有する通信事業者以外の者が所有する私設無線基地局が通信網に接続され、無線端末がその私設無線基地局を介して通信網に接続されるときに、その私設無線基地局の使用に関わる基地局使用料金を算出する基地局課金装置を備える。
【００１１】
ここで、基地局課金装置は、認証課金装置が管理する通信時間または通信データ量と、私設無線基地局から通知される識別番号を基に、私設無線基地局の使用に関わる基地局使用料金を算出する構成である（請求項２）。また、基地局課金装置は、認証課金装置が認証した無線端末の識別番号と、私設無線基地局から通知される識別番号を基に、私設無線基地局のアクセス回数に応じて基地局使用料金を算出する構成である（請求項３）。
【００１２】
さらに、基地局課金装置は、私設無線基地局の識別番号を基に、私設無線基地局ごとに基地局使用料金を算出し、私設無線基地局の所有者ごとに基地局使用料金を集計する構成（請求項４）、または私設無線基地局の識別番号を基に、私設無線基地局の所有者ごとに基地局使用料金を算出する構成としてもよい（請求項５）。
【００１３】
以上の通信料金課金システムは、認証課金装置が無線基地局および私設無線基地局を含む回線使用料金の課金を行い、基地局課金装置が私設無線基地局の基地局使用料金の課金を行う構成である。一方、以下に示す通信料金課金システムは、認証課金装置が無線基地局および私設無線基地局を除く回線使用料金の課金を行い、基地局課金装置が無線基地局および私設無線基地局の区別なく基地局使用料金の課金を行う構成である。
【００１４】
請求項６に記載の発明は、任意の無線端末と無線回線を介して接続する無線基地局と、無線基地局を介して無線端末と通信を行う通信網と、無線端末から通知される識別番号により通信網に接続のための認証を行い、無線端末が無線基地局を介して通信網に接続したときの回線使用料金を算出する認証課金装置とを備えた通信料金課金システムにおいて、認証課金装置は、回線使用料金として無線端末と無線基地局との間の無線回線および通信網の使用に関わる料金を算出する構成とし、さらに、無線基地局の使用に関わる基地局使用料金を回線使用料金とは別に算出する基地局課金装置を備え、無線基地局および通信網を所有する通信事業者以外の者が所有する私設無線基地局が通信網に接続され、無線端末がその私設無線基地局を介して通信網に接続されるときに、基地局課金装置が私設無線基地局の使用に関わる基地局使用料金を算出する構成である。
【００１５】
ここで、基地局課金装置は、認証課金装置が管理する通信時間または通信データ量と、無線基地局および私設無線基地局から通知される識別番号を基に、無線基地局および私設無線基地局の使用に関わる基地局使用料金を算出する構成である（請求項７）。また、基地局課金装置は、認証課金装置が認証した無線端末の識別番号と、無線基地局および私設無線基地局から通知される識別番号を基に、無線基地局および私設無線基地局のアクセス回数に応じて基地局使用料金を算出する構成である（請求項８）。
【００１６】
さらに、基地局課金装置は、無線基地局および私設無線基地局の識別番号を基に、無線基地局および私設無線基地局ごとに基地局使用料金を算出し、無線基地局および私設無線基地局の所有者ごとに基地局使用料金を集計する構成（請求項９）、または無線基地局および私設無線基地局の識別番号を基に、無線基地局および私設無線基地局の所有者ごとに基地局使用料金を算出する構成としてもよい（請求項１０）。
【００１７】
【発明の実施の形態】
（第１の実施形態：請求項１）
図１は、本発明の通信料金課金システムの第１の実施形態を示す。図において、通信網１には、通信事業者が所有する複数の無線基地局２−１，２−２と、基地局所有者が所有する複数の私設無線基地局７−１，７−２が接続される。ユーザが所有する無線端末３は、無線基地局２−１，２−２および私設無線基地局７−１，７−２のいずれかを介して通信網１に接続される。この通信網１には他の通信網（電話回線やインターネット）６が接続されてもよい。また、通信網１には、無線端末３の認証および回線使用料金の課金処理を行う認証課金装置５と、基地局所有者が所有する私設無線基地局７の使用料金の課金処理を行う基地局課金装置８が接続される。
【００１８】
ここで、通信網１、無線基地局２−１，２−２、無線端末３および認証課金装置５は、従来システムと同様に機能する。特に、認証課金装置５は、無線基地局または私設無線基地局に関わらず従来通りに回線使用料金の課金処理を行うものとする。また、無線端末３は、無線基地局または私設無線基地局に関わらず通常の接続処理を行うものとする。
【００１９】
本発明の特徴は、私設無線基地局７−１，７−２を介する通信に対して、基地局課金装置８がその使用料金の課金処理を行うところにある。そのために、基地局課金装置８には、認証課金装置５から回線使用時間の情報が入力され、使用中の私設無線基地局７−１，７−２から識別番号が入力される構成になっている。
【００２０】
以下、図１および図２に示すフローチャートを参照して本実施形態の処理の流れについて説明する。なお、通信事業者が所有する無線基地局２−１，２−２を介する通信の場合は従来と同様であり基地局課金装置８は起動しないので、ここでは私設無線基地局７−１を介する通信の課金処理について説明する。
【００２１】
ユーザが本無線通信システムを使用してデータ通信を行う場合、まず無線端末３と私設無線基地局７−１との間で無線回線が接続される（図２：Ｓ１）。次に、無線端末３は、個々の無線端末に付与された識別番号を私設無線基地局７−１および通信網１を介して認証課金装置５に伝送する（Ｓ２）。認証課金装置５では、無線端末３の識別番号と予め登録された識別番号とを照合し、認証するか否か判断する（Ｓ３）。ここで、認証できない場合には、認証課金装置５から通知された私設無線基地局７−１が無線端末３との無線回線を切断する（Ｓ６）。
【００２２】
一方、認証できた場合には、認証課金装置５は無線および有線を含めた回線使用時間に応じて回線使用料金を計算するため、認証後に課金処理を開始する（Ｓ４）。また、この時点より無線端末３も通信が可能となる。認証課金装置５は課金処理を開始すると、回線使用時間の情報を基地局課金装置８に伝送する。また、私設無線基地局７−１は、個々の無線基地局に付与された識別番号を基地局課金装置８に伝送する。基地局課金装置８は、私設無線基地局７−１からの識別番号と認証課金装置５の回線使用時間情報を基に、私設無線基地局７−１に関する基地局使用料金の課金処理を行う（Ｓ５）。このように、認証課金装置５と基地局課金装置８は並行して動作し、無線端末３と私設無線基地局７−１との無線回線が切断されたときに両動作は終了する。
【００２３】
通信事業者は、認証課金装置５によりユーザの回線使用料金を把握し、基地局課金装置８により私設無線基地局７−１の基地局使用料金を把握することができる。そこで、通信事業者は、ユーザから回線使用料金を徴収し、その中に含まれる基地局使用料金を基地局所有者に分配する。
【００２４】
（第２の実施形態：請求項１〜５）
図３は、本発明の通信料金課金システムの第２の実施形態を示す。本実施形態の構成は、第１の実施形態における通信網１に基地局制御装置４を接続し、無線基地局のハンドオーバ処理を可能にしたものである。その他の構成は、第１の実施形態と同様である。
【００２５】
なお、ハンドオーバの形態は、▲１▼通信事業者が所有する無線基地局間、▲２▼同一の基地局所有者が所有する私設無線基地局間、▲３▼通信事業者が所有する無線基地局と基地局所有者が所有する私設無線基地局との間、▲４▼基地局所有者Ａが所有する私設無線基地局と基地局所有者Ｂが所有する私設無線基地局との間などに分類される。ここで、ハンドオーバ形態▲１▼は従来通りであり、基地局課金装置８は起動しないので説明は省略する。
【００２６】
以下、図３および図４に示すフローチャートを参照して本実施形態の処理の流れについて説明する。ここでは、まず上記のハンドオーバ形態▲４▼の場合の課金処理について説明する。
【００２７】
ユーザが本無線通信システムを使用してデータ通信を行う場合に、無線端末３と私設無線基地局７−１との間に無線回線が接続され、認証課金装置５が回線使用料金の課金処理を開始し、基地局課金装置８が私設無線基地局７−１に関する基地局使用料金の課金処理を開始する手順（Ｓ１〜Ｓ５）は、第１の実施形態と同様である。
【００２８】
ここで、無線端末３が私設無線基地局７−１の無線ゾーンから私設無線基地局７−２の無線ゾーンへ移動し、ハンドオーバにより私設無線基地局７−２との接続に切り替わる（Ｓ７）。このとき、基地局課金装置８に私設無線基地局７−１からの識別番号に代わり、無線基地局７−２から識別番号が入力される。これにより、私設無線基地局７−１に関する基地局使用料金の課金処理を終了し、私設無線基地局７−２に関する基地局使用料金の課金処理を開始する（Ｓ８）。このように、認証課金装置５と基地局課金装置８は並行して動作し、無線端末３と私設無線基地局７−２との無線回線が切断されたときに両動作は終了する。
【００２９】
通信事業者は、認証課金装置５によりユーザの回線使用料金を把握し、基地局課金装置８により私設無線基地局７−１，７−２の基地局使用料金をそれぞれ把握することができる。そこで、通信事業者は、ユーザから回線使用料金を徴収し、その中に含まれる基地局使用料金を基地局所有者Ａ，Ｂに分配する。
【００３０】
また、▲２▼同一の基地局所有者が所有する私設無線基地局間のハンドオーバの場合には、私設無線基地局７−１に対して課金された基地局使用料金と、私設無線基地局７−２に対して課金された基地局使用料金は、結局は同一の基地局所有者に支払われるものである。したがって、基地局課金装置８は、私設無線基地局７−１，７−２ごとに課金された基地局使用料金を基地局所有者ごとに集計する処理を行ってもよい。あるいは、私設無線基地局の識別番号からわかる基地局所有者単位に基地局使用料金の課金処理を行うようにしてもよい。後者の場合には、同一の基地局所有者が所有する私設無線基地局間のハンドオーバであれば、課金されている基地局使用料金は積算されていく。
【００３１】
また、▲３▼通信事業者が所有する無線基地局と基地局所有者が所有する私設無線基地局との間のハンドオーバの場合には、基地局課金装置８は基地局所有者が所有する私設無線基地局から識別番号が入力されたときに、認証課金装置５から得られる回線使用時間情報をもとに課金処理を開始する。そして、無線端末と私設無線基地局との無線回線が切断された場合や、通信事業者が所有する無線基地局にハンドオーバしたときに、課金処理を終了する。これにより、基地局所有者が所有する私設無線基地局に対する基地局使用料金のみを把握することができる。
【００３２】
（ハンドオーバ時の基地局使用料金の算出基準）
図５は、ハンドオーバ時の各無線基地局を介する回線使用時間を示す（請求項２）。図において、（１） は無線端末３の使用時間、（２） は無線基地局Ａの使用時間、（３） は無線基地局Ｂの使用時間を示す。時間ｘで無線基地局Ａから無線基地局Ｂへハンドオーバしている例である。この回線使用時間は認証課金装置５が管理している。
【００３３】
図６は、ハンドオーバ時の各無線基地局を介する通信データ量を示す（請求項２）。図において、（１） は無線端末３の通信データ量（ａ＋ｂ）、（２） は無線基地局Ａを介する通信データ量ａ、（３） は無線基地局Ｂを介する通信データ量ｂを示す。この通信データ量は認証課金装置５が測定している。
【００３４】
ハンドオーバ形態▲１▼では、無線基地局Ａ，Ｂが共に通信事業者の所有であり、基地局課金装置８は基地局使用料金を課金しない。
ハンドオーバ形態▲２▼では、無線基地局Ａ，Ｂがともに同一の基地局所有者の所有する私設無線基地局であり、基地局課金装置８は、基地局識別番号に基づいて時間ｘまたは通信データ量ａに応じた基地局使用料金と、時間（ｙ−ｘ）または通信データ量ｂに応じた基地局使用料金をそれぞれ算出して合計するか、基地局識別番号から同一の基地局所有者であると判断して時間ｙまたは通信データ量（ａ＋ｂ）に応じた基地局使用料金を算出する。
【００３５】
ハンドオーバ形態▲３▼では、例えば無線基地局Ａが通信事業者の所有とし、無線基地局Ｂが基地局所有者の所有する私設無線基地局とすると、基地局課金装置８は、基地局識別番号に基づいて時間（ｙ−ｘ）または通信データ量ｂに応じた基地局使用料金を算出する。
【００３６】
ハンドオーバ形態▲４▼では、例えば無線基地局Ａが基地局所有者Ａの所有する私設無線基地局とし、無線基地局Ｂが基地局所有者Ｂの所有する私設無線基地局とすると、基地局課金装置８は、基地局識別番号に基づいて時間ｘまたは通信データ量ａに応じた基地局使用料金と、時間（ｙ−ｘ）または通信データ量ｂに応じた基地局使用料金をそれぞれ算出する。
【００３７】
また、基地局課金装置８は、ハンドオーバする無線基地局Ａ，Ｂに対して、回線使用時間および通信データ量ではなく、無線基地局のアクセス回数をカウントするようにしてもよい（請求項３）。これは、認証課金装置５が認証した無線端末３の識別番号と、私設無線基地局Ａに対応する基地局識別番号により、私設無線基地局Ａのアクセス回数を「１」とカウントする。次に、私設無線基地局Ｂにハンドオーバすると、私設無線基地局Ｂのアクセス回数を「１」とカウントする。これにより、回線使用時間や通信データ量に関わらず、私設無線基地局のアクセス回数だけで基地局使用料金が算出されることになる。
【００３８】
図７は、第１の実施形態および第２の実施形態における認証課金装置５と基地局課金装置８の課金範囲を示す。この課金範囲が請求項１（請求項２〜５）の特徴とするところである。
【００３９】
図において、認証課金装置５は、無線基地局２または私設無線基地局７に関わらず、従来通りに無線端末３と通信網１との間で回線使用料金Ｃの課金処理を行う。基地局課金装置８は、私設無線基地局７を介する通信に対して、上記の回線使用時間、通信データ量、アクセス回数により基地局使用料金Ｄの課金処理を行う。
【００４０】
これにより、基地局所有者の私設無線基地局７を介する通信の場合には、認証課金装置５が算出する回線使用料金Ｃの中に、基地局課金装置８が算出する基地局使用料金Ｄが含まれることになる。したがって、通信事業者にＣ−Ｄが支払われ、基地局所有者に基地局使用料金Ｄが支払われる。一方、通信事業者の無線基地局２を介する通信の場合には、回線使用料金Ｃが通信事業者に支払われる。また、上述したハンドオーバの４つの形態に対しては、基地局使用料金Ｄについて各私設無線基地局７に対して個別に課金処理することにより、各基地局所有者に対応する基地局使用料金を算出することができる。
【００４１】
この実施形態では、従来の課金システムに基地局課金装置８を付加するだけで新たな通信料金課金システムが構成される。したがって、図１，３の構成では、基地局課金装置８を通信網１に接続する構成としたが、各私設無線基地局７に接続する構成としても、同様に私設無線基地局７に対する課金処理を行うことができる。ただし、この場合には、基地局課金装置８はそれぞれ接続された私設無線基地局７の識別番号を認識しており、私設無線基地局７から基地局課金装置８への識別番号伝送が不要となる。そのため、時間課金の場合には、ハンドオーバしたときに基地局制御装置４からその旨の通知を受け、課金処理の開始、終了を制御する必要がある。
【００４２】
（第３の実施形態：請求項６〜１０）
図８は、第３の実施形態における認証課金装置５と基地局課金装置８の課金範囲を示す。この課金範囲が請求項６（請求項７〜１０）の特徴とするところである。なお、本実施形態は、第１の実施形態および第２の実施形態に対して、認証課金装置５および基地局課金装置８の処理内容が異なるものであり、図１または図３のシステム構成および図２または図４の処理フローはそのまま適用可能である。
【００４３】
図８において、認証課金装置５は、無線端末３と無線基地局２または私設無線基地局７との間の無線回線および通信網１の回線使用料金Ｅの課金処理を行う。基地局課金装置８は、回線使用料金Ｅとは別に、無線基地局２および私設無線基地局７を介する通信に対して、上記の回線使用時間、通信データ量、アクセス回数により基地局使用料金Ｆの課金処理を行う。
【００４４】
これにより、基地局使用料金Ｆは、無線基地局２および私設無線基地局７に関わらず課金処理されることになる。したがって、通信事業者の無線基地局２を介する通信の場合には、通信事業者にＥ＋Ｆが支払われる。また、基地局所有者の私設無線基地局７を介する通信の場合には、通信事業者に回線使用料金Ｅが支払われ、基地局所有者に基地局使用料金Ｆが支払われる。
【００４５】
また、上述したハンドオーバの４つの形態に対しては、基地局使用料金Ｆについて、無線基地局２および私設無線基地局７に対してそれぞれ個別に課金処理されるので、各基地局所有者に対応する基地局使用料金を算出することができる。
【００４６】
【発明の効果】
以上説明したように、本発明の通信料金課金システムでは、基地局課金装置により、通信事業者以外の基地局所有者が所有する私設無線基地局の基地局使用料金を回線使用料金とは別に課金処理することができる。すなわち、基地局所有者に対する基地局使用料金の支払いが可能となる。なお、支払い形態については、通信事業者が一旦ユーザから基地局使用料金を含む回線使用料金を徴収した上で、基地局所有者に基地局使用料金を分配する方法や、逆に基地局所有者が一旦ユーザから基地局使用料金を含む回線使用料金を徴収した上で、通信事業者に回線使用料金を分配する方法や、通信事業者と基地局所有者が個別にユーザに対する請求・徴収するようにしてもよい。
【００４７】
これにより、基地局所有者による私設無線基地局の設置を可能とし、無線通信システムがカバーするエリアを広くするために多くの無線基地局を必要とする場合や、無線端末の送信電力を小さくして消費電力を低減するために無線基地局を密に多数必要とする場合に、容易かつ速やかに対応することが可能となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の通信料金課金システムの第１の実施形態を示すブロック図。
【図２】第１の実施形態の処理の流れを示すフローチャート。
【図３】本発明の通信料金課金システムの第２の実施形態を示すブロック図。
【図４】第２の実施形態の処理の流れを示すフローチャート。
【図５】ハンドオーバ時の各無線基地局を介する回線使用時間を示す図。
【図６】ハンドオーバ時の各無線基地局を介する通信データ量を示す図。
【図７】第１の実施形態および第２の実施形態における認証課金装置５と基地局課金装置８の課金範囲を示す図。
【図８】第３の実施形態における認証課金装置５と基地局課金装置８の課金範囲を示す図。
【図９】従来の無線通信システムの構成例を示す図。
【符号の説明】
１ 通信網
２ 無線基地局
３ 無線端末
４ 基地局制御装置
５ 認証課金装置
６ 他の通信網
７ 私設無線基地局
８ 基地局課金装置[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a wireless communication system in which a wireless terminal is connected to a communication network via a wireless base station when the wireless base station is installed and owned by a person other than a communication carrier. Communication fee charging system for calculating a base station usage fee paid to a user.
[0002]
[Prior art]
FIG. 9 shows a configuration example of a conventional wireless communication system. In the figure, a wireless communication system represented by a mobile phone or a PHS connects a plurality of wireless base stations 2-1 and 2-2 to a communication network 1, and a wireless terminal 3 owned by a user is a wireless base station 2-1. , 2-2, and 2-2. For example, when the base station controller 4 connected to the communication network 1 moves from the wireless zone of the wireless base station 2-1 to the wireless zone of the wireless base station 2-2, a known handover is performed. A process of switching a wireless base station to be connected to the wireless terminal 3 from the wireless base station 2-1 to the wireless base station 2-2 by control is performed.
[0003]
The communication network 1 is connected to an authentication and billing device 5 that performs authentication of the wireless terminal 3 and billing for a line usage fee. Further, another communication network (telephone line or the Internet) 6 may be connected to the communication network 1.
[0004]
In such a conventional wireless communication system, at least the communication network 1 and the wireless base stations 2-1 and 2-2 are operated by the same communication carrier. Therefore, the authentication and charging device 5 performs a charging process for a usage fee (line usage fee) of a communication line integrating the wireless base station 2 and the communication network 1 between the wireless terminal 3 and the wireless base station 2. In addition, even when the wireless base station is switched due to the handover, charging is continued as long as the line with the wireless terminal 3 is connected. The communication carrier charges the user for a line usage fee based on the billing data of the authentication billing device 5.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, it is necessary to increase the number of wireless base stations (access points) due to the circumstances described below. However, it is expected that it is economically difficult for a communication carrier to install many wireless base stations in response thereto. You. In such a case, a form in which a person other than the communication carrier installs the wireless base station and connects to the communication network of the communication carrier can be considered. A person who owns a wireless base station other than a communication carrier is referred to as a “base station owner”, a wireless base station owned by a communication carrier is simply referred to as a “wireless base station”, and a wireless base station owned by the base station owner. The stations are called "private radio base stations." At this time, means for calculating a base station usage fee to be paid to the base station owner is required.
[0006]
Here, two examples that require additional wireless base stations will be described. A general wireless communication system uses a cellular system in which a wireless zone (cell) of one wireless base station is reduced and the same frequency is repeatedly used in order to use a frequency effectively. Therefore, in order to widen the area covered by the wireless communication system, it is necessary to install many wireless base stations. This is a first example of extension.
[0007]
The wireless communication system is used not only for voice communication but also for data communication on the Internet and the like. In this data communication, a higher signal transmission speed is required than in voice communication, and even in a wireless terminal, power consumption is increased due to an increase in signal processing speed. However, the increase in power consumption is a major obstacle to the battery life of the wireless terminal and the reduction in size and weight of the terminal. Therefore, a method of reducing the transmission power of the wireless terminal to reduce the power consumption has been considered.
[0008]
However, when the transmission power of the wireless terminal is reduced, the wireless zone of one wireless base station needs to be reduced, and many wireless base stations are required for the same area. That is, the transmission power and the power consumption of the wireless terminal can be reduced by densely installing a large number of wireless base stations. This is a second example of extension.
[0009]
The present invention provides a method for setting up a private wireless base station and a communication network by a base station owner in a situation where expansion of a wireless base station is necessary for the reasons described above but expansion by a communication carrier is not expected. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication fee charging system that enables a base station usage fee charging process to be paid to a base station owner when connection to a base station is permitted.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, a wireless base station connected to an arbitrary wireless terminal via a wireless line, a communication network for communicating with the wireless terminal via the wireless base station, and an identification number notified from the wireless terminal And an authentication and billing apparatus for performing authentication for connection to a communication network by using the wireless terminal and calculating a line usage fee when the wireless terminal connects to the communication network via the wireless base station. And a private wireless base station owned by a person other than the carrier that owns the communication network is connected to the communication network, and when the wireless terminal is connected to the communication network through the private wireless base station, the private wireless base station A base station billing device for calculating a base station usage fee related to the use of the station is provided.
[0011]
Here, the base station charging device calculates the base station usage fee related to the use of the private wireless base station based on the communication time or communication data amount managed by the authentication charging device and the identification number notified from the private wireless base station. It is a configuration for calculating (claim 2). Further, the base station billing device, based on the identification number of the wireless terminal authenticated by the authentication billing device and the identification number notified from the private wireless base station, adjusts the base station usage fee according to the number of times of access to the private wireless base station. It is a configuration for calculating (claim 3).
[0012]
Further, the base station billing device calculates a base station usage fee for each private wireless base station based on the identification number of the private wireless base station, and totals the base station usage fee for each private wireless base station owner. (Claim 4) Alternatively, the base station usage fee may be calculated for each owner of the private wireless base station based on the identification number of the private wireless base station (claim 5).
[0013]
The communication fee charging system described above has a configuration in which the authentication charging device charges the line usage fee including the wireless base station and the private wireless base station, and the base station charging device charges the base station usage fee of the private wireless base station. is there. On the other hand, in the communication fee billing system shown below, an authentication billing device bills a line usage fee excluding a radio base station and a private radio base station, and the base station billing device makes a base call without distinction between a radio base station and a private radio base station. This is a configuration for charging a station usage fee.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 6 provides a wireless base station connected to an arbitrary wireless terminal via a wireless line, a communication network for communicating with the wireless terminal via the wireless base station, and an identification number notified from the wireless terminal. Authentication for connecting to the communication network through the wireless base station, and calculating the line usage fee when the wireless terminal is connected to the communication network via the wireless base station. Is configured to calculate a charge related to the use of a wireless line and a communication network between a wireless terminal and a wireless base station as a line charge, and further, the base station charge related to the use of a wireless base station is referred to as a line charge. Is provided with a base station billing device that is separately calculated, a private wireless base station owned by a person other than the communication carrier that owns the wireless base station and the communication network is connected to the communication network, and the wireless terminal is connected via the private wireless base station. hand When connected to the signal network, the base station charging device is configured to calculate a base station use fee associated with the use of the private radio base station.
[0015]
Here, the base station billing device, based on the communication time or communication data amount managed by the authentication billing device and the identification number notified from the wireless base station and the private wireless base station, determines the wireless base station and the private wireless base station. This is a configuration for calculating a base station usage fee related to use (claim 7). Further, the base station billing device, based on the identification number of the wireless terminal authenticated by the authentication billing device and the identification number notified from the wireless base station and the private wireless base station, determines the number of access times of the wireless base station and the private wireless base station. (Claim 8).
[0016]
Further, the base station billing device calculates a base station usage fee for each of the wireless base station and the private wireless base station based on the identification numbers of the wireless base station and the private wireless base station, and calculates the wireless base station and the private wireless base station. A configuration in which base station usage charges are totaled for each owner (Claim 9), or base station usage for each owner of a wireless base station and a private wireless base station based on the identification numbers of the wireless base station and the private wireless base station It may be configured to calculate a charge (claim 10).
[0017]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(First Embodiment: Claim 1)
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a communication fee charging system according to the present invention. In the figure, a communication network 1 includes a plurality of wireless base stations 2-1 and 2-2 owned by a communication carrier and a plurality of private wireless base stations 7-1 and 7-2 owned by a base station owner. Connected. The wireless terminal 3 owned by the user is connected to the communication network 1 via one of the wireless base stations 2-1 and 2-2 and the private wireless base stations 7-1 and 7-2. Another communication network (telephone line or the Internet) 6 may be connected to the communication network 1. The communication network 1 includes an authentication / charging device 5 for performing authentication of the wireless terminal 3 and charging a line usage fee, and a base station for charging a usage fee of the private wireless base station 7 owned by the base station owner. The billing device 8 is connected.
[0018]
Here, the communication network 1, the wireless base stations 2-1 and 2-2, the wireless terminal 3, and the authentication and billing device 5 function in the same manner as the conventional system. In particular, it is assumed that the authentication and charging device 5 performs the charging process of the line usage fee as usual, regardless of the radio base station or the private radio base station. The wireless terminal 3 performs normal connection processing regardless of the wireless base station or the private wireless base station.
[0019]
The feature of the present invention resides in that the base station charging device 8 performs charging processing of the usage fee for communication via the private wireless base stations 7-1 and 7-2. For this purpose, the base station charging device 8 has a configuration in which information on the line usage time is input from the authentication charging device 5 and identification numbers are input from the private wireless base stations 7-1 and 7-2 in use. I have.
[0020]
Hereinafter, the processing flow of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Note that the communication via the wireless base stations 2-1 and 2-2 owned by the communication carrier is the same as in the related art, and the base station billing device 8 does not start, so the communication via the private wireless base station 7-1 is performed here. The communication charging process will be described.
[0021]
When a user performs data communication using the present wireless communication system, a wireless line is first connected between the wireless terminal 3 and the private wireless base station 7-1 (FIG. 2: S1). Next, the wireless terminal 3 transmits the identification number assigned to each wireless terminal to the authentication and charging device 5 via the private wireless base station 7-1 and the communication network 1 (S2). The authentication and billing device 5 collates the identification number of the wireless terminal 3 with an identification number registered in advance to determine whether or not to authenticate (S3). If the authentication is not possible, the private wireless base station 7-1 notified from the authentication / charging device 5 disconnects the wireless line with the wireless terminal 3 (S6).
[0022]
On the other hand, if the authentication is successful, the authentication and charging device 5 starts the charging process after the authentication in order to calculate the line usage fee according to the line usage time including wireless and wired (S4). At this point, the wireless terminal 3 can also communicate. Upon starting the accounting process, the authentication accounting device 5 transmits the information of the line use time to the base station accounting device 8. Also, the private wireless base station 7-1 transmits the identification number assigned to each wireless base station to the base station charging device 8. The base station charging device 8 performs a base station usage fee charging process for the private wireless base station 7-1 based on the identification number from the private wireless base station 7-1 and the line usage time information of the authentication charging device 5 ( S5). As described above, the authentication charging device 5 and the base station charging device 8 operate in parallel, and both operations end when the wireless line between the wireless terminal 3 and the private wireless base station 7-1 is disconnected.
[0023]
The communication carrier can grasp the user's line use fee by the authentication and billing device 5 and can grasp the base station use fee of the private wireless base station 7-1 by the base station billing device 8. Therefore, the communication carrier collects the line usage fee from the user and distributes the base station usage fee included therein to the base station owner.
[0024]
(Second Embodiment: Claims 1 to 5)
FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the communication fee accounting system of the present invention. In the configuration of the present embodiment, a base station controller 4 is connected to the communication network 1 in the first embodiment, and a handover process of a wireless base station is enabled. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0025]
The form of the handover includes (1) between wireless base stations owned by the communication carrier, (2) between private wireless base stations owned by the same base station owner, and (3) wireless base station owned by the communication carrier. Between a station and a private wireless base station owned by the base station owner, (4) between a private wireless base station owned by base station owner A and a private wireless base station owned by base station owner B, etc. being classified. Here, the handover mode (1) is the same as the conventional one, and the description is omitted because the base station charging device 8 is not activated.
[0026]
Hereinafter, the processing flow of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Here, the charging process in the case of the above handover mode (4) will be described first.
[0027]
When a user performs data communication using the present wireless communication system, a wireless line is connected between the wireless terminal 3 and the private wireless base station 7-1, and the authentication and billing device 5 performs a billing process for a line usage fee. The procedure (S1 to S5) in which the base station charging device 8 starts and starts the charging processing of the base station usage fee for the private wireless base station 7-1 is the same as in the first embodiment.
[0028]
Here, the wireless terminal 3 moves from the wireless zone of the private wireless base station 7-1 to the wireless zone of the private wireless base station 7-2, and is switched to the connection with the private wireless base station 7-2 by handover (S7). At this time, the identification number is input to the base station charging device 8 from the wireless base station 7-2 instead of the identification number from the private wireless base station 7-1. Thereby, the base station usage fee charging process for the private wireless base station 7-1 is completed, and the base station usage fee charging process for the private wireless base station 7-2 is started (S8). As described above, the authentication charging device 5 and the base station charging device 8 operate in parallel, and both operations end when the wireless line between the wireless terminal 3 and the private wireless base station 7-2 is disconnected.
[0029]
The communication carrier can grasp the user's line use fee by the authentication and billing device 5, and can grasp the base station use fee of the private wireless base stations 7-1 and 7-2 by the base station billing device 8, respectively. Therefore, the communication carrier collects the line usage fee from the user and distributes the base station usage fee included therein to the base station owners A and B.
[0030]
(2) In the case of a handover between private wireless base stations owned by the same base station owner, the base station usage fee charged to the private wireless base station 7-1 and the private wireless base station 7 The base station usage fee charged for -2 is ultimately paid to the same base station owner. Therefore, the base station charging device 8 may perform a process of totalizing the base station usage fee charged for each of the private wireless base stations 7-1 and 7-2 for each base station owner. Alternatively, the base station usage fee may be charged for each base station owner known from the identification number of the private wireless base station. In the latter case, if the handover is between private wireless base stations owned by the same base station owner, the charged base station usage fee is accumulated.
[0031]
(3) In the case of a handover between a wireless base station owned by a communication carrier and a private wireless base station owned by the base station owner, the base station billing device 8 is used for the private station owned by the base station owner. When an identification number is input from the wireless base station, a charging process is started based on the line usage time information obtained from the authentication charging device 5. Then, when the wireless line between the wireless terminal and the private wireless base station is disconnected, or when handover is performed to a wireless base station owned by a communication carrier, the accounting process ends. Thereby, it is possible to grasp only the base station usage fee for the private wireless base station owned by the base station owner.
[0032]
(Criteria for calculating base station usage charges during handover)
FIG. 5 shows a line use time via each radio base station at the time of handover (claim 2). In the figure, (1) indicates the usage time of the wireless terminal 3, (2) indicates the usage time of the wireless base station A, and (3) indicates the usage time of the wireless base station B. This is an example in which handover is performed from the wireless base station A to the wireless base station B at time x. The line usage time is managed by the authentication and charging device 5.
[0033]
FIG. 6 shows the amount of communication data via each wireless base station at the time of handover (claim 2). In the figure, (1) indicates the communication data amount (a + b) of the wireless terminal 3, (2) indicates the communication data amount a via the wireless base station A, and (3) indicates the communication data amount b via the wireless base station B. This communication data amount is measured by the authentication and charging device 5.
[0034]
In the handover mode (1), the radio base stations A and B are both owned by the communication carrier, and the base station charging device 8 does not charge the base station usage fee.
In the handover mode (2), both the wireless base stations A and B are private wireless base stations owned by the same base station owner, and the base station billing device 8 determines the time x or the communication data based on the base station identification number. The base station usage fee corresponding to the amount a and the base station usage fee corresponding to the time (y−x) or the communication data amount b are calculated and totaled, or the same base station owner can use When it is determined that there is, the base station usage fee is calculated according to the time y or the communication data amount (a + b).
[0035]
In the handover mode (3), for example, assuming that the wireless base station A is owned by the communication carrier and the wireless base station B is a private wireless base station owned by the base station owner, the base station billing device 8 uses the base station identification number Is calculated based on the time (y−x) or the communication data amount b.
[0036]
In the handover mode (4), for example, if the wireless base station A is a private wireless base station owned by the base station owner A and the wireless base station B is a private wireless base station owned by the base station owner B, the base station charging The device 8 calculates a base station usage fee corresponding to the time x or the communication data amount a and a base station usage fee corresponding to the time (y−x) or the communication data amount b based on the base station identification number.
[0037]
Further, the base station billing device 8 may count the number of times of access to the wireless base stations A and B, instead of the line use time and the communication data amount, for the wireless base stations A and B to be handed over. . In this case, the number of accesses of the private wireless base station A is counted as “1” based on the identification number of the wireless terminal 3 authenticated by the authentication / charging device 5 and the base station identification number corresponding to the private wireless base station A. Next, when handover is performed to the private wireless base station B, the access count of the private wireless base station B is counted as “1”. As a result, the base station usage fee is calculated only by the number of accesses to the private wireless base station, regardless of the line usage time and the amount of communication data.
[0038]
FIG. 7 shows the charging range of the authentication charging device 5 and the base station charging device 8 in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. This billing range is the feature of claim 1 (claims 2 to 5).
[0039]
In the figure, an authentication charging device 5 performs a charging process of a line usage fee C between the wireless terminal 3 and the communication network 1 as in the related art, regardless of the wireless base station 2 or the private wireless base station 7. The base station charging device 8 performs a charging process of the base station usage fee D based on the line use time, the communication data amount, and the number of accesses for communication via the private wireless base station 7.
[0040]
Thereby, in the case of communication via the private wireless base station 7 of the base station owner, the base station usage fee D calculated by the base station charging device 8 is included in the line usage fee C calculated by the authentication charging device 5. Will be included. Therefore, CD is paid to the communication carrier, and the base station use fee D is paid to the base station owner. On the other hand, in the case of communication via the wireless base station 2 of the communication carrier, the line usage fee C is paid to the communication carrier. In addition, for the above four forms of handover, the base station usage fee D is separately charged to each private wireless base station 7, so that the base station usage fee corresponding to each base station owner can be reduced. Can be calculated.
[0041]
In this embodiment, a new communication fee charging system is configured by simply adding the base station charging device 8 to the conventional charging system. Therefore, in the configuration of FIGS. 1 and 3, the base station charging device 8 is connected to the communication network 1, but the configuration for connecting to each private wireless base station 7 is similarly applied to the charging process for the private wireless base station 7. It can be performed. However, in this case, the base station billing device 8 recognizes the identification number of the private wireless base station 7 connected to the base station billing device 8, and the transmission of the identification number from the private wireless base station 7 to the base station billing device 8 is unnecessary. Become. Therefore, in the case of time charging, it is necessary to receive notification of the handover from the base station controller 4 when handover is performed, and to control the start and end of the charging process.
[0042]
(Third Embodiment: Claims 6 to 10)
FIG. 8 shows a charging range of the authentication charging device 5 and the base station charging device 8 in the third embodiment. This billing range is the feature of claim 6 (claims 7 to 10). This embodiment is different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment in the processing contents of the authentication and charging device 5 and the base station charging device 8. The processing flow of FIG. 2 or 4 can be applied as it is.
[0043]
In FIG. 8, the authentication and charging device 5 performs a charging process for a line usage fee E of the wireless network and the communication network 1 between the wireless terminal 3 and the wireless base station 2 or the private wireless base station 7. The base station charging device 8 separates the base station usage fee F from the communication via the wireless base station 2 and the private wireless base station 7 based on the line usage time, the communication data amount, and the number of accesses, separately from the line usage fee E. Is performed.
[0044]
As a result, the base station usage fee F is charged regardless of the wireless base station 2 and the private wireless base station 7. Therefore, in the case of communication via the wireless base station 2 of the communication carrier, E + F is paid to the communication carrier. Further, in the case of communication via the private wireless base station 7 of the base station owner, a line usage fee E is paid to the communication carrier and a base station usage fee F is paid to the base station owner.
[0045]
In addition, for the above four forms of handover, the base station usage fee F is charged separately to the radio base station 2 and the private radio base station 7, so that the base station usage fee F Base station usage fee to be calculated.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the communication fee charging system of the present invention, the base station charging device charges the base station usage fee of the private wireless base station owned by the base station owner other than the communication carrier separately from the line usage fee. Can be processed. That is, it is possible to pay the base station usage fee to the base station owner. Regarding the form of payment, the carrier first collects the line usage fee including the base station usage fee from the user and then distributes the base station usage fee to the base station owner. Once collects the line usage fee including the base station usage fee from the user, and distributes the line usage fee to the communication carrier, and makes sure that the communication carrier and the base station owner separately charge and collect the user. It may be.
[0047]
This allows the base station owner to install a private wireless base station, and when many wireless base stations are required to increase the area covered by the wireless communication system, and by reducing the transmission power of wireless terminals. Thus, when a large number of radio base stations are required to reduce power consumption, it is possible to easily and quickly respond.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of a communication fee charging system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the communication fee accounting system of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process according to the second embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a line use time via each wireless base station at the time of handover.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a communication data amount via each wireless base station at the time of handover.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a charging range of an authentication charging device 5 and a base station charging device 8 in the first embodiment and the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a charging range of an authentication charging device 5 and a base station charging device 8 in a third embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional wireless communication system.
[Explanation of symbols]
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 communication network 2 radio base station 3 radio terminal 4 base station controller 5 authentication / charging device 6 other communication network 7 private radio base station 8 base station charging device

Claims (10)

任意の無線端末と無線回線を介して接続する無線基地局と、
前記無線基地局を介して前記無線端末と通信を行う通信網と、
前記無線端末から通知される識別番号により前記通信網に接続のための認証を行い、前記無線端末が前記無線基地局を介して前記通信網に接続したときの回線使用料金を算出する認証課金装置と
を備えた通信料金課金システムにおいて、
前記無線基地局および前記通信網を所有する通信事業者以外の者が所有する私設無線基地局が前記通信網に接続され、前記無線端末がその私設無線基地局を介して前記通信網に接続されるときに、その私設無線基地局の使用に関わる基地局使用料金を算出する基地局課金装置を備え、
前記無線端末が前記私設無線基地局を介して前記通信網に接続されるときに、前記通信事業者が徴収する前記回線使用料金に含まれる前記基地局使用料金を前記私設無線基地局の所有者に分配する
ことを特徴とする通信料金課金システム。A wireless base station connected to any wireless terminal via a wireless line,
A communication network that communicates with the wireless terminal via the wireless base station;
An authentication and billing apparatus for performing authentication for connection to the communication network based on an identification number notified from the wireless terminal and calculating a line usage fee when the wireless terminal connects to the communication network via the wireless base station In the communication fee billing system having
A private wireless base station owned by a person other than the communication carrier that owns the wireless base station and the communication network is connected to the communication network, and the wireless terminal is connected to the communication network via the private wireless base station. A base station billing device for calculating a base station usage fee related to the use of the private wireless base station ,
When the wireless terminal is connected to the communication network via the private wireless base station, the base station usage fee included in the line usage fee collected by the communication carrier is the owner of the private wireless base station. communication fee charging system according to claim <br/> be distributed to. 前記基地局課金装置は、
前記認証課金装置が管理する通信時間または通信データ量と、前記私設無線基地局から通知される識別番号を基に、前記私設無線基地局の使用に関わる基地局使用料金を算出する構成である
ことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の通信料金課金システム。The base station billing device,
A configuration in which a base station usage fee related to the use of the private wireless base station is calculated based on a communication time or a communication data amount managed by the authentication and charging device and an identification number notified from the private wireless base station. The communication fee charging system according to claim 1, wherein: 前記基地局課金装置は、
前記認証課金装置が認証した前記無線端末の識別番号と、前記私設無線基地局から通知される識別番号を基に、前記私設無線基地局のアクセス回数に応じて基地局使用料金を算出する構成である
ことを特徴とする請求項１に記載の通信料金課金システム。The base station billing device,
Based on the identification number of the wireless terminal authenticated by the authentication / charging device and the identification number notified from the private wireless base station, a base station usage fee is calculated according to the number of accesses to the private wireless base station. 2. The communication fee charging system according to claim 1, wherein: 前記基地局課金装置は、
前記私設無線基地局の識別番号を基に、前記私設無線基地局ごとに基地局使用料金を算出し、前記私設無線基地局の所有者ごとに基地局使用料金を集計する構成である
ことを特徴とする請求項２または請求項３に記載の通信料金課金システム。The base station billing device,
Based on the identification number of the private wireless base station, a base station usage fee is calculated for each private wireless base station, and the base station usage fee is totaled for each owner of the private wireless base station. The communication fee charging system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: 前記基地局課金装置は、
前記私設無線基地局の識別番号を基に、前記私設無線基地局の所有者ごとに基地局使用料金を算出する構成である
ことを特徴とする請求項２または請求項３に記載の通信料金課金システム。The base station billing device,
The communication fee charging according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a base station usage fee is calculated for each owner of the private wireless base station based on an identification number of the private wireless base station. system. 任意の無線端末と無線回線を介して接続する無線基地局と、
前記無線基地局を介して前記無線端末と通信を行う通信網と、
前記無線端末から通知される識別番号により前記通信網に接続のための認証を行い、前記無線端末が前記無線基地局を介して前記通信網に接続したときの回線使用料金を算出する認証課金装置と
を備えた通信料金課金システムにおいて、
前記認証課金装置は、前記回線使用料金として前記無線端末と前記無線基地局との間の無線回線および前記通信網の使用に関わる料金を算出する構成とし、
さらに、前記無線基地局の使用に関わる基地局使用料金を前記回線使用料金とは別に算出する基地局課金装置を備え、
前記無線基地局および前記通信網を所有する通信事業者以外の者が所有する私設無線基地局が前記通信網に接続され、前記無線端末がその私設無線基地局を介して前記通信網に接続されるときに、前記基地局課金装置が前記私設無線基地局の使用に関わる基地局使用料金を算出する構成であり、
前記通信事業者の無線基地局を介する通信の場合には、前記通信事業者に前記回線使用料金と前記基地局使用料金が支払われ、前記基地局所有者の私設無線基地局を介する通信の場合には、前記通信事業者に前記回線使用料金が支払われ、前記基地局所有者に前記基地局使用料金が支払われ、ハンドオーバにより前記無線基地局と前記私設無線基地局を介する通信の場合には、前記通信事業者に前記回線使用料金が支払われ、無線基地局と私設無線基地局の各基地局所有者にそれぞれ対応する基地局使用料金が支払われる
ことを特徴とする通信料金課金システム。A wireless base station connected to any wireless terminal via a wireless line,
A communication network that communicates with the wireless terminal via the wireless base station;
An authentication and billing apparatus for performing authentication for connection to the communication network based on an identification number notified from the wireless terminal and calculating a line usage fee when the wireless terminal connects to the communication network via the wireless base station In the communication fee billing system having
The authentication and billing device is configured to calculate a fee related to the use of the wireless network and the communication network between the wireless terminal and the wireless base station as the line usage fee,
Further, a base station billing device that calculates a base station charge related to the use of the wireless base station separately from the line charge,
A private wireless base station owned by a person other than the communication carrier that owns the wireless base station and the communication network is connected to the communication network, and the wireless terminal is connected to the communication network via the private wireless base station. the Rutoki, Ri configuration der the base station charging device calculates the base station use fee associated with the use of the private radio base station,
In the case of communication via the wireless base station of the communication carrier, the communication carrier is paid the line usage fee and the base station usage fee, and in the case of communication via the private wireless base station of the base station owner. In the case where the communication carrier is paid the line usage fee, the base station owner is paid the base station usage fee, and in the case of communication via the wireless base station and the private wireless base station by handover, The communication carrier is paid the line usage fee, and the base station usage fee corresponding to each base station owner of the wireless base station and the private wireless base station is paid. Billing system. 前記基地局課金装置は、
前記認証課金装置が管理する通信時間または通信データ量と、前記無線基地局および前記私設無線基地局から通知される識別番号を基に、前記無線基地局および前記私設無線基地局の使用に関わる基地局使用料金を算出する構成である
ことを特徴とする請求項６に記載の通信料金課金システム。The base station billing device,
Based on the communication time or the amount of communication data managed by the authentication and charging device, and the identification numbers notified from the wireless base station and the private wireless base station, a base related to the use of the wireless base station and the private wireless base station 7. The communication fee charging system according to claim 6, wherein the system is configured to calculate a station usage fee. 前記基地局課金装置は、
前記認証課金装置が認証した前記無線端末の識別番号と、前記無線基地局および前記私設無線基地局から通知される識別番号を基に、前記無線基地局および前記私設無線基地局のアクセス回数に応じて基地局使用料金を算出する構成である
ことを特徴とする請求項６に記載の通信料金課金システム。The base station billing device,
Based on the identification number of the wireless terminal authenticated by the authentication and billing device and the identification numbers notified from the wireless base station and the private wireless base station, according to the number of accesses of the wireless base station and the private wireless base station. The communication fee charging system according to claim 6, wherein the communication fee charging system is configured to calculate a base station usage fee by using the communication terminal. 前記基地局課金装置は、
前記無線基地局および前記私設無線基地局の識別番号を基に、前記無線基地局および前記私設無線基地局ごとに基地局使用料金を算出し、前記無線基地局および前記私設無線基地局の所有者ごとに基地局使用料金を集計する構成である
ことを特徴とする請求項７または請求項８に記載の通信料金課金システム。The base station billing device,
A base station usage fee is calculated for each of the wireless base station and the private wireless base station based on the identification numbers of the wireless base station and the private wireless base station, and an owner of the wireless base station and the private wireless base station is calculated. The communication fee charging system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the base station usage fee is totalized for each service. 前記基地局課金装置は、
前記無線基地局および前記私設無線基地局の識別番号を基に、前記無線基地局および前記私設無線基地局の所有者ごとに基地局使用料金を算出する構成である
ことを特徴とする請求項７または請求項８に記載の通信料金課金システム。The base station billing device,
8. The base station usage fee is calculated for each owner of the wireless base station and the private wireless base station based on the identification numbers of the wireless base station and the private wireless base station. Or a communication fee charging system according to claim 8.
JP2000256334A 2000-08-25 2000-08-25 Communication billing system Expired - Fee Related JP3589625B2 (en)

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