JP4675021B2 - Billing communication terminal device, external server, and communication system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a billing communication terminal device, an external server, and a communication system used when billing a customer for a usage fee of equipment or energy.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  The amount of energy used, such as electric power, gas, and water, is generally measured manually (by a meter reader) and the customer is charged for the usage fee based on the meter reading result. In addition, some automatic meter reading systems that automatically read the indicator values of each meter, send the meter reading data to the meter reading center using a communication line such as a telephone line or radio, and total the data at the meter reading center have been put into practical use. .
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, in the case of a meter reader among the above-mentioned conventional techniques, costs (personnel costs) are incurred, and there is a possibility that human errors due to reading errors may occur.
  On the other hand, in the latter automatic meter-reading system, since a communication terminal is required for each meter, there is a disadvantage that the cost of communication equipment becomes high. Further, in this automatic meter reading, for example, a gas meter other than the power meter is battery-driven, and it is necessary to suppress power consumption.
[0004]
  In addition, the problem when calculating (summing up) the amount of energy used is the amount of use of various devices other than energy, for example, the number of copies in a copy machine, the number of performances in a karaoke terminal, The same occurs when calculating (summing up) the amount of tea used.
[0005]
  By the way, in recent years, a connection environment of a high-speed Internet (an example of a global network) to a home is being prepared. For example, the amount of energy used in a home or the like with an external server using the Internet from a home information terminal. It is conceivable to communicate two-way information. However, in that case, it is generally necessary to be able to uniquely recognize the terminal side from the external server side, but the network address is finite and it is impossible for all terminals to have a global address. System to install an information terminal and an internal server on a simple network, or a system to set a private address on the information terminal virtually on the Internet using VPN (Virtual Private Network) technology Must be configured. However, in order to install an information terminal and an internal server on a private network, it is necessary to develop a network infrastructure on its own. In a virtual private network using VPN technology, an expensive VPN device is used as an information terminal. It is necessary to install between the networks and between the network and the external server. In either case, the cost is increased.
[0006]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to charge for a usage fee for use of equipment or energy in a home or the like with high accuracy and low cost while using a global network. It is possible to provide a billing communication terminal device, an external server, and a communication system.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, a first characteristic configuration of a communication terminal apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a billing external server via a global network as described in claim 1 of the claims. , BillableUsage measuring device that measures the usage of equipmentOrBillableUsage metering device that measures energy usageOr both of themAn external information acquisition unit that acquires a usage signal that is output for each set usage and the external server can be accessed, and the identification information and the type of device or energy related to the usage signal can be identified Information and time information when the usage signal is input from the usage meterFor measurement indicating the use of the set usage amountA communication interface unit that generates device energy usage information generated as unit calculation information for each time the usage amount signal is input from the usage amount measuring device, and the communication interface unit includes:A storage unit that temporarily stores the device energy usage information, and sequentially stores each of the device energy usage information stored in the storage unit at regular time intervals or a plurality of the device energy usages stored in the storage unit; Collect informationIt is configured to transmit to the external server.
[0008]
[0009]
  In the second feature configuration, in addition to the first feature configuration, as described in claim 2 in the column of the claims,Measure the amount of energy used for billingUsage measuring deviceFor each set usage amountOutput a pulse signal as the usage signalIt is a usage meter, and the usage meter isIt is at least one of a gas meter, a power meter, and a water meter.
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
  SamethreeThe characteristic configuration of the claims is the claims in the claims.3As described above,First or secondIn addition to the characteristic configuration, the device energy usage information to be newly transmitted is configured to be transmitted together with the device energy usage information transmitted in the past.
[0013]
  SameFourThe characteristic configuration of the claims is the claims in the claims.4As described above,1st to 3rdIn addition to any one of the feature configurations, it is invisible from the global network side or configured not to respond to a connection request from the outside.
[0014]
  In order to achieve the above object, the first characteristic configuration of the external server for billing according to the present invention is one or more connected via a global network as described in claim 5 of the claims. It is configured to be accessible from the billing communication terminal device andUsage measuring device that measures the usage of equipmentOrBillableUsage metering device that measures energy usageOr both of themA usage signal output for each set usage is input to the communication terminal device.From the communication terminal device,Identification information, information that can identify the type of device or energy related to the usage signal, and time information when the usage signal is input from the usage meterFor measurement indicating the use of the set usage amountEquipment energy usage information generated as unit calculation informationEach of the device energy usage information stored in the storage unit is sequentially arranged at regular time intervals, or a plurality of the device energy usage information stored in the storage unit is collectively collected.Receiving means for receiving, usage amount calculating means for calculating the usage amount of the equipment or energy for each identification information of the communication terminal device based on the received equipment energy usage information, and the communication terminal in the customer identification information Based on customer information in which device identification information is associated with fee information per unit usage amount for charging the device or energy, and based on the device or energy usage calculated for each piece of communication terminal device identification information And a usage fee calculation means for calculating a usage fee of the device or energy charged to the customer.
[0016]
  SametwoThe characteristic configuration of the claims is the claims in the claims.6As described above, the firstofIn addition to the characteristic configuration, when the usage signal related to a plurality of types of equipment or energy provided by different operators is input to one communication terminal device, the usage fee for the equipment or energy charged to the customer is calculated. The point is that the calculation is made for each operator.
[0017]
  In order to achieve the above object, the characteristic configuration of the billing communication system according to the present invention is defined in the claims.7As described in the above, the communication terminal device having any one of the first to fourth characteristic configurations, and the firstOr secondThe external server having the characteristic configuration is connected via a global network.
[0018]
[0019]
  The operation and effect of the above characteristic configuration will be described below.
  According to the first characteristic configuration of the billing communication terminal device according to the present invention, the usage signal output for each set usage amount is input from the billing target device or the usage amount measuring device for measuring the energy usage amount. Accordingly, the external server for billing connected via the global network is accessed, and the device energy usage information including its own identification information is transmitted to the external server. That is, each time a set amount of equipment or energy is used, a billing communication terminal device accesses a billing external server in response to the usage amount signal being input from the usage metering device, and identifies its own identification information. The device energy usage information including is transmitted.
  Here, with respect to a plurality of types of devices or energy for which the usage measuring device measures the usage, the usage signal output from the usage measuring device for each set usage of each device or energy is input. The communication terminal device accesses the external server and transmits device energy usage information including information capable of identifying the type of the device or energy related to the usage amount signal to the external server in addition to its own identification information.
  In addition, the communication terminal device transmits the appliance energy usage information including the time information when the usage amount signal is input from the usage amount measuring device to an external server.
  That is, it is possible to know when and how often the device or energy is used by the time information when the usage amount signal is input.
[0020]
  Therefore, since the information on the usage amount of the device or energy is obtained by the usage signal output from the usage amount measuring device every time the device or energy is used, the accuracy may be reduced due to human error. In addition, in response to the input of the usage signal, the usage signal is simply provided on the terminal side by accessing a billing external server via the global network and transmitting its identification information. Is not performed, and calculation processing such as calculating the usage amount is not performed. Therefore, the configuration of the billing communication terminal device can be simplified.
  Therefore, it is possible to obtain a billing communication terminal device that can charge and charge a device or energy usage fee in the home or the like as accurately as possible while using the global network.
[0021]
  In addition, when there are multiple types of equipment or energy types for measuring usage, information that can identify the type of equipment or energy is included in the equipment energy usage information and transmitted to an external server, so that the type of equipment or energy Billing communication terminal device that can calculate usage amount separatelyWherecan get.
  AlsoBased on the use time and frequency of the device or energy, for example, it is possible to calculate the amount of use of the device or energy for each set period, and accurately calculate the usage fee for each set period and charge Communication terminal equipment for billingWherecan get.
Furthermore, when the usage signal is input many times in a short time, when the external server is accessed and the device energy usage information is transmitted at the timing of the input usage signal, the device energy usage information received on the external server side Therefore, after the device energy usage information is temporarily stored on the communication terminal device side, it can be transmitted to an external server at a fixed time interval, or multiple device energy usage information can be received. Are sent in batches.
Accordingly, even if the frequency of occurrence of the equipment energy usage information on the communication terminal device side changes greatly, the transmission interval of the equipment energy usage information transmitted to the external server is adjusted to a fixed time interval or a plurality of simultaneous transmissions. Since the overhead of the amount of data related to the transmission connection can be reduced, it is possible to appropriately receive the device energy usage information on the external server side.
[0022]
  According to the second characteristic configuration, a pulse signal output from at least one of a gas meter, a power meter, and a water meter as the usage amount measuring device is transmitted to the communication terminal device as the usage amount signal. input.
  That is, each pulse output type meter only needs to output a pulse signal for each set usage amount of gas, power, or water, so the circuit inside the meter is simplified, and from the communication terminal device side to the meter side. If power is supplied, it is not necessary to have power supply means on the meter side.
  Therefore, by using the pulse output type meter as a usage meter, the configuration of the billing communication terminal device that can simplify the configuration for measuring the energy usage on the billing terminal side is preferable. Embodiment is obtained.
[0023]
[0024]
[0025]
  SamethreeAccording to this characteristic configuration, the billing communication terminal device transmits the newly transmitted device energy use information together with the device energy use information transmitted in the past to the billing external server.
  That is, even if the device energy usage information is transmitted from the charging communication terminal device side to the external server, the device energy usage information may not be received by the external server due to various communication errors in the network or each device. The device energy usage information transmitted in the past is retransmitted so that the external server does not leak the device energy usage information as much as possible.
  Therefore, a preferred embodiment of the billing communication terminal device that can receive the device energy usage information transmitted from the billing communication terminal device side without fail on the external server side is obtained.
  Whether or not the external server is a proper communication terminal device for billing by checking the past transmission data retransmitted and the received transmission data recorded in the external server. This makes it possible to eliminate false transmission data from a malicious terminal.
[0026]
  SameFourAccording to the characteristic configuration of the above, even if the communication terminal device for charging is invisible from the global network side, a connection request cannot be made from the global network, or even if a connection request is made from the outside to the communication terminal device for charging , It is not possible to access the billing communication terminal device.
  That is, the billing communication terminal device does not start communication with the outside except when making a call from itself. Therefore, the billing communication terminal device can access the billing external server via the global network and transmit the device energy use information, but conversely, the billing communication terminal device from the billing external server side The device cannot be accessed. In addition, even if there is an unauthorized / unfair connection request to the billing communication terminal device, the billing communication terminal device does not start communication, so that device energy usage information is not accidentally leaked.
[0027]
  According to the first characteristic configuration of the external server for charging according to the present invention,Multiple typesA usage signal output for each set usage amount from a usage measuring device that measures the usage amount of equipment or energy is input to one or more billing communication terminal devices.Every timeUse of device energy including identification information of the communication terminal device transmitted from each of the charging communication terminal devices by access from each of the charging communication terminal devices to which an external server is connected via a global network Information is received, the amount of use of the device or energy is calculated for each piece of identification information of the communication terminal device based on the received device energy usage information, and the billing communication terminal device is identified in the customer identification information Billing the customer based on customer information that associates information with fee information per unit usage amount of the device or energy, and usage amount of the device or energy calculated for each identification information of the communication terminal device The usage fee of the device or energy to be calculated is calculated.
[0028]
  That is, even when the billing external server cannot identify each billing communication terminal device via the global network, it indicates the set usage amount of the device or energy by the access from the billing communication terminal device side. The device energy usage information is received from the communication terminal device side, and the usage amount of the device or energy is calculated for each communication terminal device based on the received device energy usage information. The usage fee of the device or energy to be billed to the customer is calculated using the association with the communication terminal device and the usage fee per unit usage amount of the device or energy.
  Accordingly, the accounting external server calculates the usage amount of the device or energy for each communication terminal device and calculates the usage fee charged to the customer. Therefore, the accounting communication terminal device side includes an arithmetic processing unit. There is no need, and it is possible to efficiently calculate the usage amount and usage fee of the device or energy in the external server for billing while simplifying the configuration of the communication terminal device.
  Therefore, it is possible to obtain an external server for billing that can charge for a device or energy usage fee in a home or the like as accurately as possible while using the global network.
[0030]
  SametwoAccording to the characteristic configuration, the usage signal output from the usage measuring device is input to one billing communication terminal device each time a set amount of a plurality of types of equipment or energy provided by different operators is used. In this case, the external server determines the usage fee for the device or energy to be charged to the customer based on the information of the customer associated with the device or energy and the communication terminal device. Calculate separately.
  Accordingly, by inputting a plurality of types of equipment or energy usage signals provided by different business operators to one billing communication terminal device, separate billing communications for each device or energy provided by each business operator. Equipment can be simplified compared to the preparation of terminal devices, and usage fees charged to customers are calculated for each operator, so it is possible to clearly indicate usage fees to be collected from customers to each operator. A preferred embodiment of an external server for billing is obtained.
[0031]
  According to the characteristic configuration of the accounting communication system according to the present invention, the accounting communication terminal apparatus having any one of the first to fourth characteristic configurations, and the firstOr secondThe accounting external server having the characteristic configuration is connected via a global network.
  Therefore, it is possible to obtain a billing communication system that can charge for a device or energy usage fee in the home or the like as accurately as possible while using the global network.
[0032]
[0033]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  An embodiment of a billing communication terminal device, an external server, and a communication system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
  As shown in FIG. 1, for example, a plurality of billing communication terminal devices 1 installed in each unit of an apartment house such as a condominium constitute a private network, and this private network is an example of a global network via a router 2. Is connected to the internet. That is, a global address (Internet address) is assigned to the router 2. In the private network, other communication terminals 3 such as a personal computer are also connected. On the other hand, a center server 4 as an external server for billing is connected to the Internet. Note that a telephone line, an ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line), a cable TV, a wired line such as an optical communication cable, and a wireless line can be used as the communication line connected to the Internet and the communication line constituting the Internet.
[0034]
  The accounting communication system according to the present invention is configured by connecting the communication terminal device 1 and the center server 4 via the Internet.
[0035]
  Next, the configuration of the communication terminal device 1 and the center server 4 will be described.
  As shown in FIG. 2, the communication terminal device 1 accesses the center server 4 that outputs time information and the center server 4 connected via the Internet (terminal call), and And a communication interface unit 9 that performs transmission and reception operations. Then, as the communication terminal device 1 receives a usage amount signal output for each set usage amount from the usage amount measuring device 101 that measures the usage amount of the billing target device or energy, the center server 4 It accesses and transmits apparatus energy usage information including identification information of itself (communication terminal apparatus 1) to the center server 4.
[0036]
  On the other hand, the center server 4 is configured to be accessible (terminal call) from one or a plurality of the billing communication terminal devices 1 connected via the Internet. As the usage signal output every time is input to each of the communication terminal apparatuses 1, the apparatus energy usage information including the identification information of the communication terminal apparatus 1 transmitted from each of the communication terminal apparatuses 1 is received. Then, based on the received equipment energy usage information, the usage amount of the equipment or energy is calculated for each identification information of the communication terminal device 1, and the center server 4 adds the communication information to the customer identification information. Customer information in which identification information of the terminal device 1 is associated with fee information per unit usage amount of the device or energy, and identification information of the communication terminal device 1 Based on the amount of the equipment or the energy calculated for bets, it is configured to calculate a charge for the device or the energy charged to the customer.
[0037]
  The communication terminal device 1 is configured not to respond to a connection request from the outside, and is configured to be unrecognizable via the global network (Internet) (so as not to be visible from the global network side). . That is, each communication terminal device 1 is assigned a private address managed by the router 2, but is not assigned a global address (Internet address). The Internet address of the center server 4 is stored in the server address storage unit 11A in the communication terminal device 1.
[0038]
  The communication terminal device 1 is input with a plurality of usage signals related to a plurality of types of devices or energy usage measured by the usage measuring device 101. Specifically, the usage amount measuring device 101 first includes a gas meter 5, a power meter 6, and a water meter 7 that output a pulse signal as the usage amount signal. That is, the pulse signal from each meter is output every time a set amount of gas, power or water is used. Therefore, the device energy usage information includes information that can identify the device or energy type (gas, power, or water) of the usage amount signal.
  Furthermore, the usage amount measuring device 101 outputs a counter signal as the usage amount signal, a counter 13A for counting the number of times of tea supply of the tea machine 13, a counter 14A for counting the number of copies of the copying machine 14, and a karaoke device The counter 15A counts 15 performances.
  The pulse signal from each meter and the counter signal from each counter are received by the external information acquisition unit 12 in the communication terminal device 1.
[0039]
  Businesses that provide gas, power or water are generally different. That is, gas is a gas company, electric power is an electric power company, and water is often supplied by local governments such as cities. In addition, the provider of each device is different for the tea machine 13, the copy machine 14, and the karaoke device 15. Therefore, in this embodiment, a plurality of types of equipment (tea machine 13, copy machine 14, and karaoke device 15) provided by different business operators and the usage amount signal relating to energy (gas, electric power, or water) are one. Input to the communication terminal device 1.
[0040]
  The time information output from the time measuring device 8 is absolute time, specifically, time information in Japan standard time. For example, February 19, 2002, 12: 00: 0.6 is 2002/2. / 19, 12: 00: 00.6.
  When the device energy usage information is transmitted, the communication terminal device 1 takes in the reference time information (Japan Standard Time) via the Internet, and the timing device 8 adjusts the time information based on the reference time information (Japan Standard Time). Configured to be possible at times. Incidentally, this timing method using the Internet is used for time adjustment of a computer connected on the Internet, and is called NTP (Network Time Protocol).
[0041]
  Then, the communication terminal device 1 receives the usage amount signal from the usage amount measuring device 101 (the gas meter 5, the power meter 6, the water meter 7, and the counters 13A, 14A, 15A of each device) in the device energy usage information. The time information at the time of input (time information of the time measuring device 8) is included.
[0042]
  Identification information (communication terminal ID) for distinguishing and specifying each communication terminal device 1 is attached to the communication terminal device 1, and this communication terminal ID is stored in the ID storage unit 11 </ b> B in the communication terminal device 1. It is remembered. Specifically, the communication terminal ID uniquely represents the manufacturer, model name, and product serial number, and is represented as, for example, ZF912376.
[0043]
  Next, an example of the equipment energy usage information transmitted to the center server 4 side is a pulse from the gas meter 5, the power meter 6 and the water meter 7 (the type of the meter is gas G, power E, water FIG. 3 shows the case where the data is input to the communication terminal device 1.
  For example, the first device energy use information is that a pulse is input from the water meter to the communication terminal device 1 whose communication terminal ID is ZF912376 at 12: 00: 0.6 on February 19, 2002. This is equipment energy usage information shown.
  The second device energy usage information is a device indicating that a pulse is input from the power meter to the communication terminal device 1 whose communication terminal ID is FS531058 at 12: 00: 35.4 seconds on February 19, 2002 Energy usage information.
  The fifth device energy usage information is device energy indicating that a pulse is input from the gas meter to the communication terminal device 1 whose communication terminal ID is EF009245 on February 19, 2002, at 12: 00: 50.3 seconds. Usage information.
[0044]
  The device energy usage information received by the external information acquisition unit 12 is once recorded in the event recording unit 10 and the time measuring device 8 at the time when the pulse signals of the gas meter 5, the power meter 6 and the water meter 7 are input. After the time information is attached, it is sent to the communication terminal device 1.
  Here, an example will be described in which the device energy usage information data transmitted is described in CSV (Comma Separated Value) format.
The first device energy usage information is expressed as “ZF912376, 2002/2/19, 12: 00: 0.6, wpulse, on”.
The second device energy usage information is expressed as “FS531058, 2002/2/19, 12: 00: 35.4, pulse, on”.
The fifth device energy usage information is expressed as “EF009245, 2002/2/19, 12: 00: 50.3, gpulse, on”.
  Note that the device energy usage information may be described in another data format other than the CSV format, for example, XML (Extensible Markup Language).
  Then, the device energy usage information described in the above CSV format or XML is transferred from the communication terminal device 1 (Web client side) to the external server 4 (Web server) using an HTTP request using, for example, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol). Access and receive an HTTP response from the external server 4 (Web server). In the external server 4 (Web server), the received data is separated into items by a separator (comma for CSV, tag for XML), and stored in a database using SQL (Structured Query Language).
[0045]
  The communication terminal device 1 includes a storage unit (transmission buffer 9A) for temporarily storing the device energy usage information, and sequentially stores the device energy usage information stored in the storage unit (transmission buffer 9A) at regular time intervals. It is configured to transmit to the server 4. And the interval which transmits the apparatus energy usage information stored in the transmission buffer 9A is linked | related with the identification information (ID data) of the said communication terminal device 1 so that the access from each communication terminal device 1 may not be congested. Specifically, it is assumed that all the communication terminal devices 1 access once every 15 minutes, and access is made at the timing when the numerical value obtained by the following equation is taken every hour.
[0046]
[Expression 1]
  15. Remainder of n + ID data digitized value divided by 15 (n = 0-3)
[0047]
  Further, in order to prevent the device energy usage information from being leaked due to a communication error or the like, the communication terminal apparatus 1 transmits the newly transmitted device energy usage information together with the device energy usage information transmitted in the past. It is configured. Specifically, in each transmission of device energy usage information, in addition to the new device energy usage information transmitted this time, the device energy usage information transmitted last time and the previous time is transmitted. Accordingly, one piece of equipment energy usage information is transmitted three times. Hereinafter, an example of device energy usage information at three consecutive transmission times will be described.
  At the first time, device energy usage information of A, B, and C (A is data transmitted previously, B is data transmitted previously, C is data transmitted this time), is transmitted,
  At the second time, device energy usage information of B, C, D (B is data transmitted previously, C is data transmitted previously, D is data transmitted this time), is transmitted,
  Assume that device energy usage information of C, D, E (C is data transmitted previously, D is data transmitted previously, E is data transmitted this time) is transmitted for the third time.
  When the device energy usage information data transmitted from the communication terminal device 1 is received as it is by the center server 4 as described above, the data C is received three times continuously. Adopt C as correct equipment energy usage information. The other data A, B, D, and E are also used as correct device energy usage information if they are received three times in succession, including the transmission before the first time and the transmission after the fourth time. .
[0048]
  On the other hand, when the transmission data of the device energy usage information is not received by the center server 4 as it is, for example, when the third reception data (correct data is C, D, E) is X, D, E, the center Since the server 4 has not received the data C three times in succession, the data C is not adopted as the correct device energy usage information. In this case, since the transmission data C is presumed to have changed to data X in the middle from the contents of the first and second received data, for example, the center server 4 retransmits the data to the communication terminal device 1. If the requested data received by re-transmission is C, D, E, the center server 4 can receive the data C three times and adopt the correct equipment energy usage information.
  In addition, when the same data is received two or more times (three times or twice) in the reception of three consecutive device energy usage data, the conditions are relaxed and adopted as correct device energy usage information Is also possible.
[0049]
  The equipment energy usage information received by the center server 4 from the communication terminal device 1 includes information on the type of energy (gas, power, water), and the center server 4 identifies the identification information (water heaters) of each communication terminal device 9. For each ID), the usage amount of each energy is calculated.
  Therefore, the center server 4 first stores the device energy usage information (see FIG. 3) received from each communication terminal device 1 according to the type of energy corresponding to the communication terminal ID of the communication terminal device 9. FIG. 4 shows an example in which power communication data (pulse input from a power meter) is associated with the communication terminal device 1 whose communication terminal ID is XC260095. Although not shown, gas and water usage data is also stored in correspondence with the communication terminal ID.
[0050]
  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the usage data for each energy stored in correspondence with the communication terminal ID is totaled in a set charging period (for example, for one month), and the set charging period is set for each communication terminal ID. The usage amount of each energy is calculated, and the calculation result is stored in a usage amount file 4A provided in the center server 4 (see FIG. 1).
[0051]
  On the other hand, in the customer file 4B (see FIG. 1) provided in the center server 4, as shown in FIG. 6, the customer name (the former, second etc.), the customer identification information (customer ID), the communication terminal ID, Customer information in which the charges (unit price) of each energy such as electricity, gas, and water are associated is stored.
[0052]
  Therefore, the center server 4 stores the usage data of each energy for each communication terminal ID in the set charging period (for example, February 2002) stored in the usage file 4A and the customer file 4B. 7 based on the customer information (customer ID, communication terminal ID, and unit price data for each energy), as shown in FIG. The calculation result is stored in a billing amount file 4C provided in the center server 4 (see FIG. 1).
[0053]
  Then, the usage fee is charged from the customer and collected based on the usage fee data for each energy in the set charging period for each customer stored in the billing amount file 4C. In one of the fee collection forms in this case, the data in the billing amount file 4C is sent to the provider providing each energy, and each provider individually sends to each customer based on the usage fee data. Charge and collect usage fees.
  Furthermore, as a suitable fee collection form that can reduce the labor of fee collection, the usage fee for the equipment or energy for each business operator calculated by the center server 4 is collected from the customer, and each collected from the customer is collected. It is possible to adopt a billing method that remits the usage fee for each business to each business and collects an agency fee from each business. The person who collects the fee from the customer may be one of the plurality of devices or the provider that provides energy (such as a gas company), or separate from each of the above providers. You may be a specialist in the collection.
[0054]
[Another embodiment]
  Next, another embodiment will be described.
  In the embodiment described above, a global address (Internet address) is not assigned to each communication terminal device 1 for charging. However, a global address (Internet address) is assigned to each communication terminal device 1 for charging. Also good. In this case, it is possible to recognize each communication terminal device 1 from the Internet side, but each communication terminal device 1 is originally configured not to respond to a connection request from the outside, which affects the effect. is not.
[0055]
  In the above embodiment, a plurality of billing communication terminal devices 1 installed in each house of an apartment house such as a condominium are connected to the global network (Internet) via the router 2. In the case of providing each billing communication terminal device 1 installed in the network, it may be configured to connect to a global network (Internet) via an ISP (Internet Service Provider).
  Note that the billing communication terminal device 1 is not in the form of an independent communication terminal device 1 (communication adapter) as in the above embodiment, but is installed in each home, for example, as shown in FIG. The form of the communication apparatus 21 built in the water heater 20 may be sufficient.
[0056]
  In the above embodiment, the device energy usage information described in the CSV format or XML is accessed from the communication terminal device 1 (Web client) to the external server 4 (Web server) using an HTTP request using the HTTP. The HTTP response is received from the (Web server), but it is also possible to transmit / receive using a protocol other than HTTP.
  For example, device energy usage information described in XML is transmitted by FTP (File Transfer Protocol). In this case, the communication terminal device 1 is an FTP client, and the external server 4 is an FTP server. With FTP, it is possible to notify the completion of file transmission / reception.
  In addition, device energy usage information described in XML is transmitted by SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). In this case, the communication terminal device 1 is an SMTP client, and the external server 4 is an SMTP server. With FTP, it is possible to notify the completion of file transmission / reception. With SMTP, it is also possible to send in the attached file format.
[0057]
  In the said embodiment, although the usage-amount measuring apparatus 101 comprised the three of the gas meter 5, the electric power meter 6, and the water meter 7, it should just be at least any one of these three meters. .
  When the usage measuring device 101 is one of the above three meters (for example, a gas meter), the device energy usage information includes information (energy type) that can identify the type of energy. I can't. Therefore, the energy usage amount data obtained by the external server 4 based on the device energy usage information is data on the usage amount of predetermined energy (for example, gas).
[0058]
  In the above embodiment, the usage amount measuring apparatus 101 is a device such as the amount of energy used such as gas, power, and water, the number of times of tea supply in a tea machine, the number of copies in a copy machine, the number of performances in a karaoke terminal, However, in addition to the amount of usage other than the above devices and energy, for example, security doors such as entrance door lock sensors, window opening / closing sensors, occupancy sensors, gas leak sensors, surveillance cameras, etc. A configuration in which the number of operations is measured as a usage amount and a usage amount signal related to the use of the security device is input to the billing communication terminal device 1 may be adopted.
[0059]
  In the above embodiment, the billing communication terminal device 1 includes the time information (time information of the time measuring device 8) when the usage amount signal is input from the usage amount measuring device 101 in the device energy usage information. In addition to this, the external server 4 associates the device energy usage information received from the communication terminal device 1 with the time information at the time of reception (time information on the server 4 side), and corresponds the time information. Based on the attached device energy usage information, it is also possible to calculate the usage amount of the device or energy during a set charging period.
[0060]
  In the above embodiment, the billing communication terminal device 1 is configured to sequentially transmit each of the appliance energy usage information stored in the storage unit 9A at regular time intervals. It is also possible to configure so as to transmit a plurality of the device energy usage information collectively.
[0061]
  In the above embodiment, the time information of the time measuring device 8 is configured to be an absolute time (specifically, time information in Japan standard time). It may be information of a relative time that can be used only with the server 4 (for example, an elapsed time from a certain time or a counter value in which a numerical value is associated with the time).
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a billing communication system according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a charging communication terminal device
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data example of energy usage information transmitted to the external server side.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data example of energy usage information stored for each communication terminal device
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing energy usage data for each communication terminal device during a set charging period.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing customer information.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing energy usage charges for each customer during a set charging period.
FIG. 8 is an overall configuration diagram of a billing communication system according to another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
  1 Communication terminal device
  4 External server
  5 Gas meter
  6 Electricity meter
  7 Water meter
  9A storage unit
  101 Usage measuring device

Claims (7)

Connected to the external server for billing through the global network,
From the usage amount measuring device or both of them measures the amount of usage measuring device or energy chargeable to measure the amount of charging target device, external to acquire usage signal output for each set amount An information acquisition unit;
Access to the external server, identification information of itself, information capable of identifying the type of device or energy related to the usage signal, and time information when the usage signal is input from the usage meter A communication interface unit for generating device energy usage information generated as measurement unit calculation information representing the use of the set usage amount at each time when the usage amount signal is input from the usage amount measuring device; Prepared,
The communication interface unit includes a storage unit that temporarily stores the device energy usage information, and stores each of the device energy usage information stored in the storage unit sequentially at regular time intervals or in the storage unit. A billing communication terminal device configured to collectively transmit a plurality of the device energy usage information to the external server. The usage metering device that measures the usage amount of energy to be charged is a usage meter device that outputs a pulse signal as the usage signal for each set usage amount , and the usage metering device comprises a gas meter, power The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal device is at least one of a meter and a water meter.   The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the device energy usage information to be newly transmitted is transmitted together with the device energy usage information transmitted in the past.   The communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication terminal device is invisible from the global network side or configured not to respond to a connection request from the outside. It is configured to be accessible from one or more billing communication terminal devices connected via a global network,
A usage amount signal output for each set usage amount from a usage amount measuring device for measuring the usage amount of the billing target device and / or a usage amount measuring device for measuring the usage amount of energy to be charged is the communication terminal. Input to the device, and from the communication terminal device, the self- identification information, information that can identify the type of equipment or energy related to the usage signal, and the usage signal when the usage signal is input from the usage meter Device energy usage information generated as measurement unit calculation information representing the use of the set usage amount, consisting of time information , each of the device energy usage information stored in the storage unit sequentially at regular time intervals, Alternatively, receiving means for collectively receiving a plurality of the device energy usage information stored in the storage unit ;
Usage amount calculating means for calculating the usage amount of the device or energy for each identification information of the communication terminal device based on the received device energy usage information;
The customer information in which the identification information of the communication terminal device and the fee information per unit usage amount for charging the device or energy are associated with the customer identification information, and the device calculated for each identification information of the communication terminal device Or, based on the amount of energy used, the usage fee calculation means for calculating the device or energy usage fee charged to the customer;
External server for billing with When the usage signal according to the equipment or energy different operators to provide inputs to one of said communication terminal device, to calculate the use charge for the device or energy charged to the customer for each carrier external server according to claim 5 which is configured. A communication system for charging, wherein the communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and the external server according to claim 5 or 6 are connected via a global network.

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