JP4719128B2 - Billing system, telephone, service management system, billing method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a billing technique for charging a call charge related to a call to a billing telephone number transmitted at the time of a call from a telephone such as a fixed telephone or a mobile phone.

  When a call is made using a telephone, the call charge is charged to the normal calling telephone. For this reason, when a phone call is borrowed at a place of visit, etc., the phone owner (phone holder) is charged a call fee, placing an economic burden on the phone owner. End up. If a mobile phone owned by the user is used at the place of visit, such a problem will not occur, but the importance of information security has become a problem in recent years. In such a case, it is still necessary to rent a telephone such as a visiting place, which places an economic burden on the telephone owner.

  Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, a user billing service that charges a billing telephone number transmitted from a telephone at the time of a call instead of a calling telephone has been proposed (for example, (See Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3).

  In the prior arts described in Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3, when a call is made, a telephone number from a telephone to an exchange, a special telephone number for using a user billing service, a personal identification number, a call, Whether the user can use the user billing service based on the PIN number and billing phone number when a special phone number is sent on the exchange side. If the authentication is successful, the calling telephone and the called telephone are connected, and after the call ends, the above-mentioned charging destination telephone number is charged.

JP 57-23358 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-280797 JP-A-4-51649

  According to the above-described conventional technology, it is possible to charge a call charge to the billing telephone number sent from the telephone at the time of the call, instead of the calling telephone, so that the telephone can be borrowed at the visiting site or the like. Even if it is done, it does not place an economic burden on the phone owner.

  However, the above-described conventional technology can use the user billing service without limitation if it is a legitimate user who knows the billing phone number and the personal identification number. There is a problem that it may become very expensive.

(Object of invention)
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to limit charging for a charging destination telephone number according to a user instruction.

The first billing system according to the present invention is:
In a billing system that charges a call fee related to the call to a billing telephone number transmitted by the telephone at the time of the call,
A user management database in which a charging destination telephone number and a usage stop flag indicating whether or not to stop charging to the charging destination telephone number are registered for each user;
And changing means for changing the content of the use stop flag in accordance with a user instruction.

A second billing system according to the present invention is the first billing system,
In the user management database, in addition to the billing telephone number and the use suspension flag, a use prohibition flag indicating whether to prohibit use of the user billing service is registered,
The changing means changes the contents of the use prohibition flag in accordance with an instruction from the service provider.

A third charging system according to the present invention is the second charging system,
In the user management database, in addition to the billing telephone number, the use suspension flag, and the use prohibition flag, a user identifier of a user who prohibits use of the user billing service is registered,
The telephone sends a user identifier when making a call,
The changing unit adds or deletes a user identifier from the user management database in accordance with an instruction from a user.

A fourth charging system according to the present invention is the first charging system,
The changing means performs authentication based on the login ID and password sent from the user terminal device of the user, and when the authentication is successful, the usage is performed according to the instruction sent from the user terminal device. The content of the stop flag is changed.

A fifth billing system according to the present invention is the billing system according to any one of the first, second, third and fourth,
The telephone has a display means for displaying whether or not the user is using a user billing service that uses the billing destination telephone number transmitted at the time of calling.

The first telephone according to the present invention is:
It is characterized by comprising a display means for displaying whether or not the user billing service is used to set the billing destination to the billing destination telephone number transmitted at the time of calling.

A second telephone according to the present invention is the first telephone,
When the display means detects that the user billing identification information requesting the use of the user billing service has occurred, the display means changes the display state to indicate that the user billing service is being used. Features.

A first service management system according to the present invention includes:
A user management database in which a charging destination telephone number transmitted from a telephone at the time of a call and a usage stop flag indicating whether or not to stop charging to the charging destination telephone number are registered for each user;
And changing means for changing the content of the use stop flag in accordance with a user instruction.

A second service management system according to the present invention is the first service management system,
In the user management database, in addition to the billing telephone number and the use suspension flag, a use prohibition flag indicating whether to prohibit use of the user billing service is registered,
The changing means changes the contents of the use prohibition flag in accordance with an instruction from the service provider.

A third service management system according to the present invention is the second service management system,
In the user management database, in addition to the billing telephone number, the use suspension flag, and the use prohibition flag, use of the user billing service among user identifiers transmitted from the telephone at the time of calling is prohibited. The user identifier of the user to be registered
The changing unit adds or deletes a user identifier from the user management database in accordance with an instruction from a user.

The first charging method according to the present invention is as follows.
In a billing method for charging a call charge related to the call to a billing telephone number transmitted by the telephone at the time of the call,
For each user, a user management database is provided in which a charging destination telephone number and a usage stop flag indicating whether or not to stop charging to the charging destination telephone number are registered,
The changing means changes the contents of the use stop flag in accordance with a user instruction.

A second charging method according to the present invention is the first charging method,
In the user management database, in addition to the billing telephone number and the use suspension flag, a use prohibition flag indicating whether to prohibit use of the user billing service is registered,
The changing means changes the contents of the use prohibition flag in accordance with an instruction from the service provider.

A third charging method according to the present invention is the second charging method,
In the user management database, in addition to the billing telephone number, the use suspension flag, and the use prohibition flag, use of the user billing service in the user identification information transmitted from the telephone at the time of calling is used. The user identifier of the prohibited user is registered,
The changing unit adds or deletes a user identifier from the user management database in accordance with an instruction from a user.

The first program according to the present invention is:
A computer provided with a user management database in which a charging destination telephone number transmitted from a telephone when a call is made and a usage stop flag indicating whether or not to stop charging to the charging destination telephone number are registered for each user The
It is made to function as a changing means for changing the contents of the use stop flag according to a user instruction.

The second program according to the present invention is the first program,
In the user management database, in addition to the billing telephone number and the use suspension flag, a use prohibition flag indicating whether to prohibit use of the user billing service is registered,
The changing means changes the contents of the use prohibition flag in accordance with an instruction from the service provider.

A third program according to the present invention is the second program,
In the user management database, in addition to the billing telephone number, the use suspension flag, and the use prohibition flag, use of the user billing service in the user identification information transmitted from the telephone at the time of calling is used. The user identifier of the prohibited user is registered,
The changing unit adds or deletes a user identifier from the user management database in accordance with an instruction from a user.

[Action]
It is possible to control whether or not to limit charging to the charging destination telephone number by the use stop flag registered in the user management database. The contents of the use stop flag can be freely changed by the user giving an instruction to the changing means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to restrict charging to a charging destination telephone number according to a user's instruction, and as a result, the amount of charging for the charging destination telephone number becomes very high. Can be prevented. The reason for this is that each user has a user management database in which a charging destination telephone number and a usage stop flag indicating whether or not to stop charging to this charging destination telephone number are registered, and instructions from the user This is because there is provided changing means for changing the contents of the use stop flag according to the above.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[Description of Configuration of First Embodiment]
Referring to FIG. 1, in a first embodiment of a charging system according to the present invention, telephones 500 and 530 and a service management system 402 of a telephone service company 400 are connected via a telephone line network 300.

  The telephone 500 is a telephone that can use a user billing service that charges a call charge to a billing telephone number dialed when a user places a call. The telephone 500 includes a switch button 503 for switching whether or not the user billing service is used, a billing status display unit 504 such as an LED that displays whether or not the user billing service is used, A message display unit 505 used for display such as a number display, a handset 506, and a numeric keypad unit 507 including 0 to 9 numeric keys, # key, * key, and the like are provided. In the present embodiment, whether or not the user billing service is being used is displayed using the billing status display unit 504 realized by an LED or the like, but the telephone having the message display unit 505 In this case, the charging status display unit 504 is not provided, and the message display unit 505 can display whether or not the user charging service is being used.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the telephone 500. A control unit 516 provided in the telephone 500 includes a special telephone number generation unit 511, a dial signal generation unit 512, a special telephone number detection unit 513, and the like. , A hook detection unit 514 and a display drive circuit 515 are provided.

  The special telephone number generation unit 511 generates a special telephone number for requesting the use of the user billing service when the switch button 503 is pressed. In the present embodiment, the special telephone number is set to “0099”, for example.

  The dial signal generation unit 512 transmits a dial signal corresponding to the special telephone number generated by the special telephone number generation unit 511 to the telephone line network 300 via the signal line 502 and when the key of the numeric keypad unit 507 is pressed. Then, a dial signal corresponding to the pressed key is transmitted to the telephone line network 300 via the signal line 502.

  Special telephone number detection unit 513 detects the special telephone number transmitted from dial signal generation unit 512.

  The hook detection unit 514 detects on-hook and off-hook of the handset 506.

  When a special telephone number is detected by the special telephone number detection unit 513, the display driving circuit 515 drives the charging status display unit 504 to display that the user charging service is being used (for example, When the hook detection unit 514 detects the on-hook of the handset 506, the driving of the charging status display unit 504 is stopped.

  The special phone number generation unit 511, dial signal generation unit 512, special phone number detection unit 513, and hook detection unit 514 in the control unit 516 can be realized by a computer (CPU). Do as follows. A disk, a semiconductor memory, and other recording media on which a program for causing a computer to function as a special telephone number generation unit 511, a dial signal generation unit 512, a special telephone number detection unit 513, and a hook detection unit 514 are prepared. Read the above program. The computer controls its own operation according to the read program, thereby realizing a special telephone number generation unit 511, a dial signal generation unit 512, a special telephone number detection unit 513, and a hook detection unit 514 on the computer.

  In the present embodiment, a corporate management terminal device 102 such as a personal computer (PC) used by the administrator 103 of the corporate 100 and a personal user terminal such as a PC used by the personal service user 201 are used. The apparatus 202, the service management system 402, and a plurality of service company windows 410 to 412 are connected via the Internet 900. Although not shown in the service company windows 410 to 412, a terminal device (window terminal device) such as a PC is provided, and each window terminal device is connected to the service management system 402 via the Internet 900. Yes. Instead of connecting via the Internet 900, it may be connected via a dedicated network in the telephone service company 400.

  The telephone service company 400 is provided with a service management system 402 for managing each service. Under the service management system 402, a user management database (user management database for managing user information of each user who uses the user billing service) DB) 406 and a charging DB 413 for managing charging information are provided. The user management DB 406 is provided with a corporate user management DB 404 that manages user information of the corporate service user 101 and a personal user management DB 405 that manages user information of the personal service user 201. Yes.

  The service management system 402 has the following functions as main functions.

-When a special telephone number and a telephone number of a communication partner (connection destination telephone number) are sent from the telephone 500 when a call is made, a message prompting the user to input a billing telephone number is transmitted to the telephone 500.
-When a billing telephone number is sent from the telephone 500 in response to the above message, user billing is performed based on the contents of the use prohibition flag column, use stop flag column, and service use prohibition column in the user management DB 406. Determine whether the service is available.
If it is not usable, a message indicating that fact is transmitted to the telephone, and if it is usable, a message prompting the input of the personal identification number is transmitted to the telephone 500.
It is determined whether or not the password sent from the telephone 500 in response to the message is correct.
If the password is not correct, a message indicating that the user billing service cannot be used is transmitted to the telephone 500, and if the password is correct, the other party's telephone is connected to the telephone 500.
After the call ends, charging information is registered in the charging DB 413. At this time, the billing destination is the billing destination telephone number sent from the telephone 500.
In accordance with instructions from the administrator 103 and the personal service user 201, the contents of the use stop flag registered in the user management DB 406 are changed.
In accordance with an instruction from the administrator 103, an employee management number is added to or deleted from the service use prohibited person column of the user management DB 406.
-Change the contents of the use prohibition flag according to the instruction from the person in charge of the telephone service company 400. More specifically, a usage prohibition flag change instruction including information for specifying the usage prohibition flag to be changed and the contents after the change is sent from the window terminal devices arranged at the service company windows 410 to 412. The contents of the use prohibition flag are changed according to the instruction.

  The service management system 402 having such a function can be realized by a computer, and when realized by a computer, for example, is as follows. A disk, a semiconductor memory, and other recording media on which a program for causing the computer to have the above functions is prepared, and the computer is caused to read the program. The computer realizes the above functions on its own computer by controlling its own operation according to the read program.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing configuration examples of the corporate user management DB 404 and the individual user management DB 405, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the corporate user management DB 404 includes a “telephone number field” in which a billing telephone number for using the user billing service is registered, and whether or not the user is an authorized user. "Corporate PIN field" for registering a PIN for authenticating the service, "Corporate name field" for registering the corporate name, and the telephone service company 400 using the user billing service for reasons such as non-payment of charges A “use prohibition flag field” in which a use prohibition flag used for prohibition is registered, and a use stop flag used by the corporation 100 administrator 103 to temporarily restrict use of the user billing service are registered. The “use ban flag field” and a service use banner presence / absence flag indicating whether there is a user who is prohibited from using the user billing service in the corporation 100 are registered. A column ", employee management number of employees to prohibit the use of user charges service is configured from a" service use prohibition's column "to be registered. The billing telephone number registered in the telephone number column may be a fixed telephone number or a mobile telephone number. The reason why the service use prohibited person presence / absence flag column is provided is to limit the use of an unauthorized use addict in the company, a retired person who may store a personal identification number, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, the personal user management DB 405 has a “telephone number field” in which a billing telephone number for using the user billing service is registered, and whether or not the user is a regular user. "Personal security code field" in which a personal identification number is registered for authentication, "User name field" in which a usage name is registered, and the use of a user billing service by the telephone service company 400 for reasons such as non-payment of charges A “use prohibition flag field” in which a use prohibition flag used for prohibiting use is registered, and a use stop flag used by the personal service user 201 to temporarily restrict use of the user billing service are registered. The “usage stop flag field”. The billing telephone number registered in the telephone number column may be a telephone number of a fixed telephone or a telephone number of a mobile phone.

  An administrator 103 who manages the corporate service user 101 in the corporate 100 who uses the user billing service has a plurality of corporate service users 101 each having an employee management number (simply referred to as the service user 101). The service user 101 manages the permission and non-permission of using the service. Each corporate service user 101 is assigned a different employee management number, and the corporate administrator 103 manages the usage status of the service user 101 and permits or disallows the use of the user billing service. Use employee management number to manage permissions.

  The administrator 103 in the corporation 100 that uses the user billing service applies for the service through the service company windows 410 to 412 of the telephone service company 400, or on the homepage published by the telephone service company 400. Over the network. At this time, the login ID and password used when accessing the user management DB 406 of the telephone service company 400, such as changing the personal identification number, temporarily stopping the use of the service, changing the service prohibited user column, etc. Then, a password used when using the user billing service is given from the telephone service company 400 upon completion of reception.

  Using this login ID and password, the previous user management DB 406 is accessed to change the PIN, temporarily stop / start the service (change the contents of the use stop flag), register service banners, Deletion can be done at will. These operations can be performed by any person who is registered as a user regardless of the administrator 103 of the corporation 100 or the personal service user 201.

  The service company windows 410 to 412 in the telephone service company 400 respond to inquiries from customers and accept service applications. In addition, the above-described change work usually performed by the service user via the Internet 900 is also performed on the condition that the user has submitted an application form in a necessary format.

  The personal service user 201 who uses the user billing service individually visits an arbitrary service company window (for example, the service company window 411) and applies for the service by performing necessary procedures. The telephone service company 400 gives the login ID and password for accessing the user management DB of the telephone service company 400 and the password used to use the user billing service, as when the corporate administrator 103 applied. It is done.

[Description of Operation of First Embodiment]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

  First, the operation of the telephone 500 will be described. When a user makes a call using the user billing service, the user first off-hooks the handset 506, then presses the switch button 503, and then inputs a connection destination telephone number using the numeric keypad unit 507. . When the switch button 503 is pressed, the special telephone number generation unit 511 generates a special telephone number for requesting the use of the user billing service, and the dial signal generation unit 512 corresponds to the generated special telephone number. The dial signal to be transmitted is transmitted to the telephone line network 300 through the signal line 502. Here, the special telephone number is for requesting a predetermined service, like “0120” meaning toll-free number, “0033”, “0038”, etc. for selecting a relay telephone company for long-distance calls. In this embodiment, for example, “0099” is assigned as a special telephone number for requesting the use of the user billing service. When the special telephone number detecting unit 513 detects that the special telephone number is transmitted from the dial signal generating unit 512, the special telephone number detecting unit 513 inputs a driving instruction to the display driving circuit 515, whereby the display driving circuit 515 is charged. The display on the display unit 504 indicates that the user billing service is being used (for example, the LED is turned on). In addition, when a connection destination telephone number is input from the numeric keypad unit 507, the dial signal generation unit 512 transmits a dial signal corresponding to the number to the telephone line network 300 via the signal line 502.

  When the user establishes a line with the other party, the user makes a call and, after the call is completed, on-hooks the handset 506. When the hook detection unit 514 detects on-hook, the hook detection unit 514 inputs a stop instruction to the display drive circuit 515, whereby the display drive circuit 515 uses the user billing service to display the billing status display unit 504. It indicates that there is no (for example, the LED is turned off). The above is the operation of the telephone 500.

  Next, referring to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 7, an operation when the user of the telephone 500 makes a call without using the user billing service, and a case where a call is made using the user billing service. The operation of will be described.

  First, an operation in a case where a call is made in a normal way without using the user billing service will be described. In this case, the user first off-hooks the handset 506, and then immediately inputs the connection destination telephone number using the numeric keypad 507 without pressing the switch button 503 (steps S101 and S102 in FIG. 4). S103 is N, S109). As a result, the connection destination telephone number is sent from the telephone 500 to the service management system 402 via the telephone line network 300.

  When the connection destination telephone number is sent, the service management system 402 checks whether the telephone number is a currently used telephone number (step S110). If the telephone number is not currently used (N in step S110), a message such as “This number is not currently used” is transmitted to the telephone 500, and the dialed destination telephone number is The user is notified that it is not currently used (step S115). The user who has heard this message on-hooks the handset 506 (step S116). On the other hand, when the connection destination telephone number is the telephone number currently used (step S110 is Y), the telephone 500 is connected to the telephone of the other party (step S111). Thereby, the user makes a call with the other party, and when the call is finished, the handset 506 is on-hooked (steps S112 and S113). Thereby, the service management system 402 registers the charging information in the charging DB 413 in order to charge the caller telephone set 500 (step S114).

  Next, an operation when the user makes a call using the user billing service, that is, when the user makes a call in the user billing mode will be described. In this case, the user first off-hooks the handset 506, then presses the switch button 503, and then inputs a connection destination telephone number using the numeric keypad 507 (steps S101, S102, and S103 are Y, S104). , S105). When the switch button 503 is pressed, a special telephone number for requesting the use of the user billing service is transmitted from the telephone 500 to the service management system 402, and the display on the billing status display unit 504 displays a call in the user billing mode. (S104). When the connection destination telephone number is input, the telephone number is transmitted from the telephone 500 to the service management system 402.

  When the special telephone number and the connection destination telephone number are sent from the telephone 500, the service management system 402 checks whether or not the connection destination telephone number is currently used (step S106). And when not using (step S106 is N), the process of step S115 mentioned above is performed. On the other hand, if it is used (Y in step S106), a message prompting the user to enter a billing telephone number such as “Please enter the billing telephone number” is transmitted to the telephone 500 (step S107). ). Here, in step S107, by adding a message that “the customer is going to use the service charged to the user”, it is possible to make the user aware that an incorrect operation has been performed. That is, when the user accidentally touches the charging switch button 503 and transmits a special telephone number, it can be easily determined from the contents of the response message that an erroneous operation has been performed.

  The user who has heard the above message inputs the billing telephone number from the numeric keypad 507 (step S108). As a result, the telephone number is transmitted from the telephone 500 to the service management system 402.

  When the billing telephone number is sent from the telephone 500, the service management system 402 checks whether or not the billing telephone number is registered in the user management DB 406 (step S117 in FIG. 5). If it is not registered (N in step S117), a message such as “This service cannot be used” is sent to the telephone 500 (step S152 in FIG. 6). The user who has heard this message puts the handset 506 on-hook, whereby the display on the charging status display unit 504 indicates that the user charging service is not used (step S153).

  On the other hand, when the billing telephone number sent from the telephone 500 is registered in the user management DB 406 (Y in step S117 in FIG. 5), the service management system 402 displays the service provider (telephone service). Whether the company 400) permits the use of the user billing service is determined based on the use prohibition flag registered in the user management DB 406 in association with the billing telephone number (step S118). If it is determined that the use of the user billing service is prohibited (N in step S118), the process of step S152 described above is performed. On the other hand, when the use of the user billing service is permitted (step S118: Y), the user stops using the user billing service, that is, the billing to the billing telephone number is stopped. Is determined based on the use stop flag registered in the use management DB 406 in association with the billing telephone number (step S119).

  Then, when the use stop is instructed (step S119 is Y), the process of step S152 described above is performed. On the other hand, when the use stop is not instructed (N in step S119), it is determined whether the user using the telephone 500 is a personal service user or a corporate service user (step S120). That is, if the billing telephone number input by the user is registered in the corporate user management DB 404, it is determined as a corporate service user, and if it is registered in the personal user management DB 405, to decide.

  When it is determined that the user is a personal service user (Y in step S120), the user is prompted to input a password number and a “#” sign indicating the end of the password number input. Please send a message to the telephone 500 (step S121).

  Upon receiving this message, the user of the telephone 500 inputs the password and # from the numeric keypad 507 (step S122).

  When the personal identification number is sent from the telephone 500, the service management system 402 checks whether or not the correct personal identification number has been input by checking with the corresponding personal identification number registered in the user management DB 406 ( Step S123).

  If the correct password is input (Y in step S123), the connection is made to the connection destination telephone number (step S140 in FIG. 6). As a result, the user makes a call with the other party (step S141), and after the call ends, the handset 506 is on-hooked (step S142). Thereby, in the telephone 500, the display of the charging status display unit 504 indicates that the user charging service is not used (step S143). On the other hand, the service management system 402 performs a process of charging a call charge to the charging destination telephone number sent from the telephone 500 (step S144).

  On the other hand, if the input of the password is not correct (N in step S123), a message prompting the input of the password is transmitted again (N in step S124, S121), and the user tries to input again (step S124). Step S122). When incorrect input is repeated, the service management system 402 counts the number of trials, and when it detects that a threshold value (for example, 3 times) has been exceeded (Y in step S124), the service management system 402 determines that the third party has illegally used the service. The content of the stop flag is changed to one indicating use stop (step S151 in FIG. 6), the user billing service is disabled and a message “service is not available” is sent (step S152). .

  Next, a case where the user is a corporate service user will be described. If it is determined in step S120 in FIG. 5 that the user is a corporate service user, the service management system 402, like the personal service user, uses a “#” sign that indicates the end of input of the password. A message for prompting input is transmitted (step S130), and the user inputs "password, #" (step S131).

  When the personal identification number is sent from the telephone 500, the service management system 402 determines whether the correct personal identification number has been input (step S132). If the correct password has not been entered (step S132 is N, S133 is N), the controller instructs the retry (step S130). The number of retry attempts is counted, and a threshold value (for example, 3 times) ) Is detected (Y in step S133), it is determined that the information has been illegally used by a third party, and the process in step S151 described above is performed.

  On the other hand, when the correct password is entered (Y in step S132), the user is prompted to enter the employee management number and # indicating the end of the input. , Finally enter # once "(step S134 in FIG. 6), and in response to this message, the user inputs the employee management number and # from the numeric keypad 507 (step S134). S135).

  When the employee management number is sent from the telephone 500, the service management system 402 checks the validity of the sent employee management number (step S136). For checking the validity of the employee management number, for example, the number of digits, the minimum employee management number, and the maximum management number are registered in the user management DB 406, and whether the sent employee management number is within the range. This is done by checking whether or not.

  If it is determined that the employee management number is not valid (N in step S136), a message prompting the employee management number to be input is transmitted to the telephone 500 again (step S134) and used in response thereto. The person tries to input again (step S135). When an incorrect input is repeated, the service management system 402 counts the number of trials (step S137), and detects that the threshold (for example, 3 times) has been exceeded (step S137 is Y), “the service cannot be used”. A message to that effect is sent (step S152).

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the employee management number is valid (Y in step S136), the service management system 402 indicates that the service use prohibited person presence / absence flag registered in the user management DB 406 is “present”. Is determined (step S161 in FIG. 7).

  If it is “None” (N in Step S161), the telephone 500 is connected to the connection destination telephone number (Step S164). When connected to the connection destination telephone number, the user makes a call (step S165), and after the call ends, the handset 506 is on-hooked (step S166). Thereby, in the telephone 500, the display of the charging status display unit 504 indicates that the user charging service is not used (step S167). On the other hand, the service management system 402 performs a process of charging a call charge to the charging destination telephone number sent from the telephone 500 (step S168).

  On the other hand, when the service use prohibited person presence / absence flag is “present” (Yes in step S161), the service management system 402 is registered in the service use prohibited person column of the corporate user management DB 404. The employee management number and the employee management number sent from the telephone 500 are collated (step S162). If the same employee management number as that sent from the telephone 500 exists among the employee management numbers registered in the service user banned column of the corporate user management DB 404 (step S163). Then, the process of step S152 described above is performed. On the other hand, when the same employee management number does not exist (N in step S163), the process of step S164 described above is performed.

  Next, the operation including the operation at the time of applying for the user billing service will be described with reference to the sequence chart of FIG.

  First, a user who desires to use the user billing service applies for the service via the nearest telephone service company windows 410 to 412 and the Internet 900 (step S1).

  Next, the telephone service company 400 examines the user who applied for it (history of non-payment of charges, unauthorized use, etc.), and if there is no problem, uses personal information or corporate information as shown in FIG. Registered in the user management DB 406 (step S2).

  The telephone service company 400 confirms the completion of registration (step S3), replies to the user that the reception is completed and the use can be started, and a password for performing user authentication when using the service, and the user. When a part of the management DB 406 is changed, a login ID and a password for accessing the service management system 402 of the telephone service company 400 are provided to the user (step S4).

  After completing the application for the user billing service, if the user wants to borrow the customer's phone at the place of visit, etc., explain to the customer that he / she wants to make a call using the user billing service and allow the use of the phone Is obtained (step S5).

  If the use is permitted by the customer (step S6), the switch button 503 is pressed, and the connection destination telephone number is dialed (step S7). Thereafter, the customer confirms that the display of the charging status display unit 504 is in the user charging mode (step S8).

  Next, the service management system 402 of the telephone service company 400 checks whether or not the connection destination telephone number is currently used (step S9). If it is not used, a message stating “It is a telephone number that is not currently used” is sent, and if it is used, a message requesting input of a billing phone number is sent (step S10).

  The user inputs the billing telephone number (step S11), and the service management system 402 determines whether or not the user billing service can be used based on the use prohibition flag and the use stop flag registered in the user management DB 406. If it is not available, a message stating “This service cannot be used” is sent, and if it is available, a message requesting the input of a personal identification number is sent (step S12).

  The user inputs the password (step S13), and the service management system 402 of the telephone service company checks the password registered in the user management DB 406 (step 14). Is not used, and if they match, a message prompting the employee management number to be input is sent (step S15).

  The user inputs the employee management number (step S16), and the service management system 402 of the service company 400 has the employee management number entered and the employee management registered in the service use prohibited person column of the user management DB 406. The number is checked (step S17), and if it is a service use prohibition person, a message “This service cannot be used” is sent (step S18), and if it is not a service use prohibition person, the connection destination telephone number is connected. (Step S19).

  When connected to the contact telephone number, the user starts a call with the other party (steps S20 and S21). After the call is finished, the handset 506 is on-hooked (step S22).

  When the service management system 402 of the telephone service company 400 detects the end of the call, it registers charging information including the call time in the charging DB 413 (step S23). Thereafter, when a billing date such as the end of the month is reached, the billing amount for the billing telephone number is integrated and a bill is sent (step S24). The user pays the telephone service company 400 for a billing amount including the usage amount (step S25). The billing and payment of telephone charges here are the notice of the billed amount to the user by mail, the confirmation of the amount of charge using the homepage of the telephone service company, and payment, automatic payment from the bank, convenience store etc. This is done by payment, etc. and will not change.

  Next, the operation when the personal service user 201 changes the contents of the use stop flag registered in the user management DB 406 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  There are two methods for changing the contents of the use suspension flag: a method in which the telephone service company 400 uses a homepage (HP) established on the Internet 900 and a method in which the service company windows 410 to 412 are used. is there.

  When the content of the use stop flag is changed using the homepage (N in step S201), the personal service user 201 uses the personal user terminal device 202 to open the telephone service company 400 on the Internet 900. After accessing the homepage for changing the use suspension flag (step S202) and logging in using the login ID and password provided by the telephone service company 400 (step S203), the content of the use suspension flag is set to “use”. Whether to set “stop” or “start use” is instructed on the use stop flag change screen (step S204). The service management system 402 of the telephone service company 400 changes the contents of the use stop flag registered in the user management DB 406 in accordance with the instruction given on the use stop flag change screen (step S208).

  When the contents of the use stop flag are changed using the service company windows 410 to 412 (for example, the service company window 410) (Y in step S201), the individual service user 201 is registered at the service company window 410. An application form is created (step S205). The person in charge of the service company window 410 verifies the identity of the applicant with the personal information (current address, date of birth, etc.) of the applicant, and a public certificate such as a seal certificate, a seal of a registered seal, and a license (step S206). . If the person can be confirmed, the person in charge at the service company window 410 changes the content of the use stop flag to the content requested by the applicant using the service management system 402 (step S208). Such a change method using the service company windows 410 to 412 is effective when the user 201 forgets his login ID or password. If the password is lost, etc., it has been done in the past, but if you can authenticate yourself by entering your personal information on the homepage, you can send the reissued password to the address of the person by mail.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 10, the administrator 103 of the corporation 100 changes the contents of the use suspension flag, or registers or deletes the employee management number in the service use prohibited person column of the corporation user management DB 404. The operation in the case of performing will be described.

  The administrator 103 of the corporation 100 uses the homepage established by the telephone service company 400 on the Internet 900 when changing the contents of the use stop flag or the service use banner (Y in step S301) It is determined whether to use company windows 410 to 412 (step S302).

  When using the homepage (N in step S302), the administrator 103 accesses the homepage for changing the use suspension flag / service use banner established by the telephone service company 400 on the Internet 900 (step S303). The user logs in using the login ID and password provided by the telephone service company 400 (step S304). Thereafter, the administrator 103 instructs the change contents for the use stop flag and the change contents for the service use prohibitor on the use stop flag / service use prohibitor change screen (step S305). The service management system 402 of the telephone service company 400 changes the contents of the use suspension flag registered in the user management DB 406 according to the instruction given on the use suspension flag / service use prohibited person change screen, and the service use prohibited person. Are added and deleted (step S309).

  When using service company windows 410 to 412 (for example, service company window 410) (Y in step S302), the administrator 103 creates a registration application at the service company window 410 (step S306). The person in charge at the service company window 410 confirms the identity by using the seal stamped on the application form, the seal of the organization, the seal of the organization head, a proxy, etc. (step S307). Then, if the identity can be confirmed, the person in charge at the service company window 410 uses the service management system 402 to change the contents of the use stop flag or the service use prohibited person to the contents requested by the administrator (step S308). ).

  Next, with reference to the sequence chart of FIG. 11, an operation when the administrator 103 of the corporation 100 changes the contents of the use stop flag and the service use banner will be described.

  First, the administrator 103 of the corporation 100 accesses the homepage for changing the use suspension flag / use prohibited person established by the telephone service company 400 on the Internet 900 and logs in when the user billing service is subscribed. The ID and password are entered in an input field provided on the home page (step S21).

  The service management system 402 of the telephone service company 400 compares the input login ID and password with the registered ID and password (step S22), and if there is no mismatch, the use of the temporary file is suspended. After the transition to the flag / service prohibited user change screen, the change is permitted (step S23).

  The administrator 103 of the corporation 100 instructs to change the contents of the use stop flag and to add or delete the service use prohibitor on the use stop flag / service use prohibitor change screen (step S24). For example, when adding a service use banned person, a new service use banned person (for example, retired person, seconded employee) is displayed in the service use banned person addition field displayed on the use suspension flag / service use banned person change screen. Enter the employee management number of the person who will not alter unauthorized use). In addition, when re-authorizing the use of the user billing service to employees who are prohibited from using the user billing service, from the column of the list of banned users that displays the list of employee management numbers of the service use banned people Delete the corresponding employee management number. In addition, when changing the contents of the usage suspension flag or service prohibited person presence / absence flag, the usage suspension flag change field or the service usage prohibited person presence / absence flag change field displayed on the usage suspension flag / service usage prohibited person change screen Enter the changed contents in.

  The service management system 402 accumulates the changed contents in a temporary file (step S25).

  When the change work is completed, the administrator 103 of the corporation 100 notifies the service management system 402 of the change completion. Furthermore, the administrator 103 of the corporation 100 confirms the current change and information before the change by using the screen switching function of the service management system 402 (step S26).

  When the administrator 103 of the legal entity 100 confirms that the content of the change is correct, the administrator 103 transmits a final instruction to end all the change work to the service management system 402 (step S27).

  The service management system 402 reflects the changed contents accumulated in the temporary file in the user management DB 406 (step S28).

[Effect of the first embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to restrict charging to a charging destination telephone number according to a user's instruction, and as a result, a charging amount for the charging destination telephone number becomes very high. Can be prevented. The reason for this is that each user has a user management DB 406 in which a charging destination telephone number and a usage stop flag indicating whether or not to stop charging to this charging destination telephone number are registered. This is because there is provided changing means (service management system 402) for changing the contents of the use stop flag according to the instruction.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily confirm whether or not a call is being made using the user billing service. This is because the display unit (charging status display unit 504) for displaying whether or not the user charging service is being used is provided.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the accounting system according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment is characterized in that the user billing service can be used without providing the switching button 503 as in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the appearance of a telephone 500a used in this embodiment. The difference from the telephone 500 shown in FIG. 1 is that the switching button 503 is not provided.

  FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the telephone 500a. The difference between the control unit 516a provided inside and the control unit 516 shown in FIG. 2 is that a special telephone number generation unit 511 is provided. The dial signal generator 512a is provided instead of the dial signal generator 512.

[Description of Operation of Second Embodiment]
Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described. Here, only differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  When a user makes a call using the user billing service, the user first off-hooks the handset 506, and then enters a special phone number and a connection destination phone number for requesting the use of the user billing service from the numeric keypad unit 507. input.

  When a special telephone number is input from the numeric keypad unit 507, the dial signal generation unit 512a transmits a corresponding dial signal to the service management system 402. When the connection destination telephone number is input, the dial signal generation unit 512a transmits the corresponding dial signal. It transmits to the service management system 402. Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[Effects of Second Embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to use the user billing service without providing the switching button 503. The reason is that a special telephone number is input from the numeric keypad 507.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the accounting system according to the present invention will be described. This embodiment indicates whether or not to request the use of the user billing service, instead of requesting the use of the user billing service by the special telephone number as in the first and second embodiments. A signal line is provided, and binary potentials (ground level and high level) appearing on the signal line are respectively associated with a state where the use of the user billing service is requested and a state where it is not requested.

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the present embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is that a telephone 500b is provided instead of the telephone 500, and the telephone Reference numeral 500b denotes a point connected to a signal line 501 indicating whether or not to request use of the user billing service. The first embodiment requests use of the user billing service by transmitting a special telephone number (for example, 0099) prior to the connection destination telephone number. In the present embodiment, The use of the user billing service is requested by changing the potential on the signal line 501.

  FIG. 15 shows an external view of a telephone 500b provided with a signal line 501 for requesting use of the user billing service. In addition to the call signal line 502 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 12, a signal line 501 for requesting a user billing service is provided. Via this signal line 501, the service management system 402 of the telephone service company 400 is requested to use the user billing service.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the telephone 500b, which includes a power source 520, a resistor 521, a switch 524 and its contacts 523 and 525, a waveform shaping unit 526, and a control unit 516b. The control unit 516b includes a dial signal generation unit 512a, a user billing signal generation circuit 527, a display drive circuit 528, and a hook detection unit 529.

  When the switching button 503 is not pressed, the switch 524 is connected to the contact 523 side. As a result, the power source 520 is connected to the waveform shaping unit 526 via the switch 524, and the output voltage of the waveform shaping unit 526 becomes high level. When the switch button 503 is pressed, the switch 524 is connected to the contact 525 side. As a result, since the waveform shaping unit 526 is grounded via the switch 524, the output voltage of the waveform shaping unit 526 is at the ground level. Note that the waveform shaping unit 526 absorbs electrical vibration (chattering) that occurs at the time of switching the contact, and accidentally has a very short time (a time shorter than the time when the switch is intended to be switched). It is a circuit that suppresses signal change when it is pushed.

  The user billing signal generation circuit 527 keeps the output at the high level while the output of the waveform shaping unit 526 is at the high level, but when the output of the waveform shaping unit 526 becomes the ground level, the output is set to the ground level. As shown in FIG. 17A, the signal line 501 is set to the ground level. In addition, when the output of the user billing signal generation circuit 527 is set to the ground level and the hook detection unit 529 detects the on-hook of the handset 506, the output is set to the high level as shown in FIG. And

  The user billing signal generation circuit 527 outputs a drive instruction to the display drive circuit 528 when the output of the waveform shaping unit 526 reaches the ground level. As a result, the display drive circuit 528 changes the display of the charging status display unit 504 to a state indicating that the user charging service is being used.

  Further, when the hook detection unit 529 detects the on-hook of the handset 506, the hook detection unit 529 outputs a drive stop instruction to the display drive circuit 528. Thereby, the display drive circuit 528 changes the display of the charging status display unit 504 to a state indicating that the user charging service is not used.

  In the embodiment described above, as shown in FIG. 17A, when requesting the use of the user billing service (when the switch button 503 is pressed), the signal line 501 is set to the ground level until the call is terminated. Although the signal line 501 is kept at the ground level, it may be as shown in FIGS.

  In FIG. 5B, when requesting the use of the user billing service, the signal line 501 is set to the high level, and the signal line 501 is kept at the high level until the call is terminated.

  In FIG. 5C, when the switch button 503 is pressed, the signal line 501 is set to the ground level for a predetermined time T1, and then returned to the high level. When the handset 506 is on-hook, the predetermined time T2 (T1 <T2). Only the signal line 501 is set to the ground level and then returned to the high level. Here, the time T1 for setting the signal line 501 to the ground level when the switch button 503 is pressed is different from the time T2 for setting the signal line 501 to the ground level when the handset 506 is on-hooked. Therefore, the service management system 402 can recognize whether the switch button 503 is pressed or the handset 506 is on-hook based on the time when the signal line 501 is at the ground level.

  In FIG. 4D, when the switch button 503 is pressed, the signal line 501 is set to the high level for a predetermined time T1, and then returned to the ground level. When the handset 506 is on-hook, the signal line is set high for the predetermined time T2. After setting the level, it returns to the ground level.

  Although not described in each of the above-described embodiments, the present invention can also be applied to an accounting system for an IP telephone that makes a call via an IP telephone network.

[Effect of the third embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

  The present invention can be applied to a billing system that charges a call charge to a billing telephone number designated by a user.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of 1st Embodiment of the charging system concerning this invention. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a telephone 500. FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of corporate user management DB404 and individual user management DB405. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a part of operation | movement of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a part of operation | movement of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a part of operation | movement of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating a part of operation | movement of 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence chart for demonstrating operation | movement of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of a personal service user changing the content of a use stop flag. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of the corporate administrator changing the content etc. of a use stop flag. It is a sequence chart for demonstrating the operation | movement at the time of the corporate administrator changing the content etc. of a use stop flag. It is an external view of the telephone 500a used in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of the telephone 500a. It is a block diagram which shows the example of whole structure of 3rd Embodiment. It is an external view of the telephone 500b used in 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the example of an internal structure of the telephone set 500b. 5 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a state of a signal line 501 and a changeover switch 503. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Corporate 101 ... Corporate service user 102 ... Corporate management terminal device 103 ... Manager 201 ... Individual service user 202 ... Individual user terminal device 300 ... Telephone network 400 ... Telephone service company 402 ... Service management system 404 ... Corporate User management database 405 ... individual user management database 406 ... user management database 410 to 412 ... service company window 413 ... charging database 500, 500a, 500b, 530 ... telephone 501 and 502 ... signal line 503 ... switching button 504 ... charging Status display unit 505 ... Message display unit 506 ... Handset 507 ... Ten key unit 511 ... Special phone number generation unit 512, 512a ... Dial signal generation unit 513 ... Special phone number detection unit 514 ... Hook detection unit 515 ... Display drive circuit 516, 516a ... system Part 520 ... power supply 521 ... resistor 523 and 525 ... contact 524 ... Switch 526 ... waveform shaping section 527 ... user charges signal generation circuit 528 ... display drive circuit 529 ... hook detector

Claims (5)

In a billing system that charges a call fee related to the call to a billing telephone number transmitted by the telephone at the time of the call,
A user management database in which a charging destination telephone number and a usage stop flag indicating whether or not to stop charging to the charging destination telephone number are registered for each user;
Changing means for changing the content of the use stop flag according to a user instruction, and
The telephone is
When using the user billing service, a button pressed by the user,
A special telephone number transmission unit for transmitting a special telephone number for using the user billing service when the button is pressed;
A special telephone number detector for detecting that the special telephone number is transmitted from the special telephone number transmitter;
A hook detector for detecting that the handset is on-hook;
The display state of the display means indicates that the user billing service is being used from when the special telephone number detection unit detects transmission of a special telephone number until the hook detection unit detects off-hook. A billing system comprising a display drive unit to be realized. In a billing system that charges a call fee related to the call to a billing telephone number transmitted by the telephone at the time of the call,
A user management database in which a charging destination telephone number and a usage stop flag indicating whether or not to stop charging to the charging destination telephone number are registered for each user;
Changing means for changing the content of the use stop flag according to a user instruction, and
The telephone is
When using the user billing service, a button pressed by the user,
A pressing detection unit that detects pressing of the button;
A hook detector for detecting the on-hook of the handset;
The user billing service is used for the display state of the display means until the on-hook of the handset is detected by the hook detecting unit after the pressing of the button is detected by the pressing detecting unit. A display driving unit for indicating
A signal line connected to a service management system for providing the user billing service;
A user billing signal generator that changes the voltage on the signal line at a timing when the pressing of the button is detected by the pressing detector and when an on-hook of the handset is detected by the hook detector. A billing system characterized by The billing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The changing means performs authentication based on the login ID and password sent from the user terminal device of the user, and when the authentication is successful, the usage is performed according to the instruction sent from the user terminal device. A billing system characterized by changing the contents of a stop flag. A telephone having display means for displaying whether or not a user billing service is used to set a billing destination telephone number transmitted at the time of calling,
When using the user billing service, a button pressed by the user,
A special telephone number transmission unit for transmitting a special telephone number for using the user billing service when the button is pressed;
A special telephone number detector for detecting that the special telephone number is transmitted from the special telephone number transmitter;
A hook detector for detecting that the handset is on-hook;
The display state of the display means indicates that the user billing service is being used from when the special telephone number detection unit detects transmission of a special telephone number until the hook detection unit detects off-hook. A telephone set comprising a display drive unit for use. A telephone having display means for displaying whether or not a user billing service is used to set a billing destination telephone number transmitted at the time of calling,
When using the user billing service, a button pressed by the user,
A pressing detection unit that detects pressing of the button;
A hook detector for detecting the on-hook of the handset;
The user billing service is used for the display state of the display means until the on-hook of the handset is detected by the hook detecting unit after the pressing of the button is detected by the pressing detecting unit. A display driving unit for indicating
A signal line connected to a service management system for providing the user billing service;
A user billing signal generator that changes the voltage on the signal line at a timing when the pressing of the button is detected by the pressing detector and when an on-hook of the handset is detected by the hook detector. Phone characterized by.

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