JP4855371B2 - Prepaid mobile phone system and control method of prepaid mobile phone system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a system for controlling packet communication by a prepaid mobile phone, for example, transmission of mail, and in particular, a prepaid mobile phone system and a prepaid mobile phone for providing a flat-rate service for packet communication to a prepaid mobile phone The present invention relates to a telephone system control method.

The billing method of the postpaid cellular phone system collects billing information after voice communication (call) or packet communication is completed, and performs monthly billing. In contrast, a prepaid mobile phone system prepaid a charge for a call or packet communication, and when a call or packet communication request is made, the subscriber is identified and the balance is checked. It is determined whether or not call or packet communication is possible. When it is determined that the call or packet communication is possible, the call or packet communication is started. Further, the usage fee is subtracted from the balance during the call or packet communication, and whether or not the call or packet communication can be continued is periodically checked based on the balance. Thus, the prepaid system requires more functions than the postpaid system, and the control of the telephone call or packet communication becomes complicated.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-12010 discloses a technology that enables a non-voice service in a prepaid mobile phone system.
JP 2006-122010 A

  The postpaid mobile phone system checks the HLR (Home Location Register) information set for mobile phones when starting a call (or packet communication), and starts a call (or packet communication). Only. On the other hand, the prepaid mobile phone system needs to check the balance of the prepaid fee continuously during the period of the call (or packet communication) in addition to the check of the HLR information. Accordingly, the prepaid mobile phone system requires more functions than the postpaid mobile phone system, and the processing of the telephone call (or packet communication) becomes complicated. In the following, an outline of a conventional postpaid mobile phone system and a prepaid mobile phone system will be described.

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram of a postpaid mobile phone system. In the mobile phone system, an HLR 610 that manages information of mobile phones belonging to the system is provided. In the HLR, the location / status information of the subscriber's mobile phone, the additional service information of the subscriber's mobile phone, and the like are managed by IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity subscriber identifier), and FIG. 6-1 (b) Is outlined.
The HLR information 619 shown in FIG. 6-1 (b) indicates the additional service provided to the corresponding mobile phone, identified by the subscriber identifier IMSI619-1, which is given so as not to overlap each mobile phone. Information 619-2, information 619-3 indicating whether or not the mobile phone can be used, and the like are included. When calling or packet communication is stopped due to reasons such as the mobile phone usage fee not being paid or a lost report, etc., information indicating that the mobile phone cannot be used is set in information 619-3 .

Voice communication requested by the postpaid cellular phone 600 shown in FIG. 6A is connected to the other party's cellular phone or fixed phone 613 via the circuit switch 611. When the mobile phone 600 requests packet communication such as sending mail or accessing the Internet, the mobile phone 600 is connected to the target server 616 via the packet switch 614.
The circuit switch 611 and the packet switch 614 are provided with a VLR (Visitor Location Registe) 612 and a VLR 615, and copy and hold the HLR information of the mobile phone 600 stored in the HLR. The circuit switch 611 and the packet switch 614 refer to the HLR information of the mobile phone 600 copied to the VLR 612 or VLR 615 to control the call or packet communication. FIG. 6B is a flow when the mobile phone 600 starts a call (or packet communication).

Step 631: A call (or packet communication) is requested to the circuit switch 311 (packet switch 614 in the case of packet communication) where the cellular phone 600 is located (A1 or A4 in FIG. 6A).
Step 632: The circuit switch 311 (or the packet switch 614) accesses the HLR 610 based on the IMSI of the mobile phone 600, and reads the HLR information (FIG. 6-1 (b)) of the mobile phone (FIG. 6-1). A2 or A5) and VLR612 (or VLR615).
Step 633: The circuit switch 311 (or the packet switch 614) checks the HLR information stored in the VLR 612 (or VLR 615), and checks whether the mobile phone 600 is usable.
Step 634: If it is set as usable as a result of the inspection in step 633, the process proceeds to step 635, and if data indicating that the use of the mobile phone is not permitted is set in the HLR information, the process proceeds to step 636.
Step 635: The call (or packet communication) process is advanced (A3 or A6 in FIG. 6A).
Step 636: Processing of the call (or packet communication) requested from the mobile phone is stopped.

FIG. 7 is an outline of a mobile phone system corresponding to a prepaid mobile phone. Similar to the postpaid cellular phone system shown in FIG. 6A, cellular phones belonging to the system are managed by information set in the HLR 710. The circuit switch 711 and the packet switch 714 read the HLR information of the mobile phone that requested the call or bucket communication from the HLR 710 based on the IMSI of the mobile phone, and copied it to the VLR 712 or VLR 715 (A72, A76). Alternatively, packet communication is managed.
The prepaid device 730 manages the balance of fees prepaid by the user of each prepaid mobile phone in the system. The balance storage device 731 of the prepaid device 730 is prepaid information (in FIG. 8) for the prepaid mobile phone registered in the mobile phone system and information such as the balance of prepaid charges and the expiration date that can be used as the mobile phone. Store as (b)). The control function unit 732 of the prepaid device 730 checks the prepaid information of the prepaid mobile phone that requested the call or bucket communication, and whether the day is within the expiration date of the service or whether there is a balance that can continue the service It is a functional means for determining whether or not.
FIG. 8 is an outline of processing for registering a prepaid mobile phone in the prepaid device 730 and the HLR 710.

The order entry device 835 shown in FIG. 8 (a) is installed in a prepaid mobile phone store or the like, and has a function of registering the purchased prepaid mobile phone in the HLR 710 and the prepaid device 730 when the user purchases the prepaid mobile phone. Have.
Like a normal postpaid mobile phone, each prepaid mobile phone is given an IMSI (subscriber identifier) that does not overlap. By inputting the information of the prepaid mobile phone newly purchased from the order entry device 835, the prepaid information 833 shown in FIG. 8B is stored in the balance storage device 731 of the prepaid device 730 (P1 in FIG. 8). The HLR information 829 shown in FIG. 8C is stored in the HLR 710 (P2 in FIG. 8).

In the prepaid information 833, the prepaid mobile phone IMSI833-1, prepaid service expiration date data 833-2 indicating a time limit usable as a prepaid mobile phone, and balance data 83-3 indicating a usable balance are set. .
A user who has purchased a prepaid mobile phone can purchase a prepaid prepaid card and enter the card number of the prepaid card from the deposit device 835, or dial "1400" from the prepaid mobile phone and access the prepaid device Then, the advance payment is registered by inputting the card number of the prepaid card (P3 in FIG. 8). By registering the advance payment, a predetermined period, for example, a two-month validity period is set as the prepaid service validity period data 833-1 of the prepaid information 833. Further, the advance payment of the prepaid card is added to the balance data 83-3.
The HLR information registered in the HLR 710 from the order entry device 835 (FIG. 8 (c)) is the same as the HLR information of the normal postpaid mobile phone shown in FIG. 6-1 (b). However, “$$$” is added to IMSI 829-1 of the prepaid mobile phone in order to identify that the mobile phone of the HLR information is a prepaid mobile phone.
In the system configuration shown in FIG. 7, the circuit switch 711 requested for voice communication or the bucket switch 714 requested for bucket communication responds from the HLR 710 based on the IMSI of the mobile phone that requested the call or packet communication. Information is read out and stored in the VLR 712 or VLR 715 (A72, A76). Each switch determines whether the mobile phone that requested the call or packet communication is a prepaid or post-payment by determining whether "$$$$" is added to the IMSI829-1 of the HLR information stored in the VLR712 or VLR715. You can know the Paid type.

9A and 9B are operational flows of the mobile phone system shown in FIG.
Step 901: The mobile phone 700 in the system requests a call (or packet communication) (A71 or A75 in FIG. 7).
Step 902: The circuit switch 711 (or packet switch 714) receiving the call (or packet communication) request accesses the HLR 710 based on the IMSI of the mobile phone, reads the corresponding HLR information, and receives the VLR 712 (or VLR 715). ) (A72 or A76 in FIG. 7).
Step 903: The circuit switch 711 (or packet switch 714) has added “$$$” indicating that it is a prepaid mobile phone to the IMSI of the HLR information copied to the VLR 712 (or VLR 715). Inspect. If “$$$” is added, the mobile phone that requested the call (or packet communication) is a prepaid mobile phone, and the process proceeds to step 905. If “$$$” is not added, it is a normal postpaid mobile phone and the process proceeds to step 904.
Step 904: The process proceeds to step 633 in FIG.
Step 905: Call (or packet communication) processing for the prepaid mobile phone shown in FIG. 9-2 is performed.

FIG. 9-2 is a processing flow of a call (or packet communication) to a prepaid mobile phone.
Step 911: When “$$$” is added to the IMSI of the HLR information read in Step 903 of FIG. 9-1, the circuit switch 711 (or packet switch 714) requests a call (or packet communication). The determined mobile phone is determined to be a prepaid mobile phone, and prepaid processing is started. In this step, the circuit switch 711 (or packet switch 714) checks the HLR information stored in the VLR 712 (or VLR 715), and checks whether the mobile phone 700 is usable. When the data that does not permit the use of the mobile phone is set in the HLR information, the call (or packet communication) processing is stopped. If it is set in the HLR information that the mobile phone can be used, the process proceeds to step 912.
Step 912: The circuit switch 711 (or the packet switch 714) transmits the IMSI of the mobile phone 700 to the prepaid device 730 and requests whether the call (or packet communication) is possible (A73 in FIG. 7). Or A77).
Step 913: The control function unit 732 of the prepaid device 730 searches the balance storage device 731 based on the transmitted IMSI of the mobile phone 700, and reads the corresponding prepaid information 833 (FIG. 8 (b)).
Step 914: The prepaid service expiration date data 833-2 in the prepaid information 833 is examined to determine whether or not the current date is within the expiration date. If the expiration date has already passed, the process proceeds to step 918.
Step 915: The balance data 83-3 of the prepaid information 833 is examined, and it is determined whether or not the balance is equal to or greater than a predetermined call charge (or a predetermined bucket communication charge). When the balance does not exceed the predetermined fee, the process proceeds to step 918.
Step 916: A predetermined call charge (or a predetermined bucket communication charge) is reduced from the balance and written back to the balance storage device 731.
Step 917: A response that a call (or bucket communication) is possible is returned to the circuit switch 711 (or packet switch 714) that has requested the prepaid device 730 to make a determination.
Step 918: A response that a call (or bucket communication) is not permitted is returned to the circuit switch 711 (or packet switch 714) that has requested the prepaid device 730 to make a determination.
Step 919: When the prepaid device 730 responds that the call (or bucket communication) is acceptable, the process proceeds to step 920. When the prepaid device 730 responds that the call (or bucket communication) is impossible, the process proceeds to step 923, and the call (or (Bucket communication) processing is canceled.
Step 920: The circuit switch 711 (or the packet switch 714) permits the prepaid mobile phone 700 to make a call for a predetermined time (or a predetermined amount of bucket communication).
Step 921: It is determined whether or not the call (or packet communication) continues after the above-mentioned call (or a predetermined amount of bucket communication). If the call continues, the process returns to Step 912. When the call (or bucket communication) ends, the process proceeds to step 922, and the call (or bucket communication) end process is performed.

The third generation (3G) mobile phone system is larger in function and performance than the previous generation system, and in order to build a prepaid mobile phone system compatible with 3G, the development period is long, Development costs will also increase. In addition, when a 3G prepaid system is to be constructed by renovating an existing prepaid system of the previous generation, many function modifications occur in each of the prepaid device, circuit switch and packet switch. Cost increases.
On the other hand, on the Internet, it is widely performed to provide mail and web access for a fixed amount. Under such circumstances, users of prepaid mobile phones have been desired to provide a flat-rate service that can freely use e-mail and web access within a fixed amount.
The present invention provides a system that enables a new prepaid mobile phone system with a small development scale corresponding to a flat-rate system of packet communication that enables free mail and web access for a certain period of time by paying a predetermined amount. It is.
Hereinafter, the case of the flat-rate mail system will be described as an example. However, it is possible to realize a packet flat-rate system for web access with the same configuration as that for email.

  The present invention provides a new prepaid system of a packet flat-rate system that does not require a complicated configuration and that does not place an excessive burden on the system even in operation and enables mail and web access.

FIG. 1 is an outline of a prepaid mobile phone system that provides a flat-rate mail service according to the present invention. 2A shows prepaid information stored in the balance storage device 131 of the prepaid device 130 corresponding to the prepaid mobile phone, and FIG. 2B shows HLR information of the prepaid mobile phone stored in the HLR 110. . (The “prepaid mobile phone” of the present invention includes a mobile phone equipped with a prepaid SIM (USIM) card ((Universal) Subscriber Identity Module Card). The prepaid SIM (USIM) card is a SIM (USIM). ) By attaching to a card-compatible mobile phone, any mobile phone can be used as a prepaid mobile phone according to the present invention.)
FIG. 2 (a) shows prepaid information 233 according to the present embodiment. Like the conventional prepaid information 833 shown in FIG. 8 (b), IMSI233-1, a prepaid mobile phone, an expiration date usable as a prepaid mobile phone. Prepaid service expiration date data 233-3 representing the balance and the balance data 233-3 representing the available balance are set. The prepaid information 233 according to the present embodiment includes email fixed-rate service expiration date data 233-4 for storing an expiration date in which a fixed amount of email can be used, and automatic continuation for storing information on whether or not to continue the email fixed-rate service automatically. It has data 233-5.

FIG. 2 (b) shows the HLR information 229 stored in the HLR 110 according to the present embodiment. In addition to the conventional HLR information 829 shown in FIG. 8 (c), the corresponding prepaid mobile phone can use a flat-rate mail. It has mail fixed amount allowance / impossibility information 229-4 indicating whether or not.
The prepaid mobile phone can be connected to the prepaid device 130 by dialing “1400” and perform various settings such as new registration. FIG. 2C is an example of a guidance display that the prepaid device 130 sends to the prepaid mobile phone in response to the dial “1400”. The figure shows “(1) New registration of prepaid mobile phone”, “(2) Registration of prepaid card”, “(3) Registration / extension of flat-rate email service”, “(4) Automatic continuation of flat-rate email service”. It is an example which displays the choice of four items.

The HLR 110, circuit switch 111, VLR 112, packet switch 114, and VLR 115 in FIG. 1 correspond to the HLR 710, circuit switch 711, VLR 712, packet switch 714, and VLR 715 in FIG. 7, respectively. In addition, the prepaid device 130, balance storage device 131, order entry device 235, and deposit device 236 in FIG. 1 correspond to the prepaid device 730, balance storage device 731, order entry device 835, and deposit device 836, respectively, in FIG.
The control function unit 132 of the prepaid device 130 according to the present embodiment has a mail valid period management unit 133. Further, the prepaid device 130 has a signal path A20 for instructing the HLR 110 to change the mail fixed amount possible / impossible information 229-4 (FIG. 2B) in the HLR information. Further, there is no signal path (signal path corresponding to the signal A77 in FIG. 7) through which the packet switch 114 inquires the prepaid device 130 about whether or not packet communication is possible.

The order entry device 235, deposit device 236, and signals P1, P2, and P3 in FIG. 1 have the same configuration as the order entry device 835, deposit device 836, and signals P1, P2, and P3 shown in FIG. Is a signal.
A user who newly purchases a prepaid mobile phone or a user who purchases a SIM (USIM) card for prepaid inputs information on the prepaid mobile phone newly purchased from the order entry device 235, or prepaid mobile phone Dial "1400" from the telephone to connect to the prepaid device 130, select "(1) New registration of prepaid mobile phone" in the guidance shown in Fig. 2 (c), and follow the instructions from the prepaid device 130 input. By the above new registration operation, the prepaid information 233 shown in FIG. 2A is stored in the balance storage device 131 of the prepaid device 130 (P1 in FIG. 1), and the HLR information shown in FIG. 229 is stored (P2 in FIG. 1).

  Prepaid service expiration date data 232-2, balance data 233-3, and email flat-rate service expiration date data 233-4 in the prepaid information 233 are not yet set to significant data, and automatic continuation indicating automatic continuation of the email flat-rate service The data 233-5 is set to disable automatic continuation. Also, information indicating that the flat-rate mail service cannot be used is set in the flat-rate mail availability information 229-4 of the HLR information 229.

A user who newly purchases the prepaid mobile phone 100 in FIG. 1 purchases a prepaid card for prepaid use fee and inputs the card number of the prepaid card from the depositing device 235 (P3 in FIG. 1) or prepaid Dial "1400" from the mobile phone to connect to the prepaid device 130, select "(2) Prepaid card registration" in Fig. 2 (c), and enter the prepaid card number, sign up.
By registering the advance payment, a predetermined period, for example, a two-month validity period is set as the prepaid service validity period data 233-2 of the prepaid information 233. Further, a prepaid card advance payment is set in the balance data 233-3. E-mail flat-rate service expiration date data 233-4 is not changed. In this state, the prepaid mobile phone 100 can make a voice call within the range of the balance data 233-3 until the due date set in the prepaid service expiration date data 233-3.
In order to continue using the prepaid mobile phone, it is necessary to continuously set up a prepayment with a prepaid card.

FIG. 3A shows a flow for setting a prepayment in a prepaid mobile phone.
Step 301: The user of the prepaid mobile phone 100 who has purchased the prepaid prepaid card dials “1400” from the prepaid mobile phone or operates the depositing device 236 installed in the mobile phone store. Connect to prepaid device 130.
Step 302: The control function unit 132 of the prepaid device 130 reads the corresponding prepaid information 233 from the balance storage device 131 based on the IMSI of the prepaid mobile phone 100.
Step 303: In accordance with an instruction from the prepaid device 130, the user operates the keys of the prepaid mobile phone 100 or the deposit device 236 to input the card number of the prepaid card.
Step 304: The prepaid device 130 identifies the prepaid amount from the input prepaid card number, and adds the prepaid amount to the balance data 233-3 of the prepaid information 233. When the expiration date set in the prepaid service expiration date data 233-2 of the prepaid information 233 has already passed, or when this advance payment is registered for the first time, the date is two months later. Is stored as prepaid service expiration date data 233-2. If the expiration date still remains, add 2 months to the prepaid service expiration date data 233-2 (however, the expiration date is a maximum of one year).
Step 305: The prepaid device 130 writes the prepaid service expiration date data 233-3 and the prepaid information 233 in which the balance data 233-3 is updated back to the balance storage device 131, and ends the process.

The mail flat-rate system of the present invention makes it possible to arbitrarily use mail for a certain period, for example, 30 days, by applying for the use of a flat-rate mail service after registering the use of a prepaid mobile phone. However, even during the period when the flat-rate use of e-mail is valid, use of e-mail will stop when the prepaid mobile phone itself expires (the date set in the prepaid service expiry date data 233-2) Is done.
The user of the prepaid mobile phone dials “1400” to access the prepaid device 130 and selects “(3) Registration / extension of the flat-rate mail service” in FIG. 2 (c) from the prepaid device 130. Then, an application for a flat-rate mail service is made in accordance with instructions from the prepaid device 130. The prepaid device 130 reads the prepaid information 233 of the prepaid mobile phone that has been accessed from the balance storage device 131 and checks the balance data 233-3. If the balance is equal to or greater than the email flat-rate usage fee, the email flat-rate fee is reduced from the balance data 233-3, and the date of the email flat-rate service expiration date data 233-3 is updated to enable the use of the email. If the balance is less than the flat-rate email charge, the user is not allowed to use the flat-rate mail and notifies the user to that effect.
The prepaid device 130 performs the following processing in order to enable the flat-rate use of e-mail.
(1) The time limit for e-mail flat-rate use (e-mail flat-rate service expiration date) is stored as the e-mail flat-rate service expiration date data 233-4 of the prepaid information 233.
(2) Access the HLR 110 (communication A20 in FIG. 1), and set the information that allows the flat-rate use of email in the email flat-rate available / not-available information 229-4 of the HLR information 229 of the prepaid mobile phone that has applied. .

FIG. 3B is a flow for setting the flat-rate use of e-mail to the prepaid mobile phone.
Step 306: The user of the prepaid mobile phone dials “1400” to access the prepaid device 130 and selects “(3) Registration / extension of mail flat-rate service” in the guidance.
Step 307: The control function unit 132 of the prepaid device 130 that has received the request from the prepaid mobile phone 100 reads the corresponding prepaid information 233 from the balance storage device 131 based on the received IMSI of the prepaid mobile phone 100.
Step 308: It is checked whether or not the balance data 233-3 of the prepaid information 233 is equal to or more than the fixed amount usage fee of the mail. When the balance is less than the flat-rate usage fee for e-mail, it is impossible to extend the expiration date or set a new one, and the process proceeds to step 312 and the process is terminated.
Step 309: When the balance data 233-3 is larger than the fixed amount usage fee for mail, the fixed amount usage fee for mail is subtracted from the balance data 233-3.
Step 310: Update the email flat-rate service expiration date data 233-4, which is the term for which a flat-rate email can be used. In the case of a new application for email flat-rate usage or a re-application after email flat-rate usage stops, a date after a predetermined period, for example, 30 days, is set as the email flat-rate service expiration date data 233-4. When the renewal procedure is performed within the valid period of the mail, a date obtained by adding 30 days to the remaining valid period is set. The prepaid device 130 writes back the prepaid information 233 in which the balance data 233-3 and the mail flat-rate service expiration date data 233-4 are updated to the balance storage device 131.
Step 311: The prepaid device 130 instructs the HLR 110 to change the email flat-rate / not-permitted information 229-4 of the HLR information 229 corresponding to the prepaid mobile phone 100 to information indicating that “e-mail flat-rate use is possible”. (Signal A20 in FIG. 1).
Step 312: The processing result is displayed on the prepaid mobile phone 100, and the processing is terminated.
With the process in FIG. 3B, the user of the prepaid mobile phone can freely use the mail function for a predetermined period.

  In this embodiment, it is possible to automatically continue the email flat-rate service. A user of a prepaid mobile phone dials “1400” to access the prepaid device 130, and selects “(4) Automatic flat-rate mail service” in FIG. Set continuation. The prepaid device 130 changes the automatic continuation data 233-5 of the prepaid information 233 corresponding to the prepaid mobile phone that has issued the setting instruction to a setting of “automatic continuation”. The prepaid device 130 checks the automatic continuation data 233-5 of the prepaid information 233, and determines whether the prepaid mobile phone is a subject of automatic continuation.

The prepaid device 130 stops or continues the email flat-rate service on the expiration date of the email flat-rate service. FIG. 4 is a processing flow for managing the validity period of the email flat-rate service and stopping or continuing the email flat-rate service.
Step 401: The mail valid period management unit 133 of the prepaid device 130 performs a process of continuing to use a flat-rate mail at a predetermined time and a process of stopping a flat-rate mail service when the valid period ends every day.
Step 402: Extract prepaid information 233 of a prepaid mobile phone using a flat-rate mail service.
Step 403: Check whether the prepaid service expiration date data 233-2 of the prepaid information 233 has expired. When the expiration date has expired, that is, when the service of the prepaid mobile phone is terminated, the flat-rate mail service is also terminated, and the process proceeds to step 410.
Step 404: It is checked whether the email flat-rate service expiration date data 233-4 is on the current day. If it is not the current day, that is, if there is still a period during which a fixed amount of mail can be used, the process proceeds to step 408.
Step 405: It is checked whether or not the automatic continuation data 233-5 is set to “perform automatic continuation”. If automatic continuation is not set, the flat-rate mail service is terminated, and the process proceeds to step 410.
Step 406: If automatic continuation is set, automatic continuation processing of the service is performed on the day that is the end date of the email flat-rate service. The prepaid device 130 checks whether or not the balance data 233-3 of the prepaid information 233 is equal to or more than the fixed amount usage fee of the mail. If the balance is less than the flat-rate usage fee for email, the expiration date cannot be extended, so the process proceeds to step 410 and processing for stopping the flat-rate usage of email is performed. When the balance is equal to or more than the fixed amount usage fee of the mail, the process proceeds to step 407.
Step 407: The flat-rate usage fee for mail is subtracted from the balance data 233-3, and the number of days for using the flat-rate mail, for example, the date after 30 days, is stored in the fixed-line mail service expiration date data 233-3.
Step 408: When all the prepaid information 233 has been inspected, the process proceeds to step 409 and the process is terminated. When all the inspections are not completed, the process proceeds to step 402 and the next prepaid information 233 is inspected.
Step 409: The process is terminated.
Step 410: When the prepaid service itself of the prepaid mobile phone is terminated and when the flat-rate mail service is terminated, when the setting is not to use the flat-rate mail, or when the necessary advance payment does not remain, the prepaid The device 130 instructs the HLR 110 to change the setting of the email flat-rate available / not-permitted information 229-4 of the HLR information 229 of the prepaid mobile phone to “cannot use flat-rate email” (signal A20 in FIG. 1). ).

  In this embodiment, when a user applies for a flat-rate email, the HLR information 229 of the prepaid mobile phone is set to “can use a flat-rate email” by the process of FIG. When it becomes a condition to stop the flat-rate use of e-mail such as expiration, the HLR information 229 is set to “cannot use flat-rate e-mail”. With this configuration, the packet switch 114 requested to send a mail can determine whether the mail packet can be sent or not only by checking the corresponding HLR information. The packet switch 114 does not need to repeat access to the prepaid device 130 when it is requested to send a mail and during the mail transmission, and the load on the system can be reduced.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the entire cellular phone system according to the present invention.
Step 501: The postpaid mobile phone or the prepaid mobile phone 100 starts voice communication or packet communication. When the cellular phone 100 starts voice communication (A11 in FIG. 1), it is connected to the circuit switch 111 (step 502), and when packet communication is started (A15 in FIG. 1), it is connected to the packet switch 114. (Step 504).
Step 502, Step 503: The circuit switch 111 that has received the voice communication request from the mobile phone 100 operates according to the voice communication (call) processing flow shown in FIG.
Steps 504 and 505: The packet switch 114 that has received a packet communication request from the mobile phone 100 reads out the HLR information from the HLR 110 and copies it to the VLR 115 based on the IMSI of the mobile phone 100 (A17 in FIG. 1).
Step 506: It is checked whether or not the information “$$$” for identifying the prepaid mobile phone is added to the IMSI229-1 of the HLR information 229 copied in the VLR 115. When “$$$” is not added, the mobile phone that requested the packet communication is a postpaid mobile phone, and the process proceeds to step 507. If “$$$” is added, the mobile phone that requested the packet communication is a prepaid mobile phone, and the process proceeds to step 508.
Step 507: Proceeding to step 633 in FIG. 6-2, packet communication processing for the postpaid mobile phone is performed.
Step 508: Check whether or not fixed amount use 229-4 of the mail (packet communication) of the HLR information 229 in the VLR 115 is checked. When the flat-rate usage is set, the process proceeds to step 509 to perform bucket communication such as transmission of mail. When the fixed amount is unavailable, the process proceeds to step 510 and the bucket communication is stopped.

The present invention makes it possible to use packet communication for a certain period, for example, 30 days by prepaying packet communication charges such as mail. An effective period during which packet communication can be used is stored in a balance storage device that manages the balance of charges prepaid for a prepaid mobile phone. Based on this stored content, the HLR stores information indicating whether or not packet communication is permitted for the prepaid mobile phone.
The mobile phone system has information for managing mobile phones belonging to the system in the HLR, inspects the HLR corresponding to the mobile phone that requested the call or packet communication prior to the call or packet communication, whether or not the call or communication is possible, etc. To control. The present invention stores information indicating whether or not the prepaid mobile phone can use packet communication such as e-mail for a fixed amount in the HLR. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether or not the flat-rate use of packet communication can be performed at the time of HLR inspection performed prior to a call or packet communication. When realizing a flat-rate system for packet communication by a prepaid mobile phone, it is not necessary to make a major change to the conventional system configuration. In addition, when a user is performing a flat-rate packet communication, it is not necessary to always access a prepaid device that manages the availability of a prepaid service and check the remaining amount of the advance payment, as in the conventional prepaid system, There is no need to significantly increase the processing capacity of the system for implementation.

Overview of the entire prepaid mobile phone system according to the present invention Diagram of prepaid information and HLR information according to the present invention Flow chart at the time of registration of prepaid mobile phone according to the present invention Flow chart for controlling continuation of packet communication flat-rate usage according to the present invention Flow diagram of prepaid mobile phone system according to the present invention Overview of the entire conventional postpaid mobile phone system Flow diagram of conventional postpaid mobile phone system Overview of conventional prepaid mobile phone system Conventional prepaid mobile phone registration control diagram Flow diagram of conventional prepaid mobile phone system 1 Flow diagram of conventional prepaid mobile phone system 2

Claims (6)

A prepaid mobile phone system that consists of a prepaid device, an HLR, and a packet switch and permits packet communication for a predetermined period to a prepaid mobile phone that has been prepaid for packet communication,
The HLR has means for storing information indicating whether or not packet communication is possible for a prepaid mobile phone,
The prepaid device is:
Means for storing a time limit for permitting packet communication for a prepaid mobile phone that has been prepaid for packet communication;
Means for setting information that enables packet communication of the prepaid mobile phone prepaid to the HLR;
Means for determining the end of a time limit for permitting packet communication of the prepaid mobile phone and setting information for disabling packet communication of the prepaid mobile phone in the HLR;
The packet switch
Means for reading information indicating whether or not packet communication corresponding to the prepaid mobile phone is possible from the HLR in response to the prepaid mobile phone requesting packet communication;
A prepaid mobile phone system comprising means for performing packet communication of the prepaid mobile phone when the read information indicating whether or not packet communication is possible is information enabling packet communication. The prepaid mobile phone system according to claim 1,
The prepaid device is:
Having means for storing the balance of prepaid money prepaid in the prepaid mobile phone;
A prepaid cellular phone system, wherein a packet communication fee is prepaid by subtracting a predetermined amount from the balance of the prepaid money. The prepaid mobile phone system according to claim 2,
The prepaid device determines the end of a time limit for permitting packet communication of a prepaid mobile phone, and extends the time limit by deducting the predetermined amount from a prepaid money balance of the prepaid mobile phone. Mobile phone system. A control method of a prepaid mobile phone system that permits packet communication for a predetermined period to a prepaid mobile phone for which a packet communication fee has been prepaid,
Storing information indicating whether packet communication is possible / impossible for a prepaid mobile phone in the HLR;
Storing a time limit for permitting packet communication for a prepaid mobile phone that has been prepaid for packet communication charges to the prepaid device;
Setting information that allows packet communication of the prepaid mobile phone prepaid to the HLR; and
Determining the end of the time limit for permitting packet communication of the prepaid mobile phone and setting information for disabling packet communication of the prepaid mobile phone in the HLR;
A packet switch requested for packet communication from the prepaid mobile phone reads out information indicating whether or not packet communication corresponding to the prepaid mobile phone is possible from the HLR;
A prepaid mobile phone system comprising: a step of enabling packet communication of the prepaid mobile phone when the read information indicating whether or not packet communication is possible is information enabling packet communication. Control method. A method for controlling a prepaid mobile phone system according to claim 4,
Storing a balance of prepaid money prepaid in a prepaid mobile phone in the prepaid device;
A method of controlling a prepaid mobile phone system, wherein a packet communication fee is prepaid by subtracting a predetermined amount from the balance of the prepaid money. A method for controlling a prepaid mobile phone system according to claim 5,
The prepaid device extends the time limit by determining the end of the time limit for permitting packet communication of the prepaid mobile phone and subtracting the predetermined amount from the balance of the prepaid money of the prepaid mobile phone. How to control the system.

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