JPH07236011A - Charging management equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To realize an LCR function even to a carrier charged with respect to a total speech time for a prescribed period. CONSTITUTION:A utility charge table 41 stores a utility charge calculated by a charging device 60 for each carrier and for each communication and a selection condition table 42 corresponds a subscriber number from a terminal equipment to a carrier number representing a carrier with a lowest utility charge for the subscriber number. A decision means 38 sums the utility charge for each communication to update a utility charge table 41 to decide whether or not the utility charge of the carrier imposed with respect to a total communication time for a prescribed period in the utility charge of the plural carriers stored in the utility charge table 41 exceeds a prescribed value. When the utility charge of any carrier exceeds a prescribed value, a selection condition rewrite means 39 rewrites a selection condition table 42 so as to exclude the carrier.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a charge management device for selecting a carrier with the lowest usage charge from a plurality of carriers having various charge systems when transmitting from a terminal device to a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the percentage of information and communication costs in business operations has increased, and there is a demand for effective information and communication that reduces communication costs. Therefore, an LCR (least cost routing, lowest cost route selection) function is provided when transmitting to the general public network.

In the conventional LCR function, a special number is transmitted from a terminal device so that a carrier number is automatically added and transmitted, and the carrier number is automatically transmitted. At this time,
They chose the carrier with the lowest rate for one call.

On the other hand, in recent years, NCC with various charge systems
(Newcommon Carrier) has been established.

[0005]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, NCC
Depending on the carrier, some carriers charge not for each call time (holding time) but for the total call time of the month. For this reason, even if the total call time of the month is trying to exceed a certain limit, the carrier with the lowest charge for one call is selected.

Therefore, even when the total talk time of the month is trying to exceed a certain limit, it is not possible to select a carrier in consideration of that point. As a result, there was a problem that the bill was not the cheapest. Therefore, it has become necessary to have an LCR function considering each charging system of the NCC carrier.

An object of the present invention is to provide a billing management device capable of realizing the LCR function even for an NCC carrier billed for the total call time of a predetermined period.

[0008]

The present invention adopts the following means in order to solve the above problems. <Summary of the Present Invention> The present invention relates to the terminal device 10 to the exchange
This is a charging management device that selects the carrier with the lowest usage charge from a plurality of carriers 74 with various charge systems connected to the communication station 72 when transmitting to the communication station 72 through 0.

The present invention comprises a charging device 60, a storage means 40, a determination means 38, and a selection condition rewriting means 39. [First Constituent Element] The billing device 60 calculates the usage charge based on the communication time at each communication, and includes, for example, an arithmetic circuit and a storage circuit.

[Second Component] The storage means 40 has a usage charge table 42 and a selection condition table 41.
The usage charge table 42 stores the usage charge calculated by the charging device 60 for each carrier.

The selection condition table 41 associates the subscriber number from the terminal device with the carrier number indicating the carrier with the lowest usage charge at that number. The storage means 40 is, for example, a random access memory, a ROM, or an EER.
OM, a hard disk, etc. can be illustrated.

[Third Component] The judging means 38 sums up the usage charges each time communication is performed, and the usage charge table 4
2 is updated, and it is determined whether or not the usage charge of the carrier charged for the total communication time of the predetermined period out of the usage charges of the plurality of carriers stored in the usage charge table 42 exceeds the predetermined value.

[Fourth Component] Selection condition rewriting means 39
Rewrites the selection condition table 41 so as to exclude the carrier when the judging means 38 judges that the usage charge of any carrier exceeds a predetermined value. The determination unit 38 and the selection condition rewriting unit 39 perform processing, for example, by a central processing unit (CPU) executing a program stored in a memory.

<Additional Constituent Requirements in the Present Invention> The present invention is composed of the above-mentioned essential constituent elements, but is also realized by adding the following constitutions.

[First Additional Component] In addition to the above configuration, it is also possible to provide a carrier selecting means 43 for selecting the carrier with the lowest usage charge from the plurality of carriers stored in the usage charge table 42. .

At this time, the selection condition rewriting means 39 is
The carrier in the selection condition table 41 is rewritten to the carrier selected by the carrier selecting means 43. The carrier selection means 43 performs processing, for example, by the CPU executing a program stored in the memory.

[Second Additional Component] The judging means 3
8 and the selection condition rewriting means 39 may be provided in the central controller 30 that controls the exchange 20. In this case, the central control device 30 can further include a carrier number searching unit 32 and a carrier number adding unit 33.

The carrier number retrieval unit 32 stores the storage device 40 when the subscriber number is dialed from the terminal device.
The carrier number corresponding to the subscriber number is searched from the selection condition table 41 in the table.

The carrier number adding section 33 adds the carrier number searched by the carrier number searching section 32 to the subscriber number and sends it to the communication station. Carrier number search unit 32
The carrier number addition unit 33 performs processing by the CPU executing a program stored in the memory.

[0020]

[Action]

<Operation of Essential Components of the Present Invention> The usage charge for each communication calculated by the charging device 60 is stored in the usage charge table 42 in the storage unit 40 for each carrier.

Next, the determination means 38 updates the usage charge table 42 by summing the usage charges each time communication is performed, and totals the usage charges of a plurality of carriers stored in the usage charge table 42 for a predetermined period. It is determined whether the usage charge of the carrier charged for the communication time exceeds a predetermined value.

Further, when the judging means 38 judges that the usage charge of any carrier exceeds a predetermined value, the selecting condition rewriting means 39 rewrites the selecting condition table 41 so that the carrier is excluded.

Therefore, when the usage charge of the carrier charged for the predetermined communication period, for example, the total communication time of the month, exceeds the predetermined value, the LCR route selection order is changed.
Calls to the carrier are restricted.

<Operation when the first additional component is added> The carrier selection means 43 selects the carrier with the lowest usage charge from the plurality of carriers stored in the usage charge table 42, and the selection condition rewriting means. 39 rewrites the carrier in the selection condition table 42 to the selected carrier.

That is, the carrier with the lowest usage charge is used thereafter. Then, if the usage charge of the carrier is added for each call and exceeds a certain charge, the carrier with the next lowest usage charge is selected. Therefore, it is possible to equalize the usage charges for a predetermined period for each carrier.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. <Embodiment 1> The terminal device 10 is a telephone, which is connected to an exchange (NW) 20 and sends out an NTT subscriber number and a carrier number to the exchange 20 via a line 11. The main memory device (MM) 40 is an exchange 2 for performing exchange processing.
A program for operating 0 is stored. Further, the main storage device 40 has an LCR selection condition table 41 and a stored call charge meter table 42 described later.

The central control device (CC) 30 is a device for executing a replacement process by executing a program stored in the main storage device 40. A data communication controller (DCC) 50 is connected to the central controller 30.

The data communication control device 50 includes a billing device 60.
And a central control device 30 for exchanging data with each other. The billing device 60 calculates a call charge (use charge) based on the call information from the central control device 30 through the data communication control device 50 and stores the call information at that time.

Here, the call information is the call time and the distance information indicating from which extension to where. Switchboard 20
Is connected to an NTT station 72a and a local NCC station 73, and these stations fetch the carrier number and the NTT subscriber number from the exchange 20. The other NTT station 72
The other terminal device 10 is connected to b, and the station 72a and the station 7 are connected.
NCCs 74a to NCC74c are connected in parallel with 2b so that any of the NCCs can be selected. With such a configuration, a call can be made between the terminal devices 10.

FIG. 3 shows an LCR selection condition table. L
The CR selection condition table 41 associates the area code of a plurality of NTT subscriber numbers with the carrier number indicating the carrier with the lowest usage charge at that number.

FIG. 4 shows a stored call charge meter table. The accumulated call charge meter table 42 stores the use charges calculated by the charging device 60 for each carrier, and stores the total use charges each time communication is performed.
As each carrier, for example, NCC1 to NCC3 or NT
There is T.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the configuration of the central control unit of the first embodiment. The LCR transmission determination unit 31 determines the LCR transmission from the terminal device 10 by the LCR special code 0 via the exchange 20. A carrier number search unit 32 is connected to the LCR transmission determination unit 31.

The carrier number retrieving unit 32 is a main storage device 40.
The carrier number corresponding to the area code is searched from the LCR selection condition table 41 inside. A carrier number adding unit 33 is connected to the carrier number searching unit 32.

The carrier number adding section 33 adds the carrier number searched by the carrier number searching section 32 to the NTT subscriber number and sends it to the exchange 20. The call processing unit 34 ends the call in response to a line disconnection instruction from the exchange 20. A call information sending unit 35 is connected to the call processing unit 34.

The call information sending section 35 sends the call information to the billing device 60 through the data communication control device 50. A billing information receiving unit 36 is connected to the data communication control device 50.

The billing information receiver 36 receives billing information from the billing device 60. A call charge rewriting unit 37 is connected to the billing information receiving unit 36. Here, the billing information is, for example, a call charge divided for each carrier.

The call charge updating unit 37 sums up the charge information from the charging device 60 and the call charge in the accumulated call charge meter table 42 every time a call is made, and updates the call charge in the accumulated call charge meter table 42. This call charge update unit 3
A call charge determination unit 38 is connected to 7.

The call charge judgment unit 38 determines whether or not the call charge meter of the carrier, which is charged for the total communication time of the month, out of the call charges of each carrier in the call charge meter table 42 has exceeded a certain charge. judge. A selection condition rewriting unit 39 is connected to the call charge determining unit 38.

The selection condition rewriting unit 39 uses the LC to exclude the specific carrier from the LCR selection condition table 41.
The contents of the R selection condition table 41 are rewritten. Next, the operation of the first embodiment thus configured will be described. (1) Processing up to station line transmission First, the processing up to station line transmission will be described. FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of the first embodiment when a call is made to a station line, and FIG.

When one terminal device 10 dials the LCR calling special number "0" and the NTT subscriber number, the LCR
The calling special number "0" and the NTT subscriber number are sent to the exchange 20 (step 101). For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, 03-3333-XXXX is sent as the NTT subscriber number.

Then, the exchange 20 sends the LCR calling special number "0" and the NTT subscriber number to the central control unit 30.
Next, in the central control device 30, the LCR transmission determination unit 31 determines the LCR transmission by the special code “0” from the exchange 20. Then, the carrier number search unit 32 causes the main storage device 40 to
The carrier number corresponding to the area code is retrieved from the LCR selection condition table 41 (step 102). For example, the carrier number (0088) corresponding to the area code (03) is read from the LCR selection condition table 41 shown in FIG.

Next, the carrier number adding section 33 adds the read carrier number to the NTT subscriber number and sends it to the exchange 20 (step 103). And exchange 2
0 sends the carrier number and the NTT subscriber number to the NTT station 72a (step 104). For example, NTT
0088-03-3333-XXXX is sent to the station 72a. (2) Process after call Next, the process after call will be described. First, when the receiver in the terminal device 10 is placed on the telephone body, the line is disconnected.
Then, the call processing unit 34 terminates the call in response to a line disconnection instruction from the exchange 20 (step 111).

Then, the call information sending section 35 sends the call information such as the call time and the call distance at that time to the billing device 60 through the data communication control device 50 (step 11).
2).

Further, the billing device 60 calculates the call charge for the call based on the call information (step 11).
3) The call information at that time is stored (step 11).
4). Further, the charging information receiving unit 36 receives the charging information, which is the call charge, from the charging device 60 (step 11).
5). The call charge updating unit 37 adds the call charge of the carrier when the call is made to the accumulated call charge of the corresponding carrier in the accumulated call charge meter table 42. That is,
The accumulated call charge meter of the carrier is updated (step 116).

Further, the call charge determination unit 38 searches the call charge of each carrier in the accumulated call charge meter table 42 for each call. Then, the call charge determining unit 38 determines whether or not the call charge meter of the carrier, which is charged for the total communication time of the month, out of the call charges of the carriers in the call charge meter table 42 exceeds a certain charge. (Step 117).

Here, when the accumulated call charge meter of a specific carrier exceeds a fixed charge, the selection condition rewriting unit 39 assigns the specific carrier to the LCR selection condition table 4
The contents of the LCR selection condition table 41 are rewritten in order to exclude from 1 (step 118). That is, LCR
The contents of the selection condition table 41 are rewritten to other carriers except that particular carrier.

Therefore, when the usage charge of the carrier charged for the total communication time of the month exceeds the predetermined value, L
Since the CR route selection order is changed, transmission to that carrier is restricted, so that it is possible to more accurately select a carrier with a low usage charge.

On the other hand, if the usage charge of the carrier charged for the total communication time of the month does not exceed the predetermined value, L
Normal L without changing the contents of the CR selection condition table 41
CR route selection is performed.

In the embodiment, the total communication time of the month is set as the predetermined period.
It may be the total communication time of the year. <Embodiment 2> Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 shows a configuration block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, the carrier selection unit 4 that selects the carrier with the lowest usage charge from the plurality of carriers stored in the usage charge table 41.
3 is provided. The carrier selection unit 43 is provided between the call charge determination unit 38 and the selection condition rewriting unit 39.

At this time, the selection condition rewriting unit 39 selects the carriers in the selection condition table 42 from the carrier selection unit 4.
Rewrite to the carrier selected in 3. The rest of the configuration is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment, and in FIG. 10, the same parts as those shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing after the call according to the second embodiment. Since the processing up to the station line transmission in the second embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted here.

First, when the receiver in the terminal device 10 is placed on the telephone body, the line is disconnected. Then, the exchange 20
The call processing unit 34 terminates the call in response to an instruction to disconnect the line from (step 211).

Then, the call information sending section 35 sends the call information such as the call time and the call distance at that time to the billing device 60 through the data communication control device 50 (step 21).
2). Further, the billing device 60 calculates a call charge for the call based on the call information (step 213),
The call information at that time is accumulated (step 214).

Further, the billing information receiving unit 36 receives billing information, which is a call charge, from the billing device 60 (step 215). The call charge update unit 37 stores the call charge of the carrier when the call is made Call charge meter table 42
Add to the accumulated call charges of the corresponding carrier. That is, the accumulated call charge meter of the carrier is updated (step 216).

Further, the call charge determination unit 38 searches the call charge of each carrier in the accumulated call charge meter table 42 for each call. Then, the call charge determining unit 38 determines whether or not the call charge meter of the carrier, which is charged for the total communication time of the month, out of the call charges of the carriers in the call charge meter table 42 exceeds a certain charge. (Step 217).

Here, when the accumulated call charge meter of a specific carrier exceeds a fixed charge, the carrier selecting unit 43 causes the carrier with the lowest charge of the plurality of carriers stored in the charge table 41. Select.

Then, the selection condition rewriting unit 39 rewrites the carrier in the LCR selection condition table 41 to the carrier with the lowest usage charge (step 218). That is, the carrier with the lowest usage fee is used thereafter. Then, if the usage charge of the carrier is added for each call and exceeds a certain charge, the carrier with the next lowest usage charge is selected.

Therefore, when the usage fee of the carrier charged for the total communication time of the month exceeds the predetermined value, the monthly usage fee can be equalized for each carrier.
On the other hand, when the usage charge of the carrier charged for the total communication time of the month does not exceed the predetermined value, the normal LCR route selection is performed without changing the contents of the LCR selection condition table 41.

Although the telephone is exemplified as the terminal device in the first and second embodiments, it may be a data terminal device such as a FAX device. In this case, the data communication time is used instead of the call time.

Further, in the embodiment, the central control unit 30 and the data communication control unit 5 are provided as a structure having the LCR function.
0, the charging device 60, and the main storage device 40 are provided on the exchange 20 side. For example, in the terminal device 10, the central control device 3
0, the data communication control device 50, the billing device 60, and the main storage device 40 may be provided to provide the LCR function.

[0061]

According to the essential components of the present invention, the LCR route selection order is changed when the usage charge of the carrier charged for the total communication time of a predetermined period, for example, a month, exceeds a predetermined value. Therefore, transmission to the carrier is regulated. As a result, it is possible to more accurately select a carrier with a low usage charge.

Further, by the additional component, the carrier selection means selects the carrier with the lowest usage charge of the plurality of carriers stored in the usage charge table, and the selection condition rewriting means selects the carrier in the selection condition table. It rewrites it to the career that was done.

That is, the carrier with the lowest usage charge is used thereafter. Then, if the usage charge of the carrier is added for each call and exceeds a certain charge, the carrier with the next lowest usage charge is selected. Therefore, it is possible to equalize the usage charges for a predetermined period for each carrier.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an LCR selection condition table.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a stored call charge meter table.

FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram of a central control device according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating transmission to an office line according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process up to transmission of a station line according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating processing after a call according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating processing after a call according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a configuration block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing processing after a call according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ・ ・ Terminal device 11 ・ ・ Line 20 ・ ・ Switch 30 ・ ・ Central control device 31 ・ ・ LCR transmission determination unit 32 ・ ・ Carrier number search unit 33 ・ ・ Carrier number addition unit 34 ・ ・ Communication processing unit 35 ・ ・ Call Information sending unit 36-Billing information receiving unit 37-Call charge updating unit 38-Call charge determining unit 39-Selection condition rewriting unit 40-Main storage device 41-LCR selection condition table 42-Stored call charges Meter table 43 ... Carrier selection unit 50 Data communication control device 60 Billing device 72a, 72b Station 74a-74c Carrier

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of carriers (7) having various charge systems, which are connected to a communication station (72) when transmitting from a terminal device (10) to a communication station (72) through an exchange (20).
A charging management device for selecting a carrier with the lowest usage charge in 4), the charging device (60) calculating the usage charge based on the communication time at each communication, and each of the carriers. It has a usage charge table (42) for storing the usage charge calculated by the billing device (60) for each, and stores the subscriber number from the terminal device and the carrier number indicating the carrier with the lowest usage charge at that number. Storage means (4) having a selection condition table (41) associated with it
0) and the usage fees are summed up each time communication is performed, and the usage fee table (42) is updated and the usage fee table (4)
Among the usage charges of the plurality of carriers stored in 2), the determination means (3) for determining whether the usage charge of the carrier charged for the total communication time of the predetermined period exceeds a predetermined value.
8) and the selection condition rewriting means (39) that rewrites the selection condition table (41) so as to exclude the carrier when the usage charge of any carrier is determined to exceed the predetermined value by the determination means (38). ) And a charging management device. 2. The carrier selection means (43) according to claim 1, further comprising carrier selection means (43) for selecting a carrier with the lowest usage charge from among a plurality of carriers stored in the usage charge table (42). The charging management device, wherein the rewriting means (39) rewrites the carrier of the selection condition table (41) with the carrier selected by the carrier selecting means (43). 3. The determination means (3) according to claim 1,
8) and the selection condition rewriting means (39) are the exchanges (2
0) A billing management device provided in a central control device (30) for controlling 0).