JPH1131170A - Method and device for relaying charge receipt notification - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for relaying charge receipt notification which immediately notify charge receiving information about receiving of public utility charges produced in a convenience store, etc., to a receiving system of a service provider at the same time with user's payment of changes. SOLUTION: This device has a communication controlling means 11 which receives charge receipt information from a receipt commission terminal 20 through a communication line N and also sends the charge receipt information to a center machine 31a of a charge center 31 that is specified by a bill issuing facility code included in the received charge receipt information through the line N, a data controlling means 12 which identifies a service provider (bill issuing facility 30) that issues a bill from the bill issuing facility code which is included in the charge receipt information that is received by the means 11 and an accumulating part 13 which accumulates the charge receipt information that is received by the means 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for relaying notice of charge storage, and more particularly, to pay a utility charge such as telephone, electricity and gas by a POS terminal installed in each store such as a convenience store. The present invention relates to a charge storage notification relay method for transferring the charge storage information at that time to a charge storage system on the service provider side, and a charge storage notification relay device used directly for carrying out the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, utility bills such as telephone, electricity and gas are often paid by account transfer at financial institutions and the like, but other services such as telephone companies, electric power companies and gas companies are also available. Payments by invoices issued to the users by the merchants have been made as before.

[0003] Payment of this fee is generally made not only by ordinary financial institutions, but also by sales offices and service centers established by service providers in various places. It can also be used at convenience stores that are being developed in chains around various locations.

[0004] According to the fee storage notification relay system using the convenience store, the fee can be paid at any time during the business hours of each store (usually 24 hours). It can be said that this service is extremely convenient for users, because it is possible to pay bills that cannot be handled by financial institutions or the like because they have passed.

[0005] Here, this type of conventional charge storage notification relay system will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a charge storage notification relay system particularly applied to a telephone company.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, in the conventional charge storage notification relay system α, a plurality of POS terminals 1a, 1a,. Are stored in the POS terminals 1a, 1a,... For each user.
b. Then, the accumulated plurality of fee storage information is stored for a certain period (for example, 2 to 2).
3 days), the data is collectively copied to the magnetic tape 2 every time elapses, and the magnetic tape 2 is periodically sent to the charge center 3 that constitutes the charge storage system in the telephone company. In the center machine 3a, information on storage (payment) of telephone charges for each user is confirmed.

Here, the charge storage information generated in the POS terminals 1a, 1a,... Is information relating to billing of telephone charges represented by a bar code printed on the bill, that is, as a bill issuing institution. Information such as a code representing a telephone company, a management number of a bill (including a billed amount), an ID (identifier) representing a holder (user), a payment deadline, etc.
Information on the storage of telephone charges, that is, information such as a code indicating a convenience store as a storage consignment company, storage charges, payment date, etc., is added to the POS terminals 1a, 1a,. This is performed simultaneously with reading information from the barcode by a provided barcode reader (not shown).

[0008] When a telephone line for providing a telephone service to a specific user is suspended due to the unpaid telephone charge of that user, the telephone charge is stored at the center. When the information is confirmed by the charge storage information of the user sent to the machine 3a, information indicating that fact is notified from the center machine 3a of the charge center 3 to the remote terminal 4a of the corresponding business office 4 by communication. You. Then, with this notification, the service suspension release / contact device 4b connected to the remote terminal 4a automatically operates,
Further, in the service facility 5a (corresponding to an exchange) of the service center 5 controlled by the sales office 4, measures are taken to change the telephone line from the stopped state to the operating state.

[0009] Regarding the procedure for bringing the telephone line into an operating state, the service equipment 5 of the service center 5 is described in detail.
If a is a communication-compatible type, the corresponding telephone line is automatically set to the operating state in response to a command automatically sent by communication from the service stop release / contact device 4b of the business office 4 (stop state). Is canceled), and if it is not a communication-compatible type, the service suspension release / communication device 4b sends a fax
In response to the information automatically sent by the contact, for example, the service facility 5a is manually operated by the person in charge, and the corresponding telephone line is switched from the stopped state to the operating state.

In the above description, the charge storage notification relay system applied to a telephone company is taken as an example. However, in the case of a charge storage notification relay system applied to a service company such as an electric power company or a gas company, There is no service facility 5a of the service center 5 that can stop and release the target service (power supply service, gas supply service) in a centralized manner, such as the above-described switchboard. The equipment 5a may be replaced with information (for example, a normal terminal device) that can centrally manage the information regarding the release of suspension of the service sent from the business office 4.

[0011]

The above-mentioned various utilities must be paid by the designated payment deadline, but if the payment is not made by the user within the deadline, the service provider Does not stop the target service immediately, but stops after a certain period of time.

This will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 7, on the basis of the fee storage information recorded in the center machine 3a of the fee center 3, it is A days (for example, 15 days) after the due date of the fee. At the time point A, a reminder is sent to the user concerned, and if the fee is not paid by the time point B, which is B days after the payment deadline (for example, 25 days later), the user is notified that the target service will be stopped. Then, when it is confirmed by the fee storage information recorded in the center machine 3a that the fee has not been paid at the time point B, the target service is stopped as notified.

Here, for example, the user has forgotten to pay the fee after the payment deadline has passed, and noticed just before the time point A when the dunning notice is scheduled to be sent, and the user pays the fee at the convenience store 1. If you do, there is a possibility that a reminder letter will be sent from the service provider. The difference is that the charge storage information is transmitted from the convenience store 1 to the charge center 3 periodically by the magnetic tape 2, and the service provider stores the charge after the user actually pays the charge. It takes a predetermined number of days (2 to 3 days in the case of the above example) to check.

Similarly, for example, if the user pays the fee at the convenience store 1 immediately before the point B at which the target service is scheduled to stop, the target service is stopped against the user's will. And may inconvenience the user greatly. In such a case, if the service provider's sales office 4 is informed that the payment has already been made by telephone or the like, the suspension of the target service will be canceled immediately. , The suspension of the target service cannot be canceled until the next business day. This is extremely inconvenient for the user.

Here, the main objects to be solved by the present invention are as follows.

[0016] That is, a first object of the present invention is to store fee storage information relating to the storage of utility charges generated in a convenience store or the like simultaneously with payment of a fee by a user.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a charge storage notification relay method and apparatus capable of immediately notifying a storage system of a service provider.

A second object of the present invention is to release the suspension of the target service without delay in response to the subsequent payment by the user, even if the target service is suspended due to the unpaid utility charges. It is intended to provide a method and apparatus for relaying a charge storage notification that can be performed.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the specification, the drawings, and particularly from the claims.

[0019]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention connects a convenience store to a utility bill storage system of a service provider by a communication line, and stores a utility bill generated by the convenience store. It is characterized in that, at the same time that the user pays the fee, the fee storage information relating to billing and storage is immediately notified online to the storage system of the service provider.

More specifically, in order to solve the problem, the present invention achieves the above object by adopting a novel characteristic configuration method and means from the upper concept to the lower concept enumerated below. Is done.

That is, the first feature of the method of the present invention is that it is generated in a storage commissioning terminal capable of storing a utility bill by a bill, and includes at least a billing institution code, a bill management number, The fee storage information including the information of the custodian ID and the payment term, and the information of the storage consignment company code, the storage fee, and the date of payment regarding the storage of the utility charge is received from the storage consignment terminal, and the received From the billing institution code included in the charge storage information, the service provider that issued the bill is identified, the received charge storage information is stored in the database, and the stored charge storage information is used by the identified service provider for utility charges. To the center machine of the charge center that constitutes the storage system of
It is in the configuration adoption of the charge storage notification relay method.

[0022] A second feature of the method of the present invention is that a charge storage notice is provided, wherein the transmission of the stored charge storage information in the first feature of the method of the present invention to a center machine is performed in accordance with the communication protocol of the center machine. It consists in adopting the configuration of the relay method.

A third feature of the method of the present invention indicates whether the transmitted charge storage information is appropriate when the center machine in the first or second feature of the method of the present invention is in operation. Receiving the matching result information from the center machine,
In the case where the received collation result information indicates a normal value, the accumulated fee storage information is deleted after a lapse of a predetermined period, and the present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a fee storage notification relay method.

A fourth feature of the method of the present invention is that, when the received collation result information does not indicate a normal value in the third feature of the method of the present invention, the collation result information is stored in a database. It consists in adopting the configuration of the relay method.

A fifth feature of the method of the present invention is that an abnormal reason is identified from the stored collation result information in the fourth feature of the method of the present invention, and the identified abnormal reason is included in the stored charge storage information. When it is possible to respond at the business office specified by the billing institution code, while transmitting the accumulated collation result information to the terminal device of the business office,
The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a charge storage notification relay method that deletes both the stored charge storage information and the corresponding collation result information after a predetermined period has elapsed.

A sixth feature of the method of the present invention is that if the identified reason for abnormality in the fifth feature of the method of the present invention cannot be handled by the business office specified by the billing institution code, it is stored. The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a charge storage notification relay method for retaining the collated result information as it is.

According to a seventh feature of the method of the present invention, when the center machine according to the first or second feature of the present invention is inactive, the payment date included in the accumulated fee storage information is: Judging from the payment deadline included in the charge storage information, it is determined whether or not it is within a certain period, and if the payment date is within the period, priority information is added to the stored charge storage information. The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a charge storage notification relay method of storing this in a database as untransmitted information.

An eighth feature of the method of the present invention is that, when the payment date in the seventh feature of the present invention is not within the period, it is specified by the billing institution code included in the accumulated fee storage information. The service facility of the service center to be controlled determines whether or not the release of the suspension of the target service is externally controllable.If the service facility is externally controllable, the service facility releases the suspension of the target service. The present invention resides in adoption of a configuration of a charge storage notification relay method of transmitting service stop release information for performing the service stop and deleting accumulated charge storage information after a predetermined period has elapsed.

A ninth feature of the method of the present invention resides in that, when the service facility in the eighth feature of the above-mentioned method of the present invention cannot be externally controlled, the service information stored in the business office specified by the billing institution code is stored. The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a charge storage notification relay method of transmitting charge storage information and deleting accumulated charge storage information after a predetermined period has elapsed.

A tenth feature of the method of the present invention is to determine the presence or absence of accumulated unsent information in the seventh, eighth or ninth feature of the method of the present invention, and to determine whether the unsent information exists in the database. If there is, the transmission order of the corresponding plurality of charge storage information is determined from the priority information included in the individual untransmitted information, and the transmission of the plurality of charge storage information to the center machine is performed according to the state of the center machine. The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a charge storage notification relay method that is performed in accordance with the determined transmission order when the state transitions from inactive to active.

On the other hand, the first feature of the device of the present invention is as follows.
Utility bills can be stored by bill, and at least information on billing institution code, bill management number, packer ID, payment deadline related to billing of utility bills, and storage consignment company code on storage of utility bills , A storage commissioning terminal that generates fee storage information including each information of a storage fee, and a payment date, a center machine of a fee center configuring a utility bill storage system in a service provider, and a terminal of a business office in a service provider. The device and the service facility of the service center of the service provider are connected via a communication line, respectively, receive the charge storage information from the storage entrustment terminal via the communication line, and are included in the received charge storage information. The charge storage information is sent to the center machine of the charge center specified by the billing institution code via the communication line. Communication control means, a data control means for identifying a service provider which has issued a bill from a billing institution code included in the charge storage information received by the communication control means, and a charge received by the communication control means. The present invention resides in adoption of a configuration of a charge storage notification relay device having a storage unit for storing storage information.

A second feature of the present invention apparatus is that the communication control means in the first feature of the present invention apparatus described above uses a communication protocol for transmitting the charge storage information stored in the storage section to the center machine. The present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a charge storage notification relay device having means for converting a communication protocol into a communication protocol defined in a center machine.

A third feature of the apparatus of the present invention resides in that the data control means in the first or second feature of the above-described apparatus of the present invention is adapted such that when the center machine is in operation, the charge storage information transmitted by itself is appropriate. Means for receiving, from the center machine via a communication line, collation result information indicating whether or not
When the matching result information indicates a normal value, the charge storage notification relay device includes means for deleting the charge storage information stored in the storage unit after a predetermined period has elapsed.

A fourth feature of the present invention is that the data control means in the above third feature of the present invention stores the collation result information in a storage section when the collation result information does not indicate a normal value. The present invention is to adopt a configuration of a charge storage notification relay device having means for performing the above.

According to a fifth feature of the present invention, the data control means in the fourth feature of the present invention is characterized in that the data control means identifies a reason for abnormality from the collation result information stored in the storage section;
If the reason for the abnormality can be handled by the business office specified by the billing institution code included in the charge storage information stored in the storage unit, the verification result information stored in the storage unit Means for transmitting to the terminal device of the place, and deleting the charge storage information and the matching result information corresponding to the charge storage information stored in the storage unit after a certain period of time has elapsed. is there.

A sixth feature of the device of the present invention is that the data control means in the fifth feature of the device of the present invention cannot respond to the reason for the abnormality at the business office specified by the billing institution code. In this case, the present invention resides in adopting a configuration of a charge storage notification relay device having means for retaining the collation result information stored in the storage unit as it is.

A seventh feature of the present invention is that the data control means according to the first or second feature of the present invention is characterized in that the charge storage information stored in the storage section when the center machine is inactive. Means for determining whether the payment date included in the payment date is within a certain period from the payment expiration date included in the charge storage information, and accumulates in the storage unit when the payment date is within the period. Priority information is added to the received fee storage information,
And a means for accumulating the information as untransmitted information in a storage unit.

An eighth feature of the device of the present invention resides in that the data control means according to the seventh feature of the above-described device of the present invention stores the charge storage information stored in the storage unit when the payment date is not within the period. Means for determining whether or not the service facility of the service center specified by the included billing institution code can be externally controlled for release of suspension of the target service; and, if the service facility is externally controllable, Means for transmitting service stop release information for releasing the stop of the target service to the service facility via a communication line, and deleting the charge storage information stored in the storage unit after a predetermined period has elapsed. The present invention resides in adoption of the configuration of the charge storage notification relay device.

A ninth feature of the present invention is that the data control means according to the eighth feature of the present invention is characterized in that, when the service facility cannot be externally controlled, the business unit specified by the billing institution code is used. A charge storage notification relay device having means for transmitting the charge storage information stored in the storage unit via a communication line and deleting the charge storage information stored in the storage unit after a predetermined period has elapsed. Configuration adoption.

According to a tenth feature of the present invention, the data control means in the seventh, eighth and ninth features of the present invention is characterized in that the data control means determines whether or not there is untransmitted information stored in the storage section. Means for determining the transmission order of the corresponding plurality of fee storage information from the priority information included in each of the untransmitted information when the untransmitted information is stored in the storage unit;
Means for starting transmission of the plurality of charge storage information to the center machine, simultaneously with the transition of the state of the center machine from inactive to active while following the transmission order,
It is in the configuration adoption of the charge storage notification relay device.

[0041]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings with reference to examples of apparatuses and methods.

(Example of Apparatus) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a charge storage notification relay apparatus according to an example of the present invention. Also,
FIGS. 2A and 2B are a data configuration diagram of fee storage information and a data configuration diagram of collation result information, respectively.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, a charge storage notification relay device 10 according to this example of the device first operates a plurality of storage entrustment terminals 20, 20,. 30 (hereinafter referred to as “invoice issuing organization 30”)
), A center machine 31a of a toll center 31 that constitutes a utility bill storage system, a terminal device 32a of a sales office 32 of the billing institution 30, and a service facility 33a of a service center 33 of the billing institution 30. Are connected to each other via a communication line N.

Here, a plurality of storage entrustment terminals 20, 20,...
Is a POS terminal installed in a convenience store or the like. The POS terminal is capable of storing utility bills by bills printed with barcodes. Charge storage information 40 for each user as shown in FIG. Is generated. The charge storage information includes a bill issuing institution code 41 including a business office code (and a service center code), a storage consignment company code 42 including a store code, a bill management number 43, a store ID 44, a storage charge 45, Payment term 46,
It is composed of information of the payment date 47. However, of these, the invoicing organization code 41 and the invoice management number 4
3. Each information of the custodian ID 44 and the payment deadline 46 is information relating to billing of a utility bill, and is a storage consignment company code 4.
2. Each information of the storage fee 45 and the payment date 47 is information relating to the storage of the utility fee.

The charge storage notification relay device 10 of the present example receives the charge storage information 40 from the storage entrustment terminal 20 having the above functions via the communication line N, and receives the received charge storage information 40. The communication control means 11 transmits the charge storage information to the center machine 31a of the charge center 31 specified by the billing institution code 41 included in the communication control means N via the communication line N, and the communication control means 11 From the bill issuing institution code 41 included in the charge storage information 40, the data control means 12 for identifying the bill issuing institution 30 and the storage section 13 as a database for storing the charge storage information 40 received by the communication control means 11 (The communication control means 11 and the data control means 12 have functions other than those described here. Described in Example).

Here, the communication control file 13a in the storage unit 13 is a file for storing a program for realizing the function of the communication control unit 11, and the data control file 13b is a file for storing the program of the data control unit 12. This is a file for storing a program that implements a function. The data file 13c is stored in the storage entrustment terminal 20.
The error file 13d is a file for actually storing the charge storage information 40 received from the customer, and the error file 13d indicates whether the charge storage information 40 transmitted to the center machine 31a is appropriate or not as shown in FIG. If the matching result information 50 does not indicate a normal value, this file is to be stored later. Note that this collation result information 50
Are a bill issuing institution code 51 including a sales office code (and a service center code), a storage consignment company code 52 including a store code, a bill management number 53, and a store ID 5
4. Matching result 55, error reason code 56, error content 57
The determination as to whether or not the above-mentioned normal value is shown is made using three pieces of information after the matching result 55 (details will be described in a method example).

(Example of Method) Next, a description will be given of an implementation procedure of an example of a method applied to the example of the apparatus configured as described above.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining a method of relaying a charge storage notification according to a method example of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, in the charge storage notification relay method according to this example, first, the communication control means 11 receives the charge storage information 40 provided from the storage entrustment terminal 20 via the communication line N. (ST1) Next, the data control means 12 identifies the billing institution 30 from the billing institution code 41 included in the received fee storage information 40 (ST2), and the received fee storage information 4
0 is stored in the data file 13c of the storage unit 13, which is a database (ST3). The storage of the charge storage information 40 in the data file 13c is preferably performed for each identified billing institution 30, that is, for each of a plurality of service companies.

Next, the data control means 12
It is determined whether or not (existence) untransmitted information (details will be described later) exists in the data file 13c (ST4). If it does not exist (ST4; N), the communication control unit 1
1 communicates with the center machine 31a of the toll center 31 according to the communication protocol.
a (step ST5), the charge storage information 40 once stored in the data file 13c is transferred to the charge center 3 via the communication line N.
The data is transmitted to the first center machine 31a (ST6). In addition,
When transmitting the charge storage information 40 to the center machine 31a, the charge storage information 40 is stored in the data file 13
This is performed while the data is held in c (without deletion).

Here, the center machine 3 of the charge center 31
1a is in a receivable state, that is, the center machine 31
If a is in operation (ST7; Y), the subsequent processing from ST8 to ST16 is performed, and the center machine 31a is not in operation and is inactive at night or on holidays (ST7). N), the processes after ST17 are performed. In the following, a description will be given of the <process during operation of the center machine> from ST8 to ST16 and the <process during suspension of the center machine> after ST17.

<Process during operation of center machine> First, when the center machine 31a of the charge center 31 is operating, the data control unit 12 checks whether the charge storage information 40 transmitted by itself is appropriate or not. The result information 50 is received from the center machine 31a via the communication line N (ST
8).

At this time, the transmitted charge storage information 40 is determined to be inappropriate, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, in the storage entrustment terminal 10 of a convenience store or the like, the information on the billed amount of the barcode. Is incorrectly read, the information on the storage fee 45 included in the fee storage information 40 matches the information on the bill management number 43 (including the information on the charged amount) included in the same fee storage information 40. If not, or as shown in FIG.
Even if the fee has already been paid by another person in 2 etc., the payer included in the fee storage information 40 by making a double payment of the fee at the storage entrustment terminal 10 such as a convenience store or the like. This is a case where information such as an ID already exists in the center machine 31a.

Next, when the collation result information 50 is received, the data control means 12 judges the content of the collation result 55 included in the collation result information 50 (ST9), and when it indicates a normal value (ST9; In Y), the charge storage information 40 transmitted in the process of ST6 is determined to be appropriate, and the data file 1 of the storage unit 13 corresponding to the transmitted information is stored.
The charge storage information 40 stored in 3c is deleted after a certain period (for example, 10 days) has elapsed (ST10).
The reason why the charge storage information 40 is stored for a certain period in this manner is, for example, that the center machine 31 of the charge center 31
This is to prepare for an unforeseen situation, such as when a suddenly breaks down and the past charge storage information 40 received by the center machine 31a so far is lost.

On the other hand, the collation result 5 of the collation result information 50
If 5 does not indicate a normal value (ST9; N), the data control means 12 temporarily stores the received collation result information 50 in the error file 13d of the storage unit 13 (ST1).
1) Further, the abnormality reason is identified by referring to each information of the abnormality reason code 56 and the abnormality content 57 included in the collation result information 50 (ST12).

As a result of the identification of the reason for the abnormality, if the reason can be dealt with in the business office 32, that is, in the case of the above-mentioned inconsistency of charges or double storage (ST13; Y), the data control means 12 determines the reason of ST11. Storage unit 1 in processing
The comparison result information 50 stored in the error file 13d of No. 3 is transmitted to the business office 32 via the communication line N without being deleted at this stage (ST14), and the charge stored in the data file 13c is further deleted. The storage information 40 and the corresponding matching result information 50 stored in the error file 13d corresponding to the storage information 40 are deleted after a certain period (for example, 10 days) has elapsed (ST15). The reason why the collation result information 50 is stored for a certain period in this way is for the same reason as that for storing the charge storage information 40 described above.

If the reason for the abnormality is not one that can be dealt with in the business office 32 (ST13; N), the data control means 12 uses the collation result information 50 stored in the error file 13d of the storage unit 13 to determine the cause later. Therefore, it is kept as it is (ST16).

<Process During Center Machine Suspension> On the other hand, when the center machine 31 a of the fee center 31 is suspended, first, the data control unit 12 includes the charge storage information 40 stored in the data file 13 c of the storage unit 13. The payment date 47 is the payment term 4 included in the same fee storage information 40.
Then, it is determined whether or not the service is within a certain period from step 6, ie, whether or not the target service is being provided (in the example shown in FIG. 7, 25 days from the payment deadline to the point B of service suspension) (ST17). ), If it is within the period (ST17;
Y), in preparation for transmission of the storage fee information 40 when the state of the center machine 31a of the fee center 31 changes from inactive to active, prepares the data file 13c during the inactive status.
The priority information is added to the plurality of charge storage information 40 sequentially stored in the data file 13c, and this is stored in the data file 13c as untransmitted information (ST18).

When the priority information is added to the plurality of charge storage information 40, the priority is determined in ascending order of the remaining service until the target service is stopped so as not to bother the user. (In the example shown in FIG. 7, the one closest to the point B of the service stop is given the highest priority)

Then, the data control means 12 determines the actual transmission order of the corresponding plurality of fee storage information from the priority information included in the individual untransmitted information stored in the data file 13c of the storage unit 13. Then (ST19), when it is determined in the above-mentioned processing of ST4 that there is untransmitted information in the data file 13c (ST4; Y), the communication control means 11 performs the following processing of ST5.
The communication protocol is converted for each unsent information,
Further, in the process of ST6, the untransmitted information is transmitted to the center machine 31a of the charge center 31 via the communication line N.

On the other hand, when the payment date 47 included in the charge storage information 40 is not within a fixed period from the payment deadline 46 (ST17; N), the data control means 12
The service facility control in the storage unit 13 determines whether or not the service facility 33a of the service center 33 specified by the billing institution code 41 included in the charge storage information 40 can be externally controlled to release the suspension of the target service. It is determined based on the presence or absence of information registration (ST20), which is registered in the storage unit 13, and the service facility 33a
Is externally controllable (ST20; Y), service stop release information for performing stop release of the target service is transmitted to the service facility 33a via the communication line N (ST21). The charge storage information 40 stored in the data file 13c is deleted after a certain period of time has elapsed in the process of ST10 described above.

If the service facility control information for controlling the service facility 33a is not registered in the storage unit 13 (ST20; N), the data control means 12
Transmits the charge storage information 40 via the communication line N to the terminal device 32a of the business office 32 specified by the billing institution code 41 assuming that the service facility 33a cannot be externally controlled. Then (ST22), the charge storage information 40 stored in the data file 13c is deleted after a certain period has elapsed in the above-described processing of ST10.

It should be noted that the fact that the service facility 33a is externally controllable means that, when the target service is a telephone service, the service facility 5a is of a communication-capable type. This means that the equipment 5a is not of a communication type (see the related art). When the target service is an electric power supply service or a gas supply service, there is no service that can stop and release the target service in a localized manner.
a cannot be externally controlled. Therefore, in this case, the service suspension release information is not transmitted, and the charge storage information 40 is always transmitted to the terminal device 32a of the business office 32.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the example of the apparatus and the example of the method, the present invention is not necessarily limited only to the above-described means and methods, and achieves the object of the present invention. Changes can be made as appropriate within a range having the effects described below.

[0065]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Charge storage information related to the storage of utility charges generated at convenience stores, etc. will be immediately notified to the service provider's storage system at the same time as the payment of the user's fee, and the payment of the utility fee Even when the target service is stopped, the suspension of the target service is released without delay in response to the subsequent payment of the fee by the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a charge storage notification relay device according to an example of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a data configuration diagram of charge storage information, and FIG.
FIG. 7 is a data configuration diagram of collation result information.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a charge storage notification relay method according to a method example of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a mismatch in payment amounts of utility charges.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of double payment of a utility bill.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional charge storage notification relay system together with a flow of information.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a relationship between a payment deadline of a utility bill, a reminder sending time, and a service stop time.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Charge storage notification relay apparatus 11 ... Communication control means 12 ... Data control means 13 ... Storage part 13a ... Communication control file 13b ... Data control file 13c ... Data file 13d ... Error file 20 ... Storage commissioning terminal (POS terminal) 30 ... Invoicing organization 31 ... Charge center 31a ... Center machine 32 ... Sales office 32a ... Terminal device 33 ... Service center 33a ... Service equipment 40 ... Charge storage information 50 ... Verification result information N ... Communication line

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Ishiwata 3-19-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Mamoru Hayashi 3- 192-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo No. Within Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (72) Inventor Yuji Yamada Within Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation at 3-19-2 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Claims (20)

[Claims] Claims: 1. A storage commissioning terminal capable of storing a utility bill according to an invoice, generated at least by a billing institution code, a bill management number, a custodian ID, and a payment term relating to billing of a utility bill. Receiving the fee storage information from the storage commissioning terminal, including the storage consignment company code relating to the storage of utility charges, the storage fee, and the payment date, and issuing the bill included in the received fee storage information The service provider that issued the bill is identified from the institution code, the received charge storage information is stored in a database, and the stored charge storage information is configured in the identified service provider into a utility charge storage system. A charge storage notification relay method, which is transmitted to a center machine of a charge center. 2. The charge storage notification relay method according to claim 1, wherein the transmission of the stored charge storage information to the center machine is performed according to a communication protocol of the center machine. 3. When the center machine is in operation, collation result information indicating whether the transmitted fee storage information is appropriate is received from the center machine, and the collation result information received is normal. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when a value is indicated, the accumulated charge storage information is deleted after a predetermined period has elapsed. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein if the received collation result information does not indicate a normal value, the collation result information is stored in the database. 5. An abnormality reason is identified from the accumulated collation result information, and the identified abnormality reason can be dealt with by a business office specified by the billing institution code included in the accumulated fee storage information. If it is, the accumulated collation result information is transmitted to the terminal device of the business office, and after a certain period of time, both the accumulated fee storage information and the collation result information corresponding thereto are deleted. The method of relaying a charge storage notification according to claim 4, wherein: 6. If the identified reason for the abnormality is not one that can be handled by the business office specified by the billing institution code, the accumulated collation result information is retained as it is. A method for relaying a charge storage notification according to claim 5. 7. When the center machine is inactive, the payment date included in the accumulated fee storage information is calculated within a predetermined period from the payment deadline included in the fee storage information. It is determined whether or not there is, and when the payment date is within the period, priority information is added to the stored charge storage information, and this is stored in the database as untransmitted information. 3. The method of relaying a charge storage notification according to claim 1, wherein: 8. If the payment date is not within the period, the service facility of the service center specified by the billing institution code included in the stored charge storage information releases the suspension of the target service. It is determined whether or not external control is possible, and if the service facility is externally controllable, the service facility transmits service suspension release information for performing suspension release of the target service, The charge storage notification relay method according to claim 7, wherein the stored charge storage information is deleted after a predetermined period has elapsed. 9. If the service facility cannot be controlled externally, the sales office specified by the billing institution code:
9. The relay method of claim 8, further comprising: transmitting the stored charge storage information, and deleting the stored charge storage information after a predetermined period has elapsed. 10. 10. A method for determining the presence or absence of the stored unsent information, and when the unsent information is present in the database, a plurality of unsent information is determined from the priority information included in each unsent information. The transmission order of the charge storage information is determined, and the transmission of the plurality of charge storage information to the center machine is performed in accordance with the determined transmission order when the state of the center machine transitions from inactive to active. 10. The method of relaying a charge storage notification according to claim 7, 8, or 9. 11. A utility bill can be stored by a bill, and at least information on a bill issuing institution code, a bill management number, a keeper ID, a payment term, and a utility bill relating to billing of a utility bill, and the storage of a utility bill. Consignment company code,
A storage commissioning terminal that generates fee storage information including information on a storage fee and a payment date, a center machine of a fee center that constitutes a utility bill storage system in a service provider, and a terminal of a sales office in the service provider A device, and a service facility of a service center in the service provider, respectively, connected via a communication line, receiving the charge storage information from the storage entrustment terminal via the communication line, and receiving the received charge. Communication control means for transmitting the charge storage information to the center machine of the charge center specified by the billing institution code included in the storage information via the communication line; and the charge received by the communication control means From the billing institution code included in the storage information, the service provider that issued the bill is identified. A data control means, having a storage section for storing the vault information received by the communication control unit, it vault notification relaying apparatus according to claim. 12. The communication control means includes means for converting a communication protocol for transmitting the fee storage information stored in the storage unit to the center machine to a communication protocol defined in the center machine. The charge storage notification relay device according to claim 11, comprising: 13. The data control means, when the center machine is in operation, sends collation result information indicating whether or not the fee storage information transmitted by itself is appropriate via the communication line. Means for receiving from the center machine, and means for deleting the charge storage information stored in the storage unit after a certain period of time has elapsed, when the collation result information indicates a normal value. 13. The charge storage notification relay device according to claim 11, wherein: 14. The data control means according to claim 13, further comprising: means for, when the collation result information does not indicate a normal value, accumulating the collation result information in the storage unit. Charge storage notification relay device. 15. The data control unit includes: a unit that identifies a reason for abnormality from the collation result information stored in the storage unit; and the reason for abnormality is included in the fee storage information stored in the storage unit. When it is possible to respond at the business office specified by the billing institution code, the collation result information stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the terminal device of the business office, and the storage unit 15. The charge storage notification relay device according to claim 14, further comprising: means for deleting the stored charge storage information and the matching result information corresponding thereto after a predetermined period has elapsed. 16. The data control means according to claim 1, wherein, if said reason for the abnormality cannot be dealt with at the business office specified by said billing institution code, said collation result information stored in said storage section is directly used. The charge storage notification relay device according to claim 15, further comprising: means for retaining. 17. The data control means, wherein when the center machine is suspended, the payment date included in the charge storage information stored in the storage unit is included in the charge storage information. Means for determining whether it is within a certain period from the payment deadline, and, when the payment date is within the period, adding priority information to the fee storage information stored in the storage unit. ,
13. The charge storage notification relay device according to claim 11, further comprising: means for storing the information as untransmitted information in the storage unit. 18. The service center specified by the billing institution code included in the charge storage information stored in the storage unit when the payment date is not within the period. Means for determining whether or not the service facility is externally controllable for release of suspension of the target service; and, when the service facility is externally controllable, the service facility is provided with the target Means for transmitting service suspension release information for performing service suspension release, and for deleting the charge storage information stored in the storage unit after a predetermined period has elapsed. Item 18. A charge storage notification relay device according to item 17. 19. The data control means, wherein when the service equipment cannot be externally controlled, the data is stored in the storage unit via the communication line at a business office specified by the billing institution code. 19. The charge storage notice according to claim 18, further comprising: means for transmitting the charge storage information and deleting the charge storage information stored in the storage unit after a predetermined period has elapsed. Relay device. 20. The data control means, comprising: means for judging the presence or absence of the untransmitted information stored in the storage unit; and when the untransmitted information is stored in the storage unit,
Means for determining a transmission order of a plurality of corresponding charge storage information from the priority information included in each untransmitted information; and transmitting the plurality of charge storage information to the center machine in accordance with the transmission order. 20. The charge storage notification relay device according to claim 17, 18 or 19, further comprising: means for starting at the same time as the state of the center machine changes from inactive to active.