KR100588625B1 - Method and system for providing wireless data service for prepaid subscriber who account balance is exhausted - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention stores the charge calculation reference information corresponding to one or more content data or a content service of any content providing server, and stores one or more prepaid fee subscriber information, and then service identification information from the user terminal via the data service device. When the service request information including the service is received when the preset service execution condition is satisfied (that is, the balance exists, the non-billing service, the monthly service), the data packet corresponding to the service request information, the content providing server corresponding to the service identification information The present invention relates to a wireless data service method and system for a prepaid bill subscriber in a balance depletion state, which is received from and transmitted to a data service device. Enable wireless data service without

Prepaid Subscriber, Billing Data, Wireless Internet, Content, Network

Description

Method and system for providing wireless data service for prepaid subscriber who account balance is exhausted}             

1 is a block diagram of a wireless data service system according to a conventional prepaid fee scheme.

2 is a block diagram of a wireless data service system according to a prepaid fee scheme according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram of a wireless data system according to a prepaid fee scheme according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a wireless data service method for a prepaid bill subscriber in a state in which a balance is exhausted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flow chart illustrating a wireless data service method for a prepaid bill subscriber in a balance exhaustion state in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

220: wireless data service system

225: Base Transceiver Station (BTS)

230: base station controller (BSC)

235 data device

240: billing processing device

The present invention relates to a wireless data service method and system for a prepaid bill subscriber in a balance depleted state, and more particularly, to a prepaid bill subscriber in a balance depleted state that can use a wireless Internet service for use of a particular service even when the prepaid bill subscriber is depleted. A wireless data service method and system for

The development of science and technology and the improvement of the economic level are accelerating the establishment of a wide range of communication networks and communication terminals. A user may use a data transmission / reception service at a fixed location using various communication terminals as well as use a wireless data service using a mobile communication terminal or a personal digital assistant (PDA) while on the go. The user who uses the service has to pay a fee for using the wireless data service, and the standard for calculating the fee varies depending on the amount of packets used and the time used.

1 is a block diagram of a wireless data service system according to a conventional prepaid fee scheme.

Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional prepaid wireless data service system 110 includes a base station (BTS) 115, a base station exchange / packet control (BSC / PCF: Base Station Controller / Packet Control Function). 120, a mobile switching center (MSC) 125, a packet data serving node (PDSN) 130, and an AAA server 135. Of course, in addition to the home location register (HLR), visitor location register (VLR), etc. It will be apparent that it is not related to the subject matter of the present invention, so the description thereof will be omitted.

When a wireless data service use request (for example, a connection request to a specific content providing server or a data download / upload request) is received from the user terminal 100 and wireless data service is performed, packet data of the wireless data service system 110 is performed. The serving node 130 or the network interworking device (IWF-not shown) transmits an accounting request to the AAA server 135. The charging request at this time may be performed in real time or after the use of the wireless data service is terminated.

The AAA server 135 calculates the service usage fee and determines whether the balance is completely exhausted by subtracting the prepaid amount from the usage amount. Of course, the determination of whether the balance is exhausted may be performed by the service control system (SCP-not shown) at the request of the AAA server 135.

If the balance is exhausted, the AAA server 135 requests the packet data serving node 130 or the exchange 125 to terminate the call connection connected with the user terminal 110 to perform the wireless data service.

Accordingly, the exchange 125 or the packet data serving node 130 transmits a call termination request to the base station 115 via the base station controller 120 to terminate the call connected to the user terminal 110.

Thereafter, the subscriber of the prepaid service is restricted from using the wireless data service, but can use the wireless data service again by paying an additional prepaid fee.

As described above, the conventional wireless data service method according to the prepaid fee method has a problem that the use of the wireless data service itself is limited regardless of what kind of wireless data service the user uses when the prepaid fee is exhausted. This is because at the initial call attempt, the user cannot know which service to use.

Therefore, as the types of services through the wireless Internet are diversified, the method of paying the service fee (for example, monthly fee) is also diversified. However, the wireless data service method according to the conventional prepaid fee method is a service fee. There was a problem that does not meet the diversification of payment methods.

Accordingly, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a wireless data service method for a prepaid charge subscriber in a balance exhausted state, which enables the use of a wireless Internet service even when the prepaid charge balance is exhausted. To provide a system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a wireless data service method and system for a prepaid subscriber with a balance in which a wireless data service can be used without restriction even when a prepaid subscriber is depleted of a balance even when using a non-billing service or a prepaid service. It is.

In order to achieve the above object, according to an aspect of the present invention, in the billing processing device provided between the data service device that is a packet data transmission and reception path and the menu server, in a method for controlling the performance of the wireless data service for the prepaid subscribers, Storing charging calculation reference information corresponding to one or more pieces of content data or a content service of an arbitrary content providing server; Storing one or more prepaid fee subscriber information, wherein the prepaid fee subscriber information includes balance information; Receiving service request information including service identification information from the user terminal via the data service apparatus; And receiving a data packet corresponding to the service request information from a content providing server corresponding to the service identification information and transmitting the data packet corresponding to the service request information to the data service device when the preset service execution condition is satisfied. When the balance remains, if the balance is exhausted, at least any one of the case where the service identification information indicates a non-billing service is provided, the wireless data service providing method for a prepaid fee subscriber is provided, the prepaid A system, apparatus, and record carrier are provided that enable performing a method of providing a wireless data service for a toll subscriber.

When the prepaid fee subscriber information further includes prepaid service subscription information, which is prepaid fee prepaid information for a predetermined period of use or number of times corresponding to any content service, the service performance condition is a service corresponding to the prepaid service subscription information. Characterized in that it further comprises identification information.

The service identification information may include at least one of a destination IP address and a URL corresponding to an arbitrary content service.

The method for providing a wireless data service for a prepaid subscriber includes determining whether the data packet is subject to charging; Calculating a service fee corresponding to the data packet by using the charging calculation reference information when the charging target is used; And subtracting the service fee from the balance information.

The data service device includes an interworking function (IWF), a packet data serving node (PDSN), a serving GPRS supporting node (SGSN), a gateway GPRS supporting node (GPRS) Supporting Node) may be included.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a base station, a data service device and a menu server are sequentially configured to form a packet data transmission and reception path, and in a charge processing device coupled to the data service device in parallel, for a prepaid fee subscriber. A method of controlling performance of a wireless data service, the method comprising: storing charging calculation reference information corresponding to one or more content data or a content service of an arbitrary content providing server; Storing one or more prepaid fee subscriber information, wherein the prepaid fee subscriber information includes balance information; Receiving service request information including service identification information from the data service device, wherein the service identification information includes at least one of a destination IP address and a URL corresponding to any content service; And receiving a data packet corresponding to the service request information from a content providing server corresponding to the service identification information and transmitting the data packet corresponding to the service request information to a user terminal corresponding to the service request information when a preset service execution condition is satisfied. And transmitting the service execution permission corresponding to the service request information, wherein the service execution condition is at least one of the case where the balance remains, when the service identification information indicates the non-billing service if the balance is exhausted. Provided is a method of providing a wireless data service for a prepaid subscriber, characterized in that it is one, and a system, an apparatus, and a recording medium for enabling a method of providing a wireless data service for the prepaid subscriber.

If the prepaid fee subscriber information further includes prepaid service subscription information that is fee prepaid information for a predetermined period of use or number of times corresponding to any content service, the service performance condition corresponds to the prepaid service subscription information. Characterized in that it further includes service identification information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a wireless data service system including a base station, a data service device, a charging processing device, and a menu server, the charging processing device for controlling wireless data service performance for a prepaid subscriber, the at least one or more A storage unit for storing charge calculation reference information and one or more prepaid fee subscriber information corresponding to content data or a content service of an arbitrary content providing server, wherein the prepaid fee subscriber information includes balance information; A receiving unit for receiving service request information including service identification information from the user terminal via the data service device; And a determining unit that determines whether a predetermined service performance condition is satisfied, wherein the service performance condition is at least one of when the balance remains, when the service identification information indicates a non-billing service when the balance is exhausted. One; A service controller configured to generate and output a service execution permission when the service execution condition is satisfied; And a fee processing unit for subtracting a service fee corresponding to the service request information from the balance information, wherein the data service device includes an interworking function (IWF) and a packet data serving node (PDSN). There is provided a billing processing apparatus including at least one of a Serving GPRS Supporting Node (SGSN) and a Gateway GPRS Supporting Node (GPRS).

If the prepaid fee subscriber information further includes prepaid service subscription information that is fee prepaid information for a predetermined period of use or number of times corresponding to any content service, the service performance condition corresponds to the prepaid service subscription information. Characterized in that it further includes service identification information.

When the base station, the data service device, the billing processing device and the menu server sequentially configure a packet transmission path, the service control unit transmits the service request information to the menu server as the service execution permission. do.

When the base station, the data service device, and the menu server sequentially configure a packet transmission path, and the charging processing device is coupled in parallel with the data service device, the service control unit provides the service request information as the service execution permission. And transmits a transmission permission of the data service device.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, the same reference numerals will be used for the same means regardless of the reference numerals in order to facilitate the overall understanding.

2 is a block diagram of a wireless data service system according to a prepaid fee method according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a block diagram of a wireless data system according to a prepaid fee method according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention It is also.

2, the wireless data service system 220 according to the prepaid fee system according to the present invention is a base station (BTS: Base Transceiver Station, 225), a base station controller (BSC: Base Station Controller, 230), a data service device ( 235, the billing processing device 240, the subscriber information management device 245, and the menu server 250. The base station 225 or the base station controller 230 may further include a packet controller (PCF). Of course, in addition to the Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Home Location Register (HLR), Visitor Location Register (VLR), etc. It will be obvious to include more, but for convenience of explanation the description will be described. The base station 225 is a device that enables wireless communication between the user terminal 210 and the mobile communication service system 220 through a wireless access system, and transmits and receives a signal with the base station controller 130 on a transmission path. The user terminals 210a, 210b, ..., 210n-hereinafter referred to as 210 are connected to the mobile communication service system 220 through a communication network, and any content providing server 260a via the mobile communication service system 220. , 260b, ..., 260n-260n-referred to as 260) to receive wireless data service (e.g., storage, display, etc.). In FIG. 2, only the mobile communication terminal 210a, the personal portable terminal 210b, and the notebook computer 210n are illustrated as types of the user terminal 210, but any device capable of performing the above-described functions in the same manner is not limited. The same can be applied. In addition, although the user of the user terminal 210 may be a general subscriber instead of a prepaid fee subscriber, the following description will focus on the case of a prepaid fee subscriber.

The base station controller 230 is a device that enables the user terminal 210 registration, control and traffic channel allocation, handoff execution, call setup and termination processing in the cell by the base station.

The data service device 235 is a device that enables the provision and use of a wireless Internet service in addition to a voice communication network, and includes an interworking function (IWF), a packet data serving node (PDSN), It may include at least one of a Serving GPRS Supporting Node (SGSN) and a Gateway GPRS Supporting Node (GPRS). IWF refers to a wireless data service device in a 2G network, a packet data serving node (PDSN) refers to a wireless data service device in a synchronous 3G network, and a gateway GPRS supporting node (GPRS) refers to an asynchronous 3G network. A wireless data service device in a network. Of course, any device that performs a similar function can be applied in the same manner as the above-described devices. The billing processing device 240 is provided between the data service device 235 and the menu server 245 (or the data service device ( 235) and the content providing server 260) based on the data packets transmitted and received based on the data generating the charging data for the user of the wireless data service, and performs the charging. At this time, the billing processing unit 240 inquires whether the subscriber using the wireless data service is a prepaid fee subscriber or a general subscriber to the subscriber information management device 245 to determine subscriber identification information (eg, a prepaid fee subscriber). After receiving the offer, etc.), the billing data corresponding to the received subscriber identification information can be generated. Obviously, the billing processing device 240 and the subscriber information management device 245 can be combined into one device. The charging processing device 240 will be described briefly as follows.

The billing processing apparatus 240 may include a billing data generator, a billing data manager, a billing processor, and a billing verification unit.

The billing data generation unit includes all traffic information (eg, packet usage, usage time information, etc.) and billing basic information (eg, transmission / reception) between the data service device 235 and the menu server 250 (or the content providing server 260). For example, caller / recipient phone number, source IP address, destination IP address, destination IP address, URL of content providing server 150, port number, call start time Call Detail Time (CDR) is used to generate a call detail record (CDR) and send it to the billing processing unit. The data packet transmitted and received between the data service device 235 and the menu server 250 (or the content providing server 260) may be transmitted and received via the charging data generator so that the charging data generator generates the charging data. . In addition, the data packet may be duplicated and provided to the charging data generation unit, wherein the replication process of the data packet may be performed by the charging data generation unit or may be performed by a separate duplicate packet providing unit. It stores billing calculation reference information (for example, wireless data billing information and content billing information) for billing when the content data of the content providing server 260 inside or outside the mobile communication service system is used. In addition, the billing data management unit may further store the URL information, service type information, etc. of the content providing server 260, and, if the menu server 250 is included as one component of the billing processing unit 240, the menu server ( In step 250), the URL information and the like can be managed. The billing data management unit extracts subscriber identification information (eg, a phone number, etc.) from billing data received from the billing data generator to check whether the subscriber using the wireless data service is a prepaid bill subscriber. A request is generated and sent to the subscriber information management device 245.

The billing processor generates detailed billing data on the wireless data service using the billing data received from the billing data generator and billing reference information stored in the billing data manager. In addition, a function of real-time subtraction of the amount corresponding to the detailed billing data generated from the prepaid fee balance of the prepaid fee subscriber may be performed. The generated detailed billing data may be stored and managed by the billing processing unit or transferred to a separate billing data management device to be managed. The balance information after being deducted in real time by the accounting processing unit may be transmitted to the subscriber information management device 245 to be managed or managed by the accounting processing device 240.

The billing verification unit receives billing calculation reference information from the corresponding content providing server 260 when the billing calculation standard information stored in the billing data management unit is not new information or needs to verify the detailed billing data generated by the billing processing unit. By regenerating the to verify the validity of the detailed billing data generated by the billing processing unit. If the billing calculation reference information stored in the billing data management unit is stored before a predetermined period (for example, two months validity period), the verification may be performed.

The subscriber information management device 245 stores and manages information on whether a subscriber using a wireless data service is a prepaid subscriber or a general subscriber, and requests a subscriber information (eg, a telephone number, etc.) from the billing processing device 240. Is received, the device generates the subscriber identification information corresponding to the subscriber information request and transmits it to the billing processing device 240. If any subscriber purchases a prepaid card or subscribes to a prepaid rate product, either online or offline, the corresponding prepaid rate information (e.g. prepaid card purchase amount, prepaid rate subscription amount) ) And subscriber information (eg, a telephone number, etc.) are transmitted to and managed by the subscriber information management device 245 through a communication network. In addition, when the prepaid fee subscriber subscribes by paying a predetermined fee (for example, a monthly fee) to any service (for example, a monthly game service) while using the wireless Internet service, the information may be managed together. In addition, the remaining balance information after the prepaid fee subscriber uses an arbitrary wireless data service may be received and managed from the charging processing device 240.

The menu server 250 may be a service platform included in the user terminal 210 (eg, Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BLEW), Mobile Explorer (ME), KTF Unified Navigator (KUN), and Wireless Internet Platform for Interoperability (WIPI). ) Or a device (eg, a gateway, a proxy server, etc.) configured to be connected to the content providing server 260 corresponding to the corresponding service platform. The menu server 250 may perform functions such as mediation of content data, protocol conversion, and encryption processing. When the user terminal 210 transmits a wireless data service request, the menu server 250 corresponds to service items provided by the content providing server 150 that is predetermined according to the service platform provided in the user terminal 210. Transmitting the menu information to the user terminal 210 and receiving the content data from the content providing server 260 that provides the corresponding content data when a request for providing specific content data is received from the user terminal 210. 210). That is, the IP server and the port number of the gateway (or proxy server) are registered in the menu server 250, and the gateway of the service platform application (for example, the ME browser) of the user terminal 210 is registered. IP and port number are set to the same. Therefore, when a user inputs a wireless data service start request using the user terminal 210, the user automatically accesses the menu server 250 corresponding to the service platform installed in the user terminal 210. For example, when a user requests ringtone content data using the user terminal 210 having ME 'installed as a service platform, the content data request is received by the menu server 250 corresponding to the service platform ME'. The menu server 250 serves as an intermediary for receiving the ringtone content data from the content providing server 260 providing the ringtone content data and transmitting the ringtone content data to the user terminal 210. The content providing server 260 is a mobile communication service. A device connected to the system 220 through a communication network and providing content data requested by a user, comprising: a ringtone providing server, a background image providing server, a stock information providing server, a webmail providing server, an instant messenger service server, and a game service server. And the like.

In addition, the wireless data service system 220 according to the prepaid fee system according to the present invention may be configured in the form shown in FIG. In this case, the data service device 235 transmits the content providing request (or data service execution request) received from the user terminal 210 to the billing processing device 240 so as to receive the wireless data service only when the execution permission information is received. Perform.

In addition, the person skilled in the art can configure the wireless data service system 220 according to the present invention. The charge processing apparatus 240 may deduct the service usage fee of the prepaid fee subscriber, and the content providing server requested by the user terminal 210 ( 260 or a configuration that can control the operation of the data service device 235 according to the type of service, it will be easily understood that there is no limitation.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless data service method for a prepaid subscriber having a balance in a depleted state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, at 403, the billing processing unit 240 stores billing calculation reference information for billing according to network usage and / or content usage. The charging calculation reference information may be input by the mobile communication service system administrator or received from the content providing server 260.

In step 406, the subscriber information management device 245 receives and stores prepaid fee information (for example, a telephone number, prepaid fee amount, offer benefit information, etc.) corresponding to any subscriber from a mobile carrier agency, a seller, and the like. In step 406, the subscriber information management device 245 registers information about which subscriber has prepaid and how much the prepaid fee. Of course, if the prepaid subscriber has prepaid a service fee (for example, a monthly fee) for a certain period of time for the service, information about this is also registered.

In operation 409, the user terminal 210 receives a content providing request for receiving the content data provided by the arbitrary content providing server 260 from the user and transmits the content providing request to the charging processing apparatus 240 through the communication network. Of course, the content providing request will be received by the charging processing device 240 via the base station 225, the base station controller 230, the data service device 235, and the like. The billing processing unit 240 may be provided between the data service device 235 and the menu server 250 or may be connected in parallel with the data service device 235 as described above. In response to the provision request, the process proceeds to step 416 to determine whether a data packet corresponding to the received content provision request is a billing target. The billing processing unit 240 determines whether a data packet corresponding to the content providing request is a charging target, a destination IP address or a URL (that is, an access address corresponding to the content providing server 260 or a content providing response). Can be judged using For example, the user has selected a billing product (e.g., a product exempt from billing for network usage corresponding to a content providing request among a plurality of data billing products) or a wireless data service. When the system 220 or the content providing server 260 bears network usage for content data requests, the system 220 or the content providing server 260 may be excluded from billing.

If not, the process proceeds to step 443 to allow wireless data service through the data service device 235.

However, if the charging target, in step 419, the charging processing unit 240 extracts subscriber identification information (e.g., subscriber's telephone number) for charging the network fee for the data packet corresponding to the content providing request, A subscriber information request is generated and transmitted to the subscriber information management device 245.

The subscriber information management device 245 receives the subscriber information request from the billing processing device 240 in step 423, and determines whether the subscriber is a prepaid fee subscriber using the subscriber identification information included in the subscriber information request in step 426. Extract detailed subscriber information. The subscriber detailed information extracted in step 429 is transmitted to the billing processing device 240. As described above, the billing processing device 240 and the subscriber information management device 245 may be configured as one device.

The billing processing device 240 receives the subscriber detailed information from the subscriber information management device 245 in step 433, and proceeds to step 436 to determine whether the remaining balance corresponding to the prepaid subscriber is exhausted. The balance information corresponding to the prepaid fee subscriber may be managed by the billing processing device 240 or the subscriber information management device 245. If the balance information is managed by the subscriber information management device 245, the balance information is transferred to the billing processing device 240 through step 429.

If the balance is exhausted, the flow proceeds to step 439 to transmit a call termination request to the data service device 235 to restrict the use of the wireless data service by the prepaid subscriber.

However, if the balance is not exhausted, the process proceeds to step 443 to allow wireless data service through the data service device 235. While performing the wireless data service through the data service device 235, the charging processing device 240 performs real time charging, and if the remaining balance corresponding to the prepaid subscriber is exhausted, the process proceeds to step 436.

Until now, referring to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, the prepaid fee subscriber determines whether to perform a wireless data service according to whether the data service to be used is a paid service or a free service or whether the remaining balance is exhausted. The method was described.

However, with the recent diversification of the types of services over the wireless Internet, payment methods (for example, monthly payments) for each service are also diversifying, so even if the balance is depleted, the prepaid subscribers have already paid the fee. The service needs to be made available. This method will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a wireless data service method for a prepaid fare subscriber in a state in which a balance is exhausted according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, in the description of a wireless data service method for a prepaid subscriber having a balance in a depleted state according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the same items as those described above with reference to FIG. 4 will be briefly described. .

Referring to FIG. 5, the billing processing device 240 stores billing calculation reference information for billing according to network usage and / or content usage in step 403, and the subscriber information management device 245 proceeds to step 406. Prepaid rate information (e.g., phone number, prepaid rate amount, offer information, etc.) and prepaid service information (i.e., for a certain period of time for any service) If you have prepaid a monthly fee, the service is registered.

In operation 409, the user terminal 210 receives a content providing request for receiving the content data provided by the arbitrary content providing server 260 from the user and transmits the content providing request to the charging processing apparatus 240 through the communication network. The billing processing unit 240 receives the content providing request in step 413, and proceeds to step 416 to determine whether the data packet corresponding to the content providing request received using the destination IP address or the URL is the billing target. Judge.

If not, the process proceeds to step 443 to allow wireless data service through the data service device 235.

However, if the charging target, in step 419, the charging processing unit 240 extracts subscriber identification information (e.g., subscriber's telephone number) for charging the network fee for the data packet corresponding to the content providing request, A subscriber information request is generated and transmitted to the subscriber information management device 245.

The subscriber information management device 245 receives the subscriber information request from the billing processing unit 240 in step 423, and determines whether the subscriber is a prepaid fee subscriber using the subscriber identification information included in the subscriber information request in step 426. Extract subscriber detailed information for determination. The subscriber detailed information extracted in step 429 is transmitted to the billing processing device 240. As described above, when the balance information for the prepaid fee subscriber is managed by the subscriber information management device 245, the subscriber detail information may include the balance information together.

The billing processing device 240 receives the subscriber detailed information from the subscriber information management device 245 in step 433, and proceeds to step 433 to determine whether the remaining balance corresponding to the prepaid subscriber is exhausted.

If the balance is exhausted, the flow proceeds to step 510 to determine whether the prepaid fee subscriber is a prepaid service user (eg, monthly user) for the service. That is, when the prepaid fee subscriber has paid the fee for using the service in advance, it is intended to use the service normally. Information on whether the prepaid subscriber is a prepaid service user may be determined by the subscriber information management device 245 using a destination IP address received from the charging processing device 240, and the charging processing device 240. May receive the determination result and perform a corresponding operation.

If the prepaid subscriber is a prepaid service user, the flow proceeds to step 446 to allow wireless data service through the data service device 235.

However, when the prepaid fee subscriber is not a prepaid service user corresponding to the content provision request, the call termination request is transmitted to the data service device 235 to restrict the use of the wireless data service by the prepaid fee subscriber.

If the balance is not exhausted as a result of the determination in step 436, the process proceeds to step 443 to allow wireless data service through the data service device 235. While performing the wireless data service through the data service device 235, the charging processing device 240 performs real time charging, and if the remaining balance corresponding to the prepaid subscriber is exhausted, the process proceeds to step 436. In addition, when a new content providing request is received from the user terminal 210, it is apparent that the process will be performed again from step 413. However, even when a new content providing request is received from the user terminal 210 and re-executed from step 413, the billing processing unit 240 uses the remaining balance information received from the subscriber information management device 245 in the previous step to determine whether the balance is exhausted. If it is determined that it is sufficient, steps 419 to 433 can be omitted.

Up to now, with reference to Figure 5, even if the prepaid bill subscribers in the state of exhausted balance in a particular case (e.g., non-billing service, fee prepaid service, etc.) has been described a case that does not limit the use of the wireless data service. However, the wireless data service method for the prepaid fee subscriber in the balance exhausted state according to the present invention is not limited to the time series steps of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 to 5, and the order of each step may be changed.

 As described above, the wireless data service method and system for a prepaid subscriber having a balance in a depleted state according to the present invention enables the use of a wireless Internet service even if the prepaid subscriber has exhausted all the prepaid charges.

In addition, the present invention enables the use of wireless data service without restriction when the prepaid fee subscriber uses the non-billing service or the fee prepaid service even if the remaining subscriber is exhausted.

Although the above has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below It will be appreciated that modifications and variations can be made.

Claims (11)

A method for controlling a wireless data service performed by a billing apparatus for a prepaid subscriber, Storing at least one prepaid fee subscriber information and at least one prepaid fee subscriber information corresponding to one or more pieces of content data or a content service of any content providing server, wherein the prepaid fee subscriber information includes balance information; When service request information including service identification information transmitted from a user terminal is received via a data service device, determining whether a wireless data service corresponding to the service identification information is a charging target; If not charged, receiving a data packet corresponding to the service request information from a content providing server corresponding to the service identification information through a menu server and transmitting the data packet to the data service apparatus; Determining whether the subscriber is a prepaid service subscriber by using prepaid fee subscriber information corresponding to the user terminal when the billing target; And In the case of a prepaid service subscriber, receiving a data packet corresponding to the service request information from the content providing server corresponding to the service identification information through the menu server and transmitting the data packet to the data service device. The prepaid service subscriber is a subscriber who prepaid the usage fee for a predetermined period of use or number of times corresponding to any content service, And the billing processing device is provided between the data service device, which is a packet data transmission and reception path, and the menu server. The method of claim 1, Determining whether the prepaid fee balance is exhausted using the prepaid fee subscriber information corresponding to the user terminal when the billing target is not a prepaid service subscriber; And If the prepaid charge balance is not exhausted, further comprising the step of receiving a data packet corresponding to the service request information from the content providing server corresponding to the service identification information and transmitting it to the data service device Method of providing wireless data service for billing subscribers. The method of claim 1, The service identification information includes at least one of a destination IP address and a URL corresponding to an arbitrary content service. The method of claim 2, Calculating a service fee corresponding to the data packet using the charging calculation reference information; And And subtracting the service fee from the balance information. The method of claim 1, The data service device includes an interworking function (IWF), a packet data serving node (PDSN), a serving GPRS supporting node (SGSN), a gateway GPRS supporting node (GPRS) And at least one of a supporting node). A method for controlling a wireless data service performed by a billing apparatus for a prepaid subscriber, Storing at least one prepaid fee subscriber information and at least one prepaid fee subscriber information corresponding to one or more pieces of content data or a content service of any content providing server, wherein the prepaid fee subscriber information includes balance information; If service request information including service identification information is received from a data service device, determining whether a wireless data service corresponding to the service identification information is to be charged; wherein the service identification information is a destination IP address, any At least one of a URL corresponding to a content service; Transmitting a service execution permission corresponding to the service request information to the data service device when the charging service is not subject to charging; Determining whether the subscriber is a prepaid service subscriber by using prepaid fee subscriber information corresponding to the user terminal when the billing target; And In the case of a prepaid service subscriber, transmitting the service execution permission corresponding to the service request information to the data service device; The service execution permission is information for allowing the data service apparatus to receive a data packet corresponding to the service request information from a content providing server corresponding to the service identification information through a menu server and transmit the data packet to the user terminal. The charging processing device is coupled in parallel to the data service device of the packet data transmission and reception path formed by sequentially configuring the base station, the data service device and the menu server, And the prepaid service subscriber is a subscriber who prepaid a usage fee for a predetermined period of use or number of times corresponding to any content service. The method of claim 6, Determining whether the prepaid fee balance is exhausted using the prepaid fee subscriber information corresponding to the user terminal when the billing target is not a prepaid service subscriber; And If the prepaid charge balance is not exhausted, further comprising the step of receiving a data packet corresponding to the service request information from the content providing server corresponding to the service identification information and transmitting it to the data service device Method of providing wireless data service for billing subscribers. In the wireless data service system including a base station, a data service device, a charging processing device and a menu server, the charging processing device for controlling the performance of wireless data service for a prepaid subscriber. A storage unit for storing one or more pieces of content data or one or more prepaid fee subscriber information corresponding to a content service of an arbitrary content providing server, wherein the prepaid fee subscriber information includes balance information;  A receiving unit for receiving service request information including service identification information transmitted from a user terminal through the data service device; Determination unit for determining whether or not a predetermined service performance condition is satisfied, wherein the service performance condition is a prepaid service subscriber when the service identification information indicates a non-billing service or by prepaid fee subscriber information corresponding to the user terminal. A condition that is satisfied if it is judged to be; And If the service execution condition is satisfied, and includes a service control unit for generating and outputting the service execution permission, The service execution permission is information for allowing the data service device to receive a data packet corresponding to the service request information from the content providing server corresponding to the service identification information and transmit the data packet corresponding to the service identification information to the user terminal through the menu server. And the prepaid service subscriber is a subscriber that prepaid a usage fee for a predetermined period of use or a number of times of use corresponding to any content service. The method of claim 8, If the determination unit is not satisfied with the service execution condition, the wireless data service corresponding to the service identification information is subject to charging, and further determines whether a prepaid fee balance remains by using the prepaid fee subscriber information corresponding to the user terminal. , The service control unit generates and outputs the service execution permission when the wireless data service corresponding to the service identification information is subject to charging and the remaining prepaid fee remaining by using the prepaid fee subscriber information corresponding to the user terminal. Charging processing device characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 8, When the base station, the data service device, the billing processing device and the menu server sequentially configure a packet transmission path, the service control unit transmits the service request information to the menu server as the service execution permission. Charging processing device. The method of claim 8, When the base station, the data service device, and the menu server sequentially configure a packet transmission path, and the charging processing device is coupled in parallel with the data service device, the service control unit provides the service request information as the service execution permission. And a transfer permission of the to the data service device.

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