JP2005136627A - Communication management device and method, and real time communication system, and charging method for real time communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication management device for performing communication management to predict a charge by a service user side to a charging rate set by a service provider in a real time communication system. <P>SOLUTION: A service provider 8 sets a charging rate through communication terminal equipment 9 in a communication management device 4. A service user 12 sets a service use time for the charging rate of a service. When peer-to-peer communication session to the service provider 8 is established by the service user 12, a service provider 3 manages the communication time by the communication management device 4, and automatically disconnects the communication after the lapse of a time set by the service user. Also, a residual time until the communication is disconnected is automatically notified to the service user. Furthermore, the use time set by the service user 12 before communication can be extended during communication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication management apparatus and communication management method for constructing a peer-to-peer real-time communication system between a service provider and a service user using a communication network such as the Internet, and the communication management apparatus and communication management. The present invention relates to a real-time communication system constructed on a communication network by the method and a charging method in the real-time communication system.

  In a service using real-time communication in a communication network by conventional circuit switching, there is a system that charges according to a charging rate set by a service provider, such as a dial Q2 service.

  In addition, in the case of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-109394, the applicant of the present application can appropriately charge a fee to a user of the service when constructing and providing the service on a computer network such as the Internet. A billing method has been disclosed. The charging method described in this patent document is in a community service providing apparatus that exchanges information with a plurality of user terminals connected via a network, and does not charge the login to the community system itself. In addition, the user is charged for the virtual space unique to the user that gives the user privileges in the community service. In other words, it is a technique that does not generate a charge for logging in to the real-time communication system itself, but generates a charge when entering a unique dedicated system desired by the user.

JP 2002-109394 A

  By the way, in the dial Q2 service, for example, by the above circuit switching, charging is generated according to the charging rate unilaterally set by the service provider, and the service user is charged. In this case, there is a risk that the service user will be charged a larger amount of charges than expected.

  Also, in the charging method disclosed in Patent Document 1, if a dedicated system is entered, charging is also generated according to the charging rate set by the service provider.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and performs communication management so that a service user can predict a charge for a charge rate set by a service provider in a real-time communication system. An object is to provide a communication management apparatus and a communication management method. It is another object of the present invention to provide a real-time communication system and a charging method for the real-time communication system that allow a service user to predict a charge for a charge rate set by a service provider.

  In order to solve the above problems, the communication management device according to the present invention performs real-time communication between a communication terminal device on the service provider side and a communication terminal device on the service user side connected to the communication network. A communication management device for managing a billing process associated with the communication and for establishing a communication session between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side. The communication management means for controlling the communication time based on the service use time set by the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication between the service user is managed by the communication management means. Charging management means for managing the charging rate set by the communication terminal device on the service provider side and managing the charging information of the service user, and the service And a interface unit that interfaces the communication management means and the charge management means for each communication terminal apparatus of the scan user side and the service provider side.

  In this communication management device, the communication management means performs call control to establish a communication session between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side, and also performs communication on the service user side. The communication time is managed based on the service use time set by the terminal device. The charging management means manages the charging rate set by the communication terminal device on the service provider side by the communication management means and manages the charging information of the service user. The interface means interfaces the communication management means and the charge management means for each communication terminal device on the service user side and the service provider side.

  In order to solve the above problems, the communication management method according to the present invention performs real-time communication between a communication terminal device on the service provider side and a communication terminal device on the service user side connected to the communication network. A communication management method for managing billing information associated with communication and managing call control for establishing a communication session between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side And a communication management step for managing service usage time set by the communication terminal device on the service user side, and the service provider for managing communication with the service user by the communication management step A charge management step for managing the charge rate set by the communication terminal device on the side and managing the charge information of the service user, and the service user side and the service user side And a interface process that interfaces of the communication control step and the charging management process for each communication terminal apparatus bis provider side.

  In this communication management method, the communication management process performs call control in order to establish a communication session between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side, and communication on the service user side. The communication time is managed based on the service use time set by the terminal device. Also, the charge management step manages the charge rate set by the communication terminal device on the service provider side by the communication management means and manages the charge information of the service user. The interface means interfaces the communication management means and the charge management means for each communication terminal device on the service user side and the service provider side.

  In order to solve the above problems, a real-time communication system according to the present invention includes a communication terminal device on the service provider side connected to the communication network, and a communication terminal device on the service user side connected to the communication network. A real time comprising a communication management device that manages real-time communication between the communication terminal device on the service provider side and the communication terminal device on the service user side and manages charging information associated with the communication In the communication system, the communication terminal device on the service provider side sets a charging rate for the communication terminal device on the service user side, the communication terminal device on the service user side sets a service usage time, and the communication The management device performs call control to establish a communication session between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side, Manage service time set by the use side of the communication terminal device, to manage the billing rate set by the service provider side communication terminal device.

  In this real-time call system, the communication terminal device on the service provider side sets the charging rate for the communication terminal device on the service user side, the communication terminal device on the service user side sets the service usage time, and the communication management device Establishes a communication session between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side, manages the service use time, and manages the charging rate.

  In order to solve the above problems, a billing method in a real-time communication system according to the present invention includes a communication terminal device on the service provider side connected to the communication network and communication on the service user side connected to the communication network. A charging method in a real-time communication system comprising a terminal device, and a communication management device that manages charging information associated with communication between the communication terminal device on the service provider side and the communication terminal device on the service user side The communication management device is set by the communication time management step for managing the communication time based on the service use time set by the communication terminal device on the service user side, and by the communication terminal device on the service provider side. A charge rate management step for managing the charged rate, a communication time managed in the communication time management step, and a charge rate managed in the charge rate management step Performs accounting processing in accordance with a charge calculation step of calculating charging information for the service user by gold rate.

  In the charging method in this real-time communication system, the communication time management step manages the communication time based on the service use time set by the communication terminal device on the service user side, and the charge rate management step is performed on the service provider side. The charging rate set by the communication terminal device is managed, and the charging calculation process calculates the charging information for the service user based on the communication time managed in the communication time management process and the charging rate managed in the charging rate management process. To do.

  According to the communication management device of the present invention, the communication management means performs call control to establish a communication session between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side, and uses the service. The communication time is managed based on the service use time set by the communication terminal device on the subscriber side, and the charge management means manages the charge rate set by the communication terminal device on the service provider side and uses the service by the communication management means. The charging means is managed and the interface means interfaces the communication management means and charging management means for each communication terminal device on the service user side and the service provider side, so that the service provider is in the real-time communication system. The service user can predict the charge for the charge rate set by. For this reason, there is no possibility that the service user will be charged a larger amount of charges than expected.

  According to the communication management method of the present invention, the communication management step performs call control to establish a communication session between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side, and uses the service. The communication time is managed based on the service use time set by the communication terminal device on the subscriber side, and the charge management step manages the charge rate set by the communication terminal device on the service provider side by the communication management means and uses the service. The user's billing information is managed, and the interface unit interfaces the communication management unit and the billing management unit for each communication terminal device on the service user side and the service provider side. Allow service users to estimate charges for the billing rate set by the provider Door can be. For this reason, there is no possibility that the service user will be charged a larger amount of charges than expected.

  According to the real-time communication system of the present invention, the communication terminal device on the service provider side sets a charging rate for the communication terminal device on the service user side, and the communication terminal device on the service user side sets the service usage time. The communication management device establishes a communication session between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side, manages the service use time, and manages the charging rate. It is possible to make the service user predict the charge for the charge rate set by the provider. For this reason, there is no possibility that the service user will be charged a larger amount of charges than expected.

  According to the charging method in the real-time communication system of the present invention, the communication time management step manages the communication time based on the service use time set by the communication terminal device on the service user side, and the charging rate management step includes the service The charge rate set by the communication terminal device on the provider side is managed, and the charge calculation step is performed for the service user according to the communication time managed in the communication time management step and the charge rate managed in the charge rate management step. Since the billing information is calculated, it is possible for the service user to predict the bill for the billing rate set by the service provider. For this reason, there is no possibility that the service user will be charged a larger amount of charges than expected.

  Hereinafter, a real-time communication system 1 as shown in FIG. 1 is given as the best mode for carrying out the present invention. The communication management device 4 of the service provider 3 connected to the Internet 2, which is a specific example of the communication network, the communication terminal device 9 of the service provider 8, and the communication terminal device 13 of the service user 12.

  The communication management device 4 manages the real-time communication between the communication terminal device 9 of the service provider 8 connected to the Internet 2 and the communication terminal device 13 of the service user 12, and this real-time communication. Manage the billing process associated with.

  In this real-time communication system 1, the service provider 8 and the service user 12 establish a peer-to-peer communication session under the control of the communication management device 4. The service that is the purpose of establishing a communication session is, of course, real-time communication, such as fortune telling, weather forecasting, legal consultation, movie information, traffic information, tourism information, childcare consultation, cooking recipe consultation, and the like.

  The service provider 8 sets information on services provided through the information site for service providers managed by the communication management device 4 of the service provider 3. The service is charged, and the service provider 8 sets a billing rate in the communication management device 4 via the communication terminal device 9.

  The service user 12 selects a service provider and a service through an information site for service users managed by the communication management device 4 of the service provider 3, receives authentication, and allows the charge rate of the service. Communication time, that is, service use time can be set.

  When a peer-to-peer communication session from the service user 12 to the service provider 8 is established, the service provider 3 manages the communication time by the communication management device 4, and automatically performs the communication when the time set by the service user has elapsed. Cut off. In addition, the service user is automatically notified of the remaining time until disconnection. Furthermore, it is possible to extend the use time set by the service user 12 before communication during communication.

  The communication management device 4 of the service provider 3 includes a communication server 5, a billing server 6, and a WEB server 7. Of course, it may consist of one server having these functions.

  The communication terminal device 9 of the service provider 8 is made up of, for example, a personal computer (PC), and the communication client 10 and the WEB browser 11 operate on the personal computer. In addition, the communication terminal device 13 of the service user 12 operates a WEB browser 14 that is also composed of a personal computer or the like.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a personal computer used as the communication terminal devices 9 and 13. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21 executes various processes according to various programs stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22 or various programs loaded from a storage unit 28 to a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23. The RAM 23 also appropriately stores data necessary for the CPU 21 to execute various processes.

  The CPU 21, ROM 22, and RAM 23 are connected to each other via a bus 24. An input / output interface 25 is also connected to the bus 24. The input / output interface 25 includes an input unit 26 including a keyboard and a mouse, a display including a CRT and an LCD, an output unit 27 including a headphone and a speaker, a storage unit 28 including a hard disk, a modem, a terminal A communication unit 29 composed of an adapter or the like is connected.

  The communication unit 29 performs communication processing via the Internet 2. Data provided from the CPU 21 is transmitted. The communication unit 29 outputs data received from the communication partner to the CPU 21, RAM 23, and storage unit 28. The storage unit 28 communicates with the CPU 21 to save and erase information. The communication unit 29 also performs communication processing of analog signals or digital signals with other communication terminal devices and communication management devices.

  A drive 30 is connected to the input / output interface 25 as necessary, and a magnetic disk 31, an optical disk 32, a magneto-optical disk 33, a semiconductor memory 34, or the like is appropriately mounted, and a computer program read from these is loaded. Installed in the storage unit 28 as necessary. The configuration of FIG. 2 can also be applied to each server constituting the communication management device 4.

  Note that the communication terminal devices 9 and 13 of the service provider 8 and the service user 12 may be a telephone device by line switching, a television receiver, a portable information terminal, or the like as long as it has a function of connecting to the Internet.

  The communication server 5 of the service provider 3 is located in the communication management device 4 and, for example, in accordance with a session initiation protocol (SIP), the communication terminal device 13 of the service user 12 and the communication terminal of the service provider 8. It functions as a communication management means for controlling communication with the device 9, performing authentication processing for the service user 12, and managing the communication time based on the service use time set by the service user 12. Therefore, the communication server 5 includes a user authentication unit 51, a call control unit 52, a communication time management unit 53, and a service use time management unit 54 as shown in FIG. The user authentication unit 51 authenticates the communication terminal device 13 of the service user 12. The call control unit 52 performs call control between the communication terminal device 13 of the service user 12 and the communication terminal device 9 of the service provider 8 according to the SIP, for example. The communication time management unit 53 manages the communication time between the communication terminal device 13 of the service user 12 and the communication terminal device 9 of the service provider 8. The service usage time management unit 54 requests the service user 12 to instruct the service usage time, and stores the service usage time of the instructed service user 12.

  The billing server 6 of the service provider 3 is in the communication management device 4 and relates to billing in real-time communication between the service provider 8 and the service user 12, and billing rate, billing information, billing history, user information, etc. It acts as a charge management means to manage. Therefore, the accounting server 6 includes an accounting information management unit 61, an accounting rate management unit 62, and a user information management unit 63 as shown in FIG. The billing information management unit 61 calculates and stores billing information based on the billing rate set by the service provider 8 and the service use time (= communication time) set by the service user 12. The billing rate management unit 62 manages the billing rate set by the service provider 8. The user information management unit 63 manages information on the service provider 8 for which the charging rate is set.

  The WEB server 7 of the service provider 3 is in the communication management device 4 and functions as an interface means with the service provider 8 and the service user 12. The service provider 8 sets a billing rate using a WEB browser 11 operating on the communication terminal device 9, and the WEB server 7 delivers information related to the billing rate set via the WEB browser 11 to the billing server 6. . Further, the service user 12 sets the service usage time via the WEB browser 14 on the communication terminal device 13, and the WEB server 7 passes information on the service usage time and the like to the communication server 5 and the billing server 6. Therefore, the WEB server 7 includes a service information management unit 71, a service usage time reception unit 72, a billing rate reception unit 73, and a communication client call control unit 74, as shown in FIG. The service information management unit 71 manages the information management site for service providers and the information management site for service users. Further, service information related to the billing rate and usage time by the service provider 8 and the service user 12 is managed via the WEB browsers 11 and 14 of the communication terminal devices 9 and 13. Also, an authentication request from the user authentication unit 51 of the communication server 5 is sent to the service user 12 through the WEB browser 14. The service usage time reception unit 72 receives the service usage time set by the service user 12 using the WEB browser 14 of the communication terminal device 13. The billing rate accepting unit 73 accepts a billing rate set by the service provider 8 using the WEB browser 11 of the communication terminal device 9. The communication client call control unit 74 performs control for establishing a peer-to-peer communication session between the service provider 8 and the service user 12.

  When the service user 12 calls the service provider 8 with the WEB browser 14 of the communication terminal device 13, the WEB server 7 of the service provider 3 calls the communication client call control unit 74 (within the WEB server) of the communication server 5. A service provider call instruction is sent to the control unit 52. The call control unit 52 of the communication server 5 transmits information indicating a call to the call control unit 101 (to be described later) of the communication client 10 of the service provider 8 in accordance with the SIP. When the service provider 8 responds, the call control unit 101 of the communication client 10 transmits a response to the call control unit 52 of the communication server 5. The call control unit 52 of the communication server 5 transmits a service provider response to the service user 12 via the WEB server 7. Thereby, the service user 12 can confirm the screen display of the service provider response on the WEB browser 14. Here, the start of service use, that is, peer-to-peer real-time communication between the service user 8 and the service provider 12 is started.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the communication client 10 that operates on the personal computer (communication terminal device) 9 of the service provider 8 includes a call control unit 101 that operates according to the SIP. The WEB browser 11 includes a billing rate setting unit 111 and a service information display unit 112.

  The call control unit 101 provided in the communication client 10 of the service provider 8 is used to establish a peer-to-peer communication session with the service user 12. When information indicating a call according to the SIP is transmitted from the call control unit 52 of the communication server 5, if the call control unit 101 of the communication client 10 responds, the response is the call control unit 52 of the communication server 5. Sent to.

  A billing rate setting unit 111 provided in the WEB browser 11 of the service provider 8 sets a billing rate according to an operation by the service provider 8. The service information display unit 112 displays a billing rate setting, service contents, or information when communicating with the service provider 2 or communicating with the service user 12.

  The service usage time setting unit 141 of FIG. 7 provided in the WEB browser 14 of the service user 12 sets the service usage time according to the operation of the service user 13. The service information display unit 142 displays authentication information input, usage time settings, service contents, or information when communicating with the service provider 3 or communicating with the service provider 8.

  Hereinafter, a billing rate setting process, a service time setting process, a process until monitoring of service usage time, a service usage time monitoring process, and a service time extension process will be described.

  First, the processing procedure of the real-time communication system 1 according to the setting of the charging rate by the service provider 8 will be described with reference to FIGS. The service provider 8 obtains the address of the information management site for the service provider managed by the service information management unit 71 on the WEB server 7 operated by the service provider 3 by making a contract with the service provider 3 in advance. Service can be provided to the service user 12 on the WEB.

  According to the processing procedure shown in FIG. 8, when the service provider 8 inputs the WEB address of the information management site for the service provider on the service information display unit 112 of the WEB browser 11 on a PC or the like as the communication terminal device 9, the service is provided. The WEB server 7 operated by the provider 3 is accessed (step S1), and the display information is transmitted to the WEB browser 11 of the service provider 8 by the service information management unit 71 of the WEB server 7 (step S2). The screen is displayed as shown in the screen (1) of FIG. 9A, and the provision service information can be set.

  Here, the service provider 8 inputs, for example, 30 yen / minute as the charge rate of the provided service by the charge rate setting unit 111 of the WEB browser 11 as shown in the screen (1) of FIG. When the button is clicked and set, a billing rate setting instruction is issued from the communication terminal device 9 of the service provider 8 to the WEB server 7 (step S3), and the billing rate receiving unit 73 of the WEB server 7 charges the billing server 6. A charge rate setting instruction is given to the rate management unit 62 (step S4).

  In the billing server 6, the service billing rate of the service provider is stored by the user information manager 63 and billing rate manager 62 (step S5), and information indicating billing rate setting OK is returned to the WEB server 7 ( Step S6).

  When the WEB server 7 transmits display data indicating charging rate setting OK to the service provider 8 by the service information management unit 71 (step S7), the service provider 8 displays the service information display unit 112 of the WEB browser 11 in the service information display unit 112. Thus, the charging rate can be confirmed as shown in the screen (2) in FIG. That is, using the screen (1) in FIG. 9 (a), the service provider 8 sets a charging rate of 30 yen per minute, and this charging rate is displayed on the screen (2) in FIG. 9 (b). Thus, it was confirmed that it was registered in the accounting server 6.

  Next, the processing procedure of the real-time communication system according to the service time setting by the service user 12 will be described with reference to FIG. 10, FIG. 11 and FIG. When the service user 12 inputs the WEB address in the service information display unit 142 in the WEB browser 14 such as a PC as the communication terminal device 13 in accordance with the processing procedure shown in FIG. 10 (step S11), the service user 12 The display information is transmitted to the WEB browser 14 of the service user 12 by the service information management unit 71 (step S12). In this way, the service user 12 browses the information site for service users operated by the service provider 3.

  And the service user 12 performs the instruction | indication which starts service utilization with respect to the WEB server 7 during browsing of the said information site for service users (step S13). The WEB server 7 transmits to the communication server 5 an instruction signifying the start of service use (step S14). The communication server 5 returns an instruction response requesting user authentication (step S15). The WEB server 7 requests user authentication from the service user 12 at the service information management unit 71 (step S16). Then, the authentication information input screen (screen (3)) is displayed on the service information display unit 142 of the WEB browser 14 of the service user 12 as shown in FIG.

  As shown in the screen (3) in FIG. 11A, when the service user 12 inputs the ID and password as authentication information and presses the send button, the communication server 5 authenticates via the WEB server 7 (step S17). The information is received (step S18), and the user authentication unit 51 performs user authentication.

  When the communication server 5 returns information indicating that the user authentication is OK to the WEB server 7 (step S19), the WEB server 7 similarly confirms that the user authentication is OK in the service information management unit 71. 12 (step S20). As a result, as shown in the screen (4) of FIG. 11B, the service information display unit 142 of the service user's WEB browser 14 is informed that “authentication has been successful. The service is started.” Is displayed. If the service user 12 wants to receive the service as it is, the service user 12 may click the OK button. If you want to stop receiving services, just click the cancel button.

  Subsequently, the service usage time management unit 54 of the communication server 5 transmits information requesting the service usage time instruction to the WEB server 7 (step S21), and the WEB server 7 determines the service usage time of the service information management unit 71. When an instruction is requested (step S22), a service usage time input screen (screen (5)) shown in FIG. 12A is displayed on the service information display unit 142 of the WEB browser 14 of the service user 12.

  When the service user 12 inputs, for example, “10 minutes” in the service usage time setting unit 141 of the WEB browser 14 as shown in the screen (5) of FIG. 12A and presses the transmission button (step S23). ), The service usage time reception unit 72 of the WEB server 7 instructs the service usage time management unit 54 of the communication server 5 to set the service usage time (step S24).

  In the communication server 5, when the service usage time of the service user 12 is stored by the service usage time management unit 54 (step S25), information indicating the service usage time setting OK is returned to the WEB server 7 (step S26). When the WEB server 7 transmits display data indicating service usage time setting OK to the service user by the service information management unit 71 (step S27), the service user 12 displays the service information display unit 142 of the WEB browser 14 on the service information display unit 142. Then, as shown in the screen (6) shown in FIG. 12B, the service usage time “service usage time is set in 10 minutes” can be confirmed. If the service user 12 clicks the OK button, the process shifts to a service use start process. If the cancel button is clicked, processing for stopping the use of the service is performed, or processing for setting the service usage time is performed again.

  Next, the processing procedure of the real-time communication system from when the service user 12 starts using the service until the communication management device 4 of the service provider 3 starts monitoring the service use time with the communication server 5 is shown in FIGS. Reference is made to FIG.

  The service user 12 clicks a button indicating a service provider call on the screen (7) of FIG. 13A displayed on the service information display unit 142 of the WEB browser 14. In the screen (7) of FIG. 13 (a), it is assumed that Mr. A is selected with a charge rate of 30 yen / minute and the connection button is clicked. Then, as shown in FIG. 14, a service provider calling instruction is transmitted from the WEB browser 14 on the communication terminal device 13 of the service user 12 to the WEB server 7 (step S31). The service information management unit 71 of the WEB server 7 requests the communication client call control unit 74 to transmit information indicating a service provider call to the call control unit 52 of the communication server 5, and the communication client call control unit 74 Information indicating a service provider call is transmitted to the call control unit 52 of the communication server 5 (step S32).

  The call control unit 52 of the communication server 5 transmits information indicating a call to the call control unit 101 of the communication client 10 of the service provider 8 (step S33), and to the service user 12 via the WEB server 7. In step S34, information indicating a service provider call is transmitted (step S35).

  The service user 12 confirms the display of the service provider calling screen (8) “calling Mr. A” as shown in FIG. 13B on the service information display unit 142 of the WEB browser 14. Can do.

  When the service provider 8 responds, the call control unit 101 of the communication client 10 transmits information indicating a response to the call control unit 52 of the communication server 5 (step S36). The call control unit 52 of the communication server 5 transmits information indicating a service provider response to the service user 12 via the WEB server 7 (step S37) (step S38).

  As shown in FIG. 13C, the service user 12 uses the service information display section 142 of the WEB browser 14 to display a service provider response screen “9. ) You can check the display.

  Here, the start of service use, that is, a peer-to-peer communication session between the service user 12 and the service provider 12 is established, and real-time communication is started.

  At the same time as the service use is started by the response of the service provider 8, the communication time management unit 53 of the communication server 5 monitors the passage of the communication time (step S39).

  Next, the processing procedure of the real-time communication system until the communication server 5 of the service provider 3 finishes using the service while monitoring the communication time will be described.

  While the service user 12 is using the service provided by the service provider 8 (step S40 in FIG. 14), the communication time management unit 53 of the communication server 5 monitors the passage of communication time. When the communication time management unit 53 detects that the service use time has expired (for example, one minute before) stored in the service use time management unit 54 while monitoring the progress of the communication time (step S41), the communication server 5 The service usage time management unit 54 transmits information indicating the display of the remaining service usage time to the WEB server 7 (step S42). The service information management unit 71 of the WEB server 7 transmits information indicating display of the remaining service use time to the service information display unit 142 in the WEB browser 14 of the service user 12 (step S43). As shown in FIG. 15A, the service user 12 displays the service usage remaining time screen (10) such as “Usage time remaining is 1 minute” on the service information display unit 142 of the WEB browser 14. Can be confirmed.

  While the communication time management unit 53 of the communication server 5 is monitoring the passage of communication time, if the service use time stored in the service use time management unit 54 has elapsed, that is, the service use time has expired (step S44). The call control unit 52 of the communication server 5 means disconnection (that is, end of peer-to-peer real-time communication) with respect to the communication client call control unit 101 of the service provider 8 and the communication client call control unit 74 of the WEB server 7. Information is transmitted (step S45 and step S46).

  Further, the service information management unit 71 of the WEB server 7 transmits information indicating the end of the service to the service information display unit 142 in the WEB browser 14 of the service user 12 (step S47). The service user 12 uses the service information display unit 142 of the WEB browser 14 as shown in FIG. 15B to display a service use end screen such as “Thank you for using.” (11) The display can be confirmed.

  When the use of the service ends, the communication server 5 transmits communication information to the billing information management unit 61 of the billing server 6 (step S48).

  The billing information management unit 61 of the billing server 6 calculates and stores billing information based on the billing rate set by the service provider 8 and the service use time (= communication time) set by the service user (step S49).

  Next, the processing procedure of the real-time call system when the service user 12 extends the service use time will be described with reference to FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG.

  While the communication time management unit of the communication server 5 is monitoring the elapse of service use time in step S51 of FIG. 16, the service use is continued (step S52), and the service use stored in the service use time management unit 54 is stored. When a time expiration approach (for example, one minute before) is detected (step S53), the service usage time management unit 54 of the communication server 5 transmits information indicating the display of the remaining service usage time to the WEB server 7 (step S54). . The service information management unit 71 of the WEB server 7 transmits information indicating display of the remaining service use time to the service information display unit 142 in the WEB browser 14 of the service user 12 (step S55). The service user 12 confirms the display of the service usage remaining time screen (10) “Remaining time is 1 minute” as shown in FIG. 15A on the service information display unit 142 of the WEB browser 14. be able to.

  Subsequently, the service usage time management unit 54 of the communication server 5 transmits information requesting the service usage time instruction to the WEB server (step S56), and the WEB server 7 instructs the service information management unit 71 to instruct the service usage time. Is requested (step S57), the service information display unit 142 of the WEB browser 14 of the service user 12 displays a service use time (extended time) input screen (12) as shown in FIG. .

  As shown in the screen (12) of FIG. 17A, the service user 12 inputs “5 minutes” as the service usage time setting unit 142 of the WEB browser 14 (step S58). A service usage time update instruction is sent to the WEB server 7 (step S59), and the service usage time reception unit 72 of the WEB server 7 instructs the service usage time management unit 54 of the communication server 5 to set the service usage time update. (Step S60).

  In the communication server 5, when the service usage time of the service user 12 is updated and stored by the service usage time management unit 54 (step S61), information indicating the service usage time setting OK is returned to the WEB server (step S62). ).

  When the WEB server 7 transmits display data indicating service usage time setting OK to the service user 12 by the service information management unit 71 (step S63), the service user 12 receives the service information display unit 142 of the WEB browser 14. As shown in FIG. 17 (b), it is possible to confirm the display of the extended service usage time that “the service usage time has been extended by 5 minutes”. The service user 12 can click the OK button if the extension can be extended for 5 minutes, and can click the cancel button to cancel.

  The communication time management unit 53 of the communication server 5 monitors the passage of the updated service usage time (step S64).

  As described above, in the real-time communication system 1 of the above embodiment, the communication terminal device 9 of the service provider 8 sets the charging rate for the communication terminal device 13 of the service user 12, and the service user 8 The communication terminal device 9 sets the service use time, and the communication management device 4 of the service provider 3 establishes a communication session between the communication terminal device 13 of the service user 12 and the communication terminal device 9 of the service provider 8. Since the communication time is managed based on the service use time and the charge rate is managed, the service user 12 can be made to predict the charge for the charge rate set by the service provider 8. For this reason, there is no possibility that the service user 12 will be charged a larger amount of charges than expected.

  In this real-time communication system 1, the communication management device 4 of the service provider 3 has a communication session between the communication terminal device 13 of the service user 12 and the communication terminal device 9 of the service provider 8. The call control is performed to establish the communication time, and the communication time is managed based on the service use time set by the communication terminal device 13 of the service user 12. The billing server 6 is controlled by the communication terminal device 9 of the service provider 8. While managing the set charging rate and managing the charging information of the service user 12, the WEB server 7 serving as an interface means the communication server 5 for the communication terminal devices 13 and 9 of the service user 12 and the service provider 8 and Since the accounting server 6 is interfaced, real-time communication system To the billing rate of the service provider 8 be within Temu has set, we can predict the charge the service user 12 side. For this reason, there is no possibility that the service user 12 will be charged a larger amount of charges than expected.

It is a block diagram of a real-time communication system. It is a block diagram of a personal computer. It is a functional block diagram of a communication server. It is a functional block diagram of an accounting server. It is a functional block diagram of a WEB server. It is a functional block diagram of a communication terminal device of a service provider. It is a functional block diagram of a communication terminal device of a service user. It is a transition diagram which shows the process sequence of the real-time communication system according to the setting of the charge rate by a service provider. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display on the communication terminal device of a service provider in the process procedure of the real-time communication system according to the setting of the billing rate by a service provider. It is a transition diagram which shows the process sequence of the real-time communication system according to the service time setting by a service user. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display on the communication terminal device of a service user in the process procedure of the real-time communication system according to the service time setting by a service user. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display on the communication terminal device of a service user in the process procedure of the real-time communication system according to the service time setting by a service user. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display on the service user's terminal device in the process procedure of the real-time communication system until the communication management apparatus of a service provider starts monitoring of service use time by a communication server. It is a transition diagram which shows the process sequence of the real-time communication system until the communication management apparatus of a service provider starts monitoring service use time by a communication server. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display on the service user's terminal device in the process sequence of the real-time communication system until a service provider's communication server complete | finishes service use while monitoring communication time. It is a transition diagram which shows the process sequence of the real-time call system when a service user extends service use time. It is a figure which shows the example of a screen display of the communication terminal apparatus of a service user in the process sequence of the real-time call system when a service user extends service use time.

Explanation of symbols

  1 real-time communication system 2 internet 3 service provider 4 communication management device 5 communication server (communication management means) 6 billing server (billing management means) 7 WEB server (interface means) 8 service provider 9 Communication terminal device, 10 Communication client, 11 WEB browser, 12 Service user, 13 Communication terminal device, 14 WEB browser

Claims (16)

A communication management device that manages real-time communication between a communication terminal device on the service provider side connected to a communication network and a communication terminal device on the service user side, and manages charging processing associated with the communication. And
Call control is performed to establish a communication session between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side, and service usage set by the communication terminal device on the service user side is used. Communication management means for managing communication time based on time;
Billing management for managing the billing rate set by the communication terminal device on the service provider side in which communication with the service user is managed by the communication management means and managing billing information of the service user Means,
A communication management device comprising: the communication management unit for each communication terminal device on the service user side and the service provider side; and an interface unit serving as an interface of the charge management unit.   2. The communication according to claim 1, wherein the communication management means monitors the communication time when a communication session is established between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side. Management device.   3. The communication management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the communication management means disconnects the communication session when the communication time exceeds a service use time set by the communication terminal device on the service user side.   4. The communication management device according to claim 3, wherein the communication management means notifies the remaining time until the communication session is disconnected to the communication terminal device on the service user side.   The communication management means extends the communication session by extending the communication session when an extension of the service use time is set by the communication terminal device on the service user side during the communication. Item 3. The communication management device according to Item 2. A communication management method for managing real-time communication between a communication terminal device on a service provider side connected to a communication network and a communication terminal device on a service user side, and managing charging information associated with the communication. And
The service use time set by the communication terminal device on the service user side and performing call control to establish a communication session between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side. A communication management process for managing
Billing management for managing the billing rate set by the communication terminal device on the service provider side in which communication with the service user is managed by the communication management step and managing billing information of the service user Process,
A communication management method comprising: an interface step serving as an interface for the communication management step and the charge management step for each communication terminal device on the service user side and the service provider side.   7. The communication according to claim 6, wherein the communication management step monitors the communication time when a communication session is established between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side. Management method.   8. The communication management method according to claim 7, wherein the communication management step disconnects the communication session when the communication time has passed a service use time set by a communication terminal device on the service user side.   9. The communication management method according to claim 8, wherein the communication management step notifies a communication terminal device on the service user side of a remaining time until the communication session is disconnected.   The communication management step is characterized in that, when an extension of service use time is set by the communication terminal device on the service user side during the communication, the service use time is extended by extending the communication session. Item 8. The communication management method according to Item 7. Communication terminal device on the service provider side connected to the communication network, communication terminal device on the service user side connected to the communication network, communication on the service provider side and communication on the service user side A real-time communication system comprising a communication management device that manages real-time communication with a terminal device and manages billing information associated with the communication,
The communication terminal device on the service provider side sets a charging rate for the communication terminal device on the service user side,
The communication terminal device on the service user side sets the service usage time,
The communication management device performs call control to establish a communication session between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side, and is set by the communication terminal device on the service user side A real-time communication system, characterized in that the service usage time is managed and the charging rate set by the communication terminal device on the service provider side is managed.   12. The communication management device according to claim 11, wherein the communication management device monitors the communication time when a communication session is established between the communication terminal device on the service user side and the communication terminal device on the service provider side. Time communication system.   13. The real-time communication system according to claim 12, wherein the communication management device disconnects the communication session when the communication time exceeds a service use time set by the communication terminal device on the service user side.   The real-time communication system according to claim 13, wherein the communication management device notifies the communication terminal device on the service user side of a remaining time until the communication session is disconnected.   The communication management device extends the communication session by extending the communication session when an extension of service usage time is set by the communication terminal device on the service user side during the communication. Item 13. A real-time communication system according to item 12. Communication terminal device on the service provider side connected to the communication network, communication terminal device on the service user side connected to the communication network, communication on the service provider side and communication on the service user side A charging method in a real-time communication system comprising a communication management device for managing charging information associated with communication with a terminal device,
A communication time management step of managing the communication time based on the service use time set by the communication terminal device on the service user side;
A billing rate management step for managing a billing rate set by the communication terminal device on the service provider side;
Charging time according to the communication time managed in the communication time management step and the billing calculation step of calculating billing information for the service user based on the billing rate managed in the billing rate management step. Billing method for communication system.

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