KR20080020765A - Billing method and server according to suspension - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a charging method and a server according to a pause. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the charging method for a service for which the billing processing server is suspended at the request of a subscriber, (a) service status information on one or more services subscribed to by a subscriber using subscriber information; Generating pause charging type information; (b) determining whether the service status information is suspended; (c) if the service state information is paused, calculating a pause base rate for each paused service according to the pause charge type information; And (d) calculating a pause fee using the calculated pause basic rate and pause period information. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to differentially charge a suspension fee corresponding to the communication service used by the subscriber.

Description

Accounting method and server for suspension

1 is a block diagram of a system for calculating a fee for using a mobile communication service according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating the internal components of the billing processing server according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a diagram illustrating a fare information table according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for calculating a communication fee of a user terminal by a billing processing server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of calculating a fee based on a pause according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

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

210: data transceiver

215: Information Analysis Department

220: Rate Information Table

225: charge calculation unit

230: storage unit

The present invention relates to a method for charging a usage fee for a service used by a subscriber of a mobile communication terminal, and in particular, a billing method and a server according to a suspension, which can flexibly charge a pause fee for a service paused by a subscriber. It is about.

With the rapid development of information and communication technology, portable terminals are no longer communication devices for telephones only, but various multimedia functions such as games, video, wireless Internet, and cameras are being added. Thanks to communication technology that develops differently every day, portable terminals are being released with various additional service functions including various multimedia functions. Due to the newly released portable terminal in which such various multimedia functions and additional service functions are added in a very short cycle, a mobile communication service provider provides various additional services available in such a portable terminal.

However, if the mobile subscriber temporarily suspends the communication service provided by the mobile carrier due to unavoidable reasons, regardless of the communication service used by the subscriber, the rate is fixed (hereinafter referred to as "pause rate"). Imposing. That is, even though the communication service use charges are different according to the communication service used by the subscriber, there is a problem in that a temporary charge is charged for all communication services. In addition, in the current mobile communication system, there is a problem that it is not possible to charge a pause fee for the various additional services provided through the mobile communication network.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is to provide a billing method and a server according to a pause, which can charge a pause rate differentially corresponding to a communication service used by a subscriber.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a billing method and a server according to a pause, which may charge a suspension fee even when various additional services used on a monthly basis are suspended.

Still another object of the present invention is to temporarily apply a pause fee for various communication services and additional services, so that it is possible to flexibly respond to the marketing fee product policy of the mobile carrier, thereby improving external competitiveness and improving the yield rate. It is to provide a charging method and a server according to the suspension.

Other objects of the present invention will be easily understood through the description of the following examples.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided a billing method for a service for which the billing processing server is suspended at the request of a subscriber.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in the charging method for a service for which the billing processing server is suspended at the request of a subscriber, (a) service status information on one or more services subscribed to by a subscriber using subscriber information; And generating pause charging type information, wherein the pause charging type information includes at least one of charging information in a ratio unit and in an amount unit; (b) determining whether the service status information is suspended; (c) if the service state information is paused, calculating a pause base rate for each paused service according to the pause charge type information; And (d) calculating a pause fee using the calculated pause basic rate and pause period information.

The step (c) may include extracting basic fee information of the paused service if the pause fee type information is charge information in a unit of a ratio; And calculating a pause base rate by applying a rate unit set according to the service base rate information.

In the step (a), extracting the included rate ratio information when the rate information includes rate rate information of a paused service corresponding to a specific subscriber; And calculating the pause basic rate by using the extracted service basic rate information and the extracted ratio information.

In the step (c), when the pause charge type information is charge information in units of money, the step (c) may include extracting a pause base rate differently set corresponding to the paused service.

The ratio unit or the amount unit may be set differently for each service plan subscribed to by the subscriber, or may be set differently according to the service contribution contribution of the subscriber.

According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided a billing processing server that calculates billing for a service paused at the subscriber's request.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the billing processing server that calculates billing for a service paused at the request of a subscriber, the basic rate information for each service and the rate ratio information according to the service log is stored A rate information table; A data transceiver for receiving subscriber information; An information analyzer configured to analyze the received subscriber information and generate service state information and pause charge type information of a service subscribed to by a subscriber; And when the service state information is paused, calculate a pause base rate for each paused service according to the pause charge type information, and use the calculated pause base rate and pause period information. There may be provided a billing processing server including a rate calculator for calculating a pause fee.

The pause fee type information may be either the basic fee information for the service or the charge information in the unit of a rate set in accordance with the subscriber's service use contribution.

The service state information may be either a pause state or a normal use state.

If the charge type information is a ratio unit, the rate calculator extracts the basic rate information and the rate ratio information to calculate a pause base rate, and calculates the paused target period using the subscriber information to determine the date and time. The pause fee may be calculated using the stop fee.

If the subscriber information includes rate ratio information of the paused service corresponding to a specific subscriber, the information analyzer extracts the included rate ratio information and transfers the rate rate information to the rate calculator, and the rate calculator is the extracted rate. The temporary basic fee may be calculated using the ratio information and the basic fee information.

The apparatus may further include a storage configured to store at least one or more of the subscriber information, the state type information, the pause charge type information, and the calculated pause rate.

The ratio unit or the amount unit may be set differently for each service plan subscribed to by the subscriber, or may be set differently according to the service contribution contribution of the subscriber.

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, it should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present invention. In describing the drawings, similar reference numerals are used for similar elements.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and duplicate descriptions of the same components are omitted. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a block diagram of a system for calculating a fee for using a mobile communication service according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 for calculating a fee for using a mobile communication service according to the present invention includes a user terminal 110, an additional service providing server 115, a billing data collection server 120, and a billing process. It is configured to include a server (125).

The user terminal 110 is a device that is connected to the additional service providing server 115 through a communication network and receives various additional services (for example, a message transmission service and a content providing service) provided by the additional service providing server 115. . Here, the user terminal 110 may be applied without limitation as long as the terminal can use a mobile communication service or various additional services provided by a mobile communication provider through a mobile communication network. For example, the user terminal 110 may use various additional services by accessing the additional service providing server 115 through a mobile communication network including a communication function, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), notebook computers, and the like. It can be a device that can.

The additional service providing server 115 is a device that provides an additional service provided by a communication service provider through various media, and may be a device that provides a message transmission service, a paid or free content service.

For example, the additional service providing server 115 may include a long message service center (LMSC), a short message service center (SMSC), and a content providing device (IDR: internet detailed record system). ), A device for providing content using a short message service (VAS), and the like.

The billing data collection server 120 performs a function of collecting all billing data generated by using a wired or wireless communication service or an additional service used by a mobile communication service subscriber. That is, when the user terminal 110 requests a communication call, detailed billing data is generated through the calling base station to be connected, and the billing data is collected by the billing data collection server 120 at a predetermined period or at a time point of occurrence. Here, each of the collected billing data may be a call detail record (CDR). And, the billing data collection server 120 calculates billing information (hereinafter referred to as "daily billing information (USAGE)") for the daily subscriber by using the billing data collected (CDR), and this on a monthly basis Calculates billing information (hereinafter referred to as "service billing information (FEATURE)") for each service of the subscriber to calculate the cumulative billing information (AU: accumulate usage) for the monthly subscriber is sent to the billing processing server 120 do.

Although not shown in FIG. 1, the billing data collection server 120 requests the user terminal 110 to make a call to another terminal (for example, a destination terminal) through a communication network, so that the call is connected to the user terminal 110. ) May collect cumulative billing information (AU) for each service used by the user terminal 110 through the communication network, such as when the wireless Internet service is used through the communication network, and transmit the collected charge information (AU) to the billing processing server 125.

The billing processing server 125 performs a function of calculating a communication fee used by the user terminal 110 by using the respective billing information AU received through the billing data collection server 120. A method of calculating the monthly communication fee of the user terminal 110 in the billing processing server 125 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 below.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an internal component of a billing processing server according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a fare information table according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the billing processing server 125 includes a data transmission / reception unit 210, an information analyzer 215, a charge information table 220, a charge calculator 225, and a storage 230. It is configured by.

The data transmission / reception unit 210 receives subscriber information (for example, subscriber identification information and information on a service subscribed to by a subscriber) through a communication network and transmits it to the information analyzer 215. Of course, the data transmission / reception unit 210 may receive cumulative billing information (AU) through the billing data collection server 120 and transmit it to the information analyzer 215.

In this case, the subscriber information is information received through a home location register (HLR), information about the subscriber, information about a service subscribed to by the subscriber (for example, date information of a service subscription, Date information when the service is paused, information on the type of charge according to the suspension, and ratio information set according to the subscriber's contribution to service use, etc.).

Hereinafter, in this specification, a description will be given of a method of calculating a pause fee according to a suspension of a service, but the billing processing server 125 receives cumulative billing information (AU) through the billing data collection server 120 and basically a subscriber receives a bill. Naturally, the communication fee for the communication service used can be calculated.

The information analyzing unit 215 analyzes the subscriber information input through the data transmitting and receiving unit 210, and will be referred to as status information (hereinafter, "service status information") for each communication service that the subscriber subscribes to and uses. ), If any service is paused, generates charging type information (hereinafter referred to as "pausing charging type") according to the suspension. In addition, the information analyzer 215 may map the generated service state information and the pause charge type to the identification information of each subscriber and store the same in the storage 230.

The rate information table 220 stores a basic service rate for each communication service provided by a mobile communication company. Here, the fee information table 220 may store a fee according to the normal use of the service and a fee (that is, a basic fee) charged when the service is suspended. In addition, the rate information table 220 may further include rate information to be applied according to the service base rate when the service is suspended.

Here, the ratio information may be set for each service to calculate a fee for a temporary service for each service, or may be set according to the service contribution contribution of the subscriber. Here, the service use contribution may be determined by the total billing amount, service use period, etc. according to the service use.

An example in which charge information about a service is stored in the charge information table 220 is illustrated in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the fee information table 220 may be mapped with the pause charge type information, rate information, pause basic charge information, and the like set corresponding to each service.

The fee calculator 225 calculates a communication fee using the service state information and the charge type information generated by the information analyzer 215. The rate calculator 225 may calculate a communication fee for a service subscribed to by a subscriber regardless of normal use or suspension, but in this specification, the fee is calculated based on a temporary fee for a service requested for suspension. Let's explain.

For example, assume that service state information generated and input through the information analyzer 215 is "pause" and the pause charge type information is "percent unit." Then, the rate calculator 225 may extract the basic rate information and the set rate information of the paused service from the rate information table 220. As described above, the ratio information may be set according to the subscriber. In this case, the rate calculator 225 may extract the ratio information stored in the storage unit 230 in correspondence with the subscriber information. . The fee calculator 225 may calculate a basic fee (hereinafter, referred to as a “pause base fee”) according to a temporary stop by using the extracted service basic fee information and ratio information. Of course, the rate calculator 225 uses the date information (for example, date information on which the service is paused) for the service acquired through the subscriber information before calculating the temporary basic fee (that is, the target period (ie, A pause period) may be calculated and stored in the storage unit 230 according to the subscriber information.

Accordingly, the rate calculator 225 may calculate the pause rate in correspondence with the actual period of time when the service is paused by using the calculated target period and the pause base rate.

As another example, assume that the service status information is "normal use" and the pause charge type information is "money unit." Then, the rate calculator 225 may extract, from the rate information table 220, the temporary base rate set according to the paused service. In addition, the fee calculator 225 may calculate the pause fee in correspondence with the actual period in which the service is paused using the calculated target period and the extracted pause basic fee.

The storage unit 230 may include subscriber information (eg, subscriber identification information, service information subscribed to by the subscriber, information set for each service) (eg, according to a pause) input through the data transceiver 210. Ratio information, etc.), service status information generated by the information analyzer 215, pause charge type information, pause basic charge information calculated by the charge calculator 225, pause charge information, and the like are stored. do.

In the present specification, for convenience of description, it is assumed that the subscriber information is stored in the storage unit 230, but it is preferably stored in a separate database.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, the billing processing server 125 may further include an input unit (not shown) capable of receiving arbitrary data from the outside. In addition, the billing processing server 125 may include internal components (for example, a data transmission / reception unit 210, an information analyzer 215, a charge information table 220, a charge calculator 225, and a storage 230). The control unit (not shown) may be further included.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of calculating a communication fee of a user terminal by a billing processing server according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the billing processing server 125 receives cumulative billing information (AU) from the billing data collection server 120 and acquires subscriber information through a home location register (not shown) to obtain a subscriber's communication fee. The calculation process will first be described. Each step described below is performed by each component of the billing processing server 125 but will be collectively described as a billing processing server for the convenience of understanding and explanation.

In this specification, for convenience of understanding and explanation, it is assumed that the subscriber information including detailed information about the subscriber and detailed information about the service subscribed to by the subscriber is received from the home location register to calculate a communication fee. A separate device may calculate the communication fee by receiving each piece of information necessary for the communication fee.

In step 410, the billing processing server 125 generates information for each payer using the obtained subscriber information.

For example, a subscriber using an actual mobile communication service and a payer who pays a communication fee used by the subscriber may not be the same, and one payer may pay a communication fee of a plurality of subscribers. That is, in the case of a minor, the subscriber may be a minor, but the payer who pays the fee for the service used by the minor may be a parent. Therefore, the billing processing server 125 may configure information for each payer using subscriber information to calculate a communication fee to be paid for each payer.

In operation 415, the billing processing server 125 configures service-specific information used by the subscriber using the obtained subscriber information. Here, the service-specific information includes service information (for example, couple discount, regional discount, etc.) subscribed for the basic communication service (ie, mobile communication service) by the subscriber and a plurality of additional service information (for example, content download service). , Wireless Internet access service, etc.).

In step 420, the billing processing server 125 calculates the monthly basic communication fee of the subscriber by using the configured service-specific information. Here, the calculated monthly base rate may be a base rate for normal use of the service and a base rate according to the suspension.

In step 425, the billing processing server 125 obtains the cumulative billing information (AU) of the service used by the subscriber through the billing data collection server 120 connected through the communication network, and uses the bill according to the actual used call (or wireless Internet access). (Hereinafter, referred to as "call charge") is calculated.

In operation 430, the billing processing server 125 calculates an event call rate using the cumulative billing information AU obtained through the billing data collection server 120. Here, the event call rate may be a rate generated by the event, such as a contribution contribution, helping the disadvantaged.

In step 435, the billing processing server 125 calculates the billing fee used by the subscriber in the month using the calculated basic rate, call rate, and event rate.

Of course, the billing processing server 125 may calculate the final billing fee by reflecting a roaming fee due to roaming, an unpaid fee, a delinquent addition, a discount amount based on long-term use, etc., when the subscriber has not paid the previous billing fee. Do.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a process of calculating a fee based on a temporary suspension according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Each step described below is a part of step 420 of FIG. 4 to explain a process of calculating a pause fee of a service for which a subscriber requests suspension. In addition, each step described below is performed by each component of the billing processing server 125, but will be collectively described as a billing processing server for the convenience of understanding and explanation.

In operation 510, the billing processing server 125 calculates a target period (that is, a paused period) for calculating a call charge according to pause or normal use (opening) using the input date information.

For example, the billing processing server 125 may receive subscriber information from a home location register (not shown). Here, the subscriber information may include identification information for identifying a subscriber, service information subscribed to by a subscriber (eg, service opening date information, date and time information at which a service is paused, and service state information on whether a service is paused or normally opened). If the service is suspended, such as information on the type of pause charge, etc. may include all the information about the communication service.

Assuming that the subscriber has suspended any service for a certain period of time, the billing processing server 125 may calculate the target period by extracting the date information from the inputted subscriber information. Here, the billing processing server 125 may calculate the target period for each service subscribed to by the subscriber.

In step 515, the billing processing server 125 analyzes the subscriber information received through the home location register to generate status information for each service subscribed to by the subscriber. Here, the service state information may be one of normal use and pause of the corresponding service.

In step 520, the billing processing server 125 determines whether the service status information for each service is paused.

If it is determined that the service status information is not suspended (i.e., it is determined that the service status information is normal use), the basic fee for the service is extracted and returned (proceed to step 535 and later).

In the present specification, since the service state information is described on the assumption that it is one of "normal use" and "pause", when the service state information is not paused, it is determined that it is normal use and extracts a basic fee for the service. Although described as returning, it is natural that a separate process may be performed if the state is terminated.

However, if it is determined that the service status information is paused, then in step 525, the billing processing server 125 determines whether the charging type (ie, the pause charging type) for the paused service is "rate unit." To judge.

Here, the pause fee type may be one of a ratio unit and an amount unit.

If it is determined that the pause charge type is a ratio unit, in step 530, the billing processing server 125 extracts the base rate for the service and the rate information set corresponding to the suspension of the service to calculate the pause base rate. do.

Here, the basic fee for the service may be a basic fee set on a monthly basis according to normal use, not a basic fee for temporary suspension. In addition, the ratio information may be set differently for each period in which the subscriber uses the corresponding service, service use contribution (for example, service use amount), and service type.

For example, if the billing processing server 125 includes the rate information set corresponding to the specific subscriber in the subscriber information, the rate information is extracted by using the basic rate information and the extracted rate information on the paused service. You can also calculate the pause base rate.

In step 535, the billing processing server 125 calculates a pause fee corresponding to the actual paused period by using the calculated pause basic fee and the target period calculated in step 510.

Returning to step 525, if it is determined that the paused billing type is not in percentage units (i.e., the paused billing type is determined in money units), then at step 540, the billing server 125 determines the base rate for the service. Extract the basic fee according to the set pause corresponding to The flow then advances to step 535.

As described above, by providing a billing method and a server according to the pause, which can elastically charge a pause fee for any of the services according to the present invention, each of the temporary services is differently corresponding to the communication service used by the subscriber. This has the effect of imposing a stop fee.

In addition, the present invention also has the effect that you can charge a pause fee even when the various additional services used in the monthly basis is suspended.

In addition, the present invention can flexibly cope with the marketing fee product policy of the mobile communication operator by imposing a pause fee for each of various communication services and additional services, thereby improving external competitiveness and improving profitability. .

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 (12)

In the charging method for the service for which the billing server is suspended at the subscriber's request, (a) generating service status information and pause charge type information for one or more services subscribed to by the subscriber information; wherein the pause charge type information is one of charge information in a ratio unit and an amount unit; At least one; (b) determining whether the service status information is suspended; (c) if the service state information is paused, calculating a pause base rate for each paused service according to the pause charge type information; And and (d) calculating a pause rate using the calculated basic pause rate and pause period information. The method of claim 1, In step (c), Extracting the basic fee information of the paused service when the pause charge type information is charge information in a ratio unit; And And calculating a pause base rate by applying a rate unit set corresponding to the service base rate information. The method of claim 2, In the step (a), extracting the included rate ratio information when the rate information includes rate rate information of a paused service corresponding to a specific subscriber; And And calculating the pause base rate using the extracted service base rate information and the extracted rate information. The method of claim 1, In step (c), If the pause charge type information is charge information in units of money, the charging method comprising the step of extracting the pause basic charges differently set corresponding to the paused service. The method of claim 1, The ratio unit or the amount unit is set differently for each service plan subscribed to the subscriber or billing method characterized in that it is set differently depending on the service contribution contribution of the subscriber. A billing processing server that calculates billing for a service paused at the subscriber's request, A rate information table for storing basic rate information for each service and rate rate information according to a service log suspension; A data transceiver for receiving subscriber information; An information analyzer configured to analyze the received subscriber information and generate service state information and pause charge type information of a service subscribed to by a subscriber; And When the service state information is paused, the base rate for each paused service is calculated according to the pause type of charge type information, and the calculated base rate for the service and the duration of the pause are used. A billing processing server comprising a rate calculator for calculating a pause fee. The method of claim 6, The pause billing type information may be any one of the basic fee information for the service or the charge information in the unit of a rate set in accordance with the subscriber's service usage contribution, respectively. The method of claim 6, And the service state information is one of a pause state or a normal use state. The method of claim 7, wherein If the charge type information is a ratio unit, the rate calculator extracts the basic rate information and the rate ratio information to calculate a pause base rate, and calculates the paused target period using the subscriber information to determine the date and time. The billing processing server, characterized in that for calculating the pause fee using the stop basic fee. The method of claim 8, If the subscriber information includes the rate ratio information of the paused service corresponding to a specific subscriber, the information analyzer extracts the included rate ratio information and delivers it to the rate calculator, And the rate calculator is configured to calculate a temporary basic fee using the extracted rate ratio information and the basic rate information. The method of claim 6, And a storage unit which stores at least one of the subscriber information, the state type information, the pause charge type information, and the calculated pause rate. The method of claim 6, The rate unit or the amount unit is set differently for each service plan subscribed to the subscriber or billing processing server, characterized in that set differently depending on the service contribution contribution of the subscriber.

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