JP2003008784A - Updating method for prepaid quantity, communication method and prepaid management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To charge the prepaid frequency of another system, by using the prepaid card of a certain system. SOLUTION: A card service controller 231 receives not only a scratch card number but also a subscriber number MSNa of a subscriber (a) at receiving of a charging request from mobile equipment 111 (1). Then, the card service controller 231 authenticates the scratch card number (2) and acquires corresponding prepaid number of calls by performing access to a scratch card data base 236, and instructs a subscriber switchboard 121 of an A company to increase the prepaid number of calls, corresponding to the received subscriber number only by the acquired prepaid number of calls (3). In this case, the prepaid frequency or the subscriber number can be transmitted, as they are, and also transmitted after being converted, as necessary. The subscriber switchboard 121 makes the prepaid frequency increase corresponding to the subscriber number, based on the received prepaid number of calls and on the subscriber number (4).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prepaid amount updating method, a communication method and a prepaid management system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, by purchasing a prepaid card or the like, a communication (call, etc.) fee is prepaid (prepaid).
However, there has been a prepaid communication method in which the prepaid card or the like is used to perform communication after charging the prepaid frequency and the like. The prepaid frequency and the like are subtracted according to the communication.

[0003]

However, the user cannot use the prepaid card or the like of a certain system to charge the prepaid frequency or the like of another system. More specifically, it was not possible to charge the prepaid frequency of the company to which the user subscribes by using the prepaid card of the company to which the user does not subscribe (contract).

Therefore, for example, overseas, it is not possible to charge the prepaid frequency of the system of the home country by using the prepaid card or the like of that country. In addition, even if there is a prepaid card or the like of the home country, a high communication fee is paid to connect to the system of the home country to charge the system.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to enable a prepaid card or the like of a certain system to be used to charge a prepaid frequency or the like of another system.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a first managing means for managing a prepaid amount for prepaid identification information.
A prepaid amount updating method in a prepaid management system including a prepaid management system and a second prepaid management system including second management means for managing a prepaid amount for customer information, wherein the prepaid management system comprises: A reception step of receiving identification information and customer information; and, in the first prepaid management system, accessing the first management means to obtain a prepaid amount for the prepaid identification information received in the receiving step, and the prepaid amount and the prepaid amount. First
The customer information received in the receiving step is transmitted as it is or after being converted, and is transmitted to the second prepaid management system; and in the second prepaid management system, the second management means is accessed to be transmitted in the transmission step. Based on prepaid amount and customer information
And an updating step of updating a prepaid amount for the customer information.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method in a prepaid management system including a management unit for managing a prepaid amount for prepaid identification information, the receiving method including receiving the prepaid identification information and the customer information. The management means is accessed to obtain the prepaid amount for the prepaid identification information received in the receiving step, and the prepaid amount and the customer information received in the receiving step are transmitted as they are or after being converted to another prepaid management system. And a step.

The invention described in claim 3 is the communication method according to claim 2, wherein the receiving step receives prepaid identification information and customer information from a mobile terminal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a prepaid amount updating method in a prepaid management system having a management means for managing the prepaid amount for customer information.
A receiving step of receiving the prepaid amount and the customer information transmitted by another prepaid management system, and updating the prepaid amount for the customer information based on the prepaid amount and the customer information received in the receiving step by accessing the management means. And an updating step to perform.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a prepaid management system including a first prepaid management system and a second prepaid management system, wherein the first prepaid management system indicates a prepaid amount for prepaid identification information. First managing means for managing, first receiving means for receiving prepaid identification information and customer information, and accessing the first managing means to obtain a prepaid amount for the prepaid identification information received by the first receiving means, The prepaid amount and the customer information received by the first receiving unit are transmitted as they are or after being converted and are transmitted to the second prepaid management system, wherein the second prepaid management system stores the prepaid amount for the customer information. The second management means for managing and the first prepaid management system transmit Second receiving means for receiving the prepaid amount and customer information, and updating for updating the prepaid amount for the customer information based on the prepaid amount and the customer information received by the second receiving means by accessing the second management means. And means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a prepaid management system, wherein management means for managing a prepaid amount for prepaid identification information, receiving means for receiving the prepaid identification information and customer information, and access to the management means. And a prepaid amount for the prepaid identification information received by the receiving device, and transmitting the prepaid amount and the customer information received by the receiving device as they are or after converting them to another prepaid management system. It is characterized by that.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a prepaid management system, which includes management means for managing a prepaid amount for customer information, and receiving means for receiving the prepaid amount and customer information transmitted by another prepaid management system. And updating means for updating the prepaid amount for the customer information based on the prepaid amount and the customer information received by the receiving means by accessing the management means.

According to the above configuration, the prepaid card or the like of one system can be used to charge the prepaid frequency of another system.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining charging of a prepaid frequency.

In FIG. 1, the core network of Company A includes a subscriber exchange 121 and a card service control device 131, and constitutes a prepaid management system. The subscriber exchange 121 is a frequency management database 1 for managing prepaid frequencies for a subscriber number (MSN).
26 is provided. The card service control device 131 includes a scratch card database 136 that manages the prepaid frequencies for scratch card numbers. In the present embodiment, the subscriber exchange 121 and the card service control device 131 are separately configured, but they may be configured integrally.

The mobile device 111 is a mobile device of the subscriber a and can be in the form of a mobile phone, PHS or the like.

A subscriber having a scratch card, which is a kind of prepaid card, can charge the prepaid frequency by using the scratch card.

In this embodiment, a prepaid amount (prepaid frequency in this case) is prepaid by purchasing a scratch card having a scratch card number. However, if each prepaid can be identified, the prepaid does not necessarily have to be performed through the card. Further, information (characters or the like) other than the card number may be used to identify each prepaid. Further, the prepaid amount may be handled as a charge, time, etc. other than the (prepaid) frequency.

The scratch card can be distributed, and can be sold at a convenience store or the like. The user can remove the sticker (scratch) and get the number. As the scratch card, types such as 100 degrees, 300 degrees, and 500 degrees can be provided. Prepaid frequency for scratch card numbers is scratch card database 1
It is stored in 36.

Here, a case in which a subscriber (customer) a having a scratch card charges a prepaid frequency by using the scratch card will be described. First, the subscriber a uses the mobile unit 111 to dial a special number for charging. Next, enter the scratch card number. One scratch card number may be input, or a plurality of scratch card numbers may be input.

Thus, the card service control device 131
Receives a charging request from the mobile device 111 (in FIG. 1). At that time, in addition to the scratch card number, the subscriber a
Identification information (here, subscriber number, MSN in the example of FIG. 1)
a) is also received.

The card service control device 131 verifies the scratch card number and authenticates whether or not the scratch card is a valid card (). If the scratch card is a valid card, the scratch card database 136 is accessed to obtain the prepaid frequency corresponding to the scratch card number. In the example of FIG. 1, 300 frequencies are acquired as the prepaid frequency corresponding to the scratch card number xxxxxx. In the scratch card database 136, in order to prevent double charging, the scratch card number cannot be charged thereafter.

Then, the card service control device 131
Instructs the subscriber exchange 121 to increase the prepaid frequency for the received subscriber number by the acquired prepaid frequency (). The subscriber exchange 121 increases the prepaid frequency according to the instruction (). In the example of FIG. 1, the prepaid frequency for the subscriber number MSNa is increased by 300.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining prepaid-based communication. First, the subscriber a uses the mobile unit 111 to make a call to the mobile unit 112 (in FIG. 2). At that time, the subscriber exchange 121 selects the subscriber number M of the subscriber a.
Receive SNa and subscriber number MSNb of subscriber b. The subscriber exchange 121 confirms the remaining number of subscribers a (). That is, the frequency management database 126 is accessed to check the prepaid frequency for the subscriber number MSNa of the subscriber a. If the prepaid frequency remains, the subscriber exchange 121 calls the mobile station 112 (), and communication between the mobile station 111 and the mobile station 112 is started (). When a certain communication time or a certain amount of communication is reached during communication, the subscriber exchange 121 reduces the prepaid degree for the subscriber number MSNa of the subscriber a in real time each time ().

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining charges across a plurality of prepaid management systems. In FIG. 3, the subscriber exchange 22 is included in the core network of company B.
1 and the card service control device 231 are included, and constitute a prepaid management system different from the prepaid management system of Company A. The subscriber exchange 221 includes a frequency management database 226 that manages prepaid frequencies for subscriber numbers. Card service control device 231
Includes a scratch card database 236 that manages prepaid frequencies for scratch card numbers.
Subscriber switch 221 and card service control device 23
1 is the same as the operations of the subscriber exchange 121 and the card service controller 131, respectively.

In the two prepaid management systems shown in FIG. 3, for example, the subscriber a of the company A can charge the company's own prepaid frequency by using the scratch card of the company B.

The subscriber a uses the mobile unit 111 to dial a special number for charging. Next, enter the scratch card number of company B. Scratch card number is 1
One may be input, or a plurality may be input.

Thus, the card service control device 231
Receives a charging request from the mobile device 111 (in FIG. 3). At that time, in addition to the scratch card number, the subscriber a
Identification information (here, the subscriber number, MSN in the example of FIG. 3)
a) is also received.

The card service control device 231 verifies the scratch card number and authenticates whether or not the scratch card is a valid card (). If the scratch card is a valid card, the scratch card database 136 is accessed to obtain the prepaid frequency corresponding to the scratch card number. In the scratch card database 136, in order to prevent double charging, the scratch card number cannot be charged thereafter.

Since the card service control device 231 knows that the subscriber a is the subscriber of the company A from the received subscriber number, the card service control device 131 of the company A makes a subscriber switch of the company A. It instructs 121 to increase the prepaid frequency for the received subscriber number by the acquired prepaid frequency (). The prepaid frequency and the subscriber number may be transmitted as they are, or may be converted and transmitted as necessary.

The subscriber exchange 121 increases the prepaid frequency for the subscriber number based on the prepaid frequency and the subscriber number transmitted from the card service control device 231 ().

The accounting system 141 of the company A provides the information for the settlement related to the charge after the charge is completed,
It is transmitted to the accounting system 241 of the company B (). Based on this information, the company B pays the company A, for example, the card amount after deducting the fee.

The card service control device 231 determines the subscriber based on the subscriber number and sends an instruction to the subscriber exchange of another company, but only when the subscriber gives an instruction to the subscriber exchange of another company. You can also send instructions.

In the present embodiment, the subscriber number is transmitted from the mobile device to the prepaid management system as customer information (customer information), and the prepaid frequency is charged / managed for the subscriber number. It is also possible to transmit other information as the customer information, for example, mobile unit identification information (mobile unit number or the like), and charge / manage the prepaid frequency for the mobile unit identification information.

In the above description, the case where a mobile device (mobile terminal) is used as a terminal for making a charge request has been described. Personal Digital Assist
It is also possible to make a charge request by using (ants) etc. connected).

The charged prepaid frequency can be used not only for communication but also for purchasing products.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining charging of a prepaid frequency.

In FIG. 4, a subscriber exchange 321 is included in the core network of company A. Subscriber switch 321
Includes a frequency management database 326 that manages prepaid frequencies for subscriber numbers (MSN). Similarly,
The core network of company B includes a subscriber exchange 421, and the subscriber exchange 426 is a frequency management database 426.
Equipped with. The system of company C (common card operator)
A card service control device 531 and a company C accounting system 541 are included. The card service control device 531
A scratch card database 336 that manages the prepaid frequencies for scratch card numbers is provided. Company A owns Company A's accounting system 341, and Company B owns B
Owns the accounting system 441.

The mobile device 311 is a mobile device of the subscriber a1 of company A, and can be in the form of a mobile phone, PHS or the like. The mobile device 421 is a mobile device of the subscriber b1 of company B, and can also take the form of a mobile phone, PHS, or the like.

A subscriber having a scratch card, which is a kind of prepaid card, can charge the prepaid frequency by using the scratch card.

In this embodiment, by purchasing a scratch card having a scratch card number, the prepaid amount (here, the prepaid frequency) is prepaid. However, if each prepaid can be identified, the prepaid does not necessarily have to be performed through the card. Further, information (characters or the like) other than the card number may be used to identify each prepaid. Further, the prepaid amount may be handled as a charge, time, etc. other than the (prepaid) frequency.

The scratch card can be distributed, and can be sold at a convenience store or the like. The user can remove the sticker (scratch) and get the number. As the scratch card, types such as 100 degrees, 300 degrees, and 500 degrees can be provided. Scratch card database 5 for prepaid frequencies for scratch card numbers
It is stored in 36.

Here, a case where the subscriber (customer) a1 having a scratch card charges the prepaid frequency by using the scratch card will be described. Subscriber a1
Dials a special number for charging using the mobile device 311 after purchasing the card (in FIG. 4). Next, enter the scratch card number. One scratch card number may be input, or a plurality of scratch card numbers may be input. In the example of FIG. 4, xxxxxx is input.

Thus, the card service control device 531
Receives a charge request from the mobile station 311 via the subscriber exchange 321 (). At that time, in addition to the scratch card number, the identification information of the subscriber a1 (here, the subscriber number, MSNa1 in the example of FIG. 4) is also received.

The card service control device 531 collates the scratch card number and authenticates whether or not the scratch card is a valid card (). If the scratch card is a valid card, the scratch card database 536 is accessed to obtain the prepaid frequency corresponding to the scratch card number. In the example of FIG. 4, 300 degrees are acquired as the prepaid frequency corresponding to the scratch card number xxxxxx. In the scratch card database 536, in order to prevent double charging, the scratch card number cannot be charged thereafter.

The card service control device 531 knows that the subscriber a1 is the subscriber of the company A from the received subscriber number.
It is instructed to increase the prepaid frequency for the received subscriber number by the acquired prepaid frequency (). The prepaid frequency and the subscriber number may be transmitted as they are, or may be converted and transmitted as necessary.

The subscriber exchange 321 increases the prepaid frequency for the subscriber number based on the prepaid frequency and the subscriber number transmitted from the card service control device 531 (). In the example of FIG. 4, the prepaid frequency for the subscriber number MSNa1 is increased by 300.

Here, the subscriber exchange 321 does not receive the subscriber number from the card service control device 531 and uses it, but receives the subscriber number from the mobile station 311 at the stage of FIG. 4, for example. Then, it may be used.

The accounting system 341 of the company A provides the information for the settlement related to the charge after the charge is completed,
It is transmitted to the accounting system 541 of the company C (). Based on this information, Company C pays Company A the amount of the card, for example, minus the commission.

The same applies when the subscriber b1 charges the prepaid frequency ('-').

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining prepaid-based communication. First, the subscriber a1 makes a call to the mobile device 312 using the mobile device 311 (in FIG. 5).
At that time, the subscriber exchange 321 selects the subscriber number MSNa1 of the subscriber a1 and the subscriber number MSNa2 of the subscriber a2.
To receive. The subscriber exchange 321 confirms the remaining number of subscribers a1 (). That is, the frequency management database 326 is accessed to access the subscriber number MSN of the subscriber a1.
Check the prepaid frequency for a1. If the prepaid frequency remains, the subscriber exchange 321 determines that the mobile station 31
2 is called (), and communication between the mobile device 311 and the mobile device 312 is started (). When a certain communication time or a certain amount of communication is reached during communication, the subscriber exchange 321 decreases the prepaid frequency for the subscriber number MSNa1 of the subscriber a1 in real time each time ().

In the present embodiment, the mobile station transmits its own subscriber number as customer information (customer information), and the subscriber exchanges 321 and 421 charge and manage the prepaid frequency for the subscriber number. However, the mobile station transmits other information as the customer information, for example, mobile station identification information (mobile station number or the like), and the subscriber exchanges 321 and 421 charge the prepaid frequency for the mobile station identification information.・ It can be managed.

In the above description, the case where a mobile device (mobile terminal) is used as a terminal for making a charge request has been described. However, other types of terminals (for example, fixed terminals (telephones), personal computers, PDA ( Personal Digital Assist
It is also possible to make a charge request by using (ants) etc. connected).

The charged prepaid frequency can be used not only for communication but also for purchasing products.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, a prepaid card or the like of a certain system can be used to charge the prepaid frequency or the like of another system.

With this, for example, overseas, it is possible to charge the prepaid frequency of the system of the home country using a prepaid card or the like of that country, and there is no need to pay a high communication charge. Further, for example, the prepaid card of each company can be treated like a common card, and the prepaid card can be given without being aware of the carrier etc. of the recipient's mobile phone.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining charging of a prepaid frequency.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining prepaid-based communication.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining charges across a plurality of prepaid management systems.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining charging of a prepaid frequency.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining prepaid-based communication.

[Explanation of symbols]

111, 112, 311, 312, 411 Mobile station 121, 221, 321, 421 Subscriber switch 126, 226, 326, 426 Frequency management database 131, 231, 531 Card service control device 136, 236, 536 Scratch card database 141, 241 Accounting system 341 Company A accounting system 441 Company B accounting system 541 Company C accounting system

Front page continuation (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI theme code (reference) H04Q 7/38 H04Q 7/04 H (72) Inventor Katsutoshi Kimoto 2-11-1, Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Company NTT Docomo (72) Inventor Tomoki Hara 2-11-1, Nagatacho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo F-Term (Reference) in NTT Docomo, Inc. 5K025 AA05 BB06 CC01 DD06 EE12 EE16 EE24 FF15 FF22 FF40 GG04 5K067 AA29 BB04 DD29 EE02 EE16 FF04 HH22

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A first prepaid management system including a first management unit that manages a prepaid amount for prepaid identification information, and a second prepaid management system including a second management unit for managing a prepaid amount for customer information. A method of updating a prepaid amount in a prepaid management system, comprising: a receiving step of receiving prepaid identification information and customer information in the first prepaid management system; and a step of accessing the first management means in the first prepaid management system. Then, a prepaid amount for the prepaid identification information received in the receiving step is acquired, and the prepaid amount and the customer information received in the first receiving step are transmitted as they are or after conversion to the second prepaid management system. And the second prepaid The management system further comprises an updating step of updating the prepaid amount for the customer information based on the prepaid amount and the customer information transmitted in the transmitting step by accessing the second management means. How to update. 2. A communication method in a prepaid management system comprising a management means for managing a prepaid amount for prepaid identification information, comprising a receiving step of receiving prepaid identification information and customer information, and accessing the management means. Obtain the prepaid amount for the prepaid identification information received in the receiving step,
A communication method, comprising the step of transmitting the prepaid amount and the customer information received in the receiving step as they are or after converting the prepaid amount to another prepaid management system. 3. The communication method according to claim 2, wherein the receiving step receives prepaid identification information and customer information from a mobile terminal. 4. A prepaid amount updating method in a prepaid management system having a management means for managing the prepaid amount for customer information, the receiving step of receiving the prepaid amount and the customer information transmitted by another prepaid management system, An updating step of updating the prepaid amount for the customer information based on the prepaid amount and the customer information received in the receiving step by accessing the management means. 5. A prepaid management system comprising a first prepaid management system and a second prepaid management system, wherein the first prepaid management system comprises first management means for managing a prepaid amount for prepaid identification information. A first receiving means for receiving the prepaid identification information and the customer information; and accessing the first management means to obtain a prepaid amount for the prepaid identification information received by the first receiving means, the prepaid amount and the first The customer information received by the receiving means is converted as it is or after being converted into the second information.
A second prepaid management system for managing a prepaid amount for customer information; and a prepaid amount and customer information transmitted by the first prepaid management system. And second updating means for accessing the second management means and updating the prepaid amount for the customer information based on the prepaid amount and the customer information received by the second receiving means. A featured prepaid management system. 6. A prepaid management system, comprising: management means for managing a prepaid amount for prepaid identification information; reception means for receiving the prepaid identification information and customer information; and access to the management means for reception by the reception means. Obtain the prepaid amount for the prepaid identification information
A prepaid management system comprising: a prepaid amount and customer information received by the receiving means, and a transmission means for transmitting the prepaid amount as it is or after converting it to another prepaid management system. 7. A prepaid management system comprising: management means for managing a prepaid amount for customer information; receiving means for receiving the prepaid amount and customer information transmitted by another prepaid management system; and access to the management means. A prepaid management system for updating the prepaid amount for the customer information based on the prepaid amount and the customer information received by the receiving means.