KR101142007B1 - Charging Method and System for Supporting Multi-Network Shared Data Coupon Item - Google Patents

Abstract

According to the present invention, when a terminal capable of receiving a mobile communication service through a multiple access network such as TBTM receives a data service, if a balance of a data coupon that can use a data call remains as much as a purchased packet amount, the prepaid billing processing is performed first. When the balance of the coupon is exhausted, the conversion to the regular prepaid or postpaid subscriber can be automatically made, and the data coupon can be simultaneously used by multiple sharers such as family members or lovers, and through the operation of futures products for the data call. It relates to a billing processing method and system that can realize a customer satisfaction service. In the billing processing method according to the present invention, if a data coupon is registered for use in prepaid deduction from a predetermined packet amount for use of a data service of a mobile communication service for a terminal, the data in response to the data service request of the terminal is received. By checking the remaining packet amount of the coupon and accepting / allowing the corresponding data service, prepaid similar billing processing for the data coupon is possible.

WCDMA, WiFi, WiBro, TBTM, Data Coupon, Share, SCP

Description

Charging Method and System for Supporting Multi-Network Shared Data Coupon Item}

The present invention relates to a billing processing method and system, wherein a terminal capable of receiving a mobile communication service through a multiple access network such as a triple band triple mode (TBTM) receives a data service, the data call can be used as much as a purchased packet amount. If you have a remaining data coupon balance, you can prepay first. If the balance of your data coupon is depleted, you can automatically switch to a regular prepaid or postpaid subscriber. The present invention relates to a billing processing method and system that can make it possible to realize a customer satisfaction service through operation of a futures product for a data call.

In general, in the WCDMA (Wide-band CDMA) network, Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) network, or WiBro (Wireless Broadband) network, different subscribers are operated in the form of different charges for data services in real time.

Recently, a data service can be used in two or more multiple access networks through a TBTM terminal capable of providing all mobile communication services in a WCDMA network, a WiFi network, or a WiBro network. However, since the billing network is not integrated at present, there is a problem in that billing cannot be processed by integrating data services in the multiple access network at the same time.

Therefore, as the use of terminals capable of supporting mobile communication services in multiple access networks including WCDMA networks, WiFi networks, or WiBro networks increases, it is inefficient to process and charge bills by classifying them by network. When two or more of these multiple access networks are combined and operated, it is necessary to integrate the billing networks by interlocking the multiple access networks so that one integrated billing process is performed in real time. In addition, in the past, there was a case where a prepaid mobile communication service could be received by charging a certain amount of money, but recently, since there is a lot of content that supports data service by packet unit, the data service can be provided by the amount of pre-charged packets. There is a need to diversify prepaid services.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention, when a terminal that can receive a mobile communication service through a multiple access network such as TBTM (Triple Band Triple Mode) receives a data service, a certain packet If the remaining amount of the data coupon can be used for the data volume, it is processed as a prepaid balance, and when the remaining amount of the data coupon is exhausted, the conversion to a regular prepaid or postpaid subscriber is automatically performed. It is to provide a billing processing method and system that can diversify types of customer service such as product operation.

In addition, another object of the present invention, the above data coupons may be received or purchased as a gift, the data coupons can be registered or released through a web server, such as a plurality of sharers such as family or lovers can be used at the same time, The present invention provides a billing processing method and system that can be conveniently shared by a user and used to consume data coupons first, and the sharer can reduce billing for a data call.

Another object of the present invention is to charge and process multiple access networks simultaneously through an integrated prepaid account in an intelligent network system, so that a terminal such as TBTM receives data service through any of the multiple access networks in real time charging for data coupons. It can be applied to the billing for TBTM-only combined fee products.

First, to summarize the features of the present invention, the billing processing method according to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the object of the present invention as described above, is used for prepaid deduction at a predetermined packet amount for the use of data services for the terminal Registering a data coupon for the; And confirming a packet remaining amount of the data coupon in response to the data service request of the terminal and accepting the corresponding data service.

Registering the data coupon purchased in the amount of packets of a predetermined memory size unit in the registering step, and periodically checking the remaining amount of the packet in the accepting step, deducting a predetermined amount of packet from the remaining amount of the packet, and accepting the data service. The process can be repeated.

After the accepting step, if exhaustion of the remaining amount of the packet is confirmed, it may include a step of notifying the home location register to exhaust the data service.

After the step of accepting, if the exhausted amount of the remaining packet is confirmed, it may include the step of charging by switching to the general subscriber service for the terminal.

Switching to the general subscriber service and processing the billing includes switching to a postpaid service.

The charging of the service by switching to the general subscriber service may include switching to a prepaid service which is deducted when the service is used from a predetermined or charged amount.

The billing processing by switching to the general subscriber service may include switching to a prepaid service that is deducted when the service is used from a preset or charged amount, and then switching to a postpaid service when the balance for the prepaid service is exhausted. It includes.

The registering may include registering an identification number of at least one sharer terminal for the data coupon, and the accepting may include: remaining packet amount of the data coupon in response to a data service request from the sharer terminal Confirming and accepting the corresponding data service until the end of the call.

The terminal may be a terminal that supports data services in two or more multiple access networks. The multiple access network includes a WIFI network, a WiBro network, or a WCDMA network.

In the registering step, the server notifies the server of the information on the registration of the data coupon, and the server processes the prepaid billing by updating the remaining packet amount for the terminal corresponding to the data coupon.

The server manages an integrated account for the terminal receiving data service through two or more multiple access networks as a database, and the integrated account is an identifier and data coupon for each of the two or more multiple access networks classified by identification numbers of the terminals. Contains an identifier of.

The server may perform a prepaid billing process for the data coupon in conjunction with a database that manages the identification number of the at least one sharer terminal corresponding to the identifier of the data coupon and the remaining amount of packets.

The wireless network operating system for billing processing according to another aspect of the present invention includes: management means for registering a data coupon for use in prepaid subtraction at a predetermined packet amount for use of a data service for a terminal; And service control means for checking a packet remaining amount of the data coupon in response to a data service request of the terminal to accept the corresponding data service.

The service control means may notify the home location register when the packet remaining amount is exhausted, and the home location register may block the data service.

The management means may inform the service control means of the information on the registration of the data coupon, and the service control means may update the remaining packet amount to the terminal corresponding to the data coupon to process prepaid billing. .

The service control means manages an integrated account for the terminal receiving data service through two or more multiple access networks in a database, and the integrated account includes an identifier for each of the two or more multiple access networks classified by the identification number of the terminal and the It may include an identifier of the data coupon.

The service control means may perform a prepaid billing process for the data coupon in association with a database managing the identification number of the at least one sharer terminal corresponding to the identifier of the data coupon and the remaining amount of packets.

According to the billing processing method and system according to the present invention, when a terminal capable of receiving a mobile communication service through a multiple access network such as TBTM (Triple Band Triple Mode) receives a data service, it is possible to use a data call by a certain amount of packets. If the remaining balance of the data coupon is left as a prepaid balance, if the remaining balance of the data coupon is exhausted, the conversion to the regular prepaid or postpaid subscriber can be made automatically. Can diversify types of customer service.

In addition, according to the billing processing method and system according to the present invention, the data coupon as described above may be received or purchased as a gift, and the data coupon can be registered or released through a web server or the like so that a plurality of sharers, such as a family member or a lover, can be used at the same time. Possible, multiple users can conveniently share and use to preferentially consume data coupons, and the sharer can reduce billing for data calls.

And, according to the billing processing method and system according to the present invention, in the intelligent network system by interlocking the billing processing by simultaneously accessing the multiple access network through an integrated prepaid account, even if the terminal such as TBTM receives data service through any network of the data coupon Real-time billing processing is possible, which can be usefully applied to billing for TBTM-only combined fare products.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

1 is a view for explaining a multiple access wireless network management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the multi-access wireless network operating system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include various multi-access networks for mobile communication services to mobile terminals, such as a WCDMA network, a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) network, and a WiBro network. It includes an application server connected to each of these networks, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or the Internet, and an SCP (Service Control Point) to support intelligent network operations related to billing processing. 110, a management server 120, a billing server 130, and a HLR (Home Location Register) 140.

The mobile terminal referred to below is a text messaging service such as voice / video call, SMS / MMS, etc., via WCDMA network, WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) network, and WiBro network. As an example, it is described as a Triple Band Triple Mode (TBTM) terminal capable of supporting data download / upload or data services such as IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) application such as game, video (VOD), and group chat. The present invention is not limited thereto. In addition to the above-described network, if the wireless access network is operated as necessary, it is a concept including a terminal that supports data service in the corresponding access network.

For example, such a mobile terminal may be a cellular phone, a Personal Communications Services phone (PCS phone), a synchronous / asynchronous International Mobile Telecommunication-2000 (IMT-2000) capable of wireless communication, a personal digital assistant. (PDA: Personal Digital Assistant), smart phone, smart phone, WAP phone (Wireless application protocol phone), mobile game station (mobile play-station), and other portable terminal types such as PMP (Portable Multimedia Player) In addition, the present invention may include various electronic devices in the home or enterprise society that can receive mobile communication services through multiple access networks such as a notebook PC, a desktop PC, and a Palm Personal Computer.

When a mobile terminal basically makes a call, the mobile terminal receives a service by allocating a necessary channel according to the scheduling of radio resources in the controller in each network, and supports mobility between cells according to a handover function. Or you can get data services. In addition, even if the mobile terminal is located in any area, the location registration update can be made to the HLR 140 by communicating with the nearest exchange, through which a call for a necessary service can be sent to receive a corresponding line or data service. However, the terminal that is not registered as a subscriber of the service required for the HLR 140, the subscriber profile is not lowered to the exchange, so the service may be blocked. The mobile terminal may use a prepaid service after paying an amount in advance, and may receive a postpaid service that uses the service first and pays on a predetermined date every month.

The billing server 130 interworking with the SCP 110 may collect billing information (CDR: Charging Data Record) received from each network and report and send a bill so that the corresponding fee is integrated and billed for each terminal.

SCP 110 manages a unified account for the subscriber terminal, and performs a real-time billing process for the service use of the terminal. In particular, in the present invention SCP (110) supports the real-time billing process for prepaid service. The data coupon referred to in the present invention is a coupon for use in prepaid deduction from a predetermined packet amount (for example, MByte unit) with respect to the use of the data service among mobile communication services for a terminal. By registering through the server 120, it can be used in a manner similar to a prepaid service.

The management server 120 notifies SCP 110 of the information about the registration of the data coupon, and accordingly, the SCP 110 can update the remaining packet amount of the terminal corresponding to the data coupon to process prepaid billing. have. For example, in response to a data service request from the terminal, the SCP 110 checks the packet remaining amount of the registered data coupon and accepts the data service until the call ends. When the remaining amount of packets is exhausted, the SCP 110 may perform a notification of exhaustion to the HLR 140, and the HLR 140 linked thereto may block the corresponding data service.

Such SCP (110) by interlocking multiple access network at the same time through the integrated prepaid account, the billing process, even if the terminal such as TBTM receives data service through any of the multiple access network real-time billing process for data coupons, Therefore, it can be usefully applied to billing for TBTM-only combined rate products.

Such a data coupon according to the present invention is preferably operated to be processed first of all, and when the remaining amount of the data coupon is exhausted, switching to a general prepaid or postpaid subscriber can be made automatically. As a result, it is possible to diversify the types of customer service, such as the operation of futures products for data calls of data coupons. The data coupon as described above may be received or purchased as a gift, and the data coupon is operated to be registered or released through a web server or the like so that a plurality of sharers, such as family or lovers, can use the same time. Accordingly, a plurality of users can conveniently share and use the data coupons first, and sharers can reduce their billing for data services.

Hereinafter, with reference to the flow chart of Figure 2, the performance of the prepaid billing processing for the data coupon in the multiple access wireless network management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

First, the management server 120 registers a data coupon (S210). The user of the mobile terminal can register the data coupon purchased or received as a gift through the store affiliated with the telecommunication company in the management server 120, visits the Internet website using a PC, or directly to the terminal by wireless or mobile Internet By accessing the site, the data coupon may be registered in the management server 120. As described below, the data coupon is a coupon for use in prepaid subtraction of a predetermined packet amount for the use of the data service in the mobile communication service for the terminal, and a packet amount of a predetermined memory size unit (for example, MByte, etc.). It can be registered as.

At this time, the management server 120 manages the registered data coupon in the database. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the management server 120 stores and manages the packet amount for the identifier (ID) of the data coupon, and after receiving the remaining packet amount (remaining packet residual amount) or data service according to the addition of the data coupon. The remaining amount of remaining packets (the remaining amount of remaining packets) can be updated and managed. Particularly, in the present invention, one or more users designate an identification number of the sharer terminal and register it in the management server 120 so that the data coupon used by being deducted based on such a packet amount can be shared and used with other people such as relatives and lovers. A shared service of data coupons can be supported. That is, similar to the designated number discount service, the management server 120 stores and stores the identification number (telephone number) of the at least one share terminal corresponding to the identifier (ID) of the data coupon and the remaining amount of packets in the database as shown in FIG. 3. can do. The identification number of the sharer terminal is stored and managed according to the identifier (ID) of the data coupon and the identification number (phone number) of the owner of the coupon that registered the data coupon, and only the owner who is the first registrant of the coupon can designate the identification number of the sharer terminal. It is desirable to be able to, and it is desirable that only the owner can delete, change, add, etc. identification number of the sharer terminal.

 As such, when the data coupon is registered in the management server 120, the management server 120 notifies SCP 110 of information about the registration of the data coupon, for example, information stored in a database as shown in FIG. 3. This information may be notified to the HLR 140 as well (S211).

Accordingly, the SCP 110 can process the prepaid billing by updating the remaining amount of packets for the terminal corresponding to the data coupon. In order to perform the prepaid billing process, SCP 110 can manage the terminal-specific integrated account as a database as shown in FIG. The terminal-specific integrated account is an identifier for each of two or more multiple access networks corresponding to the terminal-specific integrated account identifier (ID), for example, MSISDN, a telephone number assigned for use of the WCDMA network for TBTM support, for the use of the WiFi network. The Wi-Fi ID corresponding to the assigned Wi-Fi number or address, the Wi-Bro ID corresponding to the Wi-Fi number or address granted for use of the WiBro network, and an identifier (ID) of the data coupon may be included. In addition, the terminal-specific consolidated account may include a landline telephone number for integrating with the use of a landline phone, and may include a basic balance (the amount set at the time of prepaid subscription) or a charging balance (additional charge) to support general prepaid service. Amount) may be included. At this time, SCP 110 manages the identification number of the at least one sharer terminal corresponding to the identifier of the data coupon and the remaining amount of packets in a separate database as shown in FIG. Prepayment processing can be performed.

SCP 110 checks the packet remaining amount of the data coupon in response to the data service request of the terminal that can use the data coupon as described above and performs a prepaid billing process to accept the corresponding data service until the end of the call (S220 ~ S240). .

For example, a sharer terminal designated to share a data coupon at the terminal registered with the data coupon or a terminal user who registered the data coupon may access an Internet homepage or download data via a WCDMA network, a WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) network, or a WiBro network. A data call for uploading or requesting a data service of an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) application such as a game, a video (VOD), a group chat, etc. may be transmitted (S220).

Accordingly, SCP 110 checks the remaining packet amount of the corresponding data coupon with reference to the database for the terminal that registered the data coupon (S230), and if the remaining amount of packet, accepts / allows the corresponding data service until the end of the call (S240). ). For the sharer terminal designated to share the data coupon, SCP 110 refers to the database information as shown in FIG. 3 to verify whether the coupon owner's data coupon identifier (ID) is linked with the integrated account. The remaining packet amount of the data coupon can be checked.

Here, SCP 110 may allow a service for a predetermined time or a packet amount while accepting / allowing a data service to the terminal. For example, after a certain time has passed since the acceptance / acceptance of the data service, SCP 110 checks again the remaining packet amount of the data coupon, subtracts a certain amount of packet from the remaining packet amount, accepts / allows the data service, and records the deduction history. Can be updated on This process may be repeated periodically until all the remaining packets are exhausted. In addition, if the service continues after the data service is accepted / allowed for a certain amount of packets, SCP 110 checks the remaining amount of the data coupon again, subtracts a certain amount of packets from the remaining amount of packets, and accepts / allows the data service. You can update the history in the database. This process may be repeated periodically until the remaining packets are exhausted. The SCP 110 may notify the management server 120 and the HLR 140 of the above deduction history so that the remaining packet amount of the database as shown in FIG. 3 is updated.

When the remaining packet is exhausted in the process of repeating the above-mentioned data service from SCP (110) (S240), basically the exhaustion notification can be made to the HLR 140 (S241), accordingly HLR ( 140 may block the corresponding data service by failing the location registration update for the terminal (S250). The SCP 110 may also use the above exhaustion notification to the management server 120 to cause the management server 120 to update that there is no remaining packet amount.

However, such an immediate blocking method may be limited to a terminal using only a data coupon, and upon exhaustion of the remaining packet amount of the data coupon, SCP 110 switches to general subscriber service for subsequent data services for the terminal. You may. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to switch to a prepaid service which is deducted when using the service from a pre-set or charged amount when the remaining amount of the packet of the data coupon is exhausted, and when the balance for such a prepaid service is also exhausted. You can also switch to postpaid service.

In the general prepaid subscriber service, in step S230, SCP 110 may allow a service for a predetermined time or a packet amount while accepting / allowing a data service to the terminal. For example, if a certain time has passed since the acceptance / acceptance of the data service, SCP 110 may check the basic balance or the charge balance, deduct a certain amount from the balance, and accept / allow the data service. This process can be repeated periodically until the balance is exhausted. In addition, if the service continues after the data service is accepted / allowed for a certain packet amount, SCP 110 checks the basic balance or the charging balance again, subtracts the amount corresponding to a certain packet amount from the balance, and accepts the data service. Allowed. This process may be repeated periodically until the balance is exhausted.

As summarized in Fig. 6, in addition to using only the data coupon (user 1) or sequentially using the data coupon, prepaid service, and postpaid service (user 4), in some cases, when the remaining amount of packets of the data coupon is exhausted. It is also possible to associate only prepaid services (user 3) or associate only postpaid services (user 2).

The functions used in the methods and systems disclosed herein may be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording apparatuses in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and may also be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). do. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

As described above, the present invention has been described by way of limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains various modifications and variations from such descriptions. This is possible. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be determined not only by the claims below but also by the equivalents of the claims.

1 is a view for explaining a multiple access wireless network operating system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating the performance of a prepaid billing process for a data coupon in a multiple access wireless network management system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a view for explaining a database for managing a data coupon according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating a database for managing a consolidated account according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a view for explaining the preferential use of a data coupon in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a form of linking a general subscriber service after the data coupon is exhausted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (18)

Registering a data coupon for use in prepaid deduction from a predetermined packet amount for use of the data service for the terminal; And Confirming a packet remaining amount of the data coupon in response to a data service request of the terminal, and accepting the corresponding data service; The registering may include registering an identification number of at least one sharer terminal for the data coupon, and the accepting may include requesting a data service from a terminal of the user who registered the data coupon or the sharer terminal. Confirming the remaining packet amount of the data coupon in response to accepting the corresponding data service; Billing processing method characterized in that for performing the real-time charging process for the data coupon even if the terminals sharing the data coupon receives a data service through any of the multiple access network. The method of claim 1, Registering the data coupon purchased in the amount of packets of a predetermined memory size unit in the registering step, And periodically checking the remaining packet amount, subtracting a predetermined packet amount from the remaining packet amount and accepting the data service in the accepting step. The method of claim 1, wherein after the accepting step: If the remaining amount of the packet is confirmed, notifying the home location register to exhaust the step of blocking the data service Charging processing method comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein after the accepting step: And when the exhausted amount of the remaining packets is confirmed, switching to general subscriber service for the corresponding terminal, and charging the terminal. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of switching to the general subscriber service and processing the billing comprises switching to a postpaid service. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of switching to the general subscriber service and processing the billing comprises the step of switching to a prepaid service which is deducted upon use of the service from a predetermined or charged amount. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the billing processing by switching to the general subscriber service comprises, after switching to a prepaid service which is deducted at the time of using a service from a pre-set or charged amount, when the balance for the prepaid service is exhausted. And a step of switching to a postpaid service. delete delete The method of claim 1, wherein the multiple access network comprises a WIFI network, a WiBro network, or a WCDMA network. The method of claim 1, wherein in the registering step, the server notifies the server of the information about the registration of the data coupon, and the server processes the prepaid billing by updating the remaining packet amount of the corresponding terminal corresponding to the data coupon. Charging processing method characterized by the above-mentioned. The method of claim 11, wherein the server manages a unified account for the corresponding terminal receiving data service through two or more multiple access networks as a database. And the integrated account includes an identifier for each of the two or more multiple access networks divided by the identification number of the corresponding terminal and an identifier of the data coupon. The method of claim 12, wherein the server performs a prepaid billing process for the data coupon in association with a database managing an identification number of at least one sharer terminal corresponding to the identifier of the data coupon and a remaining amount of packets. Billing processing method. Management means for registering a data coupon for use in prepaid subtraction at a predetermined packet amount for use of a data service for a terminal; And Service control means for checking a packet remaining amount of the data coupon in response to a data service request of the terminal and accepting the corresponding data service; The management means registers an identification number of at least one sharer terminal with respect to the data coupon, and the service control means, in response to a data service request from a terminal of the user who registered the data coupon or the sharer terminal, provides the data. Check the offer's packet level to accept the data service. The wireless network operating system for charging processing, characterized in that for performing the real-time charging processing for the data coupon even if the terminals sharing the data coupon receives a data service through any of the multiple access network. The method of claim 14, wherein the service control means, And notifying the home location register when the packet remaining amount is exhausted, wherein the home location register blocks the data service. The method of claim 14, The management means informs the service control means of the information on the registration of the data coupon, The service control means is a wireless network operating system for billing processing, characterized in that for processing the prepaid billing by updating the remaining amount of packets for the terminal corresponding to the data coupon. The method of claim 16, The service control means manages an integrated account for the corresponding terminal receiving data service through two or more multiple access networks in a database, The integrated account is a wireless network operating system for billing processing, characterized in that it comprises an identifier for each of the two or more multiple access networks divided by the identification number of the terminal and the identifier of the data coupon. The method of claim 17, The service control means performs a prepaid billing process for the data coupon in conjunction with a database that manages the identification number of the at least one sharer terminal corresponding to the identifier of the data coupon and the remaining amount of packets. Wireless network operation system.

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