JP2010277538A - Device and method for providing service - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve meter rate charging corresponding to the use time of a user when providing a service in a prepaid system by using a computer resource to be provided by meter rate charging. <P>SOLUTION: A service providing device which provides a service through a network in response to a service provision request is configured to store a prepaid balance for each user identification information, and to transmit a computer resource provision request based on one time credit card number obtained from a credit card service provision device to a computer resource provision device, and to store the user identification information in association with the one time credit card number, and to provide a service by using a computer source provided in response to a computer resource provision request, and to, when receiving information showing that the settlement of accounts has been finished based on the one time credit number, debit the computer resource use charge from the prepaid balance of the user identification information corresponding to the one time credit card number. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a service providing apparatus and a service providing method for providing a service via a network.

  In recent years, services called ASP (Application Service Provider) and SaaS (Software as a Service) that provide software services via a network such as the Internet have become widespread. When such a service is provided to a user for a fee, a service usage fee may be included in the price of a software package sold to use the service. Alternatively, for example, in the case of a service such as an online game, payment may be made with prepaid electronic money purchased in advance by the user by online credit settlement, sale of a prepaid card, or the like.

  By the way, in recent years, there has been provided a computer resource providing system that provides computer resources of a virtualization apparatus that virtualizes computer resources and starts a virtual machine so as to be available to a user in units of time via a network. Such services, also called cloud services, allow users to use computer hardware and software for pay-as-you-go payments rather than buying or leasing them, or using them only when needed. (For example, Non-Patent Document 1). Such a computer resource usage fee is generally charged by a post-pay method in which a credit card number of a user registered in advance is deducted afterwards.

“Amazon web services”, [online], [Search April 1, 2009], Internet URL: http://aws.amazon.com/

  However, the usage fee for services provided via the network as described above is such that the service provider monitors the operating status and load status of the software program being operated, and performs maintenance work as necessary. Includes usage fees for software operations and usage fees for physical computer resources. Here, regarding the usage fee of computer resources, when securing computer resources by installing a computer server device by purchase or leasing, the service provider has a computer resource of a scale adapted to the maximum amount of connection from the user terminal Must be prepared in advance. In this case, a surplus of computer resources occurs during a period when the amount of connection from the user terminal is small, and it cannot be said that the computer resources can be used effectively for the service provider.

  Therefore, of the usage fees for services provided via the network, software usage fees are calculated based on usage time, while physical computer resource usage fees are calculated regardless of usage time. There was a case where a flat fee was charged for the price of the package or a fixed fee was charged monthly. In such a case, for a user with a short usage time to connect to the software service, the usage fee for the computer resource may be higher than the usage fee for the service. Therefore, it is conceivable that the service provider uses the computer resource provided by the computer resource providing system as described above to provide the service, and the user is charged for the computer resource usage fee.

  However, as described above, in the computer resource providing system, since the post-pay method is generally charged by a credit card or the like, it is not familiar with the pre-paid method service via the network. That is, the service provider is provided with computer resources for each of the plurality of user terminals based on the same credit card number and provides the service to the user terminals using the provided computer resources. In this case, the service provider cannot grasp the usage fee of the computer resource for each user, and as a result, the usage fee of the computer resource must be charged uniformly to all users.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation. In providing a prepaid service using a computer resource provided from a computer resource providing system based on pay-per-use, the usage fee of the computer resource is also determined by the user. Provided are a service providing apparatus and a service providing method capable of performing metered charging according to usage time.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention issues a plurality of one-time credit card numbers based on a predetermined credit card number, and the virtual machine identification information corresponding to the issued virtual machine identification information one-time credit card number A credit card service providing apparatus that performs payment based on a credit card number, a computer resource that is virtualized in response to a computer resource provision request transmitted, and based on the amount of use of the provided virtual machine identification information computer resource Service provision that is connected to a computer resource providing device that calculates a computer resource usage fee for pay-per-use and makes payment based on the credit card number of the virtual machine identification information computer resource provision request, and is transmitted from a plurality of user terminals Essential A service provider of a service provider that provides a service via a network according to the virtual machine identification information, the virtual machine identification information associated with each user identification information identifying a user corresponding to each of a plurality of user terminals, and a virtual machine A virtual machine issued based on a credit card number of a virtual machine identification information service provider from a prepaid balance storage unit that stores a prepaid balance paid in advance by an identification information user and a virtual machine identification information credit card service providing device One-time credit card number acquisition unit for acquiring identification information one-time credit card number, and virtual machine identification information one-time credit card number acquisition unit acquired in response to a service provision request transmitted from the virtual machine identification information user terminal Virtual machine identification information A computer resource provision request unit that transmits a computer resource provision request based on the credit card number to the virtual machine identification information computer resource provision apparatus, and a virtual machine identification information transmission source of the virtual machine identification information among a plurality of user terminals Virtual machine identification information user identification information corresponding to the virtual machine identification information user terminal and virtual machine identification information included in the virtual machine identification information computer resource provision request transmitted by the virtual machine identification information computer resource provision request unit In response to the virtual machine identification information computer resource provision request sent by the virtual machine identification information computer resource provision request unit, the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit stores the card number in association with each other. A virtual machine identification information credit card service providing a service via a virtual machine identification information network to a virtual machine identification information user terminal using a computer resource provided from a virtual machine identification information computer resource providing apparatus; The computer resource usage fee calculated based on the usage amount of the virtual machine identification information computer resource according to the virtual machine identification information service provided to the virtual machine identification information user terminal from the device becomes the virtual machine identification information one-time credit card number. A resource fee payment information receiving unit for receiving resource fee payment information indicating that payment has been made based on a virtual machine identification information resource fee payment information receiving unit from a virtual machine identification information one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit The virtual machine identification information resource charge settlement information received indicates that the virtual machine identification information is indicated by the virtual machine identification information user identification information associated with the one-time credit card number, and the read virtual machine identification information user identification A prepaid settlement unit that settles a computer resource usage fee according to virtual machine identification information resource fee settlement information based on a virtual machine identification information prepaid balance stored in a virtual machine identification information prepaid balance storage unit in association with information And.

  In the present invention, the virtual machine identification information prepaid payment unit provides a plurality of services provided from the same virtual machine identification information user terminal among the plurality of virtual machine identification information user terminals by the virtual machine identification information service providing unit. When the virtual machine identification information service is provided in response to the request, the virtual machine identification information resource fee payment information receiving unit receives the user identification information of the virtual machine identification information user terminal according to the provided multiple times of service. The total value of the virtual machine identification information computer resource usage charges in the plurality of virtual machine identification information resource fee settlement information included is calculated and stored in the virtual machine identification information prepaid balance storage unit in association with the virtual machine identification information user identification information Payment is made based on the prepaid balance made.

  Further, according to the present invention, the virtual machine identification information prepaid settlement unit receives a usage fee according to a predetermined usage amount of the virtual machine identification information computer resource per time and a virtual machine identification information resource fee settlement information reception unit. The virtual machine identification information computer resource usage fee indicated by the virtual machine identification information resource fee settlement information is calculated, the usage time of the virtual machine identification information computer resource is calculated, and the calculated usage time and the virtual machine identification information per predetermined time The virtual machine identification information service usage fee calculated based on the service usage fee is settled based on the prepaid balance stored in the virtual machine identification information prepaid balance storage unit.

  Further, according to the present invention, the virtual machine identification information one-time credit card number acquisition unit includes a plurality of virtual machines issued from the virtual machine identification information credit card service providing apparatus based on the credit card number of the virtual machine identification information service provider. The machine identification information one-time credit card number is acquired and stored in advance, and the virtual machine identification information computer resource provision request unit responds to the service provision request transmitted from the virtual machine identification information user terminal, and the virtual machine identification information one-time Provide virtual machine identification information to a computer resource providing request including a virtual machine identification information one-time credit card number determined among a plurality of virtual machine identification information one-time credit card numbers stored in a credit card number acquisition unit And transmits to the location.

  Further, the present invention issues a plurality of one-time credit card numbers based on a predetermined credit card number, and makes a settlement based on the virtual machine identification information credit card number corresponding to the issued virtual machine identification information one-time credit card number A credit card service providing device that performs a computer resource provision in response to a computer resource provision request transmitted, and a computer resource usage fee for pay-per-use based on the usage amount of the provided virtual machine identification information computer resource And the virtual machine identification information is connected to a computer resource providing device that makes a payment based on the credit card number of the transmission source of the computer resource provision request, and the network is configured according to the service provision request transmitted from the plurality of user terminals. Prepaid balance in which a prepaid balance paid in advance by a virtual machine identification information user is stored in association with each user identification information for identifying a user corresponding to each of a plurality of user terminals. Service provision of a service provider comprising a storage unit, a virtual machine identification information user identification information, and a one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit that stores virtual machine identification information one-time credit card numbers in association with each other A method for providing a service by an apparatus, wherein a virtual machine identification information one-time credit card number issued based on a credit card number of a virtual machine identification information service provider is obtained from a virtual machine identification information credit card service providing apparatus. Virtual machine identification information A step of transmitting a computer resource provision request based on the acquired virtual machine identification information one-time credit card number to the virtual machine identification information computer resource providing apparatus in response to a service provision request transmitted from the terminal, and the virtual machine identification information Virtual machine identification information that is the transmission source of the service provision request User identification information of the user terminal, and virtual machine identification information that is transmitted to the virtual machine identification information computer resource provision device Virtual machine identification information included in the computer resource provision request One-time credit card A virtual machine identification information computer resource in response to the transmitted virtual machine identification information computer resource provision request, a step of storing the virtual machine identification information in the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit A step of providing a service via a virtual machine identification information network to a virtual machine identification information user terminal using a computer resource provided by the providing device, and a virtual machine identification information user from the virtual machine identification information credit card service providing device. Indicates that the computer resource usage fee calculated based on the usage amount of the virtual machine identification information computer resource corresponding to the virtual machine identification information service provided to the terminal has been settled based on the virtual machine identification information one-time credit card number Receiving the resource fee settlement information, virtual machine identification information indicated by the received virtual machine identification information resource fee settlement information virtual machine identification information user identification information associated with the one-time credit card number Is read from the virtual machine identification information one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit, and the virtual machine identification information prepaid balance stored in the virtual machine identification information prepaid balance storage unit in association with the read virtual machine identification information user identification information And payment of a computer resource usage fee in accordance with the virtual machine identification information resource fee payment information.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a service providing apparatus that provides a service via a network in response to a service providing request transmitted from a plurality of user terminals stores a prepaid balance for each user identification information, A computer resource providing request based on the one-time credit card number acquired from the credit card service providing apparatus is transmitted to the computer resource providing apparatus, and the user identification information and the one-time credit card number are stored in association with each other, and the computer resource providing request is received. User identification corresponding to the one-time credit card number is received when information indicating that payment has been made based on the one-time credit card number is provided from the credit card service providing apparatus using the computer resources provided accordingly Affection Since the computer resource usage fee is settled from the prepaid balance of the user, the computer resource usage fee is used by the user when providing the service by the prepaid method using the computer resource provided from the computer resource providing system by pay-per-use. Pay-as-you-go billing according to time can be performed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the service provision system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of data memorize | stored in the one-time credit card number corresponding | compatible information storage part by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data example of the resource fee payment information by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the service provision system by one Embodiment of this invention. It is a sequence diagram which shows the operation example of the service provision system by one Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a service providing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The service providing system 1 includes a plurality of user terminals 100-N (user terminal 100-1, user terminal 100-2, user terminal 100-3,...), A computer resource providing apparatus 200, and a plurality of computers. Virtualization device 210-N (computer virtualization device 210-1, computer virtualization device 210-2, computer virtualization device 210-3,...), Credit card service providing device 300, and service providing device 400 It has. Here, the plurality of user terminals 100-N have the same configuration, and will be described as the user terminal 100 when there is no need to distinguish between them. Similarly, the plurality of computer virtualization apparatuses 210-N have the same configuration, and will be described as the computer virtualization apparatus 210 when there is no need to distinguish between them.

  The user terminal 100 is a computer device that uses a software service provided by the service providing device 400. As the user terminal 100, a PC (personal computer) that operates software based on communication performed via a network, a game terminal, or the like can be applied. The user terminal 100 communicates with the service providing apparatus 400 via a network. The user terminal 100 transmits a software service provision request to the service providing apparatus 400 according to operation information input from the user, and uses the software service provided according to the software service provision request. As software services provided by the service providing apparatus 400, for example, various software such as online word processing software, spreadsheet software, online games, and video distribution services can be applied. Here, in response to a software service provision request transmitted by the user terminal 100, virtual machine identification information for identifying a virtual machine that provides a software service is notified from the service provision apparatus 400. The user terminal 100 accesses the virtual machine based on the received virtual machine identification information and uses a software service. Here, for example, an IP (Internet Protocol) address of a virtual machine that provides a software service can be applied to the virtual machine identification information.

  The computer resource providing apparatus 200 receives the computer resource providing request transmitted from the service providing apparatus 400, and in response to the received computer resource providing request, one of the computer virtualization apparatuses 210 among the plurality of computer virtualization apparatuses 210 210, the virtual machine is activated on the computer resource virtualized by the allocated computer virtualization apparatus 210, and the IP address of the activated virtual machine is transmitted to the service providing apparatus 400.

  The plurality of computer virtualization apparatuses 210 are computer apparatuses having a function of virtualizing their computer resources. The computer virtualization apparatus 210 virtually divides its computer resource and starts a virtual machine on the divided computer resource. Here, the computer resource providing apparatus 200 is information including an OS (Operating System) that operates a service provided by the service providing apparatus 400 to the user terminal 100, a server program that operates on the OS, and an application program. An image file is stored in advance. The computer virtualization apparatus 210 activates a virtual machine based on the image file stored in the computer resource providing apparatus 200 and accepts connection from the user terminal 100 via the network. As software for providing such a virtual machine, for example, Xen (registered trademark) can be applied.

  The credit card service providing apparatus 300 receives from the computer resource providing apparatus 200 a usage charge request including information on the credit card number of the service provider and the usage fee of the computer resource, and a service corresponding to the received credit card number Withdraw the computer resource usage fee from the provider's account and settle. The credit card service providing apparatus 300 also provides a one-time credit card service that performs credit settlement using a one-time credit card number.

  The one-time credit card service is a service provided to prevent leakage of credit card information when performing payment by credit card on a network. That is, when paying the usage fee on the network using a credit card, or when performing a general credit settlement, the user provides credit card information such as his / her credit card number and credit card expiration date to the user terminal 100. The user terminal 100 transmits the input credit card information to the credit card service providing apparatus 300 via the network. Here, when credit card information is transmitted via a network, security threats such as wiretapping exist. Therefore, in order to prevent leakage of credit card information in a credit card service via a network, a one-time credit service is provided by a credit card service provider. In the one-time credit service, an identification number that can be used only once, different from the credit card number, is generated as a one-time credit card number based on the credit card number issued to a specific user in response to a request from the user terminal. And issued. The user terminal can pay the fee by the credit card by transmitting the pre-issued one-time credit card number to the payee. The input one-time credit card number is transmitted to the credit card service providing apparatus that issued the one-time credit card number, and the credit card number corresponding to the one-time credit card number is detected and charged from the corresponding user account. Will be settled.

  The credit card service providing apparatus 300 is a computer apparatus that provides such a one-time credit card service. The credit card service providing apparatus 300 issues a one-time credit card number, which is an identification number that can be used only once, different from the credit card number, based on a credit card number issued to a specific user. The credit card service providing apparatus 300 associates the credit card number with the one-time credit card number issued based on the credit card number and stores them in its own storage area. When the credit card service providing apparatus 300 receives a credit card settlement request based on the one-time credit card number, the credit card service providing apparatus 300 reads out the credit card number corresponding to the one-time credit card number, and the service corresponding to the read credit card number Settle the payment request fee from the provider's account. In the present embodiment, the one-time credit card number issued from the credit card service providing apparatus 300 is associated with each use account of the computer resource by the software service provider, so that the use fee of the computer resource for each user. Can be charged.

  The service providing apparatus 400 is a server apparatus that provides a service via a network, and supports a prepaid balance storage unit 410, a one-time credit card number acquisition unit 420, a computer resource provision request unit 430, and a one-time credit card number. An information storage unit 440, a service providing unit 450, a resource fee settlement information receiving unit 460, and a prepaid settlement unit 470 are provided.

  The prepaid balance storage unit 410 stores a prepaid balance paid in advance by the user in association with user identification information for identifying the user of the user terminal 100 that transmits the service provision request. As the user identification information, for example, identification information given in advance to the computer device of the user terminal 100 can be applied. The prepaid balance is a balance of prepaid electronic money purchased in advance by a user, for example, by online credit settlement or selling a prepaid card.

  The one-time credit card number acquisition unit 420 acquires a plurality of one-time credit card numbers issued based on the credit card number of the service provider from the credit card service providing apparatus 300, and stores one-time credit card number correspondence information. Stored in the unit 440. The one-time credit card number acquisition unit 420 may acquire the one-time credit card number from the credit card service providing apparatus 300 every time the service providing unit 450 receives a service provision request from the user terminal 100. Then, a plurality of one-time credit card numbers are acquired in advance, and are accumulated and stored in the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440. In this way, it is possible to omit the process of acquiring a one-time credit card number from when the service providing apparatus 400 receives a service provision request from the service providing unit 450 to when the service provision starts. It is possible to shorten the time from when the service provision request is received until the service provision is started.

  Also, the one-time credit card number acquisition unit 420 determines in advance the number of unused information whose used flag is “×” among the correspondence information stored in the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440. It is determined whether or not the number is less than the number of cases, and if the number is less, a plurality of one-time credit card services are newly acquired from the credit card service providing apparatus 300, and the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit You may make it memorize | store in 440. FIG. In this way, the one-time credit card number acquisition unit 420 maintains an environment in which computer resources can be immediately provided to the user terminal 100 when the service providing apparatus 400 receives a service provision request from the user terminal 100. .

  The computer resource provision request unit 430 generates unique character string information used as a computer resource utilization account, and transmits the generated computer resource utilization account to the computer resource provision apparatus 200 for registration. When the computer resource provision request unit 430 receives information indicating that the computer resource use account has been registered from the computer resource provision device 200, the computer resource provision request unit 430 stores the registered computer resource use account in the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440. Let In addition, the computer resource provision request unit 430 generates a computer resource provision request including the one-time credit card number stored in the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440 by the one-time credit card number acquisition unit 420, A virtual machine activation request based on an image file including a service program provided by the providing apparatus 400 is transmitted to the computer resource providing apparatus 200. Here, the one-time credit card number included in the computer resource is used for settlement of the usage fee of the computer resource according to the usage amount of the computer resource provided by the computer resource providing apparatus 200.

  The one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440 stores user identification information for identifying the user terminal 100 that is the transmission source of the service provision request, and a computer resource provision device according to the service provision request transmitted from the user terminal 100 The one-time credit card number included in the computer resource provision request transmitted to 200 is stored in association with each other. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a data example of correspondence information stored in the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440. The correspondence information is information in which user identification information, a one-time credit card number, a computer resource use account, and a used flag are associated with each other. Here, a plurality of one-time credit card numbers acquired by the one-time credit card number acquisition unit 420 are stored, and then a computer resource use account acquired by the computer resource provision request unit 430 is associated with it. Remembered. At this stage, the user identification information and the used flag information are not stored (NULL or no flag is set (0 (zero), OFF, x state)). Later, the service providing unit 450 stores the user identification information in association with each other and inputs a use flag (a flag is set (a state of 1, ON, ○ (maru))).

  In the first line of the figure, the user identification information “353”, the one-time credit card number “1”, the computer resource usage account “Clouduser 1”, and the used flag “O” are stored in association with each other. Is shown. The one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440 stores user identification information every time the service providing unit 450 transmits a service providing request from the user terminal 100. For this reason, when computer resources are provided according to each of a plurality of service provision requests transmitted from the same user terminal 100, the correspondence information associated with the same user identification information corresponds to the one-time credit card number. It is stored in the information storage unit 440. In this example, the user whose user identification information is “353” is associated with the one-time credit card number “85” in addition to the one-time credit card number “1”.

  In response to the service provision request transmitted from the user terminal 100, the service providing unit 450 has a used flag of “x” in the information stored in the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440, and the user One computer resource use account that is not associated with identification information is read. The service providing unit 450 transmits the virtual machine identification information provided from the computer resource providing apparatus 200 based on the read computer resource utilization account to the user terminal 100 that is the service provision request source.

  In addition, the service providing unit 450 associates user identification information for identifying the user terminal 100 that is the transmission source of the service provision request with a one-time credit card number corresponding to the computer resource use account used in response to the service provision request. In addition, the information is stored in the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440.

  The resource fee settlement information receiving unit 460 is calculated by the computer resource providing apparatus 200 from the credit card service providing apparatus 300 based on the usage amount of the computer resources provided by the computer resource providing apparatus 200 and used by the user terminal 100. Resource fee settlement information indicating that the computer resource utilization fee has been settled based on the one-time credit card number is received. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of resource fee settlement information received by the resource fee settlement information receiving unit 460. As shown in the figure, the resource fee settlement information includes information in which the settled computer resource usage fee is associated with each one-time credit card number.

  The prepaid payment unit 470 is associated with the one-time credit card number indicating that the payment is made by the resource fee payment information received by the resource fee payment information receiving unit 460 from the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440. The user identification information is read out, and the computer resource usage fee is settled according to the resource fee settlement information based on the prepaid balance stored in the prepaid balance storage unit 410 in association with the read user identification information.

  Here, the prepaid settlement unit 470 is provided when a service is provided in response to a plurality of service provision requests transmitted from the same user terminal 100 among the plurality of user terminals 100 by the service provision unit 450. Corresponding to the user identification information by calculating the total value of the computer resource usage charges in the plurality of resource fee settlement information including the user identification information of the user terminal 100 received by the resource fee settlement information receiving unit 460 in response to a plurality of services. Payment is made based on the prepaid balance stored in the prepaid balance storage unit 410. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, one-time credit card numbers of “1” and “85” are stored in association with the user identification information “353”. In this case, the prepaid charge settlement unit 470 calculates the total value of the computer resource use charges according to the one-time credit card numbers “1” and “85” and associates it with the user identification information “353”. Settlement is performed based on the prepaid balance stored in the prepaid balance storage unit 410.

  In addition, the prepaid settlement unit 470 determines a usage fee according to a predetermined amount of computer resource usage per hour and a computer resource usage fee indicated by the resource fee settlement information received by the resource fee settlement information receiving unit 460. Based on the calculated usage time and the service usage fee calculated based on the service usage fee per predetermined time stored in the prepaid balance storage unit 410. Settlement based on the balance.

  That is, in the usage fee calculation process performed by the prepaid fee settlement unit 470, first, the one-time credit number included in the resource fee settlement information is set for each user identification information associated with the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440. The computer resource usage charges are added (merged) for each user. Thereby, a computer resource usage fee for each user is calculated. Next, the computer resource usage time is calculated based on the calculated unit price of the computer resource usage fee. Then, a service usage fee for each user is calculated based on the calculated usage time and the unit price of the service usage fee. The prepaid fee settlement unit 470 calculates the total value of the computer resource usage fee and the service usage fee for each user as the usage fee for each user.

  Here, the prepaid fee settlement unit 470 stores in advance a computer resource usage fee corresponding to the computer resource usage in its own storage area. For example, information indicating that the use of computer resources is 10 yen (use fee) per hour (use amount) is stored in advance. Thereby, the prepaid fee settlement unit 470 calculates the utilization time of the computer resource based on the utilization fee included in the resource fee settlement information transmitted from the credit card service providing apparatus 300. For example, if the usage fee included in the resource fee settlement information is 80 yen, it is calculated that the usage time of the computer resource is (80 ÷ 10 =) 8 hours. Here, when the unit price of the computer resource usage fee differs according to the amount of computer resource provided (for example, the size of S, M, L, etc.), the unit price according to the amount of computer resource provided is stored. You may do it.

  In addition, the prepaid fee settlement unit 470 also stores the usage fee per hour related to software operation in its own storage area for the service provided by the service providing apparatus 400. The prepaid fee settlement unit 470 calculates the usage fee of the service provided by the service providing apparatus 400 by multiplying the calculated usage time of the computer resource by the usage fee per hour related to software operation. Here, the prepaid fee settlement unit 470 may store different unit prices of usage fees for each service provided to the user terminal 100 (for example, for each type of online game and each type of spreadsheet software). good.

  Next, an operation example of the service providing system 1 according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of a preparation phase when the service providing system 1 according to the present embodiment provides a service. First, the user terminal 100 transmits a charge request for prepaid electronic money purchased in advance to the service providing apparatus 400 (step S1). In response to the charge request transmitted from the user terminal 100, the service providing apparatus 400 causes the prepaid balance storage unit 410 to store the charged prepaid balance in association with user identification information for identifying the user terminal 100. The one-time credit card number acquisition unit 420 of the service providing apparatus 400 transmits a one-time credit card number acquisition request for acquiring a plurality of one-time credit card services to the credit card service providing apparatus 300 in advance (step S2). A plurality of one-time credit card services transmitted from the card service providing apparatus 300 are acquired (step S3) and stored in the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440 (step S4).

  The computer resource provision request unit 430 generates a character string to be used as a computer resource use account (step S5), and transmits a registration request for the generated computer resource use account to the computer resource provision apparatus 200 (step S6). The computer resource provision request unit 430 receives information indicating that a computer resource use account has been registered from the computer resource provision apparatus 200 (step S7). The computer resource provision requesting unit 430 stores the received computer resource use account in the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440 in association with the one-time credit card service number (step S8). As described above, the processing from step S1 to step S8 is a service provision preparation phase using computer resources.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example of a use phase when the service providing system 1 according to the present embodiment provides a service. The user terminal 100 transmits a service provision request to the service provision apparatus 400 in response to an operation request input from the user (step S9). When the service providing unit 450 of the service providing apparatus 400 receives the service providing request transmitted from the user terminal 100, the service providing unit 450 is associated with the computer resource usage account stored in the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440. Information with the use flag “x” is read, and a computer resource provision request based on the read computer resource utilization account is transmitted to the computer resource providing apparatus 200 (step S10).

  Here, the service providing unit 450 identifies the one-time credit card number of the computer resource use account corresponding to the computer resource providing request transmitted to the computer resource providing apparatus 200 and the user terminal 100 that is the transmission source of the software service providing request. The user identification information to be associated is stored in the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit 440 (step S11).

  When the computer resource providing apparatus 200 receives the computer resource provision request transmitted from the service providing apparatus 400 in step S <b> 10, the computer resource providing apparatus 200 responds to the computer resource provision request from the service providing apparatus 400 from among the plurality of computer virtualization apparatuses 210. The computer virtualization apparatus 210 having a vacant computer resource with a sufficient capacity is detected and assigned to the service providing apparatus 400. Here, it is assumed that the computer resource providing apparatus 200 assigns the computer virtualization apparatus 210-1 to the service providing apparatus 400. The computer resource providing apparatus 200 causes the computer virtualization apparatus 210-1 assigned to the service providing apparatus 400 to activate a virtual machine, and transmits virtual machine identification information for identifying the activated virtual machine to the service providing apparatus 400 ( Step S12).

  The service providing apparatus 400 connects to the computer virtualization apparatus 210-1 based on the virtual machine identification information transmitted from the computer resource providing apparatus 200, and activates the service provided to the user terminal 100 (step S13). The service providing apparatus 400 transmits virtual machine identification information for connecting to the computer virtualization apparatus 210-1 to the user terminal 100 (step S14).

  The user terminal 100 connects to the computer virtualization apparatus 210-1 based on the virtual machine identification information received in step S8, and uses a service provided by the computer virtualization apparatus 210-2 (step S15). When the user terminal 100 finishes using the service provided from the service providing apparatus 400, the user terminal 100 uses the service provided from the computer virtualization apparatus 210-1 according to the operation information input from the user. A termination request indicating termination is transmitted to the computer virtualization apparatus 210-1, and the connection with the computer virtualization apparatus 210-1 is disconnected (step S16). Here, the resource of the computer virtualization apparatus 210-1 which is the computer resource provided to the service providing apparatus 400 by the computer resource providing apparatus 200 is released.

  Based on the one-time credit card number received in step S4, the computer resource providing apparatus 200 charges the use fee of the computer resource provided in response to the computer resource providing request from the service providing apparatus 400, and the credit card service providing apparatus. It transmits with respect to 300 (step S17). In response to the usage fee request including the usage fee and the one-time credit card number transmitted from the computer resource providing device 200, the credit card service providing device 300 receives the credit card number corresponding to the one-time credit card number. The usage fee is detected from the storage area, and the usage fee is settled from the account of the service provider corresponding to the detected credit card number (step S18).

  When the payment processing according to the usage fee billing is completed, the credit card service providing apparatus 300 generates resource fee payment information indicating that the payment is completed for each one-time credit card number, and transmits it to the service providing apparatus 400 ( Step S19). When the service providing device 400 receives the resource fee settlement information, the prepaid fee settlement unit 470 calculates a usage fee for each user (step S20), and is stored in the prepaid balance storage unit 410 in association with the user identification information. The payment is deducted from the prepaid balance and a settlement process is performed (step S21).

  In addition, although the user identification information in this embodiment applies the identification information previously given to the computer apparatus of the user terminal 100, a user is uniquely identified by accepting registration of account information including a user's name etc. beforehand. User identification information to be identified may be generated and used.

  In the present embodiment, the one-time credit card number and the computer resource use account are acquired and stored in advance, and when the service provision request is received from the user terminal 100, the service provision can be started immediately. However, after receiving the service provision request, the one-time credit card number and the computer resource use account may be acquired. Alternatively, only one-time credit card number or computer resource may be acquired in advance, and information not acquired may be acquired in response to a service provision request received from the user terminal 100.

  As described above, according to the service providing system 1 of the present embodiment, when providing a prepaid service using a computer resource provided by the computer resource providing apparatus 200 by pay-per-use, a computer resource usage fee is used. And the usage fee of the software can be settled from the prepaid balance by pay-per-use according to the usage time of the user. As a result, the computer resource provided from the computer resource providing apparatus 200 can be used at the charge of the other person (user).

  In addition, a program for realizing the function of the processing unit in the present invention is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed to provide a service. You may go. The “computer system” here includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices. The “computer system” includes a WWW system having a homepage providing environment (or display environment). The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (RAM) in a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In addition, those holding programs for a certain period of time are also included.

  The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, what can implement | achieve the function mentioned above in combination with the program already recorded on the computer system, and what is called a difference file (difference program) may be sufficient.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Service provision system 100 User terminal 200 Computer resource provision apparatus 210 Computer virtualization apparatus 300 Credit card service provision apparatus 400 Service provision apparatus 410 Prepaid balance storage part 420 One-time credit card number acquisition part 430 Computer resource provision request part 440 One-time credit Card number correspondence information storage unit 450 Service providing unit 460 Resource fee settlement information receiving unit 470 Prepaid settlement unit

Claims (5)

A credit card service providing apparatus that issues a plurality of one-time credit card numbers based on a determined credit card number and performs settlement based on the credit card number corresponding to the issued one-time credit card number; A computer resource that is virtualized in response to a computer resource provision request, calculates a computer resource usage fee for pay-per-use based on the usage amount of the computer resource provided, and a credit card from which the computer resource provision request is transmitted A service providing apparatus of a service provider that is connected to a computer resource providing apparatus that performs payment based on a number and provides a service via a network in response to a service providing request transmitted from a plurality of user terminals,
A prepaid balance storage unit for storing a prepaid balance paid in advance by the user in association with each user identification information for identifying a user corresponding to each of the plurality of user terminals;
A one-time credit card number acquisition unit that acquires the one-time credit card number issued based on the credit card number of the service provider from the credit card service providing device;
Computer resource provision for transmitting a computer resource provision request based on the one-time credit card number acquired by the one-time credit card number acquisition unit to the computer resource providing apparatus in response to a service provision request transmitted from the user terminal A request section;
The user identification information corresponding to the user terminal that is the transmission source of the service provision request among the plurality of user terminals, and the one-time credit card included in the computer resource provision request transmitted by the computer resource provision request unit A one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit in which a number is associated and stored;
A service providing unit for providing a service via the network to the user terminal using a computer resource provided from the computer resource providing device in response to the computer resource providing request transmitted by the computer resource providing request unit;
The computer resource usage fee calculated based on the usage amount of the computer resource corresponding to the service provided to the user terminal is settled based on the one-time credit card number from the credit card service providing device. A resource fee payment information receiving unit for receiving the resource fee payment information shown;
The user identification information associated with the one-time credit card number indicated by the resource fee settlement information received by the resource fee settlement information receiving unit from the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit A prepaid settlement unit that settles a computer resource usage fee in accordance with the resource fee settlement information based on the prepaid balance stored in the prepaid balance storage unit in association with the read user identification information; ,
A service providing apparatus comprising: The prepaid settlement unit is provided a plurality of times when the service is provided in response to a plurality of service provision requests transmitted from the same user terminal among the plurality of user terminals by the service providing unit. And calculating a total value of the computer resource usage charges in a plurality of the resource fee payment information including the user identification information of the user terminal received by the resource fee payment information receiving unit according to the service, The service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein payment is made based on a prepaid balance stored in the prepaid balance storage unit. The prepaid settlement unit includes a usage fee according to a usage amount of the computer resource per predetermined time and a computer resource usage fee indicated by the resource fee settlement information received by the resource fee settlement information receiving unit. Based on the calculated usage time and the usage fee of the service per predetermined time, the usage fee of the service is stored in the prepaid balance storage unit. The service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein payment is made based on the prepaid balance. The one-time credit card number acquisition unit acquires and stores in advance a plurality of the one-time credit card numbers issued based on the credit card number of the service provider from the credit card service providing device,
The computer resource provision request unit is configured to respond to a service provision request transmitted from the user terminal, and the one-time credit time determined from the plurality of one-time credit card numbers stored in the one-time credit card number acquisition unit. 4. The service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a computer resource providing request including a credit card number is transmitted to the computer resource providing apparatus. 5. A credit card service providing apparatus that issues a plurality of one-time credit card numbers based on a determined credit card number and performs settlement based on the credit card number corresponding to the issued one-time credit card number; A computer resource that is virtualized in response to a computer resource provision request, calculates a computer resource usage fee for pay-per-use based on the usage amount of the computer resource provided, and a credit card from which the computer resource provision request is transmitted Connected to a computer resource providing apparatus that performs payment based on a number, and provides a service via a network in response to a service provision request transmitted from a plurality of user terminals, and a user corresponding to each of the plurality of user terminals. A prepaid balance storage unit for storing a prepaid balance paid in advance by the user, the user identification information, and the one-time credit card number are stored in association with each other for each user identification information. A service providing method by a service providing apparatus of a service provider provided with a one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit,
Obtaining the one-time credit card number issued based on the credit card number of the service provider from the credit card service providing device;
Transmitting a computer resource provision request based on the acquired one-time credit card number to the computer resource provision apparatus in response to a service provision request transmitted from the user terminal;
The one-time credit card in association with user identification information of the user terminal that is the transmission source of the service provision request and the one-time credit card number included in the computer resource provision request transmitted to the computer resource provision device Storing in the number correspondence information storage unit;
Providing a service via the network to the user terminal using a computer resource provided from the computer resource providing apparatus in response to the transmitted computer resource provision request;
The computer resource usage fee calculated based on the usage amount of the computer resource corresponding to the service provided to the user terminal is settled based on the one-time credit card number from the credit card service providing device. Receiving resource fee settlement information indicating;
The user identification information associated with the one-time credit card number indicated by the received resource fee settlement information is read from the one-time credit card number correspondence information storage unit, and the read user identification Paying a computer resource usage fee according to the resource fee payment information based on the prepaid balance stored in the prepaid balance storage unit in association with information;
A service providing method comprising the steps of:

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