Service providing method for electronic device, customer center, and user system

• US 20020168059A1
• Filed: 03/27/2002
• Published: 11/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Kato, Hitoshi, Kawauchi, Yoshihiro, Yamamoto, Seiichi, Ebisawa, Yoshimitsu, Makita, Takeshi, Funato, Yasuo
• Granted Patent: US 6,876,732 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/156
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0164 Billing record, e.g. Call Data Record [CDR], Toll Ticket[TT], Automatic Message Accounting [AMA], Call Line Identifier [CLI], details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0176 Billing arrangements using internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0188 Network monitoring; statistics on usage on called/calling number

Abstract

Upon providing a new service associated with a key telephone unit to an user system, a customer center periodically acquires communication log information of the key telephone unit, generates suggestion information of an inside comprise, which is optimal to the key telephone unit, on the basis of the communication log information, and automatically transmits that suggestion information to a maintenance personal computer via the Internet.

Claims

1. A method of providing an user system a new service associated with an electronic device in said user system in accordance with information being communicated through a communication network, between said user system and a customer center for carrying out an operation support business for said electronic device, said electronic device storing communication log information and operation data, executing a predetermined communication process on the basis of the operation data, said method comprising:

causing said customer center to access said electronic device through said communication network at a predetermined interval, to acquire said communication log information stored said electronic device;

causing said customer center to judge a communication traffic condition on the basis of said communication log information, to generate a judgment result;

causing said customer center to determine a new inside configuration of said electronic device on the basis of said judgment result; and

transmitting a configuration information indicative of said inside configuration, from said customer center to said user system through said communication network.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting said configuration information includes transmitting an access information required to browse said configuration information from said customer center to said user system via said communication network, and transmitting said configuration information to said user system via said communication network on the basis of said access information when said access information is transmitted from said user system that received the access information to said customer center.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting a change request which contains selection contents of said inside configuration and subscriber information allocated from said communication network to said electronic device, from said user system to said customer center; and

causing said customer center to generate a new operation data on the basis of said selection contents contained in said change request received from said user system, and to transmit said new operation data to said electronic device via said communication network on the basis of said subscriber information contained in said change request.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising said causing said electronic device to rewrite said operation data stored in said electronic device to said new operation data, when said electronic device receives said new operation data from said customer center.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein said transmitting said new operation data includes causing said customer center to transmit said new operation data to said electronic device, when said customer center receives an access information, which is allocated in advance to said user system.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein said method is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said method further comprises:

transmitting user'"'"'s account identification information from said user system to said customer center; and

executing a settlement process for transferring an amount required to provide said new operation data from a user'"'"'s account between said customer center and said charge settlement institution via said communication network on the basis of said user'"'"'s account identification information, after said new operation data is transmitted to said electronic device of said user system.

7. A method according to claim 3, wherein said method is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said method further comprises:

transmitting user'"'"'s account identification information from said user system to said customer center;

causing said customer center to inquire of said charge settlement institution about authenticity of the user via said communication network on the basis of the received user'"'"'s account identification information, to generate a inquiry result; and

causing said customer center to check on the basis of said inquiry result if transmission of said new operation data is permitted, and permitting transmission of said new operation data to said electronic device only when it is determined that transmission of said new operation data is permitted.

8. A method of providing an user system a new service associated with an electronic device in said user system in accordance with information being communicated through a communication network, between said user system and a customer center for carrying out an operation support business for said electronic device, said electronic device storing communication log information and operation data, executing a predetermined communication process on the basis of said operation data, said method for use in a system comprising:

said user system;

said customer center being connected said user system through said communication network;

a timer being included said customer center;

a database for storing therein subscriber information allocated to said electronic device from said communication network, and information indicative of time for acquire said communication log information in association with individual identification information given to said user system in advance, said method comprising;

causing said customer center to compare time information measured by said timer and said information indicative of time for acquiring said communication log information stored in said database;

reading out said subscriber information from said database, when said time information measured by said timer matches said information indicative of time for acquiring said communication log information stored in said database;

causing said customer center to access said electronic device through said communication network on the basis of said subscriber information, said customer center acquires said communication log information stored said electronic device;

causing said customer center to judge a communication traffic condition on the basis of said communication log information, to generate a judgment result;

causing said customer center to determine a new inside configuration of said electronic device on the basis of said judgment result; and

transmitting a configuration information indicative of said inside configuration, from said customer center to said user system through said communication network.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said transmitting said configuration information includes transmitting access information required to browse said configuration information from said customer center to said user system via said communication network, and transmitting said configuration information to said user system via said communication network on the basis of said access information when said access information is transmitted from said user system that received said access information to said customer center.

10. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:

transmitting a change request which contains selection contents of said inside configuration and subscriber information allocated from said communication network to said electronic device, from said user system to said customer center; and

causing said customer center to generate new operation data on the basis of said selection contents contained in said change request received from said user system, and to transmit said new operation data to said electronic device via said communication network on the basis of said subscriber information contained in said change request.

11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising the causing said electronic device to rewrite said operation data stored in said electronic device to said new operation data, when said electronic device receives said new operation data from said customer center.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein the transmitting said new operation data includes causing said customer center to transmit said new operation data to said electronic device, when said customer center receives an access information, which is allocated in advance to said user system.

13. A method according to claim 10, wherein said method is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said method further comprises:

transmitting user'"'"'s account identification information from said user system to said customer center; and

executing a settlement process for transferring an amount required to provide said new operation data from a user'"'"'s account between said customer center and said charge settlement institution via said communication network, after said new operation data is transmitted to said electronic device of said user system.

14. A method according to claim 10, wherein said method is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said method further comprises:

transmitting user'"'"'s account identification information from said user system to said customer center;

causing said customer center to inquire of said charge settlement institution about authenticity of the user via said communication network on the basis of received user'"'"'s account identification information, to generate an inquiry result; and

causing said customer center to check on the basis of said inquiry result if transmission of said new operation data is permitted, and permitting transmission of said new operation data to said electronic device only when it is determined that transmission of said new operation data is permitted.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein transmitting said configuration information includes transmitting an access information required to browse the configuration information from said customer center to said user system via said communication network, and transmitting said configuration information to said user system via said communication network on the basis of said access information, when said access information is transmitted from said user system that received said access information to said customer center.

17. A method according to claim 15, further comprising:

transmitting a change request which contains selection contents of operation data of said electronic device and subscriber information allocated from said communication network to said electronic device, from said user system to said customer center; and

causing said customer center to generate new operation data on the basis of said operation data acquired from said electronic device and said selection contents contained in said change request received from said user system, and to transmit said new operation data to said electronic device via said communication network on the basis of said subscriber information contained in said change request.

18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising said causing said electronic device to rewrite said operation data stored in said electronic device to said new operation data, when said electronic device receives said new operation data from said customer center.

19. A method according to claim 17, wherein said transmitting said new operation data includes causing said customer center to transmit said new operation data to said electronic device, when said customer center receives an access information, which is allocated in advance to said user system.

20. A method according to claim 17, wherein said method is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said method further comprises:

transmitting user'"'"'s account identification information from said user system to said customer center; and

executing a settlement process for transferring an amount required to provide said new operation data from a user'"'"'s account between said customer center and said charge settlement institution via said communication network on the basis of said user'"'"'s account identification information, after said new operation data is sent to said electronic device of said user system.

21. A method according to claim 17, wherein said method is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said method further comprises:

transmitting user'"'"'s account identification information from said user system to said customer center;

causing said customer center to inquire of said charge settlement institution about authenticity of the user via said communication network on the basis of received user'"'"'s account identification information, to generate a inquiry result; and

causing said customer center to check on the basis of said inquiry result if transmission of said new operation data is permitted, and permitting transmission of said new operation data to said electronic device only when it is determined that transmission of said new operation data is permitted.

15. A method of providing an user system a new service associated with an electronic device in said user system in accordance with information being communicated through a communication network, between said user system and a customer center for carrying out an operation support business for said electronic device, said electronic device storing communication log information and operation data, executing a predetermined communication process on the basis of said operation data, said method comprising:

causing said customer center to access said electronic device through said communication network at a predetermined interval, to acquire said communication log information and said operation data stored said electronic device;

causing said customer center to determine a new inside configuration of said electronic device on the basis of said communication log information and said operation data acquired from said electronic device; and

transmitting a configuration information indicative of said inside configuration, from said customer center to said user system through said communication network.

22. A method of providing an user system a new service associated with an electronic device in said user system in accordance with information being communicated through a communication network, between said user system and a customer center for carrying out an operation support business for said electronic device, said electronic device incorporating a plurality of line units which connect different types of lines, said method comprising:

causing said electronic device to calculate use rates for the respective line units, to access said customer center via said communication network when said use rate has exceeded a reference value, and to transmit a setting request which contains a unit information indicative of said line unit, said use rate of which has exceeded said reference value, and subscriber information allocated from said communication network to said user system; and

causing said customer center to generate suggestion information required to issue a change or extension request of an unit on the basis of said unit information, and to transmit said suggestion information to said user system on the basis of said subscriber information via said communication network.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein said method is applied to a system in which said customer center and a work agent can be connected via a communication network, and

said method further comprises:

transmitting a unit change or extension request information from said user system that received said suggestion information to said customer center via said communication network; and

causing said customer center to issue said unit change or extension request of said electronic device of said user system as a request source to said work agent via said communication network on the basis of said request information received from said user system.

24. A method according to claim 22, wherein said method is applied to a system in which said customer center, a parts agent, and a work agent can be connected via a communication network, and

said method further comprises:

transmitting said unit change or extension request information from said user system that received said suggestion information to said customer center via said communication network; and

causing said customer center to issue a unit change or extension request of said electronic device of said user system as a request source to said parts agent and said work agent via said communication network on the basis of said request information received from said user system.

25. A method according to claim 22, wherein said method is applied to a system in which said customer center, a parts agent, a work agent, and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said method further comprises:

transmitting said unit change or extension request information from said user system that received said suggestion information to said customer center via said communication network;

causing said customer center to execute an estimation process of cost required to change or extend the unit between said parts agent and said work agent via said communication network on the basis of said request information received from said user system;

transmitting the estimated cost information from said customer center to said user system via said communication network;

transmitting account identification information of a user from said user system to said customer center in response to said cost information;

causing said customer center to request said work agent to change or extend the unit of said electronic device of said user system as a request source via said communication network upon receiving said account identification information; and

executing a settlement process for transferring an amount required to change or extend the unit from a user'"'"'s account between said customer center and said charge settlement institution via said communication network upon completion of the change or extension of said unit of said electronic device of said user system.

27. A customer center according to claim 26, wherein said transmitting means transmits an access information required to browse said configuration information to said user system, and transmits the configuration information to said user system via said communication network on the basis of the access information being transmitted from said user system.

28. A customer center according to claim 26, further comprising operation data transmitting means for when a change request which contains selection contents of said inside configuration and subscriber information assigned from said communication network to said electronic device is received from said user system, generating new operation data on the basis of the selection contents, and transmitting said new operation data to said electronic device on the basis of said subscriber information.

29. A customer center according to claim 28, wherein said operation data transmitting means transmits said new operation data to said electronic device, when access information given in advance to said user system is received from said user system.

30. A customer center according to claim 28, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

account identification information acquiring means for acquiring account identification information of a user from said user system; and

settlement process executing means for executing a settlement process for transferring an amount required to provide said new operation data from a user'"'"'s account between said customer center and said charge settlement institution via said communication network, after said new operation data is sent to said electronic device of said user system.

31. A customer center according to claim 28, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

account identification information acquiring means for acquiring account identification information of a user from said user system;

inquiring means for inquiring of said charge settlement institution about authenticity of the user via said communication network on the basis of said user'"'"'s account identification information; and

permitting means for checking on the basis of said inquiry result of said inquiry means if transmission of said new operation data is permitted, and permitting transmission of said new operation data to said electronic device only when it is determined that transmission of said new operation data is permitted.

48. An user system which is connected to a customer center of claim 26, and comprises an electronic device that stores communication log information and operation data, and executes a predetermined communication process on the basis of said operation data, comprising:

communication log information transmitting means for reading out said communication log information stored in said electronic device in response to an acquisition request being transmitted from said customer center, and transmitting said communication log information to said customer center; and

suggestion information receiving means for receiving information indicative of a new inside con figuration of said electronic device from said customer center.

26. A customer center, which is connected via a communication network to an user system comprising an electronic device that stores communication log information and operation data and executes a predetermined communication process on the basis of the operation data, and which provides a new service associated with said electronic device to said user system in accordance with an information being communicated with said user system, comprising:

acquiring means for periodically accessing said electronic device via said communication network to acquire said communication log information from said electronic device;

judging means for judging a communication traffic condition on the basis of said communication log information, to generating a judgment result;

determining means for determining a new inside configuration of said electronic device on the basis of said judgment result; and

transmitting means for transmitting a configuration information indicative of said inside configuration to said user system via said communication network.

32. A customer center, which is connected via a communication network to an user system comprising an electronic device that stores communication log information and operation data and executes a predetermined communication process on the basis of the operation data, and which provides a new service associated with said electronic device to said user system in accordance with information being communicated with said user system, comprising:

a timer;

a database for storing subscriber information allocated from said communication network to said electronic device, and information indicative of time for acquiring said communication log information in association with individual identification information given to said user system in advance;

comparing means for comparing time information measured by said timer and said information indicative of the time for acquiring said communication log information stored in said database;

reading out means for reading out said subscriber information from said database, when said time information measured by said timer matches said information indicative of said time for acquiring said communication log information stored in said database match,;

acquiring means for accessing said electronic device on the basis of said subscriber information via said communication network to acquire said communication log information from said electronic device;

determining means for determining a new inside configuration of said electronic device on the basis of said communication log information; and

transmitting means for transmitting a configuration information indicative of inside configuration to said user system via said communication network.

33. A customer center according to claim 32, wherein said transmitting means transmits an access information required to browse said configuration information to said user system, said transmits the configuration information to said user system on the basis of said access information via said communication network, and when said access information is sent from said user system that received said access information to said customer center via said communication information.

34. A customer center according to claim 32, further comprising operation data transmitting means for, when a change request which contains selection contents of the configuration information and a subscriber information assigned from said communication network to said electronic device is received from said user system, generating a new operation data on the basis of said selection contents contained in the change request, and transmitting the new operation data to said electronic device on the basis of said subscriber information contained in said change request via said communication network.

35. A customer center according to claim 34, wherein said operation data transmitting means transmits said new operation data to said electronic device, when access information given in advance to said user system is received from said user system.

36. A customer center according to claim 34, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

account identification information acquiring means for acquiring account identification information of a user from said user system; and

settlement process executing means for executing a settlement process for transferring an amount required to provide the new operation data from a user'"'"'s account between said customer center and said charge settlement institution via said communication network after the new operation data is sent to said electronic device of said user system.

37. A customer center according to claim 34, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

account identification information acquiring means for acquiring account identification information of a user from said user system;

inquiring means for inquiring of said charge settlement institution about authenticity of the user via said communication network on the basis of the acquired user'"'"'s account identification information, generating an inquiry result; and

permitting means for checking on the basis of said inquiry result if transmission of said new operation data is permitted, and permitting transmission of said new operation data to said electronic device only when it is determined that transmission of said new operation data is permitted.

39. A customer center according to claim 38, wherein said transmitting means transmits a access information required to browse said configuration information to said user system, and transmits said configuration information to said user system on the basis of said access information via said communication network, when said access information is transmitted from said user system that received said access information to said customer center.

40. A customer center according to claim 38, further comprising operation data transmitting means for, when a change request which contains selection contents of said configuration information and subscriber information assigned from said communication network to said electronic device is received from said user system, generating a new operation data on the basis of said operation data acquired from said electronic device and said selection contents contained in said change request, and transmitting the new operation data to said electronic device on the basis of said subscriber information contained in the change request via said communication network.

41. A customer center according to claim 40, wherein said operation data transmitting means transmits said new operation data to said electronic device, when access information given in advance to said user system is received from said user system.

42. A customer center according to claim 40, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

account identification information acquiring means for acquiring account identification information of a user from said user system; and

settlement process executing means for executing a settlement process for transferring an amount required to provide said new operation data from a user'"'"'s account between said customer center and said charge settlement institution via said communication network on the basis of the user'"'"'s account identification information, after said new operation data is sent to said electronic device of said user system.

43. A customer center according to claim 40, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

account identification information acquiring means for acquiring account identification information of a user from said user system;

inquiring means for inquiring of said charge settlement institution about authenticity of the user via said communication network on the basis of the acquired user'"'"'s account identification information, generating a inquiry result; and

permitting means for checking on the basis of said inquiry result if transmission of said new operation data is permitted, and permitting transmission of said new operation data to said electronic device only when it is determined that transmission of said new operation data is permitted.

49. An user system which is connected to a customer center of claim 38, and comprises an electronic device that stores communication log information and operation data, and executes a predetermined communication process on the basis of said operation data, comprising:

communication log information transmitting means for reading out said communication log information and operation data stored in said electronic device in response to an acquisition request being transmitted from said customer center, and transmitting said communication log information and operation data to said customer center; and

suggestion information receiving means for receiving information indicative of a new inside configuration of said electronic device from said customer center.

38. A customer center, which is connected via a communication network to an user system comprising an electronic device that stores communication log information and operation data and executes a predetermined communication process on the basis of said operation data, and which provides a new service associated with said electronic device to said user system in accordance with information being communicated with said user system, comprising:

acquiring means for periodically accessing said electronic device via said communication network to acquire said communication log information and operation data from said electronic device;

determining means for determining a new inside configuration of said electronic device on the basis of said communication log information and operation data; and

transmitting means for transmitting a configuration information indicative of said inside configuration to said user system via said communication network.

44. A customer center, which is connected via a communication network to an user system comprising an electronic device that incorporates a plurality of line units which connect different types of lines, and which provides a new service associated with said electronic device to said user system in accordance with information being communicated with said user system, comprising:

generating means for, when a setting request which contains a unit information indicative of the line unit, a use rate of which has exceeded a reference value, and subscriber information allocated from said communication network to said user system, is received from said electronic device of said user system, generating a suggestion information required to issue a change or extension request of a unit on the basis of the unit information, and

transmitting means for transmitting the suggestion information to said user system on the basis of said subscriber information contained in said setting request via said communication network.

45. A customer center according to claim 44, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a work agent can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

issuing means for issuing a line unit change or extension request of said electronic device of said user system as a request source to said work agent via said communication network on the basis of a request information being transmitted from said user system that received said suggestion information.

46. A customer center according to claim 44, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center, a parts agent, and a work agent can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

issuing means for issuing a line unit change or extension request of said electronic device of said user system as a request source to said parts agent and said work agent via said communication network on the basis of a request information being transmitted from said user system that received said suggestion information.

47. A customer center according to claim 44, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center, a work agent, and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

estimation process executing means for executing an estimation process of cost required to change or extend the line unit between said parts agent and said work agent via said communication network on the basis of the request information being transmitted from said user system that received the suggestion information;

cost information transmitting means for transmitting said estimation cost information to said user system via said communication network;

requesting means for requesting said work agent to change or extend the line unit of said electronic device of said user system as a request source via said communication network, in accordance with account identification information of a user being transmitted from said user system in response to said cost information,; and

settlement process executing means for executing a settlement process for transferring an amount required to change or extend the line unit from a user'"'"'s account between said customer center and said charge settlement institution via said communication network on the basis of said account identification information, after the line unit of said electronic device of said user system is changed or extended.

50. An user system according to claim 48 or 49, further comprising:

change request transmitting means for transmitting a change request which contains selection contents of the inside configuration, and subscriber information allocated from said communication network to said electronic device, to said customer center; and

operation data receiving means for receiving new operation data from said customer center.

51. An user system which comprises a plurality of line units which connect different types of lines, and is connected to a customer center via a communication network, comprising:

calculating means for calculating use rates of the respective line units in said electronic device;

setting request transmitting means for accessing said customer center via said communication network to transmit a setting request that contains information indicative of the line unit, said use rate of which has exceeded the reference value, and subscriber information allocated from said communication network to said user system, in response to said use rate being exceeded a reference value; and

suggestion information receiving means for receiving suggestion information, which is generated by said customer center on the basis of said unit information that is contained in said setting request and indicates said line unit, and is required to change or extend a line unit.

52. A customer center, which is connected via a communication network to an user system comprising an electronic device that stores communication log information and operation data and executes a predetermined communication process on the basis of said operation data, and which provides a new service associated with said electronic device to said user system in accordance with information being communicated with said user system, comprising:

an acquiring section which periodically access said electronic device via said communication network to acquire said communication log information from said electronic device;

a judging section which judges a communication traffic condition on the basis of said communication log information, generating a judgment result;

a determining section which determines a new inside configuration of said electronic device to be suggested to said user system on the basis of said judgment result; and

a transmitting section which transmits a configuration information indicative of inside configuration to said user system via said communication network.

53. A customer center according to claim 52, wherein said transmitting section transmits an access information required to browse said configuration information to said user system, and transmits said configuration information to said user system via said communication network on the basis of said access information being transmitted from said user system.

54. A customer center according to claim 52, further comprising a operation data transmitting section for, when a change request which contains selection contents of said inside configuration and subscriber information assigned from said communication network to said electronic device is received from said user system, generates new operation data on the basis of the selection contents, and transmits said new operation data to said electronic device on the basis of said subscriber information.

55. A customer center according to claim 54, wherein said operation data transmitting section transmits said new operation data to said electronic device, when access information given in advance to said user system is received from said user system.

56. A customer center according to claim 54, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

a account identification information acquiring section which acquires account identification information of a user from said user system; and

a settlement process executing section which executes a settlement process for transferring an amount required to provide said new operation data from a user'"'"'s account between said customer center and said charge settlement institution via said communication network, after said new operation data is sent to said electronic device of said user system.

57. A customer center according to claim 54, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

a account identification information acquiring section which acquires account identification information of a user from said user system;

a inquiring section which inquiries of said charge settlement institution about authenticity of the user via said communication network on the basis of the acquired user'"'"'s account identification information, generates a inquiry result; and

a permitting section which checks on the basis of said inquiry result if transmission of said new operation data is permitted, and permitting transmission of said new operation data to said electronic device only when it is determined that transmission of said new operation data is permitted.

59. A customer center according to claim 58, further comprising operation data transmitting section which, when a change request which contains selection contents of the configuration information and a subscriber information assigned from said communication network to said electronic device is received from said user system, generates a new operation data on the basis of said selection contents contained in said change request, and transmits said new operation data to said electronic device on the basis of said subscriber information contained in said change request via said communication network.

60. A customer center according to claim 59, wherein said operation data transmitting unit transmits said new operation data to said electronic device, when access information given in advance to said user system is received from said user system.

61. A customer center according to claim 59, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

a account identification information acquiring section which acquires account identification information of a user from said user system; and

a settlement process executing section which executes a settlement process for transferring an amount required to provide said new operation data from a user'"'"'s account between said customer center and said charge settlement institution via said communication network after said new operation data is sent to said electronic device of said user system.

62. A customer center according to claim 59, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

an account identification information acquiring section which acquires account identification information of a user from said user system;

an inquiring section which inquiries of said charge settlement institution about authenticity of the user via said communication network on the basis of the acquired user'"'"'s account identification information, generates an inquiry result; and

a permitting section which checks on the basis of said inquiry result if transmission of the new operation data is permitted, and permits transmission of said new operation data to said electronic device only when it is determined that transmission of said new operation data is permitted.

73. An user system which is connected to a customer center of claim 52, and comprises an electronic device that stores communication log information and operation data, and executes a predetermined communication process on the basis of said operation data, comprising:

a communication log information transmitting section which reads out said communication log information stored in said electronic device in response to an acquisition request being transmitted from said customer center, and transmitting said communication log information to said customer center; and

a suggestion information receiving section which receives information indicative of a new inside con figuration of said electronic device from said customer center.

75. An user system according to claim 73 or 74, further comprising:

a change request transmitting section which transmits a change request which contains selection contents of said inside configuration, and subscriber information allocated from said communication network to said electronic device, to said customer center,; and

an operation data receiving section which receives a new operation data from said customer center.

58. A customer center, which is connected via a communication network to an user system comprising an electronic device that stores communication log information and operation data and executes a predetermined communication process on the basis of said operation data, and which provides a new service associated with said electronic device to said user system in accordance with information being communicated with said user system, comprising:

a timer;

a database for storing subscriber information allocated from said communication network to said electronic device, and information indicative of time for acquiring said communication log information in association with individual identification information given to said user system in advance;

a comparing section which compares time information measured by said timer and the information indicative of said time for acquiring said communication log information stored in said database;

a read-out unit which reads out said subscriber information from said database, when said time information measured by said timer matches said information indicative of the time for acquiring said communication log information stored in said database match,;

a acquiring section which accesses said electronic device on the basis of said subscriber information via said communication network to acquire said communication log information from said electronic device;

a determining section which determines a new inside configuration of said electronic device on the basis of said communication log information; and

a transmitting section which transmits a configuration information indicative of inside configuration to said user system via said communication network.

63. A customer center, which is connected via a communication network to an user system comprising an electronic device that stores communication log information and operation data and executes a predetermined communication process on the basis of said operation data, and which provides a new service associated with said electronic device to said user system in accordance with information being communicated with said user system, comprising:

an acquiring section which periodically accesses said electronic device via said communication network to acquire said communication log information and operation data from said electronic device;

a determining section which determines a new inside configuration of said electronic device on the basis of said communication log information and operation data; and

a transmitting section which transmits a configuration information indicative of said inside configuration to said user system via said communication network.

64. A customer center according to claim 63, wherein said transmitting section transmits a access information required to browse said configuration information to said user system, and transmits said configuration information to said user system on the basis of said access information via said communication network, when the access information is transmitted from said user system that received said access information to said customer center.

65. A customer center according to claim 63, operation data transmitting section which, when a change request which contains selection contents of the configuration information and subscriber information assigned from said communication network to said electronic device is received from said user system, generates a new operation data on the basis of said operation data acquired from said electronic device and said selection contents contained in said change request, and transmits said new operation data to said electronic device on the basis of said subscriber information contained in said change request via said communication network.

66. A customer center according to claim 65, wherein said operation data transmitting section transmits said new operation data to said electronic device, when access information given in advance to said user system is received from said user system.

67. A customer center according to claim 65, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

an account identification information acquiring section which acquires account identification information of a user from said user system; and

a settlement process executing section which executes a settlement process for transferring an amount required to provide said new operation data from a user'"'"'s account between said customer center and said charge settlement institution via said communication network on the basis of said user'"'"'s account identification information, after said new operation data is sent to said electronic device of said user system.

68. A customer center according to claim 65, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

a account identification information acquiring section which acquires account identification information of a user from said user system;

an inquiring section which inquires of said charge settlement institution about authenticity of the user via said communication network on the basis of the acquired user'"'"'s account identification information, generating a inquiry result; and

a permitting section which checks on the basis of said inquiry result if transmission of said new operation data is permitted, and permits transmission of said new operation data to said electronic device only when it is determined that transmission of said new operation data is permitted.

70. A customer center according to claim 69, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center and a work agent can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

an issuing section which issues a line unit change or extension request of said electronic device of said user system as a request source to said work agent via said communication network on the basis of a request information being transmitted from said user system that received said suggestion information.

71. A customer center according to claim 69, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center, a parts agent, and a work agent can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

an issuing section which issues a line unit change or extension request of said electronic device of said user system as a request source to said parts agent and said work agent via said communication network on the basis of a request information being transmitted from said user system that received said suggestion information.

72. A customer center according to claim 69, wherein said customer center is applied to a system in which said customer center, a work agent, and a charge settlement institution can be connected via a communication network, and

said customer center further comprises:

an estimation process executing section which executes an estimation process of cost required to change or extend the line unit between said parts agent and said work agent via said communication network on the basis of said request information being transmitted from said user system that received said suggestion information;

a cost information transmitting section which transmits the estimation cost information to said user system via said communication network;

a requesting section which requests said work agent to change or extend the line unit of said electronic device of said user system as a request source via said communication network, in accordance with account identification information of a user being transmitted from said user system in response to said cost information,; and

a settlement process executing section which executes a settlement process for transferring an amount required to change or extend the line unit from a user'"'"'s account between said customer center and said charge settlement institution via said communication network on the basis of said account identification information, after said line unit of said electronic device of said user system is changed or extended.

74. An user system which is connected to a customer center of claim 64, and comprises an electronic device that stores communication log information and operation data, and executes a predetermined communication process on the basis of the operation data, comprising:

a communication log information transmitting section which reads out said communication log information and operation data stored in said electronic device in response to an acquisition request being transmitted from said customer center, and transmits said communication log information and operation data to said customer center; and

a suggestion information receiving section which receives information indicative of a new inside configuration of said electronic device from said customer center.

69. A customer center, which is connected via a communication network to an user system comprising an electronic device that incorporates a plurality of line units which connect different types of lines, and which provides a new service associated with said electronic device to said user system in accordance with information being communicated with said user system, comprising:

a generating section which, when a setting request which contains a unit information indicative of the line unit, a use rate of which has exceeded a reference value, and subscriber information allocated from said communication network to said user system, is received from said electronic device of said user system, generates a suggestion information required to issue a change or extension request of a unit on the basis of said unit information, and

a transmitting section which transmits said suggestion information to said user system on the basis of the subscriber information contained in said setting request via said communication network.

76. An user system which comprises a plurality of line units which connect different types of lines, and is connected to a customer center via a communication network, comprising:

a calculating section which calculates use rates of the respective line units in said electronic device;

a setting request transmitting section which accesses said customer center via said communication network to transmit a setting request that contains information indicative of said line unit, the use rate of which has exceeded the reference value, and subscriber information allocated from said communication network to said user system, in response to said use rate being exceeded a reference value; and

a suggestion information receiving section which receives suggestion information, which is generated by said customer center on the basis of said unit information that is contained in the setting request and indicates said line unit, and is required to change or extend a line unit.