Communication volume calculation system, communication volume calculation method, and communication volume calculation program

Abstract

To provide a communication volume calculation system and method that perform unified processing for deducting communication volume equivalent to communication generated when a user performs specified behavior from communication volume consumed by the user.SOLUTION: In a communication volume calculation system S, a system control unit of a communication volume calculation device 1 acquires feature information indicating a feature of communication data corresponding to designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as behavior of a subscriber of a mobile communication service, detects communication data having the feature indicated by the feature information from communication data passing through a network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service, and calculates communication volume equivalent to difference between communication volume consumed by the communication subscriber who is a source or a destination of the detected communication data from a start of a period and data size of the detected communication data as a presented consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for performing processing related to data communication using a mobile communication service. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, it is known that there are various fee plans for data communication services provided by mobile communication services. In these fee plans, it is common that there is some provision related to the amount of communication consumed by a user during a period (e.g., one month, etc.). For example, a pay-as-you-go fee plan is known. In a pay-as-you-go fee plan, the communication fee borne by the user changes according to the amount of communication during the period. For example, there is a fee plan in which the communication fee increases stepwise as the amount of communication increases. Also, a flat-rate fee plan is known. In a flat-rate fee plan, the amount of communication during the period is unlimited, or an upper limit is set for the amount of communication during the period. When an upper limit is set for the amount of communication, when the amount of communication reaches the upper limit, the user, for example, cannot perform data communication, or can only perform data communication at a considerably low communication speed. For example, by paying an additional fee, the user may be able to perform data communication at a normal communication speed.

[0003] Also, a technology is known in which the communication fee to be paid by a user is reduced by a business entity such as an advertiser depending on the user's behavior. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that an entity providing an advertising service gives points to a user when the user clicks on an advertisement displayed on a mobile terminal, or gives points to a user when a call is automatically made to the advertiser's store in response to the user clicking on the advertisement. Patent Document 1 also discloses that the entity uses all or a part of the points given to reduce the data communication fee related to viewing the advertisement. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-150118 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional technology, it was necessary to implement a process for reducing communication charges in a system that delivers data such as advertisements. Therefore, every time a type of user behavior that is subject to a reduction in communication charges is added, it is necessary to implement a process for reducing communication charges in a system that performs a process corresponding to that type of behavior.

[0006] In addition, reducing the communication fee is beneficial for the user. However, instead of directly reducing the communication fee, it is also beneficial for the user to deduct the communication amount consumed by the user in association with taking a specified action from the communication amount actually consumed by the user. For example, the user can consume more communication amount even if he or she has to pay the same communication fee.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an example of the problem to be solved is a communication amount calculation system that enables a unified process for deducting the communication amount equivalent to the communication generated when a user performs a specified action from the communication amount consumed by the user. 、 Communication amount calculation method , and a communication volume calculation program The purpose of this invention is to provide [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention includes a characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a specified carrier as the behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service from among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which a communication volume consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume equivalent to the difference between the communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is the source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and the data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed consumed communication volume in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber. an accounting means for accounting for a cost for making the proposed consumed communication volume smaller than the consumed communication volume as an advertising cost of the business operator; The present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0009] According to this aspect, communication data passing through a network of a mobile communication service is inspected, and communication data having a characteristic indicated by the characteristic information is detected. The detected communication data may be communication data transmitted or received by a terminal device of a mobile communication service subscriber through the network of the mobile communication service as the subscriber takes a specified action designated by a predetermined carrier. When communication data having a characteristic indicated by the characteristic information is detected, a communication amount equivalent to the difference between the communication amount consumed by the subscriber from the start of a period and the data size of the detected communication data is calculated and stored as a communication amount to be presented to the subscriber. Communications related to a subscriber of a mobile communication service are usually performed through the network of the mobile communication service. The communication amount calculation system only needs to be capable of capturing communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service. Therefore, a process for deducting the communication amount equivalent to the communication generated when the user takes a specified action from the communication amount consumed by the user can be performed in a unified manner. Furthermore, according to this aspect, the cost of deducting the communication volume can be borne by the business operator acting as the advertiser.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in the mobile communication service, a communication fee is determined according to the amount of communication used during the period, and the service further includes a communication fee acquisition means for acquiring a communication fee according to the calculated presented amount of communication consumed.

[0011] According to this aspect, the communication fee is calculated according to the communication amount after deducting the communication amount equivalent to the communication generated when the subscriber takes the specified action. Therefore, the communication fee can be deducted according to the deducted communication amount.

[0012] Yet another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the present invention further comprises a transmitting means for transmitting the proposed consumed communication volume and the communication fee to a terminal device of a subscriber associated with the proposed consumed communication volume so that the stored proposed consumed communication volume and the acquired communication fee can be presented.

[0013] According to this aspect, it is possible to present to the subscriber the amount of communication traffic remaining after deducting the amount of communication traffic equivalent to the communication traffic that occurs when the subscriber takes the specified action, and the communication fee according to that amount of communication.

[0014] In still another aspect of the present invention, the communication fee for the mobile communication service increases stepwise as the communication volume increases.

[0015] According to this aspect, the communication fee can be deducted in stages according to the communication volume to be deducted.

[0016] Yet another aspect of the present invention is The system comprises: a characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which a communication amount consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication amount equivalent to a difference between the consumed communication amount consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and a data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication amount to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication amount storage control means for storing the calculated proposed consumed communication amount in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber,The subscriber is billed by the mobile communications service for a communication fee corresponding to the consumed communication volume consumed by the subscriber during the period, a member of a specified service different from the mobile communications service, which is capable of using a specified point program, may be a subscriber of the mobile communications service, the mobile communications service may identify the subscriber using subscriber identification information different from member identification information for identifying the subscriber of the mobile communications service as a member of the specified service, the point program system manages a number of owned points indicating the number of points held by a member of the specified service in association with the member identification information of the member, and, when there is a fee difference between the communication fee corresponding to the consumed communication volume and the communication fee corresponding to the stored presented consumed communication volume, the system further comprises an addition control means for adding a number of points equivalent to the fee difference to the number of owned points associated with the member identification information for identifying the communications subscriber as a member of the specified service.

[0017] According to this aspect, communication data passing through a network of a mobile communication service is inspected, and communication data having a characteristic indicated by the characteristic information is detected. The detected communication data may be communication data transmitted or received by a terminal device of a mobile communication service subscriber through the network of the mobile communication service as the subscriber takes a specified action designated by a predetermined carrier. When communication data having a characteristic indicated by the characteristic information is detected, a communication amount equivalent to the difference between the communication amount consumed by the subscriber from the start of a period and the data size of the detected communication data is calculated and stored as a communication amount to be presented to the subscriber. Communications related to a subscriber of a mobile communication service are usually performed through the network of the mobile communication service. The communication amount calculation system only needs to be capable of capturing communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service. Therefore, a process for deducting the communication amount equivalent to the communication generated when the user takes a specified action from the communication amount consumed by the user can be performed in a unified manner. Also, According to this aspect, a subscriber of a mobile communication service is also a member of a predetermined service different from the mobile communication service. The mobile communication service identifies each subscriber using subscriber identification information for identifying the subscriber. The predetermined service identifies each member using member identification information for identifying the member. The subscriber identification information and the member identification information of the same user may be different from each other. Members of the predetermined service can use a predetermined point program. The number of points held by each member in the point program is managed using the member identification information of the member. The subscriber is charged a communication fee according to the communication volume actually consumed by the subscriber during the period. Instead of deducting the communication fee, the subscriber is given a number of points equivalent to the charge difference between the communication fee according to the actual communication volume consumed and the communication fee according to the presented communication volume consumed. Therefore, the communication fee can be substantially deducted by adding the number of points equivalent to the charge difference to the number of points held by the subscriber managed in a service different from the mobile communication service.

[0018] In still another aspect of the present invention, the detection means operates every time the communication data passes through the network.

[0019] According to this aspect, communication data having the characteristics indicated by the characteristic information can be detected in real time.

[0022] Yet another aspect of the present invention is The system comprises: a characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which a communication amount consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication amount equivalent to a difference between the consumed communication amount consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and a data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication amount to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication amount storage control means for storing the calculated proposed consumed communication amount in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber, The specified action is characterized in that it is to download and execute a predetermined application that can be installed on a terminal device of a subscriber of the mobile communication service.

[0023] According to this aspect, communication data passing through a network of a mobile communication service is inspected, and communication data having a characteristic indicated by the characteristic information is detected. The detected communication data may be communication data transmitted or received by a terminal device of a mobile communication service subscriber through the network of the mobile communication service as the subscriber takes a specified action designated by a predetermined carrier. When communication data having a characteristic indicated by the characteristic information is detected, a communication amount equivalent to the difference between the communication amount consumed by the subscriber from the start of a period and the data size of the detected communication data is calculated and stored as a communication amount to be presented to the subscriber. Communications related to a subscriber of a mobile communication service are usually performed through the network of the mobile communication service. The communication amount calculation system only needs to be capable of capturing communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service. Therefore, a process for deducting the communication amount equivalent to the communication generated when the user takes a specified action from the communication amount consumed by the user can be performed in a unified manner. Also, According to this aspect, when a subscriber downloads and executes a given application, the communication amount is deducted, and therefore the number of users of the application can be increased.

[0024] Yet another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the application is an application that causes the terminal device to communicate with other devices while the application is being executed, the acquired feature information includes first feature information corresponding to a download of the application and second feature information corresponding to the execution of the application, and when the detection means detects communication data having characteristics indicated by the second feature information, the calculation means calculates the presented consumed communication volume by subtracting at least the first data size of the communication data having the characteristics indicated by the first feature information and the second data size of the communication data having the characteristics indicated by the second feature information from the consumed communication volume.

[0025] According to this aspect, when the application is downloaded, the communication amount is not yet deducted. Then, when the application is executed, at least the communication amount consumed for the download is deducted.

[0026] Yet another aspect of the present invention is The system comprises: a characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which a communication amount consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication amount equivalent to a difference between the consumed communication amount consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and a data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication amount to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication amount storage control means for storing the calculated proposed consumed communication amount in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber, The specified behavior is characterized in that the subscriber of the mobile communication service uses a predetermined application executable by a terminal device of the subscriber for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0027] According to this aspect, communication data passing through a network of a mobile communication service is inspected, and communication data having a characteristic indicated by the characteristic information is detected. The detected communication data may be communication data transmitted or received by a terminal device of a mobile communication service subscriber through the network of the mobile communication service as the subscriber takes a specified action designated by a predetermined carrier. When communication data having a characteristic indicated by the characteristic information is detected, a communication amount equivalent to the difference between the communication amount consumed by the subscriber from the start of a period and the data size of the detected communication data is calculated and stored as a communication amount to be presented to the subscriber. Communications related to a subscriber of a mobile communication service are usually performed through the network of the mobile communication service. The communication amount calculation system only needs to be capable of capturing communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service. Therefore, a process for deducting the communication amount equivalent to the communication generated when the user takes a specified action from the communication amount consumed by the user can be performed in a unified manner. Also, According to this aspect, when a subscriber uses a predetermined application for a predetermined period of time or more, the communication amount is deducted, which makes it possible to promote long-term use of the application.

[0028] Yet another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the application is an application that causes the terminal device to communicate with other devices while the application is being executed, and the calculation means calculates the presented consumed communication volume when the length of a detection period during which communication data having characteristics indicated by the acquired characteristic information is detected by the detection means at a time interval less than a predetermined interval is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

[0029] According to this aspect, while communication data is generated at time intervals less than a predetermined interval due to the use of the application, the subscriber is considered to be continuously using the application. When the length of time during which the application is continuously used reaches or exceeds a predetermined time, the communication amount is deducted.

[0030] Yet another aspect of the present invention is The system comprises: a characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which a communication amount consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication amount equivalent to a difference between the consumed communication amount consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and a data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication amount to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication amount storage control means for storing the calculated proposed consumed communication amount in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber, The specified action is characterized by browsing a predetermined website.

[0031] According to this aspect, communication data passing through a network of a mobile communication service is inspected, and communication data having a characteristic indicated by the characteristic information is detected. The detected communication data may be communication data transmitted or received by a terminal device of a mobile communication service subscriber through the network of the mobile communication service as the subscriber takes a specified action designated by a predetermined carrier. When communication data having a characteristic indicated by the characteristic information is detected, a communication amount equivalent to the difference between the communication amount consumed by the subscriber from the start of a period and the data size of the detected communication data is calculated and stored as a communication amount to be presented to the subscriber. Communications related to a subscriber of a mobile communication service are usually performed through the network of the mobile communication service. The communication amount calculation system only needs to be capable of capturing communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service. Therefore, a process for deducting the communication amount equivalent to the communication generated when the user takes a specified action from the communication amount consumed by the user can be performed in a unified manner. Also, According to this aspect, when a subscriber browses a predetermined website, the communication amount is deducted, which can promote browsing of websites.

[0032] Yet another aspect of the present invention is The system comprises: a characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which a communication amount consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication amount equivalent to a difference between the consumed communication amount consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and a data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication amount to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication amount storage control means for storing the calculated proposed consumed communication amount in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber,The characteristic information acquisition means is capable of acquiring a plurality of pieces of characteristic information corresponding to a plurality of designated actions respectively designated by a plurality of operators including a first operator and a second operator, the detection means detects the communication data having the characteristics indicated by the characteristic information for each of the plurality of pieces of characteristic information, and the type of the designated action designated by the first operator is different from the type of the designated action designated by the second operator.

[0033] According to this aspect, communication data passing through a network of a mobile communication service is inspected, and communication data having a characteristic indicated by the characteristic information is detected. The detected communication data may be communication data transmitted or received by a terminal device of a mobile communication service subscriber through the network of the mobile communication service as the subscriber takes a specified action designated by a predetermined carrier. When communication data having a characteristic indicated by the characteristic information is detected, a communication amount equivalent to the difference between the communication amount consumed by the subscriber from the start of a period and the data size of the detected communication data is calculated and stored as a communication amount to be presented to the subscriber. Communications related to a subscriber of a mobile communication service are usually performed through the network of the mobile communication service. The communication amount calculation system only needs to be capable of capturing communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service. Therefore, a process for deducting the communication amount equivalent to the communication generated when the user takes a specified action from the communication amount consumed by the user can be performed in a unified manner. Also, According to this aspect, the first carrier and the second carrier specify different types of behavior from each other. For a plurality of pieces of characteristic information corresponding to the behaviors specified by the plurality of carriers, communication data having characteristics indicated by the characteristic information is detected. Therefore, communication traffic can be deducted according to the different types of behaviors taken by the subscribers.

[0034] Yet another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the detection means detects the communication data having the characteristics indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network using deep packet inspection.

[0035] According to this aspect, the payload of the packets constituting the communication data is inspected, which enables detailed analysis of the communication data and appropriately detects communication data corresponding to a specified action.

[0036] Yet another aspect of the present invention is a communication volume calculation method executed by a computer, comprising: a characteristic information acquisition step of acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which a communication volume consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection step of detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation step of calculating a communication volume equivalent to a difference between a consumed communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication volume storage control step of storing the calculated proposed consumed communication volume in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber. an accounting step of accounting for a cost for making the proposed consumed communication volume smaller than the consumed communication volume as an advertising cost of the business operator; The present invention is characterized by comprising: Yet another aspect of the present invention is a communication amount calculation method executed by a computer, comprising the steps of: acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which a communication amount consumed by a subscriber during a period is to be calculated; detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; and detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information, among the subscribers of the mobile communication service, which is a source or destination of the detected communication data. and a communication volume storage control step of storing the calculated presented communication volume consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber, wherein the characteristic information acquisition step is capable of acquiring a plurality of pieces of characteristic information corresponding to a plurality of designated actions respectively designated by a plurality of carriers including a first carrier and a second carrier, and the detection step detects the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the characteristic information for each of the plurality of pieces of characteristic information, and the type of the designated action designated by the first carrier is different from the type of the designated action designated by the second carrier. Yet another aspect of the present invention is a communication amount calculation method executed by a computer, the method including: a characteristic information acquisition step of acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which a communication amount consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection step of detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation step of calculating a communication amount equivalent to a difference between a communication amount consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication amount to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication amount storage control step of storing the calculated proposed consumed communication amount in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber. a communication fee corresponding to the consumed communication volume consumed by the subscriber during the period is billed to the subscriber by the mobile communication service, a predetermined service different from the mobile communication service, a member of the predetermined service can use a predetermined point program. A member of the predetermined service may be a subscriber of the mobile communication service, the mobile communication service can identify the subscriber using subscriber identification information different from member identification information for identifying the subscriber of the mobile communication service as a member of the predetermined service, the point program system manages a number of owned points indicating the number of points owned by a member of the predetermined service in association with the member identification information of the member, and when there is a fee difference between the communication fee corresponding to the consumed communication volume and the communication fee corresponding to the stored presented consumed communication volume, the system further includes an addition control step of adding a number of points equivalent to the fee difference to the number of owned points associated with the member identification information for identifying the communication subscriber as a member of the predetermined service. Yet another aspect of the present invention is a communication volume calculation method executed by a computer, comprising: a characteristic information acquisition step of acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated action designated by a specified carrier as the action of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which a communication volume consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection step of detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation step of calculating a communication volume equivalent to the difference between the consumed communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and the data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication volume storage control step of storing the calculated proposed consumed communication volume in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber, wherein the specified action is downloading and executing a predetermined application that can be installed on a terminal device of the subscriber of the mobile communication service. Yet another aspect of the present invention is a communication volume calculation method executed by a computer, comprising: a characteristic information acquisition step of acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a specified behavior designated by a specified carrier as the behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection step of detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation step of calculating, as a proposed consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber, a communication volume equivalent to the difference between the consumed communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is the source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and the data size of the detected communication data; and a communication volume storage control step of storing the calculated proposed consumed communication volume in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber, wherein the specified behavior is using a specified application executable by a terminal device of the subscriber of the mobile communication service for a specified period of time or more. Yet another aspect of the present invention is a communication volume calculation method executed by a computer, comprising: a characteristic information acquisition step of acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a specified carrier as the behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection step of detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation step of calculating, as a proposed consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber, a communication volume equivalent to the difference between the consumed communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is the source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and the data size of the detected communication data; and a communication volume storage control step of storing the calculated proposed consumed communication volume in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber, wherein the designated behavior is browsing a specified website. Yet another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a computer is made to function as: a characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a specified behavior designated by a specified carrier as the behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which a communication volume consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume equivalent to the difference between the consumed communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is the source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and the data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed consumed communication volume in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; and an accounting means for accounting for the cost of making the proposed consumed communication volume smaller than the consumed communication volume, as advertising expenses of the carrier. Yet another aspect of the present invention is a computer including: characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service in which a communication amount consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; and communication amount consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period, among the subscribers of the mobile communication service, and detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network. and a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated presented consumed communication volume in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber, wherein the characteristic information acquisition means is capable of acquiring a plurality of pieces of characteristic information corresponding to a plurality of designated actions designated by a plurality of carriers including a first carrier and a second carrier, and the detection means detects the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the characteristic information for each of the plurality of pieces of characteristic information, and the type of the designated action designated by the first carrier is different from the type of the designated action designated by the second carrier. Yet another aspect of the present invention is a method for making a computer function as: characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which a communication amount consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; calculation means for calculating a communication amount equivalent to the difference between the communication amount consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and a data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication amount to be presented to the communication subscriber; and communication amount storage control means for storing the calculated proposed consumed communication amount in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber, A communication fee corresponding to the consumed communication volume consumed by the subscriber during the period is billed to the subscriber by the mobile communication service, a predetermined service is different from the mobile communication service, and a member of the predetermined service can use a predetermined point program. A member of the predetermined service may be a subscriber of the mobile communication service, and the mobile communication service can identify the subscriber by using subscriber identification information different from member identification information for identifying the subscriber of the mobile communication service as a member of the predetermined service. The point program system manages a number of owned points indicating the number of points owned by the member of the predetermined service in association with the member identification information of the member, and further includes an addition control means for adding, when there is a fee difference between the communication fee corresponding to the consumed communication volume and the communication fee corresponding to the stored presented consumed communication volume, a number of points equivalent to the fee difference to the number of owned points associated with the member identification information for identifying the communication subscriber as a member of the predetermined service. It is characterized by: Yet another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a computer is made to function as: a characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a specified action designated by a specified carrier as the action of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume equivalent to the difference between the communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is the source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and the data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed consumed communication volume in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber, wherein the specified action is downloading and executing a predetermined application that can be installed on a terminal device of the subscriber of the mobile communication service. Yet another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that a computer is made to function as: a characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a specified behavior specified by a specified carrier as the behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume equivalent to the difference between the communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is the source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and the data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed consumed communication volume in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber, wherein the specified behavior is using a specified application executable by a terminal device of the subscriber of the mobile communication service for a specified period of time or more. Yet another aspect of the present invention is a computer that functions as: a characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a specified carrier as the behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume equivalent to the difference between the communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is the source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and the data size of the detected communication data, as a proposed consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed consumed communication volume in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber, wherein the designated behavior is browsing a specified website. Effect of the Invention

[0037] According to the present invention, it is possible to carry out a unified process for deducting the amount of communication traffic generated when a user performs a specified action from the amount of communication traffic consumed by the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a communication fee system for a data communication service. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a communication amount calculation device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in a database of the communication amount calculation device 1. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a subscriber support server 2 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a billing server 3 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the database of the billing server 3. FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a diagram showing an example of contents stored in a database of a billing server 3 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of a system control unit 11 of the communication amount calculation device 1 in one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how communication volume is deducted. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how communication volume is deducted. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how communication volume is deducted. [Figure 13] 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a system control unit 21 of a subscriber support server 2 in one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data usage status screen. [Figure 15] 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a system control unit 31 of a billing server 3 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 16] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication amount update process by a system control unit 11 of the communication amount calculation device 1 according to an embodiment. [Figure 17]13 is a flowchart showing an example of a data usage status transmission process by a system control unit 21 of a subscriber support server 2 according to an embodiment. [Figure 18] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication fee billing amount determination process performed by a system control unit 31 of a billing server 3 according to an embodiment. [Figure 19] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to an embodiment. [Figure 20] 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the database of the point management server 8. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of how communication volume is deducted. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a data usage status screen. [Figure 23] 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a system control unit 31 of a billing server 3 according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 24] 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication fee billing amount determination process performed by a system control unit 31 of a billing server 3 according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0039] [1. First embodiment] [1-1. Communication system configuration] First, the configuration and functional overview of a communication system S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system S according to this embodiment.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system S includes a communication amount calculation device 1, a subscriber support server 2, a billing server 3, a member information management server 4, an application distribution server 5, a plurality of carrier servers 6, and a plurality of mobile terminals 7. The communication amount calculation device 1 may correspond to the communication amount calculation system of the present invention, or a combination of the communication amount calculation device 1 and the subscriber support server 2 may correspond to the communication amount calculation system, or a combination of the communication amount calculation device 1, the subscriber support server 2, and the billing server 3 may correspond to the communication amount calculation system. The subscriber support server 2, the billing server 3, the member information management server 4, the application distribution server 5, and each carrier server 6 are connected to the Internet NI. Each mobile terminal 7 can be connected to a mobile communication network NM. The mobile communication network NM may be, for example, a network constructed by a specific mobile communication operator (MNO) to provide a mobile communication service. The mobile communication operator provides a call service and a data communication service as a mobile communication service. Examples of mobile communication systems include third generation systems such as W-CDMA, CDMA2000, and WiMAX, fourth generation communication systems such as LTE and WiMAX2, and fifth generation communication systems. The mobile communication network NM may include, for example, a core network NC and a plurality of base stations BS. The core network NC may be a network that forms the core of the mobile communication network NM. The core network NC may include a packet switched core network (PSCN) for implementing data communication (or packet communication) by the mobile terminal 7. When a fifth generation system is adopted, the core network NC may include nodes or functions such as a user plane function (UPF), a session management function (SMF), an access and mobility management function (AMF), a policy control function (PCF), and a unified data management (UDM). These functions may be virtually implemented by a plurality of server devices that constitute cloud computing, for example.Each base station BS is connected to a core network NC. Each base station BS is capable of wireless communication with a mobile terminal 7 and relays communication between the mobile terminal 7 and the core network NC. The communication amount calculation device 1 may be connected to the core network NC or may be one of the nodes of the core network NC. The subscriber support server 2 and the billing server 3 may be connectable to the communication amount calculation device 1 and other devices in the core network NC via, for example, a charging gateway (not shown).

[0041] The communication amount calculation device 1 may be a device that calculates the communication amount consumed by a subscriber of a mobile communication service during a period by data communication performed by each mobile terminal 7. The length of the period may be, for example, one month. The consumed communication amount may be the total data size of communication data that passed through the core network NC during the period. The consumed communication amount is also called the consumed communication amount, the data usage amount, or the data communication amount. The communication amount calculation device 1 may be connected to the core network NC so as to capture data transmitted and received by each mobile terminal 7 via the mobile communication network NM. The data transmitted and received via the mobile communication network NM is also called communication data. The communication amount calculation device 1 may be realized by a device that is responsible for functions such as a Serving General packet radio service support Node (SGSN), a Gateway General packet radio service support Node (GGSN), a Serving Gateway (SGW), a Packet data network Gateway (PGW), a UPF, or a Traffic Detection Function (TDF) related to packet switching.

[0042] The communication amount calculation device 1 may also inspect the contents of communication between the mobile terminal 7 and the Internet NI via the mobile communication network NM. For example, the communication amount calculation device 1 may mainly use DPI (Deep Packet Inspection) to analyze communication data passing through the core network NC. When the communication amount calculation device 1 detects communication data having a predetermined characteristic as a result of inspecting the communication data, the communication amount calculation device 1 may deduct the communication amount of the data size of the communication data to calculate the communication amount consumed by the subscriber using the mobile terminal 7 that is the source or destination of the communication data. For example, the communication amount deduction conditions may be determined by the business operator that is the advertiser. The communication amount deduction conditions may indicate what behavior the subscriber needs to take as a condition for deducting the communication amount. This behavior is also called a communication amount deduction target behavior. The communication amount deduction target behavior may be a behavior designated by the advertiser as a behavior of a subscriber of a mobile communication service. The communication amount deduction target behavior may be a behavior that the subscriber needs to operate the mobile terminal 7 to communicate via the mobile communication network NM in order to take the communication amount deduction target behavior. Examples of such types of behavior include browsing a website, downloading an application or other content, running or using an application, and listening to videos or music. The application can be installed on the mobile terminal 7. An application that is the target of a behavior subject to communication deduction may be an application that causes the mobile terminal 7 to communicate with another device via the mobile communication network NM while the application is being executed. Examples of devices that the mobile terminal 7 can communicate with include the application distribution server 5 and each operator server 6. A behavior subject to communication deduction may generally be a behavior related to an advertiser. For example, if a behavior subject to communication deduction is browsing a website, the website may be a site operated by an advertiser. Also, if a behavior subject to communication deduction is a behavior related to an application, the application may be, for example, an application created by an advertiser or an application for using a service provided by an advertiser.The communication amount calculation device 1 may detect communication data received or transmitted by the mobile terminal 7 when the subscriber takes such an action, and deduct the communication amount corresponding to the data size of that communication data.

[0043] The subscriber support server 2 may be a server device that executes processes related to a subscriber support site. The subscriber support site is a website for supporting each subscriber of a mobile communication service. For example, the subscriber support server 2 may transmit a web page including information such as contract details, communication consumption, and communication charges to the mobile terminal 7 in response to a request from the mobile terminal 7. The subscriber support server 2 may also transmit a web page including an advertisement of the above-mentioned business operator to the mobile terminal 7. This advertisement may include information that encourages the subscriber to perform an action that is eligible for communication traffic deduction. When the subscriber selects an advertisement, the mobile terminal 7 may display a screen corresponding to the action encouraged by the advertisement. For example, if the action that is eligible for communication traffic deduction is browsing a website, the mobile terminal 7 may display the top page of the website. Also, for example, if the action that is eligible for communication traffic deduction includes downloading an application, the mobile terminal 7 may display a screen for downloading the application. The web page on which the advertisement is displayed may include a button for the subscriber to enter any campaign that deduces communication traffic. When the subscriber selects this button, the mobile terminal 7 may display a web page including a document for entering a contract that analyzes the communication data of the subscriber. By performing an operation to agree to the contents of the contract, the subscriber consents to the analysis of the communication data.

[0044] The billing server 3 may be a server device for managing the communication fee billed to each subscriber of the mobile communication service. In this embodiment, the communication fee for the data communication service is determined according to the amount of communication consumed during the period. For example, the communication fee may become higher as the amount of communication consumed increases. For example, the communication fee may become higher in stages as the amount of communication consumed increases. The communication fee for the data communication service may or may not include the communication fee for the call service. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication fee system for the data communication service. As shown in FIG. 2, when the amount of communication consumed in the month is 3GB or less, the monthly communication fee is 980 yen. When the amount of communication consumed is more than 3GB and less than 20GB, the monthly communication fee is 1,980 yen. When the amount of communication consumed is more than 20GB, the monthly communication fee is 2,980 yen. These communication fees are excluding tax. The subscriber may be able to communicate data unlimitedly beyond 20GB. In another embodiment, one or more plans may be provided in which the upper limit of the amount of communication consumed in a month is preset and the monthly communication fee is fixed.

[0045] The billing server 3 may also manage advertising fees billed to each business entity that is an advertiser. The advertising fees may be generated, for example, in response to a subscriber taking an action that is eligible for communication traffic deduction.

[0046] The member information management server 4 may be a server device that manages information about members of a predetermined service. For convenience, this predetermined service is referred to as an R service. The R service may be a service different from the above-mentioned mobile communication service. Examples of the R service include an Internet comprehensive service and an intermediation for buying and selling goods in an online shopping mall. The Internet comprehensive service may include a plurality of services. These services may be services provided, for example, using a computer network. Such services may include online services. The online services may be provided through a website. Examples of services included in the Internet comprehensive service include online shopping, facility reservation services, point programs, content distribution, information search, carrier payment, credit card payment, application payment, electronic money, online securities, online banking, and social networking services. In order to use the R service, each user may need to become a member of the R service. When a user becomes a member, a user ID, which is information for identifying the user in the service, may be registered in the member information management server 4. It may be determined that the user can subscribe to the mobile communication service on the condition that the user is a member of the R service, or there may be no such condition. The mobile communications operator providing the mobile communications services and the operator providing the R services may, for example, be the same company, or may be related companies within the same corporate group, or may be companies that have some kind of business or capital alliance.

[0047] The application distribution server 5 may be a server device that distributes various applications executable by the mobile terminal 7 to the mobile terminal 7. For example, the application distribution server 5 may search for applications that satisfy conditions specified by a subscriber. The mobile terminal 7 may download from the application distribution server 5 an application selected by the subscriber from among the searched applications.

[0048] Each business server 6 may be a server device that performs processing for a business that can be an advertiser to transmit information or provide a service. The business server 6 may be managed by the business itself, or may not be managed by the business itself. For example, at least one business server 6 may execute processing related to a website related to the business. At least one business server 6 may execute processing of the back-end part of an application executable by the mobile terminal 7. For example, the business server 6 may be a server device for making the application operate and function properly by the mobile terminal 7. For example, the business server 6 may execute processing in response to a request transmitted from the mobile terminal 7 according to the application, and transmit the result of the processing to the mobile terminal 7. The mobile terminal 7 may perform screen display, etc. based on information received from the business server 6. Examples of applications that require the business server 6 include online games, social games, applications for searching for information, applications for displaying maps, applications for purchasing products through online shopping, applications for reserving services, applications for using online banking and online securities, and applications that allow a user to edit the user's data stored in the business server 6.

[0049] Each mobile terminal 7 is a portable terminal device that performs data communication via a mobile communication network NM. For example, each mobile terminal 7 connects to the Internet NI via a core network NC by performing wireless communication with a base station BS. As a result, the mobile terminal 7 communicates with server devices such as a subscriber support server 2, an application distribution server 5, and a carrier server 6. The mobile terminal 7 may be, for example, a mobile phone (including a smartphone) capable of both telephone calls and data communication using the mobile communication network NM, or may be a terminal device capable of only data communication, such as a tablet computer. An IC card such as a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card is connected to each mobile terminal 7. Subscriber identification information for identifying a user who uses the mobile terminal 7 as a subscriber of a mobile communication service may be stored in this IC card. Examples of subscriber identification information include MSISDN and IMSI (International Mobile Subscription Identity). The mobile communication service can identify each subscriber by its subscriber identification information. Each mobile terminal 7 can download an application from a server device such as an application distribution server 5 via the mobile communication network NM. In addition, a web browser may be installed in each mobile terminal 7.

[0050] [1-2.Device configuration] [1-2-1. Communication amount calculation device] Next, the configuration of the communication amount calculation device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the communication amount calculation device 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the communication amount calculation device 1 includes a system control unit 11, a system bus 12, an input / output interface 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The system control unit 11 and the input / output interface 13 are connected via the system bus 12.

[0051] The system control unit 11 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 11a, a read only memory (ROM) 11b, a random access memory (RAM) 11c, and the like.

[0052] The input / output interface 13 performs interface processing between the storage unit 14 and the communication unit 15 and the system control unit 11 .

[0053] The storage unit 14 is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive, etc. Databases such as a communication volume DB 14a, a campaign DB 14b, a signature DB 14c, a DPI consent DB 14d, and a communication volume deduction status DB 14e may be stored in the storage unit 14. "DB" is an abbreviation for database.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of contents stored in the database of the communication amount calculation device 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication amount DB 14a may store the communication amount consumed by each subscriber of the mobile communication service for each period. For example, the communication amount DB 14a may store the MSISDN, the target period, the actual communication amount consumed, the proposed communication amount consumed, and the like in association with each other. The MSISDN indicates the subscriber for whom the communication amount is indicated. The target period indicates the period in which the communication amount was consumed by a combination of a year and a month. The actual communication amount consumed indicates the communication amount actually consumed by the subscriber during that period. The proposed communication amount consumed indicates the communication amount that is scheduled to be presented to the subscriber as the communication amount consumed by the subscriber during that period. For example, the proposed communication amount consumed may be displayed on a subscriber support site, or the proposed communication amount consumed may be used to calculate the communication fee to be charged to the subscriber. The proposed communication amount consumed is the communication amount consumed after deducting the communication amount consumed by the subscriber by performing an action subject to communication amount deduction. Therefore, the proposed communication amount consumed is equal to or smaller than the actual communication amount consumed. The initial values ​​of the actual traffic consumption amount and the proposed traffic consumption amount may be 0 GB. In this embodiment, the traffic amount DB 14a may store one traffic consumption amount for each subscriber without distinguishing between the actual traffic consumption amount and the proposed traffic consumption amount.

[0055] The campaign DB 14b may store campaign information related to each campaign for deducting the communication amount consumed by the subscriber. The campaign DB 14b may store campaign information for each of a plurality of advertisers. For example, the campaign DB 14b may store a campaign ID, an advertiser ID, a budget amount, communication amount deduction condition information, and the like, as the campaign information, in association with each other. The campaign ID is identification information for identifying a campaign. The advertiser ID is identification information for identifying a business entity that is the advertiser of the campaign. The budget amount indicates the amount of the budget for advertising expenses for the campaign. The budget amount may be designated by the advertiser. The communication amount deduction condition information may be information indicating a communication amount deduction target behavior as a communication amount deduction condition. The communication amount deduction condition information may include, for example, information for identifying a type of communication amount deduction target behavior. As described above, examples of the type of behavior include browsing a website, downloading and executing an application, using an application, using an application for a predetermined time or more, watching a video, and the like. Each advertiser may be able to designate a communication amount deduction target behavior and its type. The type of behavior subject to communication traffic deduction designated by at least one of the multiple advertisers may be different from the type of behavior subject to communication traffic deduction designated by at least one other advertiser. For example, one advertiser may designate browsing of a website, and another advertiser may designate downloading and execution of an application. When the communication traffic deduction condition includes a condition of a time length, such as using an application for a predetermined time or more, the communication traffic deduction condition information may include the time length. In addition, the communication traffic deduction condition information may include the length of a period during which the deduction of communication traffic is restricted when the subscriber performs a communication traffic deduction target behavior again after performing the communication traffic deduction target behavior for the first time. Examples of the length of the period during which the deduction of communication traffic is restricted include one day, one month, and indefinitely. Periods such as one day and one month indicate that the communication traffic is deducted only once within that period. Indefinitely indicates that the communication traffic is deducted only for the first communication traffic deduction target behavior regardless of the period.For example, when the behavior subject to communication deduction includes downloading an application, the period during which the deduction of communication deduction is restricted may be unlimited. The communication deduction condition information may include a signature ID of a signature corresponding to the behavior subject to communication deduction. The signature ID is identification information for identifying the signature. The signature may be used in DPI. The signature may be information indicating the characteristics of communication data corresponding to the behavior subject to communication deduction. For example, the signature may be information identifying the content of communication data transmitted or received by the mobile terminal 7 via the mobile communication network NM when the subscriber performs the behavior subject to communication deduction. When the behavior subject to communication deduction is a combination of multiple behaviors, such as downloading and executing an application, the communication deduction condition information may include a signature ID of a signature corresponding to each of the multiple behaviors. If the behavior is different, the signature is basically different. The communication deduction condition information may include a signature ID of multiple signatures for the same behavior. In this case, communication data corresponding to the behavior subject to the communication traffic deduction may include characteristics indicated by at least one of the plurality of signatures. When communication data having characteristics indicated by any one of the plurality of signatures is detected, the communication data may be subject to the communication traffic deduction.

[0056] The signature DB14c may store a signature corresponding to each behavior included in the behavior subject to communication amount deduction. For example, the signature DB14c may store a signature ID, a campaign ID, and a signature in association with each other. The signature ID is identification information for identifying a signature. The campaign ID indicates a campaign in which the communication amount of communication data having the characteristic indicated by the signature is deducted. The signature may include communication content identification information included in the payload of the transport layer of the packet of the communication data. Hereinafter, when simply referring to a payload, it indicates that it is a payload of the transport layer. The communication content identification information may be information indicating the characteristic of the communication data or information identifying the communication content. In the DPI, the payload of the transport layer of the packet of the communication data is mainly analyzed. When the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model is adopted, the payload to be analyzed may include a PDU (Program Data Unit) of the session layer, a PDU of the presentation layer, and a PDU of the application layer. The PDUs of all of these layers may be analyzed, or the PDUs of some layers may be analyzed. When a TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) model is adopted, the analyzed payload may be a PDU of the application layer. The following description is based on the TCP / IP model. The analyzed PDU may be either a header of the application layer or a payload of the application layer, or may be both. Examples of communication content identification information include keywords, wildcards, regular expressions, numerical values, and numerical ranges. One signature may include multiple pieces of communication content identification information. In this case, communication data including all of the multiple pieces of communication content identification information may be detected, or communication data including at least one of the communication content identification information may be detected. In addition, the signature may indicate an address or an address range indicating the position where the information identifying the communication content appears.This address may indicate the number of bytes from the beginning of the application layer data where the communication content identification information is located. The signature may also include information indicating whether the mobile terminal 7 is the source or destination of the communication data. The signature may also include information included in the header of the packet that can identify the communication content or information that assists in identifying the communication content. Examples of such information include an IP address, a port number, and a window size. Depending on the communication amount deduction target behavior, it may be possible to determine whether the communication data corresponds to the communication amount deduction target behavior only by analyzing the header of the packet. Also, it may be possible to determine whether it is necessary to analyze the PDU of the application layer based on the information included in the header of the packet. For example, communication data corresponding to each communication amount deduction condition information is generally transmitted or received between the mobile terminal 7 and a specific carrier server 6. Therefore, the communication data corresponding to the communication amount deduction condition information includes the IP address of the carrier server 6. Also, in order for a subscriber to take a specific behavior, it may be necessary to communicate using a specific port number.

[0057] The DPI consent DB 14d may store information indicating whether each subscriber of a mobile communication service has consented to the analysis of the subscriber's communications by the DPI. The communication amount calculation device 1 analyzes the communication contents only for those subscribers who have consented to the analysis. The DPI consent DB 14d may store, for example, an MSISDN and a DPI consent flag in association with each other. The DPI consent flag indicates whether a subscriber identified by the MSISDN has consented to the analysis of the communication contents. The DPI consent flag may be set to either "unconsented" or "consented". "Unconsented" indicates that the subscriber has not consented to the analysis. "Consented" indicates that the subscriber has consented to the analysis. The initial value of the DPI consent flag is "unconsented".

[0058] The communication traffic deduction status DB14e may store information indicating whether or not the communication traffic has been deducted for each combination of a campaign and a subscriber. For example, the communication traffic deduction status DB14e may store a campaign ID, an MSISDN, a deduction flag, and the like in association with each other. The deduction flag indicates whether or not the communication traffic of a subscriber identified by an MSISDN has been deducted for a campaign identified by a campaign ID. The deduction flag may be set to, for example, either "not deducted" or "deducted". "Not deducted" indicates that the communication traffic has not been deducted. "Deducted" indicates that the communication traffic has been deducted. The initial value of the deduction flag is "not deducted". When the communication traffic calculation device 1 deducts the communication traffic, the communication traffic calculation device 1 may change the deduction flag to "deducted". When the deduction flag is set to "deducted", the communication traffic calculation device 1 does not deduct the communication traffic. When the length of the period during which the deduction of the communication traffic is limited is one day, the communication traffic calculation device 1 resets the deduction flag to "not deducted" at a predetermined time every day, for example. When the period during which the deduction of the communication traffic is restricted is one month, the communication traffic calculation device 1 resets the deduction flag to "not deducted" on the first day of each month, for example. When the period during which the deduction of the communication traffic is restricted is indefinite, the deduction flag is not reset.

[0059] The storage unit 14 further stores various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS (Database Management System), and a communication traffic calculation program. The communication traffic calculation program is a program that causes the system control unit 11 to execute processes such as calculation of communication traffic and analysis of communication contents. The communication traffic calculation program may be obtained from another device via the Internet NI, for example, or may be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, an optical disk, or a memory card and read via a drive device.

[0060] The communication unit 15 is configured with, for example, a network interface card, etc. The communication unit 15 may receive packets flowing through the core network NC. The communication unit 15 may also be connected to the subscriber support server 2, the billing server 3, etc., and control the communication state with the connected devices.

[0061] [1-2-2. Subscriber support server] Next, the configuration of the subscriber support server 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the subscriber support server 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the subscriber support server 2 includes a system control unit 21, a system bus 22, an input / output interface 23, a storage unit 24, and a communication unit 25. The system control unit 21 and the input / output interface 23 are connected via the system bus 22.

[0062] The system control unit 21 includes a CPU 21a, a ROM 21b, a RAM 21c, and the like.

[0063] The input / output interface 23 performs interface processing between the storage unit 24 and the communication unit 25 and the system control unit 21 .

[0064] The storage unit 24 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive. An operating system, a DBMS, and a subscriber support server program are stored in this storage unit 24. The subscriber support server program is a program that causes the system control unit 21 to execute processes related to the subscriber support site. The subscriber support server program may be obtained, for example, from another device via the Internet NI, or may be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, an optical disk, or a memory card and read via a drive device.

[0065] The communication unit 25 is configured by, for example, a network interface card, etc. The communication unit 25 connects to the communication amount calculation device 1, the billing server 3, the member information management server 4, the mobile terminal 7, etc. via the Internet NI, and controls communication with the connected devices.

[0066] [1-2-3. Billing Server] Next, the configuration of the billing server 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the billing server 3 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 6, the billing server 3 includes a system control unit 31, a system bus 32, an input / output interface 33, a storage unit 34, and a communication unit 35. The system control unit 31 and the input / output interface 33 are connected via the system bus 32.

[0067] The system control unit 31 includes a CPU 31a, a ROM 31b, a RAM 31c, and the like.

[0068] The input / output interface 33 performs interface processing between the storage unit 34 and the communication unit 35 and the system control unit 31 .

[0069] The storage unit 34 is configured, for example, with a hard disk drive, etc. The storage unit 34 may store databases such as a communication fee DB 34a and an advertisement fee DB 34b.

[0070] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of contents stored in the database of the billing server 3. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication fee DB 34a may store communication fee billing information related to communication fees billed to each subscriber of a mobile communication service for each period. For example, the communication fee DB 34a may store MSISDN, target period, consumed communication volume, and communication fee billing amount, etc., as communication fee billing information, in association with each other. The MSISDN indicates the subscriber for whom the communication fee is billed. The target period indicates the period during which the communication volume for which the communication fee is billed was consumed. The consumed communication volume indicates the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during the target period. In this embodiment, the consumed communication volume may be the same as the presented communication volume stored in the communication volume DB 14a. The communication fee billing amount indicates the amount of communication fee to be billed. The communication fee billing amount is determined according to the consumed communication volume.

[0071] The advertising fee DB 34b may store advertising fee billing information regarding the advertising fees billed to the advertisers of each campaign for each period. For example, the advertising fee billing information may include a campaign ID, an advertiser ID, a target period, and an advertising fee billing amount. The campaign ID indicates the campaign for which the advertising fee is billed. The advertiser ID indicates the advertiser for which the advertising fee is billed. The target period indicates the period for which the advertising fee was incurred. The advertising fee billing amount indicates the amount of the advertising fee billed to the advertiser.

[0072] The storage unit 34 further stores various programs such as an operating system, a DBMS, a billing server program, etc. The billing server program is a program that causes the system control unit 31 to execute various processes related to billing for communication fees and advertising fees. The billing server program may be obtained from another device via the Internet NI, for example, or may be recorded on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape, an optical disk, or a memory card and read via a drive device.

[0073] The communication unit 35 is configured by, for example, a network interface card, etc. The communication unit 35 is connected to the communication amount calculation device 1, the subscriber support server 2, the member information management server 4, the mobile terminal 7, etc. via the Internet NI, and controls communication with the connected devices.

[0074] [1-2-4. Membership information management server] Next, the configuration of the member information management server 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of contents stored in the database of the billing server 3 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the member information management server 4 may store a database such as a user identification information conversion DB 41. In the user identification information conversion DB 41, for each subscriber of the mobile communication service, the MSISDN of the subscriber and the user ID of the subscriber in the R service may be stored in association with each other. Since the MSISDN and user ID of the same subscriber are basically different, the user identification information conversion DB 41 may be used for mutual conversion of these identification information. If the user is required to be a member of the R service as a condition for subscribing to the mobile communication service, for example, the user specifies the user ID when applying for the mobile communication service. In this way, the member information management server 4 may store the MSISDN and user ID of the user in association with each other in the user identification information conversion DB 41. The member information management server 4 may provide an API (Application Programming Interface) for accessing the database stored in the member information management server 4. The subscriber support server 2 and the billing server 3 may access databases such as the user identification information conversion DB 41 via this API.

[0075] [1-3. Functional overview of the system control unit] [1-3-1. Data inspection equipment] Next, a functional overview of the system control unit 11 of the communication amount calculation device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 9 to Fig. 12. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the system control unit 11 of the communication amount calculation device 1 in this embodiment. The system control unit 11 may function as a signature acquisition unit 1101, a detection unit 1102, a communication amount calculation unit 1103, a communication amount storage control unit 1104, an advertisement fee occurrence notification unit 1105, and the like, as shown in Fig. 9, by the CPU 11a reading and executing various program codes included in the communication amount calculation program.

[0076] The signature acquisition unit 1101 may acquire a signature indicating a feature of communication data corresponding to a behavior subject to communication amount deduction from among communication data communicated via the mobile communication network NM. For example, the signature acquisition unit 1101 may acquire at least one signature from the signature DB 14c each time communication data flows into the core network NC, or each time each packet constituting the communication data flows into the core network NC. The signature acquisition unit 1101 may be capable of acquiring a plurality of signatures corresponding to a plurality of behaviors subject to communication amount deduction designated by a plurality of advertisers.

[0077] The detection unit 1102 may inspect communication data passing through the mobile communication network NM. The detection unit 1102 may detect communication data having a characteristic indicated by the signature acquired by the signature acquisition unit 1101 from the communication data passing through the mobile communication network NM through the inspection. For example, the detection unit 1102 may capture the communication data when the communication data flows into the core network NC. Each packet constituting the communication data may include subscriber identification information that identifies a subscriber who is the source or destination of the packet. This subscriber identification information may be, for example, MSISDN or IMSI. The detection unit 1102 may inspect the communication data for each subscriber based on the subscriber identification information included in the header. The detection unit 1102 may also inspect only the communication data for a subscriber who has consented to the analysis of the communication data by DPI. The detection unit 1102 may operate every time the communication data passes through the mobile network NM.

[0078] The detection unit 1102 may inspect the communication data, for example, in application layer PDU units. This indicates that the communication data may be inspected in data units consisting of multiple packets. For example, the application layer PDU may contain information indicating the length of the main body of the communication data. An example of such information is Content-Length in HTTP. From such information, the total number of packets constituting the communication data may be specified. When the communication data is transmitted using TCP, the header of each packet contains a sequence number. Based on the sequence number, the original communication data can be constructed from multiple packets. When UDP is used, the detection unit 1102 may analyze the communication data, for example, in packet units.

[0079] The detection unit 1102 may detect communication data having a characteristic indicated by the signature, for example, by using pattern matching. For example, the detection unit 1102 may detect communication data including communication content identification information included in the signature. As described above, the signature may include at least one of the following in addition to the communication content identification information: an IP address, a port number, a window size, information regarding the address of the communication content identification information, and information indicating whether the mobile terminal 7 is the source or destination of the communication data. The detection unit 1102 may detect communication data having a characteristic indicated by the signature, taking such information into consideration. The detection unit 1102 may also determine whether to inspect the application layer PDU using an IP address included in a packet constituting the communication data, or a combination of an IP address and a port number. As described above, each signature may include an IP address and a port number of the carrier server 6. The detection unit 1102 may inspect the application layer PDU only when an IP address included in any of the signatures, or a combination of an IP address and a port number, is included in the header of the packet.

[0080] There are cases where the PDU of the application layer is encrypted. An example of an encryption protocol is SSL / TLS (Secure Sockets Layer / Transport Layer Security). In this case, the detection unit 1102 may decrypt the PDU and then perform the inspection. The consent of the subscriber to the analysis of the communication data includes consent to the decryption of the communication data. In addition, the mobile communication operator obtains consent to the decryption of the communication data from each operator who is an advertiser in advance. The detection unit 1102 may obtain a private key for decrypting a common key used for encryption and decryption of the communication data from, for example, each operator server 6 and store the private key in the storage unit 14. When the mobile terminal 7 transmits an encrypted common key to any one of the operator servers 6, the detection unit 1102 may decrypt the common key. Then, the detection unit 1102 may decrypt the communication data transmitted and received between the mobile terminal 7 and the operator server 6 thereafter with the common key. Alternatively, the detection unit 1102 may obtain the common key from the mobile terminal 7. As described above, there are cases where the communication contents can be identified from the headers of packets that constitute the communication data, even without decrypting the PDU of the application layer. Alternatively, a method of analyzing the PDU of the application layer without decrypting the PDU may be used. Examples of such methods include Blindbox and Fast Packet Inspection.

[0081] The communication amount calculation unit 1103 may calculate the communication amount consumed by each subscriber during the period. For example, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 may update the actual communication amount consumed stored in the communication amount DB 14a every time a packet constituting communication data flows into the core network NC. The communication amount calculation unit 1103 may also update the presented communication amount consumed. For example, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 may add the size of a packet to the communication amount consumed associated with the MSISDN included in the packet to update the communication amount consumed.

[0082] The communication amount calculation unit 1103 may calculate, as the proposed communication amount, a communication amount equivalent to the difference between the communication amount consumed by a subscriber who is a source or destination of communication data detected by the detection unit 1102 among the subscribers of the mobile communication service from the start point of the period (for example, the first day of this month) and the data size of the communication data detected by the detection unit 1102. As described above, regardless of whether the packet has a characteristic indicated by any signature, the actual communication amount consumed increases every time a packet flows into the core network NC. Therefore, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 may calculate the proposed communication amount consumed by subtracting the data size of the detected communication data from the actual communication amount consumed. Note that, when communication data having a characteristic indicated by a signature can be detected on a packet-by-packet basis, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 may calculate the proposed communication amount consumed by not adding the data size of the packet.

[0083] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of how communication volume is deducted. As shown in FIG. 10(a), the communication volume consumed by a certain subscriber at the beginning of the month is 0 GB. After that, the subscriber performs communication 101 of 2.8 GB as shown in FIG. 10(b). The communication 101 is not subject to communication volume deduction. After that, the subscriber performs communication 102 of 0.3 GB as shown in FIG. 10(c). The communication volume consumed at this point is 3.1 GB. The communication 102 is, for example, communication for browsing an advertiser's website. Therefore, the communication 102 is subject to communication volume deduction. Therefore, the communication volume calculation unit 1103 may calculate the presented communication volume consumed of 2.8 GB by subtracting 0.3 GB from the communication volume consumed of 3.1 GB as shown in FIG. 10(d). As a result, the communication fee for data communication at this point in time has decreased from 1,980 yen to 980 yen as shown in FIG. 2.

[0084] There are several methods for managing the communication consumption. As described above, the communication volume DB 14a stores the actual communication consumption volume and the proposed communication consumption volume. For example, it is possible to manage the actual communication consumption volume and the proposed communication consumption volume separately from the beginning. In this case, the communication volume calculation unit 1103 updates both the actual communication consumption volume and the proposed communication consumption volume every time a packet flows into the core network NC. The communication volume calculation unit 1103 subtracts the data size of the communication data detected by the detection unit 1102 only from the proposed communication consumption volume. Alternatively, it is possible to manage only the actual communication consumption volume at first. In this case, the communication volume calculation unit 1103 updates the actual communication consumption volume for each subscriber every time a packet flows into the core network NC. When the detection unit 1102 detects communication data having a characteristic indicated by any of the signatures for the first time, the communication volume calculation unit 1103 subtracts the data size of the communication data from the actual communication consumption volume to calculate the proposed communication consumption volume. Thereafter, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 updates both the actual consumption communication amount and the proposed consumption communication amount every time a packet flows into the core network NC. Alternatively, it is possible to manage only the proposed consumption communication amount. Alternatively, it is possible to manage the actual consumption communication amount and the total deduction communication amount. The total deduction communication amount is the sum of the deducted communication amounts. It can also be said that the combination of the actual consumption communication amount and the total deduction communication amount substantially indicates the proposed consumption communication amount. For example, every time the detection unit 1102 detects communication data having a characteristic indicated by any signature, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 adds the data size of the communication data to the total deduction communication amount. When the consumption communication amount is displayed on the subscriber support site or when the communication fee is calculated, the proposed consumption communication amount is calculated by subtracting the total deduction communication amount from the actual consumption communication amount. This calculation may be performed by the communication amount calculation device 1, the subscriber support server 2, or the billing server 3.

[0085] The method of deducting the communication consumption amount may vary depending on the behavior subject to the communication consumption deduction. In a simple method, the communication consumption calculation unit 1103 subtracts the data size of communication data having the characteristics indicated by the signature from the communication consumption amount every time the communication data passes through the mobile communication network NM. For example, if the behavior subject to the communication consumption deduction is browsing a specific website, the communication consumption calculation unit 1103 may subtract the size of any of the HTML (HyperText Markup Language) document, style sheet, script, image data, video data, and other data required to provide a web page constituting the website from the communication consumption amount every time the data is transmitted from the carrier server 6 to the mobile terminal 7. The communication consumption calculation unit 1103 may or may not subtract the data size from the communication consumption amount for the communication data transmitted from the mobile terminal 7 to the carrier server 6 to request those data.

[0086] When the behavior subject to the communication amount deduction is downloading and executing an application, at least two signatures may be stored in the signature DB 14c. The first signature is a signature corresponding to the downloading of the application. For example, one or more pieces of communication data constituting the application transmitted from the application distribution server 5 to the mobile terminal 7 may each include the characteristic indicated by the first signature. The second signature is a signature corresponding to the execution of the application. For example, communication data transmitted from the mobile terminal 7 to the business server 6 or from the business server 6 to the mobile terminal 7 when the application is started may include the characteristic indicated by the second signature. Alternatively, any communication data transmitted without fail during the execution of the application may include the characteristic indicated by the second signature. The signature acquisition unit 1101 acquires the first signature and the second signature. When communication data having a characteristic identified by the second signature is detected by the detection unit 1102, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 may calculate the presented communication amount consumed by subtracting the data size of the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the first signature from the communication amount consumed. At this time, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 may or may not further subtract the data size of the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the second signature from the communication amount consumed.

[0087] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of how communication traffic is deducted. For example, assume that an action subject to communication traffic deduction is downloading and executing application A. As shown in FIG. 11(a), a subscriber performs communication 111 that is not subject to communication traffic deduction, and then downloads 112 application A. At this point, communication traffic is not deducted. Next, the subscriber uses application A as shown in FIG. 11(b), resulting in communication 113. In response to the occurrence of communication 113, the communication traffic required for downloading 112 application A is subtracted from the consumed communication traffic, as shown in FIG. 11(c).

[0088] When the behavior subject to the communication amount deduction is the use of an application for a predetermined time or more, the application may need to be used continuously for a predetermined time or more, or the communication amount may be deducted if the total time of using the application is a predetermined time or more. The communication amount calculation unit 1103 may calculate the presented consumption communication amount when, for example, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the signature acquired by the signature acquisition unit 1101 is detected by the detection unit 1102 at a time interval less than a predetermined interval and the length of the period is a predetermined time or more. Examples of the predetermined time interval include 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc. The application subject to the communication amount deduction may be an application that has a relatively high communication frequency between the mobile terminal 7 and the carrier server 6 due to the execution of the application. Examples of such applications include online games, social games, etc. The predetermined time interval may be a time during which the subscriber is considered to be using the application continuously if at least one communication is performed per time. The communication data used for this determination may be either one of the communication data transmitted from the mobile terminal 7 to the carrier server 6 and the communication data transmitted from the carrier server 6 to the mobile terminal 7, or both. The time interval may be included in, for example, the communication amount deduction condition information. The communication amount calculation unit 1103 may subtract the communication amount equivalent to the communication for a predetermined time from the communication amount consumed, or may subtract the communication amount equivalent to all communication exceeding the communication for the predetermined time from the communication amount consumed.

[0089] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of how communication traffic is deducted. For example, assume that the behavior subject to communication traffic deduction is the use of application B for two hours. As shown in FIG. 12(a), a subscriber performs communication 121, which is not subject to communication traffic deduction, and then uses application B for 30 minutes, resulting in communication 122. At this point, communication traffic is not deducted. On the next day, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the subscriber performs communication 123, which is not subject to communication traffic deduction, and then uses application B for 1 hour and 30 minutes, resulting in communication 124. As a result, application B was used for two hours. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12(c), the communication traffic required for communications 122 and 124 is deducted from the consumed communication traffic.

[0090] The communication amount storage control unit 1104 may store the proposed communication amount to be consumed calculated by the communication amount calculation unit 1103 in the communication amount DB 14a in association with the subscriber who is the source or destination of the communication data detected by the detection unit 1102. For example, the communication amount storage control unit 1104 may store the proposed communication amount to be consumed in association with the MSISDN of the subscriber.

[0091] When the communication amount calculation unit 1103 calculates the presented consumed communication amount equivalent to the difference between the consumed communication amount and the data size of the communication data detected by the detection unit 1102, the advertising fee occurrence notification unit 1105 may transmit an advertising fee occurrence notification indicating the occurrence of advertising fees to the billing server 3. The advertising fee occurrence notification may include, for example, the advertiser ID of the advertiser who bears the advertising fee. The advertising fee occurrence notification may also include the campaign ID of the campaign for which the advertising fee was incurred. The advertising fee occurrence notification may also include the data size of the communication data detected by the detection unit 1102.

[0092] [1-3-2. Subscriber support server] Next, a functional overview of the system control unit 21 of the subscriber support server 2 will be described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the system control unit 21 of the subscriber support server 2 in this embodiment. The system control unit 21 may function as a communication volume acquisition unit 2101, a communication fee acquisition unit 2102, an information transmission unit 2103, and the like, as shown in Figure 13, by the CPU 21a reading and executing various program codes included in the subscriber support server program.

[0093] The communication amount acquiring unit 2101 may acquire the suggested communication amount consumed calculated by the communication amount calculating unit 1103 of the communication amount calculating device 1. For example, at a subscriber support site, a certain subscriber requests to display the data usage status of this month. In response to this request, the communication amount acquiring unit 2101 may transmit a communication amount request to the communication amount calculating device 1. The communication amount request may include the MSISDN of the subscriber who requested the data usage status. The communication amount calculating device 1 may transmit to the subscriber support server 2, among the suggested communication amounts consumed stored in the communication amount DB 14a, the suggested communication amount consumed associated with the combination of the MSISDN included in the communication amount request and the target period indicating this month. The communication amount acquiring unit 2101 may acquire the actual communication amount consumed in addition to the suggested communication amount consumed.

[0094] The communication fee acquisition unit 2102 may acquire a communication fee according to the presented consumed communication amount acquired by the communication amount acquisition unit 2101. For example, the communication fee acquisition unit 2102 may determine the communication fee according to the correspondence relationship between the consumed communication amount and the communication fee shown in Fig. 2. The communication fee acquisition unit 2102 may further acquire a communication fee according to the actual consumed communication amount.

[0095] The information transmitting unit 2103 may transmit the proposed consumed communication amount and the communication fee acquired by the communication amount acquiring unit 2101 to the mobile terminal 7 of the subscriber associated with the proposed consumed communication amount so that the mobile terminal 7 can present the proposed consumed communication amount and the communication fee acquired by the communication fee acquiring unit 2102. The proposed consumed communication amount and the communication fee may be presented, for example, by displaying a screen or by outputting a voice. For example, the information transmitting unit 2103 may transmit information to the mobile terminal 7 for displaying a screen including the proposed consumed communication amount and the communication fee on the mobile terminal 7. This information may be, for example, an HTML document or other information. The information transmitting unit 2103 may further transmit the actual consumed communication amount and the communication fee according to the actual consumed communication amount. Alternatively, the information transmitting unit 2103 may further transmit the difference between the actual consumed communication amount and the proposed communication amount, and the difference between the communication fee according to the actual consumed communication amount and the communication fee according to the proposed consumed communication amount.

[0096] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a data usage status screen. The data usage status screen 200 may be a screen showing the current amount of communication consumed and communication charges. As shown in FIG. 14, the data usage status screen 200 may include a consumed communication amount 210, a deducted communication amount 220, a communication charge 230, and a deducted communication charge 240. The consumed communication amount 210 indicates the proposed consumed communication amount. The deducted communication amount 220 indicates the total amount of communication deducted from the consumed communication amount. The communication charge 230 indicates the communication charge according to the proposed communication amount. The deducted communication charge 240 indicates the amount of communication corresponding to the difference between the amount of communication consumed according to the actual consumed communication amount and the amount of communication consumed according to the proposed consumed communication amount.

[0097] [1-3-3. Billing Server] Next, a functional overview of the system control unit 31 of the billing server 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the system control unit 31 of the billing server 3 in this embodiment. The system control unit 31 may function as an advertising expense calculation unit 3101, a communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102, etc., as shown in Fig. 15, by the CPU 31a reading and executing various program codes included in the billing server program.

[0098] The advertising expense accrual unit 3101 may account for the cost of making the proposed consumed communication volume smaller than the actual consumed communication volume in the advertising expenses of the advertiser business. For example, as described above, an advertising fee occurrence notice may be sent from the communication volume calculation device 1 to the billing server 3 every time the communication volume is deducted. The advertising expense accrual unit 3101 may account for the cost every time this advertising fee occurrence notice is received. For example, the advertising expense accrual unit 3101 may add the advertising fee as the current cost to the advertising fee billing amount stored in the advertising fee DB 34b in association with the campaign ID included in the advertising fee occurrence notice.

[0099] The advertising expense accounting unit 3101 may acquire or determine the advertising unit price each time it receives an advertising fee generation notification. The advertising unit price is the advertising fee for one communication volume deduction. For example, the advertising unit price may be determined in advance for each campaign. In this case, the memory unit 34 of the billing server 3 may store a database indicating the correspondence between the campaign and the advertising unit price. Alternatively, the advertising unit price may be determined in advance for each type of communication volume deduction condition or each type of communication volume deduction target behavior. In this case, the memory unit 34 of the billing server 3 may store a database indicating the correspondence between the type of communication volume deduction condition and the advertising unit price.

[0100] The advertising cost accounting unit 3101 may determine the advertising fee according to the deducted communication volume. For example, the advertising fee occurrence notification may include the data size of the communication data from which the communication volume is deducted. The advertising cost accounting unit 3101 may use this data size as the deducted communication volume. The advertising fee per unit communication volume may be determined in advance. The advertising cost accounting unit 3101 may calculate the advertising fee to be recorded in the advertising cost by multiplying the advertising fee per unit communication volume by the deducted communication volume. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the communication fee is 980 yen when the communication volume consumed is 0 GB, and the communication fee is 2980 yen when the communication volume consumed exceeds 20 GB. Therefore, when a subscriber consumes 20 GB of communication volume, the communication fee increases by 2000 yen. Therefore, the communication fee per 0.01 GB is 1 yen. Therefore, the advertising fee per 0.01 GB may be determined in a range of 1 yen or more. Alternatively, the advertising fee per unit communication volume may be determined based on past performance or simulation. For example, the average monthly communication volume per subscriber deducted actually or by simulation and the average difference in communication charges before and after the deduction of the communication volume may be calculated. The communication charge per unit communication volume may be calculated by dividing the average difference in communication charges by the average deducted communication volume. Then, the advertising fee per unit communication volume may be determined in a range equal to or greater than the communication charge per unit communication volume.

[0101] For example, when the month changes, the advertising expense accounting unit 3101 may execute a process for billing the advertiser for the advertising expense incurred in the previous month. For example, the advertising expense accounting unit 3101 may execute a process for settling the advertising fee billing amount stored in the advertising fee DB 34b in association with the target period indicating the previous month. The memory unit 34 of the billing server 3 may store, for example, credit card information of each advertiser. The credit card information may include, for example, the card number, expiration date, and the name of the cardholder. The advertising expense accounting unit 3101 may use the credit card information to settle the advertising fee billing amount. For example, the advertising expense accounting unit 3101 may request a credit check or a settlement from a system managed by a credit card company.

[0102] The communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 may determine the amount of communication fee to be billed to each subscriber according to the communication amount consumed by the subscriber during the period. The communication amount used to determine the amount of communication fee may be the presented communication amount. For example, the communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 may obtain the presented communication amount of the previous month for all subscribers from the communication amount calculation device 1 when the month changes. The communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 may obtain the communication fee billing amount according to the presented communication amount for each subscriber. For example, the communication fee acquisition unit 2102 may determine the communication fee billing amount according to the correspondence relationship between the consumed communication amount and the communication fee shown in FIG. 2. The communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 may store the determined communication fee billing amount in the communication fee DB 34a.

[0103] The communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 may execute a process for billing each subscriber for the communication fee billing amount stored in the communication fee DB 34a. For example, the memory unit 14 of the billing server 3 may store credit card information of each subscriber. The communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 may settle the communication fee billing amount using the credit card information.

[0104] [1-4. Operation of communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to Fig. 16 to Fig. 18. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication amount update process by the system control unit 11 of the communication amount calculation device 1 according to this embodiment. The system control unit 11 may execute the communication amount update process every time communication data flowing through the core network NC is captured.

[0105] As shown in Fig. 16, first, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 updates the actual communication amount consumed and the proposed communication amount consumed by adding the size of the captured communication data to these communication amounts consumed (step S101). For example, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 may obtain the MSISDN included in the packets constituting the communication data. The communication amount calculation unit 1103 may update the actual communication amount consumed and the proposed communication amount consumed stored in the communication amount DB 14a in association with the combination of this MSISDN and the target period indicating the current month. In practice, the actual communication amount consumed and the proposed communication amount consumed may be updated every time a packet flows into the core network NC.

[0106] Next, the detection unit 1102 determines whether the DPI consent flag stored in the DPI consent DB 14d in association with the acquired MSISDN is "approved" (step S102). If the DPI consent flag is not "approved" (step S102: NO), the communication amount update process ends.

[0107] If the DPI consent flag is "approved" (step S102: YES), the signature acquisition unit 1101 and the detection unit 1102 inspect the communication data and search the signature DB 14c for a signature that indicates the characteristics of the communication data (step S103). As a result of the search, the communication volume calculation unit 1103 determines whether or not there is a corresponding signature (step S104). If there is no corresponding signature (step S104: NO), the communication volume update process ends.

[0108] If there is a corresponding signature (step S104: YES), the communication amount calculation unit 1103 acquires a campaign ID associated with the corresponding signature from the signature DB 14c. The communication amount calculation unit 1103 determines whether or not the deduction flag stored in the communication amount deduction status DB 14e in association with the combination of the acquired campaign ID and the acquired MSISDN is "not deducted" (step S105). If the deduction flag is not "not deducted" (step S105: NO), the communication amount update process ends.

[0109] If the deduction flag is "not deducted" (step S105: YES), the communication amount calculation unit 1103 judges whether the communication amount deduction condition is satisfied (step S106). For example, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 may acquire communication amount deduction condition information stored in the campaign DB 14b in association with the acquired campaign ID. The communication amount calculation unit 1103 may make a judgment based on the communication amount deduction condition information and situation data described later. For example, if the communication amount deduction target behavior is browsing a web page, the communication amount deduction condition is basically satisfied at the time when the corresponding communication data is detected. Assume that the communication amount deduction target behavior is downloading and executing an application. If communication data corresponding to the download of the application has been detected in the past and the communication data detected this time corresponds to the execution of the application, the communication amount deduction condition is satisfied. At the time when the communication data corresponding to the download of the application is detected, the communication amount deduction condition is not satisfied. If the behavior subject to communication volume deduction is using an application for a predetermined period of time or more, the communication volume calculation unit 1103 calculates the total length of the period during which each communication data for the use of the application was detected within a predetermined time interval, based on the date and time when the detection unit 1102 detected each communication data. If the total is equal to or greater than the time length indicated by the communication volume deduction condition information, the communication volume deduction condition is satisfied. If the total is less than the time indicated by the communication volume deduction condition information, the communication volume deduction condition is not satisfied.

[0110] If the communication amount deduction condition is not satisfied (step S106: NO), the communication amount calculation unit 1103 stores the situation data in the storage unit 14 or updates the situation data stored in the storage unit 14 (step S107). For example, the situation data may include at least the acquired MSISDN, the acquired campaign ID, and the length of the period during which the deduction of the communication amount is restricted. If the situation data including the corresponding MSISDN and campaign ID is not stored in the storage unit 14, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 stores new situation data including this information in the storage unit 14. This situation data may further include the detection date and time of the communication data, the data size of the communication data, and the signature ID of the searched signature. If the situation data including the corresponding MSISDN and campaign ID is already stored in the storage unit 14, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 adds the detection date and time of the latest communication data, the data size of the communication data, and the signature ID of the searched signature to this situation data. The situation data may be periodically deleted from storage unit 14 depending on the length of the period during which the deduction of communication traffic is restricted. The situation data having a period of one day is deleted at a predetermined time every day. The situation data having a period of one month is deleted on the first day of each month. When step S107 ends, the communication traffic update process ends.

[0111] If the communication amount deduction condition is satisfied (step S106: YES), the communication amount calculation unit 1103 determines the deduction amount (step S108). For example, when no status data is stored for the detected communication data, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 may determine the deduction amount to be the data size of the communication data. When status data is stored, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 may obtain the data size of communication data detected in the past from the status data and calculate the total data size. The communication amount calculation unit 1103 may calculate the total data size of the communication data detected this time and the communication data detected in the past as the deduction amount. Next, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 subtracts the deduction amount from the presented consumption communication amount stored in the communication amount DB 14a in association with the obtained MSISDN, and updates the presented consumption communication amount (step S109). Next, the communication amount calculation unit 1103 changes the deduction flag stored in the communication amount deduction status DB 14e in association with the combination of the acquired campaign ID and the acquired MSISDN to "deduction completed" (step S110). Next, the advertising fee generation notification unit transmits an advertising fee generation notification including the acquired campaign ID and the data size of the communication data to the billing server 3 (step S111), and the communication amount update process ends.

[0112] The advertising fee accounting unit 3101 of the billing server 3 that has received the advertising fee generation notice calculates the advertising fee, for example, by multiplying the data size included in the advertising fee generation notice by the advertising fee per unit communication volume. The advertising fee accounting unit 3101 adds the advertising fee to the advertising fee billing amount stored in the advertising fee DB 34b in association with the combination of the campaign ID included in the advertising fee generation notice and the target period indicating the current month, and updates the advertising fee billing amount.

[0113] 17 is a flowchart showing an example of a data usage status transmission process by the system control unit 21 of the subscriber support server 2 according to this embodiment. For example, in response to a subscriber performing an operation on a subscriber support site to request display of data usage status, the mobile terminal 7 may transmit a data usage status screen request to the subscriber support server 2. The data usage status screen request may include the subscriber's user ID or MSISDN. In response to receiving the data usage status screen request from the mobile terminal 7, the system control unit 21 may execute a data usage status transmission process.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 17, first, the communication amount acquisition unit 2101 acquires the suggested consumed communication amount from the communication amount calculation device 1 (step S201). For example, the communication amount acquisition unit 2101 may acquire the suggested consumed communication amount by transmitting a communication amount request including the MSISDN of the subscriber to the communication amount calculation device 1. When the data usage status screen request includes a user ID, the communication amount acquisition unit 2101 may acquire the MSISDN associated with the user ID from the user identification information conversion DB 41. Next, the communication fee acquisition unit 2102 determines the communication fee from the acquired suggested consumed communication amount (step S202). Next, the information transmission unit 2103 generates an HTML document of a data usage status screen including the suggested consumed communication amount and the communication fee (step S203). Next, the information transmission unit 2103 transmits the generated HTML document to the mobile terminal 7 (step S204), and the data usage status transmission process ends.

[0115] 18 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication fee billing amount determination process by the system control unit 31 of the billing server 3 according to this embodiment. For example, the system control unit 31 may execute the communication fee billing amount determination process for each subscriber at a predetermined date and time after the month has changed.

[0116] 18, the communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 acquires the proposed consumed communication amount of the previous month of the subscriber to be processed from the communication amount calculation device 1 (step S301). Next, the communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 determines the communication fee billing amount from the proposed consumed communication amount (step S302). Next, the communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 stores the communication fee billing amount and the proposed communication amount in the communication fee DB 34a in association with the combination of the subscriber's MSISDN and the target period indicating the previous month, and the communication fee billing amount determination process ends.

[0117] As described above, according to this embodiment, the communication amount calculation device 1 acquires a signature. Moreover, the communication amount calculation device 1 detects communication data having a characteristic indicated by the signature from the communication data passing through the mobile communication network NM by inspecting the communication data passing through the mobile communication network NM. Moreover, the communication amount calculation device 1 calculates a communication amount equivalent to the difference between the consumed communication amount consumed by the subscriber who is the source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and the data size of the detected communication data as a presented consumed communication amount. Moreover, the presented consumed communication amount is stored in the storage unit 14 in association with the subscriber. Therefore, the communication amount calculation device 1 only needs to be capable of capturing communication data passing through the mobile communication network NM. For example, such a function does not need to be implemented in some system outside the mobile communication network NM. Therefore, a process for deducting the communication amount equivalent to the communication generated when the user takes an action subject to communication amount deduction from the communication amount consumed by the user can be performed in a unified manner.

[0118] Here, the subscriber support server 2 may obtain the communication fee according to the presented communication consumption amount. In this case, the communication fee can be deducted according to the communication amount to be deducted.

[0119] At this time, the subscriber support server 2 may transmit the proposed consumed communication volume and the communication fee to the mobile terminal 7 of the subscriber associated with the proposed consumed communication volume so that the proposed consumed communication volume and the communication fee can be presented. In this case, it is possible to present to the subscriber the communication volume remaining after deducting the communication volume equivalent to the communication generated when the subscriber takes an action eligible for communication volume deduction, and the communication fee corresponding to the communication volume.

[0120] Furthermore, the communication fee for the mobile communication service may be increased in stages as the communication volume increases. In this case, the communication fee can be deducted in stages according to the deducted communication volume.

[0121] Alternatively, the communication amount calculation device 1 may inspect the communication data every time the communication data passes through the mobile communication network NM. In this case, communication data having the characteristics indicated by the signature can be detected in real time.

[0122] In addition, the billing server 3 may include the cost of making the proposed traffic volume less than the actual traffic volume in the advertising cost of the business operator. In this case, the cost of deducting the traffic volume can be borne by the business operator as the advertiser.

[0123] Furthermore, the behavior subject to communication traffic deduction may be downloading and executing a specific application, in which case the number of users of the application can be increased.

[0124] Here, when the communication volume calculation device 1 detects communication data having characteristics indicated by a second signature corresponding to the execution of an application, it may calculate the presented consumed communication volume by subtracting at least the data size of the communication data having characteristics indicated by a first signature corresponding to the download of the application and the data size of the communication data having characteristics indicated by the second signature from the consumed communication volume.

[0125] The behavior subject to communication deduction may be using an application for a predetermined period of time or more. In this case, it is possible to promote long-term use of the application.

[0126] Here, the communication amount calculation device 1 may calculate the suggested communication amount to be consumed when the length of the period during which communication data having the characteristic indicated by the signature has been detected at a time interval shorter than a predetermined time is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

[0127] The behavior subject to communication traffic deduction may be browsing of a predetermined website. In this case, browsing of the website can be promoted.

[0128] In addition, the type of behavior subject to communication traffic deduction designated by one carrier may be different from the type of behavior subject to communication traffic deduction designated by another carrier, in which case communication traffic can be deducted in response to the subscriber taking different types of behavior.

[0129] In addition, the communication amount calculation device 1 may inspect the communication data passing through the mobile communication network NM by deep packet inspection. In this case, detailed analysis of the communication data is possible, and communication data corresponding to the behavior subject to the communication amount deduction can be appropriately detected.

[0130] [2. Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the communication fee actually charged to each subscriber may be reduced in accordance with the deduction of the communication amount. In the second embodiment, points equivalent to the reduced communication fee are given to each subscriber. The given points can be used in a predetermined point program. Except for the points described below, the second embodiment may be the same as the first embodiment.

[0131] [2-1. Communication system configuration] First, the configuration and functional overview of the communication system S according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 19 to 21. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of the communication system S according to this embodiment. In Fig. 19, the same elements as in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals. Fig. 19 differs from Fig. 1 in that the communication system S shown in Fig. 19 further includes a point management server 8. The point management server 8 is an example of a point program system. The point management server 8 is connected to the Internet NI.

[0132] The point management server 8 may be a server device that manages points of each user in a predetermined point program. Each member of the R service can use this point program. The point management server 8 may manage the number of points owned by each member of the R service in association with the user ID of the member. The number of points owned by the user is called the number of available points. In this embodiment, it is defined that the user can subscribe to the mobile communication service on the condition that the user is a member of the R service. Therefore, each subscriber of the mobile communication service can use the point program. Among the members of the R service, there may be subscribers of the mobile communication service, and there may also be members who are not subscribers of the mobile communication service. The point program may be a service that grants points to a user who purchases a transaction object at a predetermined ratio of the purchase price, and allows the user to use the points held by the user to purchase the transaction object. The transaction object may be something that can be traded commercially. Examples of the transaction object include goods and services. The user may be able to earn and use points at online services such as the R service and at facilities such as stores that are affiliated with the point program.

[0133] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the contents stored in the database of the point management server 8. As shown in FIG. 20, the point management server 8 may store a database such as a point DB 81. The point DB 81 may store information regarding points owned by each user. For example, the point DB 81 may store a user ID and the number of available points in association with each other. The point management server 8 may provide the subscriber support server 2 and the billing server 3 with an API for accessing the point DB 81.

[0134] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of how the communication amount is deducted. In FIG. 21, the same elements as those in FIG. 10 are assigned the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 21, a certain subscriber performed communication 101 of 2.8 GB, and then performed communication 102 of 0.3 GB. The communication 101 is not subject to communication amount deduction, and the communication 102 is subject to communication amount deduction. Since the actual communication amount consumed at this point is 3.1 GB, the communication fee is 1,980 yen, as shown in FIG. 2. When the communication amount of the communication 102 is subtracted from the actual communication amount consumed, the presented communication amount consumed becomes 2.8 GB. The communication fee corresponding to 2.8 GB is 980 yen. When the month changes in this state, in the first embodiment, the communication fee of 980 yen was charged to the subscriber. In this embodiment, the mobile communication service charges the subscriber a communication fee according to the communication amount actually consumed by the subscriber within the period. Therefore, the communication fee of 1,980 yen, which is the communication fee corresponding to the actual communication amount consumed, is charged. The difference in the communication fee is 1,000 yen. Points equivalent to the difference of 1,000 yen are given to the subscriber. The exchange rate between points and money is predetermined. For example, 1 point may be equivalent to 1 yen. In this case, 1,000 points are returned to the subscriber. For convenience, this calculation does not take consumption tax into account, but the number of points may be calculated taking consumption tax into account.

[0135] [2-2. Functional overview of the system control unit] [2-2-1. Subscriber support server] Next, a functional overview of the system control unit 21 of the subscriber support server 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 22. In this embodiment, the communication amount acquisition unit 2101 may acquire the proposed communication amount consumed and may also acquire the actual communication amount consumed from the communication amount calculation device 1. The communication fee acquisition unit 2102 may acquire communication fees corresponding to the actual communication amount consumed and the proposed communication amount consumed acquired by the communication amount acquisition unit 2101. The information transmission unit 2103 may transmit the actual communication amount and the proposed communication amount consumed acquired by the communication amount acquisition unit 2101 to the mobile terminal 7. In addition, the information transmission unit 2103 may transmit the two types of communication fees acquired by the communication fee acquisition unit 2102 to the mobile terminal 7. The communication fee corresponding to the actual communication amount consumed is the communication fee actually paid by the subscriber. The communication fee corresponding to the proposed communication amount consumed is the communication fee substantially borne by the subscriber through point redemption.

[0136] Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a data usage status screen. As shown in Fig. 22, a data usage status screen 300 may include consumed communication amounts 310 and 320, and communication fees 330 and 340. The consumed communication amount 310 indicates the actual consumed communication amount. The consumed communication amount 320 indicates the proposed consumed communication amount. The communication fee 330 indicates the communication fee according to the actual consumed communication amount. The communication fee 340 indicates the communication fee according to the proposed consumed communication amount.

[0137] [2-2-2. Billing Server] Next, a functional overview of the system control unit 31 of the billing server 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 23. Fig. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of the system control unit 31 of the billing server 3 in this embodiment. In Fig. 23, the same elements as in Fig. 15 are given the same reference numerals. The system control unit 31 may function as an advertising expense calculation unit 3101, a communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102, a point allocation unit 3103, and the like, as shown in Fig. 23, by the CPU 31a reading and executing various program codes included in the billing server program.

[0138] In this embodiment, the communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 may determine the amount of communication fee to be billed to each subscriber according to the communication amount actually consumed by the subscriber during a period. Therefore, the communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 may obtain the actual consumed communication amount from the communication amount calculation device 1 and determine the communication fee billing amount. In addition, the communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 may obtain the presented consumed communication amount.

[0139] The point allocating unit 3103 may allocate points to a subscriber of a mobile communication service. For example, when there is a fee difference between a communication fee according to an actual communication amount consumed and a communication fee according to a proposed communication amount consumed, the point allocating unit 3103 may add the number of points corresponding to the fee difference to the number of available points stored in the point DB 81 in association with a user ID for identifying the subscriber as a member of the R service. In this way, the point allocating unit 3103 may increase the number of available points of the subscriber. The point allocating unit 3103 may convert the MSISDN of the subscriber into a user ID of the R service by referring to the user identification information conversion DB 41 stored in the member information management server 4. The point allocating unit 3103 may cause the point management server 8 to add the number of points corresponding to the fee difference via an API provided by the point management server 8.

[0140] [2-3. Operation of communication system] Next, the operation of the communication system S will be described with reference to Fig. 24. Fig. 24 is a flow chart showing an example of a communication fee billing amount determination process by the system control unit 31 of the billing server 3 according to this embodiment. For example, the system control unit 31 may execute the communication fee billing amount determination process for each subscriber at a predetermined date and time after the month has changed.

[0141] 24, the communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 acquires the actual communication consumption amount and the proposed communication consumption amount of the subscriber to be processed from the communication amount calculation device 1 (step S311). Next, the communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 determines the communication fee billing amount from the actual communication consumption amount (step S312). Next, the communication fee billing amount determination unit 3102 stores the communication fee billing amount and the actual communication consumption amount in the communication fee DB 34a in association with the combination of the subscriber's MSISDN and the target period indicating the previous month (step S313).

[0142] Next, the point allocating unit 3103 determines the communication fee from the presented communication volume consumed (step S314). Next, the point allocating unit 3103 calculates the fee difference between the communication volume fee according to the actual communication volume consumed and the communication fee according to the presented communication volume consumed (step S315). Next, the point allocating unit 3103 judges whether the fee difference is greater than 0 yen (step S316). If the fee difference is 0 yen (step S316: NO), the communication fee billing amount determination process ends. If the fee difference is greater than 0 yen (step S316: YES), the point allocating unit 3103 acquires the user ID associated with the MSISDN of the subscriber from the user identification information conversion DB 41 (step S317). Next, the point allocating unit 3103 transmits a point number update request to the point management server 8 (step S318). The point number update request is a message indicating a request to update the number of available points of the user. The point number update request may include, for example, the user ID of the user whose available points are to be updated and the number of points to be added to the available points. The point management server 8 may send a point number update request including the user ID acquired from the user identification information conversion DB41 and the number of points equivalent to the fee difference. Upon receiving the point number update request, the point management server 8 adds the number of points included in the point number update request to the number of available points stored in the point DB81 in association with the user ID included in the point number update request, thereby updating the number of available points. When step S318 is completed, the communication fee billing amount determination process is completed.

[0143] As described above, according to this embodiment, communication charges can be effectively deducted by adding a number of points equivalent to the fee difference to the number of available points managed by a service other than the mobile communication service.

[0144] (Supplementary Note 1) A communication volume calculation system comprising: a characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a specified carrier as the behavior of a subscriber of a mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which a communication volume consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume equivalent to the difference between the communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from the start of the period and the data size of the detected communication data, as a presented consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated presented consumed communication volume in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber.

[0145] (Appendix 2) The communication volume calculation system according to appendix 1, characterized in that in the mobile communication service, a communication fee is determined according to the communication volume during the period, and the system further comprises a communication fee acquisition means for acquiring a communication fee according to the calculated presented consumed communication volume.

[0146] (Appendix 3) The communication volume calculation system according to appendix 2, further comprising a transmitting means for transmitting the proposed consumed communication volume and the communication fee to a terminal device of a subscriber associated with the proposed consumed communication volume so that the stored proposed consumed communication volume and the acquired communication fee can be presented.

[0147] (Supplementary Note 4) The communication volume calculation system according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3, characterized in that the communication fee for the mobile communication service increases stepwise as the communication volume increases.

[0148] (Appendix 5) The communication volume calculation system according to any one of Appendices 2 to 4, characterized in that the subscriber is billed by the mobile communication service for a communication fee corresponding to the consumed communication volume consumed by the subscriber during the period, a member of a specified service different from the mobile communication service, which is capable of using a specified point program, a member of the specified service may be a subscriber of the mobile communication service, the mobile communication service can identify the subscriber of the mobile communication service using subscriber identification information different from member identification information for identifying the subscriber as a member of the specified service, the point program system manages a number of owned points indicating the number of points owned by a member of the specified service in association with the member identification information of the member, and, when there is a fee difference between the communication fee corresponding to the consumed communication volume and the communication fee corresponding to the stored presented consumed communication volume, the system further comprises an addition control means for adding a number of points equivalent to the fee difference to the number of owned points associated with the member identification information for identifying the communication subscriber as a member of the specified service.

[0149] (Supplementary Note 6) The communication volume calculation system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, wherein the detection means operates every time the communication data passes through the network.

[0150] (Appendix 7) The communication volume calculation system according to any one of appendices 1 to 6, further comprising an accounting means for accounting for the cost of making the proposed consumed communication volume smaller than the consumed communication volume as part of the advertising expenses of the operator.

[0151] (Appendix 8) A communication volume calculation system as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 7, characterized in that the specified action is to download and execute a predetermined application that can be installed on a terminal device of a subscriber of the mobile communication service.

[0152] (Appendix 9) The application is an application that causes the terminal device to communicate with other devices while the application is being executed, the acquired feature information includes first feature information corresponding to the download of the application and second feature information corresponding to the execution of the application, and the calculation means, when the detection means detects the communication data having the feature indicated by the second feature information, calculates the presented communication consumption volume by subtracting at least the first data size of the communication data having the feature indicated by the first feature information and the second data size of the communication data having the feature indicated by the second feature information from the consumed communication volume.

[0153] (Appendix 10) A communication volume calculation system as described in any one of Appendices 1 to 9, characterized in that the specified behavior is using a specified application executable by a terminal device of a subscriber to the mobile communication service for more than a specified period of time.

[0154] (Appendix 11) The communication volume calculation system described in Appendix 10, characterized in that the application is an application that causes the terminal device to communicate with other devices while the application is being executed, and the calculation means calculates the presented communication volume consumed when the length of a detection period during which the communication data having the characteristics indicated by the acquired characteristic information is detected by the detection means at a time interval less than a predetermined interval is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

[0155] (Supplementary Note 12) The communication amount calculation system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 11, wherein the specified behavior is browsing a predetermined website.

[0156] (Appendix 13) The communication volume calculation system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 12, characterized in that the characteristic information acquisition means is capable of acquiring a plurality of pieces of characteristic information corresponding to a plurality of designated actions respectively designated by a plurality of operators including a first operator and a second operator, the detection means detects the communication data having the characteristics indicated by the characteristic information for each of the plurality of pieces of characteristic information, and the type of the designated action designated by the first operator is different from the type of the designated action designated by the second operator.

[0157] (Appendix 14) The communication volume calculation system according to any one of Appendices 1 to 13, characterized in that the detection means detects the communication data having the characteristics indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network using deep packet inspection.

[0158] (Appendix 15) A communication volume calculation method executed by a computer, comprising: a characteristic information acquisition step of acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of a mobile communication service for which a communication volume consumed by a subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection step of detecting communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information from the communication data passing through the network by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation step of calculating a communication volume equivalent to a difference between a consumed communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data, as a presented consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; and a communication volume storage control step of storing the calculated presented consumed communication volume in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber. [Explanation of symbols]

[0159] 1 Communication amount calculation device 2. Subscriber support server 3. Billing Server 4. Membership information management server 5 Application Delivery Server 6. Business Server 7 Mobile devices 8 Point Management Server 11, 21, 31 System control section 12, 22, 32 system bus 13, 23, 33 Input / Output Interface 14, 24, 34 storage section 15, 25, 35 Communications Department 14a Traffic DB 14b Campaign DB 14c Signature DB 14d DPI acceptance DB 14e Communication traffic deduction status DB 34a Communication fee DB 34b Advertising fee DB 41 User identification information conversion DB 81 points DB 1101 Signature Acquisition Unit 1102 Detection unit 1103 Communication amount calculation section 1104 Communication volume storage control unit 1105 Advertising Fee Notification Department 2101 Communication volume acquisition unit 2102 Communication Charge Acquisition Department 2103 Information Transmission Unit 3101 Advertising Expenses Department 3102 Communication Charge Billing Unit 3103 Point Granting Department BS base station NC Core Network NM Mobile communication network NI Internet S Communication System

Claims

1. a characteristic information acquiring means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, from among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented communication volume consumed for presentation to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; an accounting means for accounting for a cost for making the proposed consumed communication volume smaller than the consumed communication volume as an advertising cost of the business operator; A communication amount calculation system comprising:

2. A characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a subscriber behavior of the mobile communication service from among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented communication volume consumed for presentation to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Equipped with the characteristic information acquisition means is capable of acquiring a plurality of pieces of characteristic information corresponding to a plurality of designated actions respectively designated by a plurality of businesses including a first business and a second business, the detection means detects, for each of the plurality of pieces of characteristic information, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the piece of characteristic information; A communication amount calculation system, characterized in that the type of the designated action designated by the first carrier is different from the type of the designated action designated by the second carrier.

3. A characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a subscriber behavior of the mobile communication service from among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented communication volume consumed for presentation to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Equipped with A communication fee according to the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during the period is billed to the subscriber by the mobile communication service; a predetermined service different from the mobile communication service, the member of which can use a predetermined point program; a member of the predetermined service may be a subscriber of the mobile communication service; The mobile communication service is capable of identifying a subscriber of the mobile communication service by using subscriber identification information different from member identification information for identifying the subscriber of the mobile communication service as a member of the predetermined service, the point program system manages a number of points held by a member of the predetermined service, the number indicating the number of points held by the member, in association with the member identification information of the member; A communication volume calculation system characterized by further comprising an addition control means for, when there is a fee difference between the communication volume consumed and the communication volume stored, adding the number of points equivalent to the fee difference to the number of owned points associated with the member identification information for identifying the communication subscriber as a member of the specified service.

4. A characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a subscriber behavior of the mobile communication service from among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented communication volume consumed for presentation to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Equipped with The communication amount calculation system according to claim 1, wherein the specified action is to download and execute a predetermined application that can be installed on a terminal device of a subscriber of the mobile communication service.

5. The application causes the terminal device to communicate with other devices while the application is running, the acquired characteristic information includes first characteristic information corresponding to downloading the application and second characteristic information corresponding to execution of the application; The communication volume calculation system according to claim 4, characterized in that, when the communication data having the characteristics indicated by the second characteristic information is detected by the detection means, the calculation means calculates the presented consumed communication volume by subtracting at least the first data size, of the first data size of the communication data having the characteristics indicated by the first characteristic information and the second data size of the communication data having the characteristics indicated by the second characteristic information, from the consumed communication volume.

6. A characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a specified carrier as a subscriber behavior of the mobile communication service from among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented communication volume consumed for presentation to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Equipped with The communication amount calculation system according to the present invention, wherein the specified behavior is to use a predetermined application executable by a terminal device of a subscriber of the mobile communication service for a predetermined period of time or longer.

7. The application causes the terminal device to communicate with other devices while the application is running, The communication volume calculation system according to claim 6, characterized in that the calculation means calculates the presented consumption communication volume when the length of the detection period during which the communication data having the characteristics indicated by the acquired characteristic information is detected by the detection means at a time interval less than a predetermined interval is equal to or longer than a predetermined time.

8. A characteristic information acquisition means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a specified carrier as a subscriber behavior of the mobile communication service from among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented communication volume consumed for presentation to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Equipped with The communication volume calculation system according to the present invention, wherein the specified action is browsing a predetermined website.

9. In the mobile communication service, a communication fee is determined according to the amount of communication during the period, 9. The communication amount calculation system according to claim 1, further comprising a communication fee acquisition unit for acquiring a communication fee according to the calculated presented communication amount to be consumed.

10. The communication volume calculation system as described in Claim 9, further comprising a transmitting means for transmitting the stored presented consumed communication volume and the communication fee to a terminal device of a subscriber associated with the presented consumed communication volume so that the stored presented consumed communication volume and the acquired communication fee can be presented.

11. The communication volume calculation system according to claim 9, characterized in that the communication charges for the mobile communication service increase gradually as the communication volume increases.

12. The communication volume calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the detection means operates each time the communication data passes through the network.

13. The communication volume calculation system described in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the detection means detects the communication data having the characteristics indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network using deep packet inspection.

14. A communication volume calculation method executed by a computer, comprising: a characteristic information acquisition step of acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication amount consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection step of detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation step of calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control step of storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; an accounting step of accounting for a cost for making the proposed consumed communication volume smaller than the consumed communication volume as an advertising cost of the business operator; A communication volume calculation method comprising:

15. 1. A computer-implemented method for calculating communication traffic, comprising: a characteristic information acquisition step of acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication amount consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection step of detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation step of calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control step of storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Including, the characteristic information acquiring step can acquire a plurality of pieces of characteristic information corresponding to a plurality of designated actions respectively designated by a plurality of businesses including a first business and a second business, the detection step includes detecting, for each of the plurality of pieces of characteristic information, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the piece of characteristic information; A communication amount calculation method, characterized in that the type of the designated action designated by the first carrier is different from the type of the designated action designated by the second carrier.

16. A method for calculating communication volume executed by a computer, comprising: a characteristic information acquisition step of acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication amount consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection step of detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation step of calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control step of storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Including, A communication fee according to the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during the period is billed to the subscriber by the mobile communication service; a predetermined service different from the mobile communication service, the member of which can use a predetermined point program; a member of the predetermined service may be a subscriber of the mobile communication service; The mobile communication service is capable of identifying a subscriber of the mobile communication service by using subscriber identification information different from member identification information for identifying the subscriber of the mobile communication service as a member of the predetermined service, the point program system manages a number of points held by the member of the predetermined service, the number indicating the number of points held by the member, in association with the member identification information of the member; A communication volume calculation method characterized by further including an addition control step for, when there is a fee difference between the communication volume consumed and the communication volume stored, adding a number of points equivalent to the fee difference to the number of owned points associated with the member identification information for identifying the communication subscriber as a member of the specified service.

17. A method for calculating communication traffic by a computer, comprising: a characteristic information acquisition step of acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication amount consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection step of detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation step of calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control step of storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; wherein the specified action is to download and execute a predetermined application that can be installed in a terminal device of a subscriber of the mobile communication service.

18. A communication volume calculation method executed by a computer, comprising: a characteristic information acquisition step of acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication amount consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection step of detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation step of calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control step of storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Including, The communication volume calculation method, wherein the specified behavior is using a predetermined application executable by a terminal device of a subscriber of the mobile communication service for a predetermined period of time or more.

19. A method for calculating communication traffic by a computer, comprising: a characteristic information acquisition step of acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication amount consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection step of detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation step of calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented consumed communication volume to be presented to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control step of storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Including, The communication volume calculation method according to the present invention, wherein the specified behavior is browsing of a predetermined website.

20. A computer comprising: a characteristic information acquiring means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, from among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented communication volume consumed for presentation to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; an accounting means for accounting for a cost for making the proposed consumed communication volume smaller than the consumed communication volume as an advertising cost of the business operator; A communication volume calculation program that functions as a

21. A computer comprising: a characteristic information acquiring means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, from among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented communication volume consumed for presentation to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Functioning as a the characteristic information acquisition means is capable of acquiring a plurality of pieces of characteristic information corresponding to a plurality of designated actions respectively designated by a plurality of businesses including a first business and a second business, the detection means detects, for each of the plurality of pieces of characteristic information, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the piece of characteristic information; A communication amount calculation program, characterized in that the type of the designated action designated by the first carrier is different from the type of the designated action designated by the second carrier.

22. A computer comprising: a characteristic information acquiring means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, from among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented communication volume consumed for presentation to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Function as a A communication fee according to the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during the period is billed to the subscriber by the mobile communication service; a predetermined service different from the mobile communication service, the member of which can use a predetermined point program; a member of the predetermined service may be a subscriber of the mobile communication service; The mobile communication service is capable of identifying a subscriber of the mobile communication service by using subscriber identification information different from member identification information for identifying the subscriber of the mobile communication service as a member of the predetermined service, the point program system manages a number of points held by the member of the predetermined service, the number indicating the number of points held by the member, in association with the member identification information of the member; A communication volume calculation program characterized by further comprising an addition control means for, when there is a fee difference between the communication volume consumed and the communication volume stored, adding the number of points equivalent to the fee difference to the number of owned points associated with the member identification information for identifying the communication subscriber as a member of the specified service.

23. A computer comprising: a characteristic information acquiring means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, from among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented communication volume consumed for presentation to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Functioning as a The communication amount calculation program, wherein the specified action is to download and execute a predetermined application that can be installed on a terminal device of a subscriber of the mobile communication service.

24. A computer comprising: a characteristic information acquiring means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, from among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented communication volume consumed for presentation to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Functioning as a The communication volume calculation program, wherein the specified behavior is to use a predetermined application executable by a terminal device of a subscriber of the mobile communication service for a predetermined period of time or more.

25. A computer comprising: a characteristic information acquiring means for acquiring characteristic information indicating characteristics of communication data corresponding to a designated behavior designated by a predetermined carrier as a behavior of a subscriber of the mobile communication service, from among communication data communicated through a network of the mobile communication service for which the communication volume consumed by the subscriber during a period is calculated; a detection means for detecting, from the communication data passing through the network, the communication data having the characteristic indicated by the acquired characteristic information by inspecting the communication data passing through the network of the mobile communication service; a calculation means for calculating a communication volume corresponding to a difference between a communication volume consumed by a communication subscriber who is a source or destination of the detected communication data from a start point of the period and a data size of the detected communication data as a presented communication volume consumed for presentation to the communication subscriber; a communication volume storage control means for storing the calculated proposed communication volume to be consumed in a storage means in association with the communication subscriber; Functioning as a The communication volume calculation program, wherein the specified action is browsing a predetermined website.

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