Terminal device, program, and information processing method

Abstract

To enable appropriate QoS control to be performed when necessary.SOLUTION: A processing device 11 includes a transmission unit 112 and a reception unit 113. When a specific condition is satisfied after startup processing of an application program PRA has been initiated, the transmission unit 112 transmits a QoS start request REQs to a quality control server 30. The reception unit 113 receives a control signal related to QoS control from the quality control server 30. The specific condition is that, by a first timing, the reception unit 113 has not received data relating to a payment code from a management server 20 corresponding to the application program PRA. The first timing is a timing at which the reception unit 113 receives an initialization completion signal ACKi from the quality control server 30.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal device, a program, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] In the past, network services have experienced degradation in communication quality during periods of congestion. For example, in a two-dimensional code payment application, the display of the two-dimensional code may be delayed when the application is launched, and in a video viewing application, the quality of the video being streamed may be degraded.

[0003] QoS (Quality of Service) control is known as a technology for ensuring the quality of communication in a network. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a communication control system that allows a user to instruct the start / stop of a QoS control service by operating a button on a QoS control service application on a client terminal when the content viewing situation deteriorates due to network congestion or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-140486 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the system of Patent Document 1, after the application is launched, the start / stop of the QoS control service is decided by the user's will, which has the problem that QoS control may not be performed appropriately when needed.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to perform appropriate QoS control when necessary. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An information processing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a transmitting unit that, when a predetermined condition is met after the startup process of an application program that is the subject of communication quality control has begun, transmits a first signal requesting the start of the quality control to a first device that controls communication quality, and a receiving unit that receives a control signal related to the quality control from the first device, wherein the condition is after a reference time has elapsed since the payment method of the two-dimensional code payment application transitioned from online payment to offline payment.

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the program of the present invention causes a computer to execute a first process of sending a first signal requesting the start of quality control to a first device that controls the quality of communication, when a predetermined condition is met after the startup process of an application program that is the subject of quality control has begun, and a second process of receiving a control signal related to the quality control from the first device, wherein the condition is after a reference time has elapsed since the payment method of the two-dimensional code payment application transitioned from online payment to offline payment.

[0009] An information processing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: after the startup process of an application program that is the subject of communication quality control has begun, if a predetermined condition is met, sending a first signal requesting the start of the quality control to a first device that controls the communication quality; receiving a control signal related to the quality control from the first device; and the step of receiving the condition after a reference time has elapsed since the payment method of the two-dimensional code payment application transitioned from online payment to offline payment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the terminal device, the program, and the information processing method of the present invention, it is possible to perform QoS control appropriately when necessary. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system including a terminal device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a quality control server in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of code payment. [Figure 6] 10 is a sequence chart showing a first operation of the information processing system of FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a sequence chart showing a second operation of the information processing system of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system including an information processing device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device of FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the distribution server in FIG. 8. [Figure 11] 9 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system of FIG. 8. [Figure 12] 13 is a sequence chart showing a first operation of the information processing system according to Modification 3. [Figure 13] 13 is a sequence chart showing a second operation of the information processing system according to the third modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] 1. First embodiment The configuration of the terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0013] 1.1. Configuration of the First Embodiment 1.1.1. Overall structure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system 1 including a terminal device 10 according to the first embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes the terminal device 10, a management server 20, a quality control server 30, and a communication network NET.

[0014] The terminal devices 10 include n terminal devices 10[1], 10[2], ..., 10[k], ..., 10[n]. Here, n is any natural number, and k is any natural number smaller than n. In this embodiment, the configurations of the terminal devices 10[1] to 10[n] are identical to each other. Note that the terminal devices 10 may include terminal devices that do not have the same configuration.

[0015] The user using terminal device 10[1] is user U[1], the user using terminal device 10[2] is user U[2], the user using terminal device 10[k] is user U[k], and the user using terminal device 10[n] is user U[n].

[0016] The terminal device 10 includes a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a smart watch, and the like.

[0017] The management server 20 is a server managed by a service provider. Examples of service providers include code payment providers and video distribution service providers. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the management server 20 is a server managed by a code payment provider. In other words, in this embodiment, a code payment service is provided by the management server 20.

[0018] The management server 20 performs identity authentication of code payment users, code management, transaction management, etc. More specifically, identity authentication of code payment users includes basic authentication and authentication at the time of use. Basic authentication is authentication performed for the purpose of limiting the user when the user uses code payment for the first time. Basic authentication manages the link between the user's terminal device 10 and the "code payment app."

[0019] Point-of-use authentication is performed to verify whether the person attempting to make a code payment is the same as the user registered in advance. Examples include entering a PIN (Personal Identification Number), fingerprint authentication, or facial authentication. QR Codes (registered trademark), which are one type of payment code, also contain a one-time token for authentication.

[0020] The quality control server 30 is a server managed by a telecommunications carrier that provides communication services. The quality control server 30 controls the quality of communication related to the terminal device 10. Here, controlling the quality of communication related to the terminal device 10 is called quality control or QoS (Quality of Service) control.

[0021] In crowded facilities such as event venues and train stations during rush hour, the bandwidth of the communication network NET may be insufficient. When the bandwidth of the communication network NET is insufficient, the communication quality to each terminal device may deteriorate, causing communication delays. For example, when a user U[1] uses code payment at an event venue, a communication delay may occur between the terminal device 10[1] and the management server 20, and it may take some time for the payment code to be displayed on the terminal device 10[1]. In such a case, the quality control server 30 is expected to apply QoS control to the communication between the terminal device 10[1] and the management server 20. QoS control is an example of quality control.

[0022] The communication network NET is a telecommunications line such as a mobile communication network managed by a telecommunications carrier that provides communication services. The communication network NET includes one or both of a wired communication network and a wireless communication network. For example, the communication network NET may be connected via the Internet to another network (not shown) managed by another telecommunications carrier. Note that the management of the communication network NET may include, for example, the operation of the communication network NET.

[0023] In the information processing system 1, terminal devices 10[1] to 10[n], a management server 20, and a quality control server 30 are communicably connected to each other via a communication network NET. The information processing system 1 is a system that provides QoS control services to any user who possesses a terminal device 10. In the following, this embodiment will be described taking as an example a case where a user U[1] uses code payment using the terminal device 10[1].

[0024] QoS control includes, for example, bandwidth control, low-latency control, priority control, etc. Bandwidth control, for example, controls the bandwidth of communication in the communication network NET. Bandwidth control may be bandwidth guarantee, in which a lower limit of the bandwidth is set, or bandwidth restriction, in which an upper limit of the bandwidth is set. Similarly, low-latency control may be delay guarantee, in which an upper limit of the delay is set, or delay restriction, in which a lower limit of the delay is set.

[0025] In the priority control, for example, packets related to a specific communication are preferentially transferred. For example, a priority is assigned to packets flowing on the communication network NET, and a packet assigned a higher priority than other packets is processed preferentially over other packets. Note that in this embodiment, it is assumed that QoS control can be performed for each terminal device 10.

[0026] When the quality control server 30 receives a QoS start request from the terminal device 10, it executes QoS control at the QoS level specified by the QoS start request for the communication related to the terminal device 10. The QoS start request is a signal requesting the start of QoS control, and is an example of a first signal.

[0027] The QoS levels include, for example, a large capacity mode that can transfer a larger amount of data than other quality modes, a low latency mode that reduces data latency compared to other quality modes, and a best effort mode that performs best effort control. The QoS level may be specified by the terminal device 10 or may be determined by the quality control server 30.

[0028] 1.1.2. Terminal Device Configuration Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 10[1] in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the terminal device 10[1] includes a processing device 11, a storage device 12, a communication device 13, a display device 14, and an input device 15. Each element included in the terminal device 10[1] is connected to one another by a single or multiple buses for communicating information. The terminal device 10[1] is an example of an information processing device.

[0029] In the description of this embodiment, terminal device 10[1] is used as an example, but since terminal devices 10[2], ..., 10[k], ..., 10[n] also have the same configuration as terminal device 10[1], the description of terminal devices 10[2], ..., 10[k], ..., 10[n] will be omitted.

[0030] The processing device 11 is a processor that controls the entire terminal device 10 [1], and is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The processing device 11 is configured, for example, using a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. Note that some or all of the functions of the processing device 11 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The processing device 11 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0031] The storage device 12 is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 11. The storage device 12 includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM). The volatile memory is, for example, a random access memory (RAM).

[0032] The storage device 12 stores a plurality of programs including a control program PR1, an application program PRA, and an intermediary program PRM to be executed by the processing device 11. The storage device 12 also functions as a work area for the processing device 11.

[0033] The control program PR1 is a program that controls the entire processing device 11. The application program PRA is an example of at least one application program. The application program PRA is a program for communication related to the terminal device 10[1], and is a program that is subject to QoS control by the quality control server 30. The application program PRA is, for example, a "code payment app" that executes a two-dimensional code payment application.

[0034] The two-dimensional code payment application is an application that uses a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) to make payments for products, services, etc. In this embodiment, a consumer-presented mode (CPM) is particularly assumed. The application program PRA is provided, for example, by a code payment business operator and pre-installed in the terminal device 10[1] by the user U[1].

[0035] The low latency mode is suitable as the QoS level for QoS control performed on the two-dimensional code payment application.

[0036] The intermediation program PRM is a program that mediates between the application program PRA and the quality control server 30. The intermediation program PRM is provided by, for example, a telecommunications carrier, and functions as an application program interface API or a software development kit SDK.

[0037] The communication device 13 is hardware serving as a transmitting / receiving device for communicating with other devices. The communication device 13 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 13 may include a connector for wired connection and an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. The communication device 13 may also include a wireless communication interface. Examples of the connector and interface circuit for wired connection include products that comply with wired LAN, IEEE1394, and USB. Examples of the wireless communication interface include products that comply with wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0038] The display device 14 is a device that displays images and text information. The display device 14 displays various images under the control of the processing device 11. For example, various display panels such as a liquid crystal panel and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) panel are suitably used as the display device 14.

[0039] The input device 15 receives operations from the user U[1]. For example, the input device 15 includes a keyboard, a touchpad, a touch panel, and a pointing device such as a mouse. If the input device 15 includes a touch panel, it may also function as the display device 14.

[0040] The processing device 11 functions as a reception unit 111, a transmission unit 112, a reception unit 113, a determination unit 114, a display control unit 115, and a management unit 116, for example, by reading and executing the control program PR1 and the intermediation program PRM from the storage device 12. In other words, the functions of the reception unit 111, the transmission unit 112, the reception unit 113, the determination unit 114, the display control unit 115, and the management unit 116 of the processing device 11 are realized by the control program PR1 and the intermediation program PRM operating in cooperation with each other.

[0041] The accepting unit 111 accepts various operations by the user U[1] on the application program PRA via the input device 15. For example, the accepting unit 111 accepts an operation to start the application program PRA by the user U[1].

[0042] When the startup process of the application program PRA is started by an operation of the user U[1], the transmission unit 112 requests the management server 20 to generate a payment code via the communication device 13. In other words, when the startup of the application program PRA is started, the transmission unit 112 transmits a "payment code generation request" to the management server 20 via the communication device 13.

[0043] When the startup process of the application program PRA is started by the operation of the user U[1], the transmitter 112 requests the quality control server 30 to initialize the QoS control via the communication device 13. In other words, when the startup of the application program PRA is started, the transmitter transmits a "QoS initialization request" to the quality control server 30 via the communication device.

[0044] If a specific condition is met after the startup process of the application program PRA is started, the transmission unit 112 transmits a QoS start request to the quality control server 30 via the communication device 13. The specific condition is an example of a predetermined condition. The QoS start request is a signal requesting the start of QoS control. The "QoS start request" is an example of a first signal. Whether the specific condition is met is determined by the determination unit 114, as will be described later.

[0045] The receiving unit 113 receives a control signal related to QoS control from the quality control server 30 via the communication device 13 .

[0046] The determination unit 114 determines whether a specific condition is met. The specific condition is that the receiving unit 113 has not received code generation data used in processing based on the application program PRA by a first time point. The code generation data is data used by the application program PRA to generate a payment code, and is an example of first data. The first time point is the time point when the receiving unit 113 receives an initialization completion signal from the quality control server 30, indicating that initialization related to QoS control has been completed. The initialization completion signal is an example of a second signal. In other words, the first time point is the time point when the transmitting unit 112, triggered by the start of startup processing of the application program PRA, transmits a "QoS initialization request" to the quality control server 30, and the receiving unit 113 receives a response signal to the "QoS initialization request."

[0047] The display control unit 115 causes the display device 14 to display various pieces of information based on the various pieces of information received by the receiving unit 113.

[0048] The management unit 116 manages the execution status of QoS control. For example, the management unit 116 records the execution status of QoS control by the quality control server 30, and analyzes the recorded execution status of QoS control from the perspective of the number of API calls, etc.

[0049] The number of API calls is the number of times the mediation program PRM is called to execute QoS control within a certain period of time. If the certain period is one month, the charge per call is set in advance, and the monthly charge is determined based on the number of API calls and the charge per call. In other words, when charging is performed according to the number of times QoS control is executed, the management unit 116 manages the number of times a specific condition is met. Since QoS control is executed when a specific condition is met, the number of times a specific condition is met corresponds to the number of API calls. The management unit 116 transmits information indicating the number of API calls to an accounting server (not shown). The management unit 116 may transmit information indicating the number of API calls to the accounting server at regular intervals, or may transmit the information to the accounting server at a time other than the regular intervals.

[0050] According to this embodiment, the API is called when necessary, which is an economical billing method for the user U[1]. Also, the quality control server 30 can use resources more efficiently.

[0051] 1.1.3. Management Server Configuration Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management server 20 in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the management server 20 includes a processing device 21, a storage device 22, and a communication device 23. The elements included in the management server 20 are connected to each other by a single bus or multiple buses for communicating information. The management server 20 is an example of an external device.

[0052] The processing device 21 is a processor that controls the entire management server 20, and is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The processing device 21 is configured, for example, using a central processing unit (CPU) that includes an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, and a register. Note that some or all of the functions of the processing device 21 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The processing device 21 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0053] The storage device 22 is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 21. The storage device 22 includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is, for example, a ROM, an EPROM, and an EEPROM. The volatile memory is, for example, a RAM.

[0054] The storage device 22 stores a plurality of programs including a control program PR2 to be executed by the processing device 21. The storage device 22 also functions as a work area for the processing device 21.

[0055] The communication device 23 is hardware serving as a transmitting / receiving device for communicating with other devices. The communication device 23 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 23 may include a connector for wired connection and an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. The communication device 23 may also include a wireless communication interface. Examples of the connector and interface circuit for wired connection include products that comply with wired LAN, IEEE1394, and USB. Examples of the wireless communication interface include products that comply with wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0056] The processing device 21 functions as a management unit 211, a transmission unit 212, a reception unit 213, a collating unit 214, and a settlement unit 215, for example, by reading and executing a control program PR2 from the storage device 22.

[0057] The management unit 211 manages the generation of payment IDs and the issuance of payment codes. More specifically, the management unit 211 generates a payment ID in response to a (payment) code generation request from the terminal device 10[1]. After generating the payment ID, the management unit 211 issues a payment code that reflects the payment ID.

[0058] Furthermore, the management unit 211 manages association information that associates the terminal device 10[1] with the application program PRA installed in the terminal device 10[1] in a registration process that is performed in advance in the application program PRA. This prevents a third party from illegally obtaining the ID and password of the application program PRA.

[0059] When a payment code is issued by the management unit 211 based on a request from the terminal device 10[1], the transmission unit 212 transmits code information regarding the issued payment code to the terminal device 10[1] via the communication device 23.

[0060] When there is a request from the terminal device 10[1], the receiving unit 213 receives a payment code generation request from the terminal device 10[1] via the communication device 23. When the user U[1] presents the payment code displayed on the display device 14 of the terminal device 10[1] to a store and the payment code is scanned by a POS (Point of Sales) device in the store, the receiving unit 213 receives a transaction request message from the POS device via the communication device 23.

[0061] The matching unit 214 matches the payment ID based on the transaction request message with the payment ID generated based on the payment code generation request. If the matching result shows that the payment ID based on the transaction request message matches the payment ID generated based on the payment code generation request, the matching unit 214 determines that payment is possible and allows the payment process.

[0062] If the checking unit 214 permits the payment process, the payment unit 215 executes the payment process.

[0063] When the payment process is executed by the payment unit 215, the transmission unit 212 transmits a transaction result message indicating the transaction result to the store's POS device via the communication device 23, and also transmits transaction information indicating the transaction result to the terminal device 10[1].

[0064] 1.1.4. Quality Control Server Configuration Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the quality control server 30 of Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the quality control server 30 includes a processing device 31, a storage device 32, and a communication device 33. The elements included in the quality control server 30 are connected to each other by one or more buses for communicating information. The quality control server 30 is an example of a first device.

[0065] The processing device 31 is a processor that controls the entire quality control server 30, and is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The processing device 31 is configured, for example, using a central processing unit (CPU) that includes an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, and a register. Note that some or all of the functions of the processing device 31 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The processing device 31 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0066] The storage device 32 is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 31. The storage device 32 includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is, for example, a ROM, an EPROM, and an EEPROM. The volatile memory is, for example, a RAM.

[0067] The storage device 32 stores a plurality of programs including a control program PR3 to be executed by the processing device 31. The storage device 32 also functions as a work area for the processing device 31.

[0068] The communication device 33 is hardware serving as a transmitting / receiving device for communicating with other devices. The communication device 33 is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 33 may include a connector for wired connection and an interface circuit corresponding to the connector. The communication device 33 may also include a wireless communication interface. Examples of the connector and interface circuit for wired connection include products that comply with wired LAN, IEEE1394, and USB. Examples of the wireless communication interface include products that comply with wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc.

[0069] The processing device 31 functions as a transmitting unit 311, a receiving unit 312, and a quality control unit 313, for example, by reading out a control program PR3 from the storage device 32 and executing it.

[0070] The transmitter 311 transmits various control signals related to QoS control to the terminal device 10[1] via the communication device 33. For example, the control signals related to QoS control include an initialization completion signal ACKi notifying that initialization has been completed in response to a QoS initialization request from the terminal device 10[1], an acknowledgement response signal to a QoS start request from the terminal device 10[1], an acknowledgement response signal to a QoS end request from the terminal device 10[1], and the like.

[0071] The receiving unit 312 receives a request signal such as a QoS initialization request or a QoS start request from the terminal device 10[1] via the communication device 33.

[0072] The quality control unit 313 executes QoS control according to the required QoS level for the communication related to the terminal device 10[1].

[0073] The quality control server 30 may be provided as a network as a service (NaaS).

[0074] 1.2. Operation of the terminal device according to the first embodiment 1.2.1. Operation of the Processing Unit 11 Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of code payment. The flow of code payment will be explained below with reference to Figure 5.

[0075] In step S11, the processing device 11 functions as the reception unit 111 to determine whether or not an operation to start the application program PRA has been received.

[0076] If the operation to start the application program PRA has not been received, that is, if the determination result in step S11 is negative, the processing device 11 temporarily ends this routine.

[0077] On the other hand, if an operation to launch the application program PRA is received, i.e., if the judgment result in step S11 is positive, the processing device 11 functions as the transmitting unit 112 and transmits a payment code generation request to the management server 20 in step S12.

[0078] In step S13, the processing device 11 functions as the transmitting unit 112 to transmit a QoS initialization request to the quality control server 30.

[0079] In step S14, the processing device 11 functions as the determination unit 114 to determine whether or not a specific condition is met.

[0080] If the specific condition is met, that is, if the determination result in step S14 is positive, the processing device 11 functions as the transmitting unit 112, and transmits a QoS start request to the quality control server 30 in step S15.

[0081] In step S16, the processing device 11 functions as the receiving unit 113 to determine whether image data indicating a payment code has been received from the management server 20.

[0082] If image data indicating the payment code has not been received from the management server 20, i.e., if the judgment result in step S16 is negative, the processing device 11 functions as the receiving unit 113 and executes the processing of step S16 again.

[0083] When image data indicating a payment code is received from the management server 20, i.e., when the judgment result in step S16 is positive, the processing device 11 functions as the display control unit 115, and displays the payment code on the display device 14 in step S17, and temporarily terminates this routine.

[0084] Therefore, the processing device 11 repeats the process of step S16 until the receiving unit 113 receives image data indicating the payment code from the management server 20.

[0085] On the other hand, if the specific condition is not met, i.e., if the judgment result in step S14 is negative, the processing device 11 functions as the display control unit 115, displays the payment code on the display device 14 in step S17, and temporarily terminates this routine.

[0086] In this way, when the specific condition is not met, the processing device 11 has already received image data indicating the payment code from the management server 20. Therefore, the processing device 11 displays the payment code on the display device 14 without transmitting a QoS start request to the quality control server 30.

[0087] 1.3. Operation of the Information Processing System According to the First Embodiment 1.3.1. First Operation of Information Processing System 1 Fig. 6 is a sequence chart showing a first operation of the information processing system 1 in Fig. 1. Hereinafter, the first operation of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The first operation is an operation performed when image data indicating a payment code is transmitted to the terminal device 10[1] without delay.

[0088] In response to an operation of the input device 15 by the user U[1], the terminal device 10[1] starts the application program PRA in S21.

[0089] When the startup process of the application program PRA starts, in step S22, the control program PR1 and the intermediation program PRM are notified that the startup process of the application program PRA has started.

[0090] In step S23, the terminal device 10[1] requests the management server 20 to issue a payment code. That is, in step S23, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a payment code request REQc to the management server 20.

[0091] In step S24, the terminal device 10[1] requests initialization of QoS control from the quality control server 30. That is, the terminal device 10[1] transmits an initialization request REQi to the quality control server 30 in step S24.

[0092] When the management server 20 receives the payment code request REQc and completes authentication of the terminal device 10[1], in step S25, the management server 20 issues a payment code and transmits image data indicating the payment code to the terminal device 10[1].

[0093] When the terminal device 10[1] receives the image data indicating the payment code, in step S26, the terminal device 10[1] transmits the image data indicating the payment code to the application program PRA and displays the payment code on the display device 14.

[0094] After that, in step S27, the quality control server 30 transmits an initialization completion signal ACKi to the terminal device 10[1] in response to the initialization request REQi.

[0095] When the terminal device 10[1] receives the initialization completion signal ACKi, it has already received the payment code from the management server 20, and therefore does not transmit a QoS start request even when it receives the initialization completion signal ACKi.

[0096] In response to the user U[1] operating the input device 15, the terminal device 10[1] ends the application program PRA in step S28.

[0097] 1.3.2. Second Operation of Information Processing System 1 Fig. 7 is a sequence chart showing a second operation of the information processing system 1 in Fig. 1. Hereinafter, the second operation of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The second operation is an operation performed when image data indicating a payment code is transmitted to the terminal device 10[1] with a delay.

[0098] In response to an operation of the input device 15 by the user U[1], the terminal device 10[1] starts the application program PRA in S21.

[0099] When the startup process of the application program PRA starts, in step S22, the control program PR1 and the intermediation program PRM are notified that the startup process of the application program PRA has started.

[0100] In step S23, the terminal device 10[1] requests the management server 20 to issue a payment code. That is, in step S23, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a payment code request REQc to the management server 20.

[0101] In step S24, the terminal device 10[1] requests initialization of QoS control from the quality control server 30. That is, the terminal device 10[1] transmits an initialization request REQi to the quality control server 30 in step S24.

[0102] Next, in step S27, the quality control server 30 responds to the initialization request REQi by transmitting an initialization completion signal ACKi to the terminal device 10[1].

[0103] In the second operation, when the terminal device 10[1] receives the initialization completion signal ACKi, the terminal device 10[1] has not yet received the payment code from the management server 20. In other words, in the second operation example, a specific condition is met. Therefore, in step S31, the terminal device 10[1] requests the quality control server 30 to start QoS control. That is, in step S31, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a QoS start request REQs to the quality control server 30.

[0104] Next, in step S32, the quality control server 30 responds to the QoS start request REQs by transmitting an acknowledgement response ACKs to the terminal device 10[1]. The acknowledgement response ACKs is an example of a control signal related to quality control.

[0105] In addition, in step S33, the quality control server 30 starts QoS control to improve the communication quality between the terminal device 10[1] and the management server 20.

[0106] When the management server 20 receives the payment code request REQc and completes authentication of the terminal device 10[1], in step S25, the management server 20 issues a payment code and transmits image data indicating the payment code to the terminal device 10[1].

[0107] When the terminal device 10[1] receives the image data indicating the payment code, in step S26, the terminal device 10[1] transmits the image data indicating the payment code to the application program PRA and displays the payment code on the display device 14.

[0108] Thereafter, in response to an operation of the input device 15 by the user U[1], the terminal device 10[1] ends the application program PRA in step S28.

[0109] When the termination process of the application program PRA starts, in step S34, the control program PR1 and the intermediation program PRM are notified that the termination process of the application program PRA has started.

[0110] In step S35, the terminal device 10[1] requests the end of QoS control from the quality control server 30. That is, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a QoS end request REQe to the quality control server 30 in step S35.

[0111] Next, in step S36, the quality control server 30 responds to the QoS termination request REQe by transmitting an acknowledgment response ACKe to the terminal device 10[1]. The acknowledgment response ACKe is an example of a control signal related to quality control.

[0112] In addition, in step S37, the quality control server 30 ends the QoS control for improving the communication quality between the terminal device 10[1] and the management server 20.

[0113] 1.4. Advantages of the First Embodiment According to the above description, the terminal device 10[1] according to the first embodiment includes a transmitter 112 and a receiver 113. When a specific condition is met after the startup process of the application program PRA is started, the transmitter 112 transmits a QoS start request REQs to the quality control server 30. The application program PRA is an application program that is subject to QoS control of communication. The receiver 113 receives a control signal related to QoS control from the quality control server 30.

[0114] According to this aspect, when a specific condition is met, a QoS start request REQs is sent to the quality control server 30, and QoS control of the communication is executed. The specific condition is met, for example, when a delay occurs in the communication between the application program and the management server 20. Therefore, according to this aspect, it is possible to appropriately execute QoS control when necessary.

[0115] The specific condition is that the receiving unit 113 has not received image data indicating a payment code from the management server 20 corresponding to the application program PRA by the first time point. The first time point is the time point when the receiving unit 113 receives an initialization completion signal ACKi from the quality control server 30.

[0116] The fact that the specific condition is not met means that image data indicating a payment code is received before a notification of initialization completion in response to a QoS initialization request is received. In this case, the payment code is displayed on the terminal device 10[1] without delay, so QoS control is not required. On the other hand, the fact that the specific condition is met means that image data indicating a payment code has not yet been received at the time when a notification of initialization completion in response to a QoS initialization request is received. In this case, QoS control is considered to be required. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to perform appropriate QoS control when necessary.

[0117] The terminal device 10[1] according to the first embodiment further includes a management unit 116. The management unit 116 manages the execution status of QoS control. When QoS control is charged according to the number of times it is executed, the management unit 116 manages the number of times a specific condition is met.

[0118] The number of times that QoS start requests REQs are sent to the quality control server 30 is equal to the number of times that the API is called. Therefore, according to this embodiment, charges are made according to the number of API calls, which is reasonable.

[0119] Furthermore, the program according to the first embodiment causes a computer to execute a first process and a second process when a specific condition is met after the startup process of an application program that is the target of quality control of communication has started. The first process is a process of sending a QoS start request REQs to the quality control server 30. The second process is a process of receiving a control signal related to QoS control from the quality control server 30.

[0120] According to this aspect, it is possible to perform appropriate QoS control when necessary.

[0121] Furthermore, in the information processing method according to the first embodiment, if a specific condition is met after the startup process of the application program PRA has started, a QoS start request REQs is sent to the quality control server 30, and a control signal related to QoS control is received from the quality control server 30. The application program PRA is an application program that is subject to QoS control of communication.

[0122] According to this aspect, it is possible to perform appropriate QoS control when necessary.

[0123] 2. Second embodiment The configuration of an information processing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 8 to 11. In the following description, for the sake of simplicity, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and a description of their functions may be omitted. In addition, in the following description, for the sake of simplicity, differences between the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be mainly described.

[0124] 2.1. Configuration of the Second Embodiment 2.1.1. Overall structure 8 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system 1A including an information processing device according to the second embodiment. The information processing system 1A includes a terminal device 10A, a management server 20, a quality control server 30, a distribution server 40, and a communication network NET. Therefore, the information processing system 1A differs from the information processing system 1 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a terminal device 10A instead of the terminal device 10 and further includes a distribution server 40.

[0125] The terminal device 10A includes n terminal devices 10[1]A, 10[2]A, ..., 10[k]A, ..., 10[n]A. Here, n is any natural number, and k is any natural number smaller than n. In this embodiment, the configurations of the terminal devices 10[1]A to 10[n]A are identical to one another. Note that the terminal device 10A may include terminal devices that do not have the same configuration.

[0126] The user using terminal device 10[1]A is user U[1], the user using terminal device 10[2]A is user U[2], the user using terminal device 10[k]A is user U[k], and the user using terminal device 10[n]A is user U[n].

[0127] The terminal device 10A includes a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a smart watch, and the like.

[0128] The management server 20, the quality control server 30, and the communication network NET have the same configuration as the management server 20, the quality control server 30, and the communication network NET according to the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0129] The distribution server 40 is a server managed by a service provider. In this embodiment, the distribution server 40 is a server managed by a video distribution service provider. In other words, in this embodiment, the video distribution service is provided by the distribution server 40.

[0130] 2.1.2. Terminal Device Configuration FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal device 10[1]A in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9, the terminal device 10[1]A includes a processing device 11, a storage device 12A, a communication device 13, a display device 14, and an input device 15. The elements included in the terminal device 10[1]A are connected to each other by a single or multiple buses for communicating information. The terminal device 10[1]A differs from the terminal device 10[1] according to the first embodiment in that it includes a first application program PRA1 and a second application program PRA2. The terminal device 10[1]A is an example of an information processing device.

[0131] The processing device 11 is a processor that controls the entire terminal device 10[1]A, and is configured using, for example, one or more chips. The configuration of the processing device 11 according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration of the processing device 11 according to the first embodiment, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0132] The storage device 12A is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 11. The storage device 12A includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is, for example, a ROM, an EPROM, and an EEPROM. The volatile memory is, for example, a RAM.

[0133] The storage device 12A stores a plurality of programs including a control program PR1, a first application program PRA1, a second application program PRA2, and an intermediation program PRM to be executed by the processing device 11. The storage device 12A also functions as a work area for the processing device 11.

[0134] The control program PR1 is a program that controls the entire processing device 11. The first application program PRA1 and the second application program PRA2 are programs for communication related to the terminal device 10[1]A, and are programs that are subject to QoS control by the quality control server 30. The first application program PRA1 is, for example, a program that executes a two-dimensional code payment application. The second application program PRA2 is, for example, a program that executes a video viewing application that allows video works to be viewed.

[0135] The video viewing application is an application that enables user U to view video works by streaming from distribution server 40 or by downloading them in advance. In this embodiment, streaming viewing is particularly assumed. The second application program PRA2 is provided, for example, by a video distribution service provider and is pre-installed in terminal device 10[1]A by user U[1].

[0136] The large capacity mode is suitable as the QoS level for the QoS control performed on the video viewing application.

[0137] The specific condition related to the first application program PRA1 is that the receiving unit 113 has not received code generation data used in processing based on the first application program PRA1 by a first time point. The code generation data is data used by the first application program PRA1 to generate a payment code, and is an example of first data.

[0138] The specific condition related to the second application program PRA2 is that the receiving unit 113 has not received compressed video data used in processing based on the second application program PRA2 by the first time point. The compressed video data is data used by the second application program PRA2 to play a video work for viewing, and is an example of first data.

[0139] 2.1.3. Distribution Server Configuration Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of distribution server 40 in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 10, distribution server 40 includes a processing device 41, a storage device 42, and a communication device 43. The elements included in distribution server 40 are connected to each other by a single bus or multiple buses for communicating information. Distribution server 40 is an example of an external device.

[0140] The processing device 41 is a processor that controls the entire distribution server 40, and is configured, for example, using one or more chips. The processing device 41 is configured, for example, using a central processing unit (CPU) that includes an interface with peripheral devices, an arithmetic unit, and a register. Note that some or all of the functions of the processing device 41 may be realized by hardware such as a DSP, ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The processing device 41 executes various processes in parallel or sequentially.

[0141] The storage device 42 is a recording medium that can be read and written by the processing device 41. The storage device 42 includes, for example, a nonvolatile memory and a volatile memory. The nonvolatile memory is, for example, a ROM, an EPROM, and an EEPROM. The volatile memory is, for example, a RAM.

[0142] The storage device 42 stores a plurality of programs including a control program PR4 to be executed by the processing device 41. The storage device 42 also functions as a work area for the processing device 41.

[0143] The communication device 43 is the same as the communication device 13 of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0144] The processing device 41 functions as a transmitting unit 411, a receiving unit 412, and a management unit 413 by reading and executing the control program PR4 from the storage device .

[0145] The transmission unit 411 transmits the requested video content to the terminal device 10[1] via the communication device 43. The transmission format to the terminal device 10[1] may be either streaming or download, depending on the request from the terminal device 10[1].

[0146] The receiving unit 412 receives a request signal such as a video distribution request from the terminal device 10[1] via the communication device 43.

[0147] The management unit 413 manages information relating to users of the video distribution service and information relating to video content to be distributed.

[0148] 2.2. Operation of the Information Processing System According to the Second Embodiment 2.2.1. Operation of Information Processing System 1A Fig. 11 is a sequence chart showing an example of the operation of the information processing system 1A of Fig. 8. Hereinafter, the operation of the information processing system 1A will be described with reference to Fig. 11. This operation is an operation when image data indicating a payment code is transmitted to the terminal device 10[1] with a delay, and image data indicating video content is transmitted to the terminal device 10[1] with a delay.

[0149] In response to an operation of the input device 15 by the user U[1], the terminal device 10[1] starts the first application program PRA1 in S21.

[0150] When the startup process of the first application program PRA1 starts, in step S22, the control program PR1 and the intermediation program PRM are notified that the startup process of the first application program PRA1 has started.

[0151] In step S23, the terminal device 10[1] requests the management server 20 to issue a payment code. That is, in step S23, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a payment code request REQc to the management server 20.

[0152] In step S24, the terminal device 10[1] requests initialization of QoS control from the quality control server 30. That is, the terminal device 10[1] transmits an initialization request REQi to the quality control server 30 in step S24.

[0153] Next, in step S27, the quality control server 30 responds to the initialization request REQi by transmitting an initialization completion signal ACKi to the terminal device 10[1].

[0154] In this operation, when the terminal device 10[1] receives the initialization completion signal ACKi, the terminal device 10[1] has not yet received the payment code from the management server 20. In other words, in this example of operation, a specific condition is met. Therefore, in step S31, the terminal device 10[1] requests the quality control server 30 to start QoS control. That is, in step S31, the terminal device 10[1] sends a first QoS start request REQs1 to the quality control server 30.

[0155] Next, in step S32, the quality control server 30 transmits a first acknowledgement response ACKs1 to the terminal device 10[1] in response to the first QoS start request REQs1.

[0156] In addition, in step S33, the quality control server 30 starts QoS control to improve the communication quality between the terminal device 10[1] and the management server 20.

[0157] When the management server 20 receives the payment code request REQc and completes authentication of the terminal device 10[1], in step S25, the management server 20 issues a payment code and transmits image data indicating the payment code to the terminal device 10[1].

[0158] When the terminal device 10[1] receives the image data indicating the payment code, in step S26, the terminal device 10[1] transmits the image data indicating the payment code to the first application program PRA1 and displays the payment code on the display device 14.

[0159] Thereafter, in response to an operation of the input device 15 by the user U[1], the terminal device 10[1] starts up the second application program PRA2 in S41.

[0160] When the startup process of the second application program PRA2 starts, in step S42, the control program PR1 and the intermediation program PRM are notified that the startup process of the second application program PRA2 has started.

[0161] In step S43, the terminal device 10[1] requests the distribution server 40 to distribute a moving image. That is, in step S43, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a moving image distribution request REQm to the distribution server 40.

[0162] In step S44, the terminal device 10[1] requests initialization of QoS control from the quality control server 30. That is, the terminal device 10[1] transmits an initialization request REQi to the quality control server 30 in step S44.

[0163] Next, in step S45, the quality control server 30 responds to the initialization request REQi by transmitting an initialization completion signal ACKi to the terminal device 10[1].

[0164] In this operation, when the terminal device 10[1] receives the initialization completion signal ACKi, the terminal device 10[1] has not yet received the video from the distribution server 40. In other words, in this example of operation, a specific condition is met. Therefore, in step S46, the terminal device 10[1] requests the quality control server 30 to start QoS control. That is, in step S46, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a second QoS start request REQs2 to the quality control server 30.

[0165] Next, in step S47, the quality control server 30 transmits a second acknowledgement response ACKs2 to the terminal device 10[1] in response to the second QoS start request REQs2.

[0166] In addition, in step S48, the quality control server 30 starts QoS control to improve the communication quality between the terminal device 10[1] and the distribution server 40.

[0167] When the distribution server 40 receives the video distribution request REQm and completes authentication of the terminal device 10[1], in step S49, the distribution server 40 distributes image data representing the video content to the terminal device 10[1].

[0168] When the terminal device 10[1] receives the image data representing the video content, in step S50, the terminal device 10[1] transmits the image data representing the video content to the second application program PRA2, and displays the video content on the display device 14.

[0169] 2.3. Advantages of the Second Embodiment According to the above description, the terminal device 10[1] according to the second embodiment includes a storage device 12A. The storage device 12A stores a first application program PRA1 that is subject to QoS control and a second application program PRA2 that is also subject to QoS control. After the startup process of the first application program PRA1 that is subject to QoS control is started, if a specific condition is met for the first application program PRA1, the transmission unit 112 transmits a first QoS start request REQs1 corresponding to the first application program PRA1 to the quality control server 30.

[0170] In the terminal device 10 [1] according to the second embodiment, after the second application program PRA2 that is the target of QoS control is started, if a specific condition is met for the second application program PRA2, the transmitting unit 112 transmits a second QoS start request REQs2 corresponding to the second application program PRA2 to the quality control server 30.

[0171] The receiving unit 113 receives a control signal related to QoS control corresponding to the first application program PRA1 from the quality control server 30. The receiving unit 113 receives a control signal related to QoS control corresponding to the second application program PRA2 from the quality control server 30.

[0172] According to this aspect, the transmitting unit 112 and the receiving unit 113 can perform communication related to QoS control for each of the multiple application programs in the terminal device 10 [1]. Therefore, there is no need to prepare an application for QoS control for each application program.

[0173] 3. Variations The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. Specific modified embodiments are exemplified below. Two or more embodiments selected from the following examples may be combined. Furthermore, the above-described exemplary embodiments and the following modified embodiments may be combined in any combination as long as they are not mutually inconsistent.

[0174] 3.1. Variation 1 In the first embodiment, the management unit 116 records the execution status of QoS control by the quality control server 30 and analyzes the recorded execution status of QoS control from the perspective of the number of API calls, but the analysis may also be performed from the perspective of execution time instead of the number of API calls.

[0175] The execution time is the time for which QoS control is executed within a certain period of time. For example, if the certain period is one month, the charge per unit time is set in advance, and the charge per unit time is determined based on the execution time and the charge per unit time. The execution time for QoS control is, for example, the time from when the receiver 113 receives an initialization completion signal ACKi to when it receives an acknowledgment response ACKe to the QoS stop request. The execution time for QoS control may also be the time from when the receiver 113 receives an acknowledgment response ACKs to the QoS start request to when it receives an acknowledgment response ACKe to the QoS stop request.

[0176] That is, when QoS control is charged according to the execution time, management unit 116 manages the time during which QoS control is being executed. Management unit 116 transmits information indicating the time during which QoS control is being executed to the accounting server. Management unit 116 may transmit the information indicating the time during which QoS control is being executed to the accounting server at regular intervals, or may transmit the information indicating the time during which QoS control is being executed to the accounting server at timings other than the regular intervals.

[0177] In this way, the terminal device 10[1] according to the first modification includes a management unit 116. The management unit 116 manages the execution status of QoS control. When QoS control is charged according to the execution time, the management unit 116 manages the time during which QoS control is executed.

[0178] According to this embodiment, QoS control is performed when necessary, which can be said to be an economical billing method for the user U[1]. Also, for the quality control server 30, resources can be used more efficiently.

[0179] 3.2. Variation 2 In the first embodiment, the management unit 116 records the execution status of QoS control by the quality control server 30 and analyzes the recorded execution status of QoS control from the perspective of the number of API calls, but the analysis may also be performed from the perspective of data volume instead of the number of API calls.

[0180] The communication data volume is the volume of data communicated while QoS control is being executed within a fixed period of time. For example, if the fixed period is one month, the monthly charge is determined based on the data volume and the charge per unit data volume by setting a charge per unit data volume in advance. In other words, when QoS control is charged according to the communication data volume, the management unit 116 manages the volume of data communicated while QoS control is being executed. The management unit 116 transmits information indicating the volume of data communicated while QoS control is being executed to the billing server. The management unit 116 may transmit the information indicating the volume of data communicated while QoS control is being executed to the billing server at regular intervals, or may transmit the information indicating the volume of data communicated while QoS control is being executed to the billing server at timings other than the regular intervals.

[0181] As described above, the terminal device 10[1] according to the second modification includes a management unit 116. The management unit 116 manages the execution status of QoS control. When QoS control is charged according to the execution time, the management unit 116 manages the amount of data communicated while QoS control is being executed.

[0182] According to this embodiment, since the charge is made according to the amount of data processed by the QoS control, it can be said that this is a reasonable charging method for the user U[1].

[0183] In addition, the management unit 116 analyzes the execution status of QoS control by the quality control server 30 from the perspective of the number of API calls, the amount of data, and the execution time, and charges from the perspective of either the number of API calls, the amount of data, or the execution time, but the perspective of charging is not limited to the number of API calls, the amount of data, and the execution time.

[0184] 3.3. Variation 3 In each of the above embodiments, the terminal devices 10 that are the targets of QoS control may be limited to terminal devices located at specific locations. The specific locations are stored in the quality control server 30 as a location information table. Specific locations are assumed to be areas where many terminal devices 10 are used and congestion is likely to occur, such as event venues, stadiums, and shopping malls. For example, when the application program PRA is started in the terminal device 10[1], the terminal device 10[1] transmits the location information of the terminal device 10[1] together with an initialization request REQi to the quality control server 30.

[0185] The location information of the terminal device 10[1] is acquired as location information related to a base station, for example. The location information related to a base station is location information of the terminal device 10 located within a cell corresponding to each base station. The location information of the terminal device 10[1] may be Wi-Fi location information. The Wi-Fi location information is location information of the terminal device 10 located within an accessible range of each Wi-Fi access point. The location information of the terminal device 10[1] may be acquired by a positioning device (not shown) provided in the terminal device 10[1].

[0186] The positioning device may be, for example, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver. The GNSS receiver receives radio signals transmitted from one or more GNSS satellites. GNSS is a positioning system that uses positioning satellites from countries around the world, including GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites. The GNSS receiver performs positioning based on the one or more received radio signals, and outputs position information of the GNSS receiver to the processing device 11. The position information from the positioning device indicates, for example, the latitude and longitude of the terminal device 10 [1].

[0187] The quality control server 30 checks the location information of the terminal device 10[1] against the location information table and determines whether the location of the terminal device 10[1] corresponds to a specific location. If the location of the terminal device 10[1] corresponds to a specific location, the quality control server 30 transmits an initialization completion signal ACKi to the terminal device 10[1]. On the other hand, if the location of the terminal device 10[1] does not correspond to a specific location, the quality control server 30 does not transmit the initialization completion signal ACKi to the terminal device 10[1].

[0188] Therefore, the specific condition is that the location of the terminal device 10[1] is within a predetermined area.

[0189] According to this aspect, resources can be used more effectively by allocating resources to areas where QoS control is more effectively applied. Note that the terminal device 10[1] may transmit location information of the terminal device 10[1] to the quality control server 30 together with the QoS start request REQs, instead of transmitting it together with the initialization request REQi.

[0190] In addition, in this modified example, when the position of the terminal device 10[1] does not correspond to a specific position, the quality control server 30 does not transmit the initialization completion signal ACKi to the terminal device 10[1]. However, instead of this mode, when the position of the terminal device 10[1] does not correspond to a specific position, the quality control server 30 may transmit an initialization error signal to the terminal device 10[1].

[0191] Furthermore, the terminal device 10[1] may determine by itself whether or not the location of the terminal device 10[1] corresponds to a specific location by downloading the location information table from the quality control server 30 to the terminal device 10[1] in advance. If the location of the terminal device 10[1] corresponds to a specific location, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a QoS start request REQs to the quality control server 30. On the other hand, if the terminal device 10[1] does not correspond to a specific location, the terminal device 10[1] does not transmit a QoS start request REQs to the quality control server 30.

[0192] According to this aspect, the terminal device 10[1] can determine whether or not it is necessary to transmit a QoS start request REQs without communicating with the quality control server 30. Therefore, even in an environment where the network quality is deteriorating, it can reliably determine whether or not it is necessary to transmit a QoS start request REQs.

[0193] 3.4. Variation 4 In each of the above embodiments, the terminal device 10 that is the target of QoS control may be limited to a terminal device connected to a network whose quality is degraded. Degraded quality means, for example, that RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) or RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power), which are indicators of network quality, are degraded.

[0194] For example, when the application program PRA is started in the terminal device 10[1], the terminal device 10[1] transmits information about the RSRQ of the terminal device 10[1] to the quality control server 30 together with an initialization request REQi.

[0195] The quality control server 30 compares the RSRQ of the terminal device 10[1] with a predetermined judgment threshold. If the RSRQ of the terminal device 10[1] is less than the judgment threshold, that is, if the communication quality has deteriorated, the quality control server 30 transmits an initialization completion signal ACKi to the terminal device 10[1]. On the other hand, if the RSRQ of the terminal device 10[1] is equal to or greater than the judgment threshold, that is, if the communication quality has not deteriorated, the quality control server 30 does not transmit the initialization completion signal ACKi to the terminal device 10[1].

[0196] Therefore, the specific condition is that the communication quality for the terminal device 10[1] is less than a predetermined determination threshold.

[0197] According to this aspect, resources can be used effectively by allocating resources to networks where QoS control is more effective. Note that the quality control server 30 may determine whether or not QoS control needs to be applied based on RSRP instead of RSRQ, or may determine based on both RSRQ and RSRP.

[0198] In addition, in this modified example, when the RSRQ of the terminal device 10[1] is equal to or greater than the judgment threshold, the quality control server 30 does not transmit the initialization completion signal ACKi to the terminal device 10[1]. However, instead of this, when the RSRQ of the terminal device 10[1] is equal to or greater than the judgment threshold, the quality control server 30 may transmit an initialization error signal to the terminal device 10[1].

[0199] Also, the judgment threshold may be downloaded in advance from the quality control server 30 to the terminal device 10[1], so that the terminal device 10[1] itself may judge whether the RSRQ of the terminal device 10[1] is less than the judgment threshold. If the RSRQ of the terminal device 10[1] is less than the judgment threshold, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a QoS start request REQs to the quality control server 30. On the other hand, if the RSRQ of the terminal device 10[1] is equal to or greater than the judgment threshold, the terminal device 10[1] does not transmit a QoS start request REQs to the quality control server 30.

[0200] According to this aspect, the terminal device 10[1] can determine whether or not to transmit a QoS start request REQs without communicating with the quality control server 30. Therefore, even in an environment where network quality is deteriorating, it can reliably determine whether or not to transmit a QoS start request REQs. Note that the terminal device 10[1] may determine whether or not to apply QoS control based on RSRP instead of RSRQ, or may determine based on both RSRQ and RSRP.

[0201] 3.5. Variation 5 In each of the above embodiments, when a two-dimensional code payment application to which QoS control is applied or a video viewing application to which QoS control is applied transitions to the background, QoS control may be terminated. Also, when a two-dimensional code payment application that transitioned to the background or a video viewing application that transitioned to the background returns to the foreground, QoS control may be restarted.

[0202] More specifically, for example, when QoS control is applied to the application program PRA, if another application program is started, the other application program runs in the foreground and the application program PRA transitions from the foreground to the background. In this case, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a QoS termination request REQe to the quality control server 30. This terminates the QoS control for the application program PRA.

[0203] Thereafter, for example, when all application programs other than the application program PRA are terminated, the application program PRA transitions from the background to the foreground. In this case, when a specific condition is met, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a QoS start request REQs to the quality control server 30. The specific condition is that the receiving unit 113 has not received the code generation data used in the processing based on the application program PRA by the first time point when the receiving unit 113 receives the initialization completion signal ACKi from the quality control server 30.

[0204] According to this embodiment, it is possible to avoid the application of unnecessary QoS control.

[0205] Furthermore, when the application program PRA transitions from the background to the foreground, the QoS start request REQs may be sent to the quality control server 30 only within a certain period of time from the time the application program PRA transitions from the foreground to the background. The certain period of time may be, for example, 30 minutes or more. After the certain period of time has elapsed, it is highly likely that the user U[1] is no longer using the application program PRA that has transitioned to the foreground. Therefore, this embodiment can more effectively avoid the application of unnecessary QoS control.

[0206] 3.6. Variation 6 In each of the above embodiments, the payment performed by the two-dimensional code payment application was assumed to be an online payment, but if communication between the terminal device 10[1] and the communication network NET is interrupted for some reason, an offline payment may also be performed.

[0207] Offline payments can be used in consumer-presented payment (CPM) payments. In offline payments, payment information from the terminal device 10[1] is sent to the management server 20 via a POS device in the store.

[0208] If the communication environment between the terminal device 10[1] and the communication network NET improves and it becomes possible to return from offline payment to online payment, QoS control may be applied to online payment.

[0209] More specifically, if communication between the terminal device 10[1] and the communication network NET is interrupted for some reason during online payment and the payment transitions to offline payment, the terminal device 10[1] will attempt to return to online payment after a reference time has elapsed since the transition to offline payment, triggered by an update of the payment code, a transition of the application program PRA from background to foreground, etc. The reference time is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 5 seconds.

[0210] When the terminal device 10[1] attempts to return to online payment, it sends a QoS start request REQs to the quality control server 30. Therefore, in this case, the specific condition is after a reference time has elapsed since the payment method of the two-dimensional code payment application transitioned from online payment to offline payment.

[0211] According to this aspect, QoS control is applied to the online payment recovery process, making it possible to recover to online payment more quickly.

[0212] 3.7. Variation 7 In each of the above embodiments, the payment type executed by the two-dimensional code payment application was customer-presented mode, but instead of customer-presented mode payment, merchant-presented mode (MPM) payment may be executed.

[0213] In a store-presented payment, when a payment code installed in a store is scanned by the terminal device 10[1], the receiving unit 213 of the management server 20 receives a payment request from the terminal device 10[1] via the communication device 23. The payment unit 215 executes payment processing in response to the payment request.

[0214] Fig. 12 is a sequence chart showing a first operation of the information processing system 1 according to Modification 3. Hereinafter, the first operation of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. The first operation is an operation performed when information indicating a payment result is transmitted to the terminal device 10[1] without delay.

[0215] In response to an operation of the input device 15 by the user U[1], the terminal device 10[1] starts the application program PRA in S51.

[0216] After the startup process of the application program PRA starts, in step S52, the user U[1] photographs a payment code placed in a store.

[0217] After the payment code is photographed, in step S53, the application program PRA accepts input of the transaction amount by the user U[1].

[0218] Thereafter, in step S54, the control program PR1 and the intermediation program PRM are notified that the transaction amount has been input.

[0219] In step S55, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a payment request REQp to the management server 20.

[0220] In step S56, the terminal device 10[1] requests initialization of QoS control from the quality control server 30. That is, the terminal device 10[1] transmits an initialization request REQi to the quality control server 30 in step S56.

[0221] When the management server 20 receives the settlement request REQp and completes authentication of the terminal device 10[1], in step S57, the management server 20 transmits transaction data indicating the transaction result to the terminal device 10[1].

[0222] When the terminal device 10[1] receives the transaction data indicating the transaction result, in step S58, the terminal device 10[1] transmits the transaction data indicating the transaction result to the application program PRA and displays the transaction result on the display device 14.

[0223] After that, in step S59, the quality control server 30 responds to the initialization request REQi by transmitting an initialization completion signal ACKi to the terminal device 10[1].

[0224] When the terminal device 10[1] receives the initialization completion signal ACKi, it has already received transaction data indicating the transaction result from the management server 20, so it does not send a QoS start request even when it receives the initialization completion signal ACKi.

[0225] In response to the user U[1] operating the input device 15, the terminal device 10[1] terminates the application program PRA in step S60.

[0226] Fig. 13 is a sequence chart showing a second operation of the information processing system 1 according to Modification 3. Hereinafter, the second operation of the information processing system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. The second operation is an operation performed when information indicating a payment result is delayed and transmitted to the terminal device 10[1].

[0227] In response to an operation of the input device 15 by the user U[1], the terminal device 10[1] starts the application program PRA in S51.

[0228] After the startup process of the application program PRA starts, in step S52, the user U[1] photographs a payment code placed in a store.

[0229] After the payment code is photographed, in step S53, the application program PRA accepts input of the transaction amount by the user U[1].

[0230] Thereafter, in step S54, the control program PR1 and the intermediation program PRM are notified that the transaction amount has been input.

[0231] In step S55, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a payment request REQp to the management server 20.

[0232] In step S56, the terminal device 10[1] requests initialization of QoS control from the quality control server 30. That is, the terminal device 10[1] transmits an initialization request REQi to the quality control server 30 in step S56.

[0233] Next, in step S59, the quality control server 30 responds to the initialization request REQi by transmitting an initialization completion signal ACKi to the terminal device 10[1].

[0234] In the second operation, when the terminal device 10[1] receives the initialization completion signal ACKi, the terminal device 10[1] has not yet received the transaction data from the management server 20. In other words, in the second operation example, a specific condition is met. Therefore, in step S61, the terminal device 10[1] requests the quality control server 30 to start QoS control. That is, in step S61, the terminal device 10[1] sends a QoS start request REQs to the quality control server 30.

[0235] Next, in step S62, the quality control server 30 responds to the QoS start request REQs by transmitting an acknowledgement response ACKs to the terminal device 10[1].

[0236] In addition, in step S63, the quality control server 30 starts QoS control to improve the communication quality between the terminal device 10[1] and the management server 20.

[0237] When the management server 20 receives the settlement request REQp and completes authentication of the terminal device 10[1], in step S57, the management server 20 transmits transaction data indicating the transaction result to the terminal device 10[1].

[0238] When the terminal device 10[1] receives the transaction data indicating the transaction result, in step S58, the terminal device 10[1] transmits the transaction data indicating the transaction result to the application program PRA and displays the transaction result on the display device 14.

[0239] Thereafter, in response to the user U[1] operating the input device 15, the terminal device 10[1] ends the application program PRA in step S60.

[0240] When the termination process of the application program PRA starts, in step S64, the control program PR1 and the intermediary program PRM are notified that the termination of the application program PRA has started.

[0241] In step S65, the terminal device 10[1] requests the end of QoS control from the quality control server 30. That is, the terminal device 10[1] transmits a QoS end request REQe to the quality control server 30 in step S35.

[0242] Next, in step S66, the quality control server 30 responds to the QoS termination request REQe by transmitting an acknowledgement response ACKe to the terminal device 10[1].

[0243] In addition, in step S67, the quality control server 30 ends the QoS control for improving the communication quality between the terminal device 10[1] and the management server 20.

[0244] In this way, the same QoS control as that for consumer-provided payment (CPM) can be applied to MPM as well.

[0245] In addition to the above operation example, the terminal device 10[1] may also send a QoS start request REQs to the quality control server 30 when the user selects the store-presented payment method (MPM). Therefore, in this case, the specific condition is that the store-presented payment method is selected when the two-dimensional code payment application is executed.

[0246] Because merchant-presented payments do not support offline payments, which are possible with consumer-presented payments, they are more susceptible to the effects of network quality than consumer-presented payments. According to this aspect, QoS control is applied to merchant-presented payments, enabling more effective quality control.

[0247] 3.8. Variation 8 The function of managing the execution status of QoS control by the management unit 116 may be included in the quality control server 30. The function of managing the execution status of QoS control may be included in at least one of the management unit 116 and the quality control server 30.

[0248] 3.9. Variation 9 In the above embodiments, the cases where one or two application programs are the target of QoS control have been described, but the number of application programs that are the target of QoS control may be three or more. In this case, the transmitting unit 112 transmits a "QoS start request" corresponding to each application program to the quality control server 30, and the receiving unit 113 receives an "approval response" corresponding to each application program from the quality control server 30.

[0249] According to this aspect, the transmitting unit 112 and the receiving unit 113 can perform communication related to QoS control for each of the multiple application programs in the terminal device 10 [1]. Therefore, there is no need to prepare an application for QoS control for each application program.

[0250] 3.10. Variation 10 In the first embodiment, when the terminal device 10[1] starts the startup process of the application program PRA, a payment code request REQc is sent to the management server 20 and an initialization request REQi is sent to the quality control server 30. However, the timing of sending the payment code request REQc and the initialization request REQi is not limited to this and depends on the specifications of the application program PRA. For example, the transmission of the payment code request REQc and the initialization request REQi may be triggered by the execution of a command to display a payment code by the operation of the user U[1]. The same applies to the first application program PRA1 in the second embodiment.

[0251] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, when the terminal device 10[1] starts the startup process of the second application program PRA2, a video distribution request REQm is sent to the distribution server 40 and an initialization request REQi is sent to the quality control server 30. However, the timing of sending the video distribution request REQm and the initialization request REQi is not limited to this and depends on the specifications of the second application program PRA2. For example, the transmission of the video distribution request REQm and the initialization request REQi may be triggered by the execution of a video content playback command by the operation of the user U[1].

[0252] 4.Other (1) In the above-described embodiment, storage device 12, storage device 12A, storage device 22, storage device 32, and storage device 42 are exemplified by ROM and RAM, but they may also be flexible disks, magneto-optical disks (e.g., compact disks, digital versatile disks, Blu-ray (registered trademark) discs), smart cards, flash memory devices (e.g., cards, sticks, key drives), CD-ROMs (Compact Disc-ROMs), registers, removable disks, hard disks, floppy (registered trademark) disks, magnetic strips, databases, servers, or other suitable storage media. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via telecommunications lines. The programs may also be transmitted from a communications network NET via telecommunications lines.

[0253] (2) In the above-described embodiments, the described information, signals, etc. may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0254] (3) In the above-described embodiment, input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, a memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to another device.

[0255] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the determination may be made by a value (0 or 1) represented using one bit, by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0256] (5) The order of the process procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. illustrated in the above-described embodiments may be rearranged unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0257] (6) Each function illustrated in Figures 1 to 13 is realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, by wire, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. A functional block may also be realized by combining software with the single device or the multiple devices.

[0258] (7) The programs exemplified in the above-described embodiments should be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., regardless of whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or by other names.

[0259] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0260] (8) In each of the foregoing embodiments, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0261] (9) The information, parameters, etc. described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or corresponding other information.

[0262] (10) In the above-described embodiments, the management server 20, the quality control server 30, and the distribution server 40 may be mobile stations (MS). A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other appropriate term. In the present disclosure, the terms "mobile station," "user terminal," "user equipment (UE)," "terminal," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0263] (11) In the above-described embodiments, the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variations thereof refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be a physical coupling or connection, a logical coupling or connection, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0264] (12) In the above embodiments, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0265] (13) As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0266] (14) In the above embodiments, when "include," "including," and variations thereof are used, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, the term "or" as used in this disclosure is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0267] (15) In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the nouns following these articles being plural.

[0268] (16) In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combined" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0269] (17) Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

[0270] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0271] 1,1A...information processing system, 10,10[1],10[1]A,10[2],10[k],10[n]...terminal device, 11...processing device, 20...management server, 30...quality control server, 40...distribution server, 112...transmitter, 113...receiver, 116...management unit, ACKi...initialization completion signal, ACKs...acknowledgement response, ACKs1...first acknowledgement response, ACKs2...second acknowledgement response, PRA...application program, PRA1...first application program, PRA2...second application program, REQi...initialization request, REQs...QoS start request, REQs1...first QoS start request, REQs2...second QoS start request, U[1],U[2],U[k],U[n]...user.

Claims

1. a transmitter that transmits a first signal requesting the start of quality control to a first device that controls quality of communication when a predetermined condition is met after a startup process of an application program that is a target of quality control of communication has started; a receiving unit that receives a control signal related to the quality control from the first device; Equipped with The condition is that a reference time has elapsed since the payment method of the two-dimensional code payment application changed from online payment to offline payment. Terminal device.

2. the condition is that the receiving unit has not received first data used in processing based on the application program until a first time point when the receiving unit receives a second signal from the first device indicating that initialization related to the quality control has been completed. The terminal device according to claim 1 .

3. The condition is that the location of the terminal device is within a predetermined area. The terminal device according to claim 1 .

4. the condition is that the communication quality for the terminal device is less than a predetermined determination threshold; The terminal device according to claim 1 .

5. the application program is a first application program; a storage device that stores the first application program and a second application program that is a target of the quality control of communication; If the condition is met for each of the first application program and the second application program after the start-up process of the first application program and the start-up process of the second application program have started, the transmitting unit transmits the first signals corresponding to the first application program and the second application program to the first device; the receiving unit receives, from the first device, a control signal related to quality control corresponding to each of the first application program and the second application program; The terminal device according to claim 2 .

6. a management unit that manages the execution status of the quality control, When the quality control is charged according to the number of times it is executed, the management unit manages the number of times the condition is satisfied. The terminal device according to claim 1 .

7. a management unit that manages the execution status of the quality control, When the quality control is charged according to the execution time, the management unit manages the time during which the quality control is executed. The terminal device according to claim 1 .

8. a management unit that manages the execution status of the quality control, When the quality control is charged according to the amount of data communicated, the management unit manages the amount of data communicated while the quality control is being executed. The terminal device according to claim 1 .

9. On the computer, a first process of transmitting a first signal requesting the start of quality control to a first device that controls quality of communication when a predetermined condition is met after a start-up process of an application program that is a target of quality control of communication has started; a second process for receiving a control signal relating to the quality control from the first device; Execute The condition is that a reference time has elapsed since the payment method of the two-dimensional code payment application changed from online payment to offline payment. program.

10. When a predetermined condition is met after a start-up process of an application program that is a target of quality control of communication has started, a first signal requesting the start of the quality control is transmitted to a first device that controls quality of communication; receiving a control signal relating to the quality control from the first device; The condition is that a reference time has elapsed since the payment method of the two-dimensional code payment application changed from online payment to offline payment. Information processing methods.

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