Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To enable the use of eSIMs according to user needs. [Solution] The information processing method includes: a first display step in which a computer displays a screen for obtaining an eSIM on an information terminal; a user registration step in which the user-specified eSIM capacity is stored in a storage unit in association with user identification information for identifying the user of the information terminal; a second display step in which a screen for specifying how to use the eSIM is displayed on the information terminal; and a registration step in which the user-specified usage method is stored in a storage unit in association with user identification information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Instead of inserting and removing a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card into a user terminal, a service that enables use of a wireless communication line by obtaining an eSIM (Embedded SIM), which is an electronic SIM card, via a network and installing this eSIM in the user terminal has become widespread (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the user terminal described in Patent Document 1, an eSIM with predetermined usage conditions such as the countries or capacities that can be used is installed, so there are cases where it cannot be used according to the user's needs.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to enable use of an eSIM according to the user's needs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing method according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a first display step of causing a computer to display a screen for obtaining an eSIM on an information terminal; a user registration step of storing the capacity of the eSIM specified by the user in a storage unit in association with user identification information for identifying the user of the information terminal; a second display step of displaying a screen for specifying how to use the eSIM on the information terminal; and a registration step of storing the usage method specified by the user in a storage unit in association with the user identification information.

[0007] In the second display step, the information terminal may display a screen for specifying the target countries in which the eSIM can be used as a method of use. In the second display step, the information terminal may display a screen for specifying the target countries in which the eSIM can be used, and a screen for specifying the capacity of the eSIM to be allocated to the target country.

[0008] The information processing method further includes a country information acquisition step of acquiring information indicating the country where the information terminal is located and the destination country to which the user is headed, and in the registration step, the destination country and the country where the terminal is located may be stored in the storage unit as the target country in association with the user identification information.

[0009] The information processing method may further include: a designation acquisition step of acquiring the user identification information and designation information specifying the addition of the eSIM capacity from the information terminal; an addition step of adding the eSIM capacity based on the designation information; and a re-registration step of storing the added eSIM capacity in the storage unit in association with the user identification information.

[0010] The information processing method may further include: a designation acquisition step of acquiring user identification information, information specifying the recharge of the eSIM capacity, and information indicating the capacity to be recharged from the information terminal; an addition step of adding the capacity acquired in the designation acquisition step to the remaining capacity of the eSIM; and a re-registration step of storing the added capacity of the eSIM in the storage unit in association with the user identification information. The information processing method may further include: an addition step of adding a predetermined capacity to the remaining capacity of the eSIM if the remaining capacity of the eSIM is below a standard value; and a re-registration step of storing the added capacity, which is the capacity of the eSIM after the addition, in the storage unit in association with the user identification information.

[0011] In the second display step, the information terminal may display the screen for transferring the eSIM to another user as a method of use, and in the registration step, the eSIM designated by the user to be transferred may be stored in the storage unit in association with the user identification information for identifying the other user.

[0012] In the user registration step, the storage unit may store a randomly determined eSIM capacity in association with the user identification information. In the registration step, the storage unit may store, in association with the user identification information, a predetermined application software that can communicate using the eSIM or conditions under which the eSIM cannot be used as a method of use. The information processing method may further include a referral acquisition step of acquiring the referral address of a referral user to whom the eSIM should be introduced and an advertising video to which the referral user should be shown; a transmission step of transmitting the acquired advertising video to the referral address; and a referral registration step of, upon receiving information from the referral address indicating that playback of the advertising video has been completed, storing in the storage unit the eSIM capacity corresponding to the playback time of the advertising video in association with the user identification information of the referral user.

[0013] An information processing device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a display processing unit that causes an information terminal to display a screen for acquiring an eSIM and a screen for specifying how to use the eSIM, and a registration unit that stores in a storage unit the capacity of the eSIM acquired by the user and the usage method specified by the user, in association with user identification information for identifying the user of the information terminal.

[0014] A program according to a third aspect of the present invention causes a computer to perform a first display step of displaying a screen for obtaining an eSIM on an information terminal; a user registration step of storing the capacity of the eSIM obtained by the user in a storage unit, in association with user identification information for identifying the user of the information terminal; a second display step of displaying a screen for specifying how to use the eSIM on the information terminal; and a registration step of storing the usage method specified by the user in the storage unit, in association with the user identification information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, the effect is that eSIMs can be used in accordance with the user's needs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the overview of the information processing system of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This shows the configuration of the information processing device. [Figure 3] An example of eSIM management data is shown. [Figure 4] An example of the first display screen is shown. [Figure 5] An example of the second display screen is shown. [Figure 6] Here is another example of the second display screen. [Figure 7] This shows an example of how the user can specify the eSIM to which they want to recharge. [Figure 8] This is an example of a screen where the user specifies the eSIM to be recharged. [Figure 9]Shows another example of the second display screen displayed by the display processing unit. [Figure 10] Shows an example of a notification that the registration process has been completed. [Figure 11] Shows an example of a notification that the registration process has been completed. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for providing an eSIM to a user by an information processing apparatus. [Figure 13] Shows an example of the procedure of the user authentication process in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] Shows an example of the procedure of the new acquisition process in FIG. 12. [Figure 15] Shows an example of the procedure of the recharge process in FIG. 12. [Figure 16] Shows an example of advertisement playback time data. [Figure 17] Shows an example of the processing procedure for transmitting an advertisement video by an information processing apparatus.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] [Overview of Information Processing System] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the information processing system S of the present embodiment. The information processing system S includes an information terminal 100 and an information processing apparatus 200.

[0018] The information terminal 100 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet. The information terminal 100 communicates with the information processing apparatus 200 via a network. The information terminal 100 communicates with the information processing apparatus 200 by mobile communication via a mobile phone line such as a 5G communication line, for example. The information terminal 100 may communicate with the information processing apparatus 200 by Wi-Fi (registered trademark) communication or the like.

[0019] Before performing mobile communication via a mobile phone network, the information terminal 100 obtains an eSIM (embedded Subscriber Identity Module) from the information processing device 200. When the user of the information terminal 100 enters into a mobile phone network usage contract with a carrier that provides eSIMs, the information terminal 100 can perform mobile phone network communication via a mobile phone network by installing the obtained eSIM. The information terminal 100 obtains a sample eSIM from the information processing device 200 as a trial version of this eSIM. In this specification, a sample eSIM refers to an eSIM that is provided to the user free of charge.

[0020] The information processing device 200 is a server owned by the provider of the eSIM. The information processing device 200 provides the eSIM to the information terminal 100 by communicating with the information terminal 100 via a communication method different from the mobile phone network (e.g., Wi-Fi). The following describes the outline of the process by which the information processing device 200 provides the eSIM to the information terminal 100.

[0021] First, the information processing device 200 displays a first display screen for acquiring an eSIM on the display of the information terminal 100 (Figure 1 (1)). On this first display screen, the information terminal 100 displays several eSIM capacity options and accepts user input to specify one of the eSIM capacities. When the information terminal 100 accepts user input to specify an eSIM capacity, it transmits capacity information indicating the specified capacity and a user ID for identifying the user of the information terminal 100 to the information processing device 200 (Figure 1 (2)). The information processing device 200 stores the eSIM capacity specified by the user in its storage unit, associated with the user ID for identifying the user of the information terminal 100 (Figure 1 (3)).

[0022] Next, the information processing device 200 displays a second display screen on the information terminal 100's display for specifying how to use the eSIM (Figure 1, (4)). The information terminal 100 displays multiple eSIM usage methods on this second display screen and accepts user input to specify one of the eSIM usage methods. When the information terminal 100 accepts user input to specify how to use the eSIM, it transmits information indicating this eSIM usage method and the user ID to the information processing device 200 (Figure 1, (5)).

[0023] The information processing device 200 stores the eSIM usage method specified by the user in its storage unit, associating it with a user ID used to identify the user of the information terminal 100 (Figure 1 (6)). In this way, the information processing device 200 provides the eSIM to the information terminal 100, enabling the user to use the eSIM according to their own needs.

[0024] [Configuration of the information processing device 200] Figure 2 shows the configuration of the information processing device 200. The information processing device 200 comprises a communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. The control unit 23 comprises a display processing unit 231, an acquisition unit 232, an addition unit 233, and a registration unit 234.

[0025] The communication unit 21 is an interface for communicating with the information terminal 100. The communication unit 21 receives various types of information from the information terminal 100 and inputs the received information into the acquisition unit 232. The communication unit 21 may also communicate with a referral terminal (not shown) owned by the user who refers the eSIM to the target user.

[0026] The memory unit 22 is a storage medium that includes ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory unit 22 stores the program that the control unit 23 will execute.

[0027] The memory unit 22 stores eSIM management data, which associates the eSIM ID, user ID, capacity, target country, and validity period. Figure 3 shows an example of eSIM management data. In the first row from the top in Figure 3, the eSIM ID "J100", user ID "T40", capacity "0.2GB", target country "Japan", and validity period "1 day" are associated. The eSIM management data is referenced by the registration unit 234 to manage the capacity and other information of eSIMs owned by the user.

[0028] The eSIM management data stored in the memory unit 22 may further include information indicating application software that can communicate using the eSIM, or information indicating conditions under which the eSIM cannot be used. The eSIM management data stored in the memory unit 22 may further include information indicating that the eSIM is a sample eSIM and is currently in use.

[0029] If the eSIM management data is for managing eSIMs intended for domestic use, the information of the target country does not need to be associated with the eSIM management data stored in the storage unit 22.

[0030] The control unit 23 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 23 functions as a display processing unit 231, an acquisition unit 232, an addition unit 233, and a registration unit 234 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 22.

[0031] The display processing unit 231 displays various screens on the information terminal 100 via the communication unit 21. The display processing unit 231 displays a first display screen for obtaining an eSIM on the information terminal. Figure 4 shows an example of the first display screen. The first display screen shown in Figure 4 indicates that the user can obtain two sample eSIMs. The upper part of Figure 4 (image B1) shows a sample eSIM that is given to the user free of charge when the application for using eSIMs is launched for the first time. The lower part of Figure 4 (image B2) shows a sample eSIM that is given to the user free of charge in an eSIM campaign. The example shown in Figure 4 is an example where the user can obtain two sample eSIMs, and the first display screen is displayed according to the sample eSIM that the user can obtain. For example, if the user can only obtain the sample eSIM that is given to the user free of charge when the application for using eSIMs is launched for the first time, image B1 will be displayed on the first display screen instead of image B2. Furthermore, for example, if a user is only able to obtain a sample eSIM that is provided free of charge in an eSIM campaign, image B1 will not be displayed on the first display screen, and image B2 will be displayed instead.

[0032] Next, the display processing unit 231 displays a second display screen on the information terminal 100 for specifying how to use the eSIM. The second display screen is, for example, a screen for specifying one or more target countries where the eSIM can be used as a method of use. The second display screen may be the same as the first display screen. Figure 5 shows an example of the second display screen. The second display screen shown in Figure 5 is for the user to specify target countries where the eSIM can be used. In the example in Figure 5, China is specified by the user as a target country for using the eSIM. The display processing unit 231 may also display a screen on the information terminal 100 as the second display screen for the user to specify the capacity of the eSIM to be allocated to the target country specified by the user.

[0033] Figure 6 shows another example of the second display screen. When the user specifies China as the target country for using the eSIM in Figure 5, the second display screen in Figure 6 is displayed. In the example in Figure 6, multiple eSIMs are displayed, all of which are target countries for use in China. For example, the upper left of Figure 6 shows that the eSIM capacity is "1.0GB", the validity period is "8 days", and the target country for use in China.

[0034] The display processing unit 231 may also display a second display screen on the information terminal 100, which allows the user to specify that the eSIM be transferred to another user as a usage method. Alternatively, the display processing unit 231 may also display a second display screen on the information terminal 100, which allows the user to specify that the eSIM be shared among multiple users as a usage method.

[0035] [Acquisition of various types of information] The acquisition unit 232 acquires various information from the information terminal 100 via the communication unit 21. The acquisition unit 232 acquires capacity information indicating the capacity of the eSIM specified by the user of the information terminal 100, associated with the user ID, which is the user's identification information. For example, when the user operates the "Use New" button A1 located in the upper "Sample eSIM at First Startup" display area on the first display screen shown in Figure 4, the acquisition unit 232 acquires capacity information indicating that the eSIM capacity usable per day is 10MB, information indicating that the eSIM is usable for only 23 hours remaining, and the user ID.

[0036] The capacity of the eSIM indicated by the capacity information acquired by the acquisition unit 232 is, for example, the capacity selected by the user from among the multiple eSIM capacity options listed on the first display screen. The eSIM capacity may be determined randomly. For example, an operation button for automatically determining the SIM capacity is displayed on the first display screen. When this operation button is operated by the user, the eSIM capacity is determined randomly, and the acquisition unit 232 may acquire capacity information indicating the determined eSIM capacity.

[0037] The acquisition unit 232 acquires specification information that indicates the method of using the eSIM specified by the user, associated with the user ID. The acquisition unit 232 acquires specification information that specifies adding (also called recharging) the capacity of the eSIM as the method of using the eSIM. For example, the acquisition unit 232 acquires specification information that the user must choose between acquiring a new eSIM or recharging the capacity of the eSIM as the method of use. Acquiring a new eSIM means acquiring a sample eSIM as an eSIM different from the eSIM that the user already owns.

[0038] In the example shown in Figure 4, when the user operates the "Use New" button A3 located in the display area of ​​the lower "Campaign Sample eSIM," the acquisition unit 232 acquires designation information from the information terminal 100 to specify that the user will acquire a new eSIM. On the other hand, when the user operates the "Use for Recharge" button A4 located in the display area of ​​the lower "Campaign Sample eSIM," the acquisition unit 232 acquires designation information to specify that the user will recharge the eSIM's capacity.

[0039] When the acquisition unit 232 acquires the user's specification information that the method of use is to recharge the eSIM capacity, it further acquires information that the user specifies the eSIM to be recharged. Figure 7 shows an example of how the user specifies the eSIM to be recharged. At the top of Figure 7, the eSIM currently in use, "Hello SIM," is displayed. When the user selects the "Select this eSIM" button located within the display area of ​​"Hello SIM," the acquisition unit 232 acquires information from the information terminal 100 that specifies the eSIM "Hello SIM" as the recharge destination.

[0040] The eSIM "Wonder SIM" is displayed at the bottom of Figure 7. When the user selects the "Select this eSIM" button located within the display area of ​​the eSIM "Wonder SIM", the acquisition unit 232 obtains information from the information terminal 100 to specify the eSIM "Wonder SIM" as the recharge destination.

[0041] Figures 8(a) and 8(b) show another example of recharging. Figure 8(a) shows an example of a screen in which the user specifies the eSIM to be recharged. The eSIM currently in use, "Wonder SIM," is displayed at the top of Figure 8(a). When the user operates the "Recharge" button located within the display area of ​​the eSIM "Wonder SIM," the acquisition unit 232 acquires information from the information terminal 100 to specify the eSIM "Wonder SIM" as the recharge destination.

[0042] When recharge is specified as the usage method, the acquisition unit 232 acquires information from the information terminal 100 indicating the amount of capacity to be recharged by the user. Figure 8(b) shows an example of a screen in which the user specifies the amount of capacity to be added by recharge. At the top of Figure 8(b), the usage fee of "150" yen and the validity period of the eSIM after recharge, "7 days," are displayed when the user specifies 1GB as the amount of capacity to be added by recharge. When the user operates the "Select this capacity" button located at the top of Figure 8(b), the acquisition unit 232 acquires information from the information terminal 100 indicating the amount of capacity to be added by recharge, "1GB."

[0043] The lower part of Figure 8(b) displays the usage fee of "250" yen when the user specifies 2GB as the capacity to be added by recharging, and the validity period of the eSIM after recharging, which is "14 days". When the user operates the "Select this capacity" button located at the bottom of Figure 8(b), the acquisition unit 232 acquires information from the information terminal 100 indicating the capacity to be added by recharging, which is "2GB". The capacity added by recharging is not limited to the example specified by the user. For example, the capacity added by recharging may be a randomly determined capacity.

[0044] The acquisition unit 232 may acquire information in advance that specifies the recharge of the eSIM's capacity. For example, the acquisition unit 232 may acquire information in advance that specifies adding a predetermined additional capacity to the remaining capacity of the eSIM when the remaining capacity of the eSIM falls below a certain threshold. The threshold and the additional capacity are, for example, specified in advance by the user.

[0045] The acquisition unit 232 may acquire designation information that specifies one or more target countries where eSIM can be used as the method of use. For example, if China and South Korea are selected by the user as target countries where eSIM can be used on the second display screen shown in Figure 5, the acquisition unit 232 acquires information from the information terminal 100 that specifies China and South Korea as target countries.

[0046] When the acquisition unit 232 acquires designation information specifying multiple target countries as usage methods, it may further acquire the eSIM capacity allocated to each of the multiple target countries. For example, if China and South Korea are selected by the user as target countries where eSIM can be used on the second display screen shown in Figure 6, and 1GB of capacity is allocated to China and 1.5GB of capacity is allocated to South Korea, the acquisition unit 232 acquires information specifying China and South Korea as target countries, as well as the capacity allocated to China (1GB) and the capacity allocated to South Korea (1.5GB).

[0047] The acquisition unit 232 may acquire designation information that specifies transferring the eSIM to another user as the method of use. Figure 9 shows another example of the second display screen displayed by the display processing unit 231. In the second display screen shown in Figure 9, when the "Transfer" button A5 is operated by the user, the acquisition unit 232 acquires information that the user specifies transferring the eSIM to another user. After acquiring the information that the user specifies transferring the eSIM to another user, the acquisition unit 232 further acquires a user ID to identify the other user to whom the eSIM will be transferred.

[0048] The acquisition unit 232 may acquire specification information that specifies that the eSIM will be shared among multiple users as a usage method. In the second display screen shown in Figure 9, when the "Share" button A6 is operated by the user, the acquisition unit 232 acquires information that the user specifies that the eSIM will be shared among multiple users. After acquiring the information that the user specifies that the eSIM will be shared among multiple users, the acquisition unit 232 acquires the user IDs of each of the multiple users who will share the eSIM. The acquisition unit 232 outputs the acquired eSIM capacity to the addition unit 233 and the registration unit 234. The acquisition unit 232 outputs the acquired usage method to the addition unit 233 and the registration unit 234.

[0049] [Adding eSIM capacity] The addition unit 233 adds to the eSIM capacity based on the specified information that specifies the recharge of the eSIM capacity as the usage method. When the acquisition unit 232 acquires this specified information and the information that the user specifies about the capacity to be added by the recharge, the addition unit 233 adds the capacity acquired by the acquisition unit 232 to the remaining capacity of the user's eSIM. At this time, the addition unit 233 adds the capacity to be recharged as specified by the user to the capacity of the eSIM that the user has specified as the eSIM to be recharged.

[0050] The addition unit 233 may add a predetermined additional capacity to the remaining capacity of the eSIM if the remaining capacity of the eSIM is below a certain threshold. For example, if the acquisition unit 232 acquires information that specifies in advance that a predetermined additional capacity should be added to the remaining capacity of the eSIM when the remaining capacity of the eSIM falls below a certain threshold, the addition unit 233 will add the additional capacity to the remaining capacity of the eSIM each time the remaining capacity of the eSIM falls below a certain threshold. The addition unit 233 outputs information indicating the capacity after the addition to the eSIM to the registration unit 234.

[0051] [Registration of various eSIM information] The registration unit 234 communicates with the information terminal 100 via the communication unit 21. The registration unit 234 stores the eSIM capacity specified by the user in the storage unit 22, in association with the user ID acquired by the acquisition unit 232. The registration unit 234 stores the usage method specified by the user in the storage unit 22, in association with the user ID acquired by the acquisition unit 232.

[0052] When the acquisition unit 232 acquires designation information in which the user specifies acquiring a new eSIM as the method of use, the registration unit 234 generates an eSIM ID for a new eSIM that is not stored in the eSIM management data of the storage unit 22. When the acquisition unit 232 acquires designation information in which the user specifies acquiring a new eSIM as the method of use, and the registration unit 234 also acquires information specifying multiple target countries in which the eSIM can be used, and the eSIM capacity allocated to each of the multiple target countries, the registration unit 234 generates an eSIM ID for each target country. The registration unit 234 may also acquire the eSIM ID from the information terminal 100.

[0053] If the acquisition unit 232 has acquired multiple target countries where the eSIM can be used as a usage method, the registration unit 234 adds the generated eSIM ID, the user ID acquired by the acquisition unit 232, the acquired eSIM capacity, the target country, and the validity period to the eSIM management data stored in the storage unit 22, associating them. The validity period is predetermined, for example, according to the eSIM capacity or the target country.

[0054] The registration unit 234 adds the acquired eSIM capacity and other information to the eSIM management data stored in the storage unit 22, and then notifies the user's information terminal 100 that the registration process is complete. Figure 10 shows an example of a notification that the registration process is complete. In the example in Figure 10, the registration unit 234 displays the eSIM capacity "300MB", validity period "0 days 23 hours", and target country "Japan" on the information terminal 100, which were added to the eSIM management data stored in the storage unit 22.

[0055] When the acquisition unit 232 acquires designation information specifying that recharging the eSIM capacity is the usage method, the registration unit 234 stores the eSIM capacity after the addition by the addition unit 233 in the eSIM management data of the storage unit 22, associating it with the user ID. The registration unit 234 may also store the added eSIM capacity in the eSIM management data of the storage unit 22 each time the addition unit 233 adds the added capacity to the remaining capacity of the eSIM. If the eSIM management data of the storage unit 22 stores the capacities of multiple eSIMs corresponding to the user ID, the registration unit 234 changes the eSIM capacity corresponding to the ID of the eSIM specified by the user as the recharge destination in the eSIM management data to the added eSIM capacity.

[0056] The registration unit 234 notifies the user's information terminal 100 that the registration process is complete after changing the eSIM capacity. Figure 11 shows an example of the notification that the registration process is complete. The upper part of Figure 11 shows the capacity of the sample eSIM "Campaign Sample eSIM" used for recharging, "20MB", and its validity period, "0 days 23 hours". The lower part of Figure 11 shows the capacity of the eSIM "Hello SIM" specified by the user as the recharge destination, "3GB", before addition, and its validity period, "20 days". In this way, when the user specifies recharging the eSIM capacity as the method of use, the registration unit 234 can be configured to use an eSIM already owned by the user as the recharge destination, so that only the capacity of the eSIM is added to the recharge destination eSIM.

[0057] When the acquisition unit 232 obtains designation information specifying the transfer of the eSIM as a usage method, the registration unit 234 adds the ID of the eSIM designated by the user to be transferred to the eSIM management data stored in the storage unit 22, associating it with a user ID for identifying the other user to whom the eSIM will be transferred. The registration unit 234 may further associate one or more of the following with the ID of the eSIM obtained by the acquisition unit 232: the capacity of the eSIM, the target country, and the validity period.

[0058] If the acquisition unit 232 acquires designation information that specifies that multiple users will share the eSIM as a usage method, the registration unit 234 generates a group ID to identify the group to which the multiple users sharing the eSIM belong. The registration unit 234 may associate the eSIM ID, the generated group ID, the acquired eSIM capacity, the target country, and the validity period, and add them to the eSIM management data stored in the storage unit 22. The registration unit 234 stores group management data in the storage unit 22 that associates the user ID with the group ID of the group to which the user belongs. The group management data is referenced by the registration unit 234, for example, to identify the group ID of the group to which the user belongs.

[0059] [A variation that provides users with a sample eSIM that can only be used with specific apps or environments] The registration unit 234 may store in the storage unit 22, in association with the user ID, information indicating predetermined application software that the eSIM can use to communicate, or predetermined conditions under which the eSIM cannot be used. The application software may be, for example, application software for acquiring an eSIM, application software for an SNS (Social Networking Service), or application software for a game.

[0060] The predetermined conditions under which the eSIM cannot be used include, for example, the time period during which communication is possible via the eSIM. The acquisition unit 232 acquires from the information terminal 100 capacity information indicating the capacity of the eSIM specified by the user of the information terminal 100, the user ID, and information indicating predetermined application software or predetermined conditions under which communication is possible using the eSIM.

[0061] The registration unit 234 associates the generated eSIM ID, the user ID acquired by the acquisition unit 232, the acquired eSIM capacity, the validity period, and predetermined application software or conditions under which communication is possible using the eSIM, and adds them to the eSIM management data stored in the storage unit 22. In this way, the registration unit 234 provides the user with a sample eSIM that can communicate only with predetermined application software or a sample eSIM that can communicate only under predetermined conditions, thereby guiding the user to want to use a paid eSIM that can communicate with application software other than the predetermined application software or a paid eSIM that can communicate without being restricted by usable conditions.

[0062] [Example of designating the target country and the country of residence as the target country] The acquisition unit 232 may acquire information indicating the destination country to which the user is headed, and the country where the information terminal 100 is located before heading to the destination country, as target countries where eSIM can be used. First, the acquisition unit 232 acquires information indicating the destination country to which the user is headed as a target country where eSIM can be used. For example, if the user makes a reservation for an aircraft to the destination country using the information terminal 100, the acquisition unit 232 acquires information indicating this destination country as the first target country from the management device owned by the airline of this aircraft.

[0063] When a user is traveling to a distant destination country, they may be located in a different country before arriving at the destination country. For this reason, the acquisition unit 232 may acquire information indicating the country where the information terminal 100 is located before arriving at the destination country as a second target country. For example, at the same time that the acquisition unit 232 acquires information indicating the country where the information terminal 100 is located as a second target country, it may acquire information indicating the country where the information terminal 100 is located as a second target country.

[0064] The registration unit 234 stores the destination country as the first target country in the eSIM management data of the storage unit 22, in association with the user ID. The registration unit 234 may further store one or more of the following in the eSIM management data of the storage unit 22, in association with this destination country: the eSIM ID, the first capacity of the eSIM, and the validity period. The first capacity may be a predetermined capacity or a capacity specified by the user.

[0065] The registration unit 234 stores the country of residence as a second target country in the eSIM management data of the storage unit 22, in association with the user ID. The registration unit 234 may further store one or more of the following in the eSIM management data of the storage unit 22, in association with this country of residence: the eSIM ID, the eSIM's second capacity, and its validity period. The second capacity may be a predetermined capacity or a capacity specified by the user. In this way, the registration unit 234 can automatically register the user's destination country and the country where the information terminal 100 is located on the way to the destination country as target countries where the eSIM can be used, thereby simplifying the user's registration process.

[0066] The method by which the acquisition unit 232 acquires information indicating the country of location is not limited to the example of acquiring information indicating the country where the information terminal 100 is located as a second target country at the time the information indicating the destination country is acquired. For example, the acquisition unit 232 may acquire information indicating the country where the information terminal 100 is located as a second target country at the time when the aircraft lands in a country other than the destination country while the user is en route to the destination country. Specifically, the acquisition unit 232 estimates the timing when the movement speed of the user's information terminal 100 decreases as the timing when the aircraft has landed, and acquires information indicating the country where the information terminal 100 is located as a second target country at this timing. The acquisition unit 232 may also acquire information indicating the country where the information terminal 100 is located as a second target country at the time the information terminal 100 receives a user operation to specify a second target country. The acquisition unit 232 may also acquire aircraft reservation information indicating a country to which the aircraft is connecting as information indicating the country of location.

[0067] [Processing procedure for providing eSIM by information processing device 200] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure for providing an eSIM to a user by the information processing device 200. This procedure begins, for example, when the information terminal 100 receives an operation from a user to launch application software for obtaining a sample eSIM. This application software is provided from the information processing device 200, which is accessible to the information terminal 100, for example, via a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) installed in a store affiliated with the eSIM provider, or via an affiliate advertisement posted by a blog operator, etc. This application software may also be provided from a server other than the information processing device 200.

[0068] First, the information terminal 100 executes the process of starting application software to acquire a sample eSIM (S101). Next, the registration unit 234 performs user authentication processing (S102). The display processing unit 231 displays a first display screen for acquiring an eSIM (S103). The registration unit 234 determines whether the acquisition unit 232 has acquired the designation information that the user has selected an eSIM of any capacity from among the multiple capacity eSIMs listed on the first display screen and that the new acquisition of this eSIM is specified as the usage method (S104). If the registration unit 234 determines that the acquisition unit 232 has acquired the information that specifies the new acquisition of an eSIM of any capacity (YES in S104), it performs the new acquisition process (S105).

[0069] The registration unit 234 determines whether the acquisition unit 232 has acquired information specifying an eSIM of any capacity from among the multiple capacity eSIMs listed on the first display screen, and specifying that this eSIM be used to recharge other eSIMs (S106). If the registration unit 234 determines that the acquisition unit 232 has acquired information specifying that an eSIM of any capacity be used to recharge (YES in S106), it performs the recharge process (S107). The acquisition unit 232 determines whether it has acquired information that the user has specified to terminate the application (S108). If the acquisition unit 232 has acquired information that the user has specified to terminate the application (YES in S108), it terminates the process.

[0070] If the registration unit 234 determines in the S104 determination that the acquisition unit 232 has not acquired information specifying the acquisition of a new eSIM of any capacity (S104 NO), it proceeds to the process of S106. If the registration unit 234 determines in the S106 determination that the acquisition unit 232 has not acquired information specifying that an eSIM of any capacity should be used for recharging (S106 NO), it proceeds to the process of S108. If the acquisition unit 232 determines in the S108 determination that it has not acquired information that the user has specified the termination of the application (S108 NO), it returns to the process of S101.

[0071] [User Authentication Process Procedure] Figure 13 shows an example of the user authentication process (S102) procedure in Figure 12. The display processing unit 231 determines whether the user is eligible for the eSIM campaign (S201). The campaign is run, for example, to promote eSIMs. As an example, if the target age range for the eSIM campaign is 10 years old or older and 30 years old or younger, the display processing unit 231 determines whether the user's age falls within this range.

[0072] If the display processing unit 231 determines that the user is eligible for the eSIM campaign (YES in S201), it adds the campaign sample eSIM to the list of sample eSIMs to be displayed on the first display screen for obtaining the eSIM (S202). The acquisition unit 232 determines whether the application for obtaining the sample eSIM is being launched for the first time (S203).

[0073] If the acquisition unit 232 determines that the application for acquiring a sample eSIM is being launched for the first time (YES in S203), it acquires various information such as the user's name and password from the information terminal 100, associates the acquired information with the user ID, and registers it in the storage unit 22 (S204). The display processing unit 231 adds the sample eSIM from the first launch to the list of sample eSIMs enumerated when the first display screen is displayed (S205), and then terminates the process.

[0074] If the display processing unit 231 determines in the S201 determination that the user is not eligible for the eSIM campaign (S201 NO), it proceeds to the S203 determination. If the display processing unit 231 determines in the S203 determination that this is the second or later launch of the application for obtaining the sample eSIM (S203 NO), it terminates the process.

[0075] [Procedure for New Acquisition] Figure 14 shows an example of the procedure for the new acquisition process (S105) in Figure 12. The display processing unit 231 displays a second display screen on the information terminal 100 for specifying the target countries where eSIM can be used as the method of using eSIM (S301). The acquisition unit 232 determines whether or not it has acquired information specifying the target countries where eSIM can be used from the information terminal 100 (S302).

[0076] If the acquisition unit 232 determines that it has acquired information from the information terminal 100 specifying the target countries where eSIMs can be used (YES in S302), it determines whether the information terminal 100 is a model that supports eSIMs of these target countries (S303). If the acquisition unit 232 determines that the information terminal 100 is a model that supports eSIMs of these target countries (YES in S303), it causes the information terminal 100 to install the eSIM (S304) and terminates the process.

[0077] If the acquisition unit 232 determines in the determination in S302 that it has not acquired information from the information terminal 100 that specifies the target country where eSIM can be used (NO in S302), it repeats the determination in S302. If the acquisition unit 232 determines in the determination in S303 that the information terminal 100 is not a model that supports eSIMs of the target country (NO in S303), it displays a confirmation screen on the information terminal 100 notifying the user that the information terminal 100 is not a model that supports eSIMs of the target country (S305), and terminates the process.

[0078] [Recharge procedure] Figure 15 shows an example of the procedure for the recharge process (S107) in Figure 12. The display processing unit 231 displays a list of eSIMs owned by the user that can be designated as a recharge destination (S401). The acquisition unit 232 determines whether it has acquired information from the information terminal 100 in which the user specifies the eSIM to be recharged (S402). If the acquisition unit 232 has acquired information in which the user specifies the eSIM to be recharged (YES in S402), the registration unit 234 determines whether it has acquired information in which the user instructs to purchase a sample eSIM for recharge (S403).

[0079] If the acquisition unit 232 obtains information indicating that the user instructs to purchase a sample eSIM for recharging (YES in S403), the display processing unit 231 displays a message on the information terminal 100 notifying that no communication charges will be incurred during the series of communications for the recharging process (S404). The acquisition unit 232 determines whether or not it has obtained information indicating that the user instructs to purchase a paid eSIM other than the sample eSIM for recharging (S405). If the acquisition unit 232 obtains information indicating that the user instructs to purchase a paid eSIM other than the sample eSIM (YES in S405), the registration unit 234 performs a settlement process to bill the user for the fee corresponding to the eSIM to be purchased (S406).

[0080] The addition unit 233 adds the capacity to be added by the recharge to the capacity of the eSIM designated by the user as the eSIM to be recharged. The registration unit 234 stores the eSIM capacity after the addition by the addition unit 233 in the eSIM management data of the storage unit 22, associating it with the user ID. The registration unit 234 notifies the user's information terminal 100 of the completion of the recharge process (S407) and terminates the process.

[0081] If the acquisition unit 232 determines in the determination in S402 that it has not acquired information from the information terminal 100 in which the user specifies the eSIM to be recharged (NO in S402), it repeats the determination in S402. If the registration unit 234 determines in the determination in S403 that it has not acquired information in which the user instructs to purchase a sample eSIM for recharge (NO in S403), it proceeds to the process in S405. If the registration unit 234 determines in the determination in S405 that the acquisition unit 232 has not acquired information in which the user instructs to purchase a paid eSIM for recharge (NO in S405), it proceeds to the process in S407.

[0082] [A variation of showing an advertisement to a user] If an eSIM provider offers a sample eSIM free of charge, the provider will not generate any revenue even if a user uses the sample eSIM. Therefore, the information processing device 200 may be configured to allow the provider to earn advertising fees from advertisers by providing the sample eSIM on the condition that the user views an advertisement.

[0083] As an example, the information processing device 200 obtains information from the advertiser (hereinafter referred to as the "referring user") about the person they want to show the advertisement to (hereinafter referred to as the "referred user"), sends the advertisement to the referred user, and makes a sample eSIM available after the advertisement has been viewed. This allows the referring user to have the referred user view the advertisement, and the eSIM provider can have the referred user try out the sample eSIM while the referring user bears the cost of the sample eSIM, thus benefiting both parties.

[0084] In order for the information processing device 200 to provide advertisements and earn revenue based on advertisements, the storage unit 22 may also store advertisement playback time data that associates the eSIM capacity, the advertisement playback time, and the advertisement fee per unit. Figure 16 shows an example of advertisement playback time data. In the first row from the top of Figure 16, the capacity "0.5GB", the advertisement playback time "45 seconds", and the advertisement fee per unit "100 yen" are associated. The advertisement playback time data stored in the storage unit 22 does not necessarily include the advertisement fee per unit. The advertisement playback time data is referenced by the registration unit 234 to determine the capacity of the sample eSIM to be provided to the user of the information terminal 100 when the information terminal 100 plays an advertisement video.

[0085] The acquisition unit 232 communicates with the referring terminal (not shown) via the communication unit 21. The referring terminal is an information terminal owned by the referring user who introduces a new user (hereinafter also referred to as the referred user) to whom they want to introduce an eSIM. The acquisition unit 232 obtains the referred address of the referred user to whom they want to introduce an eSIM. For example, the acquisition unit 232 obtains the referred address from the referring terminal.

[0086] The acquisition unit 232 acquires the referral address, as well as the advertising video that it wants the referred user to watch. The advertising video is intended to provide the referring user with a benefit by introducing the referred user to a product or service related to the referring user.

[0087] The acquisition unit 232 transmits the acquired advertising video to the referral address of the referral user's information terminal 100. The acquisition unit 232 obtains information from the referral address indicating that playback of the transmitted advertising video has been completed.

[0088] When the acquisition unit 232 obtains information from the referral address indicating that the playback of the advertising video has been completed, the registration unit 234 reads out advertising playback time data from the storage unit 22, which associates the eSIM capacity, playback time, and advertising fee unit price. The registration unit 234 refers to the read advertising playback time data to identify the capacity of the sample eSIM corresponding to the playback time of this advertising video. The registration unit 234 may increase the number of countries in which the sample eSIM can be used as the playback time of the advertising video is longer.

[0089] The registration unit 234 generates an ID for a sample eSIM of the specified capacity. The registration unit 234 adds the ID of the specified eSIM of the specified capacity to the eSIM management data stored in the storage unit 22, associating it with the user ID of the referred user, thereby enabling the referred user to use the eSIM. In the eSIM management data stored in the storage unit 22, one or more of the following may be associated with the eSIM ID: the eSIM capacity, the target country, and the validity period. The display processing unit 231 displays a message on the referred user's information terminal 100 notifying them that a sample eSIM of the specified capacity has been provided to the referred user.

[0090] [Processing steps for sending advertising videos] Figure 17 shows an example of the processing procedure for transmitting an advertising video by the information processing device 200. This processing procedure starts, for example, when the referring terminal starts communication with the information processing device 200.

[0091] First, the referring terminal accepts an operation from the referring user to select an advertising video (S501). The referring terminal accepts an operation from the referring user to specify the destination address of the information terminal 100 of the user to whom the eSIM should be introduced (S502). The referring terminal transmits the advertising video that the referring user selected to show the destination user, along with the destination address, to the information processing device 200. The acquisition unit 232 acquires the advertising video and the destination address.

[0092] The acquisition unit 232 transmits the acquired advertising video to the referral address corresponding to the information terminal 100 of the referred user. The information terminal 100 plays the received advertising video (S503).

[0093] The information terminal 100 sends playback completion information to the information processing device 200, indicating that the playback of the transmitted advertising video has been completed. The acquisition unit 232 acquires the playback completion information. The acquisition unit 232 identifies the capacity of the sample eSIM corresponding to the playback time of the transmitted advertising video (S504). The registration unit 234 generates an ID for the eSIM of the identified capacity. The registration unit 234 associates the generated eSIM ID with the user ID of the referred user and adds it to the eSIM management data stored in the storage unit 22. The display processing unit 231 displays a message on the referred user's information terminal 100 notifying the user that a sample eSIM of the identified capacity has been provided to the user.

[0094] In this modified example, the registration unit 234 assigns a sample eSIM with a capacity corresponding to the playback time of the advertisement video played by the referred user to the information terminal 100 of the referred user. Since this advertisement video is specified by the referring user, it can be made that the referring user has an incentive to introduce the eSIM to the referred user. Therefore, the registration unit 234 can increase the chances of the eSIM being introduced to the referred user.

[0095] In the above explanation, we have provided an example where the referring terminal sends an advertising video to the information processing device 200 each time it receives a specified destination address. However, the advertising video may be stored in the information processing device 200 in advance, and the referring terminal that receives a specified destination address may send an instruction to the information processing device 200 to send the advertising video to the destination address.

[0096] [Effects of the Information Processing Device 200 of the present invention] In the information processing device 200 of this embodiment, the registration unit 234 provides the eSIM to the information terminal 100, enabling the user to use the eSIM according to their own needs.

[0097] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0098] 21 Communications Department 22 Memory section 23 Control Unit 100 Information Terminals 200 Information Processing Devices 231 Display Processing Unit 232 Acquisition Department 233 Addition section 234 Registration Department

Claims

1. A computer executes A first display step involves displaying a screen for obtaining an eSIM on the information terminal, A user registration step involves storing the eSIM capacity specified by the user in the storage unit, in association with user identification information for identifying the user of the information terminal. A second display step involves displaying a screen on the information terminal for specifying how to use the eSIM, A registration step of storing the usage method specified by the user in the storage unit in association with the user identification information, An information processing method having

2. In the second display step, the information terminal is shown a screen for specifying the target countries in which the eSIM can be used as the method of use. The information processing method according to claim 1.

3. In the second display step, the information terminal displays a screen for specifying the target countries where the eSIM can be used, and a screen for specifying the capacity of the eSIM to be allocated to those target countries. The information processing method according to claim 2.

4. The process further includes a country information acquisition step that acquires information indicating the country where the information terminal is located and the destination country to which the user is headed, In the registration step, the target country and the country where the user resides are stored in the storage unit as the target country in association with the user identification information. The information processing method according to claim 2 or 3.

5. A specification acquisition step of obtaining the user identification information and specification information specifying the addition of the eSIM capacity from the information terminal, An addition step is performed to add the capacity of the eSIM based on the specified information, A re-registration step in which the added capacity of the eSIM is stored in the storage unit in association with the user identification information, Further including, The information processing method according to claim 1.

6. A selection acquisition step of obtaining the user identification information, information specifying the recharge of the eSIM capacity, and information indicating the capacity to be recharged from the information terminal, An addition step in which the capacity acquired in the designated acquisition step is added to the remaining capacity of the eSIM, A re-registration step in which the added capacity of the eSIM is stored in the storage unit in association with the user identification information, Further including, The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. If the remaining capacity of the eSIM is below a certain value, an addition step is performed to add a predetermined capacity to the remaining capacity. A re-registration step in which the added capacity, which is the added capacity of the eSIM after addition, is stored in the storage unit in association with the user identification information, Further including, The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. In the second display step, the information terminal displays the screen for transferring the eSIM to another user as a method of use. In the registration step, the eSIM designated by the user to be transferred is stored in the storage unit in association with the user identification information for identifying the other user. The information processing method according to claim 1.

9. In the user registration step, the storage unit is made to store the capacity of the eSIM, which has been randomly determined in association with the user identification information. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. In the registration step, the storage unit is made to store, in association with the user identification information, a predetermined application software that can communicate using the eSIM or conditions under which the eSIM cannot be used, as the method of use. The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. A referral acquisition step that obtains the referral address of a user to whom you want to introduce eSIM, and an advertising video to which you want that user to watch, A transmission step of sending the acquired advertising video to the aforementioned referral address, The referral registration step further includes, when information indicating that the playback of the aforementioned advertising video has been completed is received from the referral address, storing the eSIM capacity corresponding to the playback time of the advertising video in the storage unit in association with the user identification information of the referral user, The information processing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. A display processing unit that displays a screen for obtaining an eSIM and a screen for specifying how to use the eSIM on an information terminal, A registration unit that stores in a storage unit the capacity of the eSIM acquired by the user and the usage method specified by the user, in association with user identification information for identifying the user of the information terminal. An information processing device having

13. On the computer, A first display step involves displaying a screen for obtaining an eSIM on the information terminal, A user registration step involves storing the eSIM capacity acquired by the user in a storage unit, in association with user identification information for identifying the user of the information terminal. A second display step involves displaying a screen on the information terminal for specifying how to use the eSIM, A registration step of storing the usage method specified by the user in the storage unit in association with the user identification information, A program that executes the command.

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