Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

The goal is to apply slice networks with relatively good communication quality to wireless terminals, while taking into account the usage status of slice networks. [Solution] The information processing device 1 includes a receiving unit 131 that receives a request to apply a slice network to the communication of a wireless terminal 2 used by a user, an area identification unit 132 that identifies the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located, a congestion identification unit 133 that identifies a first congestion level, which is the congestion level of a first slice network provided in the identified area, and an application unit 135 that applies the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 if the first congestion level is less than a first threshold, and applies a second slice network, which has inferior communication quality compared to the first slice network, to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 if the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, it has been known to enable a user to use a slice network, which is a network obtained by virtually dividing a communication network. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an apparatus that applies a slice network to a user's wireless terminal in response to the user's application for using the slice network.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a plurality of slice networks with different communication qualities can be applied to a user's wireless terminal, it is required to apply a slice network with a relatively better communication quality to the wireless terminal as much as possible.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to be able to apply a slice network with a relatively better communication quality to a wireless terminal while considering the usage situation of the slice network.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a receiving unit that receives a request to apply a slice network, which virtually divides a communication network, to the communication of a wireless terminal used by a user; an area identification unit that identifies an area where the wireless terminal is located; a congestion level identification unit that identifies a first congestion level, which is the congestion level of a first slice network provided in the area identified by the area identification unit; and an application unit that, if the first congestion level identified by the congestion level identification unit is less than a first threshold, applies the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal corresponding to the application request, and if the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold, applies a second slice network, which has inferior communication quality compared to the first slice network, provided in the area, to the communication of the wireless terminal corresponding to the application request.

[0007] The first slice network is a slice network that guarantees communication of a predetermined quality, and the second slice network may be a slice network that does not guarantee communication of the predetermined quality.

[0008] The application unit may apply the first slice network, which guarantees a predetermined bandwidth, when the first congestion level is less than the first threshold, and may apply the second slice network, which is given priority over best-effort communication, when the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold.

[0009] The first slice network may be a slice network that guarantees a first bandwidth, and the second slice network may be a slice network that guarantees a second bandwidth that is narrower than the first bandwidth.

[0010] The first slice network and the second slice network are slice networks in which communication is given priority over best-effort communication, and the priority of communication of a wireless terminal receiving the application request in the first slice network over best-effort communication may be higher than the priority of communication of a wireless terminal receiving the application request in the second slice network over best-effort communication.

[0011] The congestion level identification unit identifies a second congestion level, which is the congestion level of the second slice network provided in the area identified by the area identification unit, and the application unit may control the application of the slice network to the wireless terminal's communication if the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the second congestion level is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

[0012] The congestion level identification unit repeatedly identifies the first congestion level and the second congestion level when the second congestion level is equal to or greater than the second threshold, and the information processing device may have a notification unit that notifies the wireless terminal that the slice network is applicable when the first congestion level newly identified by the congestion level identification unit in the area identified by the area identification unit falls below the first threshold or the second congestion level falls below the second threshold.

[0013] The congestion level identification unit may identify the number of users of the first slice network provided in the area where the wireless terminal identified by the area identification unit is located as the first congestion level.

[0014] The congestion level identification unit may identify the amount of wireless resources used for the first slice network provided in the area where the wireless terminal identified by the area identification unit is located as the first congestion level.

[0015] The area identification unit identifies the location of the wireless terminal and identifies the area containing the identified location as the area where the wireless terminal is located among a plurality of areas. The congestion level identification unit manages the first congestion level corresponding to the first slice network provided in each of the plurality of areas and may identify the first congestion level corresponding to the area identified by the area identification unit among the first slice network provided in each of the plurality of areas.

[0016] The area identification unit identifies a wireless communication base station to which the wireless terminal is connected, identifies the area where the identified base station is located as the area where the wireless terminal is located, and the congestion level identification unit manages the first congestion level corresponding to the first slice network provided in each of the multiple areas, and may identify the first congestion level corresponding to the area identified by the area identification unit from among the first slice networks provided in each of the multiple areas.

[0017] The congestion level identification unit may identify the congestion level of the downlink traffic of the first slice network, or the congestion level of the uplink traffic of the first slice network, as the congestion level of the first slice network provided in the area where the wireless terminal is located.

[0018] The congestion level identification unit identifies an uplink first congestion level, which is the congestion level of the uplink traffic of the first slice network, and a downlink first congestion level, which is the congestion level of the downlink traffic of the first slice network, as the congestion level of the first slice network provided in the area where the wireless terminal is located. The application unit may apply the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal if the uplink first congestion level identified by the congestion level identification unit is less than a predetermined uplink threshold and the downlink first congestion level is less than a predetermined downlink threshold. If the uplink first congestion level is equal to or greater than the predetermined uplink threshold or the downlink first congestion level is equal to or greater than the predetermined downlink threshold, the application unit may apply the second slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal.

[0019] The reception unit accepts a request to apply the slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal by accepting the use of a ticket for applying the slice network, and there are multiple types of tickets, each ticket of the multiple types is associated with an uplink weight value, which is the weight value of uplink traffic, and a downlink weight value, which is the weight value of downlink traffic, and the application unit may apply the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal if the uplink first congestion level after applying the first slice network to the wireless terminal, based on the uplink first congestion level and the uplink weight value associated with the ticket accepted by the reception unit, is less than the predetermined uplink threshold, and the downlink first congestion level after applying the first slice network to the wireless terminal, based on the downlink first congestion level and the downlink weight value associated with the ticket accepted by the reception unit, is less than the predetermined downlink threshold.

[0020] The information processing device may further include a setting unit that sets the charges related to the application of the slice network based on the type of slice network applied to the communication of the wireless terminal.

[0021] The congestion level identification unit identifies an area congestion level, which is the degree of communication congestion in the area identified by the area identification unit, and the application unit may determine the first threshold based on the area congestion level identified by the congestion level identification unit.

[0022] The information processing method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes: a reception unit that receives, executed by a computer, an application request for a slice network obtained by virtually dividing a communication network for communication of a wireless terminal used by a user; an area identification unit that identifies an area where the wireless terminal is located; a congestion degree identification unit that identifies a first congestion degree which is the congestion degree of a first slice network provided in the area identified by the area identification unit; an application unit that, when the first congestion degree identified by the congestion degree identification unit is less than a first threshold value, applies the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal corresponding to the application request, and when the first congestion degree is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, applies a second slice network provided in the area and having a communication quality inferior to that of the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal corresponding to the application request.

Effect of the Invention

[0023] According to the present invention, there is an effect that a slice network with relatively good communication quality can be applied to a wireless terminal while considering the usage status of the slice network.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0024] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining the outline of a communication system. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing the functional configuration of an information processing apparatus. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of provided area information. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of applied user information. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of application number information. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of a selection reception screen. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a purchase reception screen. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of a settlement screen. [Figure 9] It is a flowchart showing the processing flow in an information processing apparatus. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0025] [Overview of Information Processing Device 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the overview of the communication system S. The communication system S comprises an information processing device 1 and a wireless terminal 2, and is a network that virtually divides the communication network, and is a system for applying a predetermined slice network with a predetermined communication quality guaranteed to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0026] The information processing device 1 is a computer that controls the application of a predetermined slice network to the communication of a wireless terminal 2. The communication network is, for example, a communication network provided in a 5G (5th Generation) SA (Stand Alone) area. A 5G SA area is, for example, an area where wireless communication is performed using dedicated communication equipment for 5G communication and 5G base stations. The communication network also includes not only wireless communication networks but also wired core networks. The predetermined slice network includes a first slice network in which a predetermined quality of communication is guaranteed and a second slice network in which a predetermined quality of communication is not guaranteed.

[0027] The first slice network is, for example, a slice network in which a predetermined bandwidth is guaranteed. The second slice network is a slice network in which communication is prioritized over best-effort communication.

[0028] The information processing device 1 can apply a first or second slice network, which is a predetermined slice network, to the communication of a wireless terminal that uses the communication network provided in the 5G SA area, by having a communication device that manages the allocation of resource blocks to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 control the allocation of resource blocks to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. Before the application of the predetermined slice network, it is assumed that no slice network is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, or that a predetermined default slice network, such as a slice network to which best-effort communication is applied, is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0029] In this embodiment, a user can have their wireless terminal 2 used to communicate with either the first or second slice network, which is a predetermined slice network, by purchasing a ticket to be applied to a predetermined slice network, or by using a ticket they already possess. Hereinafter, the ticket for using the predetermined slice network will also simply be referred to as a ticket.

[0030] Information processing device 1 is connected to a wireless terminal 2, such as a smartphone, which is a user terminal used by a user, in a communicative manner. Information processing device 1 receives a request to apply to a predetermined slice network from the user's wireless terminal 2, for example, by accepting the purchase or use of a ticket (Figure 1 (1)). When information processing device 1 receives a request to apply to a predetermined slice network, it identifies the area where the wireless terminal 2 that made the request is located (Figure 1 (2)).

[0031] The information processing device 1 identifies a first congestion level, which is the congestion level of the first slice network provided in the identified area (Figure 1, (3)). If the identified first congestion level is less than a first threshold, which is a threshold indicating that the resources of the first slice network are insufficient, the information processing device 1 applies the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 that responds to the application request (Figure 1, (4-1)). If the identified first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the information processing device 1 applies the second slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 that responds to the application request (Figure 1, (4-2)).

[0032] In this way, the information processing device 1 can apply the first slice network, which has relatively better communication quality compared to the second slice network, to the wireless terminal 2, while taking into account the usage status of the first slice network.

[0033] [Functional configuration of the information processing device 1] Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device 1. The information processing device 1 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0034] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface for sending and receiving data with external devices such as the wireless terminal 2 and communication equipment that manages the communication network. The memory unit 12 is a storage medium for storing various types of data and includes ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and hard disks. The memory unit 12 stores programs to be executed by the control unit 13. The memory unit 12 stores programs that cause the control unit 13 to function as a reception unit 131, an area identification unit 132, a congestion level identification unit 133, a setting unit 134, an application unit 135, and a notification unit 136.

[0035] Furthermore, the storage unit 12 stores tickets for using predetermined slice networks that virtually divide the communication network, and area information indicating the service area, which is the area where the predetermined slice network is provided.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of service area information. The service area information shown in Figure 3 includes an area ID for identifying the service area provided by the slice network, the area name of the service area, and latitude and longitude information indicating the center position of the service area. The service area is defined as the area enclosed by a circle with a predetermined radius, centered at the location indicated by the latitude and longitude information. The predetermined distance is the same for each of the multiple service areas, but it may be different.

[0037] The service area is defined as the area enclosed by a circle with a predetermined radius, centered on the location indicated by the latitude and longitude information, but is not limited to this. The service area may be constructed in any shape or by multiple circles, or it may be managed by dividing the region into a grid.

[0038] Furthermore, the storage unit 12 stores applicable user information that associates the area ID of the service area, the service type which is the type of slice network provided in that service area, and the user IDs of users to whom the slice network corresponding to that service type is applied in that service area. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of applicable user information. As shown in Figure 4, it can be confirmed that the user IDs of multiple users to whom the slice network corresponding to that service type is applied are associated with the area ID and the service type.

[0039] The service type, which is the type of slice network, indicates whether a given slice network is the first slice network or the second slice network. In the example shown in Figure 5, service type "A" indicates the first slice network, service type "B" indicates the second slice network, and service type "C" indicates a predetermined default slice network. The default slice network is the slice network to which users to which the given slice network does not apply are connected.

[0040] In the example shown in Figure 4, no user ID is associated with area ID "A001" and service type "B," indicating that the second slice network for area ID "A001" is not applied to anyone.

[0041] Furthermore, the storage unit 12 stores application count information, which associates the area ID of the service area, the service type of the slice network provided in the service area, and the application count, which is the number of wireless terminals that are receiving the service of that service type of slice network. Figure 5 shows an example of application count information. As shown in Figure 5, it can be confirmed that an application count corresponding to each of the multiple service types is associated with the area ID.

[0042] The control unit 13 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). By executing the program stored in the memory unit 12, the control unit 13 functions as a reception unit 131, an area identification unit 132, a congestion level identification unit 133, a setting unit 134, an application unit 135, and a notification unit 136.

[0043] [Select available tickets] First, the process from displaying a selection screen on the wireless terminal 2 to allow the user to select an available ticket to receiving the ticket selection from the user will be explained. The reception unit 131 receives a request to display a selection screen, which is a screen for purchasing or using a ticket to use the slice network. For example, the reception unit 131 obtains a request to display the selection screen from the wireless terminal 2. The display request includes, for example, terminal location information indicating the location of the wireless terminal 2, measured at the wireless terminal 2, and a user ID to identify the user of the wireless terminal 2.

[0044] The area identification unit 132 identifies the service area where the wireless terminal 2 used by the user is located. The area identification unit 132 identifies the location of the wireless terminal 2 and identifies the service area that includes the identified location among multiple service areas as the service area where the wireless terminal 2 is located. In the following description, the service area where the wireless terminal 2 is located is also referred to as the stay area.

[0045] Specifically, first, the area identification unit 132 identifies the terminal location of the wireless terminal 2 based on the terminal location information included in the display request of the selection acceptance screen obtained from the wireless terminal 2. Next, the area identification unit 132 refers to the provided area information stored in the storage unit 12 and calculates the distance between the terminal location of the wireless terminal 2 and the center position of the provided area indicated by the latitude and longitude information of each of the multiple provided areas. The area identification unit 132 identifies the provided area corresponding to the center position within a predetermined distance from the terminal location of the wireless terminal 2 as the area where the wireless terminal 2 is staying.

[0046] The area identification unit 132 identifies the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located as the area of ​​stay, but is not limited to this. The area identification unit 132 may also identify the base station of the wireless communication to which the wireless terminal 2 is connected, and identify the area where the identified base station is located as the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located.

[0047] In this case, the display request for the selection screen includes the cell ID of the cell covered by the base station of the communication network to which the wireless terminal 2 is connected. The storage unit 12 also stores the cell ID in association with location information indicating the location of the base station corresponding to that cell ID. The area identification unit 132 identifies the base station indicated by the cell ID included in the display request for the selection screen as the base station of the wireless communication network to which the wireless terminal 2 is connected. The area identification unit 132 then identifies the location of the base station stored in the storage unit 12 in association with that cell ID, refers to the area information, and identifies the area where the base station is located as the stay area.

[0048] The congestion level identification unit 133 manages a first congestion level corresponding to a first slice network provided in each of the multiple areas, a second congestion level corresponding to a second slice network, and the congestion level in each area. The first congestion level is, for example, the number of applications associated with service type "A" in the application count information of the storage unit 12, and the second congestion level is, for example, the number of applications associated with service type "B" in the application count information. The congestion level identification unit 133 obtains, for example, the area ID and the number of applications for each of the multiple service types from the communication equipment for realizing the slice network provided in each of the multiple areas, and updates the application count information stored in the storage unit 12.

[0049] The congestion level identification unit 133 identifies a first congestion level, which is the congestion level of the first slice network provided in the stay area identified by the area identification unit 132. The congestion level identification unit 133 also identifies a second congestion level, which is the congestion level of the second slice network provided in the stay area.

[0050] Specifically, the congestion level identification unit 133 refers to the application count information stored in the storage unit 12 and identifies the application count associated with the area ID of the stay area and service type "A," that is, the number of users of the first slice network provided in the stay area, as the first congestion level.

[0051] Similarly, the congestion level identification unit 133 refers to the application count information and identifies the application count associated with the area ID of the stay area and service type "B," that is, the number of users of the second slice network provided in the stay area, as the second congestion level. The congestion level identification unit 133 may also identify the second congestion level if the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold.

[0052] Furthermore, the congestion level identification unit 133 identifies the area congestion level, which is the level of communication congestion in the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located, as identified by the area identification unit 132. For example, the congestion level identification unit 133 refers to the application count information stored in the storage unit 12 and identifies the application count associated with service type "C" associated with the area ID of the location as the area congestion level.

[0053] The setting unit 134 sets the charges for applying a predetermined slice network based on the service type of the predetermined slice network to be applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. For example, the storage unit 12 stores charge information that associates the area ID, the service type, and the charges for applying the predetermined slice network. Here, since the communication quality of the first slice network is higher than that of the second slice network, the charges for applying the first slice network are set higher than the charges for applying the second slice network. In other words, in the charge information, the charges associated with service type "A" are set higher than the charges associated with service type "B".

[0054] Based on the first and second congestion levels identified by the congestion level identification unit 133, the setting unit 134 identifies whether the slice network to be applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 is the first slice network or the second slice network, thereby identifying the service type of the slice network to be applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. The setting unit 134 sets the area ID of the area of ​​stay and the charges associated with the identified service type as the charges related to the application of the slice network.

[0055] The reception unit 131 determines whether a first slice network or a second slice network, designated as a predetermined slice network, is applicable to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, based on the first and second congestion levels of the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located, as determined by the congestion level identification unit 133. If the reception unit 131 determines that a predetermined slice network is applicable to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, it displays a selection screen on the wireless terminal 2 that allows the user to select a ticket for purchase or use a ticket associated with the predetermined slice network.

[0056] Figure 6 shows an example of a selection screen. In Figure 6, it can be seen that a selection screen is displayed that allows the user to select tickets that can be purchased in the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located, or tickets that the user owns and can be used in the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located.

[0057] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 6, it can be confirmed that a purchase procedure button for proceeding with the purchase of a purchasable ticket and the fee (payment amount) for applying the predetermined slice network, as set by the setting unit 134, are displayed. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 6, it can be confirmed that a usage procedure button for proceeding with the usage procedure of an available ticket is displayed. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 6, it can be confirmed that for each of the two tickets, "30 minutes" is displayed as the ticket validity period, which is the application period during which the predetermined slice network is applied to the wireless terminal as a result of purchasing the ticket.

[0058] Furthermore, if the reception unit 131 determines that a predetermined slice network cannot be applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, it may refuse to display the selection reception screen in response to a request to display the selection reception screen, and instead of displaying the selection reception screen, it may cause the wireless terminal 2 to display an error screen indicating that the predetermined slice network cannot be applied.

[0059] [Confirming the use of the selected ticket] Next, we will explain the process from accepting the selection of a ticket on the selection screen to confirming the use of the selected ticket and confirming the application of the specified slice network.

[0060] When the purchase procedure button is pressed on the selection reception screen, the reception unit 131 accepts the selection of the ticket corresponding to the pressed purchase procedure button. The reception unit 131 then transmits a purchase reception screen accepting the purchase of the selected ticket to the wireless terminal 2 and displays the purchase reception screen on the wireless terminal 2. When the usage procedure button is pressed, the reception unit 131 accepts the selection of the ticket corresponding to the pressed usage procedure button. The reception unit 131 then transmits a usage reception screen accepting the usage of the selected ticket to the wireless terminal 2 and displays the usage reception screen on the wireless terminal 2. The reception unit 131 also accepts a request from the wireless terminal 2 to apply a predetermined slice network to its communication.

[0061] Figure 7 shows an example of a purchase acceptance screen. As shown in Figure 7, the purchase acceptance screen displays information about the selected ticket, a measurement button that accepts requests to measure the throughput before and after applying (temporarily applying) a predetermined slice network corresponding to the ticket to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, and a payment request button that accepts a payment request for the ticket.

[0062] In Figure 7, we explained that the purchase acceptance screen shows a measurement button and a payment request button. However, the usage acceptance screen, which accepts the use of tickets held by the user, will display a measurement button that accepts a throughput measurement request and a usage request button that accepts a usage request for a ticket selected by the user from among the tickets held by the user.

[0063] Furthermore, when the payment request button is pressed on the purchase request screen, the reception unit 131 accepts the payment request. The reception unit 131 then displays a payment screen on the wireless terminal 2 as a confirmation screen for confirming the use of the ticket, and accepts the payment confirmation request to confirm the payment. Figure 8 shows an example of the payment screen. In Figure 8, it can be seen that the ticket selected by the user, the unit price of the ticket set by the setting unit 134, the number of tickets to be purchased by the user, the total amount, a PIN input field, and a payment confirmation button to accept the payment confirmation.

[0064] When the payment confirmation button is pressed on the payment screen, the reception unit 131 receives the payment confirmation request for the ticket purchase as a request to apply a predetermined slice network. This initiates the payment process, and upon completion of the payment, the use of the ticket, i.e., the application of the predetermined slice network, is confirmed. If the user is using a ticket they already own, instead of the payment screen, a usage confirmation screen is displayed on the wireless terminal 2, which accepts a usage confirmation request to confirm the use of the owned ticket. The reception unit 131 then receives this usage confirmation request as a request to apply a predetermined slice network. Upon receiving the usage confirmation request, the use of the ticket, i.e., the application of the predetermined slice network, is confirmed.

[0065] [Applying a specified slice network] When the reception unit 131 receives a request to apply a predetermined slice network, the application unit 135 applies either the first slice network or the second slice network, which is the predetermined slice network, to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0066] First, the application unit 135 determines a first threshold based on the area congestion level identified by the congestion level identification unit 133. Similarly, the application unit 135 determines a second threshold based on the area congestion level identified by the congestion level identification unit 133, which is a threshold indicating that the resources of the second slice network to be applied will be insufficient when the resources of the first slice network are insufficient, i.e., a threshold for the number of applications of the second network. For example, the application unit 135 may make the first and second thresholds smaller as the area congestion level increases.

[0067] Furthermore, the application unit 135 may determine the first and second thresholds based on the average throughput obtained by identifying the total throughput of the default slice network in the dwelling area and dividing the total throughput by the area congestion level. For example, the application unit 135 may determine the first and second thresholds such that the smaller the average throughput, the lower the first and second thresholds become.

[0068] If the first congestion level identified by the congestion level identification unit 133 is less than the determined first threshold, the application unit 135 applies the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 that responds to the application request for a predetermined slice network.

[0069] For example, if the reception unit 131 has previously obtained a user ID to identify the user of the wireless terminal 2, the application unit 135 applies the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 by instructing the communication equipment providing the first slice network to apply the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 corresponding to the user ID of the user of the wireless terminal 2.

[0070] Furthermore, if the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the application unit 135 applies a second slice network, which has inferior communication quality compared to the first slice network, to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 corresponding to the application request for a predetermined slice network. Specifically, the application unit 135 applies the second slice network to the wireless terminal 2 when the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold, and the second congestion level is less than the determined second threshold.

[0071] For example, the application unit 135 applies the second slice network to the communication of wireless terminal 2 by instructing the communication device providing the second slice network to apply the second slice network to the communication of wireless terminal 2 corresponding to the user ID of the user of wireless terminal 2. Here, the communication device providing the first slice network and the communication device providing the second slice network may be different, or they may be the same communication device.

[0072] On the other hand, the application unit 135 controls the system so as not to apply a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 when the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the second congestion level is equal to or greater than the second threshold. In this case, the reception unit 131 may cause the wireless terminal 2 to display an error screen indicating that the predetermined slice network cannot be applied.

[0073] In this embodiment, when the reception unit 131 receives a request to display the selection reception screen, the area identification unit 132 identifies the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located, the congestion level identification unit 133 identifies the first congestion level and the second congestion level, and the application unit 135 controls whether to apply the first slice network and the second slice network based on the first congestion level and the second congestion level. However, the system is not limited to this. The area identification unit 132 may re-identify the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located in response to the reception unit 131 receiving a request to apply a predetermined slice network, and the congestion level identification unit 133 may re-identify the first congestion level and the second congestion level. The application unit 135 may then control whether to apply the first slice network and the second slice network based on the identified first congestion level and second congestion level in response to the reception unit 131 receiving a request to apply a predetermined slice network.

[0074] Furthermore, the congestion level identification unit 133 may repeatedly identify the first congestion level and the second congestion level if the second congestion level is greater than or equal to the second threshold and a predetermined slice network cannot be applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. The notification unit 136 may then notify the wireless terminal 2 that a predetermined slice network is applicable when the first congestion level newly identified by the congestion level identification unit 133 in the area identified by the area identification unit 132 falls below the first threshold or the second congestion level falls below the second threshold.

[0075] In this case, the notification unit 136 may push notification to the wireless terminal 2 indicating that a predetermined slice network is applicable to the wireless terminal 2's communication. By doing so, the user can understand that a predetermined slice network is applicable, display the selection screen, and proceed with purchasing or using a ticket.

[0076] Furthermore, the timing of ticket usage confirmation may be after the application unit 135 has applied the first slice network or the second slice network to the wireless terminal 2. This prevents the first or second slice network from becoming unusable after ticket usage has been confirmed and payment has been made, or after ticket usage has been confirmed and the ticket held by the user has been consumed.

[0077] [Operation Flow] Next, the processing flow in the information processing device 1 will be explained. Figure 9 is a flowchart of the processing flow in the information processing device 1. This flowchart begins when the reception unit 131 of the information processing device 1 receives a request from the wireless terminal 2 to display the selection reception screen.

[0078] First, when the reception unit 131 receives a request to display a selection reception screen, the area identification unit 132 identifies the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located based on the terminal location information included in the display request (S1).

[0079] The congestion level identification unit 133 identifies the first and second congestion levels in the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located, as identified by the area identification unit 132 (S2).

[0080] The application unit 135 determines whether it has received a ticket application request, i.e., a predetermined slice network application request, from the wireless terminal 2 (S3). If the application unit 135 determines that it has received a predetermined slice network application request from the wireless terminal 2 (YES in S3), it moves the process to S4. If it determines that it has not received a predetermined slice network application request from the wireless terminal 2 (NO in S3), it re-executes S3.

[0081] In S4, the application unit 135 determines whether the first congestion level is less than the first threshold. If the first congestion level is less than the first threshold (YES in S4), the application unit 135 moves to S5 and applies the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. If the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold (NO in S4), the application unit 135 moves to S6 and determines whether the second congestion level is less than the second threshold.

[0082] If the second congestion level is less than the second threshold (YES in S6), the application unit 135 moves to S7 and applies the second slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. If the second congestion level is equal to or greater than the second threshold (NO in S6), the application unit 135 terminates the processing related to this flowchart.

[0083] [Example 1] In the above-described embodiment, the first slice network is a slice network in which a predetermined bandwidth is guaranteed, and the second slice network is a slice network in which communication is prioritized over best-effort communication, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0084] The first slice network may be a slice network that guarantees a first bandwidth, and the second slice network may be a slice network that guarantees a second bandwidth that is narrower than the first bandwidth.

[0085] Furthermore, both the first and second slice networks may be slice networks that have priority over best-effort communications. In this case, the priority of the communication of wireless terminal 2 that has received an application request in the first slice network over the communication of other wireless terminals may be higher than the priority of the communication of wireless terminal 2 over the communication of other wireless terminals in the second slice network. Here, other wireless terminals are, for example, wireless terminals to which the default slice network is applied.

[0086] [Differentiation 2] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the congestion level identification unit 133 identifies the number of users of the first slice network provided in the stay area as the first congestion level and the number of users of the second slice network as the second congestion level, but is not limited to this. The congestion level identification unit 133 may identify the amount of wireless resources used for the first slice network provided in the stay area as the first congestion level, and the amount of wireless resources used for the second slice network as the second congestion level.

[0087] In this case, the storage unit 12 stores wireless resource information that associates the area ID, service type, and amount of wireless resources, instead of application number information. The congestion level identification unit 133 then refers to this wireless resource information to identify the first and second congestion levels. In this way, the information processing device 1 can accurately identify the congestion level even when there is a bias in the amount of resources consumed by each of the multiple wireless terminals that are subject to the slice network.

[0088] [Difference 3] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the congestion level identification unit 133 identified the congestion level of the slice network without separating it into downlink traffic, which is traffic on which wireless terminals receive data, and uplink traffic, which is traffic on which wireless terminals transmit data, but the embodiment is not limited to this.

[0089] The congestion level identification unit 133 may, for example, identify the congestion level of the downlink traffic of the first slice network, or the congestion level of the uplink traffic of the first slice network, as the congestion level of the first slice network provided in the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located. Similarly, the congestion level identification unit 133 may identify the congestion level of the downlink traffic of the second slice network, or the congestion level of the uplink traffic of the second slice network, as the congestion level of the second slice network provided in the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located.

[0090] In this case, there may be multiple types of tickets, such as tickets for watching videos or tickets for online games. Also, when a ticket is selected by the reception unit 131, the congestion level identification unit 133 identifies the type of ticket selected by the user. The congestion level identification unit may then decide, according to the identified ticket type, whether to use the congestion level of downlink traffic or uplink traffic as the congestion level of the first slice network or the congestion level of the second slice network.

[0091] Furthermore, the congestion level identification unit 133 may identify the congestion level of the first slice network provided in the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located as an uplink first congestion level, which is the congestion level of the uplink traffic of the first slice network, and a downlink first congestion level, which is the congestion level of the downlink traffic of the first slice network.Then, the application unit 135 may apply the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 if the uplink first congestion level identified by the congestion level identification unit 133 is less than a predetermined uplink threshold and the downlink first congestion level is less than a predetermined downlink threshold, and may apply the second slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 if the uplink first congestion level is equal to or greater than a predetermined uplink threshold or the downlink first congestion level is equal to or greater than a predetermined downlink threshold.

[0092] Furthermore, each ticket of multiple types may be associated with an uplink weight value, which is a weight value of uplink traffic used to adjust the degree of impact on uplink congestion by applying a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, and a downlink weight value, which is a weight value of downlink traffic used to adjust the degree of impact on downlink congestion.

[0093] Furthermore, the application unit 135 may apply the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 if the applied uplink first congestion level, which is the uplink first congestion level after applying the first slice network to the wireless terminal 2, is less than a predetermined uplink threshold, and the applied downlink first congestion level, which is the downlink first congestion level after applying the first slice network to the wireless terminal 2, is less than a predetermined downlink threshold, based on the downlink first congestion level and the downlink weight value associated with the ticket accepted by the reception unit 131.

[0094] In this case, the congestion level identification unit 133 identifies the type of ticket selected by the user and then identifies the uplink weight value and downlink weight value associated with that type. Based on the identified uplink weight value and downlink weight value, the congestion level identification unit 133 then identifies the first uplink congestion level and the first downlink congestion level after applying a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0095] For example, the congestion level identification unit 133 identifies the first congestion level for the upbound direction after application by adding an upbound weight value to the first congestion level for the upbound direction. The congestion level identification unit 133 identifies the first congestion level for the downbound direction after application by adding a downbound weight value to the first congestion level for the downbound direction.

[0096] Here, when the congestion level identification unit 133 identifies the first uplink congestion level, it may identify the ticket type corresponding to the ticket selected by each of the multiple wireless terminals 2 to which the first slice network is applied, and identify the first uplink congestion level based on the uplink weight value associated with that type. For example, the congestion level identification unit 133 may identify the first congestion level by summing the uplink weight values ​​of each of the multiple wireless terminals 2, or it may identify the first uplink congestion level by multiplying the first uplink congestion level by the uplink weight value corresponding to the relatively most frequent ticket type among the multiple ticket types. Similarly, when the congestion level identification unit 133 identifies the first downlink congestion level, it may identify the ticket type corresponding to the ticket selected by each of the multiple wireless terminals 2 to which the first slice network is applied, and identify the first downlink congestion level based on the downlink weight value associated with that type.

[0097] In this case, the uplink weight value and downlink weight value are associated with tickets, but are not limited to this and may be associated with areas.

[0098] The application unit 135 applies the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 if the uplink first congestion level after application is below a predetermined uplink threshold and the downlink first congestion level after application is below a predetermined downlink threshold. In this way, the information processing device 1 can apply the first slice network to the wireless terminal 2 in accordance with the ticket type and while ensuring the amount of wireless resources required for the ticket.

[0099] [Differentiation Example 4] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the application unit 135 identifies a first congestion level, which is the congestion level of the first slice network. If the first congestion level is less than a first threshold, the application unit 135 applies the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. If the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the application unit 135 applies a second slice network, which is provided in the area and has inferior communication quality compared to the first slice network, to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. However, the second slice network is not always available in all areas where the wireless terminal 2 is located. Therefore, the application unit 135 may control the application unit 135 to not apply a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 if the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the second slice network is not available in the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located.

[0100] [Effects of Information Processing Device 1] As described above, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment receives a request from a user to apply a slice network to the communication of a wireless terminal 2, identifies a first congestion level, which is the congestion level of the first slice network provided in the area where the wireless terminal 2 is located, applies the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 if the first congestion level is less than a first threshold, and applies a second slice network, which has inferior communication quality compared to the first slice network provided in the area, to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 if the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold. In this way, the information processing device 1 can apply a slice network with relatively good communication quality to the wireless terminal while taking into account the usage status of the slice network.

[0101] Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation."

[0102] 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]

[0103] 1. Information Processing Device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 131 Reception Department 132 Area Identification Section 133 Congestion Level Identification Section 134 Settings Section 135 Application section 136 Notification Department

Claims

1. A receiving unit that receives requests to apply a slice network, which is a virtual division of the communication network, to the communication of wireless terminals used by the user, An area identification unit that identifies the area where the wireless terminal is located, A congestion level identification unit identifies a first congestion level, which is the congestion level of the first slice network provided in the area identified by the area identification unit, If the first congestion level identified by the congestion level identification unit is less than a first threshold, the application unit applies the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal corresponding to the application request, and if the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the application unit applies a second slice network provided in the area, which has inferior communication quality compared to the first slice network, to the communication of the wireless terminal corresponding to the application request. An information processing device having

2. The first slice network is a slice network in which a predetermined quality of communication is guaranteed, and the second slice network is a slice network in which the predetermined quality of communication is not guaranteed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The application unit applies the first slice network, which guarantees a predetermined bandwidth, when the first congestion level is less than the first threshold, and applies the second slice network, which is prioritized over best-effort communication, when the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The first slice network is a slice network that guarantees a first bandwidth, and the second slice network is a slice network that guarantees a second bandwidth that is narrower than the first bandwidth. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The first slice network and the second slice network are slice networks that prioritize communication over best-effort communication. In the first slice network, the priority of the communication of the wireless terminal receiving the application request over best-effort communication is higher than the priority of the communication of the wireless terminal receiving the application request over best-effort communication in the second slice network. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The congestion level identification unit identifies a second congestion level, which is the congestion level of the second slice network provided in the area identified by the area identification unit. The application unit controls the slice network not to be applied to the communication of the wireless terminal when the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the second congestion level is equal to or greater than the second threshold. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The congestion level determination unit repeatedly determines the first congestion level and the second congestion level when the second congestion level is equal to or greater than the second threshold. The system includes a notification unit that, when the first congestion level newly identified by the congestion level identification unit in the area identified by the area identification unit falls below the first threshold or the second congestion level falls below the second threshold, the wireless terminal is notified that the slice network is applicable. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The congestion level identification unit identifies the number of users of the first slice network provided in the area where the wireless terminal identified by the area identification unit is located as the first congestion level. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

9. The congestion level identification unit identifies the amount of wireless resources used for the first slice network provided in the area where the wireless terminal identified by the area identification unit is located as the first congestion level. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

10. The area identification unit identifies the location of the wireless terminal, and identifies the area containing the identified location as the area where the wireless terminal is located, among a plurality of areas. The congestion level identification unit manages the first congestion level corresponding to the first slice network provided in each of the multiple areas, and identifies the first congestion level corresponding to the area identified by the area identification unit from among the first slice networks provided in each of the multiple areas. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

11. The area identification unit identifies the wireless communication base station to which the wireless terminal is connected, and identifies the area where the identified base station is located as the area where the wireless terminal is located. The congestion level identification unit manages the first congestion level corresponding to the first slice network provided in each of the multiple areas, and identifies the first congestion level corresponding to the area identified by the area identification unit from among the first slice networks provided in each of the multiple areas. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

12. The congestion level identification unit identifies the congestion level of the downlink traffic of the first slice network, or the congestion level of the uplink traffic of the first slice network, as the congestion level of the first slice network provided in the area where the wireless terminal is located. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

13. The congestion level identification unit identifies, as the congestion level of the first slice network provided in the area where the wireless terminal is located, an uplink first congestion level, which is the congestion level of the uplink traffic of the first slice network, and a downlink first congestion level, which is the congestion level of the downlink traffic of the first slice network. The application unit applies the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal if the first uplink congestion level identified by the congestion level identification unit is less than a predetermined uplink threshold and the first downlink congestion level is less than a predetermined downlink threshold, and applies the second slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal if the first uplink congestion level is equal to or greater than the predetermined uplink threshold or the first downlink congestion level is equal to or greater than the predetermined downlink threshold. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

14. The reception unit accepts requests for the application of the slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal by accepting the use of tickets for applying the slice network, There are multiple types of tickets, and each type of ticket is associated with an upbound weight value, which is the weight value for upbound traffic, and a downbound weight value, which is the weight value for downbound traffic. The application unit applies the first slice network to the wireless terminal if the first uplink congestion level after applying the first slice network to the wireless terminal, based on the first uplink congestion level and the uplink weight value associated with the ticket accepted by the reception unit, is less than the predetermined uplink threshold, and the first downlink congestion level after applying the first slice network to the wireless terminal, based on the first downlink congestion level and the downlink weight value associated with the ticket accepted by the reception unit, is less than the predetermined downlink threshold. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13.

15. The system further includes a setting unit that sets the charges related to the application of the slice network based on the type of slice network applied to the communication of the wireless terminal. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

16. The congestion level identification unit identifies the area congestion level, which is the level of communication congestion in the area identified by the area identification unit. The application unit determines the first threshold based on the area congestion level identified by the congestion level identification unit. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

17. A computer executes A receiving unit that receives requests to apply a slice network, which is a virtual division of the communication network, to the communication of wireless terminals used by the user, An area identification unit that identifies the area where the wireless terminal is located, A congestion level identification unit identifies a first congestion level, which is the congestion level of the first slice network provided in the area identified by the area identification unit, If the first congestion level identified by the congestion level identification unit is less than a first threshold, the application unit applies the first slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal corresponding to the application request, and if the first congestion level is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the application unit applies a second slice network provided in the area, which has inferior communication quality compared to the first slice network, to the communication of the wireless terminal corresponding to the application request. An information processing method having

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