Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To improve the communication quality of the user's device. [Solution] The information processing device 1 includes a storage unit 12 that stores in association a ticket for using a communication preferential service, which is a service for preferential use of a communication network including the use of a slice network which virtually divides the communication network, the area in which the communication preferential service is provided, and the time period in which the communication preferential service is provided; a location identification unit 132 that identifies the terminal location, which is the location of the wireless terminal 2 used by the user; and a display control unit 133 that displays a screen for purchasing or using a ticket on the wireless terminal 2, provided that the terminal location identified by the location identification unit 132 is included in the area in which the communication preferential service is provided and the current time is included in the time period in which the communication preferential service is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , , ,

[0005] , ,

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

Background Art

[0002] It has been practiced to distribute content corresponding to an event to a wireless terminal of a user who participated in the event (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0007] The display control unit may, if a preferential communication service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal, display the screen on the wireless terminal, provided that the preferential communication service corresponding to the ticket is the same as the preferential communication service to which the service is applied.

[0008] The ticket is associated with group identification information for identifying the group to which the ticket belongs, and the display control unit may, if a communication preferential service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal, display the screen on the wireless terminal on the condition that the group identification information associated with the ticket corresponding to the communication preferential service applied to the communication of the wireless terminal is the same as the group identification information associated with the ticket corresponding to the screen.

[0009] The information processing device further includes an application number identification unit that identifies the number of wireless terminals to which a preferential communication service corresponding to the ticket is applied in an area including the terminal location, and the display control unit may display the screen on the wireless terminal on the condition that the application number identified by the application number identification unit does not exceed a predetermined threshold.

[0010] The application number identification unit repeatedly identifies the application number if the application number exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the information processing device may further include a notification unit that notifies the wireless terminal of information indicating that the communication preferential service can be applied to the wireless terminal when the application number newly identified by the application number identification unit no longer exceeds the predetermined threshold.

[0011] Within the aforementioned area, there is a predetermined area where the screen is not to be displayed on the wireless terminal. The display control unit may display the screen on the wireless terminal on the condition that the terminal location identified by the location identification unit is included in the aforementioned area, is not included in the predetermined area, and the current time is included in the aforementioned time period.

[0012] The aforementioned preferential communication service is applied to terminals performing 5G (Generation) communication, and the display control unit may display the screen on the wireless terminal on the condition that the wireless terminal is performing 5G communication.

[0013] The display control unit may cause the wireless terminal to display information on the wireless terminal indicating that the preferential communication service is applicable when the wireless terminal is performing LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication or when the wireless terminal is performing 5G communication.

[0014] When the wireless terminal is performing wireless communication via a wireless LAN, the display control unit may display information on the wireless terminal prompting it to disconnect the wireless communication connection when the preferential communication service is applied.

[0015] When the display control unit causes the screen to be displayed on the wireless terminal, it may also cause the wireless terminal to display the screen including a map showing the area associated with the ticket. When the display control unit causes the screen to be displayed on the wireless terminal, it may cause the screen to include information indicating the validity period of the ticket to be displayed on the wireless terminal.

[0016] The display control unit may display a message on the screen prompting the user to add more data available for the unit period if the amount of data used by the wireless terminal, which is the amount of data used for communication using the communication network during a unit period, exceeds a predetermined percentage of the data amount determined by the user's subscribed rate plan.

[0017] The display control unit may, when the terminal location identified by the location identification unit is not included in the area, and the current time is included in the time period, and the shortest distance between the terminal location and the area is within the accuracy error range of the terminal location, cause the wireless terminal to display the screen containing information indicating that the preferential communication service is applied within the area.

[0018] The display control unit may, when the terminal location identified by the location identification unit is not included in the area, and the current time is included in the time period, and the shortest distance between the terminal location and the area is within the accuracy error range of the terminal location, display information on the wireless terminal indicating that the preferential communication service is applied within the area, provided that the accuracy of the terminal location is higher than a predetermined accuracy.

[0019] The storage unit stores, for each of the multiple tickets for using the preferential communication service, the area to which the preferential communication service corresponding to the ticket can be applied and the time period to which the preferential communication service corresponding to the ticket can be applied, in association with each of the multiple tickets. The display control unit may, if the terminal location identified by the location identification unit is not included in the area corresponding to each of the multiple tickets, cause the wireless terminal to display information indicating the area closest to the terminal location among the multiple areas associated with the time period including the current time.

[0020] The information processing method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a step of identifying a terminal position, which is the position of a wireless terminal used by a user and is executed by a computer, and using a communication preferential service, which is a service for preferentially using a communication network and includes using a slice network obtained by virtually dividing the communication network. A storage unit that stores, in association with each other, a ticket for using the communication preferential service, an area where the communication preferential service is provided, and a time period during which the communication preferential service is provided is referred to, and on the condition that the identified terminal position is included in the area and the current time is included in the time period, a step of causing the wireless terminal to display a screen for purchasing or using the ticket is included.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present invention, there is an effect that the communication quality of the user's terminal can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [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 ticket management information. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of area information. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of applicable user information. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of applicable number information. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a selection reception screen. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of a purchase reception screen. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of a settlement screen. [Figure 10] It is a flowchart showing the flow of processing until the information processing apparatus displays a selection reception screen on the wireless terminal.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] [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.

[0024] Information processing device 1 is a computer for providing a communication preference service that gives priority to the communication of a wireless terminal 2 used by a user. The communication preference service is provided by a designated telecommunications carrier to the wireless terminal 2 of a user who uses the communication network provided by that carrier, in a 5G SA (Stand Alone) area or 5G NSA (Non-Stand Alone) area developed by that carrier. The communication preference service is a service that gives priority to the communication of wireless terminals 2 located in these areas compared to the communication of wireless terminals used by users who use the communication network provided by the designated telecommunications carrier but do not use the service. The communication preference service is applied, for example, to a wireless terminal 2 that is performing 5G communication.

[0025] A 5G SA area is an area where wireless communication is performed using, for example, dedicated communication equipment for 5G communication and 5G base stations. A 5G NSA area is an area where wireless communication is performed using, for example, dedicated communication equipment for 4G (4th Generation) communication and 4G base stations or 5G base stations.

[0026] For example, if wireless terminal 2 is located in a 5G SA area, the communication of wireless terminal 2 will be subject to either throughput control, which applies a first slice network that virtually divides the communication network and guarantees a predetermined communication quality, or priority control, which applies a second slice network that takes priority over best-effort communication, as a communication preference service. Furthermore, if wireless terminal 2 is located in a 5G NSA area, the communication of wireless terminal 2 will be subject to communication control, which prioritizes the communication of wireless terminal 2 using the communication preference service over the communication of wireless terminals of users who do not use the communication preference service.

[0027] Here, the communication network includes not only wireless communication networks but also wired core networks. Furthermore, when applying communication preferential services to wireless terminals in a 5G SA area, the communication preferential services do not include throughput control and priority control. Instead, similar to the 5G NSA area, communication control may be applied that prioritizes the communication of wireless terminal 2 using the communication preferential service over the communication of wireless terminals of users not using the communication preferential service.

[0028] The information processing device 1 can apply preferential communication services to the communications of wireless terminals by controlling the allocation of resource blocks allocated to communications of wireless terminals using the communication network provided in the 5G SA area or the 5G NSA area.

[0029] In this embodiment, a user can receive preferential communication services for the communication of their wireless terminal 2 by purchasing a ticket to receive preferential communication services or by using a ticket they already possess. Hereinafter, the ticket for using preferential communication services will also be simply 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 the user, in a way that allows communication. Information processing device 1 stores the ticket, the area in which the preferential communication service is provided, and the time period in which the preferential communication service is provided, in association with each other. When information processing device 1 receives a request from the user's wireless terminal 2 to obtain a screen for purchasing or using a ticket, which is a reception screen that accepts the purchase or use of a ticket from the user (Figure 1 (1)), it identifies the terminal location, which is the location of the wireless terminal 2 (Figure 1 (2)).

[0031] The information processing device 1 identifies tickets associated with an area including the identified terminal location and a time period including the current time as tickets available to the user (Figure 1, (3)). The information processing device 1 transmits a reception screen corresponding to the identified ticket to the wireless terminal 2 (Figure 1, (4)), causing the wireless terminal 2 to display the reception screen. Subsequently, when the information processing device 1 receives a ticket purchase request or usage request from the wireless terminal 2 (Figure 1, (5)), it applies a communication priority service corresponding to the ticket to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 (Figure 1, (6)).

[0032] In this way, the information processing device 1 can, for example, associate tickets with areas and time periods where congestion is expected, and allow users to use the tickets and receive preferential communication services when they are in those areas and time periods. This enables the information processing device 1 to improve the communication quality of the wireless terminal 2 used by the user in such areas and time periods.

[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, a location identification unit 132, an application number identification unit 134, a display control unit 133, and a notification unit 135.

[0035] Furthermore, the memory unit 12 stores ticket management information for managing tickets to use preferential communication services, which are services that allow preferential use of the communication network, including the use of slice networks that virtually divide the communication network, and area information indicating the service area, which is the area in which preferential communication services are provided.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of ticket management information. In the ticket management information shown in Figure 3, it can be seen that the ticket ID, ticket name, service type, group ID, provision date and time, and area ID are associated with each ticket. The service type indicates the type of communication preferential service. The service type of a communication preferential service may indicate, for example, throughput control or priority control. In the example shown in Figure 3, service type "A" indicates throughput, and service type "B" indicates priority control. Note that if there are multiple throughput controls with different throughputs and multiple priority controls with different priority formats, the communication preferential service type stores information to identify these controls. The group ID is information to identify the group to which the ticket belongs. For example, it is provided to allow a user to purchase or use additional tickets with the same content and tickets from the same group when they are using a ticket. The area ID is information to identify the service area where the communication preferential service is provided. Multiple area IDs may be associated with a single ticket ID.

[0037] Figure 4 shows an example of area information. The area information shown in Figure 4 includes the area ID of the service area, 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 position indicated by the latitude and longitude information. The predetermined distance is assumed to be the same for each of the multiple service areas, but is not limited to this, and may be different for each of the multiple service areas. The service area is defined as the area enclosed by a circle with a predetermined radius, centered at the position 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 a mesh that divides the region into a grid.

[0038] Furthermore, the memory unit 12 stores applicable user information that associates the area ID of the service area, the service type of the preferential communication service provided in that service area, the user ID of the user to whom the preferential communication service corresponding to that service type is applied in that service area, and the ticket ID of the ticket used by that user. Figure 5 shows an example of applicable user information. As shown in Figure 5, it can be confirmed that the area ID and the service type are associated with the user IDs of multiple users to whom the preferential communication service corresponding to that service type is applied, and the ticket IDs.

[0039] Furthermore, the memory unit 12 stores application count information that associates the area ID of the service area, the service type of the preferential communication service provided in the service area, and the application count, which is the number of wireless terminals receiving preferential communication services of that service type. Figure 6 shows an example of application count information. As shown in Figure 6, it can be confirmed that an application count corresponding to each of the multiple service types is associated with the area ID.

[0040] 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, a location identification unit 132, an application number identification unit 134, a display control unit 133, and a notification unit 135.

[0041] [Select available tickets] First, the reception unit 131, location identification unit 132, application number identification unit 134, and display control unit 133 work together to display a selection screen on the wireless terminal 2 for accepting the selection of available tickets from the user, and accept the ticket selection from the user. The process related to ticket selection will be described below.

[0042] The reception unit 131 receives a request to display a selection screen, which is a screen for purchasing or using tickets to use the preferential communication service. 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 by the wireless terminal 2, and a user ID for identifying the user of the wireless terminal 2.

[0043] The location identification unit 132 identifies the terminal location, which is the location of the wireless terminal 2 used by the user. For example, the location identification unit 132 identifies the terminal location of the wireless terminal 2 based on the terminal location information included in the display request for the selection acceptance screen obtained from the wireless terminal 2. The display request for the selection acceptance screen may include 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 may store the cell ID and location information indicating the location of the base station corresponding to the cell ID in association with each other, and the location identification unit 132 may identify the location of the base station stored in the storage unit 12 in association with the cell ID included in the display request for the selection acceptance screen as the terminal location of the wireless terminal 2.

[0044] The display control unit 133 displays the selection screen on the wireless terminal, provided that the terminal location identified by the location identification unit 132 is included in the service area and the current time is included in the service time period. First, the display control unit 133 refers to the area information and identifies the service area indicated by the area information having latitude and longitude information within a predetermined distance from the terminal location of the wireless terminal 2 as the service area where the wireless terminal 2 is located. The display control unit 133 refers to the ticket management information and identifies the ticket associated with the area ID of the identified service area and the current date and time corresponding to the current time. In the following explanation, the area including the terminal location among the service areas indicated by the area ID associated with the ticket ID of the identified ticket is also called the corresponding area.

[0045] The display control unit 133 causes the application number identification unit 134 to identify the application number, which is the number of wireless terminals to which the communication preferential service corresponding to the identified ticket is applied in the service area (supported area) including the terminal location.

[0046] First, the application count identification unit 134 identifies the area ID and service type of the corresponding area associated with the ticket ID of the ticket identified by the display control unit 133. Then, the application count identification unit 134 refers to the application count information stored in the storage unit 12 and identifies the application count associated with the identified area ID and service type of the corresponding area.

[0047] The display control unit 133 displays a selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2 to accept the selection of the ticket, provided that the terminal location of the wireless terminal 2 is included in the service area associated with the ticket, the current time is included in the service time period associated with the ticket, and the number of applications identified by the application number identification unit 134 for the ticket does not exceed a predetermined threshold.

[0048] When the display control unit 133 displays a selection screen on the wireless terminal 2, it may display a selection screen on the wireless terminal 2 that includes a map showing the corresponding area associated with the ticket. For example, the display control unit 133 refers to area information, identifies the center position of the corresponding area, and generates a selection screen that includes a map showing the corresponding area within a predetermined range from the center position. In this case, the map may include information such as location points indicating the terminal position of the wireless terminal 2.

[0049] Furthermore, when the display control unit 133 displays the selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2, it may display the selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2 that includes information indicating the validity period of the ticket. Here, the ticket is associated with the right that, upon confirmation of the use of the ticket, a communication preferential service will be applied to the communication of the wireless terminal for a predetermined period (validity period). The display control unit 133 then displays the selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2 that includes at least one of the following: information indicating the validity period of the ticket, and the date and time on which the communication preferential service associated with the ticket will be provided.

[0050] Figure 7 shows an example of a selection screen. Figure 7 displays a selection screen where the user can choose between tickets they can purchase and tickets they already own and can use. Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 7, a purchase button for purchasable tickets and a usage button for proceeding with the use of tickets the user already owns and can use are displayed.

[0051] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 7, it can be confirmed that for each of the two tickets, the validity period of the ticket is displayed as "30 minutes," which is the period during which the preferential communication service is applied to the wireless terminal as a result of purchasing the ticket, and the applicable time period indicating the date and time of service provision in the service area. In addition, in the example shown in Figure 7, it can be confirmed that a map showing the service area associated with the ticket is displayed.

[0052] The display control unit 133 may display the selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2, provided that the wireless terminal 2 is performing 5G communication. In this case, the reception unit 131 may obtain communication method information from the wireless terminal 2 when it receives the display request, indicating whether the wireless communication method being used by the wireless terminal 2 is LTE, 5G, or wireless LAN (Local Area Network). Then, based on the communication method information obtained by the reception unit 131, the display control unit 133 determines that the wireless terminal 2 is performing 5G communication and displays the selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2.

[0053] In this way, the information processing device 1 can display the selection screen only when the wireless terminal 2 is performing 5G communication and is eligible for preferential communication services for the wireless terminal 2's communication.

[0054] Furthermore, if the display control unit 133 determines, based on the communication method information, that the wireless terminal 2 is performing LTE communication, it may display warning information on the wireless terminal 2 indicating that a communication preferential service is applicable when the wireless terminal 2 is performing 5G communication. For example, if the display control unit 133 determines that the wireless terminal 2 is performing LTE communication, it may display a selection acceptance screen including the said warning information on the wireless terminal 2.

[0055] Furthermore, if the display control unit 133 determines, based on the communication method information, that the wireless terminal 2 is performing wireless communication via a wireless LAN, it may display a warning message on the wireless terminal 2 prompting it to disconnect the wireless communication connection when applying the communication preference service. For example, if the display control unit 133 determines that the wireless terminal 2 is performing wireless communication via a wireless LAN, it may display a selection acceptance screen including the warning message on the wireless terminal 2.

[0056] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 may display the selection screen on the wireless terminal 2, provided that a communication preferential service is not applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. Alternatively, if a communication preferential service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, the display control unit 133 may display the selection screen on the wireless terminal 2, provided that the communication preferential service corresponding to the identified ticket is the same as the communication preferential service applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0057] In this case, the display control unit 133 refers to the applicable user information stored in the storage unit 12 and determines whether the user's user ID is associated with the area ID of the corresponding area. If the user's user ID is not associated, the display control unit 133 displays the selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2.

[0058] On the other hand, the display control unit 133 identifies the service type associated with the area ID and user ID in the applicable user information if the user ID of the user is associated with the area ID of the corresponding area. Then, the display control unit 133 displays the selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2 if the service type associated with the identified ticket in the ticket management information is the same as the service type associated with the area ID and user ID.

[0059] In this way, the information processing device 1 can prevent the selection screen from being displayed on the wireless terminal 2 if a different communication preferential service than the one corresponding to the identified ticket is already applied to the wireless terminal 2's communication, and there is no need to apply a new communication preferential service.

[0060] Furthermore, if a communication preferential service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, the display control unit 133 may display the selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2, provided that the group ID associated with the ticket corresponding to the communication preferential service applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 is the same as the group ID associated with the identified ticket. For example, in the applicable user information, if the user ID of a user is associated with the area ID of the corresponding area, the display control unit 133 identifies the ticket ID associated with that user ID, and in the ticket management information, identifies the group ID associated with that ticket ID. The display control unit 133 also identifies the group ID associated with the identified ticket in the ticket management information, and displays the selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2 if these two group IDs are the same.

[0061] For example, if the user ID corresponding to wireless terminal 2 is "U0001", referring to the applicable user information shown in Figure 5, the user ID "U0001" and the ticket ID "T001" are associated with the area ID "A001". Referring to the ticket management information in Figure 3, the group ID associated with ticket ID "T001" is "G001". On the other hand, the ticket IDs associated with the corresponding area "A001" where wireless terminal 2 is located are "T001", "T101", and "T201", and among these tickets, the tickets with group ID "G001" are the tickets with ticket IDs "T001" and "T101". Therefore, the display control unit 133 displays a selection screen on wireless terminal 2 that accepts the selection of tickets from the T-dome ticket with ticket ID "T001" and the T-dome special ticket with ticket ID "T101", which correspond to group ID "G001". In this way, users can purchase or use additional tickets of the same type as the one they are currently using, as well as other tickets in the same group as that ticket.

[0062] Furthermore, even within the applicable area, there may be areas unsuitable for the application of preferential communication services, such as areas with significantly degraded communication quality, areas where disasters have occurred, or areas with heavy foot traffic where stopping would be problematic. In response to this, a display prohibition area may be provided as a predetermined area where the selection acceptance screen is not displayed on the wireless terminal 2. In this case, the storage unit 12 includes, for example, latitude and longitude information indicating the center position of the display prohibition area, and distance information indicating the prohibition area distance, which is the distance to the said center position, as display prohibition area information. Here, the display prohibition area is defined as an area enclosed by a circle with the position indicated by the latitude and longitude information as its center and a radius of the prohibition area distance, but it is not limited to this. The display prohibition area may be constructed in any shape or by multiple circles, or it may be managed by a mesh that divides the region into a network.

[0063] The display control unit 133 then displays the selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2, provided that the terminal location of the wireless terminal 2 identified by the location identification unit 132 is included in the applicable area, is not included in the display prohibition area, and the current date and time are included in the service time period. For example, the display control unit 133 displays the selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2 if the terminal location of the wireless terminal 2 is included in the applicable area, and the distance between the center of the display prohibition area indicated by the distance information and the terminal location is greater than the prohibition area distance. In this way, the information processing device 1 can suppress operations that would apply the communication preferential service in areas unsuitable for the application of the communication preferential service.

[0064] In the above explanation, the selection acceptance screen for accepting the selection of a ticket was displayed on the wireless terminal 2 on the condition that the number of applications identified by the application number identification unit 134 for a ticket does not exceed a predetermined threshold, but this is not limited to the above. The display control unit 133 may also display the selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2 on the condition that the wireless terminal 2 is located within the service area and that the current date and time are included in the service time period associated with the service area, without setting any conditions regarding the number of applications.

[0065] In this case, although the wireless terminal 2 is located within the service area, the low positioning accuracy of the wireless terminal 2 may cause its terminal location to appear outside the service area. To address this, the display control unit 133 may, when the terminal location of the wireless terminal 2 identified by the location identification unit 132 is not included in the service area, and the current date and time are included in the service time period associated with the service area, and the shortest distance between the terminal location and the service area is within the accuracy error range of the wireless terminal 2's terminal location, display the wireless terminal 2 with a selection screen containing information indicating that preferential communication services will be applied within the service area.

[0066] For example, the display control unit 133 identifies a service area where the distance between the center position of the service area indicated by the latitude and longitude information included in the area information and the terminal position of the wireless terminal 2 is greater than a predetermined distance from the center position that defines the service area, and where the current time is included in the service time period. The display control unit 133 then calculates the difference between the distance between the center position of the identified service area and the terminal position of the wireless terminal 2 and the predetermined distance as the shortest distance between the terminal position and the service area. If the calculated shortest distance is smaller than a predetermined accuracy error of the terminal position of the wireless terminal 2, the display control unit 133 displays the selection acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2.

[0067] In this case, the display control unit 133 may also obtain accuracy information from the wireless terminal 2 indicating the accuracy of the terminal location of the wireless terminal 2. The display control unit 133 may then display a selection screen on the wireless terminal 2 that includes information indicating that preferential communication services will be applied within the service area, provided that the accuracy of the terminal location indicated by the accuracy information is higher than a predetermined accuracy. By doing so, it is possible to prevent users of wireless terminal 2, whose terminal latitude accuracy is low and who are located far from the service area, from purchasing tickets to receive preferential communication services.

[0068] Furthermore, if the wireless terminal 2 is not located within the service area, the user may want to know which area is available. In response to this, if the terminal location identified by the location identification unit 132 is not included in the service area corresponding to each of the multiple tickets, the display control unit 133 may display information on the wireless terminal 2 indicating the service area closest to the terminal location among the multiple service areas associated with the service time period, including the current date and time.

[0069] In this case, first, the display control unit 133 refers to the area information and the ticket management information and determines whether or not there is a ticket associated with the area ID of the service area including the terminal location identified by the location identification unit 132 and the service time period including the current date and time. If the display control unit 133 determines that no such ticket exists, it identifies the service area that is closest to the terminal location among the service areas associated with the ticket corresponding to the service time period including the current date and time. Here, the application count identification unit 134 may identify the application count corresponding to each service area associated with the ticket corresponding to the service time period including the current date and time. Then, the display control unit 133 may identify the service area that is closest to the terminal location among the service areas in which the application count does not exceed a predetermined threshold.

[0070] The display control unit 133 then displays, for example, the name of the identified service area, the available service hours, and a reference screen on the wireless terminal 2 that shows the nearest service area, including a map of the service area. In this way, the user can understand the service area and the available service hours.

[0071] Furthermore, if the amount of data transmitted by wireless terminal 2 using the communication network provided by a designated telecommunications carrier exceeds the data limit set by the user's chosen plan among the various pricing plans offered by the designated telecommunications carrier, the communication speed of that communication network will be restricted. In such cases, even if a communication preferential service is applied, the communication speed restriction will remain in place, and no improvement in the communication speed of wireless terminal 2 can be expected.

[0072] In response to this, the display control unit 133 may, if the amount of data used by the wireless terminal 2, which is the amount of data used for communication using a communication network provided by a predetermined telecommunications carrier during a unit period, exceeds a predetermined percentage of the amount of data determined by the rate plan to which the user of the wireless terminal 2 is subscribed, display a message prompting the user to add more data available during the unit period, and a link to transition to a screen for adding such data, on the selection acceptance screen.

[0073] In this case, the storage unit 12 stores the user's user ID, the user's subscribed rate plan, and the amount of data used by the user in association with each other. The display control unit 133 refers to the storage unit 12 to identify the amount of data used by the user and the rate plan. If the amount of data used exceeds a predetermined percentage of the data amount specified by the identified rate plan, the display control unit 133 displays a message prompting the user to add more data available for the unit period, along with a link to a screen for adding the data.

[0074] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 may include a message on the selection acceptance screen indicating that if the amount of data used for communication using the communication network provided by a predetermined telecommunications carrier exceeds the data limit set by the user's subscribed rate plan, the communication speed will be limited even if the preferential communication service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. By doing so, the information processing device 1 can prevent the communication speed from being limited when the user uses the preferential communication service.

[0075] Furthermore, if the number of applicable areas identified by the number of applicable areas identified by the number of applicable areas identification unit 134 exceeds a predetermined threshold, the display control unit 133 may, instead of displaying the selection acceptance screen, display information on the wireless terminal 2 indicating that the preferential communication service cannot be applied to the wireless terminal 2's communication due to congestion in the preferential communication service. In this case, the number of applicable areas identification unit 134 may repeatedly identify the number of applicable areas if the number of applicable areas exceeds a predetermined threshold. For example, the number of applicable areas identification unit 134 may identify the number of applicable areas at predetermined time intervals.

[0076] Furthermore, the notification unit 135 may notify the wireless terminal 2 of information indicating that the preferential communication service can be applied to the wireless terminal 2 when the number of applications newly identified by the application number identification unit 134 no longer exceeds a predetermined threshold. In this case, the notification unit 135 may also push notification to the wireless terminal 2 of information indicating that the preferential communication service can be applied to the wireless terminal 2. By doing so, the user can understand that the preferential communication service has become applicable to the wireless terminal 2 and display the selection acceptance screen.

[0077] [Ticket Selection ~ Application of Communication Preferential Services] Next, the reception unit 131 and the display control unit 133 work together to receive information from the ticket selection user and apply the communication priority service of the service type corresponding to the selected ticket to the wireless terminal 2.

[0078] For example, when the purchase procedure button or the usage procedure button is pressed on the selection reception screen, the reception unit 131 accepts the selection of the ticket corresponding to the pressed button. When the purchase procedure button is pressed, the display control unit 133 transmits a purchase reception screen that accepts 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 display control unit 133 transmits a usage reception screen that accepts the confirmation of the usage of the selected ticket to the wireless terminal 2 and displays the usage reception screen on the wireless terminal 2.

[0079] Figure 8 shows an example of a purchase acceptance screen. As shown in Figure 8, the purchase acceptance screen displays information about the selected ticket, a measurement button that accepts requests to measure the throughput before and after applying the communication preferential service corresponding to the ticket to the wireless terminal 2, and a payment request button that accepts requests to display the payment screen for making a payment for the ticket.

[0080] In Figure 8, 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.

[0081] Furthermore, the reception unit 131 accepts a payment request when the payment request button is pressed on the purchase acceptance screen. The display control unit 133 then displays the payment screen on the wireless terminal 2 and accepts a payment confirmation request to finalize the payment. Figure 9 shows an example of a payment screen. In Figure 9, it can be seen that the ticket selected by the user, the unit price of the ticket, the number of tickets the user is purchasing, the total amount, a PIN input field, and a payment confirmation button to accept the payment confirmation.

[0082] When the payment confirmation button is pressed, the reception unit 131 receives the payment confirmation request as a request to apply a predetermined slice network. As a result, payment processing is performed, and upon completion of the payment, the user's use of the ticket is confirmed, and the application of the communication priority service to the wireless terminal 2 begins.

[0083] In the example above, we described the case of purchasing a ticket. However, when a user uses a ticket they already own, instead of a payment screen, a usage confirmation screen is displayed on the wireless terminal 2 that accepts a usage confirmation request to confirm the use of the owned ticket. The reception unit 131 then accepts a request to apply a predetermined slice network via the usage confirmation screen. As a result, the user's use of the ticket is confirmed, and the application of the communication priority service to the wireless terminal 2's communication begins.

[0084] [Operation Flow] Next, we will explain the process flow from the information processing device 1 to the wireless terminal 2 in which it displays the selection acceptance screen. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the process flow from the information processing device 1 to the wireless terminal 2 in which it displays the selection acceptance screen. 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 acceptance screen.

[0085] First, when the reception unit 131 receives a request to display a selection reception screen, the location identification unit 132 identifies the terminal location of the wireless terminal 2 based on the terminal location information included in the display request (S1).

[0086] The application number identification unit 134 refers to area information and identifies the area ID of the service area where the wireless terminal 2 is located. Then, the application number identification unit 134 refers to ticket management information and identifies the ticket associated with the identified area ID and the service date and time corresponding to the current date and time (S2).

[0087] The application number identification unit 134 identifies the service area (S3) by identifying the area ID of the service area where the wireless terminal 2 is located from among the area IDs associated with the ticket.

[0088] The application count identification unit 134 identifies the number of applications for the communication preferential service corresponding to the service type associated with the identified ticket (S4). The application count identification unit 134 identifies the tickets associated with the service type whose application count does not exceed a predetermined threshold from among the identified tickets as tickets corresponding to the applicable communication preferential service (S5).

[0089] The application number identification unit 134 generates a selection acceptance screen that accepts the selection of the tickets identified in S5 (S6), and transmits the generated selection acceptance screen to the wireless terminal 2, thereby causing the selection acceptance screen to be displayed on the wireless terminal 2 (S7).

[0090] [Differentiation] In the above embodiment, any user utilizing a communication network provided by a designated telecommunications carrier is eligible for preferential communication services, but this is not limited to this. For example, among users utilizing a communication network provided by a designated telecommunications carrier, specific users may be eligible for preferential communication services.

[0091] For example, the display control unit 133 may refer to the storage unit 12 to identify the rate plan associated with the user's user ID, and if the identified rate plan is a predetermined rate plan, it may display the selection screen on the wireless terminal 2. If the identified rate plan is not a predetermined rate plan, it may be controlled not to display the selection screen on the wireless terminal 2. Here, the predetermined rate plan may be, for example, a rate plan that allows unlimited use of the communication network provided by a predetermined telecommunications carrier and does not have an upper limit on the amount of data transmitted per unit period.

[0092] Furthermore, the display control unit 133 may display the selection screen on the wireless terminal 2 on the condition that the user of the wireless terminal 2 has concluded a contract with a predetermined telecommunications carrier that allows the use of 5G communication in the SA area provided by the predetermined telecommunications carrier. In this case, the storage unit 12 may store the user ID and contract information indicating the details of the contract between the user and the predetermined telecommunications carrier in association with each other, and the display control unit 133 may display the selection screen on the wireless terminal 2 if it determines, based on the contract information associated with the user ID included in the display request, that the user has concluded a contract that allows the use of 5G communication.

[0093] [Effects of Information Processing Device 1] As described above, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment stores in association a ticket for using a communication preferential service, which is a service for preferential use of a communication network including the use of a slice network that virtually divides the communication network, the area in which the communication preferential service is provided, and the time period in which the communication preferential service is provided. The device identifies the terminal location, which is the location of the wireless terminal 2 used by the user, and displays a screen on the wireless terminal 2 for purchasing or using the ticket, provided that the identified terminal location is included in the area and the current time is included in the time period. In this way, the information processing device 1 can improve the communication quality of the user's terminal.

[0094] 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."

[0095] 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]

[0096] 1. Information Processing Device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 131 Reception Department 132 Location identification part 133 Display Control Unit 134 Application number specification part 135 Notification Department

Claims

1. A storage unit that stores a ticket for using a communication preferential service, which is a service for preferential use of a communication network including the use of a slice network that virtually divides the communication network, the area in which the communication preferential service is provided, and the time period in which the communication preferential service is provided, in association with each other. A location identification unit that identifies the terminal location, which is the location of the wireless terminal used by the user, A display control unit causes the wireless terminal to display a screen for purchasing or using the ticket, provided that the terminal location identified by the location identification unit is included in the area and the current time is included in the time period. An information processing device having

2. The display control unit, when a communication preferential service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal, will display the screen on the wireless terminal, provided that the communication preferential service corresponding to the ticket is the same as the communication preferential service being applied. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned ticket is associated with group identification information to identify the group to which the ticket belongs. The display control unit, when a preferential communication service is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal, displays the screen on the wireless terminal on the condition that the group identification information associated with the ticket corresponding to the preferential communication service applied to the communication of the wireless terminal is the same as the group identification information associated with the ticket corresponding to the screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The system further includes an application number identification unit that identifies the application number, which is the number of wireless terminals to which the communication preferential service corresponding to the ticket is applied in an area including the terminal location, associated with the ticket. The display control unit causes the screen to be displayed on the wireless terminal, provided that the number of applications identified by the application number identification unit does not exceed a predetermined threshold. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The application number identification unit repeatedly identifies the application number if the application number exceeds a predetermined threshold, The system further includes a notification unit that, when the number of applications newly identified by the application number identification unit no longer exceeds a predetermined threshold, notifies the wireless terminal of information indicating that the preferential communication service can be applied to the wireless terminal. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. Within the aforementioned area, there is a predetermined area where the screen is not to be displayed on the wireless terminal. The display control unit causes the screen to be displayed on the wireless terminal on the condition that the terminal location identified by the location identification unit is included in the area, is not included in the predetermined area, and the current time is included in the time period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned preferential communication service applies to terminals using 5G (Generation) communication. The display control unit causes the screen to be displayed on the wireless terminal, provided that the wireless terminal is performing the 5G communication. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. The display control unit causes the wireless terminal to display information on the wireless terminal indicating that the preferential communication service is applicable when the wireless terminal is performing LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication or when the wireless terminal is performing 5G communication. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7.

9. When the wireless terminal is performing wireless communication via a wireless LAN, the display control unit displays information on the wireless terminal prompting it to disconnect the wireless communication connection when the preferential communication service is applied. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7.

10. When the display control unit causes the screen to be displayed on the wireless terminal, it causes the screen to include a map showing the area associated with the ticket to be displayed on the wireless terminal. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

11. When the display control unit causes the screen to be displayed on the wireless terminal, it causes the screen to include information indicating the validity period of the ticket to be displayed on the wireless terminal. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

12. The display control unit, if the amount of data used by the wireless terminal for communication using the communication network during a unit period exceeds a predetermined percentage of the data amount specified by the user's subscribed rate plan, displays a message on the screen prompting the user to add more data available during that unit period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

13. The display control unit, when the terminal location identified by the location identification unit is not included in the area, and the current time is included in the time period, and the shortest distance between the terminal location and the area is within the accuracy error range of the terminal location, causes the wireless terminal to display the screen containing information indicating that the preferential communication service is applied within the area. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

14. The display control unit, when the terminal location identified by the location identification unit is not included in the area, and the current time is included in the time period, and the shortest distance between the terminal location and the area is within the accuracy error range of the terminal location, displays information on the wireless terminal indicating that the preferential communication service is applied within the area, provided that the accuracy of the terminal location is higher than a predetermined accuracy. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13.

15. The storage unit stores, for each of the multiple tickets used to access the preferential communication service, the area to which the preferential communication service corresponding to the ticket can be applied and the time period to which the preferential communication service corresponding to the ticket can be applied, in association with each ticket. If the terminal location identified by the location identification unit is not included in the area corresponding to each of the multiple tickets, the display control unit causes the wireless terminal to display information indicating the area closest to the terminal location among the multiple areas associated with the time period including the current time. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

16. A computer executes The steps include identifying the terminal location, which is the location of the wireless terminal used by the user, The steps include: referring to a storage unit that stores a ticket for using a communication preferential service, which is a service for preferential use of a communication network including the use of a slice network that virtually divides the communication network, the area in which the communication preferential service is provided, and the time period in which the communication preferential service is provided, and displaying a screen for purchasing or using the ticket on the wireless terminal, provided that the identified terminal location is included in the area and the current time is included in the time period; An information processing method having

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