Information processing device and information processing method

Abstract

To enable users to start using the slice network smoothly. [Solution] The information processing device 1 includes a determination unit 135 that determines whether an application condition is met for applying a predetermined slice network associated with a ticket, which is a predetermined slice network obtained by virtually dividing the communication network, to the communication of a wireless terminal 2 used by a user, and which includes the execution of an application for receiving the application of the predetermined slice network on the wireless terminal 2; and an application unit 133 that, if the determination unit 135 determines that the application condition is met, applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 before the use of the ticket by the user is confirmed.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, it is known that a user can 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] The slice network is assumed to be used in an area with a poor communication environment such as an event venue. When a user attempts to use the slice network for communication with their own wireless terminal, if the communication environment in the area where the user is located is poor, a problem occurs in that it takes time for the communication to start using the slice network.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to enable a user to smoothly start using a slice network.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a determination unit that determines whether an application condition is met for applying a predetermined slice network, which is a virtual division of a communication network, to the communication of a wireless terminal used by a user, and which is a condition for applying the predetermined slice network associated with a ticket, and which includes the execution of an application for receiving the application of the predetermined slice network on the wireless terminal; and an application unit that, if the determination unit determines that the application condition is met, applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal before the use of the ticket by the user is confirmed.

[0007] The application unit may apply the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal before the use of the ticket is confirmed, and if the use of the ticket is not confirmed within a predetermined time, it may release the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal.

[0008] The ticket is associated with the validity period of the predetermined slice network, and if the predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal before the use of the ticket is confirmed, the validity period may not be consumed from the time the application of the predetermined slice network begins until the use of the ticket is confirmed, or from the time the application of the predetermined slice network begins until the predetermined time has elapsed without the use of the ticket being confirmed.

[0009] The aforementioned application conditions may include the fact that the screen displayed on the wireless terminal has transitioned to a predetermined screen for applying the predetermined slice network. The aforementioned application conditions may include the fact that a reception screen for accepting requests to purchase tickets for applying the aforementioned predetermined slice network is displayed as the aforementioned predetermined screen, and that the request to purchase said tickets is accepted on the reception screen.

[0010] The application unit receives the purchase request from the wireless terminal, applies the predetermined slice network to the wireless terminal's communication, and if the purchase of the ticket is completed within a predetermined time, maintains the application of the predetermined slice network to the wireless terminal's communication. If the purchase of the ticket is not completed within the predetermined time, it may release the application of the predetermined slice network to the wireless terminal's communication.

[0011] The ticket is associated with the right to apply the predetermined slice network to the communications of the wireless terminal for a predetermined period, and the application unit may start timing the predetermined period when it receives the purchase request from the wireless terminal, applies the predetermined slice network to the communications of the wireless terminal, and the purchase of the ticket is completed within the predetermined time.

[0012] The above application conditions may include a reception screen that accepts the selection of a ticket for applying the predetermined slice network, which is displayed as the predetermined screen, and the acceptance of the selection of the ticket on the reception screen.

[0013] The above application conditions may include a reception screen that accepts a request to measure throughput when the predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal, and the reception screen accepts the measurement request.

[0014] The application unit may apply the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal before the use of the ticket is confirmed, and then, if it transitions to another predetermined screen different from the predetermined screen before the use of the ticket is confirmed, it may release the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal.

[0015] The application conditions include a purchase acceptance screen for accepting a request to purchase a ticket for applying the predetermined slice network, which is displayed as the predetermined screen, and the purchase request for the ticket is accepted on the purchase acceptance screen, or a measurement acceptance screen for accepting a request to measure the throughput when the predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal, which is displayed as the predetermined screen, and the measurement request is accepted on the measurement acceptance screen. The application unit may, if it accepts the purchase request from the wireless terminal and applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal, and the purchase of the ticket is not completed within 1 hour, or if it accepts the measurement request from the wireless terminal and applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal, and the purchase of the ticket is not completed within 2 hours, which is different from the 1 hour, the application unit may also cancel the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal.

[0016] A second aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing method, which includes the steps of: determining whether a predetermined slice network, which is a communication network virtually divided into slice networks, associated with a ticket, is met for communication of a wireless terminal used by a user, and the application conditions for applying the predetermined slice network are met, and the application conditions include the wireless terminal running an application for which the predetermined slice network is applied; and, if it is determined that the application conditions are met, applying the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal before the use of the ticket by the user is confirmed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The present invention has the effect of allowing users to start using the slice network smoothly. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a diagram for explaining the overview of the information processing apparatus 1. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing an example of a selection reception screen. [Figure 4] This is a diagram showing an example of a purchase reception screen. [Figure 5] This is a diagram showing an example of a payment screen. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing an example in which improvement effect information is shown on the purchase reception screen. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow in the information processing apparatus.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] [Overview of Information Processing Apparatus 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overview of the information processing apparatus 1. The information processing apparatus 1 is a network that virtually divides a communication network and is a computer for applying a predetermined slice network with a guaranteed predetermined communication quality to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0020] The communication network is, for example, a communication network provided in a 5G (5th Generation) SA (Stand Alone) area. The 5G SA area is an area for performing wireless communication by, for example, communication equipment dedicated to 5G communication and a 5G base station. Further, the communication network includes not only a wireless communication network but also a wired core network. The predetermined slice network includes, for example, a slice network in which a predetermined bandwidth is guaranteed and a slice network in which communication is performed preferentially compared to best-effort communication.

[0021] The information processing device 1 can apply a predetermined slice network to the communication of a wireless terminal by controlling the allocation of resource blocks allocated to the communication of a wireless terminal using the communication network provided in the 5G SA area.

[0022] In this embodiment, a user can have the communication of their wireless terminal 2 applied to a predetermined slice network by purchasing a ticket to use that predetermined slice network, or by using a ticket they already possess. Hereinafter, the ticket to use the predetermined slice network will also be simply referred to as a ticket. Prior to the application of the predetermined slice network, a predetermined default slice network will be applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0023] 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 communication-enabled manner. When information processing device 1 determines that the conditions for applying a predetermined slice network are met, including the fact that a predetermined application for applying a predetermined slice network is running on the wireless terminal 2, it applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 before the use of the ticket is confirmed.

[0024] Here, the specified application is, for example, a dedicated application provided by a telecommunications carrier that provides a specified slice network, which is pre-installed on the wireless terminal 2, for the purpose of being subject to the specified slice network, or a third-party application provided by a carrier that partners with or collaborates with the said telecommunications carrier. If the telecommunications carrier providing the specified slice network also provides a web application, the specified application may be a browser pre-installed on the wireless terminal 2.

[0025] Furthermore, the application conditions include, for example, accepting a ticket purchase request on a reception screen that accepts ticket purchase requests. For example, first, the information processing device 1 displays a reception screen that accepts ticket purchase or ticket usage requests to a wireless terminal 2 on which a predetermined application is running (Figure 1 (1)).

[0026] When the information processing device 1 receives a ticket purchase request or a ticket usage request on the reception screen (Figure 1, (2)), it determines that the conditions for applying a predetermined slice network are met. The information processing device 1 then provisionally applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 (Figure 1, (3)).

[0027] Here, provisional application refers to applying a predetermined slice network to the communication of wireless terminal 2 without consuming the ticket, before the use of the ticket is confirmed. In contrast, after the use of the ticket is confirmed, consuming the ticket to maintain the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of wireless terminal 2, or consuming the ticket to start the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of wireless terminal 2, is called full application of the predetermined slice network.

[0028] The information processing device 1 displays a confirmation screen to the wireless terminal 2 on which a predetermined application is running, confirming the purchase of the ticket (Figure 1, (4)). When the information processing device 1 receives a confirmation request from the wireless terminal 2 to confirm the purchase of the ticket (Figure 1, (5)), it applies a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 (Figure 1, (6)).

[0029] Thus, since the predetermined slice network is already applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 at the time the user confirms the purchase of the ticket, the user can start using the predetermined slice network more smoothly compared to when the application of the predetermined slice network is initiated at the time the user confirms the purchase of the ticket.

[0030] [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.

[0031] 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 receiving unit 131, an acquisition unit 132, an application unit 133, an output unit 134, and a determination unit 135.

[0032] The control unit 13 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit 13 functions as a receiving unit 131, an acquisition unit 132, an application unit 133, an output unit 134, and a determination unit 135 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 12.

[0033] The reception unit 131 receives requests to purchase tickets for using a predetermined slice network and requests to use tickets owned by the user. First, the reception unit 131 receives a request to display a ticket selection screen from a wireless terminal 2 on which a predetermined application for applying the predetermined slice network is running. 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 to identify the user of the wireless terminal 2.

[0034] When the reception unit 131 receives a request to display the selection reception screen, it identifies the terminal location of the wireless terminal 2 based on the terminal location information included in the display request, and identifies the communication network provided at the terminal location as the communication network to which the wireless terminal 2 is connected. The request to display the selection reception screen may also 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 reception unit 131 may then identify the communication network corresponding to that cell ID.

[0035] The reception unit 131 then identifies one or more predetermined slice networks that correspond to the identified communication network and have available resources. Each of the one or more predetermined slice networks has a ticket associated with it. The reception unit 131 transmits a selection screen to the wireless terminal 2, which accepts the user's selection of a ticket to purchase or use from among the tickets associated with each of the one or more predetermined slice networks identified, and displays the selection screen on the wireless terminal 2.

[0036] Here, the reception unit 131 displays a selection screen on the wireless terminal 2 that accepts the user's selection of a ticket to purchase or use from among the tickets associated with a predetermined slice network corresponding to the identified communication network, but is not limited to this. The reception unit 131 may also identify the user's subscribed rate plan from among several rate plans for the use of the communication network provided by the communication carrier that provides the predetermined slice network, based on the user ID. Then, it may display a selection screen on the wireless terminal 2 that accepts the user's selection of a ticket corresponding to the identified rate plan.

[0037] Figure 3 shows an example of a selection screen. Figure 3 displays a selection screen where the user can choose from two tickets. In the example shown in Figure 3, a purchase button is displayed for each of the two tickets, allowing the user to proceed with the purchase. Each ticket is associated with the right to apply a specified slice network to the wireless terminal's communication for a predetermined period (validity period). In the example shown in Figure 3, purchasing each of the two tickets applies the specified slice network to the wireless terminal's communication for 30 minutes.

[0038] When the purchase procedure button is pressed, 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 acceptance screen for the selected ticket to the wireless terminal 2, and displays the purchase acceptance screen on the wireless terminal 2.

[0039] In addition, while the selection screen in Figure 3 shows tickets that the user can purchase, it is not limited to these. The screen may also display one or more tickets held by the user that are associated with a predetermined slice network applicable to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, along with a ticket selection button for accepting the selection of such tickets. When a ticket selection button is pressed, the reception unit 131 accepts the selection of the ticket corresponding to the pressed ticket selection button. The reception unit 131 may then transmit a usage acceptance screen to the wireless terminal 2 to accept the use of the selected ticket, and the wireless terminal 2 may display this usage acceptance screen.

[0040] Figure 4 shows an example of a purchase acceptance screen. As shown in Figure 4, 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 purchase request button that accepts a purchase request for the ticket.

[0041] In Figure 4, 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.

[0042] The reception unit 131 accepts a measurement request when the measurement button is pressed on the purchase reception screen or the usage reception screen. However, if the ticket has already been used and a predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 when the purchase reception screen or usage reception screen is displayed (for example, when purchasing or using an additional ticket of the same type because the validity period of the ticket currently in use has expired), the system controls these reception screens so that the measurement request cannot be accepted. For example, when the purchase reception screen or usage reception screen is displayed, the reception unit 131 determines whether a predetermined slice network corresponding to the selected ticket is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, and if it determines that the predetermined slice network is applied, it sends a purchase reception screen or usage reception screen configured so that the measurement button cannot be pressed to the wireless terminal 2. In this way, the information processing device 1 can prevent the measurement from being performed when the predetermined slice network is applied to the wireless terminal 2 because the ticket has already been used and therefore the throughput measurement is unnecessary.

[0043] Furthermore, when the purchase request button is pressed on the purchase request screen, the reception unit 131 accepts the purchase 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 a payment confirmation request to confirm the payment. Figure 5 shows an example of the payment screen. In Figure 5, it can be seen that the ticket selected by the user, the unit price of the ticket, the number of tickets to be purchased by the user, the total amount, a field for entering a PIN, and a payment confirmation button to accept the confirmation of the payment.

[0044] When the payment confirmation button is pressed on the payment screen, the reception unit 131 receives a payment confirmation request for the purchase of the ticket. This initiates the payment process, and upon completion of the payment, the use of the ticket is confirmed, and the predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. 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, requesting the use of the existing ticket. Upon receiving this usage confirmation request, the reception unit 131 confirms the use of the ticket, and the predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0045] In this case, if a predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of wireless terminal 2 before the use of the ticket is confirmed, the validity period associated with the ticket will not be consumed from the time the predetermined slice network is applied until the use of the ticket is confirmed, or from the time the predetermined slice network is applied until a predetermined period of time has elapsed without the use of the ticket being confirmed. Furthermore, once the use of the ticket is confirmed, the predetermined slice network begins counting its validity period and the validity period is consumed. This prevents the validity period associated with the ticket from being consumed unintentionally by the user before the user confirms the purchase of the ticket.

[0046] When the reception unit 131 receives a throughput measurement request on the purchase reception screen or usage reception screen, the acquisition unit 132 acquires a first measurement result, which is the throughput of the wireless terminal 2 before a predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, and a second measurement result, which is the throughput of the wireless terminal 2 after a predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, before the user's use of the ticket is confirmed.

[0047] Specifically, first, when the reception unit 131 receives a measurement request, the acquisition unit 132 causes the wireless terminal 2 to measure the throughput and acquires the result of the measurement from the wireless terminal 2 as a first measurement result indicating the measured throughput before application.

[0048] When the acquisition unit 132 acquires the first measurement result, the determination unit 135, described later, determines that the application conditions, which are the conditions for applying a predetermined slice network, are met. As a result, the application unit 133 provisionally applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0049] For example, the application unit 133 identifies resources available in a predetermined slice network and determines whether the predetermined slice network can be applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 based on the identified resources. If the application unit 133 determines that the predetermined slice network can be applied, it applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0050] For example, the reception unit 131 has previously obtained a user ID to identify the user of the wireless terminal 2, and the application unit 133 provisionally applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 by instructing the communication control device that provides the slice network to apply the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 corresponding to the user ID of the user of the wireless terminal 2.

[0051] The acquisition unit 132 acquires a second measurement result when the application unit 133 applies a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. For example, after the application unit 133 provisionally applies a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, the acquisition unit 132 causes the wireless terminal 2 to measure the throughput and acquires the result of this measurement from the wireless terminal 2 as a second measurement result showing the measured throughput after application.

[0052] The output unit 134 outputs improvement effect information to the wireless terminal 2, which is information indicating whether applying a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 has the effect of improving the quality of the communication, based on the relationship between the pre-application throughput shown by the first measurement result and the post-application throughput shown by the second measurement result acquired by the acquisition unit 132, and the target throughput which is the target throughput for the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0053] For example, if the throughput before application is less than the target throughput and the throughput after application is equal to or greater than the target throughput, the output unit 134 outputs improvement effect information to the wireless terminal 2 indicating that applying a predetermined slice network to the wireless terminal 2's communication is effective in improving the communication quality of the wireless terminal 2.

[0054] For example, the output unit 134 outputs improvement effect information to the purchase acceptance screen shown in Figure 4, indicating whether applying a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 will improve the quality of the communication. Figure 6 shows an example of improvement effect information being displayed on the purchase acceptance screen. The improvement effect information is a combination of symbols such as "○" indicating that there is an improvement effect or "×" indicating that there is no improvement effect, and a message indicating whether there is an improvement effect. In the example shown in Figure 6, it can be seen that the purchase acceptance screen displays "○", a symbol indicating that there is an improvement effect, and a message indicating that the quality of communication of the wireless terminal 2 will improve by purchasing the ticket.

[0055] The determination unit 135 determines whether the application conditions are met for applying a predetermined slice network associated with a ticket, which is a predetermined slice network obtained by virtually dividing the communication network, to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 used by the user, and which include the execution of a predetermined application in the wireless terminal 2 that is subject to the application of the predetermined slice network.

[0056] The conditions for applying a predetermined slice network include, in addition to the execution of a predetermined application on the wireless terminal 2, that the screen displayed on the wireless terminal 2 has transitioned to a predetermined screen for accepting the application of the predetermined slice network, such as a purchase acceptance screen that accepts ticket purchase requests, a usage acceptance screen that accepts usage requests for tickets owned by the user, or, as described above, receiving a throughput measurement request from the wireless terminal 2.

[0057] Furthermore, the application conditions for applying a predetermined slice network may include, as predetermined screens, accepting ticket purchase requests on a purchase acceptance screen and accepting ticket usage requests on a usage acceptance screen.

[0058] As a result, the determination unit 135 determines that a predetermined application for applying a predetermined slice network is running on the wireless terminal 2, and that the conditions for applying the predetermined slice network are met, in response to the reception unit 131 receiving a ticket purchase request on the purchase reception screen or a ticket usage request on the usage reception screen. In this way, the information processing device 1 can apply a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 in advance, before the usage of the predetermined slice network is confirmed, when there is a high tendency for the user to make a ticket purchase request or usage request and use the predetermined slice network.

[0059] The application conditions include, but are not limited to, the display of a designated screen for accepting ticket purchase requests and the acceptance of such ticket purchase requests on that screen. For example, the application conditions may include, instead of accepting ticket purchase requests or ticket usage requests, the display of a designated screen for accepting the selection of tickets to be eligible for a designated slice network and the acceptance of such selections on that screen.

[0060] In this way, when the information processing device 1 is likely to use a predetermined slice network, similar to how a user makes a ticket purchase request or usage request, it can pre-apply a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 before the use of the predetermined slice network is confirmed.

[0061] If the determination unit 135 determines that the conditions for applying a predetermined slice network are met, the application unit 133 applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 before the user's use of the ticket is confirmed. Specifically, if the determination unit 135 determines that the conditions for applying a predetermined slice network are met, the application unit 133 provisionally applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 as described above.

[0062] The application unit 133, after the reception unit 131 receives a throughput measurement request, purchase request, or usage request from the wireless terminal 2, provisionally applies a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 before the use of the ticket is confirmed, and when the purchase or use of the ticket is confirmed within a predetermined time, maintains the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, and starts timing the application of the predetermined slice network, thereby initiating the permanent application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0063] On the other hand, if the application unit 133 provisionally applies a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 before the use of the ticket is confirmed, and the purchase of the ticket is not completed within a predetermined time and the use of the ticket is not confirmed, the application unit 133 releases the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. Similarly, if the application unit 133 provisionally applies a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 before the use of the ticket is confirmed, and the use of the ticket is not confirmed because a request for confirmation of ticket use is not made within a predetermined time, the application unit 133 releases the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0064] Furthermore, the application unit 133 may provisionally apply a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 before the use of the ticket is confirmed, and then, if the user transitions to another predetermined screen different from the predetermined screen before the use of the ticket is confirmed, it may release the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0065] Here, the other predetermined screens are, for example, screens different from a plurality of screens designated as screens to which a predetermined slice network is applied. For example, when multiple screens are displayed on the wireless terminal 2, a connection is maintained between the wireless terminal 2 and the information processing device 1. If the application unit 133 determines that the connection has been disconnected while the predetermined slice network is being provisionally applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, it releases the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0066] In this way, the information processing device 1 can prevent a predetermined slice network from being provisionally applied to the wireless terminal 2 for an extended period of time when there is a high probability that the user is not requesting the application of the predetermined slice network and is performing other tasks.

[0067] In the above explanation, the time from applying the predetermined slice network to deapplying it is assumed to be a predetermined time, but this is not limited to this. For example, the application unit 133 may receive a ticket purchase request from the wireless terminal 2, apply the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, and if the ticket purchase is not completed within 1 hour, deactivate the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. Alternatively, the application unit 133 may receive a throughput measurement request from the wireless terminal 2, apply the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, and if the ticket purchase is not completed within 2 hours (different from 1 hour), deactivate the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. In this case, 2 hours may be longer than 1 hours.

[0068] In this way, when a throughput measurement request is received from wireless terminal 2 and a predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of wireless terminal 2, the time until the predetermined slice network is deactivated is longer compared to when a purchase request is received and the predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of wireless terminal 2. In this way, the information processing device 1 can prevent the predetermined slice network from being deactivated while the user is taking time to check and consider the throughput measurement results and proceeding with the purchase of a ticket.

[0069] [Operation Flow] Next, the processing flow in the information processing device 1 will be explained. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow in the information processing device 1. The flowchart in Figure 7 explains the processing flow when the information processing device 1 receives a ticket purchase request or usage request and applies a predetermined slice network. Note that the flowchart in Figure 7 is started when the information processing device 1 receives a request from the wireless terminal 2 to display the selection acceptance screen.

[0070] First, the reception unit 131 transmits the selection reception screen to the wireless terminal 2 in response to receiving a request from the wireless terminal 2 to display the selection reception screen (S1). Next, the reception unit 131 determines whether or not it has accepted the selection of a ticket on the selection reception screen (S2). If the reception unit 131 determines that it has accepted the selection of a ticket (YES in S2), it moves the process to S3. If it determines that it has not accepted the selection of a ticket (NO in S2), it re-executes S2.

[0071] In S3, the reception unit 131 transmits the purchase acceptance screen or usage acceptance screen corresponding to the selected ticket to the wireless terminal 2. Specifically, if a ticket for sale is selected, the reception unit 131 transmits the purchase acceptance screen for that ticket to the wireless terminal 2, and if a ticket owned by the user is selected, it transmits the usage acceptance screen for that ticket.

[0072] Next, the reception unit 131 determines whether it has received a ticket purchase request on the purchase reception screen or a ticket usage request on the usage reception screen (S4). If the reception unit 131 determines that it has received either a ticket purchase request or a ticket usage request (YES in S4), it proceeds to S5. If the reception unit 131 determines that it has not received either a ticket purchase request or a ticket usage request (NO in S4), it re-executes S4.

[0073] If the answer in S4 is YES, the determination unit 135 determines that the conditions for applying a predetermined slice network associated with the ticket have been met. In this case, the application unit 133 provisionally applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 (S5).

[0074] Next, the reception unit 131 transmits a payment screen or a usage confirmation screen to the wireless terminal 2 (S6). Specifically, if the reception unit 131 receives a ticket purchase request in S4, it settles the fee for the ticket and transmits a payment screen to the wireless terminal 2 to confirm the use of the ticket. If the reception unit 131 receives a ticket usage request in S4, it transmits a usage confirmation screen to the wireless terminal 2 to confirm the use of the ticket.

[0075] Next, the application unit 133 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the provisional application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 began (S7). If the application unit 133 determines that a predetermined time has elapsed since the provisional application of the predetermined slice network began (YES in S7), it moves to S8 and cancels the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. If the application unit 133 determines that a predetermined time has not elapsed since the provisional application of the predetermined slice network began (NO in S7), it moves to S9.

[0076] Next, the application unit 133 determines whether or not the use of the ticket has been confirmed (S9). For example, if the reception unit 131 receives a payment request on the payment screen and the payment is completed, or if it receives a ticket usage confirmation request on the usage confirmation screen, the application unit 133 determines that the use of the ticket has been confirmed (YES in S9) and proceeds to S10. If the reception unit 131 has not received either a payment request or a usage confirmation request (NO in S9), the application unit 133 proceeds to S7.

[0077] In S10, the application unit 133 permanently applies a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2. Specifically, if the predetermined slice network is provisionally applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, the application unit 133 switches the application state of the predetermined slice network from provisional application to permanent application. If the predetermined slice network is not provisionally applied to the communication of the wireless terminal 2, the application unit 133 permanently applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2.

[0078] [Differentiation] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a predetermined slice network is applied by applying a ticket, but the invention is not limited to this, and a communication preference service may also be applied by applying a ticket. In this case, the communication preference service may include communication control that prioritizes the communication of wireless terminal 2 using the communication preference service over the communication of wireless terminals of users not using the communication preference service in a 5G SA area or a 5G NSA (Non-Stand Alone) area. A 5G NSA area is, for example, an area where wireless communication is performed using communication equipment dedicated to 4G (4th Generation) communication, 4G base stations, and 5G base stations. Also, when applying a communication preference service to a wireless terminal in a 5G SA area, the communication preference service may include the application of a predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal. The information processing device 1 can prioritize communication over communication terminals not using the communication preference service by controlling the allocation of resource blocks allocated to the communication of wireless terminals using the communication network provided in a 5G SA area or a 5G NSA area.

[0079] The determination unit 135 then determines whether the application conditions for applying the preferential communication service associated with the ticket to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 used by the user are met, and whether the application conditions for receiving the preferential communication service are running on the wireless terminal 2. These application conditions may be the same as the application conditions for the predetermined slice network described above. If the determination unit 135 determines that the application conditions are met, the application unit 133 applies the preferential communication service to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 before the user's use of the ticket is confirmed. In this way, the user of the wireless terminal 2 can start using the preferential communication service smoothly.

[0080] [Effects of Information Processing Device 1] As described above, when the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment determines that the application conditions for receiving a predetermined slice network on the wireless terminal 2, which include the execution of an application for receiving the predetermined slice network, are met, it applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal 2 before the user's use of a ticket for receiving the predetermined slice network is confirmed. In this way, the user of the wireless terminal 2 can start using the slice network smoothly.

[0081] 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."

[0082] 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]

[0083] 1. Information Processing Device 11 Communications Department 12 Storage section 13 Control Unit 131 Reception Department 132 Acquisition Department 133 Application section 134 Output section 135 Judgment section 2 Wireless terminals

Claims

1. A determination unit determines whether an application condition is met for applying a predetermined slice network, which is a virtual division of the communication network, to the communication of a wireless terminal used by a user, and which is a condition for applying the predetermined slice network associated with a ticket, and which includes the execution of an application on the wireless terminal that is subject to the application of the predetermined slice network. If the determination unit determines that the above application conditions are met, the application unit applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal before the use of the ticket by the user is confirmed, An information processing device having

2. The application unit applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal before the use of the ticket is confirmed, and if the use of the ticket is not confirmed within a predetermined time, it releases the application of the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned ticket is associated with the validity period of the predetermined slice network, If the predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal before the use of the ticket is confirmed, the validity period will not be consumed from the time the application of the predetermined slice network begins until the use of the ticket is confirmed, or from the time the application of the predetermined slice network begins until the predetermined time has elapsed without the use of the ticket being confirmed. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned application conditions include the screen displayed on the wireless terminal transitioning to a predetermined screen for applying the predetermined slice network. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned application conditions include the fact that a reception screen for accepting requests to purchase the ticket for applying the aforementioned predetermined slice network is displayed as the aforementioned predetermined screen, and that the request to purchase the ticket is accepted on the aforementioned reception screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The application unit receives the purchase request from the wireless terminal, applies the predetermined slice network to the wireless terminal's communication, and maintains the application of the predetermined slice network to the wireless terminal's communication if the purchase of the ticket is completed within a predetermined time. If the purchase of the ticket is not completed within the predetermined time, it releases the application of the predetermined slice network to the wireless terminal's communication. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5.

7. The aforementioned ticket is associated with the right that the predetermined slice network will be applied to the communications of the wireless terminal for a predetermined period of time. The application unit receives the purchase request from the wireless terminal, applies the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal, and then starts timing the predetermined period when the purchase of the ticket is completed within the predetermined time. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned application conditions include the display of a reception screen as the aforementioned screen for accepting the selection of a ticket to be applied to the aforementioned predetermined slice network, and the acceptance of the selection of said ticket on the aforementioned reception screen. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

9. The aforementioned application conditions include the fact that a reception screen for receiving a request to measure throughput when the predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal is displayed as the predetermined screen, and the reception screen accepts the measurement request. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

10. The application unit applies the predetermined slice network to the wireless terminal's communication before the use of the ticket is confirmed, and then, if the user transitions to another predetermined screen different from the predetermined screen before the use of the ticket is confirmed, it releases the application of the predetermined slice network to the wireless terminal's communication. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

11. The aforementioned application conditions include a purchase acceptance screen that accepts a request to purchase a ticket for applying the predetermined slice network, which is displayed as the predetermined screen, and the purchase request for the ticket is accepted on the purchase acceptance screen, or a measurement acceptance screen that accepts a request to measure the throughput when the predetermined slice network is applied to the communication of the wireless terminal, which is displayed as the predetermined screen, and the measurement request is accepted on the measurement acceptance screen. The application unit receives the purchase request from the wireless terminal, applies the predetermined slice network to the wireless terminal's communication, and if the purchase of the ticket is not completed within one hour, it deactivates the application of the predetermined slice network to the wireless terminal's communication. The application unit receives the measurement request from the wireless terminal, applies the predetermined slice network to the wireless terminal's communication, and if the purchase of the ticket is not completed within two hours, which is different from the first hour, it deactivates the application of the predetermined slice network to the wireless terminal's communication. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

12. A computer executes A step of determining whether an application condition is met for applying a predetermined slice network, which is a virtual division of the communication network, to the communication of a wireless terminal used by a user, and which is a condition for applying the predetermined slice network associated with a ticket, and which includes the execution of an application on the wireless terminal that is subject to the application of the predetermined slice network. If it is determined that the above application conditions are met, the steps include applying the predetermined slice network to the communication of the wireless terminal before the use of the ticket by the user is confirmed, An information processing method having

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