Information processing method, information processing device, and program

Abstract

To reduce the effort of a customer to pay a communication fee.SOLUTION: An information processing method includes the following steps in which: a telecommunications carrier C which provides communication lines acquires target terminal identification information for identifying shipped target terminals from a shipping business operator M which ships the target terminals that use the communication lines; the telecommunications carrier C acquires use terminal identification information for identifying a use terminal which is a terminal to be used, from a user business operator A which uses terminals; the telecommunications carrier C permits the use terminal identified by use terminal identification information corresponding to the target terminal identification information, to use the communication lines; and the telecommunications carrier C calculates a fee to be billed to the shipping business operator M on the basis of the number of target terminals shipped.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, various terminals are on the market. Patent Document 1 discloses a system for managing commercial transactions between customers and businesses. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-133348 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the terminal purchased by the customer is a terminal capable of using mobile data communication, i.e., a cellular model terminal, the customer needs to sign a contract for the use of the communication service provided by the communication carrier in order to use the mobile data communication on the purchased terminal. In this case, the customer needs to pay the communication fee associated with the use of the communication service, which is troublesome for the customer who has signed a contract for the communication service.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and has as its object to reduce the trouble that customers have to go through when paying communication charges. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An information processing method according to a first aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: a telecommunications carrier providing a communication line acquiring target terminal identification information for identifying the shipped target terminal from a shipping carrier that ships a target terminal to be used on the communication line; the telecommunications carrier acquiring user terminal identification information for identifying the user terminal, which is the terminal to be used, from a user who uses the terminal; the telecommunications carrier allowing the user terminal identified by the user terminal identification information corresponding to the target terminal identification information to use the communication line; and an information processing device used by the telecommunications carrier determining a billing fee to be billed to the shipping carrier based on the number of target terminals shipped.

[0007] In the step of determining the billing cost, the billing cost may be determined by multiplying the number of the target terminals shipped by a predetermined coefficient.

[0008] In the step of determining the billing cost, the billing cost may be determined by multiplying a line permission rate indicating the ratio of the number of the use terminals permitted to use the communication line to the number of the target terminals shipped, by a predetermined coefficient.

[0009] The telecommunications carrier may further include a step of making available an application program for utilizing the communication line at the user's terminal in response to a request from the user, and in the step of determining the billing fee, the billing fee may be determined by multiplying a utilization rate indicating the ratio of the number of the user terminals that utilize the application program to the number of the target terminals shipped by a predetermined coefficient.

[0010] An information processing method according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the steps of: a telecommunications carrier providing a communication line acquiring target terminal identification information for identifying the shipped target terminal from a shipping carrier that ships a target terminal to be used on the communication line; the telecommunications carrier acquiring user terminal identification information for identifying the user terminal, which is the terminal to be used, from a user who uses the terminal; the telecommunications carrier allowing the user terminal identified by the user terminal identification information corresponding to the target terminal identification information to use the communication line; and an information processing device used by the telecommunications carrier determining a billing fee to be billed to the shipping carrier by multiplying a statistical value of the data communication volume of the communication line for the shipped target terminal by a predetermined coefficient.

[0011] The method may further include a step in which the telecommunications carrier determines the coefficient to be larger the higher the utilization rate of the communication line in the target terminal, and determines the coefficient to be smaller the lower the utilization rate of the communication line in the target terminal. The target terminal may be a cellular model terminal in which the sales price includes communication fees for a specified period incurred in connection with the use of the communication line.

[0012] An information processing device according to a third aspect of the present invention has a carrier acquisition unit that acquires target terminal identification information for identifying the shipped target terminal from a shipping carrier that ships the target terminal to be used via a communication line, a user acquisition unit that acquires usage terminal identification information for identifying the usage terminal, which is the terminal to be used, from a user who uses the terminal, a usage processing unit that permits the usage terminal identified by the usage terminal identification information corresponding to the target terminal identification information to use the communication line, and a determination unit that determines a billing fee to be billed to the shipping carrier based on the number of target terminals shipped.

[0013] A program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as: a business operator acquisition unit that acquires target terminal identification information for identifying the shipped target terminal from a shipping business operator that ships the target terminal to be used via a communication line; a user acquisition unit that acquires usage terminal identification information for identifying the usage terminal, which is the terminal to be used, from a user who uses the terminal; a usage processing unit that permits the usage terminal identified by the usage terminal identification information corresponding to the target terminal identification information to use the communication line; and a determination unit that determines a billing fee to be billed to the shipping business operator based on the number of target terminals shipped. Effect of the Invention

[0014] The present invention has the effect of reducing the trouble that customers have to endure when paying communication fees. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a method for billing communication fees. [Diagram 2] An overview of the information processing system will be described. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an information processing device. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of a billing method executed by an information processing device. [Diagram 5] 10 is a flowchart showing a process flow of a use permission method executed by an information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] [Overview of how communication fees are billed] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of a method for billing communication fees. Generally, when a customer purchases a cellular model terminal, the customer must sign a contract for a communication service to enable mobile data communication on the terminal, and must pay a communication fee according to the usage plan of the communication service to a business providing the communication service on a monthly basis. In this case, the customer must pay two types of fees, the price of the terminal and the communication fee incurred on a monthly basis, which places a heavy burden on the customer. Therefore, in the method for billing communication fees according to the present application, a communication business C does not bill a user business A that uses a communication service on a target terminal T, but bills a shipping business M that shipped the target terminal T for the communication fee.

[0017] The target terminal T is a cellular model terminal in which the sales price includes communication costs for a predetermined period that occur with the use of a communication line used for mobile data communication. The predetermined period may be a period determined by the communication carrier C or the shipping carrier M, such as one week, one month, one year, or five years, or may be the depreciation period of the target terminal T. The target terminal T is, for example, a computer such as a notebook computer or a smartphone. The target terminal T has a first communication unit for connecting to a LAN (Local Area Network) and a second communication unit for performing mobile data communication.

[0018] Telecommunications carrier C is a company that provides communication services that provide communication lines for terminals to carry out mobile data communication.

[0019] The shipping business operator M is a business operator that ships the target terminal T. For example, the shipping business operator M may directly ship (sell) the target terminal T to the user business operator A, or may ship the target terminal T to a sales agency. For example, the shipping business operator M ships (sells) the target terminal T only to corporations. The shipping business operator M ships various types of target terminals T, but does not ship Wi-Fi (registered trademark) model target terminals T, and only ships cellular model target terminals T.

[0020] The user business operator A is a user who uses the user terminal U and the communication service, and is, for example, a corporation. The user terminal U is a terminal that uses the communication service, and is, for example, a target terminal T. The user terminal U is used, for example, by an employee of the user business operator A. The following describes the flow of a usage permission method by which the communications carrier C permits the use of a communication service in the user terminal U, and a billing method by which the communications carrier C bills the shipping carrier M for communication fees.

[0021] First, the flow of the usage permission method will be described. In the usage permission method, steps shown in (1) to (3) in Fig. 1 are executed. First, when the shipping company M ships a target terminal T, it presents a terminal list including the ID (identifier) ​​of the shipped target terminal T to the communication carrier C ((1) in Fig. 1). The ID of the target terminal T is target terminal identification information for identifying the target terminal T, and may be, for example, a serial number, an International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI), or a combination of the serial number and IMEI.

[0022] When the user business operator A purchases a user terminal U from the shipping business operator M or a sales agent, the user business operator A requests the communication service of the user terminal U to be used ((2) in FIG. 1). The request by the user business operator A includes the ID of the user terminal U. The ID of the user terminal U is user terminal identification information for identifying the user terminal U, and may be, for example, a serial number, an IMEI, or a combination of the serial number and IMEI.

[0023] Then, the communication carrier C refers to the terminal list acquired from the shipping carrier M, and if the ID of the user terminal acquired from the user carrier A is included in the terminal list, the communication carrier C permits the user carrier A to use the communication service on the user terminal U ((3) in FIG. 1). After that, the user carrier A uses the communication service on the user terminal U to perform mobile data communication using the communication line provided by the communication service.

[0024] Next, the flow of the billing method will be explained. In the billing method, the steps shown in (1), (4), (5), and (6) in Fig. 1 are executed. When the communication carrier C acquires the terminal list from the shipping carrier M ((1) in Fig. 1), the communication carrier C calculates the billing cost to be billed to the shipping carrier M based on the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list ((4) in Fig. 1).

[0025] The communications carrier C does not charge the calculated billed fee as the communication fee to the user terminal U included in the terminal list, i.e., the user carrier A that uses the user terminal U that has been permitted to use the communication service, but charges the communication fee to the shipping carrier M ((5) in FIG. 1). The shipping carrier M then pays the billed fee charged by the communications carrier C to the communications carrier C ((6) in FIG. 1).

[0026] In this way, the communication carrier C can pay the communication fee associated with the use of the communication service by having the user carrier A pay the price for the target terminal T. This allows the communication carrier C to avoid paying the monthly communication fee associated with the use of the communication service, out of the payment to the user carrier A for the price of the target terminal T and the payment of the monthly communication fee associated with the use of the communication service. As a result, the communication carrier C can reduce the trouble that the user carrier A has to pay the communication fee.

[0027] [Outline of Information Processing System S] Next, an overview of the information processing system S will be described. Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining the overview of the information processing system S. The information processing system S has a user business terminal 1, a shipping business device 2, and an information processing device 3.

[0028] The user business operator terminal 1 is a terminal used by the user business operator A. The user business operator terminal 1 may be the user terminal U or a terminal other than the user terminal U. The shipper business operator device 2 is a device managed by the shipper business operator M, such as a server. The information processing device 3 is a device managed by the telecommunications carrier C, such as a server.

[0029] The flow of processes executed by the information processing system S in the use permission method and the request method will be described below.

[0030] First, the usage permission process will be described. First, the shipment company device 2 transmits a terminal list to the information processing device 3 ((1) in FIG. 2). When the user company A who has purchased the user terminal U performs an operation to use the communication service on the user company terminal 1, the user company terminal 1 transmits a usage request for the communication service to the information processing device 3 ((2) in FIG. 2). The usage request includes the ID of the user terminal U.

[0031] Then, when the ID of the user terminal U acquired from the user service provider terminal 1 is included in the terminal list acquired from the shipment service provider device 2, the information processing device 3 transmits setting information indicating setting contents for allowing the terminal to use the communication service to the target terminal T ((3) in FIG. 2). The setting information is information indicating setting contents for allowing the terminal to use the communication service, such as an activation code, eSIM profile information, etc. Thereafter, the user service provider A performs setting for using the communication line provided in the communication service based on the setting information acquired from the communication service provider C, and performs mobile data communication in the user terminal U.

[0032] Next, the billing process will be described. When the information processing device 3 acquires the terminal list from the shipper device 2, it calculates the billing cost to be billed to the shipper M based on the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list ((4) in FIG. 2). Then, the information processing device 3 notifies the shipper device 2 of the calculated billing cost as a communication fee ((5) in FIG. 2).

[0033] In the above, an example in which the information processing system S executes the processes in the usage permission method and the billing method has been described, but this is not limiting. For example, at least a part of the above processes may be manually executed by a business operator (user business operator A, communication business operator C, or shipping business operator M). The configuration of the information processing device 3 will be described below.

[0034] [Configuration of information processing device 3] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an information processing device 3. In Fig. 3, arrows indicate main data flows, and data flows other than those shown in Fig. 3 may exist. In Fig. 3, each block indicates a configuration in functional units, not a configuration in hardware (device) units. Therefore, the blocks shown in Fig. 3 may be implemented in a single device, or may be implemented separately in multiple devices. Data may be exchanged between blocks via any means, such as a data bus, a network, or a portable storage medium.

[0035] The information processing device 3 includes a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. The information processing device 3 may be configured by connecting two or more physically separated devices by wire or wirelessly. The information processing device 3 may also be configured by a cloud that is a collection of computer resources.

[0036] The communication unit 31 has a communication controller for transmitting and receiving data to and from the target terminal T or the shipper device 2 via the network. The communication unit 31 notifies the control unit 33 of data received from the target terminal T or the shipper device 2 via the network. The communication unit 31 also transmits data output from the control unit 33 to the target terminal T or the shipper device 2 via the network.

[0037] The storage unit 32 is a storage medium including a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a hard disk drive, etc. The storage unit 32 may be provided outside the information processing device 3, in which case data may be exchanged between the storage unit 32 and the control unit 33 via a network. The storage unit 32 stores in advance a program to be executed by the control unit 33.

[0038] The control unit 33 has a shipper acquisition unit 331, a user business acquisition unit 332, a determination unit 333, a utilization processing unit 334, a calculation unit 335, a setting unit 336, and a notification unit 337. The control unit 33 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and functions as the shipper acquisition unit 331, the user business acquisition unit 332, the determination unit 333, the utilization processing unit 334, the calculation unit 335, the setting unit 336, and the notification unit 337 by executing a program stored in the storage unit 32. The details of the processing of each component of the control unit 33 will be explained below, separately for the use permission method and the request method.

[0039] [Usage permission method] First, a description will be given of the process executed by the information processing device 3 in the usage permission method. In the communication service, the communication carrier C permits the user terminal U to use the communication service by executing the following three steps as the usage permission method.

[0040] As a first step, the shipping company M transmits a terminal list including the IDs of the shipped target terminals T to the telecommunications company C. The shipping company M transmits the terminal list including the IDs of the newly shipped target terminals T to the telecommunications company C, for example, at a predetermined interval (for example, every week, every month, etc.).

[0041] The communication carrier C acquires the terminal list from the shipper M. Specifically, the shipper acquisition unit 331 acquires the terminal list from the shipper device 2. For example, when acquiring the terminal list, the shipper acquisition unit 331 stores the terminal list in the storage unit 32.

[0042] In a second step, the user business operator A transmits the ID of the user terminal U, which is a terminal used by the user business operator A, to the communication business operator C. For example, first, the user business operator A purchases the user terminal U, and then uses the user business operator terminal 1 to access a contract site for signing up for a non-billing plan in the communication service. The non-billing plan is a usage plan in which communication fees for a specified period incurred in conjunction with the use of the communication line provided in the communication service are not directly billed to the user business operator A.

[0043] Then, when user business operator A inputs information required by user business operator A in the non-billing plan contract on the display screen displayed on user business operator terminal 1 in response to accessing the contract site, user business operator terminal 1 transmits a request for use of the communication service including the input information input by user business operator A to information processing device 3. The input information includes the ID of user terminal U, information indicating user business operator A (for example, the name of user business operator A, the ID of user business operator A, etc.), etc.

[0044] The communication carrier C acquires the ID of the user terminal U from the user carrier A. Specifically, the user carrier acquisition unit 332 acquires a request for use of a communication service including the ID of the user terminal U from the user carrier terminal 1.

[0045] In the above, the telecommunications carrier C has acquired the ID of the terminal to be used input by the user carrier A, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the telecommunications carrier C may acquire the ID of the terminal to be used U from the terminal to be used. For example, when the user carrier A performs an operation to execute a setting tool on the target terminal T, the target terminal T transmits the ID of the target terminal T to the information processing device 3 as the ID of the terminal to be used. The setting tool is an application program for the terminal to be used U to use a communication line, specifically, an application program for transmitting the ID of the executed terminal to the information processing device 3 and acquiring the setting information transmitted by the information processing device 3 in response to the transmission of the ID of the terminal. The setting tool may be acquired from a predetermined download site or may be stored in the target terminal T in advance. In this way, the telecommunications carrier C can omit the input of the ID of the terminal to be used U by the user carrier A, thereby simplifying the procedure for using the communication service, and preventing the occurrence of a situation in which a terminal other than the target terminal T poses as the target terminal T and uses the communication service illegally.

[0046] As a third step, when the terminal list acquired from the shipping company M includes an ID of a target terminal T that matches the ID of the user terminal U acquired from the user company A, the communication company C permits the use of the communication line to the user terminal U indicated by the ID of the user terminal U. Specifically, first, the determination unit 333 determines whether or not the ID of the target terminal T that matches the ID of the user terminal U acquired by the user company acquisition unit 332 is included in the IDs of one or more target terminals T included in the terminal list acquired by the shipping company acquisition unit 331.

[0047] Then, when the determination unit 333 determines that the ID of the target terminal T matches the ID of the using terminal U in the terminal list, the utilization processing unit 334 transmits setting information (e.g., an activation code) to the using carrier terminal 1 (e.g., displays the setting information on the display screen of the contract site). By transmitting the setting information, the information processing device 3 permits the using terminal U to use the communication service, that is, applies a non-billing plan to the using terminal U. Thereafter, the using carrier A uses the transmitted setting information to perform settings for the using terminal T to use the communication service.

[0048] The usage processing unit 334 may transmit setting information to the usage terminal U indicated by the ID of the usage terminal U. Specifically, the usage processing unit 334 transmits setting information (e.g., eSIM profile information) to the usage terminal U from which the usage business acquisition unit 332 has acquired the ID of the usage terminal U. Thereafter, the usage terminal U executes settings for using the communication service using the setting information acquired by the setting tool from the information processing device 3. Note that, when the usage business A inputs an email address in the setting tool, the usage processing unit 334 may transmit the setting information to the email address as the destination.

[0049] The communications carrier C is capable of transmitting a setting tool, and after permitting the use terminal U to use the communications line, may transmit the setting tool in response to a request from the communications carrier A that uses the communications terminal U.

[0050] For example, when the determination unit 333 determines that there is an ID of the target terminal T in the terminal list that matches the ID of the using terminal U, the usage processing unit 334 stores the setting information and the contract information including the ID of the using terminal U in the storage unit 32. The contract information is information indicating the contents of the contract regarding the usage of the communication service between the using business operator A and the communication business operator.

[0051] In this case, first, when the user service provider A performs an operation to execute the setting tool on the user terminal U, the user terminal U transmits a transmission request for setting information to the information processing device 3. The transmission request includes, for example, the ID of the user terminal U. When the usage processing unit 334 acquires the transmission request from the user terminal U, it transmits setting information associated with the contract information including the ID of the user terminal U included in the transmission request to the user terminal U. When the user terminal U acquires the setting information from the information processing device 3, the setting tool executes communication settings for performing mobile data communication using a communication line provided in the communication service based on the setting information. Note that in the user terminal U, the setting tool may execute a process of registering information related to the user service provider A (for example, a telephone number, an email address, etc.) in addition to the communication settings.

[0052] On the other hand, when the determination unit 333 determines that there is no ID of the target terminal T that matches the ID of the using terminal U in the terminal list, it denies the use of the communication service to the using terminal U. In this case, the information processing device 3 may apply a normal billing plan for paying communication fees incurred in conjunction with the use of a communication line provided in the communication service, instead of a non-billing plan.

[0053] Even if the determination unit 333 determines that the ID of the target terminal T matches the ID of the use terminal U in the terminal list, the determination unit 333 may deny the use of the communication service to the use terminal U when a predetermined condition is satisfied. For example, the storage unit 32 stores a refusal list of refusal businesses that deny the use of the communication service. The refusal list is, for example, a list of information indicating refusal businesses (for example, antisocial businesses, etc.).

[0054] In this case, when the user business operator A specified by the input information acquired by the user business operator acquisition unit 332 from the user business operator terminal 1 is included in the refusal list, the determination unit 333 denies the use of the communication service to the user terminal U even when it is determined that the ID of the target terminal T in the terminal list matches the ID of the user terminal U. In this way, the communication carrier C can reduce the occurrence of a situation in which the communication service is used by, for example, an antisocial business operator.

[0055] When the non-billing plan is applied, the communications carrier C will not bill the user carrier A for the communication fees associated with the use of the communications service by the user terminal U to which the non-billing plan is applied during a specified period. When the specified period has elapsed, the communications carrier C will cancel the application of the non-billing plan. In this case, the communications carrier C may change the applied usage plan to a billing plan and bill the user carrier A for the communication fees associated with the use of the communications service after the specified period has elapsed.

[0056] Specifically, first, the usage processing unit 334 refers to the contract information of the user terminal U, and when a predetermined period has passed since the reference date, changes the non-billing plan applied to the user terminal U to a billing plan. The reference date is, for example, the date on which a terminal list including the ID of the user terminal U is obtained from the shipping company M, the date on which the non-billing plan is applied (the date on which a contract is made to use the communication service of the non-billing plan), the date on which the usage processing unit 334 transmits the setting information, etc. Then, the usage processing unit 334 notifies the user company terminal 1 of the communication fee according to the changed billing plan, thereby billing the user company A for the communication fee. In this way, the communication company C can prevent the occurrence of a situation in which the user company A becomes unable to use the communication service due to the passage of a predetermined period.

[0057] The communication carrier C may cancel the application of the non-billing plan when a predetermined condition other than the lapse of a predetermined period is met. For example, the communication carrier C may cancel or suspend the application of the non-billing plan when the user terminal U is initialized after executing communication settings based on the downloaded eSIM information, as a predetermined condition.

[0058] For example, in response to a first transmission request from the user terminal U, the usage processing unit 334 transmits the eSIM information to the user terminal U. On the other hand, the usage processing unit 334 does not transmit the eSIM information to the user terminal U in response to a second or subsequent transmission request from the user terminal U. The usage processing unit 334 manages the usage status of the communication service in the user terminal U, and may cancel or suspend the application of the non-billing plan when a second transmission request is obtained from the user terminal U.

[0059] The communication carrier C may cancel the application of the non-billing plan when a terminal other than the target terminal T uses the communication service using the setting information of the target terminal T as a predetermined condition. For example, when there is no eSIM information in the storage unit 32 that associates the ID of the user terminal U included in the transmission request acquired from the user terminal U with the eSIM ID, the usage processing unit 334 cancels or suspends the application of the non-billing plan corresponding to the eSIM ID. In this way, the communication carrier C can prevent terminals other than the target terminal T from using the communication service.

[0060] The communication carrier C may cancel or suspend the application of the non-billing plan when a terminal other than the target terminal T performs mobile data communication via a using terminal U that is using the communication service as a predetermined condition. The usage processing unit 334, for example, acquires the ID of the terminal performing the mobile data communication and the eSIM ID, and when there is no eSIM information in which the acquired terminal ID and eSIM ID are associated among the multiple pieces of eSIM information stored in the storage unit 32, the usage processing unit 334 cancels or suspends the application of the non-billing plan corresponding to the acquired eSIM ID.

[0061] The communication carrier C may restrict tethering of the target terminal T. For example, the usage processing unit 334 acquires the ID of the terminal performing mobile data communication and the eSIM ID, and when there is no eSIM information associated with the acquired terminal ID and eSIM ID among the multiple pieces of eSIM information stored in the storage unit 32, the usage processing unit 334 prohibits the terminal indicated by the terminal ID from using mobile data communication. In this way, the communication carrier C can prevent the occurrence of a situation in which a terminal other than the target terminal T uses the communication service by tethering the target terminal T.

[0062] When the application of the non-billing plan is cancelled or suspended, if the user business operator A re-contracts for the non-billing plan, the communication carrier C may apply the non-billing plan again. For example, first, when the user business operator A inputs information required by the user business operator A to re-contract for the non-billing plan on the display screen of the contract site, the user business operator terminal 1 transmits a reuse request for the communication service including the input information input by the user business operator A (for example, the ID of the user terminal U, etc.) to the information processing device 3. Then, when the determination unit 333 determines that there is an ID of the target terminal T that matches the ID of the user terminal U included in the reuse request in the terminal list, the utilization processing unit 334 transmits utilization permission information again to the user terminal U indicated by the ID of the user terminal U. In this way, the communication carrier C can rescue the user business operator A who is unable to use the communication service due to various circumstances. Note that, when the user business operator A performs a procedure to cancel the interruption of the application of the non-billing plan on a dedicated site for canceling the interruption of the application of the non-billing plan, the communication carrier C may cancel the interruption of the application of the non-billing plan and allow the user terminal U to use the communication service.

[0063] [Billing method] Next, a description will be given of a process executed by the information processing device 3 in a billing method. In a communication service, the following three steps are executed as a billing method, whereby the communication carrier C bills the shipping carrier M for communication fees.

[0064] As a first step, the shipping company M transmits a terminal list including the ID of the shipped target terminal T to the communications company C. The shipping company acquisition unit 331 acquires the terminal list from the shipping company device 2.

[0065] In a second step, the communication carrier C calculates the billing cost to be charged to the shipping carrier M, using the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list acquired by the shipping carrier acquisition unit 331. Specifically, the calculation unit 335 calculates the billing cost to be charged to the shipping carrier M, based on the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list.

[0066] The communication carrier C calculates the billing cost, for example, using the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list and a unit number coefficient. The unit number coefficient is a predetermined numerical value, for example, the cost per target terminal T to be billed to the shipping carrier M. Specifically, the calculation unit 335 first counts the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list. Then, the calculation unit 335 calculates the billing cost by multiplying the counted number (the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list) by the unit number coefficient.

[0067] The communication carrier C may calculate the billing cost based on the number of use terminals U permitted to use the communication service among the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list. Specifically, the calculation unit 335 calculates the billing cost based on the number of use terminals U permitted to use the communication service among the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list. The calculation unit 335 calculates the billing cost by, for example, multiplying the number of target terminals T permitted to use the communication service among the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list by the number coefficient. In this way, the communication carrier C can bill the shipping carrier M for communication costs according to the number of target terminals T shipped.

[0068] The communication carrier C may calculate the billing cost using the line permission rate and the permission rate coefficient. The line permission rate indicates the ratio of the number of use terminals U permitted to use the communication service to the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list. The permission rate coefficient is a predetermined value, and for example, the higher the number of use terminals permitted to use the communication line to the number of target terminals T, the higher the billing cost. Specifically, the calculation unit 335 first counts the number of use terminals U permitted to use the communication service from among the target terminals T included in the terminal list, and calculates the line permission rate based on the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list and the counted number (the number of use terminals U permitted to use the communication service). Then, the calculation unit 335 calculates the billing cost by multiplying the calculated line permission rate by the permission rate coefficient. In this way, the communication carrier C can bill the shipping carrier M for the communication cost according to the number of target terminals T using the communication service.

[0069] The communication carrier C may calculate the billing cost using the number of use terminals U that have used the setting tool relative to the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list. Specifically, the calculation unit 335 calculates the billing cost by multiplying the number of use terminals U that have used the setting tool among the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list by the number coefficient. In this way, the communication carrier C can bill the shipping carrier M for the communication cost according to the number of target terminals T that are using the communication service.

[0070] The communication carrier C may calculate the billing cost using the utilization rate and the utilization rate coefficient. The transmission rate indicates the ratio of the number of use terminals U that have used the setting tool to the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list. The utilization rate coefficient is a predetermined value, and for example, the greater the number of use terminals U that have used the setting tool to the number of target terminals T, the higher the billing cost. Specifically, the calculation unit 335 first counts the number of use terminals U that have used the setting tool, and calculates the utilization rate based on the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list and the counted number (the number of use terminals U that have used the setting tool). Then, the calculation unit 335 calculates the billing cost by multiplying the calculated utilization rate by the utilization rate coefficient. In this way, the communication carrier C can bill the shipping carrier M for the communication cost according to the number of target terminals T that are using the communication service.

[0071] The communication carrier C may calculate the billing cost using the data communication volume of the communication line of the target terminal T included in the terminal list and the communication volume coefficient. The communication volume coefficient is a predetermined numerical value, for example, a numerical value in which the billing cost increases as the data communication volume increases. Specifically, the calculation unit 335 first calculates the total data communication volume by summing up the data communication volume of the communication line of each target terminal T included in the terminal list. Then, the calculation unit 335 calculates the billing cost by multiplying the calculated total data communication volume by the communication volume coefficient. In this way, the communication carrier C can bill the shipping carrier M for the communication cost according to the usage status of the communication service by the target terminal T.

[0072] The communication carrier C may calculate the billing cost using a statistical value (e.g., average value, median, etc.) of the data communication volume of the communication line of the target terminal T included in the terminal list and a communication volume coefficient. Specifically, the calculation unit 335 first calculates the statistical value of the data communication volume based on the data communication volume of the communication line of each target terminal T included in the terminal list. Then, the calculation unit 335 calculates the billing cost by multiplying the calculated statistical value of the data communication volume by the communication volume coefficient. In this way, the communication carrier C can bill the shipping carrier M for communication costs according to the usage status of the communication service by the target terminal T.

[0073] The communication carrier C may determine the predetermined coefficients (unit number coefficient, permission rate coefficient, transmission rate coefficient, communication volume coefficient) according to the degree of use of the communication service in the target terminal T. Specifically, the setting unit 336 determines the predetermined coefficient to be larger the higher the degree of use of the communication service in the target terminal T, and determines the predetermined coefficient to be smaller the lower the degree of use of the communication service in the target terminal T. In this way, the communication carrier C can bill the shipping carrier M for communication fees according to the usage state of the communication service by the target terminal T.

[0074] In a third step, the communications carrier C bills the calculated billing fee as a communication fee to the shipping carrier M. Specifically, the notification unit 337 notifies the shipping carrier device 2 of the billing fee calculated by the calculation unit 335, thereby billing the shipping carrier M for the billing fee.

[0075] Before the shipping company M ships the target terminal T, the communications company C notifies the shipping company M of the additional cost to be included as a communications fee in the sales price of the target terminal T. The additional cost is, for example, a predetermined fixed cost or a cost determined according to the number of units of the target terminal T that have been shipped in the past.

[0076] For example, when determining a new additional cost, the calculation unit 335 first determines the additional cost using the number of target terminals T shipped during a specified period in the past (for example, from one month ago, six months ago, one year ago, etc. to the present). The calculation unit 335 may determine the incidental cost to be higher the more the number of target terminals T shipped during the specified period in the past, or may determine the incidental cost to be lower the more the number of target terminals T shipped during the specified period in the past. Then, the notification unit 337 notifies the shipper device 2 of the additional cost calculated by the calculation unit 335.

[0077] [Processing of information processing device 3] Next, a description will be given of the flow of processing executed by the information processing device 3. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the billing method executed by the information processing device 3. This flowchart starts when the shipper acquisition unit 331 acquires a terminal list from the shipper device 2 (S11).

[0078] The calculation unit 335 calculates the billing cost to be billed to the shipper M based on the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list (S12). Then, the notification unit 337 notifies the shipper device 2 of the billing cost calculated by the calculation unit 335 (S13).

[0079] 5 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the use permission method executed by the information processing device. This flowchart starts when the shipper acquisition unit 331 acquires a terminal list from the shipper device 2 (S21).

[0080] The user business operator acquisition unit 332 acquires the ID of the user terminal U from the user business operator terminal 1 (S22). The determination unit 333 determines whether or not there is an ID of a target terminal T that matches the ID of the user terminal U acquired by the user business operator acquisition unit 332 among the IDs of one or more target terminals T included in the terminal list acquired by the shipping business operator acquisition unit 331 (S23).

[0081] When the determination unit 333 determines that there is no ID of the target terminal T that matches the ID of the use terminal U acquired by the user business acquisition unit 332 among the IDs of one or more target terminals T included in the terminal list acquired by the shipping business acquisition unit 331 (NO in S23), the process ends. On the other hand, when the determination unit 333 determines that there is an ID of the target terminal T that matches the ID of the use terminal U acquired by the user business acquisition unit 332 among the IDs of one or more target terminals T included in the terminal list acquired by the shipping business acquisition unit 331 (YES in S23), the utilization processing unit 334 transmits setting information to the use terminal U indicated by the ID of the use terminal U (S24).

[0082] <Modification> In the above, an example has been described in which the communications carrier C permits the user carrier A to use the communications service on the user terminal U, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the shipping carrier M may permit the user carrier A to use the communications service on the user terminal U. The shipping carrier M in the modified example is, for example, a carrier that has been entrusted with business by the communications carrier C and has been registered as a telecommunications carrier by filing a report with a government agency.

[0083] The shipper device 2 in the modified example has the functions of the information processing device 3 and executes at least a part of the processes executed by the information processing device 3. In this way, the shipper M can provide a series of communication services from application for use of a communication line to provision of the communication line. In addition, the user company A can purchase the target terminal T and use the communication service from the same company, the shipper M.

[0084] [Effects of this embodiment] As explained above, when the terminal ID acquired from the user business operator A is included in the terminal list acquired from the shipping business operator M, the communication carrier C permits the user business operator A to use the communication service on the user terminal U. In addition, the communication carrier C calculates the billing fee based on the number of target terminals T included in the terminal list acquired from the shipping business operator M, and charges the calculated billing fee to the shipping business operator as a communication fee.

[0085] In this way, the communication carrier C can pay the communication fee associated with the use of the communication service by having the user carrier A pay the price for the target terminal T. This allows the communication carrier C to avoid paying the monthly communication fee associated with the use of the communication service, out of the payment to the user carrier A for the price of the target terminal T and the payment of the monthly communication fee associated with the use of the communication service. As a result, the communication carrier C can reduce the trouble that the user carrier A has to pay the communication fee.

[0086] Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to "build resilient infrastructure, promote industry, innovation and infrastructure."

[0087] Although the present invention has been described above using the 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 the gist of the present invention. For example, all or part of the device can be configured by distributing or integrating functionally or physically in any unit. In addition, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effect of the new embodiment resulting from the combination combines the effect of the original embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 User operator terminal 2 Shipment business equipment 3. Information processing equipment 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Control Unit 331 Shipment Business Acquisition Department 332 User Business Acquisition Department 333 Judgment section 334 Utilization Processing Unit 335 Calculation Department 336 Settings 337 Notification Department A User company C. Telecommunications carrier M Shipping company S Information Processing System T Target device U Terminal

Claims

1. A communication carrier providing a communication line acquires target terminal identification information for identifying the shipped target terminal from a shipping carrier that ships the target terminal to be used via the communication line; The communication carrier acquires, from a user who uses a terminal, terminal identification information for identifying the terminal being used; a step of permitting the communication carrier to use the communication line to the user terminal identified by the user terminal identification information corresponding to the target terminal identification information; A step in which an information processing device used by the communication carrier determines a billing fee to be billed to the shipping carrier based on the number of the target terminals shipped; An information processing method comprising the steps of:

2. In the step of determining the billing cost, the billing cost is determined by multiplying the number of the target terminals shipped by a predetermined coefficient. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

3. In the step of determining the billing cost, the billing cost is determined by multiplying a line permission rate indicating a ratio of the number of the use terminals permitted to use the communication line to the number of the shipped target terminals by a predetermined coefficient. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

4. The method further includes a step of allowing the communication carrier to use an application program for using the communication line at the use terminal in response to a request from the user, In the step of determining the billing cost, the billing cost is determined by multiplying a usage rate indicating a ratio of the number of the use terminals that use the application program to the number of the shipped target terminals by a predetermined coefficient. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

5. A communication carrier providing a communication line acquires target terminal identification information for identifying the shipped target terminal from a shipping carrier that ships the target terminal to be used via the communication line; The communication carrier acquires, from a user who uses a terminal, terminal identification information for identifying the terminal being used; a step of permitting the communication carrier to use the communication line to the user terminal identified by the user terminal identification information corresponding to the target terminal identification information; A step in which an information processing device used by the communication carrier determines a billing fee to be billed to the shipping carrier by multiplying a statistical value of the data communication volume of the communication line in the shipped target terminal by a predetermined coefficient; An information processing method comprising the steps of:

6. The communication carrier further includes a step of determining the coefficient to be larger as the utilization degree of the communication line in the target terminal is higher, and determining the coefficient to be smaller as the utilization degree of the communication line in the target terminal is lower. The information processing method according to claim 3 .

7. The target terminal is a cellular model terminal in which the communication fee for a predetermined period incurred in connection with the use of the communication line is included in the sales price. The information processing method according to claim 1 .

8. a business acquisition unit that acquires target terminal identification information for identifying the shipped target terminal from a shipping business that ships the target terminal to be used with a communication line; A user acquisition unit that acquires, from a user who uses a terminal, usage terminal identification information for identifying the usage terminal that is the terminal being used; a utilization processing unit that permits utilization of the communication line by the utilization terminal identified by the utilization terminal identification information corresponding to the target terminal identification information; A determination unit that determines a billing fee to be billed to the shipping company based on the number of the target terminals that have been shipped; An information processing device having the above configuration.

9. Computer, a carrier acquisition unit that acquires target terminal identification information for identifying the shipped target terminal from a shipping carrier that ships the target terminal to be used with the communication line; A user acquisition unit that acquires, from a user who uses a terminal, usage terminal identification information for identifying the usage terminal, which is the terminal being used; a utilization processing unit that permits the utilization of the communication line to the utilization terminal identified by the utilization terminal identification information corresponding to the target terminal identification information; and A determination unit that determines a billing fee to be billed to the shipping company based on the number of the target terminals that have been shipped; A program to function as a

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